A/N: See Intro for standard disclaimers. Just a little more fluff. Enjoy it though. Things will start to get heavier soon.

Quiz: You're right. I try to keep ahead of where I'm posting so you won't have to wait too long between chapters. If I combine the short parts, I'll eat up my new stuff that much faster and then you will have to wait.

TenFour: My faithful reviewer. Thanks. I'm glad you're enjoying the banter. You'll get some more here. What is up with, H? Hmm. Guess you'll just have to wait to find out. Hee..hee...hee.

Annabel sat in a chair on the deck sipping coffee and watching the sun rise over the Atlantic. Horatio came up behind her and nuzzled her neck. Annabel leaned her head back.

"Morning."

"Morning yourself. I thought you'd be gone already. Then I smelled the coffee."

"I decided to make you drop me off at my place. I wanted to watch the sunrise instead. I brought a mug out for you."

"Thank you." Horatio reached past her and picked up his mug. He took a tentative sip and then a bigger one. "You make a better cup of coffee than I do."

"I didn't do anything. I just made you buy real coffee. How a man who has great taste in everything else buys store brand coffee I'll never comprehend."

Horatio smiled. "You spoil me. I can't stand the stuff at work any more."

"You brought your coffee in most of the time anyhow. I just proved that you can make it at home."

"You still spoil me." He kissed the top of her head.

"Well, I try not to do it too much. I wouldn't want you to go all soft." Horatio stood up and chuckled. He rested his hand on Annabel's shoulder. She reached up and linked her fingers with his. They stayed like that for a few minutes just enjoying each others' company. Horatio let go of her hand fingered a curl that rested on the top of Annabel's ear.

Annabel sighed. "I need to get it cut. It's getting too long."

"You don't like your curls?"

"I don't like looking cute. If I let my hair get too long I start looking like a black haired Shirley Temple. Hard to be taken seriously."

"You're right. Shirley Temple isn't very intimidating."

Annabel bent her head back and looked up at Horatio. "It's bad enough I'm short and look too young, but throw in the cute part." She rolled her eyes, lowered her head and took a drink. "Although, the look worked well when I was in vice. Put me in a pleated skirt, white button up shirt..."

Horatio's eyes narrowed. "I'd prefer not to get that picture."

Annabel rolled her eyes and grinned. "What am I making you feel like a lecherous old man? Horatio, the whole point was to get guys who were into that off the streets. I was doing my job. We're in trouble if you get all worked up over what I've done or might do when I'm working." Annabel looked up at Horatio. "I suppose though that's the downside of being involved with a cop." Annabel looked back out over the Atlantic. "I guess I hadn't really given it much thought before," she said quietly.

Horatio closed his eyes briefly. He fought off a sudden panic at image that rose in his mind. Annabel lying bleeding and broken on the ground. He changed the subject. "Why is it that I always find you out here in the morning? I'm beginning to think that you only come here for the sunrise."

Annabel blushed. She took a sip of coffee. "You know that isn't true at all." She looked up at him and smiled wistfully. "Have I ever told you about my favorite place in the whole world?"

Horatio shook his head. "I don't think so."

Annabel looked back out over the sparkling ocean and took a sip of coffee. "About a mile from my Oma and Opa's house in Holland, Michigan that is, the dunes along the lake start. There's this sand dune off the state park campground that overlooks the public beach. When you're on top you see Big Red, the lighthouse, and the inlet into the harbor and the beach and the expanse of Lake Michigan spread out below. And you realize how insignificant you really are. It was the best place to go and think. I loved watching the sunsets from there. Just like I like watching the sunrise sitting here." Annabel looked up at Horatio, his chest bare and his pajama bottoms slung low on his hips. She flashed him a wicked grin. "The rest of the view here isn't so bad either." Annabel grinned even wider when she saw his eyes darken.

"If you keep that up we're going to be late."

Annabel huffed. "Way to break the mood, you work junkie."

Horatio squeezed her hand. "Takes one to know one." He tugged at her hand. "Come on. I'll make it up to you later."

Annabel reluctantly got up. "Promises, promises." Horatio set his mug down, took Annabel's and set it down too. He pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her deeply. Annabel melted against him and her mouth opened on a moan. Horatio struggled to surface again and broke off the kiss. He traced his fingers over Annabel's lips.

"Is that enough of a promise for you?"

Annabel smiled. "I think that will do just fine. I suppose I should let you take me home now. So we can get to work."

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