A/N: First of all, I apologize if my knowledge of New Zealand is somewhat inaccurate. O.o! Thank you to those who reviewed and I have taken every advise into consideration. There's never too little room for improvements. Lastly, I hope the first chapter was satisfactory. I'll also ensure that the next few will be shorter.
Enjoy.
-0-
"I'm so glad you're all better Rodney," Calleigh beamed and embraced him.
He smiled happily and felt touched by her concern for him.
"Thanks to the both of you," he spoke in his usual cheerful voice. "The doctor told me that if you had not stopped the bleeding in time, I could have died," he gratefully took Horatio's hand in his and shook it heartily.
They went for lunch together at a popular, local food stall that sold Mexican foods.
"This is spicy," Calleigh breathed and pointed at the Spicy Shredded Beef.
Horatio nodded in agreement and sipped his limejuice. Rodney laughed and told them Mexicans foods are often spicy. They were too busy sipping their cold drinks to protest. A cell phone rang and the three immediately searched their pockets and purse.
"It's mine," Rodney smiled and greeted the person who called him.
He talked for a while and his face gradually turned bright pink. He stuffed his cell phone back into his pocket. Both H and Calleigh looked at him enquiringly.
"My parents are visiting me this evening," he spoke, face filled with anxiety.
"Okay, I noticed you don't look too happy about that," Calleigh spoke. "What's wrong?"
"They always make a fuss over me. They got worried when I told them I had an accident. And-" he paused.
They waited.
"It's my birthday tomorrow," he spoke and watched as their reactions changed.
Calleigh instantly jumped into a lengthy birthday greeting and wished him a long and happy life. Horatio chuckled and shook his taxi driver's hand in a more solemn greeting. Rodney will be turning twenty-six and his parents had planned a birthday celebration at a rented beach house.
"Of course, the both of you are invited," he pointed out. "I can't just shun the people who saved my life," he beamed and told them to continue eating.
-0-
They sat on the bench facing the sea. It was their favourite place to be lately. The wind combined with the sound of lapping waves was sopoforic and undeniably soothing. Their bodies slowly adapted to their environment of tall palm tressrustling in the breezeand the sandy beach ahead. Occasionally, rays of light would penetrate past the leaves and create small, bright spots that danced around them. Another perfect day.
"What are you thinking?" Calleigh asked.
Horatio chuckled and turned to her.
"I'm afraid that question has been long overdue. Are you trying to read my mind?" Horatio spoke through low, gruff voice.
"I'm just asking," she laughed. "Alright. I'll tell you what I'm thinking. I'm thinking of what to wear to Rodney's birthday celebration. There are so many choices, I don't know which to choose," she spoke.
Horatio writhed. He didn't saw it coming. If she were going to treat him like one of her girlfriends, he would rather take the first flight back to Miami.
"Speaking of clothes-," she continued
"Oh no," he thought and rested his elbows on his knees. "Here it comes," he squirmed.
"Have you got something to wear?" she asked and turned to face him.
He bit the top of his thumbnail and frowned.
"Horatio, are you listening?" she asked and laughed at his tense expression.
"I am listening. What were you saying?" he scowled, bemused.
"I was saying, do you have something to wear to Rodney's birthday celebration?" she repeated and watched him relax.
"I could wear jeans," he voiced his thoughts.
"No. You can't wear that," she chuckled at his confusion. "You need pants. It suits you," she spoke.
"Now the last time you said that, I ended up wearing beach shorts and a Hawaiian shirt," he teased which earned him another round of delightful laughter from his bullet-girl.
"That was beach wear Horatio and you looked good. At least ten years younger," she spoke.
They both looked at each other. They smiled and turned their focus to people passing by. A man walking his dog strolled by and looked in their direction. He stared at Horatio who looked back at him. Then resting his eyes a few seconds longer on Calleigh. With a dejected look, he walked away. Horatio fiddled with his sunglasses and suggested they go somewhere else. Calleigh immediately requested they go shopping for clothes.
"I do have something appropriate to wear tomorrow," he insisted.
"I don't think so. I'll find something good for you. Work might have consumed my life but it hasn't taken away my taste in fashion," she implied and took his hand as she got off the bench.
