A/N: This turned into a long stretch.

Please see the first chapter for all of that disclaimer type stuff. Thanks.

Please R & R. Enjoy the ride.

Time had almost emptied the bar. The rest of the team had drifted away leaving Annabel and Horatio sitting silently alone. Annabel finished her Diet Coke and pushed the empty glass away. She looked over at Horatio who was watching her.

"Looks like we're the last ones standing." He just nodded. Annabel looked away and they fell back into silence. Annabel looked around the nearly deserted bar and back at Horatio again. "I suppose we should go home." She stood. Horatio sat with his hand wrapped around his glass. Annabel planted her fist on her hip and tilted her head. "Horatio?"

He looked up at Annabel. "I was just listening to the music."

"Do you want to stay?" Annabel started to sit back down.

Horatio shook his head. "Not really." He stood up. Annabel turned and headed to the door. The night air outside the bar was thick. Annabel headed for her car and Horatio walked silently beside her. When they had reached it, she turned toward him. Annabel looked at the toes of his shoes, her arms hanging limply at her sides.

"I guess I'll see you back…at home." Horatio stood in front of her, not moving, not speaking. Annabel looked up. The streetlight backlit Horatio and threw his face into shadow. She couldn't get a reading on what he was thinking.

Finally he spoke. "I don't want to go there."

"Oh." Annabel crossed one of her arms over her chest and rubbed the other. She had wondered when would come to this. You just didn't think it would be so soon. "Will you at least be coming by to pick up some things?" she asked dully.

"You misunderstood me, Annabel." Horatio reached for her hand. She tried to tug it away, but Horatio held firm. "I want to talk, but I don't think the condo is the best place."

"It's late, Horatio," protested Annabel.

"I know, but…" Horatio dipped his head. He ran his thumb over Annabel's knuckles. "Please, Bella."

Annabel shook her head. "We drove separately. I'm not leaving…"

Horatio let out a frustrated sound. "We can drop one of the cars off." They lapsed back into silence.

"OK," Annabel finally whispered.

Horatio tilted his head. He wasn't sure if she had really spoken or if he had just filled in what he wanted to hear. "OK?"

Annabel took a deep breath. She glanced up at him. "We can drop the Hummer off. I'll meet you back at the condo. We can find somewhere…somewhere else to talk."

"Promise?" Annabel nodded. Horatio squeezed her hand lightly and dropped it.

Annabel got in her car and headed for home. She pulled into her place in the carport, changed over to the passenger seat and waited for Horatio. He opened the door and looked at her. Annabel stared at her hands. The moonlight through the windshield sparkled off her rings. She shifted so the glint evaporated.

"I don't know where you want to go," she said softly.

Horatio nodded. "True enough." He slid into the driver's seat and started the car. Horatio put the top down on the Crossfire and pulled out. Silence stretched between them as he drove out of Miami. Annabel closed her eyes and struggled to fight off the exhaustion suddenly gripping her. Not enough sleep and too much of everything else will do that to a body.

Eventually, Horatio pulled into the parking lot off of a marina. Annabel opened her eyes. She looked over at Horatio confused. He said nothing as he parked, got out and opened Annabel's door. He held his hand out to her. Annabel took it and slid out. Horatio didn't let her hand go as he started to lead her away. Annabel stopped, tugging at his hand.

"Horatio, the top...

"Putting the top up is going to make your glove compartment any more safe?"

"Where are we going?"

"Out on a boat."

"You don't own a boat." Annabel narrowed her eyes. "You don't own a boat, do you?"

If her tone didn't sum up Annabel's lack of trust in him right now, Horatio would have laughed at her question. He shook his head. "We don't own a boat. We know someone who owns a boat. I called in a favor." He dropped Annabel's hand. "Do you want to put the top up?"

Annabel looked around at the cloudless sky. "I guess it doesn't really matter." Horatio nodded and headed for a pier. "When did you have a chance to call in a favor?"

"I managed to find the time this evening." Horatio picked her hand up again and led her out onto the dock. He stopped before a blue and white Suncruiser. Annabel frowned at him.

"You can run one of these?"

Horatio tilted his head and nodded. "It's been a while, but yes."

Annabel looked at him still a little incredulous. "You have a friend that would loan you their boat. This boat? Just to take out? With no notice?" Horatio didn't answer. Annabel shook her head and tried to pull her hand away. "Horatio, we both need to be at work in the morning."

Horatio held firm to her hand. "Annabel." She kept trying to pull away. "Annabel." Annabel finally stopped and met his eyes. Horatio quickly looked away. He couldn't look her in the eyes. He dropped her hand, ducked his head and placed his hands on his hips. "I already…" He cleared his throat and watched Annabel through his lashes. "I already sent messages that we'll both be late tomorrow."

Annabel's mouth dropped open. "So basically you're kidnapping me?"

Horatio shook his head and looked carefully at Annabel. "Kidnapping implies force, Annabel. I'm not going to force you to go anywhere."

