Trouble with Friends
Chapter 15
Their lips parted briefly from their loving, sweet kiss, but they still were wrapped in each other's arms on the couch, lying on their sides, facing each other.
"Are you hungry?" Calleigh asked him softly as she lightly brushed through his hair with her fingers.
Horatio's stomach, as if on cue, let out a long growl and they both laughed.
"I suppose I am," Horatio answered with a chuckle.
Then his face took on a serious expression as he brushed back her hair that had dropped over her face before cupping her cheek and softly saying, "But, I'm also hungry for you. You haven't taken one day off since…well, since I came home. I know you are determined to find Miller, but please don't let this case consume you Sweetheart…it will wear you down. You need a break."
Calleigh was silent for a moment then replied, "I'll go in and work tomorrow so I can make the phone call to Westcock plus, look into some leads. Then maybe I could take off Saturday and Sunday, if everything stays relatively quiet. Eric took off this past weekend, so he could cover for me."
Horatio smiled, "I like that plan."
Calleigh stood up and reached down for Horatio's hand after he sat up.
"How about we go make some dinner? You feel up to making your crab pasta salad?"
Horatio stood and they began walking toward the kitchen hand in hand when his brow wrinkled and he asked innocently, "I'm supposed to know how to do that?"
Calleigh turned to him and smiled, "If I get the ingredients together, maybe it will come back to you." Dr. Green and Alexx both suggested I begin to help him remember things he did before. Funny how he can remember some work related information, but not little things he used to do in his personal life. Thankfully, he's said he has no memory of the truck coming at him.
She set everything out on the counter and Horatio stood silently and stared at the food.
"I'm sorry. I…it's not coming back to me. I can't remember." Horatio stepped back and put his hands on his hips, gradually shaking his head, feeling disgusted with himself that he couldn't remember.
Calleigh thought she could detect tears forming in his eyesand quickly stepped in front of him, placing her hand on his cheek as she softly encouraged,
"Hey…it's ok. I'll make the salad. It just won't be as good," she smiled as her fingers lightly traced down his cheek. "I bet it'll come back to you with time."
He leaned into her hand and responded, "And if it does, I'll make some just for you."
That night, Horatio couldn't fall asleep. He watched Calleigh sleeping so peacefully beside him and was glad she could rest. I'm so torn Sweetheart. Before this happened to me, I was more confident. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly…but now…what can I offer you? I'm just a rehabilitating, soon to be retired police officer. He spent most of the night dealing with his emotions, and realized it all just came down to the fact that he loved her so much, she is so much a part of my life…life wouldn't be worth living without her. I just need to push myself, to get back like I was before this happened to me.
Calleigh woke up to the irritating buzzing of the alarm clock beside her head. She reached out and cut it off before rolling over to make sure it didn't wake Horatio. To her surprise he wasn't there. She listened, but didn't hear any noise from the master bath, but that didn't stop her from jumping out of bed to check. He wasn't in there. Now, her heart began beating faster and concern began creeping into her mind as she reached for her robe and started for the door to the hallway. Padding down the hall barefooted, she reached the door to the kitchen then immediately stopped. Horatio stood at the stove with his back to her and the smell of cooking eggs assaulted her nostrils along with the unmistakable aroma of fried bacon.
Walking silently toward him and wrapping her arms around his waist, she laid her head against his back and gave him a hug. Feeling her arms around his waist, caused him to turn his head to the side and lean into her embrace as he said,
"Good morning Beautiful! Did you sleep well?"
"Wonderfully…and that's because I knew you were beside me." Horatio smiled as one of his hands covered hers on his stomach.
Jerking back around to face the stove, Horatio said, "Uh-oh, I think the eggs are overdone…" he lifted the skillet off and placed it on another section of the cooktop, then turned and playfully commented, "You're a distraction, but one I love dearly," as he pulled her into a warm embrace. They stood, forgetting about food for a few minutes, just relishing starting the day wrapped in each other's arms.
"I could stay like this all day," Calleigh softly whispered, allowing the tender moment to totally envelop her making her forget all about work. "Did I say I was going to the lab?"
"I'd love for you to be able to stay home today, but we'll have the weekend," then he began to trail tender kisses across her cheek and down her long, slender neck.
"If…you…keep this up," she sighed, "I'm not…going anywhere."
"Hmm, tempting," he replied with a devilish smile. Then he leaned back to look into her eyes, his lips still curled in a smile as he said, "Breakfast is getting cold and I don't want to send you off with a cold breakfast."
