Chapter 2

Kyle was sitting alone in the dark office, his shoulders slumped, staring almost vacantly at the floor. Even though his friend Brian had been proven innocent of killing Maya's father, Maya's mother was now going to jail for murder. Everything was just so messed up. He couldn't make any sense of it. The whole day's events had left him feeling frustrated and drained.

He knew his Dad was on his side, he always was. Always trying to help him. But things just seemed to always go so badly, he always seemed to make the wrong decisions. No matter how hard he tried. It was just so frustrating. He wanted to be a man and make his Dad proud, but he always kept screwing everything up.

The young man heard soft footsteps approaching, and looked up to see his Dad walking towards him. "You OK, son?" came the gently spoken question.

"I'm fine Dad."

"Look, Kyle," his father continued, "You've had a long, tough day. Let's go home. What do you say?"

"Sure," the young man sighed heavily as he got to his feet.

Horatio's original plan was to have been able to talk to Kyle about his romantic relationship with Calleigh, and then she would join them for dinner, and the three of them would have a pleasant evening. But the day's events had completely sabotaged that whole plan. So he thought he could at least swing by the ballistics lab on their way out and say goodnight to his still-secret sweetheart.

Calleigh was just finishing up cataloging some evidence when they walked in.

"Miss Duquesne," she heard the very familiar deep voice behind her. She turned and donned and a brilliant smile for the man she loved, but then had to struggle to maintain it as she saw that Kyle was standing there as well. She had already guessed that the evening would not be as they had previously planned, but it was still disappointing to know she wouldn't be with her love tonight. And she was still fuming mad at the boy for all of his ill-tempered and bratty behavior. She quickly regained her professional composure.

"Lieutenant Caine," she answered pleasantly. "You two done for the day?"

Horatio nodded, also hiding his disappointment. "Yes, we're heading home. I just wanted to stop by and let you know what a great job you did today. Well done."

"Thank you…" she started, but was interrupted by the shrill ring of Horatio's cell phone. He looked at the caller, it was the Chief's office. Probably wanted a briefing on the case due to all the media attention. And he knew better than to put it off. He sighed heavily. "Damn. I have to take this. Kyle, would you stay here please? I won't be very long."

"Yeah, sure Dad," the boy answered flatly. Horatio nodded and answered his phone as he headed out the lab door and quickly disappeared down the hall.

Several moments of uneasy silence passed. Kyle finally looked down the hall impatiently. "Um, Calleigh, look, I'm really tired, and it looks like my Dad's gonna be a while. I think I'm just gonna catch a cab and go crash at my buddy's place. Would you tell him I'll see him in the morning?"

Cal stared at the young man in total disbelief. And her simmering anger finally burbled to the surface. "No, Kyle. I absolutely will not do that," she said harshly. "And you, young man, are not going anywhere. You are going to stay right here and wait for your Dad."

Kyle was startled by her reaction. "What?" he asked, clearly annoyed by the blonde's stern tone. "Look, I just want to get out of here, it's no big deal. I'm an adult… and I don't exactly need your permission…"

"Oh you're an adult, are you?" Calleigh retorted sharply. "Well, words don't make a man. Actions do. And if you want to get treated like an adult, I would suggest you try and start acting like one."

"Look, what's your problem?" Kyle demanded, getting ever more frustrated. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about your terrible behavior, that's what. Screaming threats in the middle of the street? Attacking a neighbor right in front of a dozen cops, including your Dad? Ranting and yelling at your father in the middle of a Police station where he works, throwing a temper tantrum, kicking chairs? Any of this ringing a bell?"

"Hey, I was upset!" Kyle countered loudly. "My best friend…"

"We ALL have things in life that upset us," Calleigh cut him off, her voice rising in volume as well. "That does NOT give you a free pass to act like a selfish jack-ass. Plus, you did all this while wearing a military uniform. Are you proud of that? Would you behave like that while you were out on a patrol somewhere? Would you throw a fit and speak to your Commanding Officer like that?" She demanded.

