As Horatio walked up the steps to Calleigh's condo, he glanced at his watch. 5:55. Perfect timing, he thought. He reached her door, and knocked.

Not more than 10 seconds later Calleigh opened the door. "Hello," she said, smiling at him.

"Hello yourself," he replied, walking into the condo and shutting the door behind him.

She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his in a slow, passionate kiss. His arms went around her waist as he returned the kiss eagerly. When they were forced to part for air, she remarked, "That was one hell of a hello, Handsome."

"I thought so," Horatio remarked, kissing her temple gently.

"So, what do you say we start eating," Calleigh asked, starting toward the kitchen.

"Fine with me," he said, following her into the kitchen. "What are we eating, exactly?"

"Steak."

"Great."

Ten minutes later, they were sitting at the table, eating comfortably and talking about work, Eric's new girlfriend, and the latest thing Ryan had screwed up. As they finished eating, Horatio asked, "Would you like to tell me about what happened this afternoon?"

"What do you mean?" She remarked, standing and taking their plates and silverware and putting them in the dishwasher.

"You know what I mean, Cal. This afternoon, in your office. With Jen." he said as she finished clearing the table.

"Come on, let's go into the living room," Calleigh said, grabbing his hand, pulling him with her.Once they were seated comfortably on the couch, Calleigh started explaining. "Like I told you before, Jen is my niece. She's almost 14 years old, and just finished 7th grade. Her father is my older brother William. They live in New York, and William is a doctor and a Commander in the Navy. Up until now, he's been stationed at Bethesda Navel Hospital."

"Until now?" Horatio asked.

"Yeah, that's what Jen came to talk to me about today. William has to go to Africa on assignment for the Navy, to help people there get better health care. Jen can't go with him, because, unlike William, she doesn't speak the language, and there would be too much traveling. So she needs somewhere to live. She was supposed to stay with her grandparents, her mom's parents. But her grandmother broke her hip, and they really don't want a teenager around while she's trying to heal. Right now, they're staying at the Secretariat Hotel. My parents are out, because, well, you've met them."

"I can see why they'd be out" Horatio agreed.

"And Lon and Nick, my other brothers, aren't possible either, I mean they're both single men, and they love Jen, but you can see why they wouldn't want a teenage girl hanging around. So the only possible candidate is-"

"You," he finished for her. "But, Cal, why can't Jen just live with her mother?"

"Because, Horatio," Calleigh said, "She…Madeline died when Jen was only nine years old."

"This girl's been through some tough stuff, her mother dies and then her father is shipped halfway across the world." Horatio said.

"Anyway, Horatio, I was wondering if it would be okay with you if she moved in with me."

"Calleigh," Horatio said, "of course it would be okay. Why would you think I'd have a problem with it?"

"Well, we won't be just two single people anymore, with all the time in the world to spend with each other."

"That doesn't matter, Cal, I love you and always will, no matter what." he said, giving her a kiss.

"So, I'll call William and Jen, and ask them over for dinner tomorrow, and tomorrow night, I'll tell them I'd love to have Jen come live with me. And I'd like you to be there, too, because I'd like them to meet you."

"Perfect," Horatio replied, kissing her on the mouth again. She returned the kiss eagerly, letting her hands tangle themselves in his hair. His hands slid under her shirt, caressing her back. She pulled away for an instant, saying "Should we move this somewhere else? The bedroom, perhaps?"

He just grinned at her and stood up, grabbing her hand and pulling her down the hallway with him.

R&R!