-0-
Calleigh smoothed her whiteV-neck blouse and her dark brown plaid skirt. Her hair was slightly curlier than usual and was let down. She looked terrific. Horatio was clad simply in a pair of beige-coloured pants and white button-down shirt, which Calleigh insisted be left tucked out. The short sleeves did a great job to sharpen his lean figure and reveal a little skin at the same time. He looked great but the feeling was different inside.
He stood awkwardly beside the car that he had rented a few days back. He fiddled with his shirt and wished he had a long sleeved jacket along with him. Calleigh smiled and stood before him. Caught his hands before it could do anymore damage to the shirt. She gave him an assuring smile and brushed his shoulders.
"C'mon Handsome. You're all set," she smiled and went ahead of him towards the rented beach house.
Inside was a lavishly decorated living room. It seemed spacious enough to hold forty people. Horatio entered behind her and placed his hand on her back. He urged her gently towards an open area where Rodney was talking to a balding man who held a glass of wine.
"Miss Duquesne. Whero. I'm very glad you could make it," he beamed and spoke in his usual boisterous voice.
In the background, George Michael played softly on the CD-player. Horatio searched the faces and, realizing he couldn't identify any of them, turned back to the conversation.
"I want to introduce you to my parents," he spoke and disappeared in the crowd.
Calleigh stood close enough to Horatio to catch a wonderful whiff of his cologne. She enjoyed such closure and took solace in the fact that his hand was placed gently on the small of her back. A healthy buzz of conversation filled the air as people moved around until they bump into someone they know. It dawned on the two of them that Rodney was a rich man. The beach house would probably cost a bundle to be rented for a night. Opulent clients could only afford such luxurious houses.
"Rodney has wealthy parents I guess," Calleigh murmured to Horatio who dropped his head to hear her words.
He nodded and kept his hand on her back at all times. Moments later, Rodney appeared with his parents trailing behind him. His father was the balding man with a bulging stomach, which hung over his belt. His mother looked about fifty and she looked a lot like Rodney. Piercing blue eyes and light-brown hair. They smiled and were introduced warmly. The Haileys invited them to the backyard where it was more spacious and cooler.
They sat on the chairs provided and looked around. Outside, the atmosphere was less suffocating. Calleigh could see a swimming pool down the small pavement leading beside the house. A few guests meandering near it and some sitting on the deck chairs. The sky was darkening and it was a beautiful night.
Suddenly, a loud, shrill scream came from the pool. Everyone in the backyard was startled and rushed towards the pool. Horatio and Calleigh exchanged curious glances and followed the crowd.
"Help!" someone yelled.
A man was in the pool. His arms flailed about and water was splashing everywhere. Everyone panicked but no one made a move. The women were screaming their lungs out and the men were shouting for someone to do something. The situation became dire when the water started turning crimson. The man was injured and bleeding profusely.
Arms flailing. It was the universal sign that someone was drowning. The man kicked his legs in a desperate attempt to stay afloat. Horatio moved swiftly. Slipping his shoes off, he dived into the water. He swam till he reached the bleeding man and told him to stay calm, assuring him that everything would be all right. He dragged the man and helped him out of the pool. Calleigh rushed to Horatio's side with bandages ready. They worked quickly and professionally. No words were spoken, only movements. Meanwhile, Rodney called the ambulance and reported a serious accident.
Then, with the man lying down and still mourning in pain, they made a decision on how to carry him. Without much of a word, they both squatted facing each other on either side of the man. They crossed their arms behind his back and grasped his waistband. Their hands passed under his knees and grasped each other on the wrist. They then brought it up to the middle of the thighs. In unison, they lifted him off the floor and into the living room. Everyone followed, too shocked to say anything.
-0-
"Is anyone else injured?" the medical examiner asked the people crowded in the living room.
Everybody shook his or her heads.
"Does anyone know what happened?" the man asked again.
A woman stepped up. Believed to be the injured man's partner at the party. She told the medical examiner that the man was trying to cut through a piece of chicken when the knife he was holding slipped off and lanced his right hip. He panicked and jumped backwards, thus causing him to fall into the pool. Someone stifled a giggle. The medical examiner shot the woman an incredulous look and shook his head as he left.