On her way to the lab, Calleigh called Westcock in the Miami FBI office and explained what had happened. He told her he'd check on the case and get back with her later in the morning.
Calleigh had no sooner walked into Horatio's office when Ryan appeared knocking on the doorframe.
"Calleigh, the thumb drive I retrieved from Miller's office contains some very interesting info that I think you need to see down in A/V."
"Let's hope it leads us somewhere," she cryptically replied as she walked out of the office ahead of Ryan.
Standing at the layout table, Calleigh patiently watched as Ryan singled out several files from the device. As he opened the first file, the information came to life on the wall sized screen in front of them. It was a list of names, phone numbers, some of the names were accompanied by brief personal information. Then her eyes saw one name that took her by surprise.
"Senator Mike Wilkes, that's interesting. He's running for re-election this fall as Florida's senior senator in Washington. Open that file."
What they saw shocked them beyond words. Before them was a list of payments from Wilkes to Joe Miller of Pelican Construction. Among the figures, were notations beside some of the monetary amounts signifying the quantity of items purchased, it appeared as if the notations were in some sort of code.
"Have Travers work on this. Tell him I want this classified as high priority and under strict secrecy. No one else sees this but team members."
Ryan nodded his head. "I'll contact you when we figure it out. If this is what I think it is…some big guns are involved. Horatio needs to be careful, he threw a monkey wrench in their operation when he…"
"Horatio will be protected, I…" her cell phone ringing interrupted her in mid-sentence as she stopped talking when she saw on the screen it was Chief Thompson.
She quickly answered, "CSI Duquesne…"
"Ms. Duquesne. Can you be in my office in five minutes?"
"Yes sir, I can."
"See you then," the call disconnected.
Calleigh sat across the desk from the chief as he perused a fax he'd received via his secure fax line. Turning it around, he handed it to Calleigh.
"I called some contacts I have in the FBI yesterday after you left and here is what was sent to me this morning."
Calleigh began reading and her eyes widened when she reached a section that specifically threatened a high level investigation of Chief Thompson and MPD if any further inquiries were made concerning Joe Miller or Pelican Construction. She sat in silence, turning everything over in her mind that they knew so far before commenting.
"Chief Thompson, Ryan Wolfe was able to place into evidence, a thumb drive from Miller's office that contains some interesting files. I was looking at the contents of only one folder when you called, and that folder listed Senator Mike Wilkes as having numerous contacts with Miller and his company. It shows a list of payments made by the Senator to Miller for materials that are in some type of code. Our A/V analyst is working on the code right now."
The Chief's expression turned serious before he spoke, "Ms. Duquesne, this matter extends into high levels of our government. I think we need to be extremely careful in our investigation, but I want it to continue. If there is unlawful activity occurring here, I want it exposed…I don't care who's involved. In light of all of this, I'm afraid Horatio is more of a target than we thought." The Chief's words invoked a feeling of alarm in Calleigh's heart.
"Could more officers be placed at Horatio's house?"
The Chief grimaced as he contemplated her request. "I wish I could say yes, but we're stretched pretty thin right now due to budget cuts and the overwhelming number of cases that are back-logged. There are two officers already in place, aren't there?"
"Yes, and Frank Tripp is staying with Horatio in the house during the day until I can relieve him in the evenings."
"I can't make you any promises, but let me see what we can do."
Horatio and Frank began digging into the lunch Linda brought them and enjoyed her company as well. She'd had taken time off from her work to stop by Horatio's favorite Italian restaurant to pick up some lunches, disappointed when she called Calleigh and found out that her friend couldn't get away from the lab to join them.
As they ate, Linda commented, "Calleigh is working too hard Horatio; she barely had time to talk to me earlier when I called to see if she could eat with us."
Frank immediately gave her a look that said, 'you shouldn't bring anything like that up to him'. Linda's eyes diverted from Frank to Horatio and saw that the redhead suddenly looked sad.
"It's because of me. She's pushing herself too much."
Linda immediately tried to undo what damage she'd done to Horatio by lightly commenting, "She's a tough woman. She can handle it. Maybe you could talk her into taking a day off soon."
Horatio then smiled responding, "She's planning on taking the weekend off. When I talked to Eric earlier this morning, he assured me that he would cover the lab for her. He agreed that she needed the time off and he would make sure she got it."
