A/N: The intro is where I tell you who I own and who I don't. Oh and if TPTB are reading, I'm swiping the plot bunny. Please R&R.
Ang: Thanks for hanging around and for dropping a note. RS: Well, breathing isn't going to be any easier. Oh, and it's the weekend. Hope your cliffside seat isn't too cold. It's been snowing here.
Annabel snuck over to her desk and sat down. She dropped the folder she'd picked up at HR on her desk. She looked around. No one had seemed to notice her entrance. She twisted at her rings and considered taking them off. They had decided not to make any big announcements, but it wouldn't take long for somebody to notice. And after they noticed, news had a way of traveling like a wildfire. Or a virus. Annabel sighed and powered up her computer. While it whirred to life, she decided talking to her supervisor had better come sooner rather than later. Being married to the head of the crime lab was going to cause them both a few complications. Annabel smiled to herself. Ah, but the fringe benefits.
Frank was cruising down the hallway when he spotted Annabel. He knocked on the door, and stuck his head in.
"Sir, can I grab Detective McGinty to do this run with me?"
The captain flashed Annabel a little grin. "Sure thing, Tripp. I think the detective and I were all settled." Frank nodded and stepped back into the hall. The captain turned back to Annabel. "Just keep everything by the book and you'll both be alright."
"I just wanted to make sure, Sir. I...we…wouldn't want to jeopardize any case."
"I know you wouldn't. Remember, by the book. And if you're primary, he can't be."
"I'll remember that, Sir."
"Please do. I'd hate to lose you from this division. Go on. Get out there."
Annabel smiled. "Thank you, Sir."
Frank was waiting outside when Annabel got done with her talk. He grinned down at her as she stepped into the hallway.
"Welcome back, Annie."
Annabel gave her friend a warm smile. "Hiya, Frank. How's it going?"
Frank smiled and shrugged. "Been a little quiet. How was Chicago?"
"Not as quiet as I had hoped."
"Good to be home?"
Annabel nodded. "Very good. So what have we got?"
"A teenager found in an alley."
"Welcome home," Annabel mumbled.
------------
Annabel was talking to the uniform that had found the body when a crime lab Hummer pulled up. She watched Horatio climb out of the driver's side and shook her head. Why was she the least surprised? Paperwork, right. Eric came around the other side. He spotted Annabel and waved. A grin split his face and he held up his left hand. Annabel dropped her head and shook it. She'd better catch Frank before Eric did. Annabel finished up with the uniform and started off to find her partner.
She finally found Frank standing next to Horatio while Alexx gave them the preliminary on the body.
"Frank, can I have a word a minute?" Frank held up his hand and continued to listen to Alexx. Annabel caught Horatio's eye and shook her head in mock disgust. He tried to look vaguely sheepish, but didn't pull it off in the least. Alexx stopped talking and Frank excused himself. He started over toward Annabel as Alexx and Horatio went back to talking.
'Whatdaya need, Annie?" Annabel started to open her mouth.
"If it isn't Detective Caine," called Eric loudly behind her. Frank stopped dead and Alexx's head snapped up. Annabel wanted to just sink into the ground. She spun around and glared at Eric. There was a look of shock on his face. "You guys hadn't told Alexx? Or Tripp?"
"Uh. No." Annabel planted her hands on her hips and scowled at Eric. "Have you heard of not making a big fuss?" Annabel stared Eric down. He looked away.
"Okay, People. We can go over all of the big news later." Horatio drew their attention back to the task at hand. "We have a crime scene here." Horatio looked down at the boy on the ground. The same age as Ray Jr. Same dark hair. Eyes brown instead of blue. Horatio closed his eyes. He pictured the face in the window of the van yesterday. Horatio felt a hand on his arm. He opened his eyes and looked into Annabel's concerned grey ones.
"Are you okay?" Horatio nodded slowly. "I don't believe you," she stated simply, but didn't press. "And this doesn't look like your office." Before he could answer, Annabel walked away. Horatio looked down at the boy one more time. Too young to have died like this.
------------------
Horatio found Annabel in her office on the phone. She smiled at him. He gave her a half smile back. Horatio waited patiently while she finished up her call. Annabel frowned in concentration as she took notes. She hung up the phone and looked back up at Horatio. She smiled warmly.
"Hello, Lieutenant. What brings you by? I would have thought you would have been well tied up."
"Are you free for lunch?" he asked quietly.
Annabel frowned. There was something in his voice. She searched his face, but couldn't find an answer. A sick panic started to rise. "Horatio?"
"We need to talk, Annabel."
Annabel's frown deepened. Her stomach lurched. "That's never a good thing." She looked down and twisted the rings on her hand. "It's a little late for cold feet, Horatio."
The dejected note in her voice cut Horatio deeply. "Bella, it's nothing like that," he reassured her. "I will never have any regrets about marrying you." But you may have some about me. Horatio closed his eyes briefly. "So, are you free?"
Annabel glanced at the notes on her desk. "I should be working on this case."
"I know." His voice was barely above a whisper. Emotions warred inside Annabel. This is exactly what they had agreed not to do from the beginning. Personal life did not interfere with work. And the fact that it was Horatio standing in front of her pushing that line was what had her so spooked.
"I can make myself free." She picked up her cell and stood up.
Horatio nodded. "Good." He followed her out of the station.
------------