One Split Second

A/N: Calleigh's card is not mine. I found the quote online and I fell in love with it and really thought that it fit, so I take no credit for it.

You haven't found the right person if you can live with them, you've found the right person if you can't live without them.-Anon.

The night of the rehearsal dinner, Horatio waited with nervous anticipation. Against his better judgment, he had offered an invitation to Calleigh and against his better sense, he actually entertained the thought that she might actually show. But the moment Alexx arrived alone, his mind returned to reality. Of course she didn't come. Why should she?

Putting on the best smile he could muster, Horatio greeted his friends warmly but he couldn't keep the hurt out of his eyes. For the last ten years, the only thing he ever really wanted was Calleigh blessing and approval in everything that he did and he never even realized how much he depended on that until he saw the disappointment in her eyes when he walked out of that hospital room.

"I'm beginning to feel like your own personal mailman." Alexx groused as she stood before the groom-to-be. Horatio looked at her oddly until she handed him a small envelope much like the one he had asked her to deliver less than a week ago. He stared sadly at the card in his hands. "Don't be mad at her, Horatio. She's really struggling with all of this."

"I'm not mad at her, Alexx." He stated as he slipped the card, unopened, into his suit coat pocket and stated to walk away. "I'm mad at myself." Alexx pursed her lips as she chased after him.

"Alright, I've had enough of this beating around the bush crap." She declared as she grabbed his arms and spun him back around so that he faced her. "What's going on between you two?"

"Nothing." Alexx frowned.

"Quit lying to me. I want to know right now, why your best friend can't even stand to be in your presence anymore." Horatio clenched his jaw.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Try me." Alexx fought back. Horatio sighed heavily, seeing no way out of this.

"You want to know what happened? I fell in love with her, that's what happened." He snapped before taking off again. Alexx stood there dumbfounded for a moment before hauling off after him. She found him standing outside of the restaurant, staring off into the distance. "I don't need you to preach to me. I feel bad enough as it is."

"Feel bad? Did you fall and hit your pretty red head? What is there to feel bad about?" Horatio looked at his friend who was clearly out of her mind.

"Alexx, I'm getting married in two days. To Marisol…..And yet you don't see a problem with me kissing my best friend?" Now it was her turn to give him the crazy stare.

"Wait a minute, you kissed her? You didn't say that before."

"What difference does it make? I'm screwed no matter what I did!" He practically yelled.

"Horatio, you have a decision to make-"

"I already made a decision." He said, calmer.

"Can you live with it for the rest of your life?" Alexx questioned. Horatio looked at her but didn't answer. She gave him a sad smile before heading back inside. Horatio waited a moment before reaching into his jacket and pulling out Calleigh note.

On a small sheet of clean white card paper was powerful statement written in her delicate script.

In what seemed like one split second I lost what I held most dear to me…at the mere blink of an eye it was all gone…so I ran after you…and held on as tight as my tiny hand could grasp. Already weak from all the torment I could not allow myself to let go. Love that once shined so bright turned dark and angry…I loved you more than I ever dreamed of loving someone. You were the last star in my big lonely sky. My only dream ever to come true…but now you're going to end up like all the rest. I tried…I tried so hard. But my love isn't enough anymore. I will never forget you.