A/N: This is the first part of chapter 10, otherwise it would have been (once again) too long. Thank you all for your reviews, they mean a lot to me.

So everything is working just nicely at the moment, right? Let's see if it continues this way…

Chapter 10.1

It was just before 8 o'clock on this beautiful Monday morning, when Horatio pulled his car into his parking spot in front of the Crime Lab. There weren't many times when Horatio didn't want to go to work (there were certainly good reasons why people called him a workaholic) but today was one of those rare days.

He wouldn't have minded spending the day at home or on the beach with a special lady and just enjoy the day without thinking about murder and criminals, but in the end his sense of duty had won. The fact that Stella had asked him to tag along for today had made his decision slightly easier of course.

"So are you really sure to spend your vacation in the Crime Lab?" He asked her when he stopped the engine. "Didn't Mac send you to Miami because he was worried about you showing up at the Crime Lab unexpectedly at home?" he wondered.

"Well he was worried about me working during my vacation," Stella acknowledged, "but I won't work today; I see this more like some kind of…broadening my horizon, you know?"

"Ah," Horatio nodded. "Broadening your horizon…I see. I guess I can't stop you from that?"

"Nope, I'm really looking forward to it. Mac had told me a lot about your Lab and I can't wait to see it for myself."

Knowing that he had lost, Horatio relented. "Well I was just asking, because you could be at home and marvel at yesterday's capture…," he grinned. This would occupy her for at least a couple of hours; or at least that was what his arms were telling him, since he'd been her servant during her shopping tour.

"No, no," she shook her head. "I planned this for tonight after work," she teased him. "And you're going to tell me what you think of every piece of clothing I bought yesterday," she smiled sweetly at him.

"Wonderful," he grumbled and already saw himself sitting there for hours while Stella was floating around and trying out every combination that came into her mind. "Now this will be fun."

"I knew you'd like that; but now it's time for work, I'm sure it looks bad if the boss comes in late, huh?" she pointed at her watch and kissed his cheek.

"Knowing my team, I'll be the first one here anyway," he shot back and had barely left the car, when Stella was already waiting for him. She really was looking forward to a day in the lab he conceded and wished he'd be as enthusiastic as she apparently was. "Well then, let's get in," he smiled at her and rested his hand on the small of her back.

Flashing him a big smile, Stella followed him and was quite impressed when they stepped out the lift at the lab's floor. "Wow…that's shiny..," she mumbled.

"Not to forget glassy," Horatio chuckled and walked to the entry desk.

"Yeah that too," she agreed and now knew why Mac had been rather impressed by Miami's Crime Lab. Their own wasn't that bad either, but this one here was definitely different. So much glass and the colours… "You know it looks almost unrealistic, are you sure that this isn't a Hollywood studio?" she joked.

Turning his head, he winked at her. "Hush now or you'll destroy the scene."

"I'm sorry," she whispered for good measure and stopped right next to him at the entry desk.

"Good morning, Lieutenant," a woman greeted them.

"Good morning, Paula," Horatio nodded and smiled at her. "I assume that I have the one or other message waiting for me?"

Returning the smile, she nodded. "Uh-huh, people were quite demanding to talk to you," she told him and offered him a pile of notepads.

Grimacing, Horatio reached for them and sighed deeply. "Story of my life. But listen Paula, I need a guest ID," he then said and nodded at Stella. "This is Det. Stella Bonasera from the New York Crime Lab and she's visiting us today. So can you please create an ID with all the necessary clearings for the whole lab?"

"Of course, Lieutenant and welcome in Miami Det. Bonasera," Paula replied readily. "I just need you to sign in here," she handed her a protocol sheet. It wasn't unusual that people visited the Crime Lab, it was more unusual that the Lieutenant himself gave in their name hence he had a lot to do.

"This shouldn't be a problem, thank you Paula," Stella quickly signed the sheet and a few moments later she had her very own Lab ID. "So where do we start?" she looked at Horatio expectantly.

"I'm afraid that we have to start in my office," Horatio gave her a weak smile. "So," he looked around suspiciously and leaned towards her, "I can get rid of all the messages," he winked at her.

"Naughty," she grinned back. "But I'll pretend that I didn't see anything."

"Good," he nodded in approval and motioned her to follow him.

The lab was still quiet, even though most of the day shift staff was already there. The machines didn't look any different from the ones back home in New York and she could feel the slight itching in her fingers to just rush into a lab and get her hands on some samples. "No, you're just here for observing, Stella. Both Mac and Horatio will have your head if you start working here," she chided herself. "You're on vacation dear, so no work for you."