After an awkward silence, everyone started clapping and cheering, the men backslapped Horatio and the women were gushing and giggling over how brave Calleigh was. They were both uncomfortable with the limelight and were grateful when Rodney pulled them aside. He thanked them and was shocked to learn that the man was bleeding.
"Do you think he will survive?" he asked.
"From what I saw, it wasn't so deep," Horatio frowned. "I'm sure he'll be okay in a few weeks."
Calleigh shook her head and wondered how people could be so sloppy. She certainly hoped it wasn't a sign that told them it was high time they returned to what they do best: saving people's lives. She looked at Horatio and noticed his white shirt clung to his skin. She could vaguely make out his chest. The urge to run her fingers through his damp auburn hair was unbearable. She bit her lower lip. Rodney shooked his head and gave some dry clothes to Horatio who thanked him and went straight to change. When he appeared, he was wearing a pair of dark denim jeans and a white t-shirt. He smiled.
"This was what I could have worn tonight."
Calleigh laughed and sipped a cup of warm coffee. The praisings and exaggerated story telling went on for another hour till it was time for everyone to return home. The crowd gradually disperse.
"Happy Birthday Rodney. This should be a very memorable one," Calleigh hugged him and smiled sadly.
"Do you need any help with the pool," Horatio offered.
"Oh it's okay Whero. I'll clean the mess up," he beamed.
Horatio smiled and shook hands with the birthday boy. They left; the red pool glistened under the moonlight.
-0-
"Where do we go now?" Calleigh asked as they buckled their seatbelts.
"You don't want to go back to your beach house?" he asked, surprised.
"No. I'm not that tired and there's still some time left before midnight," she spoke and sighed.
Horatio thought for a while and smiled. He started the engine and backed up the empty driveway.
"Where are we heading?" she asked.
Horatio said nothing. He winked and smiled impishly at the road ahead.
"Horatio," she spoke seductively. "Are you kidnapping me?" she teased.
"That depends," he smiled. "Are you going to run away or do I need to tie you down?" his voice a tinge of humour.
Calleigh thought and looked at him enquiringly. Who is this man and where is the melancholy, sombre Lieutenant Horatio Caine? He winked again. She laughed and relaxed. She was safe wherever Horatio was.
The ride felt like they had only moved an inch from the driveway. They parked and alighted. Darkness quickly engulfed Calleigh's sight but her eyes slowly adapted to her surroundings, allowing her to see fragments of the area they were in. She could see a large board above them with words that she couldn't distinguish. Where was she? A soft palm slowly covered her eyes.
"Horatio?" she spoke nervously.
"Don't worry," he spoke softly into her left ear. "There's something I want you to see," he whispered and urged her gently forward.
Calleigh bit her lower lip in a desperate attempt to ignore the warmth of his breath on her skin. It was futile. She closed her eyes and used her other senses. Under her feet, she could hear the cracking and popping of wood. The air was salty and smelled of the sea. It all felt like she was walking on water. It felt like an eternity before they would reach their destination. She spread her arms in front of her, hopingto grab a hold of something solid.
Then, her palm brushed against something cold and cylindrical. She grabbed it. Slowly, Horatio lifted his hands. Her eyes fluttered open and searched around. Horatio smiled in the darkness and waited for her to turn. When she did, he heard her gasped.
"Oh my God," she spoke barely audible.
Displayed in front of them was a full moon. High in the night sky yet the light felt warm, bracing their senses. Calleigh gripped the railing and stood in awe. It was a breath-taking sight. The moon was set slightly above mighty, purple clouds. Specks of stars brightly dotted around it like glitter. The sky was a vivid shade of indigo. Beyond the harbour was the sea. Endless and vast sea, turning quicksilver under the milk-blue moonlight as small ripples made it's way to shore and back to open sea.
Calleigh turned to face Horatio who was leaning against the railing and gazing silently at her.
"What is this place?" she whispered.
"It's the Hokianga Harbour. Rodney showed me this place," he spoke and stood close beside her.
