A/N: See the intro for the standard stuff. Please read it. I hear those TPTB have attack lawyers. Please read and review.

Ang: here's just what you asked for. RS: My faithful friend. Me ominous? Never! VEG And as I said, I hate being predictible.

The summer sun beat down on Miami. Annabel tried to hail a taxi as Horatio followed and stopped next to her at the curb. Two zoomed by before they finally got one to stop. Annabel settled herself inside, and Horatio and the cabbie loaded their luggage in the back. Horatio looked up as the cabbie slammed the trunk. Even with his dark glasses the sun momentarily blinded him. A large, passenger van passed between him and the sun. Out of habit he studied the faces in the window. A young man briefly stared back. Horatio frowned. His eyes hadn't focused completely, but he was sure that face didn't belong anywhere near Miami International.

"Where can I take you, Mister?" The cabbie tried to get Horatio's attention. He stopped watching the van and gave the man Annabel's address. The cabbie nodded and headed for the driver's seat. Horatio looked once more in the direction the van had headed. It was long out of sight. Horatio slid in to the back of the cab next to Annabel.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

Horatio brought his attention to her. "Just people watching."

Annabel shook her head. "Already back in the mode. You have one more night off, Lieutenant."

Horatio gave Annabel a small smile. "Hmm. Have some ideas on how I might want to spend it, Detective?"

"Let's play it by ear."

Horatio leaned in and whispered, "Just your ears?"

Annabel's breath caught and she blinked slowly. Once. Twice. "Trouble," she mumbled and settled in closer to Horatio.

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Horatio opened his eyes slowly. The pillow next to his held only a slight depression. He rolled on his back and took a deep breath. The strong aroma of coffee assailed him. He turned to the nightstand and saw a steaming mug sitting there. He slid his legs off the side of the bed and stretched. Horatio looked at the floor and shook his head. Annabel had picked up when she'd dropped off the coffee. Horatio crossed to the dressed, fished out a pair of boxers and pulled them on. He picked up the mug and headed out to the balcony.

Annabel leaned on the rail, sipping her coffee, watching the sun rise over the Atlantic. Horatio stood in the open sliding door for a moment watching her. Her sleep-tussled hair was tipped with fire. She had stolen his t-shirt. Horatio had to admit it looked better on her than it ever had on him.

"You gonna just stand there gaping, Love, or are you actually going to join me?" Annabel didn't bother to turn around.

"I'm just enjoying the view, Bella. Same as you." Annabel turned around and leaned back against the rail. She crossed her ankles and sipped her coffee slowly. She grinned at Horatio. He smiled back. "I have to say it's quite a view."

Annabel's gaze raked Horatio up and down. "Mine's not so bad either. I'll bet it's better close up." Horatio chuckled and walked over to her. He gave Annabel a quick kiss and wrapped his arm around her waist. She turned so they both took in the ocean breaking on the beach. Annabel leaned her head against Horatio.

"You left me a little bare in there."

"Mmmm. Did I?" she asked innocently.

"I considered stealing all of the hot water in retaliation."

"Considering you have to go to work, a cold shower might be more appropriate."

"You have to go to work too."

"But I've already showered. You slept like the dead."

Horatio looked down at Annabel. "I never sleep like the dead. And you can just wipe that grin off your face, Bella."

Annabel worked hard to stifle her grin. She took a deep drink of her mug and looked up at Horatio. "I'm sorry, old man."

Horatio squeezed her and kissed her hair. "You are lucky I put up with you."

"I don't want to go to work today."

Horatio shook his head and chuckled. "That is something I never thought to hear from you, Bella."

"What? I would just much rather play hooky and spend the day with you."

"You've been stuck with me for two weeks straight."

Annabel smiled up at him. "And oddly enough, I haven't tired of your company. Good thing, eh?"

"Come on lazy bones, you may not want to go to work, but we both need to go to work." Horatio herded Annabel back inside.

"Slave driver." Annabel stepped away. She gave Horatio a quick kiss and went to go drop her mug in the kitchen.

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Horatio was buckling his belt when Annabel came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He turned and smiled down at her. Annabel ran her hands up and over his collar straightening it. She toyed a little with the buttons of his shirt. She stood on tiptoe and gave him a kiss.

"I've got to run by my apartment on the way in. Call me if you're free for lunch."

"Breakfast?"

"I'll grab something on my way." Horatio frowned at her. "Promise. I haven't starved yet, Love." She ran her fingers lightly over Horatio's face. Annabel brushed back the hair from his forehead. Horatio tried to catch her eyes. Annabel looked away.

Horatio caught her chin and tilted her face. "Hey, Bella. It's just work," he said softly. "First day back, I'll be mostly catching up. I probably won't even get out."

Annabel rolled her eyes. "Oh, I believe that. " Annabel ducked her head. "I know I'm being silly."

Horatio tugged Annabel closer to him and rested his head on top of hers. "I'll be fine, Bella. If something happens I know you'll track me down and drag me back."

"Kicking and screaming from the gates of hell."

Horatio smiled into her hair. "The devil had better watch his step."

Annabel tilted her head up and grinned at Horatio. "Don't you know it." She gave him one more quick kiss. "I really do have to run. I've gotta hit HR on the way too. I'm sure I have a stack of paperwork to fill out." She stepped away and planted her hands on her hips. "You know how much I love paperwork."

"I'm sure there will be some for me too. I'll try to make lunch."

"I won't hold my breath," called Annabel over her shoulder. Horatio just smiled and shook his head.

Horatio stood very still. He heard Annabel shut the door to the condo. He waited several moments. She didn't return. Horatio grabbed his cell phone off the nightstand and flipped it open. He paged through his contacts, stopped and hit send.

"Hello. Yes, it has been a while. I've been a little busy. Yelina. Yelina, how is Ray, Jr? And you saw him last when? Okay. I was just wondering. You know I worry. And how are you doing? Good. Oh, I'm sorry. I'll let you go then. Talk to you soon." Horatio flipped the phone shut and clipped it to his belt. He headed out the door still lost in thought.

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