Chapter 7: Honey under the moon

Calleigh walked into her element. The gun vault hadn't changed since her replacement had taken over for her, a few weeks ago.

"Be still, my heart," she muttered to the silent room. She slowly gazed over all the fine pieces of craftsmanship until she felt like someone was watching her. She spun halfway and saw that her instincts had been right.

Horatio was standing in the doorway, hands on his hips.

"Detective," he smiled.

"Took a wrong turn, Lieutenant" She asked, turning to fully face him, thinking he wasn't supposed to be here –wasn't supposed to know she was here.

"I do need directions…" He played along.

She tipped her head, "Really? To where"

"To your heart."

He stepped closer, taking her in his arms like he had wanted to last night and made her weak in the knees - his eyes never did get brighter than when he was about to kiss her and she loved the way he licked his lips before he did.

After a soft kiss, he pulled back still holding her and asked, "What do you say we go out tonight"

She beamed him a smile and he choked up at her radiance.

"I'd love that, but…"

"I'll call Susie and let her know," he read her thoughts and eliminated her qualms.

If it was possible, she was even more beautiful at that moment. "You're a wonderful man, Horatio Caine," she repeated the same thing she had told him when they had started dating.

Horatio repeated what he had replied at the time, this time, letting her know his feelings, "You're an amazing woman, Calleigh Caine." The fact that she had his last name simply added to the equation. "Now, I'll leave you to your beloved guns, Miss Firearms."

"Thank you," she grinned and he turned to leave.

"Oh. Horatio – " she called.

He swerved. "Yeah?"

"I wanted to tell you that if you want us to go someplace this weekend, wherever it is, it's fine with me… I love you." He encircled her at the waist, holding her against his chest.

He held her for a moment, leaning down to kiss her again before leaving. A few minutes later, he still hadn't really left, enjoying seeing her shine with happiness as she brushed over a shotgun's barrel prior to selecting one to practice shooting with.

He smiled and walked off, shaking his head.

Horatio smoothed his tie as he sat down beside Calleigh on the couch.

"Ready" He surveyed her as she bore a hole in her cell phone with her eyes.

She placed it in her purse and looked up at him. She was so gorgeous in her evening gown that the look in her eyes sent Horatio a conflicting message.

"You called Susie, again"

"Yeah, she was burping him."

"He'll be fine, Calleigh. Susie's taken care of a baby before. I trust her."

"You're right. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. C'mon, Beautiful, I'm taking you out tonight and I promise you'll have a great time."

She noticed his tie and ran her hand down his chest over it, "Wore this for me, didn't you"

"Guilty as charged."

"Mmm," she mumbled snuggling against his neck.

He reached into his coat pocket for his keys, "Your ride awaits, Madam."

They enjoyed a nice relaxing dinner, never touching on the sensitive subject because Calleigh sensed he had no desire to talk about it. She decided to give him full reign, letting him pick the time and place for a heart to heart.

As they waited for their dessert, Calleigh picked up her purse, placed it in her lap and reached inside to check for new messages.

"What are you doing?" Horatio smiled with his eyes.

Calleigh looked up at him, briefly, "Nothing." She continued to sort through her things, "Just getting a mint."

"You're a bad liar." Horatio was amused. "Show me your hand."

She placed her purse on the table and showed him her left hand.

"Hmm," he smiled gently, "other hand."

She let out a breath, "Okay, I'm helpless," and showed her right hand holding her cell phone.

He reached over and covered her hand with his, "You've got to stop this…"

"I know. Here," she handed him her phone, "you keep it."

The large piece of chocolate cake arrived, the waitress placing a fork near Calleigh, another by Horatio.

"Thank you," Horatio told her and looked at Calleigh with a boyish grin. "Go ahead."

"Horatio, seriously, I'm stuffed. You ordered this gargantuan piece of cake - you eat it."

"It's no fun alone." He picked at it with his fork and held it out to her. "C'mon, you love chocolate."

"No," she corrected, "it loves my thighs."

Horatio shook his head, "No, I love your thighs."

