A/N: See the intro for the standard stuff. Please R &R. This is really short. Before you all panic... There is more coming. Promise. Look for the next story.
Mini: Thank you kindly. There is just a bit more in this one. Solitar: Not any lighter. Sorry. RS: Well, you know...
Horatio walked quickly through Miami International, weaving his way through the tourists and businessmen with less urgent places to be. He glanced at the signs making sure he was headed for the right gate. Trying to justify more time off had been a bit of an uphill battle and he was running the risk of missing his flight.
The gate attendant quipped something about cutting things kind of close as he checked Horatio's information and waved him down the gangway. Horatio boarded the plane and settled into his seat. He looked past the woman in the next seat and out the window. The jet engines revved and the plane pulled away from the terminal. A bright burst of light blazed through the tiny window. Horatio's hand strayed to the dark glasses hooked into his collar, but the woman slid the shade down. She threw Horatio an apologetic glance.
"I'm sorry. We're you looking out there? It's just the sun's so bright."
Horatio shook his head. "It's fine, ma'am. Not much to see anyhow."
The woman smiled and nodded. "Are you headed to Brazil for business or pleasure?"
Horatio looked over at her briefly and then back down at his hands. "I've got family down there."
"Lucky you." She looked down at Horatio's hand. "Your wife?"
Horatio shook his head and cleared his throat. "No, ma'am. She's here in Miami."
"She let you run off to Brazil all by yourself?" The woman shook her head. "A very understanding wife." Horatio just sat silently staring at his hands.
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A large shadow drifted toward Annabel as she walked down the alley. Another day, another alley, another dead body. She paused looked up, and shielded her eyes, watching the plane pass over. When it was gone, she looked back down and shook her head. Get a grip, Annabel. You can't stop and watch every plane go by. You'll never get anything accomplished. Do I really care? Annabel pushed all of the nagging thoughts back into the box and chained it shut. She shook her head again to clear it and headed over to where Alexx and Calleigh were working.
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finis
As a Bonus I thought I'd include the stanza that the title came from. It's from Dreamland by Edgar Allen Poe.
For the heart whose woes are legion
'Tis a peaceful, soothing region-
For the spirit that walks in shadow
'Tis- oh, 'tis an Eldorado!
But the traveller, travelling through it,
May not- dare not openly view it!
Never its mysteries are exposed
To the weak human eye unclosed;
So wills its King, who hath forbid
The uplifting of the fringed lid;
And thus the sad Soul that here passes
Beholds it but through darkened glasses.