She stared longer at the moon and smiled softly.
"It's beautiful," she murmured.
"Very," he looked at her. "It's also a great place to be at Sunset," he spoke in his low voice.
Calleigh sighed. It had never struck her that Horatio, her boss, could be interested in such simplicity, sunsets and the moon. It didn't matter now. They were both beautiful and she was grateful he had brought her there. They stood there blissfully enjoying each other's company and admired the view.
"Horatio," she murmured.
"Hmm?"
"Will you be returning back to Miami?" she asked and turned to face him fully.
He looked at her and shuffled his feet. She was undeniably beautiful under the silver light. It fell on her skin so seamlessly, bringing out the gold of her hair. It made her glow. He shivered slightly. Many times he had wondered how she could amaze him at such unexpected situations and now, she left him baffled.
"I don't know," he admitted.
"You mean, you'll stay here?" she spoke, her eyes gleamed under the moonlight.
"Maybe," he smiled. "Do you want me to?" he tilted his head and gazed at her.
She sighed and turned back to face the ocean and all it's glory.
"I wouldn't mind," she spoke finally.
"Yes! Stay!" her mind shouted.
She felt a warm hand on her right shoulder. She turned. Her forehead inches away from his chin.
"Calleigh, if you don't want to go back, I can't do anything about it," he spoke. "I'll tell them you've found a job and that you're content on staying here," he finished calmly.
"Don't you want to know the reason," she cranked her neck to look at him.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure it's good," he smiled. "If you want to stay here, you'll take good care of yourself," he sounded more concerned then he let on.
"Yeah, because I don't have you around to protect me," she smiled, the breeze gently played with her tresses.
Horatio smiled at the wooden boardwalk and locked his eyes with hers.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow," he spoke a little louder.
"Tomorrow?" her smile disappeared. "You didn't tell me anything and suddenly you're leaving?" she asked in a harsh tone.
"I'm giving you one day notice," he joked but his humour escaped her.
"Fine," she snapped after a pause.
They lingered there a little longer and retreated back to the car. Calleigh hugged her abdomen. Horatio trailed slowly behind her. Clouds shrouded the moon and the temperature was dropping. The drive back to Calleigh's beach house was quiet. Neither spoke no matter how much they both wanted to. Calleigh felt like she deserved an explaination.
"He can't just leave," she thought and wondered why he can't.
Horatio focused on the road, which was fairly empty. Occasionally, he would glance at her and find her resting her head on the window. He felt a pang of guilt. Why didn't he tell her earlier? He wasn't entirely eager to return but he had no reason to stay there either.
Or did he?
He glanced at Calleigh and sighed deeply. They drove through the night and finally, he stopped by the side of the sandy pavement leading to the beach house.
"Calleigh?"
No response.
He leaned over a little and found her eyelids shut. Heleanedback in his seat and sat quietly for a moment. Then, he unbuckled his seatbelt and went out to the other side of the car. He opened the door and unbuckled Calleigh's seat belt. She moaned and frowned.
"She must be angry at me even in her sleep," he thought and sighed.
He took the key out of her purse and held onto it. Gingerly, heslipped his right arm behind her back and his left arm under her knee, making sure he had her skirt tucked in between. He meticulously lifted her and noticed how light and small she was. Her head slowly leaned into his chest and he thought how wonderful it would be if she would do that when she was fully awake.
"My bullet girl," he smiled and straightened his back as he kicked the door closed.
He followed the sandy pavement lighted by the dim lampposts. Horatio managed to unlock the door quite easily. Calleigh wasn't squirming. She was an easy person to carry. The door creaked open and the light automatically turned on. He searched for a staircase and found one by the kitchen. Upstairs, there were three doors and he wondered which one was hers.
He tried the first door facing the stairs. It had blue walls and two single beds with blue bed sheets. Definitely wasn't hers. The second door led to a more feminine room but for some reason, he didn't think Calleigh would like that one too much. The third one screamed Calleigh Duquesne. Soft lavender walls and a queen size bed with a bed sheet adorned with pictures of cats and kittens. He gently lowered her down to the bed. She sighed and rolled to her side. He lifted the quilt over her and gently tucked her in. For a moment, he gazed at her sleeping form. So peaceful was her face that he instantly felt tired and sleepy. He turned to leave.
