DISCLAIMER: see chapter one

A/N: Okay, sorry for the delay, it's been busy lol. But here is nine, there should be just one more! YEAH, but be warned this one is fluffy, not really a whole lot of a plot going on here, I just couldn't resist myself! Oh I have a question, does anybody like or read this notes? Just wondering, if I am being more of a bother with them, I suppose it's a little late to be asking huh! LoL So anyway hope you enjoy!!!! -RaeAnne

CHAPTER NINE

They soon pulled into Horatio's driveway, he helped her out and together they walked up the drive.

"I am tired, Horatio…so very tired," she sighed as he let them in. He nodded knowing full what she meant. They were greeted very joyously by Horatio as they moved to the living room.

"Hey there! How is my good boy?" Calleigh laughed as her puppy scampered from the hallway, slipping and sliding on the polished hard wood floors, giving out small yelps. "Aww, good boy," she rubbed his head, he returning the favor by licking her fingers.

"I am going to change…I'll be back," Horatio said awkwardly escaping toward his bedroom.

"Well Horatio, I guess it's just you and me huh?" she laughed as she turned in the room. It was only in the last few days that she had even seen Horatio's house… it was oddly him. Cool, manly, and smelled just like him. "Go figure…leather, woods and that little…well something," she smiled at the thought. The living room had black leather couches, solid rod iron and wood inlayed coffee table, which were grouped in such a way to take advantage of the large beautiful fireplace. Calleigh never quite got the fireplace in Miami thing, but never the less she had to admit that it was indeed a beautiful thing. She ran her hand along the mantel of the fireplace looking at the only pictures in the room. In silver steel frames pictures of his brother, sister in law and nephew, mom and of his team… She picked up the photo and smiled. The picture had been taken the day they crime lab had been awarded #1 crime lab in the country; she put it back on the mantel.

The living room also incorporated the dining room, there was a medium sized mahogany table and chairs, and a huge beautiful window beside the front door with bench seat looking out to the front lawn, now it's curtain's were drawn. There was a bar and a single step up that separated the dining/living room from the kitchen. The kitchen was beautiful state of the art stainless steel masterpiece. The counters black marble, the cabinets a deep cherry, the appliances glinted dully from the over head light, it was a man's kitchen, but a kitchen she sure wouldn't mind using.

The only thing now that she hadn't inspected, ever, were the rooms that were down the hall. She sighed hands resting backward on her hips, blowing a strand of hair from falling in her eye. "Well handsome do you think I should change out of this masquerade dress? I think they clock is about to strike 12 o'clock," she laughed, petting the puppy again.

"Well…really it's only a little after nine…but I guess to each their own," Horatio appeared in human form, in the entrance of the hall, a small smile pulling at his lips.

"Hmm," Calleigh turned up her nose though she couldn't help but return his smile. He was in faded denim jeans and white button up shirt, un-tucked and open at the neck, even more so then usual offering a tantalizing view of his chest. Calleigh fought a sigh; he was such a…well a man!

"I put your things in the second room on the left, the bathroom is across the hall. I hope everything you need is in there, Alexx packed it," Horatio shrugged.

"I am sure it is just fine, thank you," Calleigh said heading down the hall the puppy at her heals. "Stay here baby, I'll be just a minute," she shooed him gently.

"Come on Horatio," Horatio called patting his knee, the puppy turned and bolted for him, his little stump of a tail wagging.

She entered the bathroom setting the clothes on the toilet and started to reach for the buttons on her dress, she turned and she stretched, there was no way her hands were doing to undo them! "Ugh!" she stopped her foot in disgust. She did not want to have him come help her; she just did not want that…or did she?

With a huff she threw open the door and marched into the living room.

"Something wrong?" Horatio asked from his recliner.

"Yes," Calleigh put her hands on her hips.

"Okay, can I help?" he asked eyebrow arched.

"Yes," she sighed moving to him.

He stood and she turned her back to him.

"These blasted buttons on my dress…I just can't seem to reach them," she tried to undo them as she spoke.

"Not a problem, but stop pulling, you will tear something," he chuckled lowly. She nodded.

He stood behind her, eyeing the white satin covered buttons with all the intensity of a crime scene. He took an inaudible breath and reached for the first button. His hand touched the tender, cool, creamy skin on her shoulder as he separated the material. One by one he moved down, his hands steady and warm. Calleigh fought off a sigh but she wasn't as able to hide the shiver that crept down her spine.

