With huge thanks to Rosanna for 'OVEN!' and 'BROCOLLI!' ;)


The kiss was tender but passionate as they leaned into each other's body's, moulding into one.

They broke off, resting their foreheads onto the others. Calleigh's body began to shiver again slightly, but she unsure whether the reason was the cool night, or the content feeling that was washing over senses with each minute – each second- that she spent with this man. This amazing man.

Horatio's hands started to rub at Calleigh's arms, attempting to warm her 'Let's get you inside'

'But the sunset…'

'They'll be another tomorrow' he assured her with a cock-eyed smile, guiding her back into the house.

-

'Just in here' he told, opening a swing door, still with a hand to the small of Calleigh's back.

Obeying, she slipped through the doorway into a room that made her gasp. A table had been set up in the centre of the kitchen, complete with a crisp white table cloth; long, thin lit candles and an array of beautiful china crockery. Although the room was bathed in the natural dimness of the hour, hundreds of tea-light candles had been arranged around the room – on top of the counters; appliances; shelves. Each shedding a little beam of light from a different angle giving the room the most romantic feel she'd ever experienced. 'Oh my…'

'Your table awaits' Horatio announced, pulling a chair out from under the table for her. She sat, still unable to believe her surroundings. Pushing the chair lightly behind her, he gently slipped his jacket from her delicate shoulders and draped it around the back of her chair.

'More wine?' he asked, refilling her glass with the dark red beverage

'Thank you, kind sir' she replied, batting her eyelashes just a little.

Horatio turned back around, pushing play on the CD player. A slow Latino tune emitted from the device as he placed a plate in front of Calleigh.

-

As Horatio placed the final salver in front of his beautiful date – a dessert of Tiramisu – she just had to ask the question, 'Where did you learn to cook like that?'

'My mom' he said, taking his seat, 'She always said 'Horatio, a real man knows 3 things; how to cook, how to dance and how to treat his family''

'She was a very smart woman' she smiled, gesturing with her spoon

'Yes, she was'

The Tiramisu was the final delicacy that Calleigh had been offered by the hand of the chef. Horatio had prepared Prawn cocktail (bought fresh that morning from the harbour) for starters and a surprisingly delicious meal of Chicken stuffed with salmon for the main. Each bite tasted like heaven – even more so with the sparkling conversation that the two shared. Anecdotes about work, home, and childhood had all been broached.

As she took her final nibble of pudding, Calleigh dabbed the corners of her mouth and thanked her host for the amazing feast. 'So what do you have up your sleeve for now, Handsome?'

'I thought maybe we could go back to the balcony…?'

'I like it' she smiled. Standing up, she collected her plates and Horatio's and took them to the sink, turning the tap on. She scanned the worktop for a cloth before Horatio's hands slid themselves across her stomach, and rested his head on her shoulder. 'Whatcha doin'?'

'Washing up. You cooked, so it's only fair I clean'

'Drop the cloth' he told

'Or what?' she asked, playfully, spinning to face him, and flinging her arms around his neck

'Or…I might have to do this' he brought his lips to hers in a passionate clinch.

Her fingers entwined around strands of his flame-coloured hair, scratching at his scalp, anything to get even closer.

As he lifted her up onto the counter, their lips losing contact for just a second, Calleigh asked, 'uh huh, so what if I offered to do the laundry?' They both smiled into their next kiss.

-

Turning the tap on in the kitchen, Calleigh, once again, scanned the counter for a cloth to clean the dishes. But, once again, Horatio's arms gliding their way around her stomach caused her to abandon the cause and spin to kiss the handsome man behind her.

'Good morning' he whispered into their embrace. She'd heard him say those two words everyday for the past 5 years, but they took on a whole new meaning when you woke up in his arms.

'Good morning to you to'

'Any plans for this glorious day?'

'Well, for one thing, I'm determined to find a cloth to clean these dishes' she said, spinning back out of his grasp to continue her search, 'then…' shrugging.

'Okay, well, first things first' Horatio smiled, pulling down the metal door beneath the counter, revealing the shelves to the dishwasher. He filled it up while Calleigh watched, chuckling to herself.

'Well, that explains the no-cloth-thing'

'They're unhygienic' he smiled, returning to his previous position, wrapping himself around Calleigh.

'I think if we finished what we had started in here, that would have been more unhygienic'

'hmm. Yes, you could be right' he chuckled, kissing her again.

Just the smallest of contact with Horatio would send her heart beating that extra beat, but kissing him so passionately had an effect that she had never experienced with her other boyfriends. It was like her whole body – head to toe – ached for another touch, another kiss, another 'last night'.

Bringing her arms up to rest on his chest, she lightly pushed him away. His concerned and somewhat disappointed face told her she needed to explain – and fast. 'I think there's some things we need to discuss'

'Am I moving to fast?'

'No! no, its just…what about work?' her hands began to aimlessly stroke across his chest, 'This kind of relationship isn't exactly welcomed with opened arms'

'No, its not, but' he placed his hands over hers 'I know some people who can help, and some people who owe me some favours. Don't worry, okay? As long as you're happy, everything else can work out'

'Promise?'

'Promise'

-

'Hello?'

'Lynette? Hey, it's Calleigh'

'Calleigh! How are you?'

'I'm great thanks, how are you?'

'Tired, fat, sore…'

'So, good then?' she chuckled

'Fantastic' Calleigh could practically hear her smile

'I suppose you've heard?'

'About you and Horatio? Yes, I have, honey, and I gotta say, I'm so happy for you'

'For me?'

'Yes! You're so lucky! They had the same kind of thing on 'Till The End' last year between Roxie and Stefan. They worked together and then finally got together and had the most romantic and amazing relationship!'

'And they're still together?' she asked, figuring 'Till The End' was a daytime soap. With her hours, she rarely got to watch any TV as it was.

'Well, they were, until Stefan's evil twin brother, Goran, got out of prison and killed Stefan because he was in love with Roxie…it was so sad'. Lynette added as an after thought 'Hey, Horatio doesn't have any brother's does he?'

'He did, but he died'

'Oh, that's so sad'

'Yeah…hey, is Kenny about?'

'Oh, yeah sure, he's here. Be happy honey'

'You too Lyn, take care of yourself'

'Calleigh?'

'Kenny?'

'Why didn't you phone me! I told you to phone me when you got in, before you phoned Alexx' he didn't sound too happy

'Junior, I haven't phoned Alexx yet'

'Wait, so you've…'

'Just got home? Yes'

'Calleigh! You dark horse!'

She told him of how Horatio took her to his house for their date and how it all just felt so right. She tactfully skimmed over the sordid details of their night together because he was, after all, her little brother.

'what did he say about work?'

'He said that he knew some people and not to worry about it'

'Good. Next time you do target practise, use you're handbook as the target, specifically those 9 little sections…'

Calleigh giggled at the concept

'You sound happy. Are you happy?'

'Never been happier, Kenny'