We would like to thank ALL our loyal readers for your support while we have been away. In the next few weeks, you will see our stories being reposted here for all of you to read along with several NEW stories we've written while we've been away.

We appreciate all the kind messages we've received for our readers...we didn't realize how many of you were reading our stories, lol. It has brought HUGE smiles to us and we hope you'll continue to stick with us as we re-post some old favorites and hopefully new favorites. Thanks again!

CaineSpeedle & Speedfanatic05

Now for the good stuff!

**WARNING: STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT AND LANGUAGE! You Are Warned**

"There are some qualities-some incorporate things, That have a double life, which thus is made, A type of that twin entity which springs, From matter and light, evinced in solid and shade. There is a twofold _Silence_-sea and shore- Body and soul. One dwells in lonely places, Newly with grass o'ergrown; some solemn graces, Some human memories and tearful lore, Render him terrorless: his name's "No More.""

From "Silence" by Edgar Allan Poe

The cry of the gulls and the rush of the water hitting the shore was all that could be heard. The sweet smell of the salt air, filling one's nostrils as the breeze blew off the blue waters. The sand warm under foot, seemingly untouched for as for as the eye could see. Most would consider it paradise, but for Calleigh, it was a place to heal and start anew.

Sitting on the lone stretch of beach behind the house, she looked out over the water, her thought's thousand's of miles away. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get Christopher out of her head, he seemed to follow her like a ghost. Pulling her legs up and resting her forearms on her knees, Calleigh took in a deep breath, trying to clear her mind. In the hour that they had been at Horatio's beach house, she had spent much of the time alone where she sat.

Sensing his presence behind her, Calleigh closed her eyes, "You can sit down, Horatio."

Hesitantly, Horatio shifted his weight before taking a seat, still giving her a wide berth for comfort. Since they had arrived, she had taken to the beach and he gave her the time she need, but now he was starting to get concerned. Even now as he sat, he could tell that she was still dealing with conflict deep within herself.

Keeping his eyes on the pounding surf, he exhaled lightly and spoke, feeling already that he was imposing on her time, "Uh…I was concerned when you didn't come back. Are…are you okay?"

Keeping her eyes out on the water, Calleigh remained still, "I'm starting to wonder that myself. I let him get in too much. It's like I can't get him out my mind now."

Hearing her despondency, he looked to her and felt his expression drop, unsure if he could help her. Resting his arms on his knees, he asked, "Calleigh, do you think talking about it more will help to get it out?"

Her brow crinkled slightly and she blinked slowly, before shrugging, "I honestly don't know, Horatio." Lowering her head some and looking down, she sighed, "If I'd known this would happened to me I would never have…complied with what he wanted."

"Calleigh, if you hadn't complied, he would've most likely killed you. You did the right thing," Horatio said as he centered his gaze on her. He wanted to reach out to her, to comfort her within his arms, but he knew until she got over this, that human touch would be sparse.

Finally looking over at him, Calleigh shook her head, "Why doesn't it feel like I did the right thing though? I lowered my guard too much, I…I even…influenced him to keep going. I let him…" she started as she looked back out at the water, her emotions making themselves known, "I let him touch me…and didn't try to stop him."

Taken with her admission, he shook his head, "No, Calleigh. You survived. You had to do these things to survive, you knew…you knew that if you didn't, that he would do something worse. He would kill those whom you loved." The sound of the surf crashing became the only sound between them for a minute as Horatio gathered himself and his thoughts. There had to be a way for him to let her see that her actions were necessary. Turning from her he asked lowly, "Did you…did you like that he touched you?"

Tears streaked down her cheeks from her green eyes and she shook her head as she lowered it again, "No…I…I hated it. But he made me…he…" Covering her eyes with one hand, she bent her head, not wanting him to see her shame, "my body…oh god…"

Reaching for her hand, he took it away from her eyes and shook his head minutely, bringing her closer to him. It was tearing him apart to hear her emotional pain but even more to feel it. Holding her tightly, he spoke soothingly, "He took advantage of you, Calleigh. He violated you…you have nothing to be ashamed of."

Breaking down there in his arms, Calleigh leaned against him, her head resting on his shoulder as he held her close. Her body shook with her sobs and she tried to speak again, "I…I could've…stopped him…but I…I didn't…"

"You didn't, Calleigh, because you knew. You knew what was going to happen if you didn't." He caressed her hair and sighed heavily, "Calleigh…it's going to take you some time to get over this, and it's not going to be easy, but I want you to know…You can talk to me about anything." Pulling her away gently, he cupped her face and wiped her tears away, allowing a small smile, "You can scream, yell, hit…anything you need to do to help you, Calleigh."