"Horatio," a soft murmur escaped his sleeping bullet-girl. "Don't leave tomorrow," she whispered.
He waited till she fell asleep again and left. Outside, he stood in the night air and breathed slowly. If she didn't want him to leave, he shouldn't. Then the board would be looking for him and Calleigh would be forced to return against her will. It'll be his fault. He flinched, stepped into the car and drove off. He won't sleep tonight.
-0-
"Thanks for tucking me in yesterday," she spoke.
Horatio could faintly imagine her blushing and simply said it wasn't a problem. He knew her main intention of calling him.
"I'll be leavingafternoon," he spoke through the phone.
"So, you still have a few hours left," she pointed out.
"You will be okay by yourself here?" he asked and gulped.
"I'll be fine. Have you told Rodney?" she asked.
"Yes. He'll drive me to the airport," he replied.
An awkward silence breezed by them.
"Can I come along?" she asked innocently.
"If you want to," he replied.
It was settled. They would meet Rodney at half past noon and it'll be a tiring three-hour ride to the airport. He hung up and sat in his lodge, drinking coffee. Then there was a knock on the door. It was Rodney.
"Come in," Horatio spoke and he poured another cup of coffee for his friend.
"So Whero, you're leaving eh," he smiled and sipped the black liquid.
"Mm," came the reply.
"What about Miss Duquesne?" he enquired, suddenly turning serious.
"What about her?" Horatio asked back.
"Well, I think any blind man can see she's a desirable woman. And I noticed you have been quite close to her," he spoke and leaned back in the sofa.
"She's my colleague," he said more to himself.
"She's a woman and I don't mean to sound forceful but you should go for it," Rodney spoke easily.
"Excuse me?" Horatio asked after a short pause, unable to assimilate his words.
"Whero, there has been palpable signs that showed you have feelings for Miss Duquesne," he spoke like he was a couple's counsellor.
"What signs?" he asked, curious on how he could have been so obvious.
On cue, Rodney jumped into a list of things Horatio had done that made his feelings so open. He was always looking at her longingly, making her laugh, spend moments by the beach with her, dressed up in colour co-ordinated clothes at his birthday celebration and saved a man's life together, twice. And now he was leaving her.
"If I was Miss Duquesne, I would think you are running away from me," he pointed out seriously.
Suddenly, everything he did have been foolishly obvious. Suddenly, leaving seemed preposterous. He solemnly cursed himself. How could he, a lieutenant, be so sloppy? Nonetheless, he knew he couldn't stay any longer. He had been there for eight days straight without contacting his lab. He wondered how everything was back home and then, he thought about Calleigh. He thought of how she had so badly wanted him to leave. He thought of all their conversations, about going back to Miami and do what they were meant to do for the rest of their lives. Then, he smiled at the times they had spent together and how their relationship progressed and blossomed. How the euphoric sense clouded his mind and made him believe it would be everlasting. This--was his new home.
Now reality loomed in the cottage. He stood abruptly and stride into his room. Appearing moments later in a teal coloured t-shirt and the blue beach shorts.
"You're going swimming?" Rodney asked, surprised at his unexpected reaction.
"I've never swam here before," he spoke and walked out into the Sun.
The water was cooling and he dived in for a welcoming swim. It was crystalline and the light penetrating and dancing on the sea bed just makes it even more perfect. Rodney stood outside the cottage and laughed as Horatio splashed and swim around. He checked his watch and walked back to his taxi.
Horatio was oblivious to his surroundings. The water was so cooling and wonderful that he was convinced he could swim there forever. He dug his feet into thegolden sand on the seabed. They were soft. Soft like Calleigh's hair. Then he saw a familiar figure walking along the shore. He stopped in neck-high water and stared at her.
"Was I interrupting your swim?"the object of his thoughtssmiled and slipped her sunglasses off.
Horatio shrugged despite his shoulders being underwater. He slowly ascended back to shore. His teal shirt had turned dark green and clung onto his body. Water dripped incessantly from his blue shorts. He smiled sheepishly and led her to a pair of beach chairs on the deck. Calleigh smiled and sat under the shade of an enormous umbrella.
