A/N: I decided not to rush things and didn't know that some of you were anxious for either of them to confess. Here is a new chapter that I hope you will enjoy.
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Calleigh lifted her head and saw her friend approach her hastily.
"Get out of the water you two or you'll catch a cold," she spoke and helped Calleigh up.
"Whoa, what happened here?" another voice spoke.
Horatio turned from gazing at Calleigh. Eric and Ryan were standing on the sand, looking at him. They walked up to their boss and helped him up by the arm.
"You okay H?" Eric asked concerned.
Horatio chuckled and nodded. His damp hair dripping wet. He frowned and wondered what his team was doing in New Zealand. It wasn't that he was not pleased to see them but, the lab would be short of man-power and Rick would push even harder to blame this all on him. He frowned again. He was not going to fuss over Rick. He wanted to enjoy the perfect moment of having his 'family' with him. Alexx helped a smiling Calleigh up the beach and into the shelter of the large unbrella.
"Hey, what happened? Is someone hurt?" Rodney ran towards them.
"Only someone's dignity," Calleigh laughed and Horatio shot her an impish smile.
They all walked back towards the cottage. Horatio went inside an emerge minutes later smelling of passion fruit. He had a polo shirt on with plain beige pants. His hair was combed back and his trusty sunglasses was hanging from his neck. He carried a tray with a big jug filled with lemon juice and placed it on the table.
"Where's Calleigh?" was the first thing he asked.
"She went to get some clothes at her beach house," Alexx said and poured them all a glass of juice.
Horatio ruffled his hair just the way he liked it. He stared out towards the ocean and breathed in the breeze blowing in his face. His friends were there with him, under such a bright and sunny day. Perfect.
Calleigh came and sat beside him. "Even more perfect," he thought and gulped the slaked drink.
"So, want to tell us how you two ended up beside each other by the shore all wet and smiling?" Eric started his interrogation.
"Well, all I can say is I was attack by a viscious monster that dragged me to sea,' Calleigh smiled and sipped the juice.
"A viscious monster?" Horatio looked at her. "I don't think I was that rough," he saw several raised eye-brows.
"Oh yes. I think I have bruises on my stomach," Calleigh spoke and everyone's jaw dropped.
Horatio stiffened. If he had truly hurt her, he would kick himself. On impulse, he placed his hands on her shoulders apologetically.
"I'm sorry Cal-"
"I was joking! You didn't hurt me now wipe that scared look off your face," Calleigh laughed and so did everyone else.
Horatio relaxed and shot Calleigh a hurtful look. How could she pull a joke like that? He pushed the thought to the back of his head.
"Where's Rodney? I'll be leaving for the airport in half and hour," Horatio spoke.
The smiles were gone in a second as everyone looked at Horatio.
"Honey, we changed your flight. You'll be leaving with us tomorrow," Alexx spoke and placed a hand on Horatio's shoulders.
"Yes, I think it's a great idea Whero. You could spend some time with your friends here," Rodney appeared suddenly and startled no one.
Horatio didn't say anything but looked at his friends. Their faces eager and pleading. He turned to Rodney.
"You know them?" he asked.
Rodney laughed and took a seat between Eric and Alexx.
"Yes, of course. I didn't tell you that Eric and I used to be in the diving team back in Miami," he smiled and slapped Eric's back.
"I dragged him into our plan to visit the two of you and he agreed so here we are,' Eric added and they all sat there in silence.
Ryan suggested they go somewhere exciting and opted they visit the new amusement park. Everyone agreed and looked at Horatio as if waiting for his permission. Horatio sat in silence and drained his slaked drink calmly. He appeared oblivious to the people staring at him at that moment. Ryan was about to repeat his question when Horatio suddenly stood up and moved his thumb over his shoulder in a 'Let's go' sign. Everyone smiled and went to the new six-seater car Rodney have rented.
Everything was going smoothly but the pairing had gone wrong. Alexx was sitting up front with Rodney who was rambling incessantly about the new amusement park. Barely five minutes into the ride and everyone learnt that the amusement park was north of Hokianga Harbour and it was near the sea. Calleigh was sitting with Ryan and she was apparently uncomfortable. Horatio and Eric were sitting in the back seat and whispering in low voices.
"What's Rick doing?" Horatio asked.
"He's filing a complaint and it's still being looked over by the judge," Eric retorted.
"How's the lab doing?" he asked.
"Everything is going okay. The swing shift is covering for us but it'll only be until tomorrow," Eric answered.
