Title: The Fake Engagement [8/?]

Author: Dylan

Disclaimer: See previous chapters

Spoilers: None

(A/N) Oh my Lord...have I got a case of writers block? I hope this chapter satisfies you guys...sorry for the extremely long wait. Sighs I've also around 5 more unfinished one-shots...

The Fake Engagement [8/?]

Calleigh winced as flashes of pain shot through her feet and hit her thighs, as she walked into their temporary residence.

She tried to keep up with Sally's constant chatter but she had been lost after Sally had shown Calleigh the dress.

It truly was a beautiful dress, Calleigh admitted to herself. But Sally hadn't missed the chance of comparing her gown.

The dress was a long, white, silky skirt accompanied by a white-halter top. Both of the articles of clothing had small beaded flowers trailing on the side, and the skirt had a daring slit up to her thigh.

"Oh, there are the boys!" Sally exclaimed cheerfully, and Calleigh looked up.

She saw Hagen and Horatio sitting on one of the many leather couches, with several booklets of vehicles spread around them.

Stifling a grin, she noticed Horatio's steady nods to Hagen's words. It was clear that Horatio ad no interest in cars but had the courtesy to try and look interested.

Horatio's azure eyes lit up as he caught sight of Calleigh, and small childish grin appeared on his face.

He stood up and strode over to the ladies, with Hagen in tow.

"Why don't I help you with those?" Horatio offered, ever the gentlemen. He took a few of Calleigh's bags and began to make his way up the stairs.

Calleigh gave Hagen and Sally a leaving smile and followed Horatio with the remaining bags.

As soon as they were in their room, Horatio turned to her, setting the bags down.

"You went out with that guy?" He claimed incredulously, and Calleigh laughed, walking over to him.

"You learn to tune him out after a while."

##########################

Calleigh struggled wit the back zipper of her dress, as she got ready for the 'formal dinner' Horatio and she were to attend.

She was wearing a slinky black dress that Calleigh loved.

She heard the bathroom door open and looked up, but paused speechlessly.

Horatio stood there, dressed in silver pants along with a white shirt, with the sleeves rolled up.

Tearing her eyes away from his strong forearms, she motioned to her back. "A little help here..."

Horatio's eyes twinkled at her in amusement as he came up behind her.

They were now, both, in front of the mirror and Horatio reached down and took hold of the zipper.

Taking his sweet time, he began to pull it up alluringly, his eyes taking in every inch of creamy skin that was revealed.

After he was done, his arms slid around her waist on their own accord, and he rested his chin on her shoulder.

They made a magnificent picture, he mused to himself. He seemed almost emancipated when he was with her.

And he liked it.

With Calleigh, he didn't have to hide himself. He didn't have to shield his feelings, or act like someone he wasn't.

With Calleigh, he was just Horatio. Not Lieutenant, Mr. Caine or Caine.

Just Horatio.

Calleigh shifted her shoulder in an attempt to get his attention.

"You okay, Horatio?" She asked, a small, self-conscious smile tugging at her lips, and Horatio realized he had been staring at her intensely.

Stroking her cheek, they met eyes through the mirror. "You're an amazing woman, Calleigh Caine." As he said that sincerely, Calleigh felt a flush of heat in her body as he murmured her name.

Horatio's fingers lowered and were on their way to her lips, when their door swung open.

It was Barbie and Ken themselves, Calleigh thought grimly. They have impeccable timing.

"Are we ready to roll?" Hagen asked, not knowing they just disturbed a sensual moment.

Calleigh stood numbly, her cheeks still burning from Horatio's touch.

Horatio grabbed his jacket, and he came to Calleigh, sliding her shawl over her shoulders.

"We were just coming down," Horatio told them, and placed a hand on Calleigh's lower back, guiding her out the room.

Calleigh shot back to reality, and turned around to Horatio, her eyes wide. "Horatio!" She whispered urgently, "I didn't put any make-up on, or anything!"

She tried to get by him, but Horatio caught her waist swiftly, and lowered his mouth to her ear.

"You definitely don't need to rely on make-up to be beautiful."

Calleigh froze, and a small shiver went through her body as his proximity, but she turned back around, and went down the stairs, fully aware of an amused pair of eyes following her. ##########################

To Horatio and Calleigh's surprise, their formal dinner wasn't in a restaurant but at home, in Hagen's dining room.

Sally caught Calleigh's surprised look, and explained. "Oh, we stopped going out to eat, "She looped her arm through Hagen's, "Sometimes John and I just can't resist ourselves and it would be quite embarrassing to make love in a restaurant."

Se turned to Hagen, who was gazing at her with love, so the couple missed the looks that were exchanged by Horatio and Calleigh.

Calleigh turned to Horatio and wrinkled her nose, clearly disgusted by the amount of information shared.

Even Horatio, with his usual composed look, couldn't help the incredulous look cross his face.

"Shall we?" Hagen broke off with his fiancée and motioned for them to sit.

As Calleigh took her seat, her ring twinkled in the light, and Sally gasped. She jumped up, and ran (graciously-mind you) over to Calleigh.

"Oh my!" Sally cried, holding out Calleigh's ring. "Johnny, would you look at the size of this thing?"

She shot a sly look at Horatio, "You devil...I knew you love her."

More than you think, Horatio finished in his head, but offered a smile.

If Sally noticed Calleigh's discomfort of the scrutiny, she didn't say anything. After gushing over Calleigh's ring, she went back to her seat, to Calleigh's great relief.

But not before holding out her left hand next to Calleigh's, and observed calmly, "Mine's a smidge bigger than yours', dear."

Calleigh gritted her teeth in amazement, How could anyone be so shallow?

Horatio laid a gentle hand on Calleigh's bare arm, and gave her a look that soothed her frayed nerves, and calmed her down to her toes.

Calleigh sighed and picked up her fork...it was going to be a long, pain-staking dinner.