A/N: See Intro for disclaimers. Just a really short bit.Please R&R. I fic for reviews.
TenFour: You're going to have to wait a while to meet the Uncles and the rest of the clan. I'll bring them around eventually. Promise. But the road home is never short or easy.
Annabel leaned against the side of the doorway watching Horatio talk to Danny Benchley. Her heart ached for the little boy. She knew first hand what it was like losing one parent by the hand of the other. Her heart burned a little more when she heard Horatio's confession to Danny. She closed her eyes and debated on heading back in before Horatio knew she had overheard. She stood her ground.
Horatio turned Danny over to the social worker with a promise to be there if Danny ever needed him. He slipped his sunglasses back on and turned. Annabel stepped away from the building. Horatio spotted her and looked at the ground. Annabel took a deep breath, walked up to Horatio and touched his arm.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been eavesdropping."
"No, you shouldn't have been."
"I'm sorry. Really."
Horatio took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "It's alright. I would have told you sooner or later."
"Not exactly a conversation starter. Just one of those things that kinda comes out. Like when you try not to get sick at a crime scene."
"Or when you have a victim who feels completely lost."
Annabel gave him a soft smile. "You were great with Danny, by the way. It's hard to work past something like that."
"We did."
Annabel locked her gaze with Horatio. "In our own way. Although, sometimes the patches come a little unglued."
Horatio looked down at the ground, tilted his head and looked at Annabel. "Besides eavesdropping, were you looking for me for something?"
Annabel sighed and shook her head. "Actually, not. I had been heading in and saw you talking to Danny. So it turned out to be totally eavesdropping. Again, sorry."
"Acting like that will make me suspect that you are the mole." The minute that it came out of his mouth Horatio wished he could take it back. He had meant to tease Annabel, but he knew from the look that came across her face he was far off the mark.
Annabel looked at the ground. She took several deep breaths and ran her fingers through her hair. Annabel kept her gaze pinned to the ground. "I can't believe you just said that. Do you honestly think I'd be sleeping with you and then pass information to some outside source?" she said very quietly. She started to walk away. Horatio looked down, shook his head and went after her.
"Annabel." Horatio touched her shoulder. Annabel kept moving. "Annabel, wait." She didn't stop.
"Annabel, I'm sorry." Annabel stopped at the door. She stepped to the side to let someone else in. She took off her sunglasses and looked at Horatio. Horatio would have preferred her yelling at him to the numb gray look her eyes held.
"Trust, Horatio. That's what it's all about." She turned and walked into the building. Horatio watched her for a minute and then stood staring at the ground. He heard someone approach him. He glanced over and saw Ryan.
"Mr. Wolfe."
"Something wrong with, Annie, H?"
"Not your concern, Mr. Wolfe. How goes the hunting?"
"I've been spreading the bait around, but not so much as a nibble. Sorry."
"Keep looking, Mr. Wolfe. Someone will take the bait and run. Hopefully soon." Horatio headed into the building.
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