Horatio nodded and Eric waited for him to continue. When he didn't, he nudged his boss.
"What about-" Eric gestured towards the seat in front of him which was occupied by Calleigh.
Horatio looked at Calleigh then he turned to Eric.
"What about her?" he asked when he didn't want to answer a question.
"C'mon H. I know you two have something going on. I've got your back remember?" his team-mate spoke smiling.
Horatio fiddled with his sunglasses and looked out the window.
"Are you going to tell her H?" Eric prompted.
It was hard for him to concentrate on the greenery outside the car window. Everything was beautiful and everything reminded him of Calleigh. When he sees a tree, he'll think of their time in the forest and how they had saved Rodney. When he sees the sky, he'll think of the countless times he had watched them with Calleigh. When he sees the sun, he remembers the sunset. Their first sunset together and how it had a special place in his heart. Everything he did together with her was special and he cherished them deeply. He wanted it to last but it didn't. It disappeared just like how it'll disappear after he goes back to Miami. He's leaving all his time with her just because Rick is after his head. He shook his head slightly and pondered on how he's going to have to tell Calleigh. He needed to tell her and he will.
"I'll think about it," Horatio whispered shakily and ended their conversation.
The car slowed to a stop a little after Hokianga Harbour. They all got out and revelled under the sun and the smell of the ocean not so far away. The amusement park was packed but not overly crowded. They entered and had to pause to make up their minds on where to go first. They decided to go in groups. Eric, Ryan and Alexx were one group. The other group was Horatio, Calleigh and Rodney. Alexx and the guys headed out to catch some plastic ducks. Rodney took a little time to make up his mind. He was telling them about the new ferries wheel they had just installed. It was the main attraction.
"I think we should go there later," Rodney spoke.
"Later? What do we do now?" Calleigh asked.
He pointed towards a red and yellow tent and led them to it.
"The Haunted House?" Calleigh spoke, reluctant to go in.
"Don't worry. It's all fake," Rodney smiled and went in ahead of them.
Horatio looked at her. She was staring at it and he was curious if his bullet girl was really afraid of ghosts. He casually took her elbow and led her inside. It was dark but there was light coming from somewhere. The path was narrow but enough for two and there was a scary song playing in the background. Calleigh walked close to Horatio. Halfway down the straight path, they met their first ghost. It was a clown and it had blood pouring out of its mouth. The thing jumped out of the wall beside them and cackled loudly. Calleigh jump and grabbed Horatio's shirt. Her boss chuckled and stood in front of the clown.
"Calleigh, it's all fake," he said. "See," Horatio squeezed the clown's nose.
Then, a boxing glove poked out and hit Horatio on the shoulder. He was thrown back a little. Calleigh couldn't help but chuckle.
"That's cute," she smiled as Horatio rubbed his shoulder and shot her a wry smile.
The walk through the Haunted House continued. They made the first turn and was confronted by a dozen balloon arrows. Calleigh yelped and ran forward but was stopped by a ten foot Frankenstien. She ran back and held tightly onto Horatio's arm. He laughed and winked purposefully at the doll. As they walked down a slope, tons of rubber snake fell from no where and made Calleigh scream her lungs out. Horatio looked around but he felt a hand on his shoulders. He took the hand only to find it had no body. There was fake blood dripping from it and he thought the effects were great. Meanwhile, Calleigh was brushing off the last of the snakes off her shoulders as she held tighter on Horatio's arm. He couldn't feel his fingers. There was light ahead and, they were almost done.
"Daylight!" thought Calleigh.
She wanted to walk faster but was too afraid. Barely out of the Haunted House, something fell on them. It was a fake cob web. Calleigh yelped. She jumped and covered her eyes. Horatio stood there and saw Rodney standing ahead, smiling.
"I was waiting for that to happen," he chuckled and helped Calleigh out.
Horatio smiled. He thought the Haunted House was great. He didn't care if it didn't scare him that much. He get to be close to Calleigh and that was all that mattered. Calleigh was free and ran forward. Horatio laughed and the two followed her.
They had a short break at a hot dog stall. Horatio watched from a distant as Calleigh started shooting small balls into hoops. She threw one and it went neatly into a hoop. She threw another one and again, it went through. The next three balls were also successful. She cheered as the man behind the stall gave her a panda bear with a black spot on its eye. Rodney shot her an envious look and decided to try his luck elsewhere. He laughed. It was impossible to beat her at something she does best. He turned and stared at the ferris wheel.
