-1Title. Better Angels.
Author: Samantha.
With great thanks to: Sammie (not me you twat the other one) Ruth, Cath and the other Ruth (oh my god two Samanthas and two Ruths...jesus)
Part: Eleven of Eleven
Pairing: H/C baby!
Spoilers: 3.01 - Lost Son
Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own CSI:Miami the people who own them do. Trust me when I say this (along with ruth aka quarryquest) we would treat them so much more better than you arsewipes. (DONT SUE!)
Summary: Sometimes we all need to open up...but will Horatio learn his lesson before he loses his daughter and wife

Chapter Eleven:

The Caine family had somehow managed to get there life's back on track. Happy in the knowledge they wouldn't be hiding from their problems, or hiding things from each other. However like father like daughter there was one thing Millie hadn't told her Dad.

"Millie." Horatio called though the house as he sat his keys down on the counter. "Millie!" he yelled there was no answer. A sheet of paper caught his eye,

Mom and Dad.

I need you to come. Hear me out, Dad wont be too happy but I hope you like what you hear.

Millie xxx

He picked it up and underneath lay two tickets that read "May Contain Nuts. February 21st 2006. The Sunset Bar. Doors 7:30PM. Band 8:00PM. Over 14s only. ID required. Tickets $5" He paused, he didn't really understand what this was all about put he pocketed the tickets and looked at the clock. An hour till the band went on stage. He left picking his wife up on the way over. Millie had a lot of explaining to do.

The nerves began to get the best of her. She paced the room, feeling her stomach plummet. Was he going to be there? Would they come? Would he be happy, or would he be angry? God she knew he'd be annoyed with her, but she had a good reason for telling him but when he sees her performing will he be proud. The worst case scenario ran though Millie's head. She could image him storming on stage and pulling her off, taking her home and grounding her till she's twenty one. She paused looking at the clock, ten minutes till show time.

Horatio and Calleigh walked hand in hand into the bar. The crowd was nearly two hundred strong already. A mixture of girls and guys dressed in black from head to toe. The "emo's" they called themselves and a bunch of "mosher's" realising not one kind in here was of legal age to drink he stood, eyes watching the stage. The clock ticked slowly as a black haired girl bounced on to the stage.

Millie watched the clock tick slowly. She stood, flipping the mic in her hand. Throwing it up into the air and catching it again. Over and over again. They were giving the nod, and on they went. Millie bounced onto the stage. She smiled and raised the mic up, greeted by the cheers of a full house.

"Good evening Miami how are we all tonight?" The whole room seemed to shake wildly as the crowd went compliantly over the top. "We are May Contain Nuts from right here in Miami. Now as a present to you guys were going to shut up and play this song is called "All These Things I Hate Revolve Around Me." you all know it. I want to hear you mother fuckers singing okay!" The band started up as a hail of guitar erupted Millie raised her mic and began to sing, or more rather scream the lyrics down the mic.

Horatio winced at Millie's choice of words as she greeted the crowd. He watched her jump around the stage, by the end of the three minutes he didn't really get the music. Not his type but judging from the crowds reaction they must be pretty damn good.

"How are we all tonight. Good. Good. Now I need everyone here to do me a favour. I need everyone here in Miami to freak out and give me a one, two, one, two, three, four!" and with that the band were on fire! This heavy rumble of guitar seemed to give the crowd a certain energy as Millie was on knees screaming lyrics at the crowed who threw them back to her just as loud.

"You said, you said, you said, this time was going to be different!" she screamed, her voice horse.

"Wake up the dead!" The hall echoed suddenly the reality hit Horatio. This just wasn't a little gig, a little band playing in a bar. These people knew the words. Knew the songs, they had a fan base and forty five minutes later the gig came to a close far too soon for the crowd who chanted for a encore, the fans chanting drowned out everything so as a parting gift they took to the stage once more.

"Guys. This is a very special song. This is the first time we've played it live. I would like to take this point to thank everyone for coming out to see us tonight. For the loyal who have been at every single one of our shows for the last year. We love you all. Please note we will be playing in here again four weeks from now. Tickets go on sale tomorrow. I suggest you get yours early. So this is good night from us and thank you." the music started again as Millie began to climb up the large speaker at the side of the stage.

"We're not going to be just a part of your game.

We're not going to be the victims.

You taking our dreams and you tear them apart.

Until every one the same."

"What the hell is she doing?" Horatio asked out loud watching her climb and sing, she stood at the top, ignoring the fact that she could come crashing down with a very large thud.

"I've got no place to go.

I've got no place to run.

They'd love to watch me fall.

They think they know it all."

The chorus kicked in, there stood Millie arms out head down, like the cross in the church. She slowly raised the mic to her lips.

