FB, FW Chapter 5

"Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention please," Damien took out some paper from his jacket pocket, "I'll keep this short so we can get back to drinking and having a good time. First of all, I'll have to introduce myself as I am sure Horatio hasn't told anyone anything about me. I'm Horatio's cousin, Damien or Dammo to everyone who knows me. We grew up together despite there being a three year age gap. He's the older one in case you haven't noticed, only joking cuz. I was speaking to Kyle earlier and he informed me that he doesn't know anything about his dad growing up, well Kyle, you're in for a treat."

Kyle was looking forward to this while Horatio was dreading what Damien had in store.

"We both grew up in New York and lived a few blocks away from each other. When I was about four and Horatio was about seven, he used to take me on bike rides all of the time, just around the blocks near our homes. One day, he told me that we were going to Central Park. I was excited as I hadn't been further that the parking lots between my house and his on my own. He told me that it was okay with our parents. He said that he knew the way and that he was meeting some of his mates along the way. After we met his mates, we carried on riding our bikes and we got lost. We ended up on behind Broadway, on 7th Avenue at 48th Street. Now as every New Yorker knows, there is a different kind of 'sight-seeing' attraction down there."

Horatio started to go a bit red and shifted around in his seat nervously. He knew what was coming up and he knew that he was going to be embarrassed.

"A new club had just opened called Lace Gentlemen's Club. One of his mates noticed the word 'Gentlemen' and suggested that we go in there to see if these 'Gentlemen' could help us."

Everyone had a feeling as to where this was heading and were looking at a rather embarrassed Horatio.

"As we entered the club, our eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. There were half naked women all over the place. The bar maid, who was, as I remember, half dressed, came over to us. She told us that we shouldn't be in here as we were too young. Another of his mates managed to blurt out that we were lost and needed help. Through all of this time, Horatio had his eyes somewhere that they shouldn't have been. The manager took us into his office and rang our parents to come pick us up. They were all horrified to be seen coming to a strip joint to pick up their seven and four year old sons. My parents were mortified when they got a phone call from my kindergarden teacher the next day to inform them that I was bragging about what I'd seen the day before. They had to come and take me home that day. But it was only a few months ago, after I had bumped into one of his old school mates, that I found out that we were never planning to go to Central Park, Horatio had said that to try and get me to go with them and that they were never actually lost and that they knew exactly where they were going. To this day, I still blame Horatio for my interest in the strip clubs. So thanks cuz!"

Everyone was in fits of laughter. Neither of them could imagine Horatio in a strip club now, let alone when he was younger.

"Anyway, joking and embarrassment aside, I'd like to raise a glass to congratulate Horatio and Calleigh. To Mr and Mrs Caine," Damien raised his glass and everyone followed suit, "to Mr and Mrs Caine," everyone chorused.

Damien sat down, Horatio leaned over to him, "no-one will ever let me live that down now, especially if we have a crime scene in a strip club."

Damien grinned, "you've got to admit, that was funny. Not that our parents thought so."

Horatio smiled at remembering that day, "they weren't impressed were they?"

"Nope," Damien took a gulp from his glass of champagne and carried on talking to Natalia who was sat on the other side of him.

"You started a bit young, didn't you?" Calleigh thought that she'd be the first to tease him. It was her right after all, especially now that she was now Mrs Horatio Caine.

"Well, boys will be boys," Horatio smiled as he planted a kiss on his wife's lips.

The evening drew on and everyone was dancing and enjoying themselves. Julia walked through the door and approached Horatio, "hey Horatio, congratulations."
Horatio turned round, "hey Julia, thanks for coming. Kyle will be happy that you've made it."

"Where is he?"

"He's in the garden keeping the girls pre-occupied."

"I'll go and say hello then," Julia left the room through the back door to see Kyle being jumped on by three giggling little girls.

"Hey Kyle, you look like have your hands full."

Kyle tried to stand up but was pulled back by Chloe, "hiya mom, I've been instructed to tire them all out so that they will sleep tonight."

Julia laughed, "looks like your doing a great job."

Inside, the DJ made an announcement to the guests, "ladies and gents, can we clear the floor for the bride and groom for their first dance."

Everyone sat down as Horatio led Calleigh to the dance floor. The music started and Calleigh recognized it straight away, Aerosmith's 'I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing'.

As they slowly danced together, Calleigh moved her head close to Horatio's ear, "I thought you couldn't dance?"

"Hmm, well, Hugh gave me a few pointers," Horatio grinned as he moved a loose curl from Calleigh's face.

As the song was nearly as its end, the doors burst open and a group of men burst in wielding guns and shot out the speakers. Everyone screamed and ducked for cover as Horatio pulled Calleigh to the side out of the way.

One of the men stood forward and shot his gun to the ceiling, "QUIET!"
Everyone did as they were told.