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**

"But evil things, in robes of sorrow, Assailed the monarch's high estate. (Ah, let us mourn!-for never morrow, Shall dawn upon him desolate!) And round about his home the glory, That blushed and bloomed, Is but a dim-remembered story, Of the old time entombed."

From "The Haunted Palace" by Edgar Allan Poe

Sitting just inside the doorway on the floor sipping her wine and listening to the light rain fall, Calleigh smiled as Horatio came back over and took his seat next to her again. Watching as he sat down with the small plate of kiwi and strawberry's, she took a slip of her white wine and lightening flashed in the sky in the distance. Setting her glass down beside her, she looked at him, seeing for the first time a different side of him.

Gone was the stress and worry of the job, replaced with a contentment she had long forgotten with him. Reaching for a kiwi, she took a bite and chewed slowly. When finished, she spoke softly, "Tim called me back while we were swimming earlier today."

Taking a sip, he nodded and then picked up a strawberry, eying it thoughtfully. Deciding to wait to bite it, he lifted his eyes to her instead, seeing a slight hesitation and asked, "So…did you call him back?"

Glancing out the door as another streak of lightening lighted up the sky, she shook her head, "No. I don't wait to disrupt his and Emma's lives anymore then I already have."

"Calleigh, I think you should talk to him. He called you back, he wants to talk," Horatio said as he finally took a bite. Chewing, he swallowed and then looked to her, "You have to clear the air between you two."

Looking at the plate and picking up another kiwi, Calleigh sighed, "Well, he didn't sound too much like he wanted to earlier today…especially when he asked where I was and I told him I was here with you."

Arching a brow, Horatio asked, "He seemed upset at the thought of you here with me? But…why?"

"I don't know," she replied and then took a bite. Chewing, she looked over at him and shrugged, "Maybe he's jealous of you."

"Jealous of me?" Horatio shook his head and took another bite, "He has nothing to be jealous over. I just brought you here so that you can relax and give yourself time."

"But I'm with you…" she replied as she looked at him, making eyes contact. Taking a deep breath, Calleigh shrugged, "I think Tim kinda liked me…and I know Jesse did as well."

"I knew that Speed liked you. I had an inkling after the explosion about Jesse, but Calleigh, I don't care. I know that I love you, and that you love me. Jesse and Speed are your friends. You need to talk to them." Finishing the strawberry, he picked up a slice of kiwi and held it to her lips, "It wouldn't hurt."

Taking the offered fruit, Calleigh chewed slowly as she looked at him and then nodded, "You're right. Maybe I'll call him back in the morning. It's already getting late and I don't want to wake up Emma."

Watching her intently, Horatio, unconsciously licked his lips and then returned his gaze to the sky, seeing it light up again. The soft sound of the rain provided the backdrop to a night that was filled with a nice, light dinner, followed by a movie. The rain had started not so soon before the movie was over and Horatio had made the suggestion to watch the storm pass from the patio door. He could feel the serenity in the moment and hoped that Calleigh was receptive to it.

Picking up another kiwi, he offered it to her, "How are you feeling, Calleigh?"

"Night's are the worse for me," she replied and then took the fruit with her mouth. Chewing, she looked back out at the darkened night sky and then spoke softly, "That's when he talked to me the most. Even read Poe from that book of his. Apparently, him and Evie would read and then make love."

Listening, he reached for her hand and held it tightly, "Did he ever try to…um…to make love to you, Calleigh?"

Keeping her eyes out on the night sky, she held tight to his hand, "He had me sleep in the same bed as him…I was only allowed to wear my bra and panties. He wanted too…he, he was aroused." Thinking back more, tears began to fill her eyes and she closed her eyes as she bowed her head, "I…I gave him a hand job so he wouldn't try…"

Hearing the shame, he moved closer to her and whispered, "You did what you had to do, Calleigh. If you hadn't…he would've…" His voice hardened and he cringed, "He would've raped you, Calleigh."

Remembering how forceful Christopher had been with her in the Canyon, Calleigh nodded silently as her tears streaked down her cheeks. Leaning over to Horatio, her head rested on his shoulder, her voice sounding small and foreign to her, "He almost did…"

Stiffening at the news, Horatio felt a surge of anger rising but kept it in check, biting out, "He…what?"