Annabel looked from Horatio to the boat. "It's big." She looked back at Horatio. "You can really sail one of these?"

"It's only 27 feet. I can manage."

Annabel shook her head just slightly. "I know we need to talk and that, but this is usually the kind of boat that someone gets dumped off of."

"Annabel, I'm not taking you out into the ocean to throw you overboard." Horatio picked up Annabel's hand and held it loosely. "Will you come with me?" Annabel nodded. Horatio helped her onto the boat and got her settled. He threw off the lines, sat down in the driver's seat, and fished around in the pocket of his suit coat. He found the key, pulled it out and smiled.

"I was wondering how you were going to come up with that." Annabel shook her head in amazement. "You not only arranged to borrow this boat, but you managed to get the key too." Horatio started the boat, flipped on the lights and slowly eased it out into the channel. He navigated through the mangrove covered islets. When they hit the edge of the open ocean, Horatio glanced over at Annabel. She nodded slightly. "You know you want to," she said simply. Horatio opened throttle and the cruiser leapt forward. Annabel leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes and let the air wash over her.

Horatio looked over at Annabel. She looked so peaceful, so relaxed. He briefly considered not slowing the boat. Just keep going, maybe they could outrun it all. But she's right. It is late. And we do have to go back. Some time. Horatio reluctantly eased back on the throttle. Annabel slowly opened her eyes, a knot of apprehension tightening inside her. Her gaze remained focused into space towards the bow. Horatio turned in his seat and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands hanging. He sat silently watching Annabel. His fingers twitched, looking for something to fiddle with.

"Have you hit international water?" Annabel didn't look at Horatio.

"We're not that far out."

"I can swim you know."

Horatio's head dropped. "I'm not here to throw you overboard," he growled.

"It would make things easier." Annabel looked through her lashes at Horatio.

He met her eyes. "I like complicated. And…it wouldn't." Horatio looked back down. "I don't know what to do, Annabel."

"And you think I do? I hurt so much."

"I'm sorry. It wasn't something I planned." He could feel Annabel glaring at him. "I didn't think…I didn't think…"

"That your lack of trust in me wouldn't hurt me?" asked Annabel bitterly. "Come on, Horatio. You will never convince me that you are so dense." Annabel stood up. She desperately needed to put some physical distance between them. She walked over and stared off the back of the boat. The moonlight sparkled on the still water. "I can't help but wonder what other secrets you have. What else you can't trust me with. I don't even know where to even start." Annabel turned and sat down on the bench. She crossed her arms over her chest. "Now, I won't believe you committed some heinous crime while undercover, Horatio. It's not in your make-up."

"I'm not a saint, Annabel."

"It would have to be justified."

"People can justify just about anything."

"Some people, Horatio. Not you. Like I said it isn't part of your make-up." Annabel crossed her legs and leaned forward. "Are you going to tell me you have a secret wife somewhere?" Horatio shook his head. "Secret children?"

"Not that I am aware of."

Annabel took a deep breath. "No more…Nothing else?"

A shadow passed over his face. "Nothing like Ray."

"Then no more secrets?" Annabel walked back over to Horatio and picked up his hand. "You can't keep anymore secrets. I can't go through this anymore."

Horatio kissed the middle of Annabel's palm and folded her fingers over it. "Promise. No more secrets." He looked up at Annabel and smiled. "You're hair is getting long again. You look like a pixie with the moonlight in your hair."

"Oh. That's just what every grown woman wants to hear."

Horatio stood up, still holding Annabel's hand. "Some women would be flattered." He reached out and traced the scar next to her eye. "Not my tough girl though." He ran a feather-light touch along her jaw. "My beautiful Annabel Leigh."

Annabel reached up and caught his other hand, bringing them both to her sides. "She dies, you know." Horatio frowned slightly. Annabel tilted her head. "Annabel Lee," she said quietly. "The angels in heaven envied their love and sent a chill in the air to kill her."

"I know. I've read up. 'But our love it was stronger by far than the love - of those who were older than we - of many far wiser than we - and neither the angels in heaven above - nor the demons down under the sea - can ever dissever my soul from the soul - of the beautiful Annabel Lee.'" As Horatio recited the lines, he pulled Annabel into the circle of his arms. She closed her eyes and laid her head against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his waist. They stood silently for several heartbeats. Horatio started to rock slightly back and forth. Annabel rocked with him for a bit, and then stopped.

"There's no music," she protested.

"You're not listening hard enough." Horatio started to rock again. Annabel let him move her around he small confines of the boat. She matched her breathing to his. His scent surrounded her, weaving its way through her mind. Horatio kissed the top of her head. He buried his face in her hair, still moving to the unheard rhythm. He stopped abruptly. He tilted Annabel's face up. "I don't…I don't want to wake up alone anymore." Annabel pulled one arm out from under his suit coat and brushed back the hair on Horatio's forehead.

"I am so sorry, Horatio." The raw emotion in her voice matched what she saw in his eyes.