Kyle did stop for a moment and thought about that.

"No." He answered simply.

"Then why would you even consider acting like that and speaking like that to your own Father?" Calleigh could feel the flush of color rushing to her cheeks. "I mean, Kyle, how dare you! How dare you do that to your Dad!"

Kyle didn't answer her, but he wasn't backing down either.

Calleigh kept going. "Honestly down deep, I think you're a really good kid, but you just don't stop to think about how your actions affect and injure others, especially your Dad. Do you have any idea how lucky you are to have a father like Horatio Caine? From the moment he found out you were his son, he has always done anything and everything in his power to help you in any way possible. He wants to be a part of your life. And he wants you to be a big part of his. Do you know how much your Dad has missed you? How hurt he was when you just up and joined the Army and left? Do you have any idea how excited he's been for you to finally come back home? Horatio has given you nothing but support, understanding, and love. One hundred percent. And this is how you say thank you? At the very least, he deserves your respect, Kyle. And I mean the very least you could do. Because whether you like it or not, he has definitely earned that much. What he does NOT deserve is your temper tantrums, your pissy arrogance, or your selfish attitude."

Kyle had no idea what to say. Deep down, her stinging words were hitting home. But he'd had just about all he could take today. He was tired and angry and frustrated, and he just wanted to go home. Rather than admit that she was probably right, he lashed out instead.

"You know what?" Kyle finally replied, his voice taking on a harder edge. "You're not my Mom. I don't have to listen to you. And as for my Dad? He's your Boss. So what gives you the right to stand there and give me the third degree?"

"Somebody had to set you straight," Calleigh fired right back. "Your behavior was appalling, and you couldn't have cared less about who it hurt. I care very much about your father. If someone is hurting him, I'm not about to just stand by and watch it happen. I'm going to do something about it."

"Yeah, well why don't you just butt out and mind your own business?"

It took every ounce of self-control she had to maintain her composure, but she couldn't help but fix the arrogant boy with a laser hard glare. Kyle just stood there with the same petulant sneer he'd been wearing for most of the day.

Before any further verbal jabs could be made, Horatio burst back into the room. "I'm sorry Kyle," he said quickly. "That took a little longer than I expected…" He stopped, suddenly feeling the high level of tension in the room. He looked quickly between the two people he loved more than anything in this world, struggling to quickly figure out what the problem was.

"What's… going on?" Horatio asked cautiously.

Calleigh looked away. Tears were threatening to well up in her pretty green eyes, but she fought the urge back down.

"Nothing Dad," Kyle answered quickly. "Can we just go home now?"

"Sure son. Go ahead. I'll be right there."

Horatio watched the boy leave the lab and head down the hall, then he turned to Calleigh.

"Sweetheart?" he asked gently. "You're upset. What's wrong?"

She bit her lip and took a deep breath before answering him. "It's nothing, Handsome," she said with a tired smile. "Kyle's just had a tough day. We all have. Go spend some time with him. I'll see you tomorrow, OK?"

"You sure?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Cal nodded. "Go on home, Darlin.' I'm OK. Really."

"OK," Horatio finally answered, wishing he didn't have to leave his lovely southern belle standing here alone. He wanted to take her into his arms and whisk her away to his bed. But that just wasn't meant to be for now. "I'll see you in the morning then," he paused. "I love you."

"I love you too," she said, forcing a smile.

She watched her wonderful red-head leave the lab and head for the parking garage. Then she pulled out a chair and sat down heavily. She should've kept her mouth shut. She knew how protective Horatio was of Kyle, especially after such a traumatic day… she felt her heart sink. Had she just overstepped a boundary? Here she was, lecturing Kyle about losing control, and she had just gone off on a little tirade of her own. What would that boy say to his Dad? Probably give him quite an earful…

She hoped Horatio wouldn't be angry with her…

R & R please! Next chapter will be up very soon… Thanks for reading!