Biting her lip, her brow crinkled, "In the canyon…when he…when he was touching me…he wanted to…he could have…"

Realizing how hard this had to have been for her, he allowed the rest of his anger to dissipate and he put his glass down and took her into his arms completely. Caressing her softly, he whispered, "You were strong to survive, Calleigh. You did what you had to do, and now…now you don't have to worry about Christopher Larken any longer. He can't hurt you anymore." Pulling her away only to look at her into the eyes, he tilted his head slightly, "As much as that hurt, Calleigh, you have to allow yourself to heal. Let …this…go."

Searching his eyes, Calleigh's chin trembled, "It's so hard to though, Horatio…it's hard…"

Caressing her face lightly, Horatio spoke with confidence, "Allow me to help, Calleigh. Let me help you forget."

Nodding, Calleigh moved back into his arms, hers going around his neck as she buried her face into his neck. He embraced her and she could feel his warmth taking over. Never before had she felt as safe as she did with him. Remaining there for a few minutes as the rain fell, Calleigh finally whispered, "Help me, Horatio."

Hearing her soft plea, Horatio brought her closer into him and moved her hair away from her neck. Nuzzling her softly, he whispered back to her, "You'll be safe, Calleigh. I will never hurt you." His hands drifted from her shoulders and wrapped around her back, the images now bombarding him incessantly. His lips ran over her skin as the sky gave up its lightening, the energy of the moment propelling him further. Still retaining vestiges of his control, he assured her breathlessly, "If you don't want me to, I won't, Calleigh."

Slowly opening her eyes, she pulled back slightly, looking at him as her tears still fell, "I want to forget…with you. I want to know your love."

Cupping her face lovingly, with one hand, the other traveled down the length of her body, ghosting over her breasts. Her arousal was evident as he grazed the hardening peaks. Keeping his eyes on her, he gave her a warm smile before reaching for the hem of her shirt, "Let me know if I do something wrong, Cal."

Nodding silently, Calleigh allowed him to lift her shirt from her, her body warming with just him being in close proximity to her. Moving her hands to the button of his shirt, she began to take one at a time slowly as they gazed at each other. Leaning to him slowly, there lips met softly, both taking it slow and easy, savoring the moment they were sharing together.

Feeling her hands on his skin as she pushed the shirt back and off of his shoulders, Horatio groaned, trying to keep within the bounds and letting her lead. The intensity grew and he pulled her closer, her hardened nipples scraping against his chest. Leaning against the door jamb, he brought her with him, maintaining the kiss.

Settling her between his legs, his hands roamed her hips before wrapping around and cupping her ass, clutching her almost possessively. Breaking the kiss to breathe, their eyes met briefly before he attacked her neck, kissing and nipping at the supple skin, listening to her groan in bliss. He slowly drifted downward coming to the valley of her breasts his heart beating roughly in his chest. Kissing his way over to her breast, he slowly licked around the hardened tip before sucking it in between his lips.

Biting her lip and closing her eyes, Calleigh head tilted back as her fingers went to his hair, holding him to her breast. Moaning softly as his tongue flicked at her nipple and then suckled harder, she began to breathe heavily, the attention he was giving her awakening her body. Wrapping her legs around him, Calleigh held onto him tight, and slowly began to let go for him.

He could feel the need surging through her and capitalized on that, releasing her with one last nip, only to take its mate into his mouth and suckle deeply. He kneaded her ass through the tiny jean shorts, groaning at the desire to rid her of every stitch of clothing. Slowing his attentive sucks, he pulled away from her breast, keeping the nipple between his teeth before releasing fully. Breathing heavily, his hands attacked the button of her shorts and unbuttoned them wanting them off of her. Laying her back, he coaxed her legs to relax and reached to pull the shorts down, revealing a very pretty pair of laced panties. Ridding her of the shorts, his hand caressed the material as he looked at her, seeing her eyes closed in ecstasy as he moved in between her legs. Trailing to her mound, he could smell her arousal, nuzzling the lacy material.

With her eyes closed, Calleigh could feel his warm breath on her, his hands roaming and leaning her body. Arching up at his touch, she then settled back down, her eyes opening to mere slits as she tried to watch him. Gasping as his tongue ran over her thinly covered mound, Calleigh arched her hips up to him, wanting more contact.

