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It wasn't until much later that there was a knock at her door and she looked up from her book in suspsense, but as she approached she tried not to get her hopes up. Opening the front door, she found Horatio waiting quietly, his sunglasses hanging from his fingertips.

"Hi." He started in that delightfully soft tone he used on those rare occassions that he seemed shy. "Are you busy?"

"Of course not, c'mon in." She stood along side the door to let him pass.

"I was hoping we could talk."

"Always." She smiled.

"Can we sit?"

"Sure, I'll make some tea." Calleigh collected a couple of mugs and set the kettle to boil before leading him to her living room and returning to her spot on the couch.

"Calleigh I… I'm sorry. About earlier."

"Don't be." She shook her head. "She is your family. How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine."

"No you're not, Horatio you're not fine. You're drifting. I'm losing you."

"You'll never lose me." He stated matter of factly.

"I almost have. Eric and Alexx too. When was the last time you talked to them? Can you remember the last personal conversation you had with either of them? I don't know if it's guilt or fear but your closing yourself off more and more when we need you.We all want you back, I want you back." As she spoke she realized how many things needed to be said and she wished she'd said more when they had their moment in the locker room.

"I realize that. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you or the others. I understand who my family is now." That statement made Calleigh suspicious that something had driven him to this.

"Did something happen? With Yelina?"

"I just couldn't be there any more. I can't stay there and watch Rick raise my nephew, knowing neither her or Ray Jr. need me. I don't want to be the third party anymore."

"Oh no, Horatio don't think that. Ray Jr. needs you. He's always going to need you. And I know you'll be there for him when he does. It's just who you are. I love that about you." She assured and silence grew between them as she wandered what he was thinking. "So .. what about us? Is there an us?"

"I think I'd like that Calleigh. I really do, but I'm not so sure there ought to be. I mean Hagen—" She cut him off before he could finish the thought let alone the words.

"This has nothing to do with John. Horatio, stop worrying about what everyone else wants. What about you? What do you need? What is it you want?"

"I just don't want to be responsible for coming beteween anyone anymore. I can't take that kind of guilt and it always comes back to bite me in the ass anyway."

"Anymore?"

"I dated Yelina before she married Ray. That caused more problems for them then anything. These days, if she and Rick are fighting who do you figure it's about? I swear Calleigh, I will not ruin something for you too."

"John and I are over. I promise."

"I believe you Calleigh. It's just John doesn't seem as convinced of that as you are." When he sighed a little Calleigh scooted closer, near enough to him to run her hand gently across his cheek.

"All that should matter is us." She said and moved in to kiss him when a knock at the door startled them both. She veered and dropped a kiss on his forehead instead. "I'm sorry handsome, just a second." True to his word and to her misfortune John stood behind the door with take out in hand.