"Magnificent isn't it," Rodney spoke as he chewed on a candy floss.
Horatio nodded.
"Let's go on the ferris wheel now," Rodney suggested.
They took Calleigh who was searching for more hoops to shoot and went towards the ferris wheel.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"On the ferris wheel," Horatioreplied and they walked through the crowd.
Horatio slipped into the seat and so did Calleigh when she was gently pushed by Rodney. He held onto the panda doll and stayed on the ground. Then, he passed the operator a ten-dollar bill. Horatio saw the small gesture and smiled a thanks. He was grateful for having such understanding friends. The ferris wheel started moving and gradually, they were lifted off the ground and into the cool air.
The day was perfect as always when he was with Calleigh. Wind was blowing from the south and grew even more appeasing as the elevation increased. People on the ground seemed to diminish and become tiny ants. Calleigh leaned back into the seat and rested her hands on the metal pinning her to the seat. Horatio stared ahead towards the horizon. It was mid-day and the sky was a clear blue. He leaned forward and closed his eyes, the wind tousled his red hair. When they had reached the pinnacle, the ferris wheel stopped. Calleigh became vigilant.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Don't worry. It does that sometimes," he smiled softly.
Calleigh looked at him. She wasn't certain what it was but Horatio appeared distinctively different at that point. The worry lines were almost gone and the smile was genuine and calm. His shirt flapped in the wind, his hair looked undeniably scrumptious up close. The stiffnesshave definitely disappearedand he was leaning forward, facing her squarely.
"Is there something on your mind Horatio?" she sounded concerned.
Horatio raised his eyebrows. How did she know? Is everything always written on his face? He smiled and looked away.
"Thank you," he whispered curtly, words carried by the wind.
"For what?" she asked, now leaning forward.
"You saved me so many times Calleigh. So I wanted to say thank you before I leave tomorrow," he smiled.
"You're still leaving," she spoke remorsefully.
"Don't worry. Maybe I can find someone to take care of you when I'm not around," he looked at her.
"Oh, do you have someone in mind?" she smiled.
"Maybe," he loved their little banter.
"Is this person someone I know?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact, you're quite close to him," Horatio looked away.
"Oh, it's a guy," Calleigh became excited. "Is he handsome?" she drawled and eyed him suspiciously.
Horatio coughed and couldn't hide the smile.
"I don't know about that-" he started.
"I think he is," Calleigh chuckled as Horatio turned crimson.
"Do you want to know who he is," he turned slightly serious.
"I don't think I want to," Calleigh replied and watched as the small smile disappeared from Horatio's face.
"You don't?" he gulped and felt the blood rush out of his face as a deep pang of sadness and disappointment surge through his body. "Why?" his voice cracked.
"Because-" she paused and looked at him.
He looked at her with pleading eyes. Every inch of certitude suddenly washed away by her words, replaced by a sudden urge to make the ferris wheel move faster so he could run away. The hurt in his expression has never been more visible then it did. She had just struck a chord. The thought that he had feelings for her was unfeasible and made the butterflies in her stomach wake with a vengeance. She would tell herself that she was dreaming repeatedly, that she can't be in love with her boss who was in love with another woman. Now, they sat there. Together. And while she's looking in his blue eyes, she felt the pang she had always felt each time she saw him and Yelina together. Now it was stronger than ever but the pain was not because of another woman. It was because he was hurting and his expression could not be anymore undisguised. He was silently pouring out his feelings for her. She bit her lips and the sharp pain told her that it was real. His expression worsened when she gave no reply. Words were not needed. She lifted her hand and ran it through the back of his head, caressing his hair. Then resting her hand on his neck, she pulled him forward.
They kissed.
Oh, that delightful feeling! That suddenrush of being washed over by relieve and rapture all at once. Passion running through their veins, overflowing and converging onto that one, lasting kiss. The simple thought of their lips touching sent shivers and sparks everywhere. They both shuddered, the ethereal feeling of their first intimate contact was overwhelming. The kiss deepened as the wall separating them crumble, carried away by the breeze.
They released each other for a while. The smiles on their faces displaying the emotions they felt. The redness of their lips and the shallow sounds of their breathing. When fantasy collide with reality, it felt like heaven. And that was exactly how it was. Heavenly.
"I love you Calleigh," his voice surprisingly soft and steady.
Calleigh let the smile on her face blossom.
"I love you too Horatio," she played withhis hair.