"Should we rate who's sorrier?" Horatio's voice was gravelly. Annabel shook her head. Horatio wove his fingers through Annabel's hair. He leaned down and tentatively kissed her. Annabel leaned up to press her lips harder against his. Horatio captured her lips in a desperate kiss. Annabel could taste the whisky he had nursed all night. Horatio lifted his head and searched Annabel's eyes. Annabel kept her eyes locked on his as she slid her hands up to his collar and started to unbutton his shirt. Horatio placed his hands over Annabel's. "Don't do this if in the morning nothing's going to be different." He closed his eyes and swallowed. "Bella, I can't do this if you going to go back to hating me in the morning."

"It's already morning, Horatio." Annabel pulled a hand free and touched his face. "And I've never hated you." Annabel shook her head. Tears spilled down her cheeks. Horatio pulled her close again. His hands skimmed her back. "I shouldn't have shut you out. It wasn't fair."

"No less fair than what I did to you," he whispered against her hair.

"Retaliation isn't an answer. It doesn't make things better. We can't…" Annabel started to shake her head hard. "I don't want to be like…"

Horatio rubbed his hands firmly down Annabel's back. "You are not like your mother." She started to pull away. Horatio held onto Annabel. She continued to push him. Horatio finally let her break contact. Annabel stepped away and stared back over the stern again.

Annabel stood there with slumped shoulders and her arms wrapped around her body. "When I want to hurt you because I hurt, yes I am," she said quietly. Horatio stepped up behind Annabel. He turned her around and drew her close. Annabel stood stiffly in his arms.

Horatio just held her unmoving for several heartbeats. "You want to stop. That makes you different." He rubbed her shoulders and arms, trying to comfort her. Annabel finally slipped her arms around Horatio again. She laid her head on his chest. The gentle rhythm of his heart started to lull her to sleep. Annabel yawned. She could feel the chuckle roll through Horatio's body.

"I told you it was late. Or early. Depending on your perspective." Horatio chuckled again. Annabel blinked back the tears the sound caused. She wrapped her arms tighter around him. Horatio squeezed her back.

"There is a bed. You could lie down."

"We're not going back in?"

"I'm not letting you wake up anywhere near that damn bicycle today," he growled.

Annabel swalloed a laugh. She didn't think Horatio would appreciate it. "So you did kidnap me," stated Annabel.

"No you came willingly. I'm now holding you hostage."

Annabel looked up at Horatio. She ran her fingers over his lips. "That would imply a level of force. I didn't say I wanted to go in. I'm just surprised we aren't headed in." She searched his face. "You have a dead undercover cop and someone who drove Calleigh off the road. You never duck out in the middle of…"

"It doesn't matter...none it it matters if I wake up alone every morning." He took a ragged breath. "I wanted a guarantee I wouldn't wake up alone."

Annabel ran her hand along Horatio's jaw. "Waking up implies one has gone to sleep." Her hands drifted back to his collar. Annabel slid one, two buttons free. She stopped and yawned. Horatio chuckled.

"Bella, you need to go to sleep."

Annabel shook her head. "I don't need sleep. Just caffeine," Annabel protested. She yawned again. Horatio leaned down and kisses her tenderly.

"Fine. You don't need sleep. I need sleep." Horatio gave her a brief kiss and started to lead her toward the berth. Annabel stopped.

"We're gonna drift," she protested. Horatio tried to ignore her. "We don't have to go in. We just need to find somewhere to ground the boat." Horatio looked at Annabel and realized she wasn't going to give in on this one.

He nodded. "I'll find somewhere." Annabel nodded and dropped into a seat. Horatio started the boat again and set off in search of a suitable landing spot. He finally spotted a stretch of mangrove that he could anchor the boat to. Horatio slowed the boat and examined the shore more closely. It would do. He maneuvered the boat to the edge of the cay. He glanced over at Annabel to find her asleep. He smiled, cut the engine and tied the boat off. Horatio reached over and gave Annabel a slight shake.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, blinking and sitting up.

"It's okay. Come to bed." Horatio led a groggy Annabel down to the berth. He sat her on the edge of the bed, knelt down and pulled off her shoes and socks. He swung Annabel's legs up onto the bed. She curled into the pillows. Horatio slid his coat off and dropped it on a chair. He shed his shirt and pants and slid in next to Annabel. He pulled her into his arms. Annabel protested slightly. "Shhhh."

"No. Not sleeping in this," she muttered. Annabel stood shakily up and started to undress. She fumbled with her task. Horatio stood back up and helped her remove her pants and shirt. Annabel reached for the edge of her cami and tried to peel it off. Horatio reached over and helped her pull the top over her head. He let the garment drop from his fingers. He reached out and ran his fingers over Annabel's skin. She moaned slightly and leaned into his touch. Horatio closed his eyes and fought for control. He pulled Annabel down to the bed, eased them both under the covers and wrapped his body around her. Annabel snuggled against him with a contented murmur. The sound hit his body like a drug and Horatio almost ignored her exhaustion. He fought for control and finally just kissed her hair and closed his eyes, willing himself to sleep.

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