A/N: Thank you for the reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Ding Dong

Horatio was nervous. He had argued with himself the entire way to Yelina's house. But he swore to himself that he would not leave until she knew how he felt.

When the lock started to tumble, Horatio knew there was no turning back.

"Uncle Horatio?" Ray Jr. was not expecting to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"Well if you don't want me here," Horatio started walking backwards. "I'll just…"

"No no no!" Ray Jr. pulled his uncle in the house and locked the door.

Horatio laughed and ruffled his nephew's hair. "I wanted to come see you."

Ray Jr.'s face lit up. "Mom made spaghetti. We were just about to eat." Ray led Horatio into the kitchen. "Mommy, Uncle Horatio's here."

Yelina turned the stove off. "You made it."

Horatio smiled shyly.

"Are you hungry?" Yelina asked, making him a plate.

Horatio loved Yelina's spaghetti. If he hadn't fallen for her when they first met, he would have a few months later when he ate her cooking for the first time. She could cook and fire a gun. And if that wasn't sexy, Horatio didn't know what was.

Dinner with Yelina and Ray Jr. felt natural. As if…

This is the way it's supposed to be.

Ray yawned and, after realizing what he'd done, clapped his hands over his mouth.

Yelina gave him a knowing look. "Sleepy?"

"Lack of oxygen." he lied.

"Uh huh. Right."

After dinner, Ray Jr. ran of to the living room, leaving Yelina and Horatio alone. The kitchen lighting gave Yelina's caramel skin an ethereal glow.

"Beautiful…" Horatio whispered under his breath.

"Hm? What did you say?" She hadn't really heard him.

"Talking to myself."

"Oh." Yelina shrugged it off and got up to clear the table.

Horatio met her at the sink. Together, they washed the dishes in silence. When they were done Yelina handed Horatio a towel to dry his hands.

If ever asked, Horatio would swear he was possessed. He took Yelina's hands and dried them.

Horatio was so slow and careful that Yelina couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if he were to dry her entire body. Her pulse quickened.

After drying his own hands, Horatio gained an interest in Yelina's neck, her jugular to be exact. He rubbed it gently with his index finger. If Horatio were in his 'right mind' he would have noticed Yelina's pulse racing.

Horatio finally came back to his senses when his phone rang. Blushing, he quickly answered. "Horatio."

It was Frank Tripp. "You've been requested for a case." He had emphasized 'requested', which could only mean someone influential was involved.

"I'm on my way" Horatio hung up.

"You have to go." Yelina looked disappointed.

"I'm sorry." He whispered, not really sure what he was apologizing for.

Yelina waved off his apology and Horatio followed her into the living room. He was going to say goodnight to Ray Jr., but the 10 year old boy had fallen asleep on the couch. The TV was still on. Not wanting to wake him, they went to the door.

"Thank you for dinner." Horatio felt extremely awkward.

Yelina just nodded. She was still feeling light headed from what happened in the kitchen. She reached for the door but Horatio, once again 'possessed', stopped her by grabbing her wrist.

"Uncle Horatio?"

Whatever Yelina thought was going to happen was severely interrupted by her son's sleepy voice.

"You leaving?" Ray asked rubbing his eyes.

"Well," Horatio looked from Yelina to his nephew. "Miami never sleeps." He pointed and winked at his nephew, who returned the gesture. "Goodnight Yelina." Horatio said softly, nearly a caress.

"Goodnight." She said just as gently.

Horatio grinned, turned on his heel and walked away.

Duty called.