With teary eyes, Calleigh eyed him for a moment before speaking, "Do…do you know what kept me going?" Seeing him shake his head no, Calleigh sniffled and continued, "I thought about you. When he'd hold me, I had to imagine it was you so I wouldn't hit him…"

"Me?" Smiling, he caressed her face gently and then he blinked slowly, "Do you know what kept me going?" When she shook her head slightly, he answered, "The idea of having you in my arms again. To know that you were safe, and you are, Calleigh. You are safe."

"Thanks to you…" she whispered as she tilted her head slightly.

Searching her eyes, he inched forward and hesitated before brushing his lips over hers softly. Just the slightest touch was all he needed before he reigned himself in and pulling away. Gauging her expression, he bent his head, apologizing, "Calleigh…I'm…sorry…"

Watching him, Calleigh then slowly moved her hand, lifting his chin for him to look at her, "Never be sorry about that, Horatio…I'm not."

Their eyes met and he nodded, moving a sliver of hair from her eyes, leaning into her again, "Calleigh…I love you. I'm here for you."

Allowing his closeness, she closed her eyes as he held her and their forehead rested against each others. Taking in a deep breath, she whispered, "I love you…I have for a long time…"

To hear her say the words and mean them warmed him and he cupped her neck, whispering, "Anything you want, Calleigh….it's yours."

Fighting back the tears once more, Calleigh moved her hands around to his chest, "Help me to forget him, Horatio…"

His heart threatened to explode out of his chest as he kept his eyes on her, her touch lulling him away from logic. Huskily, he asked, "Calleigh?"

Meeting his eyes, Calleigh searched them, finding nothing but concern and understanding and warmth. Reaching up with on hand, her fingers touched his cheek, "I want him out of my head…and you there instead."

Bringing himself closer, he leaned to take her lips once more, brushing them once he then settled into a longing kiss, the passion seemingly erupting. He held her body closer to him and his tongue swept across her lips tenderly, just a hint of intensity loosening from his control. The feeling of her grasping at his hair possessively caused a surge of ecstasy and he pushed himself deeper.

Parting her lips and allowing him entry, Calleigh let him take control of the kiss, their tongues mapping out each other. Moaning softly into the kiss, her fingers on one hand moved through his soft copper strands, and her other rested on his chest, her fingertips barely touching the exposed skin of his chest where his shirt parted.

Catching breaths between kisses, he finally pulled back completely, the need burning through him. Looking to her, he moved his hand down to her arm, his tone questioning her desires, "Calleigh…you're…you're sure?"

Nodding silently, Calleigh looked into his eyes and whispered, "I'm sure, Horatio. I want to be with you."

He smiled and then got to his feet, offering his hand, "I think we should go back to the house."

Taking his offered hand, Calleigh stood up, the wind catching her short hair. Moving close to him as his arms went around her, she watched as her hands moved slowly up his chest and then around his neck. Looking into his eyes, Calleigh gave him a faint smile, "Lead the way, Handsome."

Giving her a brief kiss he parted from her and then swooped her into his arms, smiling widely. Almost instantly, she settled easily in his arms and he began to walk unable to keep his eyes off of her. He could see the need for a connection, but he also saw the fear at the edges of her desire. It was because of that fear that he would be gentle with her.

Pushing through the door, he stepped into the modest beach house and kicked the door closed with his foot, taking in a deep breath. The kiss on the beach had brought his arousal about and it was now coursing through him making the tight rein on his control that much harder to maintain. Dipping his head down, he took her lips more, the softness of them urging him to take this further.

Running her fingers through his hair, Calleigh welcomed his lips. His gentleness with her calmed the slight nervous feeling she had deep within and as the kiss deepened, she began to loose herself in him. As they parted for a breath, Calleigh whispered softly, "I love you, Horatio."

"I love you," he replied softly as he captured her lips again. Kissing her, he started towards the bedroom, his heart now wildly thumping in his chest. The taste of her lips as she slowly allowed him dominance was already addicting, the blood beginning to pool between his legs. He became impatient, unable to make it to the bedroom quick enough. He swore to himself he wouldn't lose his control, but with each touch, each kiss, that promise was dwindling in strength.