Calleigh laughed, cheeks flushing.

Finding a quick comeback, she gently pushed his fork away, "Don't you know I'm trying to lose weight?"

"You don't need to."

"You're the bad liar."

"I'm not lying and, let me finish, I'll help you burn it off."

"Well, aren't you Mr. Infatuation…"

"Well?" he asked, wondering if it had worked and if he had convinced her.

She glanced at the fork. "Bring it over here," she said, tipping her head.

Horatio had two consecutive reactions; he chuckled at her ways and then he wriggled his eyebrows at her, knowing what her acceptance meant.

Horatio sat back in his living room, legs up, arms spread out on the back of the couch, while Calleigh went to the bathroom.

He had called Susie and had convinced Calleigh to let Darian stay over for the night; giving mom and dad a break and some time alone together. She resisted at first, but maybe some time alone would do them some good communicatively.

When Calleigh came out of the bathroom and stood beside him, Horatio looked up at her and placed one leg down, lightly tapping the spot in front of him.

She smiled bashfully and sat where he had directed, leaning back into his body. One arm around her, he used the other to brush his fingers through her hair, undoing her bun. Happily ensuing his gesture, she lifted her arm and shook her hair with her hand. It felt good to have it down again. She leaned her head against his shoulder muttering, "I could stay here forever."

Horatio ran his fingers through her hair, murmuring, "I could do this forever."

Calleigh placed one hand on his stretched out leg for support as she shifted a bit, turning her upper body towards him. He touched her face and pressed his lips softly against hers. The hand at her waist rose and fondled. Her arm encircled him as she claimed his mouth. Her hand found his nape and he growled as nails stroked the back of his neck. He reached over her lap, grabbing her hip to move her legs up over the armrest, touching her legs, kissing her neck.

There was no need for words. They had always had good non verbal communication and, as their gazes met and held, their longing was conveyed. Body language was enough. Perhaps they needed to be closer in other ways, but, right now, they both agreed on physical closeness.

Calleigh slipped her legs off the armrest, sitting sideways in his lap for a moment until she took his hands, got up, pulling him up with her. She sashayed to their bedroom, Horatio tagging behind.

They reached the bed and Calleigh turned to face him, taking hold of that practical tie he wore to make him fall back with her on the mattress. She was pleased to feel his weight and strength as Horatio broke his fall, holding himself slightly on top of her as Calleigh, hands in his hair, wrapped one leg around him. Boy was he happy she wore a dress. She toppled him and straddled him, intentionally sliding against him before lifting her dress up over her head and undoing his shirt. He rolled over her, sliding his shirt off, hands and tongue roaming over her body, stopping in certain places, educing moans from her. One article of clothing remained at her hips, until Horatio took care of it. Annoyed by the fact that he still wore his pants, he grabbed his tush and made him groan.

Before long, he was freed of his clothes. Wandering down her body with a devilish smile, she lifted her head following him with a lustful gaze.

"Horatio," her head fell back, helpless to his ministrations.

"Ho – " she panted.

He teasingly made his way back up to her and smiled, "yes?"

Her skin was hot and flushed as he kissed up her neck and whispered in her ear, "I love making love to you - it's so good."

Calleigh's hips bucked, urging him to unite with her body and soul. He entered her with a first thrust and, eyes trained on one another, lips joining and separating, they lost themselves in ardor. The moonlight glowed over their moving bodies and glimmered, even after they lay there in silence, over their clammy heaving selves.

Calleigh slid a hand down Horatio's nude back, knowing he'd be stiff tomorrow – tired as he was in the first place. He slowly lifted his head from its resting spot on her chest to look at her. Mouth agape and heavily breathing, he moved up for another kiss, pressing his sticky lips against hers. He pulled back a bit and she stroked his hair, fingers moving through soft strands, wiping his moist forehead in the process. He rolled off of her a moment later, fumbling with the sheets. Once he had achieved covering his body with a haphazardly pulled out sheet, he spooned Calleigh, covering her.

TBC…