They kissed again. She tasted of cotton candy and he tasted of chocolate ice-cream. Oh, how it played with their senses. It was brief but it felt like an eternity. They became oblivious to their surroundings--and to the end of the ride.
Someone cleared his throat. Horatio looked over Calleigh's shoulder and released her face. Calleigh's eyes popped open as her breathing became ragged. She turned only to find a crowd staring right back at them. Rodney, Eric, Ryan and Alexx were among the crowd. Horatio and Calleigh turned bright pink and quickly slipped off their seats. They walked down and was eagerly greeted by their friends. Rodney and Eric smiled and slapped Horatio's back. Ryan nudged Calleigh and Alexx was beaming. The crowd dispersed but the smiles never left. Slowly, they all walked back to the rented car. Horatio was still in a stupor state when he was pulled back from the group. Calleigh slipped her hands around his arm and smiled.
"Because I knew it was you," she drawled.
Horatio frowned and nodded slowly. He had almost forgotten about her incomplete answer earlier. He was still dazed and his lips burned for more. They made their way to the car. This time, Ryan had opted to seat up front with Rodney. Calleigh wanted to seat with Horatio but he had insisted to seat in the back with Eric. He knew the younger CSI wanted to talk. She shot Eric a frustrated look and slipped in beside Alexx who was chuckling.
The two dropped their heads and whispered in low voices.
"So how was it?" Eric immediately asked as the car backed out of the parking space.
Horatio smiled and took his time to remember the kiss. It wasn't the least bit lascivious. It was all love. He took a great deal in knowing that the love Calleigh had for him was real. It was tangible from the way she kissed him. How her lips were soft and gentle on his. The way she smiled and the passion burning in her eyes. How she touched his hair and sent electric down his spine. It made him whole and the jigsaw was finally coming into a full image of him and Calleigh together. The emotions he felt were unexplainable. They were so amazing, it made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Now, he could declare that he had kissed the woman of his dreams. The woman he loved and the woman he cherished. She was, apparently, exactly what he needed to vanquish any feelings of sorrow or misery that he had kept bottled up all this years. He felt a heavy load being cast off his shoulders and for the first time in years, he can manage a smile without having to hide what he really felt. He felt wonderful.
"It was great," he replied simply and saw a smile crept to the younger man's face.
The journey back was relaxed. Rodney drove past Horatio's cottage as Calleigh had promised Alexx and the boys to let them see her beach house. The car stopped by the curb and they got out into the heat. Calleigh led them down the sandy path and invited them into her house.
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"What do we do now H?" Eric asked grimly.
"How did he know we went to New Zealand?" Alexx spoke, her voice echoing in the still room.
"He must have checked the the plane bookings," Ryan spoke and shifted in his seat.
Everyone eyed Horatio and Calleigh who were sitting quietly on the sofa. Horatio was thinking, his frown lines deeper than usual. Now that everything was going smoothly, Rick had to call and tarnish their perfect afternoon. The agent had called Alexx's cellphone and she was shocked when the caller identified himself. If only she had known who he was, she wouldn't have picked up the phone. He had told her calmly to return to Miami along with the rest of the group. Including Calleigh. His voice held no anger but something was definitely present and had made her shuddered. He threatened the condemnation of the board if they did not return by tomorrow. He ended the call shortly after letting her know that he had the power to do anything to the lab and firing investigators was his 'specialty'. She had shut the phone and hurried to tell her friends.
"I vote for you to stay," Rodney spoke.
"We can't. We'll get fired and there'll be a demand for our return to Miami. Rick is a snake. He could do almost anything but break up our team," Eric mumbled.
"So you have to go back," Rodney spoke easily, not really understanding the situation.
"We could but-" Ryan started but looked at Horatio and Calleigh instead. "Sometimes, staying is the only best choice," he finished and smiled.
"We better head back," Calleigh suddenly jumped to her fit.
"Calleigh-" Horatio spoke but was cut short.
"I don't want any of you sacrifying your job for me," she spoke. "I'll come along. Let's just go back."
"Calleigh, what about you? Will you be alright if you go back to what you always do?" Horatio asked and took her hand, pulling her back into the seat gently.
"I don't know. I don't want to head back but if it means saving the lab--I'm up for anything," she said as a matter of fact.
"Calleigh honey, it won't do any good if you continue doing something that makes you unhappy," Alexx spoke and sat on Calleigh's left. "Horatio, do you think Calleigh could take a different position? She has all the credentials," she asked.
Horatio could see where Alexx was coming from. He nodded and Calleigh sighed.