Oblivious to anything else, Horatio continued his light assault on her mound, caressing it with his tongue as his fingers hooked on the sides of the panties, slowly inching them down. Her scent was something he was instantly addicted to and he was anxious to taste her. Glancing up at her, he could see that she was lost in the moment, her eyes closed tightly as she bit down on her lip, her body reacting wantonly. Once the panties were half way down her thigh, his hand traveled back up to knead her breasts, pulling and twisting at her taut nipples as he lowered his mouth to her again, nuzzling her neatly trimmed patch. He brushed by her folds, determined to stretch this out, wanting to give her every second of pleasure that was due to her.

Arching up her hips once again, Calleigh's lips parted as her breathing increased. Reaching down with one hand, her fingers found his hair and gripped, wanting him to remain where he was pleasuring her. Her other hand made it's way to her right breast, kneading it before pulling at the nipple. Gasping in pleasure, her hips arched up again to his mouth, wanting more of what he was offering.

The storm grew outside, the wind lashing at the house as the ominous sound of the waves crashing mingled with her growing cries of ecstasy. Horatio could barely contain himself, the carnal need that had been long dormant in him now clawing for freedom. Tracing his tongue through the fine hair of her mound, he licked from top to bottom before parting her swollen lips gently, the aroma of her essence launching him into a frenzy.

Closing his eyes, he dipped his tongue within her and slowly began to lap at her, spreading her legs more by settling in between them.

"Y-Yes…Horatio, yes…" she moaned as her body writhed against his talented tongue. Moving her legs and spreading them more for him, she cried out as he sucked her engorged clit between his lips. Her body began to tremble with sexual need and she reached again for him, her hands holding his head to her.

Breathing her in, he delved further, leaving her clit throbbing to spear her entrance. Keeping with the given pace, he slowly penetrated her with his tongue before parting from her, slipping a digit within her. Moving in and out of her moistened walls, Horatio then flicked his tongue over her sensitive nub before sucking it back in between his lips, the strokes of his tongue now matching his finger as he sunk it further. Her body arched and he added another finger, groaning as her essence began to overflow, the scent filling him completely. He could taste her sweetness and started to stroke faster, wanting to her scream in abandon.

Breathing heavily, Calleigh body flushed with the heat of her sexual need for him. The feel of his mouth and finger's pushing her closer to orgasm. Crying out as he hit her spot, her body bucked up against him, her need becoming greater. When her abdomen began to tighten, Calleigh pulled gently at his hair and panted, "Don't…don't stop…gonna cum…"

The shifting of her sex thrilled him and he moved faster within her, the goal of her release in sight. Sucking harder on her clit, he then bit down on it, the blissful sound of her climax finding his ear. His own arousal had him rock hard and he could think of nothing more than taking her deeply as he pounded into her. His fingers disappeared into her faster and grew slicker as her release began, her voice giving rise to her pleasure.

Crying out his name as her body arched and bucked, Calleigh's head thrashed from side to side as her fingers now clawed at the hardwood floor under them. Her orgasm seemed to go on forever, her body on fire. Crying out again as he continued to lap and delve into her weeping body, Calleigh felt as if she had been taken to paradise.

Slowing his actions, he eventually stopped, leaving her body trembling. Trailing from her drenched mound, Horatio licked and kissed his way back up her torso, her skin tasting sweeter than it had been before. Reaching her lips, he took them gently then implored her to open them with a swift lick, thrusting into her mouth. The orgasm seemed to provoke her sensual sensibilities, her tongue vying for dominance. Her arms came around him and he took them from him and pinned her lightly, parting from the passionate kiss to breathe.

Gazing down at her, he could feel her body quivering and he asked breathlessly as he kept his weight off of her, "Cal, are you okay?"

Gazing up at him through hooded eyes as she caught her breath, Calleigh pushed her body up into his and moaned softly, "I…I need you, Horatio. I need you…"

"Then you'll have me," he whispered lowly, his voice taking on a sensual tone. Thrusting his body against hers, he gasped as his cock slipped past her heated core and into her slit. The action infused him with electricity and he continued to move, his member now rubbing against her swollen clit. Her sensual moans, Horatio grinned as he bent to take her neck again and said breathlessly, "How do you want it, Cal? Tell me how to take you."

Wrapping her arms and legs around him, she moaned out, "Hard…I…I want to forget…"

"Hard," he whispered lightly, releasing one of her arms. Reaching in between them, he took his cock in hand and teased her opening before beginning to push into her. A cry caused him to stop and he looked to her, the concern flooding his eyes, "Calleigh?"

