A/N:See Intro for standard disclaimers. Back to some nice quiet fluffy stuff. I hope you enjoy. Please R&R.
Horatio looked up and caught Annabel's eyes across the crowded backyard. She smiled and waved. Horatio tilted his head in acknowledgement and went back to listening to the conversation he was involved in.
"He keeps close track of you."
Annabel turned and found Marisol Delko standing behind her carrying a tray of food. Annabel reached out and took the tray from her. She smiled and glanced over her shoulder at Horatio.
"He worries about me. I worry about him." Annabel shrugged.
"He loves you a lot," Marisol said wistfully.
Annabel blushed and ducked her head. "Yea, he does." Annabel carried the tray to the table. She had to work a little to find a place to wedge it in. "You all have been very busy. There's enough to feed the whole neighborhood here."
Marisol smiled. "We'll probably end up with most of them here. Just wait and see."
Annabel looked at her carefully. "You're looking well."
"I feel really good. And so far the tests are okay. I'm just glad that my hair is finally getting long enough I don't have to wear a wig or a cap." Marisol shook her head, her hair bouncing.
"I like you with a bob. You should keep it that length." Annabel looked back at Horatio. The man he was talking with was watching Marisol. "So who's the guy talking with Horatio? He keeps looking this way."
Marisol smiled. "That's Cristian. His brother is in my support group."
Annabel smiled knowingly and nodded. "Good for you, Marisol."
Marisol blushed and gave Annabel a small smile. "At least he knows what I went...am going through."
"What does your family think?"
"They worry. Eric most of all. He's afraid I'll get my hopes up and then something will happen and Cristian will run."
Annabel chuckled. "He'd better not. He'd be sorry. Eric will track him down. For that matter, we'll all track him down."
Marisol laughed. "You're right. You all would. Hmmm. Maybe I should warn Cristian."
"Na. He needs to learn how to deal on his own."
"Who needs to learn how to deal?" Both women spun around and found Eric watching them intently.
"Eric! Didn't your mother teach you not to eavesdrop?" Annabel scowled at him with her hands on her hips.
Eric grinned and shook his head. "All bets are off when it comes to sisters. So, who needs to deal with me?" Eric glanced past them at Horatio and Cristian. His eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. "Never mind."
Annabel shook her head. She decided to take the offensive. "No, I won't never mind. Hasn't Mari been through enough? She should be able to chose who she wants to go out with without you trying to cause trouble." Eric started to open his mouth. "No, it is her life Eric. Let her live it. And be thankful she has the chance." Annabel took Marisol's arm. "Come on. Introduce me to this guy of yours, Mari." Eric stood there with his mouth open.
"I can't believe you just did that," grinned Marisol.
"He needed it." They stopped by Horatio and Cristian. Horatio gave Annabel a quizzical look.
"Do I want to know what you just did to Eric?"
Annabel smiled innocently at him. "Nothing." She turned and held her hand out to the other man. "Hello, I'm Annabel McGinty." He shook her hand.
"Cristian Lopez."
"Annabel is a friend," said Marisol, not quite sure how to categorize her.
"Oh, I'm really just here for the food. Marisol is a great cook."
"Bella," warned Horatio. Annabel looked at him and smiled. She linked her arm through his.
"Oh, and to keep Horatio out of trouble." Annabel gave Horatio a fake pout. "Don't you spoil my fun. It was nice to meet you Cristian." She led Horatio away.
"Annabel Leigh McGinty, you are incorrigible."
"And yet you haven't gotten rid of me."
"You're very persistent too."
Annabel grinned up at Horatio. "You forgot happy. Completely, mind-numbingly happy. I just want to spread the infection."
Horatio smiled back. "I guess that isn't a bad thing." He bent down and gave her a quick kiss.
"Get a room you two," said Eric as he passed them.
"Get a girl, Eric," countered Annabel.
"That's what I keep telling him, Annie. But who listens to their mother?" commented Clorinda Delko as she passed.
"Mamma!" Eric flashed Annabel an annoyed look. "Thanks again, Annie. You're worse than my family."
"Hey, you started it."
"I didn't really need another sister, Annie."
"You got one anyway, Delko."
Horatio chuckled and tugged at Annabel. "Do I have to split you two up?"
"He started it," protested Annabel.
"You're the one who was pushing my sister at a guy."
"Marisol deserves to find someone just as much as anyone else. Maybe even more so. Maybe if you would..." Annabel stopped and looked away. She'd almost said more than she should.
Clorinda came back. "Okay. Stop it. Both of you. Eric, you quit picking on Annie. Annabel, you quit picking on Eric. I don't want you arguing anymore. Comprende?" They both nodded. "Bueno. Now Annie, Horatio. Go get some food. We have plenty. You both need to eat. Vamenos." Clorinda walked away muttering about children and never growing up.
Annabel slid in next to Eric at the picnic table. He looked at her briefly and back at his plate without saying a word. Annabel sighed.
"I'm sorry."
"You should be," he replied.
"Eric, you can't run her life for her. Marisol didn't fight to get better just for you to lock her in a glass case."
Eric looked out over the backyard. "I know." Annabel took a bite from her plate and chewed slowly.
"Were you this tough on your other sisters?"
Eric shook his head. "Mari is the closest to me. In age, in temperament. We've always looked out for each other."
"You can look out for her. Just not so close. Actually, I kind of wish I had a brother like you growing up."
"May I repeat...I don't need another sister."
"Okay. Okay. I got it."
"Besides you don't need any looking out for. Unless you need me to beat up Horatio for you?" Eric grinned at Annabel.
Annabel rolled her eyes. "Thanks. I can take care of myself there too."
"So how is the invalid doing anyway? You've managed to keep him home."
Horatio slid in across from them. "Why don't you ask the invalid himself? Actually, I'm coming in tomorrow. I need to check on some things before Annabel and I go up to Chicago."
"Just in the office. No field work for you," reminded Annabel. "You aren't getting hurt before you have to visit my family."
Horatio grinned at her. "I promise to save my strength."
"You'd better. I don't think you appreciate how much energy my family requires."
Horatio looked over at Eric. "They're like vampires."
Eric choked on his food. Annabel shot Horatio a dirty look.
"Fine crack jokes. You just wait Horatio Caine. And I won't come and rescue you."
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