Here's chapter 5 guys! Thanks again to everyone who's been reviewing! It's been really fun to write this fic, andI hope you're all finding it just as fun to read :) I'm currently writing chapter 7, so theres still some life left in the concept - as long as you all want there to be o'course :)
Eric and Speed huddled around a table in one of the labs.
'Okay, I think I've found the link' Speed announced, gesturing to the array of items lain out upon the desk
'Between Sculthorpe and Falkirk? Way to go' Eric congratulated his friend with a pat to the shoulder
'Thanks. I went through Sculthorpe's bank records and found-'
'Hey Guys' Calleigh interrupted them, poking her head through the door 'You seen Horatio?'
'Not since assignments'
'Great' she muttered
'Has Kenny gone back?' Delko asked
'Yeah, just left them at MIA'
'He's a good guy' Eric smiled
'Can hold his drink too'
Calleigh chuckled at the macho hazing ritual, 'Heard some stories about you guys too' she mocked. After Kenny had a slice of dry toast in him and a pot of coffee, he had started to relay what he could remember about his antics the night before, especially anecdotes about Eric and Tim and a couple of girls…
Their faces fell.
'So you've not seen Horatio?'
'Er…no' Speed managed to utter.
Eric whispered to Tim 'He wouldn't…'
Tim shook his head, 'She's playing us'
'good'
'Bye fellas' Calleigh called, as she walked back out the door.
The guys watched her walk past the window, her long hair bouncing down her back; her purse over her shoulder and a…grey…jacket in her hand? Turning to look at each other in disbelief 'nooooooo'
-
Calleigh walked through the labs and headed up the metal staircase to Horatio's office. She fully expected it to be unlocked, it always was. Horatio claimed he wanted to make sure 'everyone knows my door is always open – figuratively and literally'. Smiling as she slipped into the office, she made her way to his desk chair and draped his jacket over the back. Calleigh braced herself on the back of the chair as she looked over the pictures that adorned the metal furniture.
The first was a photograph of a young red-headed child, no more than 14, with his arm draped around the shoulder of an equally flame-haired young boy, maybe 12. Behind them, a woman looked on with a proud, happy smile lighting up her attractive features. 'Annalise' Calleigh muttered, fingering the wooden frame.
Next to it stood another, of Raymond, with Yelana and Ray Jr. The only family he had left.
She smiled as she spotted the last picture. In landscape fashion, 5 smiling, happy faces looked back at her. Eric and Speed with each other in a headlock; Alexx standing next to Horatio with her beloved Chanel sunglasses around her eyes; and there it was; Horatio with his arm around Calleigh, who had her arm around his waist, and tucked perfectly into his broad chest. 'Summer Baseball tournament 2001' she remembered fondly. They'd just kicked night-shift's ass (8-5) and had insisted on a winner's photograph. She would never forget that day.
-
It was fast approaching seven o'clock. Calleigh had spent the day on a solo B&E, not once setting eyes on Horatio, or Speed and Eric for that matter. At 5 prompt, for a change, she left CSIHQ, headed for her car, and got into date-mode. She jumped in the shower, washed her hair, and stood before her closet in the white fluffy towel.
This was always the worst part of a date! Did she go casual or dressy? But if she went dressy and they went to Pizza Hut, she'd be totally over dressed! Not that she thought for one minute Horatio would take her to the Hut for a first date.
That's when it hit her.
First date.
Calleigh's first date with Horatio.
Horatio.
She stumbled back onto the edge of her bed. What was she doing? What if it all went wrong? It would never be the same again. There would always be that awkward silence and uncomfortable-ness that went with dates-gone-bad. She didn't want that, not with Horatio.
But something deep down inside of her told her this wasn't going to be one of those dates. Horatio Caine wasn't just another guy she dated. He was Horatio Caine. Horatio Caine…her fiancé! She giggled at the thought, and resumed back to her frenzied search of the perfect outfit.
Calleigh pushed the hangers to one side, looking at each top and each skirt, and seeing zero potential! She pushed another pastel blue top to the side…and there it was: The perfect dress.
