A/N: Those you know belong to those you know. I own the rest, including the dead bodies. This is AU, but I may take bits from any season, including 4. So be warned. Please R&R. Thanks.
I had meant to update sooner, but a little life interference happened. This is really short and just kind of fluff, but I should have a bit more up in the morning.
Now, I know more people than just TenFour read this, so why don't you review?
As they pulled up to the restaurant, Annabel started shaking her head. "Oh, no. I don't think so."
Rochelle turned round. "What? Don't you like my choice of restaurant?" she asked smiling sweetly.
Annabel narrowed her eyes. "Don't you even pull that on me Rochelle Louise DiFranco. Don't go acting all innocent with me. Marc, let us out for a minute." Annabel got out of the car tapped on Rochelle's window and motioned for her to come outside.
"Pardon me a minute. Sorry." Rochelle got out and walked with Annabel to the other side of the sidewalk. Marc hit the hazard lights on the car and sat back. He turned and looked back at Horatio.
"Just for the record, I had no say in this."
Horatio gave him an amused smile. "Oh, I'm sure this was all Rochelle's idea. And I know she did it to push Annabel's buttons." Horatio looked out the window at Annabel giving Rochelle a piece of her mind. Rochelle just stood there and took Annabel's tirade all in. Eventually, Annabel lost steam and came back to the car. She climbed into the back and Rochelle slid back into the front.
"So? Are we ready to park and go in?" Rochelle said brightly.
"You can make me go inside, but you can't make me dance," grumbled Annabel.
Rochelle turned around and smiled at Annabel. "I wouldn't dream of making you do anything, Cuz."
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Horatio watched Annabel laugh as Rochelle told some old family story. Hearing her laughter was nice. He didn't think he had ever seen her so relaxed. Horatio wasn't really paying attention to what was being said. He shook himself slightly when he realized that Rochelle had asked him a question.
"Well?" Rochelle was looking at him intently.
Annabel reached over and squeezed his hand. "Earth to Horatio. Ro asked if you had ever been up to Chicago."
Horatio thought for a moment. "Once. I remember it being gray and cold."
Annabel grinned. "Caught my city on one of its better days, did you?" She sobered slightly. "I never thought I'd say this, but I miss snow."
Rochelle rolled her eyes. "Spoken by someone who didn't have to scrape the windows of her car last winter."
"Scraping your windows isn't that bad," shrugged Annabel.
"Or having slush in your shoes?"
Annabel grinned. "Okay, Ro. You got me there." She turned to Horatio. "I absolutely hate having cold, wet feet."
"You can get those here."
Rochelle and Annabel burst out laughing. Annabel shook her head. "No, not at all the same thing. Here you might get one day where your feet get chilled. But in Chicago, from mid-October to mid-May you run the risk of have feet that never seem to get warm. And it just makes the rest of you chilled to the bone. Living down here you just don't get that same kind of deep in your bones chill." Annabel actually shivered.
"Then I guess you'll just have to stay in Miami." Horatio stated simply.
Annabel snapped her gaze to his and smiled slightly. "I have to say I do like Miami."
Horatio smiled back. "And the weather here suits you."
"I do believe the weather here suits me just fine."
Rochelle cleared her throat. Annabel looked back over at her and blushed slightly. "So I guess there's no chance that I'll get you to move back to Chicago. My mission here has failed," she said dramatically. Annabel reached over and whacked her arm.
"Give it up, Ro."
"Never."
"So about dancing..."
"I told you I won't go dancing."
"Oh, come on Annie. When is the last time you went dancing?"
"Mickey's wedding."
"And didn't you have a fun time?"
"It's not that."
"What are you afraid of Horatio seeing what a wild woman you are?"
"I didn't say that. Marc, help me out here."
Marc shook his head and held up his hands. "Don't go dragging me into this."
"Thanks a lot for your support."
"Annie, it's 80s music. Like high school."
"I didn't like high school." Annabel pointed at herself. "Remember? Short girl. Frizzy hair. Braces."
Rochelle shook her head and looked at Horatio. "Don't let her fool you. She was really cute in high school. And I know you love dancing. Come on, Annie. How about we just go down to the lounge for half an hour? If you're really miserable then we'll leave."
"Half an hour, but I won't dance."
"That's hardly fair. How can you have fun if you won't try it?"
"I won't."
"I really think you're just afraid of Horatio."
"Rochelle," growled Annabel.
This time Horatio held up his hands and shook his head. "Don't drag me into this either. Please."
"You're not going to drop this are you, Ro?"
"No."
"Fine. Then let's go. The sooner we go down, the sooner it's over with."
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