After Horatio had dropped Calleigh off at home on his way to work – it was her day off – and after her requested phone calls to Kenny and Alexx, she was left aimlessly wandering around her home. It was all so quiet now. Amelia wasn't chattering away to Eeyore in front of the TV and Kenny wasn't 'resting his eyes' (also known as snoring – loudly) on the couch. After reading the morning paper over a cup of coffee and opening her mail, she was back to boredom. Day's off didn't really agree with Calleigh Duquesne.

She'd grabbed a shower at Horatio's, and didn't particularly want to change out of her borrowed sweat pants and t-shirt, so popped a DVD in and curled up on the couch.

A knock at her door broke her from her DVD daydream.

'We have to stop meeting like this' she joked, finding Horatio on her step, this time holding a plastic bag

'Hmmm. I thought I'd treat you to some lunch' He chuckled, gesturing with the Take-out

'Oh you brilliant man' she smiled, showing him to the kitchen.

After plating up the food, they made their way back to the couch. 'So what were you watching?'

Calleigh looked at him with a sheepish smile 'Don't laugh…Easter Parade'

'Fred Astaire, Judy Garland'

'You know it?' her eyes bugged out a little

'It's a classic! Plus my mom always said that a man knew how to dance' he leant into her, whispering 'I think she had a crush on Fred really'

Calleigh chuckled, spooning some more rice into her mouth, and hitting play on the remote.

-

'Calleigh? I think I should be getting back' Horatio announced, stroking her blonde locks

She turned her head on his chest to look at his face, 'Before you go, I was thinking…'

'Go on'

'What do think…if we invited the guys and Alexx over tonight and told them about…us? You know, before they hear about from work or whatever?'

'I think it's a great idea. Ill ask them when I get back'

She sat up, 'Really? 'cos I was thinking I could get everything prepared while I'm free, Lord knows I've nothing better to do than watch DVDs'

'Say…7 at mine?'

'Perfect' Calleigh smiled, kissing her new beau

Standing up, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys. Twisting one off, he handed it to Calleigh 'Here you go'

'You sure?' she asked, standing up herself

'Without a doubt'

-

'I'm not late, am I?' Alexx asked, whipping into Horatio's condo, taking off her long jacket, 'The kid's were playing up'

'You're fine, we were just about to sit down' Horatio told her, escorting her to the other guests: Calleigh, Tim and Eric

'So I didn't miss anything?' she asked with a wink

'No'

'Good' they turned into the room 'Hey everyone, sorry I'm late'

'You nearly missed the food' Speed chimed in

'You would have saved some for me, Timmy' Alexx retorted taking the seat next to him.

Horatio and Calleigh took the seats opposite their three friends, slightly nervous about the impending confession.

'Before we start…there's something I want to tell you all…'

'What's up, H?'

Alexx tried to hide her large smile, but failed after seeing Calleigh's arm move in the direction of Horatio's hand under the table

'This' he said, holding up his left hand, that was entwined with Calleigh's. 'We wanted you to find out from us, before it got around the lab'

Calleigh's smile was officially the largest Speed had ever seen it, 'Oh we know that. Pass the rice please'

'Wait, you know!' Calleigh asked, shocked

'Yeah, H got a call that he'd left his jacket in some girl's apartment after something involving a couch' Eric's eyes turned mischievous with his last statement, 'then we saw you carrying a jacket that looked extremely similar, and was looking for Horatio, so we just put two-and-two together, and got you two together'

'So we didn't really need to plan this evening?'

'Nope, but we thank you for it' Tim smiled, spooning some more Louisiana Rice onto his plate.

-

The night had come to close. They'd had just shut the door behind Alexx and the guys, when Horatio told Calleigh to leave the dishes till later, and took her hand, leading her to the beach.

Hand-in-hand, Horatio and Calleigh walked along the peaceful and deserted shore. The only sound coming from the waves lapping against the golden sand, and the two relaying moments from the meal.

'I can't believe they figured it out! I was hoping for a little bit of fun from their faces, but…nothing!' Calleigh said, pushing sand in between her toes.

'Yeah, that's my fault really, I should have gone into the other room when you called'

'and you shouldn't have left your jacket that night'

'That too' he chuckled, nudging Calleigh with his hip.

'It so beautiful tonight' she breathed, seeing the full moon looking down on them.

'You're beautiful tonight' Horatio said, spinning Calleigh into his arms

'Aren't I every night?' she asked coyly

'Definitely, but there's something about you tonight…you look different' he said, looking her up-and-down 'Oh! No, you know what it is?'

'What?' her brow furrowed a little

'You've forgotten something'

'I have!'

'mmhmm, this' Horatio dropped to one knee, bringing out a small black, velvet box out of his inside pocket

'Horatio…' she gasped

'Calleigh, this may be a little fast, but I've known since day one. Since I first saw you walk into that conference room back in New Orleans, I knew you were the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. It took me 5 years, a bottle of wine and your niece to finally give me enough courage to ask you out, never mind ask you to marry me!'

Calleigh chuckled, feeling tears stinging at her eyes, as she took in the sight of the unopened box.

'And I know we've only been officially dating for, what, 2 days, but it's just shown me that I can actually love someone more than life itself, more than I ever could have imagined. So...Calleigh Duquesne…will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?' Horatio opened the case, revealing an amazing diamond ring. The moon, high in the sky, caught the ring at an angle, sending a shaft of light across Horatio's features, illuminating the look in his beautiful blue eyes: love, hope, and even more love.

Calleigh gasped as the jewellery was unveiled. After a moment, she wrapped her hands around Horatio's and knelt in front of his own kneeling stance.

'Horatio…you never needed a ring for me to love you - you never needed to say a word for me to love you. I've always known deep in my heart that this day would come, even if technically it was me that proposed in the first place, back on that couch 2 days ago. So…Horatio Caine' she took the box out of his hand and turned it to point to him, 'will you be my husband?'

Smiling back tears himself, 'Yes. Always yes'

They broke into a hug, and kissed before Calleigh tearfully, but giggling, asked, 'I still get the ring don't I?'

Chuckling, 'Of course!' he took the box back out of Calleigh's hand.

Slipping out the ring, he placed the box on the sand and took Calleigh's left hand in his. Placing a kiss on her ring finger, and one on the ring, he slid it over her delicate skin until it came to a stop just before the third knuckle. He placed another kiss on the final ensemble, before kissing an emotional Calleigh once again.