-
A knock at the door gave her a start. Checking the clock (6.59pm), she placed her hairbrush down onto the table and walked down the stairs.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the door, revealing Horatio, once again, on her step.
After a beat, he spoke, 'Calleigh, you look…' exquisite? Stunning? Beautiful? None of them seemed to do her justice.
'So do you handsome' She smiled,
'Are you ready?'
'Sure, let me just grab my purse' she turned to walk into the living room, allowing Horatio to fully examine and appreciate his beautiful date.
Her golden hair, slightly wavy, cascaded down her back; partly covering the semi-backless black dress. It clung perfectly to her athletic form, but without being too tight; showed just enough cleavage to send Horatio's heart racing that extra beat and showed just enough of her fantastic legs, without it being to short. He chuckled in his own reverie.
'What's so funny?' she asked, joining him at the door
'Just remembering when you said that you didn't look good in all black…I seriously beg to differ'
Calleigh smiled, striking a pose, 'Oh this old thing?' she asked coyly, 'Thank you'
'Shall we go?'
Calleigh nodded, locking the door and falling into step with him. He was dressed in a dark suit, with a crisp white shirt. Although he wore basically the same attire at work, he looked different; more relaxed and casual. More Horatio, less Lt. Caine. She loved that.
Horatio opened the door to the Hummer, waiting for Calleigh to take a seat, before walking around to his side and getting in. As he started up the engine, Calleigh asked 'So where are we going?'
'A gentleman never tells' he smiled
'I thought that was a 'lady'?'
'Hmm' he chuckled, driving down the road.
-
Calleigh had been watching through the window, noticing the Miami sights, but still not figuring on where he was taking her. One thing was for sure though, her heart was dangerously close to breaking out of her chest. Every time Horatio changed gear, his hand brushed lightly across her thigh, sending shivers throughout her entire body. Having him in such a close proximity was excruciating enough, but the realisation that she was going on a date with him, and the occasional accidental physicality just tormented her more.
It was a similar situation for the driver of the vehicle. He had intentionally taken the longer route to the destination for the reason that it meant changing the gear more. It was evil…but true.
When they finally pulled to a stop, Horatio unbuckled his belt and turned to his passenger, 'Welcome to the restaurant…Mi Casa'
Calleigh giggled as she realised where she was: Horatio's beach side condo.
Horatio escorted her to his front door, and stepped aside as she entered to the foyer first. The two-story stucco home held a three bedroom…palace! Or that's what it looked like at least. As Calleigh stepped over the threshold, she was immediately greeted with a long hall and full-size window directly opposite her. The view was breathtaking. The amber sun was just a semi-circle as it slowly disappeared into the shimmering tranquil turquoise ocean. 'Wow' she whispered.
'The sunsets are amazing here. It's the main reason I bought the property.' He went on, 'Everything seems simpler and …accessible after the day turns to night from the balcony'
She was transfixed on the beauty of the image in front of her, and the inspiring words Horatio had just whispered into her ear. She felt a hand to the small of her back, guiding her forwards, down the hall, and onto the balcony. Sliding the door open, the couple took the few steps and leant against the railing.
'I'm just going to check on the food' Horatio announced, slipping back inside.
Any hesitations or uncertainty that Calleigh had felt in the moments leading up to the date were slowly ebbing away with each pigment of light that disappeared on the horizon. All the butterflies had flown from her jittery stomach as she relaxed in her new surroundings.
A slight quiver ran down her spine as the temperature dropped a little.
'I detected a shiver' Horatio said, slipping his jacket around her shoulders.
'That you did, thank you' she replied, wrapping it around her arms. She pulled the lapel up to her nose, instantly recognising the scent as Horatio.
'Dinner will be a few more minutes' he told, handing her a glass of wine
She leant her hip against the railings, facing Horatio. 'Thank you…for tonight'
'Don't thank me yet, you haven't tasted my cooking'
'Well, if it's anything like your hospitality, I can't wait' she chuckled.
'You know you look amazing, don't you?' Horatio stated, after their eyes had been locked to one another for a moment.
'I do now' She said, leaning in to kiss Horatio.