Finally arriving at the bedroom, he entered swiftly and carried her to the bed. Reluctant to part from her sweet lips, Horatio groaned, his lust and desires warring with the need to take this slowly. Looking into her eyes, he gently released her and as she stood before him, he brought her flush to his body, nuzzling her neck. Taking tiny nips at her skin, his hands traced to the hem of her shirt, flirting with pulling it up to reveal her to him. His fingers skimmed the tiniest sliver of skin exposed and whispered, "Calleigh…I need you…"

Closing her eyes at his soft voice, Calleigh placed both her hands onto his chest, her fingertips skimming over the top button of his shirt. Biting her bottom lip, she slowly undid the first button, exposing a little more of his chest. Opening her eyes and noticing a lite dusting of chest hair, her fingertips moved over the exposed area before going to the next button and releasing it as well.

As she worked on the buttons of his shirt, his fingers skimmed towards the front of her jeans and took the button deftly then unzipped the zipper, slipping his hands in the now loosened material. The instant contact with her skin caused his pulse to race, but he managed to keep the pace, fighting the need to just take her relentlessly. Pushing her jeans over the swell of her hips, Horatio looked to her, making eye contact just as she completed her task, the shirt now hanging loosely. He brought her closer and inched his hands from her hips to her ass, grasping at it hungrily. Her light gasp surged through him and he groaned as he pressed her into him even more, kneading the firm globes.

Slipping her hands inside his shirt, they made contact with his warm skin, the dusting of red chest hair tickling her fingers. A slight shiver ran through her as his hands continued to roam over the swell of her buttocks and Calleigh swallowed hard, trying to push the uneasiness she was feeling down. Dropping her eyes to her hands, she hesitantly ran them up over his chest and to his shoulders, pushing the shirt off of them and down.

Perceiving her hesitancy, he slowed his touch even more and removed his hands while he pulled away from her, "Calleigh…are you…okay?" Stepping out of her embrace further, he stared at her and bowed his head, "I'm sorry…I shouldn't have…."

A tear fell, and Calleigh reach down, pulling her jeans back into place. Turning from him, she shook her head, "No, Horatio…it…I…I thought I was ready…" Frustrated with herself, she ran a hand through her short hair, "If anyone should be sorry, it should be me."

"No, Calleigh, you shouldn't do this to yourself. You've been through something traumatic, it's not expected of you to just jump right into intimacy." Reaching for her cheek, he caressed it slowly and smiled, "I can wait. The important thing is that you're comfortable." Letting her cheek go, he bent to retrieve his shirt and slipped it on, "We can watch a movie, or you can rest if you like."

Zipping and buttoning her jeans, Calleigh nodded, but kept her eyes down, "A movie will be fine, Horatio." Collecting herself, she took in a deep breath and headed for the door, "I'm…I'm gonna go freshen up some."

"Alright, I'll pick a movie out. It should be ready when you get out." He watched as she walked out and shook his head, realizing that he'd made a mistake. Wandering to the door leading to the patio, he opened it and walked through it, the clean sea breeze hitting him instantly. Allowing it to clear his mind, he took in a deep breath and let it out, promising himself that he wouldn't loose control with her again.

Finishing his preparation to the small pit on the patio, Horatio glanced to the doors leading into the home, catching her shadow as she moved about the living room. In what had been an interesting day, after their aborted attempt at intimacy, they had tried to salvage it by watching a movie. As they sat on the couch, staring at the screen, it felt as if they were an ocean away instead of a few inches.

Deciding not to have a repeat of that, he'd planned on something he hoped would ease the tension that had settled between them. Going towards the door, he entered through, a smile playing on his face. Clearing his throat, he looked to her as he continued on through to the kitchen, "Um…Calleigh…I have something that we may enjoy. You want to join me out on the patio?"

Turning and looking towards his retreating form, Calleigh sat the book down that she had found in his small collection there and padded to the kitchen. Stopping at the doorway, she watched as he moved around, "What is it, Horatio?"

Grabbing the chocolate bar and the marshmallows, he arched a brow, "Well, since this afternoon didn't go quiet as planned, I thought I could make it up to you." Turning and showing his wares, he smiled, "I think I remembered this right."

Looking at what he had, Calleigh allowed a small smile through and nodded slightly, "Yeah, you remembered it right. Got graham crackers and two skewers?"

"I'm getting those next. If you want to go ahead and take a seat outside, I'll be right there." Horatio nodded to the door and smiled, "It won't take me long."