"Ah there's Mr. Wolfe," Horatio announced when they entered the trace lab in order to reach the stairs for Horatio's office.

Looking up from the objects on the table in front of him, Ryan nodded at Horatio and then raised his brows a bit when he noticed Stella. "Good morning, H and happy belated Birthday," the young man walked around the desk and shook Horatio's hand. "I'm sorry for not being able to come to the party."

"That's fine. Mr. Wolfe. The bed needed you more than the BBQ."

"Yeah, I guess so," the man shrugged lightly and then held out his hand to Stella. "I'm sorry, I don't think that we've met yet. I'm Ryan Wolfe."

"Stella Bonasera," she took his hand. "And no we haven't met yet. I'm on vacation and thought that I'll visit the Crime Lab," she explained.

Noticing Ryan's confused look, Horatio chimed in. "Stella's a CSI in New York," he smiled, "and has asked me to broaden her horizon a bit." Well actually she hadn't given him any chance to decline her wish, but Ryan didn't need to know about that.

"Ah," he nodded in understanding. He'd overheard a conversation between Natalia and Calleigh a few minutes before in which they'd been talking about a woman, living at Horatio's house at the moment. "Well then, I hope you're having a great time here in Miami."

"I'm sure I will, but thank you Mr. Wolfe."

"Oh just call me Ryan please," he asked her because he hated being called Mr. Wolfe. He had just no idea how to make his boss understand this.

"Okay, thank you Ryan. And please call me Stella," she smiled at him.

"I'll call up a meeting in about 15 minutes, so we can get an update on our cases, Mr. Wolfe," Horatio nodded at the man and motioned Stella to follow him up the stairs.

"Alright, H, see you then," Ryan called after them and made himself the note that he needed to ask Calleigh and Natalia about what was going on between Horatio and Stella. He was never so much into gossiping, but when it came to his boss, things were entirely different.

It was well past noon, almost afternoon when the team was enjoying their late lunch in the break room. Someone had ordered some Chinese take out for the whole group and now busy chatter and laughing was the only thing being heard.

Stella had thoroughly enjoyed her day in the lab. She liked the way the team was working together and that they all seemed to get along quite well. Sure, she'd already noticed that at Horatio's party, but still, work and free time were two entirely different things.

At first she had followed Horatio around until he'd been called into an interrogation. Luckily she'd met Calleigh soon afterwards and had then visited probably everything. She had also met Kyle in the morgue and had chatted a bit with him. Of course she'd told him about her shopping tour and judging by the gleam in Kyle's eyes, Horatio would be cornered by the boy sooner or later. Yes, she really had had a good day so far.

"Stella, don't forget the recipe please, yes?" Calleigh addressed her and brought her out of her musings.

"The recipe? Oh yes," Stella smiled and pointed at Horatio. "He has it."

Horatio, who had half listened to the girls, gave them a questioning glance. "I have what?"

"The recipe; for the tzaziki and the pita," Stella explained him in her best 'what-else-should-we-talking-about' tone.

"I don't have any recipes," he looked bewildered.

Sighing to herself, Stella rolled her eyes, so only Calleigh could see it. "Take a look at the inside pocket of your jacket," she told him and munched her egg rolls.

Arching his brows, he had no idea what she was talking about, but did as he was told. Women, they were such a walking mystery. "What the heck," he exclaimed when he indeed felt something in his pocket and pulled it out. He unfolded the sheet and glared at Stella. "Funny."

"H, the silent messenger," Eric grinned at his boss. "Now that would be a good idea, if we want to send some notes, we won't use the cells any longer but H."

"Over my dead body, Eric," Horatio huffed and handed Stella the paper. "Care to explain how they ended up in my jacket?"

"Well you weren't around this morning, but your jacket was when I wrote down the recipes, so I thought that they wouldn't disappear in there," Stella shrugged nonchalantly.

"I…see..," Horatio just mumbled and made a note to himself to check his other pockets as well once he was alone. Who knew what else he was carrying around without his knowledge!

"I think this was a very good idea, thanks Stella," Calleigh smiled. "They'd just get lost in a handbag."

"That's what I thought as well," Stella nodded enthusiastically. At least there was someone who understood her.

"So I'm a walking handbag now?" Horatio asked incredulously, but had to fight hard to keep his stern face, especially when the boys howled in laughter.

