A/N: Okay, okay. It's been forever. I could give all sorts of excuses, but that's not why you're here. Dollydarwloo..thanks for the constant prodding. Sometimes it actually results in something. ;) For those who are newly converted, welcome. For those who keep hanging around in my little world, thank you. Now, click type click. Drop me a review and make me feel good. Double thanks.

Annabel shifted uncomfortably;then lay on her back for several minutes staring at the ceiling before she sat up. The room was mostly dark, just a soft glow surrounding the shade drawn over the window. Annabel sat for several breaths trying to will herself back to sleep. With a frustrated sigh, she got up and headed for the bathroom.

She found her prescription bottle and took two of the pills. Annabel looked in the mirror. Dark rings punctuated her tired face. She studied her face harder in the mirror, frowning at how grown out her hair was getting. She lifted her shirt and looked for remnants of bruising. Hardly finding any traces left, she stopped her examination. She ran her fingers through her hair tousling it further. Annabel frowned again and flipped off the bathroom light.

The main rooms were lighter as Annabel quietly moved around the kitchen fixing coffee. She leaned against the counter listening for sounds of Horatio stirring while she waited for the pot to brew. By the time the coffee was ready, the throbbing pain of her injuries had dulled slightly. Annabel fixed her mug and slid out onto the balcony. The air was a little chilly as she sat sipping the warm drink. She watched the waves washing up on the beach. Her body relaxed and tuned to the rhythm, her eyes closing. Her lids flickered briefly as she heard the door wall open and shut. Annabel sat still as Horatio dropped into the seat next to her. He reached over and toyed with the fingers sticking out above her cast. Annabel squeezed his fingers. She looked over and smiled at him.

"Not in a rush this morning?" She asked mildly.

Horatio shook his head. "Not this morning." He chucked at Annabel's raised eyebrow. He glanced down at her cast. "This comes off today?"

"Thank God." Annabel looked out over the water. "Then PT starts. And I get to ride desk until I can shoot straight." She sighed heavily. She looked over at Horatio who was trying not to smile at the frustrated tone in her voice. "I almost think you had a hand in keeping me home until this came off." She lifted her arm slightly.

Horatio took a swig of coffee and shook his head. "I know better." Annabel harrumphed. "I'm glad it's coming off. That cast is a dangerous weapon. You hit me pretty hard a couple of times."

Annabel reached over and ran her fingers through his hair. "I don't feel any bumps." Horatio leaned into her hand and Annabel caressed his head a little more. "No permanent damage then." She smiled and he smiled back. Horatio held her eyes and Annabel felt warmth spreading through her body. He tugged at her hand, trying to pull her closer. Annabel grinned at him, eyes snapping. "If I knock you unconscious, you won't be goin' into work at all."

"I'm willing to risk it." He took the coffee mug from her hand and set it aside. He leaned in to kiss her.

Annabel laughed against his lips. "You're gettin' downright mellow, Lieutenant." She slowly kissed him. Horatio wrapped his fingers in Annabel's hair and deepened the kiss.

As he pulled back, Horatio brushed the hair away from Annabel's face. "Maybe I'm taking advantage of the present situation."

"Taking advantage of me?" she teased.

Horatio chuckled. "You'd never let me do that. Taking advantage of the fact that you're not back to work yet." Horatio stood up and pulled Annabel to her feet. He trailed his fingers across her neck. "There's something wrong with wanting to make love to my wife?"

Annabel stepped closer and ran her hand up his chest. "No. Nothing with that at all. Just with you delaying going into work," she ribbed. Horatio just smiled again and led Annabel inside.

As Horatio pushed the door wall shut, they could hear the insistent ringing of a cell phone. Annabel sighed and blinked slowly. She took a step away from Horatio. He clung to her fingers and tried to pull her back. Annabel tugged her hand away.

"So much for your plan." She shook her head sadly.

"I could ignore it."

Annabel touched his face. "You sure I didn't clunk your head hard enough to cause brain damage?" The ringing stopped and started back up immediately. Annabel pushed him toward the bedroom. "It's not like I'm headed right back to full-on work tomorrow."

Horatio reluctantly headed for his phone. Annabel followed behind him. He dropped to the edge of the bed and snatched the offending object up.

"Caine," he growled into it. He listened for a bit, his face changing from a look of frustration to surprise to anger. "Got it. On my way." He snapped his phone shut. He looked up at Annabel. "Dispo truck was hit. Two officers down." He grabbed a suit and dress shirt out of the closet and other clothes out of dresser drawers. While Horatio showered and dressed, Annabel went to the kitchen and poured his coffee into a travel mug. She handed it to him as he headed out the door. Horatio paused.

"What time is your appointment to get the cast off?"

Annabel shook her head. "You're too busy to worry about it. I'll stop by the lab when I'm done. If you're there, you can see my pale shriveled arm." Horatio rolled his eyes. Annabel kissed him quickly. "Go. Do right by those guys."

Horatio frowned. "Always." He dashed out the door. As soon as Horatio had left, Annabel flipped on her police scanner and sat down. What she heard was bad. Annabel raked her fingers through her hair, frustration and worry rising.

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The scanner squawked in Annabel's ear as she sat in the back of the cab. Her head leaned against the seat her eyes were closed, but she was far from relaxed. She'd been following the events of the day as well as she could. It was infuriating hearing only half the conversation. A fresh call came out over the radio. Annabel sat bolt upright her face going pale.

"Miami-Dade Courthouse. Now!" she barked, her voice thick.

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