Shaking her head back and forth, Calleigh panted and she held on tight to him, "I…I'm fine…been awhile…" Opening her eyes and looking at him, she moved one hand around, caressing is cheek, "I need to get…usta you, Handsome…"

Smiling, Horatio inched his hips forward, keeping his eyes on her. The deeper he got within her, the more he wanted to thrust, her sex now hot and drenched. She'd been thoroughly prepared and it was going to take him no effort at all to glide through her. Flexing his hips, he rocked into her and closed his eyes, holding his position before rocking hard again.

Arching her hips up with his movements, Calleigh's eyes closed and she bit her lip. The feeling of being filled by him was enough to cause her to be pushed over the edge once more, her inner muscles clenching his cock as she cried out his name. When he pushed into her again, Calleigh body trembled with sexual release, her orgasm coating the both of them. Breathing hard, she opened her eyes, looking up into his and panted, "I…I love you…"

"I love you," he responded, still moving within her. Her sex was relaxing and he smiled as he slowed completely. Her body was now languid and flush with exertion and he chuckled as he whispered in her ear, "Quick fire."

Smiling lazily, Calleigh's fingers moved slowly over his back and she whispered, "You're just that good." Grasping as he pushed into her, she smiled more, "Keep that up and I'll go again."

"And that's a bad thing?" he asked wickedly as he flexed his hips more. Loving how her fingers felt on his back, he smiled, "I'll leave you alone for now, but I would like to cum with you next time."

Biting her lip as she smiled, she flexed her hips upwards to him and contracted her inner muscles around him, "I've still got at least one or two more left in me."

"I see," he responded as he pulled her up. Pressing his body flush against her, he began to move minutely smiling as his hands covered her back. As she wrapped her arms around him, he bent to kiss her neck, nipping at the soft flesh. Groaning as his arousal began to fill him fully, he whispered, "I love you, Calleigh."

"I love you…" she moaned as her head lulled back, giving him more of her exposed neck. Dipping her hips, she then swiveled her hips on him, his cock filling her completely. Slowly, she began to move herself up and down on his engorged member, taking him deep within her and clenching her muscles on each down stroke. Panting, Calleigh swallowed hard, "Yes, Horatio…"

The clenching of her sex was maddening and he struggled to hold on to her, the sensations running through him nearly bringing him to completion. The friction added to his pleasure and he grunted as he thrust hard upwards, hitting her spot. A victorious grin spread across his lips as he took her flesh between his lips and sucked almost violently, knowing that she would be marked by him.

Running her hand through his hair with one hand, the other raked her nails over his back as she continued to move one him. Closing her eyes tight, Calleigh began to pick up her pace, meeting each hard thrust he gave her. The feel of him suckling her skin caused a shiver of need to run through her and Calleigh cried out his name.

The sounds of her voice carrying his name in ecstasy filled him and he thrust and pistoned into her. He was unable to hold on to his desire to further mark her and released her skin, gasping heavily. Resting his forehead on her shoulder, he slammed up into her more, pulling a strangled cry from her as her body seemed to contract over his.

Holding onto him as she neared another powerful orgasm, Calleigh fought herself to hold back for him. Slowing her movements some, she bent her head, her lips finding his ear lobe and began sucking. Feeling his cock grow more inside her, she knew she'd found a hot spot of his and exploited it, sucking and nibbling on the pliable flesh. Pulling back and letting her teeth scrap over it as she released him, she then whispered into his ear, "Cum with me, Horatio…"

The ability to remain in control was slipping and he rocketed into her almost savagely as his body responded to her seductive whisper. Moving quickly, he laid her back onto the floor and raised her leg, beginning to drive into her. Gone was the moment for gentleness, now replaced by a raw need to master her body. Groaning as her sex gripped his cock, he plunged through her folds, unable to stop the force of his release, gasping out her name, "C-Calleigh!"

Holding tight to his shoulders, her nails dug into his skin as she let go, his orgasm triggering hers. Arching up, her body released itself with him, her eyes closing tight as his name echoed through the beach house. Sweat covered both their bodies and as her orgasm slowly began to subside, her body trembled from the sheer force of it.

Finally stilling, Horatio hovered over her body as he tried to even his breathing, his eyes closed. All the sensations, all of the images flooded him and he shivered at the transference of energy between them. When he was able to open his eyes, he looked upon her and smiled slowly, and tilted his head as he reached to move her sweat laden strands from her face, "Are you okay, Cal? You're trembling."

