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**

"It will be perceived, no doubt, from what I have already said, that the Baron was one of those human anomalies now and then to be found, who make the science of mystification the study and the business of their lives. For this science a peculiar turn of mind gave him instinctively the cue, while his physical appearance afforded him unusual facilities for carrying his prospects into effect."

From "Mystification" by Edgar Allan Poe

Unlocking the front door and then going in, Calleigh took in a deep breath, releasing it as she put her keys back into her purse. After spending the week at his beach house, Calleigh and Horatio had made their way back to Miami late Sunday afternoon. Looking back at Horatio as followed her in with their bags, she gave him a small smile and closed the door behind him.

Walking over to her couch, she set her purse down and turned back to him, "Well, welcome home."

Horatio smiled and nodded, the thoughts of his own home invading him. The last he saw of it, it was burning to the ground, along with everything that he owned, and even though Calleigh had opened up her home to him, he still felt a bit out of sorts.

Taking a slight look around, he gestured to the bags, "Um…I should go and put your bags in your room. Why don't you take some time and rest? I've been here enough to know where your room is."

Nodding and watching him walk towards the hallway, Calleigh called out to him, "Horatio…" When he stopped and turned back to her, she smiled, "If you want…you can put your things in there as well."

He smiled and started back on his trek, "Okay, I'll be back in just a second." Winding down the hall, he came to her bedroom and stood in the doorway for a second before entering. The room wasn't overly feminine, but there were subtle hints that this was her domain. The décor was precise and to the point, just like her and as he came to the bed, he stopped and dropped the bags, imagining their bodies intertwined underneath her sheets.

Taking a seat on the bed, he laced his hands together as they rested on his legs and stared at the carpet, his mind running. There was so much to do and on top of that, he was going to have to work.

Hearing her clear her voice lightly from the doorway, he looked up and smiled, offering an apology, "Sorry…I didn't realized I'd been in here for that long."

Giving him a small smile, Calleigh walked over to him, coming in front of him and running her fingers of her right hand through his hair, "Everything okay? You seemed miles away when I came to the door."

Sighing lightly, wrapped his arms around her waist as she wove through his strands, the action already calming him. He didn't want to unnecessarily worry her, but she would do so anyway until he came clean.

"I was just thinking about my house. I've lost so much, and…well, I don't want to encroach upon your life, Calleigh. You have things in their set places here, I would disturb your balance."

With her other hand, Calleigh lifted his chin, looking down into his eyes, "Horatio, I want you here with me. If I didn't, I would never have made the offer. You're not disturbing anything." Giving him a small smile, she whispered, "My home is your home for as long as you want to stay."

Staring into her eyes, he whispered, "Thank you." Standing, he brought her closer and chuckled, "I have to admit, I was thinking of something else as well."

Wrapping both arms up around his neck, their bodies pressed together, "And what was that?"

"How we would look tangled up in those sheets." Nodding towards the bed, he grinned, "It's a nice bed, looks…sturdy."

Smirking and glancing at it, Calleigh nodded slightly, "How about this then, after we order something for dinner, we see exactly how sturdy it is? I don't think it's been tested out since I got it."

"I would be honored to be the first." Instantly, a thought came to mind, and he tensed involuntarily then relaxed, hopeful that she hadn't seen or felt his momentary lapse. Releasing her, he smiled and started for the door, "So…what do you have in mind for dinner?"

Noticing his change, Calleigh slide her hands into her pocket, and began to follow him out, "I was thinking something quick and easy…maybe pizza from Abalone's? They have that supreme pizza that we get at work that you like to sneak in a get a piece of."

"That sounds nice, I'll call them and get it ordered." He started walking only to feel her hand on his arm, staving his forward motion. Turning to look at her, he asked, "Calleigh?"

"Want to tell me what's going on?" Looking up at him, she decided to push forward and asked, "What was that about in there?"

Averting his gaze, Horatio shook his head, unable to suffuse the jealous thoughts and images that were conjured up as he sat on her bed. How many men had come before him? How many had taken her in her sanctuary, her bed? Even now as she searched his eyes, he could see that she would not be willing to answer that question, instead, he waved it off.

"Just thinking, is all, Calleigh."

Studying and not really believing his answer, Calleigh decided not to push him and pursed her lips, "Alright. I'll uh…I'll go get my shower if you want to order then."

Watching her as she moved to leave, Horatio called out, "Wait, Calleigh." When she stopped in her tracks, he looked to her, seeing the irritation in her eyes. He wanted nothing to prohibit their relationship from growing, but yet, he was holding something back. If he wanted something more with her, he would have to come completely clean.

