Chapter 5

Today was their two-month anniversary and an exhibition in the Frost Art Museum had aroused both Horatio and Calleigh's interest. Therefore, the two hadn't had considered for long, but had driven to the museum after dinner and had visited the American Civil War exhibition. Now, almost 3 hours later, they stepped out into the stuffy night Miami's and set out for Horatio's car.

"You know, its one thing to learn it in history classes and read about it in books, but another seeing it in a museum, being close to the samples," Horatio said and took Calleigh's hand in his.

Calleigh highly agreed. "True. It's clearer and you can project your thoughts into the events," she answered and smiled when their hands touched. The last two months had been wonderful. Most of all, because she had liked Horatio for quite some time. In fact since they first met. But she'd never considered it possible that their working relationship would go deeper. Sometimes she couldn't quite believe it though and every now and then she caught herself thinking that it was just a dream. But if even if it was just a dream, she certainly didn't want to wake up again. Because with Horatio as her partner, she had proverbially conquered her dreams. "The section about the guns was brilliant."

"I'm not surprised that you liked that one in particular," Horatio laughed. "But when you think about that fact of how many lives this war had cost it's pretty scary, even though it was for a good reason," he then said a bit more serious. His good mood stayed nevertheless. "What's surprising me is that time gone by so much faster than in any history class. It felt like…a few minutes, but it's almost midnight. Astonishing."

"If you're interested in something, time goes by quickly. It's the same with the lab," she replied. Meanwhile they had reached the car. Being the gentleman he was, Horatio had taken the duty of driving them again. If it had something to do with the fact, that he was driving the Hummer, she couldn't say for sure. "I had a nice time. Thanks for the invitation."

"I thought we should do something special tonight, since it's our small anniversary," Horatio smiled at her lovingly and kissed the back of her hand, before he opened the door for her. "And I'm happy that you had as a good time as I did…" They talked the same language and Horatio liked that a lot. He had wished for such a woman for a long time after all. They had the same interests, they knew what they went through every day thanks to the job and they even shared the same sense humor, which was also very important to him.

"I did, yes. Hopefully, I haven't held you up at the guns. Sometimes I can be really…oh well," she gave him her best southern smile and fluttered her eyelashes, "…like a child."

"Don't worry, I like that. If someone has a hobby and merges in it…he shouldn't feel ashamed for that," Horatio shook his head and helped her into the car. Then he closed the door and walked around and climbed into the driver's seat. "Besides I found it interesting, too. We're dealing with guns every day, but it's a different category."

"Oh yes," she nodded and had to pay attention of not going into raptures again. "I think we need a different subject, or it will get dangerous."

"I'm used to danger," her replied cheekily and winked at her. Relaxed, he started the engine and drove out of the parking lot. He didn't even intend to ask her the special 'my home or yours?' question, since he wasn't that type of guy. At least not in the early stages of a relationship. Later the question would have a whole different meaning. That's why he drove to Calleigh's condo right away.

***

About 15 minutes later, he stopped the car in front of the small apartment building, where Calleigh lived and killed the engine. Being a real gentleman, he saw her to the door and grabbed both of her hands when they stopped. Gently, he stroked the back of her hands with his thumb and smiled. "Here we are…," he said quietly and didn't want to part from her just yet.

"Yeah," Cal confirmed the obvious and searched for her keys. After finding them, she opened the door, but didn't enter. Instead she leaned against the doorframe and looked at Horatio. "What about a coffee?"

Surprised about this offer, Horatio needed a moment before answering. Until now, she had never invited him inside and this was quite a big step in their relationship. However one he had been waiting for. "I'd love to," he nodded and motioned her to take the lead. He couldn't help but grin when she turned her back to him. Who knew what this night had in store for them.

***

Relaxed, Calleigh settled back on her couch. The evening had been great so far and she enjoyed every moment she could spend with Horatio alone. He was so different from work. In jeans and shirt he looked as good as in a suit, but his demeanor was more relaxed and cheekier. It was just before 1 by now and it didn't feel like that at all, since they had talked so much while drinking coffee. Just like now. "Oh well, and then there was the question about my career aspiration and I knew what I wanted to do. But my mom and dad had something different in mind…," she smiled when she thought about her youth. "But I had my way."