"But I'm only qualified to be a bullet analyst,"
"Calleigh, let's just head back and I'll do anything in my power--and I mean anything, to help you find a position where you'll fell safe," Horatio spoke and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close.
Calleigh started to protest but Horatio shushed her. She leaned into his shoulder.
"Let's have an early dinner and we could turn in early," Horatio spoke softly.
No one made a move. Alexx sighed and went into the kitchen.
"I'll go and see what I can make. We'll eat here," she spoke and everyone was grateful they didn't have to eat outside.
Dinner was ready by the time it was six. Everyone had a cooling bath to release the tension but there was still some remaining at the dining table. Alexx had made a healthy serving of Ham Pasta Primavera with sprinkles of cheese on the top. The meal was eaten in silence except for Rodney who had taken a liking to Alexx's cooking.
"Oh! This is delicious! I wish my mom would cook me this sometimes," he beamed and twirled his fork in the pasta.
"Oh, thank you sweety. I would love to send the the recipe if she wants," Alexx spoke smiling.
"She wants it? No, I want it," Rodney looked concerned and everyone laughed.
For desert, they had Light Lemon Cake with ice-cream. Alexx told them that her kids loved her Lemon cake. Everyone thought her cooking was stupendous. Horatio ate a spoonful but didn't realize he had ice-cream on the tip of his nose. Ryan struggled to keep a straight face and Eric hid his giggle by coughing his lungs out. Calleigh was the only brave one to laugh. She squatted by his chair and licked his nose. Horatio looked at her, confused. She laughed and sat back in her seat.
"So, back to the topic of Rick and his evil plan to bring the lab down," Calleigh said with a tinge of sarcasm.
"You make it sound as if he's Mr Freeze in Batman, planning to freeze the whole world," Eric joked.
"Well, it's true. He's always getting in our way. Do you remember when he blamed you for destroying that tape in the Ashley Ander's case? I don't know what it is about Rick Stetler that bugs me, but Isuspect it's everything about him," Calleigh spoke.
There was some sense in the words she spoke. Rick was like the arch nemesis and everyone had something bad to say about the man. He was either the guy who tried to steal my case. The guy who broke up my team. The guy who stole my girlfriend or the guy who sticks his nose into other people's business. Rick Stetler was the snake and now, he's out hunting for his next prey: Horatio's team. Horatio squirmed. He could almost imagine Rick making a call to the board to fire everyone from his team.
"I'm sticking to my decision. I think we should all go back and face him," Calleigh spoke firmly.
"Then what about the two of you?" Rodney nodded at Horatio and Calleigh. "I don't know much about your job but I think this--could get you fired right?" he pointed out.
"Can't it just be kept a secret?" Ryan asked.
"I think it would be obvious. I mean, we all knew it before they even had the chance to tell us," Eric chuckled.
"Was it that obvious?" Calleigh asked suddenly, surprising Horatio and making him sink into his chair.
"Oh yeah. Don't even get me started on how often I see you two dancing around each other," Alexx spoke as she pulled her sleeves to her elbows.
"They danced around each other?" Rodney spoke and chuckled, surprised.
"I do not dance around!" Calleigh exospulated but Alexx insisted. "Besides, I think Horatio would have been afraid if I had confessed just like that," Calleigh smiled, Horatio jerked.
"I would not have been afraid," he spoke and their eyes met for a fleeting moment, there was a brief pause. "Alright, back to the Stetler topic. I suggest we head back and brace ourselves for what's in store," he finished.
"What do you think is in store?" Ryan asked.
"I think Rick would be on his way to the board printing out the letter demanding our resignation," Horatio sneered.
Everyone shuddered at the thought. By the end of the day, Horatio had offered Eric and Ryan a place to sleep at his cottage. He had two extra rooms to spare. Alexx would stay with Calleigh. They would all meet Rodney at Horatio's cottage tomorrow at noon. They all knew that sleep would not come easily.
"Sleep tight Calleigh," Horatio whispered as he kissed her goodnight.
"Can't you stay here tonight?" she spoke and tighten her arms around his waist.
"Hmm, I would if I could but it won't be appropriate--at this point of time," he grinned and she knew, one day she would get the chance to sleep in his arms.
Horatio peeled himself from Calleigh and slipped into Rodney's rented car along with Eric and Ryan. They left for the cottage.
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End of Chapter 3. Yes, finally, they confessed. I hope it was fluffy enough. Next chapter in progress.