"I was thinking, but…of something else." Her eyes seemed to harden and he sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I …I was thinking of the past. Yours. It's none of my business, I know, and all of this happened before us…I just couldn't help but wonder…"

Crossing her arms over her chest, Calleigh shifted her weight, "What? How many men I've brought to my bed?" When she didn't get an answer, Calleigh shook her head and turned to walk off, "None…none ever stayed here. But if that's what you're so worried about…" she said as she turned back, looking at him, "then maybe we shouldn't be sharing a bed either…cause it is my past."

At her admission, Horatio felt a momentary surge of relief before it morphed into apprehension, shaking his head, "Calleigh…I didn't want to upset you with this, but I had to know." Her fury was apparent and he stepped back, "I will sleep in the guest room, if that's what you would like, Calleigh."

"Maybe that would be for the best," Calleigh replied with a disappointed tone. Turning to go back into her room, she stopped and looked back at him, "Maybe I should be wondering exactly how many women you've taken to that beach house and bedded before me." Leaving him with that to think about, she went into her room, closing the door behind her.

Left alone in the vast silence of the hall, he stared at the door and sighed heavily. There had been no one before her, and there would be no one else, no matter what happened between them now. Going into the spare room, he sat on the bed and stared out at the wall, wondering what he had done.

Leaving her as she settled in a deeper sleep, Tim made sure that the covers were pulled up comfortably around her and leaned to kiss her gently on her forehead, causing her to stir slightly before settling again. A smile crept across his face at the memory of her day in the park, and then her exuberance when he informed her that they would be staying an additional day, her laughter and happiness lasting until her head hit the pillow. He had to admit, he was having just as much fun as she was, from the rides to the shows, he'd experienced it as if he were a kid again. Emma hadn't mind his antics with the characters that roamed the boulevard, in her eyes, he was just as big as Mickey himself.

Chuckling at the sight of her clutching the doll he had brought that day, he then moved towards the living room of the suite and decided to sit and watch television. With as much as they had done the past three days, he was exhausted for sure, but there was something that was keeping him from falling into a deep sleep. As he lazily changed the channels, his thoughts lingered on her and in an instant, he was up at the table, snatching up his cell. They would've gotten in by now and probably enjoying the pleasure of each others company, but he had to know how she was. If anything, he would leave an encouraging voice mail on her phone.

Dialing and then waiting, he closed his eyes at the thought of her, how he remembered the Calleigh of old. Just as he was getting lost in his memories, he heard her terse voice and his brow furrowed, the concern coming quickly, "Calleigh?"

After having eaten dinner in silence with Horatio, Calleigh had then cleaned up and went about her business, leaving Horatio on his own. In some ways she'd wondered if he had just played her like most others had, but something in the back of her head kept pushing that thought away. Finishing checking her mail and e-mails, she had then retreated to her room for the night, closing and locking the door behind her.

Reading online from her laptop, Calleigh had jumped slightly as her cell phone rang, answering it quickly and hearing his voice. Huffing slightly because of her irritation at men at that point, she placed the phone between her ear and shoulder as she continued her search on the web, "What do you need, Tim?"

"Wow. Should I just hang up now and spare the massacre? What did the boyfriend do?" Tim asked as he arched his brow in curiosity. Very rarely did he hear her tone this harsh, this short, and he suddenly wondered if the proverbial honeymoon was over.

Getting tired of his sarcastic attitude, Calleigh rolled her eyes, shaking her head, "Can you just drop the wise cracks please?"

His smile dropped and he sat up quickly, concern now etched completely over his face. His brow narrowed and he asked sternly, "Calleigh, what's wrong? What's happened?"

Aggravated, Calleigh found the site she wanted and clicked on it, "Why are you guys so judgmental when it comes to woman and their past? Why should it matter who they've been with especially when they are no longer with the other people?"

"HE asked about your past?" Tim asked exasperated. He shook his head and rubbed his face hard, "Poor bastard didn't have a chance. Have you tried to talk to him about this, Calleigh?"

"Gave him every opportunity to say something at dinner…which I might ad was done in silence." Bookmarking the site she wanted, she began looking for more, "He wondered how many men have been in my bed…so I left him something to think about…how many women he's taken to that beach house and seduced."

Hearing her fury, he shook his head and sighed heavily, wondering why he was doing what he was about to do. "Cal, you know H, he's guarded to a fault. He was probably wondering how he stacked up against your former flames, if he was worth your time. I'm sure he was only wondering to see what you would tolerate. He was, in a word…worried." Chuckling again, he sighed, "You shouldn't be so hard on him, Cal. You know is inquiry was harmless. And about that beach house, he told you himself that he went there alone to get away, when have you known this man to lie?"

"That's not the point, Tim. The point is it made me feel like I was some…slut. Like I sleep with everyone I've ever dated."

"He knows you're not a slut, Calleigh. You know you're not a slut, why are you having a fit over this? You've been intimate with him, he's wondering if he's worth your while. Give the man a break, Cal." When silence returned, he arched a brow, "Did you lie when you said you loved him? If you did, then that opens the door for me to…."

