A/N: The people you know belong to the people you know. The rest are mine. Even the dead bodies. No profits for me. Please R&R. Thanks.
Horatio soon understood Frank and Eric's comments about pit bulls and terriers. Annabel McGinty was smart and relentless. She also had a quick temper and sharp tongue. He'd caught the wrong side of Annabel's temper more than a few times in the past weeks. She was a very explosive combination all the way around. He briefly thought what Yelina would make of her. He quickly shoved thoughts of Yelina out of his mind. She could never have been his anyway. Yelina always belonged to Ray. He turned his concentration back to the paperwork burying his desk. A firm knock rang on his door. Annabel was standing there with a couple of files in her hands.
"Hi. I was looking for another set of eyes to go over what I have here." Annabel sighed. She'd rather be asking anyone besides Horatio Caine for help. "You seem to be the only one handy. Do you have a minute or so?"
Horatio nodded. "Just catching up on paperwork."
Annabel made a face. "The bane of my existence. Better you than me."
"So what can I do for you, Detective?"
"Annabel," she corrected automatically. She tilted her head to the side. "Or are you still waiting to see if I pass muster, Lieutenant?"
"I apologize about what I said to you when we met."
Annabel shrugged. "I haven't exactly been on my best behavior with you either. I would have been growly with the newbie too. Besides, I am completely aware of whose desk I'm sitting at. I can't just expect to walk in..." Annabel trailed off.
"You're not exactly new."
"I am here, Lieutenant."
"Well, I still apologize. But if you want it to be Annabel, you have to drop the Lieutenant."
Annabel nodded. "Point taken. Horatio, then."
"And my sister-in-law left freely enough. You aren't being judged by who she was." Even if I was just wondering what she would think about you, he amended to himself.
Annabel caught something fleeting pass over Horatio's face. She nodded with a slight frown. "Okay."
"So, what do you want this glorified lab tech's help with?"
Annabel winced. She bit her lip. "I wasn't really talking about you."
"Yes, you were."
"I know better now."
"We both do."
Annabel changed the direction of the conversation. She set the two files on Horatio's desk and opened them both. "Here's what I have. This one in fresh." She indicated the file on the left. "This one is about two years old." She indicated the file on the right.
"And you've found something linking them?"
"Well, not completely. There's just something. At first glance…"
"Nothing is what it seems at first glance."
Annabel closed her eyes briefly and the broke into a wide grin. "Exactly. This is what I'm talking about." Annabel started laying the crime scene photos from each out side by side. I tried to convince Frank…" Annabel shook her head and sighed. "I think I drive him a little crazy at times. A lot of the time."
"You've been looking through old cases."
Annabel stopped what she was doing. She looked over at Horatio. "It's a hobby of mine. Well, actually a bad habit. And with Natalia running old DNA…" Annabel stood up and chewed her lip. She looked over at Horatio again and then back at the files. "Listen, I'm sorry to be bothering you."
"I didn't say you were bothering me."
Annabel ran her fingers through her hair sending it in every direction. "I'm a puzzle junkie," she shrugged. "I can't stand to leave things unsolved. I want things to be tied up. Neatly or not. I tend to forget not everyone is like that." Annabel started to gather the photos back into the folders. Horatio reached out and tried to quiet her hands. Annabel fought his grip.
"Annabel." She kept tugging. "Annabel," Horatio repeated a little more firmly, not letting go. Annabel stilled and looked up at him. He watched her bring the storm in her eyes under control. "Did I say you were bothering me?" Annabel shook her head. "Then let's try to kill two birds with one stone."
Annabel stood up and rubbed the small of her back. "Remind me that I should grab a chair next time. I have to thank you for your help, Horatio." Annabel flashed him a crooked smile.
Horatio gave her a small smile and nodded. "Anytime, Annabel."
Annabel gathered up her files. She looked down at the paperwork she uncovered and nodded at it. "Especially if I get to interrupt that."
Horatio smiled again. "I can't say that it was an unwelcome interruption."
Annabel started out of the office. She paused at the door and leaned against the jam. "How come you never come for drinks after work?"
"I do sometimes. I've just been a little tied up."
"Try to come tonight." Annabel rolled her eyes. "I'm not hitting on you. Not like that at least. It's just Calleigh can't come tonight and Eric gets all put out when I beat him..." Annabel looked down and rubbed her forehead. "I'm sounding like I'm in high school." She took a deep breath. "Sorry. I'm talking darts."
"Looking for fresh blood, Detective?"
Annabel smiled. "Actually, yes." She tilted her chin at a stubborn angle. "I think you would be a challenge. Consider this me throwing down a gauntlet."
Horatio raised his eyebrows. "A gauntlet is it? I will have to strongly consider picking that up."
A wide grin burst across Annabel's face. "You do that, Lieutenant. You may be sorry though."
Horatio nodded. "We will have to see, won't we, Detective?"