"I didn't say that but-" Stella started when she was interrupted by several chirping noises.

"Looks like we have a case," Horatio said after looking at his beeper. "Care to come along?"

"Would that be alright? I mean I can stay here if that's better..," Stella said unsure.

"You got your badge with you?"

"Yes, it's in my handbag," she replied and shook her head when Horatio reached for another of his pockets. "Not you, Silly."

"You never know when it comes to you," Horatio deadpanned and got up. "Okay guys, Stella and I will see you at the crime scene then."

"You got it, H," they replied in unison and quickly left the room.

"Then let's go," Horatio opened the door for her and hoped that the case wouldn't take too long. Their shift was almost over and he had no interest in doing overtime while Stella was in Miami.

"What do we have, Frank?" Horatio asked when he and Stella approached the tall, Texan Sergeant.

"One victim, name is Jane Donovan. Married to Jake Donovan, but we haven't found him yet," Frank replied easily and then gave Stella a charming smile. "Hey Stella, I hope he didn't make you to come here?"

Laughing, she shook her head and ignored Horatio's scowl. "Nope, I asked him actually."

"Knowing you and knowing him, you actually didn't take no for an answer, huh?" Frank asked amused.

"The case Francis," Horatio grumbled, before this would get out of hands.

"Ah yes; as I said, we're searching for the husband right now. Could be a relationship related crime because she was shot in the bedroom, but maybe something else, but that's what you are here for, right?"

"Right," Horatio nodded and motioned at Ryan and Eric to follow him. "We're going inside. Is the ME already there?"

"She is," Frank nodded.

"Good. Stella you'll stay with Cal and Natalia, okay? If it was a stranger, he needed to get into the house somehow."

"You're the boss, Horatio," she just shrugged, even though she would have liked to see him in action.

"That's what they always tell me, but sometimes it's just a rumour I think," Horatio mumbled to himself and entered the house with his colleagues. "I'll check on what Dr. Price got to tell us. Start with the first floor please."

"Will do Boss," they both replied and started to work.

Upstairs, Horatio entered the bedroom and was greeted by Dr. Price. "Can you already tell me something about the COD, Doctor?" he asked her politely and put on some gloves.

"I think it's safe to say that this shot in the head killed her immediately," Dr. Price replied and pointed at the wound on the victim's forehead.

"Hmm," Horatio walked a little closer. "This looks like GSR, doesn't it?"

"I thought so as well. Do you think she knew her murderer?"

"Maybe," Horatio mumbled. "But if she was asleep, it could have been anyone."

"But this looks more like an execution than a heist, don't you think?"

"That's...what we're going to find out."

"I can't find anything that leads into a burglary," Natalia sighed and took a photo of the entry door.

"Well we don't know if it was one, maybe the victim knew her murderer," Calleigh said and powdered the door handle.

"That doesn't make it any better," Stella said softly and watched the others work. Just because she was allowed to enter a crime scene, didn't mean that she was allowed to handle any evidence.

"Not really," Natalia agreed and had a closer look at the flowerbed next to the entry.

"Maybe the others have more luck."

Horatio took a few more pictures of the victim before he nodded at the coroner, so they could take the victim into the lab. "I'll talk to you once I'm back," he told the ME and turned around when he heard someone else approaching. "Have you found the husband yet, Frank?"

"No, but something else. The neighbours told me that the Donovans were anything but a happy couple and that they had regular shouting matches."

"Oh? Do you know what they were about?" Horatio asked intrigued.

"Seems like the husband accused his wife of being unfaithful and bringing her lovers into the house as well."

"Interesting," Horatio mumbled. "And was he right?"

"The neighbours wouldn't tell," Frank shrugged. "But I'll go into it. Maybe it wasn't the husband but some affair."

"True," Horatio nodded. "And please check if either Mrs. or Mr. Donovan owns a gun."

"Will do, H," the Texan replied and left Horatio alone again.

"Thank you, Frank," Horatio called after him and then concentrated on the crime scene again. "So what do we have here," he mumbled to himself and reached for the tweezers. "Now, you don't belong to the victim, now do you?" he said when he picked up a short, black hair. Reaching for a small bag, he heard footsteps behind him. Smiling, he bagged the evidence and asked, "Some more news Frank?"

"No."

His smile faltered immediately. Turning around he found himself looking straight into a raised gun. "Mr. Donovan I assume?" he asked politely and did his best to stay calm.

tbc