"I can imagine that parents aren't excited about such a job. It's a risky one after all," Horatio said and crossed his legs on her couch. If Elijah would choose this career, he wouldn't be so happy about it too. "But I bet that they're very proud of you now and rightly," he praised her and relished the feeling of getting to know her.

She put down her cup, after drinking the last sip. "That's true and I can't deny that, but viewed in this light, nothing in life is without a risk. At least that's the way I see it. And why should I make my job conditional on just that? That wasn't correct and today…almost 7 years later, I have no regrets." Thanks to her decision she had met Horatio and that was the best thing that ever happened in her life.

"I admire your attitude, Cal. I really do. It shows courage, especially as a woman, to fight your way in a men's world and you did it with flying colors. I'm very happy to call you one of my team members…not just since the last two months," he laughed softly. "Though it got stronger."

"Our team is something special anyway…I experienced it rarely, that there is such a big solidarity, almost family like. And this depends a great deal on who's the leader," she returned the praise. Her look fell on his likewise empty cup. "Do you want another coffee?" She asked, since she knew that he drank the brown liquid like others drank spring water or in Tim's case tea.

"Yes, please. I just hope that it's decaffeinated…or when I think about it, I wouldn't mind some more caffeine, so we can sit here for a longer time," he replied honestly. "And thank you for the compliment. I always try, that you don't feel like colleagues, but friends. Certainly, you can't constrain it, but you can set the course…"

"I have to pass," Cal replied and poured him another cup. "I had enough coffee for today. If I drink more, you will see me again like a hummingbird on six cups of coffee," she laughed when she thought about the case, where she had inhaled coke involuntarily. It had been embarrassing at that time, but she could laugh about it by now.

"A day I love remembering," Horatio grinned broadly. "You have been…I don't even know how to say, but when you sat there…I think that was the moment where it made..click," he admitted sheepishly and took a sip of his coffee to hide behind the cup. She had been so adorable, even though he had felt bad for her.

Even though she was amused, a part of it was faked, since she wanted to hide her own surprise about this statement. Did that mean, that Horatio had been in love with her for over a year and a half? Apparently she wasn't such a good actress, because Horatio furrowed his brows while looking at her. Therefore she honestly said. "I didn't know that."

"This was my intention…," Horatio shrugged. "I never believed that you could be interested in someone like me and so…I was content with being your boss, your…friend…whatever you want to call it." At least until Alexx and his son had pushed him.

"It's so easy to be mistaken. Because you're…nice," she laughed.

"Nice?" Horatio repeated amused. "Mhm, then it seems to me, that I like you more than you like me."

She liked that game. "Oh well, maybe a little bit more than just nice. I have to admit that."

"Mhm, I guess I still like you more Miss Duquesne," he pretended to be certain of success and put his cup on the couch table.

"Yeah? Now I'm curious", she leaned towards him.

"You'd better be," he whispered and took her movements towards him as a Yes. Gently, his lips met her and his hands wandered to her neck and started to massage it.

With eyes closed, she sucked on his lips, before deepening the kiss. She already was on cloud nine, due to Horatio's kissing techniques.

He had imagined it often, but reality was so much better. He'd love nothing better than to continue the kiss forever, but the lack of oxygen told him otherwise. "This was…nice," he gasped and only said that to tease her. Fantastic would have been the correct word to describe the kiss.

As an answer she boxed his shoulder. "Why, thank you." Now it was her turn to take the initiative and edged closer.

He was about to say something, when he was interrupted by her in the best way he could ever think of. Yes, that's what he liked. Calleigh wasn't shy and showed him what she wanted. He loved that at a woman, even though he loved everything about Cal, because he loved her.

"What do you think about," she started seductively, "waffles for breakfast?"

There could be only one answer. "I love waffles for breakfast."

tbc