Watching him for a few moments longer, Calleigh then turned and headed towards the patio door. Going out, she saw the fire going along with the two loungers he had set up for them. Walking slowly over and enjoying the night air, she then took a seat and watched the flames lick up into the night sky.

Maneuvering the items in his hands, he made his way out to the patio and deposited them, setting them out in a methodical manner. His eyes shifted to her and he smiled, "What?"

Another small smile formed and she shook her head, "Oh, just wondering if you this meticulous with everything, just like at work."

Looking at his work, he sighed and nodded, "Sad to say, yes, I am. It's the only way I know how to function." Thinking briefly to the moment in the bedroom, he shook his head and sighed, "Loss of control benefits no one."

Nodding in agreement and adverting her eyes, Calleigh looked out towards the water, thinking back to there afternoon. Folding her hands in front of her and looking down, she sighed, "I guess not. At least it's something to learn from."

"And not to make those same mistake's again." Stoking the fire, he shrugged, "It's too nice of a night to spend it inside, I was thinking we could have smores and relax."

Looking back over at him, Calleigh nodded, "I think I'd like that." Getting up and going to where he was, she placed her hand onto his forearm and looked up at him, "I do love you, Horatio."

"I love you too," he responded softly. Giving her a small smile, he chuckled, "Now…you're the master at this, show me how it's done."

"Yeah," she replied with another smile. Getting two skewers ready with a marshmallow on each, she then handed then to Horatio and started opening the graham crackers. Getting out two, she broke them in half and then got the chocolate ready, placing a piece on two of the halves.

Taking a skewer from him, she lowered it over the fire, "Now, the key is to keep turning the marshmallows so they cook evenly, then when they are done, we can slip them onto the crackers."

"Alright," Horatio said as he mimicked her actions. Turning the skewer, he nodded, feeling that the tension was easing more. Willing to take a chance, Horatio sighed, remembering that after the movie, they'd separated, "So…what did you do after the movie?"

Keeping her eyes on her skewer, Calleigh raised a brow, "Well, I got my things put away…then I laid down for a little bit, but I couldn't sleep. Guess I wasn't tired."

"Why didn't you come and get me, you could've joined me on my walk." Allowing his look to linger on her, he smirked, "I would've enjoyed the company." Smelling something, he quickly glanced to the skewer to see it on fire. Pulling it quickly, Horatio blew on it, barely putting it out. Staring at the now charred marshmallow, he arched his brow, "I guess I need to pay more attention."

Chuckling a little, Calleigh shook her head and laid hers carefully to the side, "No, this is the best way to have them." Taking up a cracker with chocolate, she carefully laid the marshmallow on it and then grabbed the other half of the cracker, making a sandwich. Pulling the skewer out, she then handed the smore to him, "Trust me, this is really good now."

Taking the smore, he looked at it then to her, arching his brow even more, "It certainly looks good. Why not?" Taking a bite he chewed thoughtfully, "It's very good, Calleigh."

"All the fire did was caramelize the sugar of the marshmallow." Taking hers back up, she put it into the flame, letting it catch fire for a little bit and then blew it out before making hers. When she was done, she picked it up and smiled, "Daddy usta make ours this way when I was a kid."

Horatio could see her as a child and smiled, "Your father must've been a good father. He taught you a lot despite his own problems."

Moving and taking a seat again, she licked off some chocolate from her fingers, "He was…when he wasn't drinking. He taught us how to take care of ourselves should we ever get lost out in the woods…guess it paid off more then I ever thought it would."

Watching her lick her fingers, Horatio took in a deep breath and then released it, shaking himself. Gaining control of himself, he continued, "At least he did teach you how to survive. He cared enough to do it that way instead of other ways." Grabbing another marshmallow, he smiled again, "How about another try."

"Go for it," she replied and then took a bite of hers. Chewing and watching him, she swallowed and licked her lips and then looked down at her food, "I'm the one that fixed the snake out there so we'd have something to eat. It was something daddy taught me to do."

"You saved yourself from starving," Horatio commented as he carefully watched his skewer. Chancing a look at her, he could tell she was delving deep within her thoughts and finished, "You were determined that you were going to survive."

Taking in a deep breath and releasing it as she picked at the marshmallow, Calleigh kept her eyes on the smore in her hand, "Is it wrong that I wanted him to survive too? For thing's to have turned out differently?"