"Don't, Tim. Don't even go there right now." Setting her laptop aside, she crossed her legs, sitting Indian style in the middle of her bed and sighed heavily, "I do love him…I just hate having to pull shit out of him. You know, he wasn't even going to tell me. He was trying to hide it."

"You know why, don't you? He's been hurt before, people have left him, people whom he loved. He's put up a defense mechanism that guards him fiercely, and it's going to take time for you to understand this about him. If you love him like you do, you'll get him to talk, and then you listen." He shook his head and sighed heavily, "I don't know why I'm vouching for him, but Calleigh, the man loves you, he'll probably die for you. Give him some slack."

Closing her eyes as she thought about what he said, she shook her head and then bowed it as her brow crinkled, "I've been hurt too, Tim…men have left me…but I've tried to be as open as I can about my past…and even about what happened with Chris."

"I know, Calleigh, and that is unfortunate, you don't deserve it." Letting the words sink some he then followed, "I think you need to really talk to him. Seriously, Cal, talk and then if he's not saying anything you like, then bounce him. But give him a chance." Chuckling, he shook his head, "Again, it escapes me as to why I'm helping with this, but…I just can't stand to see you, or hear you like this."

Lifting her head and looking around some, she blinked slowly, "I'll…I'll try. But, as you say, I ain't promising anything."

"Just go in there with an open heart and mind, Calleigh. Do you know how long it's been since he's been in a relationship? He might be a bit rusty," Tim said as he stared at the wall. He really didn't believe that he was trying to keep them together, but he couldn't let this go on.

Releasing a shaky breath, Calleigh wiped at the lone tear that slid down her cheek, "He hasn't been in one since Marisol's death…at least that I know of that is."

"My point exactly, Cal. He's had zero chances to get it right since her death. He's probably petrified, Calleigh." Getting up from the couch, he went to the patio door and looked out, shaking his head, "Just talk to him, Calleigh."

Her eyes traveled to the computer and the site she had pulled up. Biting her lip, she dropped her eyes, "I uh, I go to my first therapy session tomorrow. I'm kinda nervous about it, ya know?"

Closing his eyes slowly, he grimaced and exhaled. He'd completely forgotten about her therapy sessions and now he was hundreds of miles away when she needed him the most. When he opened his eyes, he spoke softly, "Cal, I completely forgot. I told you I would go with you for your first session. If you need to, call me."

"I should be fine, Tim. Maybe I'll get lucky and they won't pick my brain too much the first time," she replied as her eyes stared at the picture on the laptop.

"But just in case, call me. We're going to be coming home tomorrow night. Do you want me to come over?" Tim was genuinely concerned for her well being and if he could go back to Miami without upsetting his little girl, he would.

Continuing to stare, Calleigh finally shook herself out of it when he called her name again, "W-What did you say?"

"Calleigh…are you okay? What are you doing?"

Closing the laptop quietly, Calleigh replied, "Nothing…I uh, I was just thinking about what you said earlier about Horatio. I'm sorry. I did mean to zone out."

"Are you sure, Calleigh?" Her behavior had started to alarm him and he narrowed his brow, "Tell the truth, Calleigh, what were you doing?"

"I was just thinking, Tim…" Calleigh said as her tone became defensive. "Is it against the law now to think?"

"No, it's not a crime, Calleigh." His brow was set in a worried expression and he shook his head, "I'll explain this to Emma, she'll understand. I'm coming home, Calleigh. You don't need to be alone at a time like this."

"Tim, no. You promised this to her and I will not be the one you break that promise over. Stay there with her, I'll be fine. She's your daughter…she deserves this time with you." Running a hand over the back of her neck and lulling her head back, she sighed, "Promise me you won't do that to her, Tim."

"Only if you promise me that you will call me. No matter what, Calleigh, no matter what time." Quietly, Tim cursed Horatio for his indiscretions, leaving Calleigh to once again become lost. The anger seemed to abate slightly and he exhaled lightly, "Promise me, Cal"

Closing her eyes and rolling her head on her neck, she sighed, "I promise, Tim…I'll call."

Glancing at the clock he took a seat back on the couch and stretched. The day's activities were catching up to him and suddenly, a yawn over took him. Coming back to himself, he rubbed his tired eyes, "Cal, get some rest, you've had a long day."

"I will…but you do the same. I'm sure Emma had you running all over the park since you guys have been there." Looking down and smirking, she sighed, "Too bad I don't know anyone there that could snap some pictures of that."

"Oh, don't worry, we're taking plenty of pictures. I'll get Em to show you when we get back." Yawning again, he chuckled softly, "It's time for me to go to bed. You get to sleep too, Cal." Pausing for a second, he added, "I love you, Cal."

