An Enemy & Planning a Future

Rick Stetler loathed Horatio Caine. Horatio had "stolen" the job of lieutenant and head of the crime lab from him and it was rubbed in his face everyday how everyone thought Horatio was so great and how compassionate he was with victims and their family. Something vital ro the job that Rick lacked to his core.

To him, the job was "just the facts" and the victims and families could "bawl at home later." This statement during the job interview was one of the major things that costed him the position as supervisor of the crime lab, his lack of field experience and education credentials being secondary. That comment said much about his character at the interview.

Now Horatio had a young woman who Rick would "bang" anytime. Why did he get everything Rick deserved? Why did Aimee want Horatio? What did she see in him? It was plain as day the young woman only had eyes for the lieutenant Rick despised. The only thing about Horatio's life that Rick didn't envy was the man's five-year-old son, or the "brat," as Rick thought of him. Though Kyle Caine was as far from a "brat" as children came. The fact Horatio had went from such a lonely, sad guy who had nothing else in his life but the job, to a guy with a family but a strong dedication to the job, irritated Rick to the core of his skin. Horatio's life was too perfect. He didn't deserve it.

Rick had to do something about it. If he touched the "kid" he knew Horatio would kill him, with his bare hands, possibly.

And never give it a second thought.

He would have to teach Horatio a lesson through Aimee.

Horatio knew Rick couldn't stand him. That feeling was mutual. It wasn't like he was alone there. He had too company. However, at the moment Horatio was preoccupied with one thing.

Picking out an engagement ring for his love.

He planned to ask Aimee to marry him in a few weeks. He wanted it to be a surprise so he didn't tell Kyle.

"So, if Horatio asked to marry him today, you'd say yes?" Aimee's best friend asked her during lunch in the cafeteria at work.

Maria worked at the child care center at the graphic design firm Aimee did.

"I'd scream it from the hilltops," Aimee said.

"What did your parents say about you adopting Kyle?"

"They're all for it. They can't wait for me to do it."

It took Horatio two days of looking to find the perfect ring for Aimee. He only told Eric and Calleigh about his plans, and showed them the ring.

When he showed the ring to Eric saying "I have something to show you,"Eric looked at the ring, smiled and said, "that's nice, H. But you're not really my type. Sorry."

"Oh, haha," Horatio smiled. "Do you think Aimee will like it?"

"Definitely."

"A ring! Oh, let me see!" Calleigh said coming into the trace lab. "It's beautiful, Horatio. When do you plan to pop the question?"

"Not sure yet. You'll know when I ask you two to come over and watch Kyle for the night. Do you think she'll say yes?" Horatio said, sounding nervous.

"Horatio, I don't think you'll have the question fully out of your mouth before she answers you," Calleigh answered.

Their relationship had moved very quick but they had talked about that and were comfortable and frankly very happy with it. Aimee was often asked how she had taken to being a mother so quickly. She didn't really have an answer, though she couldn't see how any woman wouldn't fall in love with little Kyle Caine. She admitted that fourteen months ago she wouldn't have guessed she'd be a mom now.

But one thing was for sure, she couldn't see her life without either Kyle or his father.