"I'm a nightmare a disaster!

That's what they always said!

I'm a lost cause.

Not a hero!

But I'll make it on my own!

I've got to prove them wrong!

It's me against the world!"

The heavy drums and pulsing guitar gave way to a riff that sent the whole room in chaos. People throwing themselves up in to the crowd as the surfed the hands that were held high. It was almost surreal. Horatio couldn't explain it.

"We wont let them change how we feel in our hearts.

We not going let them control us.

We wont let them shove all these thoughts in our heads.

And well never be like them!"

Listing to the lyrics he could only smile and beam with pride. The pure emotion in the lyrics and the energy the band have could take them far. That frightened him. This wasn't the life he had tried to make for her. His daughter was not going to be a rock star!

"Me against the world! Now I'm sick of this waiting so come on and take your shot!" Millie screamed down the mic as she jumped off the high speakers, landing on her knees centre stage to a rapture of cheers. "You can spit all your insults but nothing you say is going to change us!

You can sit there an judge me.

Say what you want to.

But we will never let you win!"

A sudden thought hit him. He knew what she was talking about. He knew exactly what she was doing, the song was aimed at him. Her heart had always been in music. The music came to a stunning climax the lights cut out. Horatio was sure the screaming was deifying all noise pollution laws. The house lights came up and people slowly drifted away, as the last of the hardcore fans left after Millie came out and thanked them for coming. She turned her attention to the two who were stood by the bar.

"You came?"

"Oh Millie I wouldn't have missed it for the world you were amazing!" cried Calleigh as she forcefully pulled her into a hug.

"He he thanks mom!"

Millie took a step back and looked at her father.

"So…"

"You were…great."

"I asked you here because I need a favour." Millie said to him calmly. She dipped her hand in her jeans pocket, "I need you to sign this." Millie told them both as she handed over several sheets of paper stapled at the top.

"What is it?" Horatio asked her with a raised eyebrow.

"It's a record contract."

"Millie I am not signing it."

"Why not?" Millie demanded, outraged.

"Because its no life for you Millie playing in strange city's in bars! You've only just turned sixteen! It's out of the question." Millie stood there in shock.

"it's a one million dollar record contract! Its not going to be little bars Dad! Arena tours, an album the whole shebang!"

"Millie I do not care. I am not signing this! It would mean you dropping out of school."

"Your point?" Millie stated.

"No." Millie simply blinked She was so close but yet so far..

"You have no idea how big this is!"

"Well how big is it then?" Horatio asked her with far more venom than he had intended.

"A four album, one million dollar contract for the band."

" Millie.."

"Please, don't make me give up my dream."

Horatio sighed and flicked though the contract.

"I need to think about this Millie. We'll talk about it when we get home."

"No were going to talk about it now. You either A: sing this contract, give me your best wishes and support me. Or B: You don't sign it, then don't talk me ever again. My Dad would support me in what I want to do."

"Have you got a pen then?" Millie froze.

"Are you serious?" She asked as Calleigh handed him a pen.

"Is this what you want. Do you really want this?"

"Yes." Horatio sat the paper on the bar. Flicked it open and signed him name.

"Well, I suppose I could cope with it." He told her smiling. Millie tackle hugged her father.

"Hey easy kid." Millie smiled and yelled on her band mates.

"Guys he signed it!" The group stood together jumping up and down. "Were going to L.A guys! We've done it were actually going!" The release was immense for the band. The sudden realisation hit home for everyone as Millie hugged both her parents as she cried. "Were going guys! Were going to L.A!" After talking it over with the bands new manger Horatio found himself at ease as they talked round a table, Millie being the only one in the band under eighteen, touring with a band, of which two were boys the unease of the situation lessened. A round of drinks was ordered as the band settled for a coke each and they explained their plans to Calleigh and Horatio.

"So hopefully we'll start recording in L.A in April, Start a tour in June, the first single should be out by August then the album in October."

"Your going to L.A?" Horatio asked, both frightened and pleased.

"Yeah."

"Be careful." Millie nodded.

"Don't worry. I will be."

The last few weeks at home passed swiftly as she stood in the airport, she watched the departure board with intense concentration.

"You know I'll miss you right." she said turning to her father.

"I'll miss you too. Now call me when you get in to L.A."

"I will. I will. Don't worry I'm going to be fine. I'll be back before you know it!" Millie told him smiling. Millie hugged her father, who kiss her gently on the head. "You know, call me. Just every now and then to let me know your okay."

"I will. I love you. Thank you." and after a tearful good bye Millie bored the plane and took her seat beside the window. She knew. This was only the beginning, and it want going to get easier.

The End.