Chapter 3

Horatio stood in front of his mirror. Shift has ended on time. No miracle, at the thought of this weather. Even criminals don't like thunderstorms and stay at home. He looked at himself. He wore a dark blue jacket with a blending trouser.

He was nervous. Not for the first time, he repeated in thought the forthcoming evening. He used his favourite aftershave, looked at his watch and left his house.

The same time Calleigh was in her bathroom and put make-up on. Then she went to her wardrobe. "What do I dress?" Her gaze fell on this wonderful new black dress. Not along ago she bought it for a particularly evening; maybe this evening was tonight. She put on her dress, used her favourite perfume and sat down on the sofa in the living-room.

When Horatio arrived at Calleighs' apartment he turned off the engine. It was not the first time he has been here before, but somehow this time was different. He was nervous. "Hey Horatio, relax. It's just a dinner" he lied to himself. "No, she is more than a friend, Horatio" he said to himself. The rain clattered against the windscreen. He took a deep breathe and get out of the car. "Hopefully the weather will be no symbol for the evening."

When the bell rang, Calleigh was more than nervous. She looked at her watch. "7o'clock on the tick."

Calleigh opened the door. Horatio was speechless. She looked so beautiful. She wore a black dress and her blond hair undone. The dress stressed her perfect body. "Good evening, handsome", Calleigh smiled. She realized that he gazed at her. "Wanna come in?" She tried hard to stay calm. "This dark blue suits him. It underlines his red hair and his blue eyes. Even though he wears almost the same cloth at work, he looks more than Horatio than Lt. Caine. He looks….relaxed."

"Sure" said Horatio and interrupted Calleighs' thoughts.

"Please sit down. I have to get my handbag" and she vanished. Horatio sat down on the sofa. He looked around. The room was tidy and light. In front of him was a bowl with sweets. He snatched at one of the candies. "Horatio! Haven't you learned that you don't have to eat sweets before dinner?" Calleigh smiled.

"Sorry" he replied abashed.

"How cute he looks, like a little boy."

"Are you ready?" Horatio asked to break up this embarrassing situation for him. "Yes."

"Ok, let's go." He opened the door for Calleigh. Outside it was still raining. Out of nothing he retrieved an umbrella and opened it.

"Do I have the pleasure to lead you to my Car?"

"Yes, you have." "He is so charming" she thought.

He put his arm around her hips and they both went to the car. He opened the passenger door for her and she thanked him with one of her wonderful smiles. Then he sat down on his seat and started the engine.

"So where are we bound for?" Calleigh asked curios.

"It's a secret." He couldn't look at her, because that would make him totally unconcentrated.

"What a pity" she thought. "Hm, ok. About what do you want to talk with me?"

"No way Cal. I won't tell you."

"Bother" she thought, otherwise she could have prepared what she could say to him.

They stayed silent the rest of the way to the restaurant. After a few minutes, Calleigh had no idea where she was. When they arrived, she was pretty amazed. This restaurant looked so tiny. "But when he thinks it's good, it must be good."

"This is my favourite restaurant", he said like he could read her thoughts. "Small but excellent", he smiled.

Meanwhile the rain had stopped. He walked around the car and opened her door. They entered the restaurant.

"Good evening Mr. Caine. What a pleasure to see you. "And who is this lovely woman next to you?"

Calleigh blushed and looked like Horatios' hair.

"This is a special friend of mine. Is my table occupied?"

"Wow he has his own table", Calleigh was impressed.

"No, it's not Mr. Caine. May I lead you to your table?"

When they both sat down at the table and got their menu card, Horatio had the guts to say something that he has wanted to say the whole time. "He is right."

"What?" Calleigh didn't know what he was talking about.

"You look lovely tonight. No, you look lovely everyday." Finitely he said it.

Calleigh didn't know what to say and again she blushed. "Thank you handsome. But you are good-looking, too."

Now it was Horatio's turn for blushing.

"Have you already decided for a dish?" they were interrupted by the waiter.

"Thank God" was the only thing Horatio thought.

The waiter took their order and went away.

"So, do you like it here?" Horatio tried to start the conversation again.

"Yes, it's beautiful."

They talked about this and that, when Calleigh finally asked the question she had in mind the whole time. "You wanted to talk in private with me Horatio. About what?" "Well, Cal, I don't know how to say this. I…" and again he was interrupted by the waiter who brought their dishes. "I can't believe it", Horatio thought.

Staying silent they ate their dinner. They finished and Horatio started again to tell her his feelings. "But not here" he thought. "Here I have only bad luck."

He paid for the dinner and said to Calleigh "I have to talk to you, but not here." Calleigh wasn't sure about what he wanted to say to her. Especially if it was positive or negative. So she just said "Yes."

They went back to Horatio's car and they drove away.

"He behaves in a strange fashion with me, did I do something wrong?" she asked herself.

The longer they drove, she became more and more impatient and nervous. Besides that, her feet started to hurt, because of her high heels.

Suddenly Horatio stopped the car and she looked outside the window.

"Where are we?" she thought. By degrees she recognised that they were on the beach. They both get out of the car and walked to the beach. Meanwhile it was late evening and the beach was deserted. Calleigh put off her shoes. The sand was still wet and cooled her paining feet.

Horatio looked at her requesting.

"My feet are hurting" she answered his question that he had in mind.

He smiled back. It was full moon and therefore quite light for this daytime.

They walked side by side when Calleigh suddenly asked "Have you ever count them?"

"Count what?"

"The stars, handsome, the stars."

"No, but I have counted something else."

"And what?"

He took a step towards her. Calleigh could hardly breathe because her heart pounded so wild. "His aftershave smells so good."

"I've counted" and he took another step until he was so close that he could feel her breath on his face. "I've counted" he started again "the things about you that make me happy. I've counted the times you've touched my arm. I've counted the number when you've called me handsome."

Calleigh wanted to say something, but he pressed his finger on her lips. "And I've counted the times I wanted to tell you something. But I didn't know how to tell you. But now I know it and so I can stop counting the attempts." He took a deep breath. "I love you Calleigh Duquesne. I love you more than I've ever thought I could love somebody, the way I love you."

Calleigh had tears in her eyes. This was everything she wanted. The man she loved, loved her back. She tried to say something, she looked him in his blue eyes which were full of love for her. "Horatio I…" but she had no chance to finish the sentence, because his lips were on hers. First it was a tiny kiss, but then they kissed each other with the passion and desire they both had for each other. They just stopped kissing to breathe and after a long time she said "I love you too, Horatio Caine. I love you more than anyone else in my life.

Horatio was so happy and he embraced Calleigh and they both looked to the ocean which reflected the full moon. "100 million and one."

"I can't follow you handsome."

"You asked me, if I have counted the stars."

"And why 100 million and one?"

He looked in her eyes "Because 100 million in the sky and one here in my arms."

tbc

A/N Hope you enjoy this chapter. Thanks for the review.