Slowly opening her eyes and seeing his looking back at her, Calleigh smiled and nodded, swallowing before speaking, "Y-Yeah…that…that was intense…"

"Yeah…it was," Horatio chuckled as he traced his fingers down from her face to her jawbone, watching the trek. His smile remained as he took in a deep breath, his brows raising, "I'd never thought it would be like this. This is nothing I've ever felt." Dumbfounded, he narrowed his eyes, "I never thought you could move like that, but I should've known- you make being sexy effortless."

Draping her arms around his neck, Calleigh smiled up at him, "It's because I'm with you, Handsome. You bring that side of me out."

Horatio smiled and bent to kiss her lightly about her neck, moving from one side to the other and he chuckled deeply, the sound rumbling in his chest. "And you bring out my insatiable side. I can't get enough of you."

Smiling more, Calleigh wrapped her body around his, holding him close to her, "I'm all yours now, Lieutenant." When he pulled back and looked down at her, Calleigh nodded, "I'll always be yours."

"I've always been yours, Cal." Sitting up straight, he slipped away from her and then pulled her flush to his body, enjoying the feel of her flesh under his hand. He smiled and embraced her tightly, "Stay with me tonight."

Wrapping her arms around him, Calleigh closed her eyes and whispered into his ear, "Tonight…and any other night you want me there." Loving the feel of their bodies pressed together and his warm embrace, Calleigh nuzzled his neck, "I love you, Horatio."

Her light nuzzle felt like heaven and he sighed contently, closing his eyes. A connection was made between the two of them, and now, he realized that like Larken, he would die for her, and very likely, he would kill to protect her. She was a valuable piece of his heart and nothing would stop him from giving her all the love she deserved.

Tim watched Emma as she played outside with her grandfather and Max, smiling widely to himself. The three days that he'd been there had been the most relaxing in recent times, the days running seamlessly together. He hated that they were leaving the next day, and he hadn't quite broken the news to his daughter, but he figured he would ease the pain by reminding her that they were going to look for a dog when they got back to Miami.

He wasn't looking forward to saying good bye to his parents quite yet either; they'd been the epitome of understanding about everything and made things comfortable for him and Emma. He would miss the evening talks that he shared with his mother, talks that now gave him insight on what to do about his…dilemma. Since coming back from the West coast, he thought constantly of Calleigh and now what she meant to him. There were years between them and many bad decisions, but as he also now knew that there was love. There had been subtle hints, soft smiles, light touches, even knowing looks between them, but with his shooting, it had driven him away from her. He wasn't sure how he was going to get through to her, but he had to try.

The sound of their laughter from the outside and he took out his cell, dialing her number.

Hoping that she wasn't busy, he closed his eyes and exhaled, hearing her pick up. Startled, he asked, "Um…Calleigh?"

Hearing her phone start ringing, Calleigh ran out of the kitchen and back outside to the patio table, picking it up. Looking at the ID and seeing Tim's number, she hesitated briefly before opening it and heading back inside to finish making her sandwich, "Hey, Tim."

"Hi, um…you're not busy, are you?" Tim asked as he winced slightly. The last he talked with her, he'd been short with her, practically forcing her to hang up.

Going back into the kitchen, she went to the counter and picked the knife back up, tempted to blow him off. Taking in a deep breath, she remembered what Horatio said and shrugged, "No, I was just making me a sandwich."

"Good, I...I just wanted to make sure that you were okay. I apologize for the call earlier, I was…slightly upset and distraught." Taking a seat at the table, he held his head in his hand and closed his eyes, searching for the moment to tell her how he felt.

Placing her phone in the crook of her neck, Calleigh began to spread the mayonnaise onto her bread, "It's okay, Tim. Your daughter comes first and foremost…that's how it should be with all parents. That just means you're a good dad."

"Thanks, Calleigh, but that doesn't excuse my behavior. I just wanted to check up on you, and suddenly, I was getting defensive, it wasn't right." Tim recounted the conversation and then sighed heavily, "Are you doing okay, Cal? Is…is Horatio taking care of you?"

Biting her lip as she set the knife down, a small smile formed at his question as she reached for the tomato slices, "Uh, yeah, he is. He's been helping me working though everything and talk it out some."

