A/N: So with my muse it's feast or famine. Right now it's a feast. I actually have the next section almost ready and will probably post it around lunchtime.

See the first chapter for the usual mumbo-jumbo. Than you to those who have and those who have read and reviewed.

Please R & R. It makes me smile. Enjoy the feast.

Eric waved Annabel over as she wove her way through the tables. He stood up and gave her a fierce hug when she finally reached the group. Eric sat back down and scooted closer to Calleigh to make room for Annabel on the bench. He leaned in close so Annabel could hear him over the noise of the bar.

"Good to see you made it, Annie. We were just about to draw straws to see who was going to track you down and drag you here." He leaned back a little and grinned. "I tried to just nominate Valera, but she snuck off to the dance floor. Where's H?" Annabel just shrugged. Eric frowned at her. He sat back and whispered something to Calleigh, who whispered something back, watching Annabel the whole time. Annabel just swirled her straw in her Diet Coke, stared out into the bar and tried to ignore them. She smiled at Ryan as he approached. Ryan flashed her a nod and a grin. He set his beer on the table and dropped into a chair.

"Hey, Annie. Good to see you." He loosened his tie, took a swig of beer and waved the bottle toward Eric. "The board just opened. You up for a round of darts?"

Eric shrugged and slid his arms along the back of the booth. He drummed his fingers on Annabel and Calleigh's shoulders. "Dunno, Wolfe. I'm sitting between two beautiful women. I'm pretty comfortable right here." Calleigh and Annabel both looked at Eric with their mouths hanging open. Annabel picked up his glass and sniffed suspiciously.

"How many of these have you had?" she asked, rolling her eyes.

Calleigh grinned and nodded. "Lay it on a little thicker. I'm gonna have to point out that one of the women is married."

Eric looked at Calleigh and raised his eyebrows. "Really? When did you get married? You really should have said something. I would've bought you a gift." Calleigh punched Eric hard in the shoulder. Annabel stood up quickly.

"I'm up for some darts," she told Ryan with a brittle brightness.

"Okay," he said doubtfully. He sat up straighter. "I mean good. Yeah, good." Ryan led the way over to the dartboard. He grabbed the darts from the bartender, fed coins to the board and set the game. He handed three darts to Annabel. She nodded her head indicating he should start.

Horatio stood off to the side watching Annabel and Ryan playing darts. His dark clothing blended with the bar's shadows, hiding him as he sipped his drink. Horatio considered just finishing his drink and leaving. He knew that part of the reason for this little get together was to drag him and Annabel to neutral ground. Horatio wasn't sure he was up to it. He just didn't have the energy to put on the façade. He felt so drained and empty. Working yourself into the ground every day will do that to you. Lack of energy didn't seem to be bothering Annabel. She was smiling and laughing. That was something he hadn't seen for a while. In too long. Who am I to drag down the mood? Annabel was making quick work of Ryan. That's one thing that hasn't changed in the past year. Ryan was trying desperately to distract Annabel from throwing straight. Annabel laughed at his antics, her eyes sparkling. I want her to laugh like that with me, he thought. She won't, countered that darker corner of his mind. You're right. She won't. Especially if you just slink off and lick your wounds. Horatio finished off his drink and set the empty glass on the edge of the bar.

Annabel threw her last dart and the board declared her the winner. Ryan groaned and shook his head. She held her hand out to Ryan. Annabel almost felt bad for beating him. But the thrill of winning had brightened her mood incredibly. In the end, she really couldn't feel bad for Ryan.

"No hard feelings?"

Ryan grinned and shook her hand. "I knew what I was getting into." He shook his head again. "I suppose it was too much to hope you'd grown rusty," he sad a little sadly. "It's a good thing I hadn't put any money down. How about a rematch?"

Annabel nodded. "Sure. I'll go grab the darts." She went up to the board, pulled the darts out and popped some more coins in. She turned around to find Horatio standing there instead of Ryan. Annabel took a deep breath and slowly walked back to the line, her head held high.

"You're not Ryan."

"Mr. Wolfe decided he needed another beer." Horatio looked down and then back up at Annabel. "I hope you don't mind the substitution." Annabel blinked and shook her head. She handed Horatio his darts and glanced over his shoulder.

"They're all watching us," she said her throat suddenly dry. Annabel grabbed her drink and took a sip.

Horatio tilted his head. "I know you hate being watched. Would you like me to step aside?" Annabel closed her eyes and worried her bottom lip. She slowly let out her breath and shook her head. She set her drink down.

"I think…" She cleared her throat and raised her eyebrow. "I think they're waiting to see if I plan to throw the darts at the board …or… at you." Horatio smiled slightly. Annabel closed her eyes and opened them again slowly. "What's the game?"

"Lady's choice."

Annabel blinked several times as her eyes prickled. She resisted the urge to rub her eyes. She looked down at the toes of Horatio's shoes. "There you go again, thinking I'm a lady." Her voice was shaky. "I would have thought I'd have dispelled that myth long ago."

"Never."

Annabel flashed Horatio a watery smile and thrust her chin into the air. "No fair trying to beat me by making it hard for me to see the board."

"I'm sorry, Annabel."

Annabel knew he meant about more than just this moment. She closed her eyes and bit her lip hard. She opened her eyes again slowly. "Do you think if we leave right now they're going to break out in cheers?"

"No way we can just sneak out subtly, is there?" Annabel shook her head. "Then why don't we play this game. 501, right? You can start out blasting the board, but in the end…"

"It comes down to very good aim," finished Annabel. Horatio smiled. He indicated that she should start. Annabel lined up her shot and let her first dart fly.

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