The Next Day

I entered the bright foyer, making a beeline for the audio/visual lab to finish working on the laptop from the Blooms homicide. Walking in the hallway, I greeted a few colleagues, the usual "Good Morning", followed by a friendly smile. I walked into the AV lab, flipped the light switch on.

Leaning against the doorframe I took in my sanctuary. The desktop computer I spend most of my day at sat in the upper corner of the lab. Snapping out of my thoughts I took a seat at the desk, and powered up the laptop from the Blooms case.

I was so into my work that I didn't hear Calleigh enter the room. She cleared her throat to get my attention, causing me to jump.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you". She said with her southern accent.

"No problem, just didn't hear you come in". I turned in my seat to face the platinum blonde ballistics expert.

I tried not to smile but "the idea", as I like to call it, kept bugging me to the point where I couldn't sleep last night.

Calleigh smiled warmly, her long, straight, platinum blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail. "Did you get anything from the laptop"? She asked, her green eyes locked with mine.

"I found some interesting emails between Mr. Blooms and another gentlemen. They were business partners, Mr. Blooms didn't want to expand the company but his business partner did". I explained.

Calleigh turned on her heel. "Could be motive, thanks".

"Calleigh, wait I wanted to ask you something". She froze, turning around to face me again.

"Yes". She waited patiently for me to continue.

I tucked a strand of brown hair behind my ear. "Do you want to go to dinner with Horatio, Eric, and I tonight"?

She smiled, nodding her head. "Sure, see you guys tonight". She beamed cheerfully.

Horatio couldn't believe Lauren had talked him into going along with her "plan". He didn't like playing matchmaker but sometimes she could be very convincing, and if he didn't go along with her idea she would just keep bugging him until he did.

He knocked on the door to the fingerprints lab where Delko was examining the laptop discovered at the scene. Eric looked up, motioning for his boss to enter.

Horatio walked into the lab. "Hey Eric, did you get any prints from the laptop"? He asked.

Delko nodded. "I found some smudged ones, but they're are a few usable prints I still have to test". He explained, bringing his attention back to the laptop in front of him.

"Good work, oh and Eric, Lauren wanted you to join her, Calleigh, and I tonight at her favorite restaurant for dinner". He stated.

Eric smiled. "Sure, sounds like fun".

Horatio nodded, turned on his heel and walked out into the hallway.

Later That Evening

Calleigh looked at her reflection in her bathroom mirror, making sure she looked okay. She touched up her make-up, and walked out into her bedroom. Grabbing her purse off the queen-sized bed that stood in the center of the room, she exited the room, heading for the front door. Calleigh arrived at the restaurant Lauren had suggested they meet for dinner. Walking into the dining area, she took in her surroundings. The dining room was fairly large, the walls painted a light green color. Booths aligned the walls on both sides, with smaller tables in the center of the room. She looked around the room, her eyes resting on the group gathered in a booth in the back.

The ballistics expert made her way over to the table. Lauren looked up from the menu she was reading and waved at her, a smile forming on her face. She waved back, coming closer to the booth.

"Hey guys, looks like everyone's here already. Nice choice of restaurant Lauren". She complimented cheerfully, sliding into the booth beside Eric.

"Glad you could join us Calleigh". Horatio said, exchanging glances with Lauren.

"Thanks for inviting me". She said, sending a smile his way.

Eric studied her silently for a moment before speaking. "You look pretty tonight". He complimented.

She blushed, giving him a small, embarrassed smile. "Thanks".

Lauren grabbed her menu again. "I'm starving, let's order".

As if on cue, a blonde haired waiter approached their booth. He took their orders, and stalked off.

The conversation was light, they discussed the case briefly then moved on to non- work related conversations. Halfway through the evening, Lauren's cell phone rang.

"Excuse me". She said, answering her phone.

Nodding as she spoke, she said, "We'll be right there", then hung up.

The brunette lab technician slipped her phone into her purse and stood. "That was Frank, Horatio and I are needed back at the lab". She explained, apologizing for leaving so early.

Horatio slid out of the booth, standing beside the brunette lab technician, letting Lauren take the lead.

She looked at Calleigh, and Eric and smiled. "You two enjoy your date, and we'll see you guys tomorrow". She commented, emphasizing the word date.

They said their final good-byes and the couple walked off.

Calleigh turned to Eric, grinning. "I think we were set-up". She said with her southern drawl.

Eric laughed. "I know there was a reason they were acting so funny".

His expression changed as he looked at Calleigh, and realized how beautiful she looked that evening.

She noticed him staring at her, and blushed. He made a bold move and squeezed her hand gently. "But I'm glad they set us up on this date".

She looked into his brown eyes, and her heart melted, right there in the restaurant.

THE END!