Cringing, he pressed passed and nodded, "That's good. I was so concerned when you just left Las Vegas…Why couldn't I see you, Horatio, he didn't really say why?"

Stopping what she was doing, Calleigh closed her eyes, some of the emotion coming back and she shook her head as she reopened them, "I…I didn't want anyone seeing me like that, Tim…in some ways I guess I still don't."

Hearing the emotion, Tim sighed and rubbed his face hard, both concern and anger starting to claw equally. Their friendship was something he used to pride himself on, and now, it was as if he didn't matter. Fighting to keep his voice steady, he exhaled roughly, "I didn't know that I meant so less to you, Calleigh."

Crinkling her brow at his tone, Calleigh stopped what she was doing and took the phone back into her hand, "Tim…it's not like that. I just…I'm trying to figure shit out in my head…I'm trying to work past what I went through. Hell, I fought Horatio about me coming here."

"He obviously won that fight," Tim replied as he shook his head more. It was seeming more and more that this was becoming a bad idea and he moved to get up, "It doesn't count that I love you probably just as much as he does, that I'm just as concerned…"

Raising her brow at his statement, Calleigh stood there shocked for a moment before speaking, "Wh-What did you say, Tim?" Swallowing hard, her stomach began to knot up and her breathing increased some.

Running his hand through his hair, he repeated his words, "It doesn't count that I love you probably just as much as he does. It's true, Calleigh. For so long, I've loved you, and I didn't know how to handle that. I…ran from it, but this stopped me. I don't want to run from it anymore."

Closing her eyes, Calleigh's shoulders dropped and she lowered her head. Up until the time he'd been shot and left, Calleigh had secretly had feeling for Tim, hoping to be able to act on them, but was never given the chance. Biting her lip, she sighed, "Why didn't you ever tell me? You could have told me, Tim."

"I know I should've, but I was scared at what this would mean. I was afraid that this would ruin my friendship with you…and it has." Moving towards the window, he shook his head, the defeat evident in his voice, "It took me going away to know that I'll always love you."

Opening her eyes and sighing, Calleigh walked away from the counter, leaving her sandwich there and going out into the living room. Taking a seat on the couch, she ran a hand through her short locks, "Things right now, Tim…they're so complicated." Letting out a breath, she shook her head, "But it hasn't ruined out friendship, please don't think that, okay?"

Narrowing his brow, he glanced away from the window and asked, "Complicated…how complicated are things, Calleigh?" When she didn't answer him right away, he nodded and bit his lip, trying vainly to hold in his emotions, "You love him, don't you?"

Unable to lie to him, Calleigh closed her eyes and nodded her head slowly, "Yeah, Tim…I…I do." When she was met back with silence, her brow crinkled and she spoke softly, "I'm sorry…I just…when you left…I didn't think we'd ever have a chance."

"I understand," Tim answered lowly. "It was my fault, I didn't give anything a chance when I got shot. But…the way you two were…I was the one who thought we'd never have a chance. Now…it's done." Regret was rampant in his voice, but he tried to hide it, asking, "So…when are you coming back to Miami?"

"I…I don't know…maybe the end of the week, I'm not sure. I've still got a lot of issues to work out and all." Pulling her feet up under her, Calleigh got more comfortable as asked, "How's Emma doing? She wasn't hurt or anything was she? I know Chris had a tracking device…"

The mention of Emma turned his attention back to the window, a small smile coming over his face as the hole in his chest seemed to close some. He could hear her light giggles as his father tickled her and he gave a soft laugh himself, shaking his head, "Emma's great. She got to spend time with her grandparents, who I think I'll have to now move to Miami just to please her. She's had a blast. We're going to Disney World the day after we get back to Miami. She deserves this."

"You both do, Tim." Sitting back in the corner of the couch, Calleigh propped her arm up onto the armrest and smiled, "I uh…I do want to thank you for what you did, Tim. You risked your life for me…and that means more to me then you'll ever know."

"I did it for you. It will always be for you, Calleigh." Rubbing his neck, he turned completely away from the window and walked towards the doorway of the kitchen, feeling the need to leave. He would give anything to have his bike here to have the opportunity to flee from the emotional turmoil that he was wallowing in now. Instead he was going to have to deal with it, bury it and try to forget it- something he knew wasn't going to happen. Noticing that silence encroached again, he sighed audibly, "I'm sure he's around, I should let you go…"

"Horatio went to town for supplies, Tim…and to give me some space," Calleigh replied softly. Licking her lips, she sighed, "But if you want to go, I'll understand."