"That'll be great. Y'all ought to go down to the Keys for a couple of nights, have a little get-away," Linda suggested as she reached over and squeezed Frank's hand. "Frank and I do that when we want to get away from everything."
Horatio chuckled slightly, "I'm ahead of you. I made reservations at a secluded cottage resort in Key Largo right after Calleigh left for work this morning."
Then Frank's smile waned as he considered the situation. "H, MPD won't be able to protect you down there…maybe…"
"Francis…," Frank instantly looked up at Horatio. Horatio hasn't called me by my given name since all this happened to him. Maybe it's a good sign. "I think Calleigh and I can handle a couple of nights without MPD officers around us."
"Well, just as long as you're back before Monday night. You know that'll be the start of the NBA playoffs for the Eastern championship between the Heat and the Knicks. Gotta see that game."
Horatio smiled at his sports minded friend, "We won't miss it Frank. I remember we planned to watch the game here."
Calleigh sat in Horatio's office finishing up some reports and signing off on them while her mind drifted back to the phone conversation she had with Westcock when he called her back. Her hopes were dashed when he'd told her that even he was blocked from accessing the case and had tried every avenue to circumvent the block with no success. He'd apologized for not being able to help and wished Horatio well.
Jerked from her thoughts when Eric entered the office loudly announcing, "Calleigh, as of right now, your weekend has started. You need to get out of here…I'll finish the paperwork for you."
"Eric, it's only three o'clock in the afternoon, I've got…"
"You've got to go check on Horatio and enjoy your weekend…that's an order."
Calleigh smiled and countered, "I don't think you can order me…"
"I can't, but your superior can."
Looking beyond Eric, she saw Horatio walk in with a smile plastered on his face.
Shocked she said, "HORATIO…how…" then she saw Frank behind him.
"Thanks Eric," Horatio said as he walked towards Calleigh. With his hand outstretched he summoned, "C'mon Sweetheart…your chariot awaits if you don't mind driving it!"
Twenty minutes later, they were well on their way out of Miami down the expressway leading to Highway 1 that would take them to the Keys. Once clear of the heavy traffic, Calleigh glanced over at Horatio and said,
"You sure know how to surprise me Handsome…I would've never dreamed you had a weekend like this in mind."
A small smile crept into his features and he responded, "We needed some time away, just the two of us, with no police officers or Frank."
"How did you know what to pack for me?"
Horatio chuckled at her question and turned toward her answering, "It wasn't hard…you won't need many clothes for what I have planned."
Calleigh grinned and caught his eyes momentarily, "I love the sound of that."
Horatio winked and his throat let out a low, deep rumble of agreement.
The resort manager having finished showing them everything about their cottage, wished them a pleasant stay and to call the desk anytime if they could help with anything before making his exit, closing the door behind him.
Horatio swept Calleigh into his arms and playfully groused, "I thought he'd never leave!" Then he captured her lips in a deep, fervent kiss until much needed air was sought by them both.
Barely able to whisper a few words after such a dizzying kiss Calleigh asked, "What's the plan now?"
"Feel up to a relaxing swim?"
"Hmm, I think I can…," she pecked him on the lips, "manage that."
As she was changing into her bikini that he'd packed…his favorite, she couldn't stop from wondering if this was the safest thing to be doing, running off, away from MPD protection. Shaking her head, getting back in the moment, she opened the door and stepped out into the hallway leading from the bedroom to the large open living area.
Horatio stood waiting and as she approached, he heard her ask, "Why didn't you change with me?" As her arms snaked around his waist and she placed a soft kiss on his bare chest.
"Because my love, we'd never have made it to the ocean…"
"Would that have been so bad?" She playfully asked.
"Hmm, not at all Sweetheart…but there'll be plenty of time later."
That night, in the large bed under a lazily spinning ceiling fan, they were both panting for breath after a most intense love making session.
"Handsome," Calleigh barely managed to whisper into his ear, "where did that come from?"
Pushing up on his forearms, he gently moved some damp hair from her cheek and with a voice filled with emotion answered, "Being isolated on an island, away from all of our cares, with you."
"I'm glad you kidnapped me and brought me here…"
His lips gently taking possession of hers, cut off her words. Feeling her warm walls quivering around him, he began feeling his body responding and the thought of taking her on another trip of ecstasy sent a thrill of anticipation throughout him.
The next morning, Calleigh opened one eye and the brightness of the sun streaming in through the billowing curtains caused her to quickly shut her eye. She rolled over onto her back and then dared to try it again. The ceiling fan blades were still slowly turning above the bed and a relaxed smile broke out on her face. Gently stretching, she rolled over onto her side to find Horatio still asleep as he lay on his stomach.