Seeing the remorse, Horatio answered carefully, "Maintaining life, no matter what, is the ultimate goal, Calleigh. It is not wrong that you wanted him to survive, despite his choices, he was a human being. Preserving life is what we do, Calleigh." The relief was palpable on her expression and he nodded, "There's nothing wrong with the feelings you're feeling right now, Calleigh. They're yours and yours alone."

"I just wish he would have hung on…" she replied and then took a small bit. Looking back up at him, she shrugged, "Guess I got a little too close, huh?"

"There's nothing wrong for the relationship you formed with Christopher. It's apart of who you are, Calleigh, he'd become…he'd become a relationship." Staring at the fire, he glanced at her, "It's not bad to have wanted him to survive."

Finishing her smore, she looked up at him, "I got to know him, how he thought, how he felt…everything just about. There were a couple times where I could have gotten away…but I stayed…"

Desperately curious, Horatio met her gaze and asked, "Is there a part of you that grew attached to him, Calleigh? Why would you stay if you had the chance to leave him for safety?"

Thinking about the question, Calleigh looked out, her brow crinkling, "I don't know really. I mean, the first time was at a fast food place we stopped out, but there were a lot of people and I was afraid someone else would get hurt…the second time…curiosity I guess. Plus I wanted to make sure he was brought down…just not the way it happened though."

"You wanted to be there when he was taken down for what he'd done to you. You wanted to see justice," Horatio concluded with a slight nod. He thought it over and then smiled, "Any other person would've been happy at the way it went down, he wasn't around to make any further trouble, life could go on as it has…but…not for you. You were touched by him, he made an impact on your life, Calleigh. Understanding that and dealing with it is the key."

"And that's the hardest part," she replied with a sigh and sat back some.

"And as hard as it is, you have to Calleigh. To move forward, you have to forget about the past. You have to reconcile yourself with the past." Horatio looked to her and smiled, "You can do it, I know that for sure."

Looking at him, she nodded and sighed, "I'm gonna try…I have to so I can move on." Seeing his marshmallow catch fire again, she smiled and pointed, "Uh, you might want to put that out soon."

Horatio quickly countered the fire and saw that it was out. Making the smores, he smiled, "A little bit of success goes a long way."

Smiling, she got back up, going over to him and cocked a brow, "Pretty soon you'll be a pro at this."

"With your help of course," he responded as he looked to her, smiling softly. For the moment, the smore was forgotten and he focused on her more, his brows drawn almost as if it stressed him to even think of this question. Averting his eyes for a second before refocusing, he sighed heavily, "Calleigh…I wanted to know…and you can tell me that it's none of my business, but… what made you stop earlier?"

Looking down and taking in a deep breath and then releasing it, Calleigh looked out and shook her head, "I…I got nervous…I mean I…" Sighing heavily, Calleigh got up and walked over to the edge of the patio, "I got scared."

Following but keeping distance for her comfort, he continued, wanting to keep her talking, "You know I would never hurt you, Calleigh." Reaching out to touch her shoulder, he turned her gently and steadied his gaze with her, "I will never hurt you, and I will never push you to do anything you don't want to do. You're safe with me."

Looking up into his blue eyes, Calleigh saw the truth there and nodded, "I know, Horatio." Taking a small step towards him, she tilted her head some, "I guess he's caused my guard to be up more. I wanted to…but I guess my fears got in the way."

"I understand completely, Calleigh. When you're ready, we can try again." Touching her face lightly, he smiled more, "Do you want to stay out here more, or go inside?"

Leaning into his touch, she sighed, "I think I'm going to go get a shower and then try to get some sleep, Horatio. It's been a long day." Closing the distance between them, she rested her hands on his chest as his went to her sides, "Tomorrow…I was wondering if I could join you on one of your walks."

"You're welcome to join me whenever you want, Calleigh. We'll see how the day goes, okay?" When she nodded, he smiled and then gestured to the door, "I'll clean up out here, you go ahead and take care of yourself." His eyes lingered on hers and within them he could see the vastness of her fear and blinked slowly, breaking the gaze. There was a lot of ground to cover and only time was going to tell how far she was willing to go. Stepping away from her, he stared at the ground and then looked to her, "If you need anything, just give me a yell, okay?"

"Okay, I will." Giving him a small smile, she nodded towards the door, "I'd better get in there. Goodnight, Horatio…and thank you."

Watching her move, he placed his hands on his hips and nodded, "You're welcome, Calleigh. Sleep well." After she disappeared into the house, Horatio exhaled heavily and then started on the clean up, unsure of the path to take with her.