"No, I just thought that you weren't talking because he was around." More than anything he wanted her to be able to talk to him, to confide in him, but he was sure that she was getting more than enough from Horatio. "I just…I wanted you to know that even if Horatio is in your life, you can come and talk to me if you needed to, or anything for that matter. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you, Cal."

A small smile formed and Calleigh lowered her head some, "Thank you Tim…I might have to take you up on that offer." Biting her lip, she sighed, "When are you going back to work?"

"I don't know, actually. I think I'm going to probably leave. At this point, I'm not really sure," Tim paused and exasperated, "I don't really think I could work under Horatio now."

"Tim, Horatio's done nothing to you. Don't blame him for my feelings. You two are friends, don't let this all come between that." Running a hand through her hair, she sighed audibly, "Besides, who will I have to pick on at crime scenes when I go back into the field?"

A small chuckle rose and he shook his head, the memories of them on crime scenes coming back to him. His smile grew and he sighed lightly, "You did that because you knew how much it would irritate me. I often wondered if you did that to get a rise out of me. I couldn't help myself though, to see you smile made anything that we faced out there go away."

Smiling more, Calleigh shifted some, "Then see, you need to stay. The team needs you Tim…I need you there. At least say you'll think about it."

Giving a moment pause, Tim answered, "Okay…I'll think about it, but I'm not setting it in stone. I'll see what happens." Satisfied at the tone of the conversation, he added, "Will you call me when you get back to Miami?"

Raising her brow, Calleigh looked out towards the patio and then nodded, "Yeah, I will if you're home. I don't want to disturb your time with Emma at Disney World. She deserves all the time she can get with you being you were away from her for so long."

"Calleigh…" he warned deeply as he narrowed his brow. A slow smirk appeared on his face and he snickered, "That is if you can pry yourself away from H long enough. I'm sure you two are getting along quite nicely."

The smile left her face and Calleigh raised a brow, her defenses coming up, "And what is that supposed to mean, Tim?"

Hearing her tone drastically change, Tim's smile dropped and he shook his head, "Hold your horses, Princess. I meant nothing by it, it's just that you and Horatio are probably getting close. I mean you're spending every waking moment with him, and the fact that you love him, pretty much tells me that you've slept with him."

"Excuse me? Just because I love someone doesn't mean I go jumping into bed with them the first chance I get." Clenching her jaw, Calleigh fumed, "You know, Tim…I thought you were my friend…but apparently that's not the case."

"Wait, Calleigh! Wait…I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to do that," Tim responded quickly. He rubbed his brow and sighed, realizing he should've just left the conversation, "I shouldn't have said that, and there's no excuse for my actions. You're probably better off without me in your life. I'm…I'm sorry."

Tears formed in her eyes and Calleigh shook her head, "Is that how you see me, Tim? That everyone I like I sleep with?"

Her tears tore at his heart and he grimaced as he closed his eyes, the mistake now eating at him. He never wanted to hurt her, but he was with his words. Starting to pace, he exhaled heavily, "No, Calleigh…no. I don't think you're that way. It's just that…from the history that you two have, it wouldn't be such a far fetched idea that you would be intimate with him. He's been there for you, gone that extra mile, and I saw it in your eyes, Calleigh. You've loved him for a very long time."

"I might have, but just because I do love him doesn't mean that I really know him. We've never really done anything outside of work…like get to know each other on that type level."

Not wanting to further this conversation, he sighed and stopped pacing, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't speak of things that I don't know. It's none of my business and I'll understand if you don't want to hear from me again." Hearing the door open he turned to see Emma coming in and cursed under his breath, "I've gotta go, Cal. I won't bother you again."

Wiping at her eyes, Calleigh nodded and whispered, "If that's how you want it, Tim."

"It's not, but we can't always get what we want, can we?" Leaving the question open ended, Tim hung up the phone and then punched the wall, oblivious to the two sets of eyes that were now watching him. Stalking past them both, he ignored their stares and walked out of the door, slamming it hard.

Closing the phone, Calleigh let it drop to the floor and got up, walking out onto the patio. Tears streaked down her face as she stared out at the water, her heart breaking. Without looking back, Calleigh began to head down towards the shore, her life once again in a tail spin thanks to Larken.