His hair was mussed and locks of sandy red hair hung low on his forehead. He looks like a little boy, his features so relaxed…I'm glad. He was right, we needed this. She reached over and lightly ran her hand down his forearm, not wanting to wake him. Such a strong arm…it matches your inner strength my love.
She watched him for several minutes and heard the first sounds of him waking. Slowly his blue eyes opened and he smiled as he shifted his body and rested on his side so he could face Calleigh.
"Good morning Sweetheart," he said sleepily, "How do you feel this morning?"
"I feel wonderful; how about you?"
"Better than I have in a while, but I have to tell you, you wore me out last night," then grinned.
They enjoyed a slow, lazy day, enjoying the hammock strung between two palm trees, ordering breakfast and lunch to be sent to the cottage, instead of going out. Horatio had told her though that tonight would be special; he'd made dinner reservations for them in town.
As they lay side by side in the hammock, enjoying a breeze off of the water Calleigh questioned, "How in the world could tonight be more special than last night?"
"You'll just have to wait and see," was all he'd tell her as he smiled thinking of his plan.
That night, Horatio waited for her to emerge from the bedroom. He finished dressing first, wearing a white suit accompanied by a sky blue soft cotton t-shirt that matched his eyes. He was in island dress even his feet were sporting white, slip-on canvas deck shoes and no socks.
When Calleigh walked into the room, he couldn't breathe. He'd picked out the dress, but seeing it on her was different.
"Sweetheart…" he finally managed to softly say. The sleeveless sun dress hugged her body, revealing her beautiful curves with soft emerald green, deep pink, and water blue colors. "You…you are absolutely stunning."
"Thank you, you picked it out for me."
"Only the dress…you…you turn it into a work of beauty!"
She took in his relaxed look and commented, "Your suit makes you the most handsome man on this island…much different from your work clothes." Horatio smiled and hung his head for just a moment.
Raising his head with a smile he asked, "Ready?"
"Can't wait," she grinned.
As they shared a key lime seafood platter and watched the beautiful sunset from their patio table, Calleigh could tell that an air of nervousness had washed over Horatio.
"Are you ok?" she quietly asked.
Her question shook him from his thoughts and he answered, "Yes, sorry I'm fine," then took a sip of wine and smiled.
Tonight the restaurant had a live band and vocalist. Unknown to Calleigh, Horatio had requested a certain song be played when he motioned to the waiter. Noticing Calleigh had seemed to finish eating, he said to himself, it's now or never old man. He nodded to the waiter who was patiently waiting for the signal as he stood against the wall grinning. The waiter motioned to the band leader and they began playing, "Love Was Made for Us."
"Calleigh…I," he stopped and then she watched as he slipped out of his chair down on one knee. Her hand flew to cover her open mouth as tears instantly welled making her emerald eyes sparkle.
Reaching out and taking her hand in his, he looked up into her glistening eyes and asked,
"Calleigh will you marry me?" He then let go of her hand and opened the small box he was holding, revealing a glittering one carat, teardrop shaped, diamond ring set in platinum.
Her heart was wildly beating inside of her chest and she couldn't stop her tears from silently sliding from her eyes. Her smile was dazzling, revealing her answer without a single word, but then she found her voice,
"Yes…yes, oh Horatio…I can't believe this," she softly cried as he slipped the ring on her finger, then stood and gently pulled her to her feet and replied,
"Believe it Calleigh…I've never meant anything more in my life," as a tear of joy escaped down his cheek, then his lips found hers. Lingering for a moment in their warm embrace, Horatio stepped back first and said,
"I think they're playing our song, may I have this dance?" Calleigh silently shook her head yes before she let him lead her to the dance floor and for the first time she suddenly heard the words of the song…
Many times in my life I've felt as if an angel walks with me,
Leading it to the one who'll be taking over demands someone who's strong,
Someone who can love and understand,
Someone who accepts the way I am and who will love me for that,
Just for that…
When I'm holding you tight, my mind is taken far into our past,
Foundations that we made to last through the stormiest nights…
The song that Horatio had chosen continued to resonate through the restaurant and the few diners in their area watched with warm smiles as the loving couple danced and spoke softly to each other. Horatio thought, I know there are things I can't remember, but I know I'll never forget this night as he softly kissed Calleigh's forehead.
TBC…