"Cold?" his word was like a tender caress, warm and tantalizing settling on her.

She licked her suddenly dry lips, trying to force her thoughts to stabilize, "Maybe… a little," she breathed.

"Hmmm…" the sound rumbled in his throat, he ran a finger down the curve of her spine. She shivered again, feeling almost dizzy. His hands undid the last button letting the dress slide partly down her shoulders, the slit down the back stopping just above the line of her white lace panties.

"You looked beautiful tonight," he murmured hands on her neck, his lips moving to touch the pale skin, burning imprints. She shook like jello.

He reached for the pins holding her hair in place, releasing them in a cascade.

"I…I…" she stumbled over her words and she turned to face him. "What is going on…" she whispered her eyes betraying her, betraying her vulnerability, her fear, her anxiousness—her love.

"What should have happened a long time ago," he reached to cup her cheek, his thumb caressing it. He wanted to pour his heart out to her, he wanted to say everything that was in his heart and mind, but something stopped him, that something he knew was his own damn pride.

"Tell me what, tell me Horatio, don't make me speculate, please spell it out…" she summed up the courage not to melt under his touch.

"What is happening is—that I— I am falling for you. I didn't mean to, I didn't plan it, and to be perfectly honest for a while I didn't want to. I was perfectly happy living in my darkened house, my darkened life knowing that my whole existence was dedicated to keeping what happened to me, to my family from happening to my city. I know I'm not what you need, or desire, I'm sure you're holding out for that prince, but I am crazy in love with you. In this city of sun and beauty I saw only the scum, the filth, the crime and the garbage, then you broke though. I didn't ask you to, I didn't know anyone could, but you did. You got close, I pushed you away, I've done all that I can think of make you turn away but you still come back, and you still put up with it all. My Bullet Girl, my sunny, beautiful, beautiful, Calleigh…what ever could you see in this dark, emotionally shut off man?" he looked at her with his head tipped breathing soft and fast.

She felt tears spring, heart fill with gladness and hope, "I…I am crazy about you Handsome, always have been, didn't mean to, wasn't sure when it happened, but I am sure glad it did. More then just being attracted to you I respect you. I know you've been hurt, but I want to be the one that is beside you no matter what! No matter how hard you push or fight, I'm yours. Simple as that…I don't want a prince, just a bit sissy if you ask me. I want a Dark Knight to slay dragons with me by his side! So my dear, did you know beside that whole tall, dark knight, and handsome thing you've got going you on, you've got that strong, silent, type thing going for you too…now if you just add that rifle, well you just stepped right out of my fantasy Lt. Caine…you are one sexy, sexy red head," she grinned wrapping her arms around his neck.

He gave her that heart stopping-make you blush from head to toe-rock your world-gonna faint if he does it again, half grin and pulled her close, head dipping for his lips to make contact with hers. Her lips parted, yearning for him to come closer. Soon his hands were tangled in her hair, beckoning her. She slid her hands down his shirt front letting her hands run over the perfect muscles, over his firm, toned abs, she gripped his shirt and pulled closer to him, needing to deepen the kiss.

It was a kiss that was deep, passionate, and soul shaking. Like a thirst you can't quite quench, they drank greedily of each other. There was an oasis in that moment, as moans of fulfillment echoed; their loved found was like a drought ending violent storm of rain that was healing to a parched heart.

Bliss didn't last long. A thunderous crash hit beside them, Horatio pushed Calleigh behind him as the tried to find the source. Didn't take long, he found the large living room window in a million pieces all scattered on the gray carpet.

"You taking away my Calleigh away from me Caine?" a sinister voice called.

Horatio held his breath eyeing his gun on the other side of the room, on a table by the window, out of reach. Horatio put his hands on Calleigh, letting her know to stay behind him.

JD Truman stepped through the broken window, dark pants and shirt hiding him well in the darkened night, and now darkened room.

"You are going to be caught Truman, there are cops all around here…" Horatio started slowly; forcefully.

"Are there? If there were don't you think they would have gotten me by now?" Truman taunted twirling a 32. Glock around his finger.

"What do you want?" Calleigh's voice was soft yet imploring.

Truman chuckled, "You, you knew that. What a stupid question!"

"Then take me," she stepped from behind Horatio.