"Tim…" she sighed but then closed her eyes, "thanks."

Smiling, Tim nodded, "You're welcome. Good night, Cal."

Hanging up with him, Calleigh set her phone back onto the night stand and looked at the laptop. Reaching for it, she opened it back up, the page she'd been looking at popping back up. Moving the mouse, she began to scroll down, looking at the information their and then clicking on one. Moving, she leaned back against the headboard and began to read silently.

YE who read are still among the living; but I who write shall have long since gone my way into the region of shadows. For indeed strange things shall happen, and secret things be known, and many centuries shall pass away, ere these memorials be seen of men. And, when seen, there will be some to disbelieve, and some to doubt, and yet a few who will find much to ponder upon in the characters here graven with a stylus of iron.

From outside of her door, Horatio stood with his hand poised over the door, wanting to knock. He wanted to tell her so much, wanted to explain why he questioned her past, but the fact that the door was closed and locked to him placed the seed of hesitation deep within him. Debating for a few more minutes, he finally decided that the night was too long without her, he rapt swiftly and stood back, placing his hands on his hips and keeping his sights down.

Jumping slightly and looking towards the door, Calleigh closed her laptop back and got up. Grabbing her robe and putting it on, she tied it as she walked to the door, knowing Horatio was on the other side. Unlocking the lock, she opened the door some, leaning against it's side and looked at him, "Yes, Horatio?"

Looking up quickly, Horatio saw the coolness in her eyes and heard the indifference in her voice. She had obviously been hurt by his question, and now he wanted the chance to explain himself. Moving a pace towards the door, he responded softly, "I…I want to talk to you. Are you busy?"

Glancing back at the laptop to make sure she had closed it, she then looked back at him and shook her head. Stepping back and opening the door more, she then turned and headed back to her bed. Taking a seat, she got as comfortable as she could.

Stepping in cautiously, Horatio remained standing and glanced quickly at her before retaining his sights on the floor, his brow crinkling, "I…uh…I wanted to explain myself, Calleigh. I want you to understand why I asked that question." Meeting her gaze, his expression became worried, "I don't like this distance that's starting to come between us."

Blinking slowly and cutting her eyes away, Calleigh turned some on her bed, more towards him and moved one leg up under her, "I wasn't the one jealous over past relationships."

"No, you're not, that distinction is mine alone," Horatio replied as he kept his eyes on her. It hurt that she was acting indifferent, but he figured he deserved as much. "I am…Calleigh, I am a jealous man. I have been my entire life…" As hard as it was to admit that flaw, he continued, his voice hush, "I haven't been in a relationship since Marisol, and my…confidence is not as high as it could be. I thought about your past relationships and felt as if I didn't measure up."

Looking up at him, her brow crinkled and she shook her head, "Horatio, if you didn't measure up do you honestly think I would have let you into my life like I did?"

Horatio gave her a slight nod and agreed, "You wouldn't have given me the time of day. But Calleigh, you're young, beautiful, intelligent…what would you need with me?"

Looking into his eyes, Calleigh shook her head, "The same as you need from me…love, trust, friendship…commitment." Looking down, Calleigh crinkled her eyes and played with the edge of the sheet, "That was something I never had with Jake or Eric."

Closing in the space, Horatio reached for her hand and held it, gazing at her almost longingly, "I want all of that, Calleigh. I want it with you. I…I just get possessive over the things that mean so much to me. I love you, Calleigh, and I didn't mean to demean you or hurt you."

Seeing the truth in his eyes, Calleigh whispered, "I'm sorry for what I said…I know you don't just sleep around for the hell of it."

"To answer your question though, you were the first one, woman or man, that I've brought to the beach house. I used it as a getaway; no one's ever seen it." Reaching to caress her cheek, he smiled softly, "And no one else will."

Closing her eyes and leaning into his touch, Calleigh took in a quick breath, and then looked back at him, "I'm sorry…"

"No, it should be me to apologize. I wasn't thinking at all, I was being selfish." Caressing her cheek more he asked softly, "Forgive me?"

Moving and getting up onto her knees, her arms went around his neck as she hugged him, "Always…" When his arms encircled her waist, holding her close, she closed her eyes as they held each other.

Horatio rubbed her back gently as he smiled and then spoke in a whisper, "Now…let's begin this again. May I sleep with you tonight, Calleigh?"

"Yes…" Calleigh whispered back as a smile began to form. Pulling back and looking into his eyes, she shook her head, "I wouldn't want it any other way."

He searched her eyes for any indication that she was hesitant and didn't find any, his smile growing more and more. Leaning towards her, he captured her lips softly. Bringing her closer, he could feel the fringe of his passion but beat it back. There would be time for that later.

**Calleigh was reading from "Shadow" by Edgar Allan Poe