"What brings you here?" he asked and ruffled his wet hair.
"I was thinking if we could spend some time before you head back," she spoke and bit her lip.
Horatio rested his wet arms on the wooden table and smiled at her.
"Sure," he spoke.
"How did you know which one my room was?" she asked suddenly.
Horatio, caught unawares, looked at her.
"I just thought it was the kind of room you would have," he answered earnestly.
Calleigh shot him a suspicious look that made him chuckle. He went in the cottage and emerged with a towel on his shoulder and two cups of orange juice. Calleigh nodded thanks.
"If you want to go ahead and swim, I wouldn't stop you," Calleigh smiled.
"You're sure you don't want to join me?" he asked teasingly and stared at her clothes.
A pair of loose cotton pants and light green V-neck shirt. He thought of Rodney's words on colour co-ordinated clothes.
"That's one for the shirt but not the pants," he thought and smiled.
"No. I would rather stay dry right here, thank you," she smiled and slipped her sunglasses back on.
"You're not that far from your beach house. The water is great," he smiled cheekily. "Are you sure you don't want to go swimming?" he asked again, taunting her.
"Horatio," she laughed. "Just go and swim alright," she waved him away.
He shrugged and turned away. Then, with one very sudden move, he turned back and ran towards her. Calleigh had no chance to react. She was lifted up into the air by two strong hands. He scooped her up and placed her over his shoulder, already knowing her weight. She shrieked and laughed, whichever comes first.
"Horatio!" she squealed and kicked her legs. "Put me down!" she insisted despite smiling visibly.
Horatio held tighter onto her lower thigh and dodged her flying shoes. He laughed and ran towards the beach.
"Let go of me Horatio!" she insisted and kicked her legs harder. "I'm warning you," she spoke in a serious tone.
Horatio laughed again as he reached knee-high water. He manoeuvred her body over his shoulder and dropped her into the water. She screamed and sunk. Then she floated back and stood quickly. It was too late. Her blouse was soaked and so were her pants. She wiped the water off her face and squeezed more out of her hair. For a moment, she stood still and looked at her wet clothes. Then, she turned to the man who did this to her. She ran and tackled him into the sea. They sunk and emerged splashing water at each other.
"Why did you do that?" she shrieked and splashed continuously at him.
"I had to. You were being too repetitive," he replied back and splashed harder.
"Repetitive!" she yelled over the splash of water.
She stopped and tried to run away but he was fast. He caught her waist and turned her back to sea. They struggled and Calleigh managed to push Horatio down, causing him to sink. She laughed and run towards the lone cottage. Horatio, squirting salt water, chuckled and ran after her. She was almost out of the water when he scooped her up again.Another round of delightful laughter escaped his bullet-girlas he trudged back to sea. This time, he went into deeper. He went into chest high water and when she emerged, only her head appeared. She splashed water and made him moan with pain when salt entered his eyes. She quickly dived and swam back to shore. He rubbed his eyes and smiled at her devious move. He swam and caught her ankle. She struggled and stood with one leg. He attacked her underwater and made her sink. When they emerged, neither made a move. They were busy laughing. They helped each other; Horatio's arm over her shoulders, Calleigh's arm behind his back, they made their way back to shore, laughing uncontrollably. Barely out of ankle deep water, they dropped onto the sand and laughed again.
"That-" Calleigh choked amidst laughter. "That was fun," she laughed again.
"Yeah," Horatio managed and held his stomach.
Occasionally, the waves would gently surround them and recede back to sea. The laughing ceased as fatigue slowly set in. Lazy clouds drifting by and shrouding the rays lessened the strong sunlight earlier that day. They stayed there and enjoyed the cooling sensation of water lapping around them.
"Horatio?" a distinct, familiar voice called. "Calleigh?" the same voice called to them.
They both lifted their heavy, damp heads and turn to face the person up the beach.
"Alexx?" Horatio spoke in surprise
-0-
End of Chapter 2. Sorry for the cliff-hanger but I like a challenge or two.