A/N: Thank you all for your reviews. So this is the last chapter for this year (lol) and I hope you like it. It's time for the talk between Horatio and Stella, let's see how it turns out. Hope you all have a great start into the New Year. Have fun and take care.

Chapter 13

For almost ten years, Friday had always been the day when Rosa Fuentes was working in her most favourite employer's house. Ten years ago she had answered on an application for a job as a cleaner and that's how she'd met Horatio Caine. From the moment she'd met him, Rosa had known that he was an honest, friendly and charming man and never in the ten years had she regretted that she'd started to work for him.

She knew that Señor Caine was a hard working man, with lots of responsibilities and this impressed her a lot. She'd worked for others, who had done nothing in their lives except of marrying the right (and most of all rich) person and those were the once she highly despised. They often treated her like a servant, which she surely wasn't and didn't respect her at all. Since Señor Caine had had to work for his money as well, he never treated her like this and this made her like him even more.

Over the years she'd become quite attached to the man in a motherly way and so it happened every once in a while that she left him some home cooked meal behind. Heaven only knew when this man had time to eat anyway! What he really needed was a woman in his life, a strong willed one of course, and for some time now, Rosa had played with the idea to introduce him to her eldest daughter Maria. Her daughter was a beautiful young woman, just like his late wife Marisol.

When she'd heard about her death, Rosa had been really sad for her boss. She'd been such a lovely lady and her sudden death had changed Señor Caine a lot. He'd worked even more (though she hadn't thought that this was actually possible) and the smiles had vanished from his face. Yes, it was really time for him to find another woman.

Just like always, she went up the stairs for the second floor and sung to herself. She would always start with the master bed-and bathroom. Since Señor Caine always left the house before 8 o'clock, she didn't have to fear to wake him up by accident. Her boss was too much of a creature of habit to sleep in late, especially on a normal working day. So without knocking, she cheerfully opened the bedroom and stopped dead in her tracks. "Dios mío!"

Like a streak of lighting, Horatio and Stella jerked away from each other.

"Oh Señor Caine. Lo siento, I'm so sorry," she apologized immediately and was deeply embarrassed. Catching your boss in bed with a woman, kissing, wasn't something she particularly enjoyed. So without thinking, she left the room and closed the door behind her. Maybe she should start with the first floor today.

Stella couldn't stop laughing. "Oh my god..," she rolled onto her back and laughed even harder when she saw Horatio's face. "I take it you didn't tell your cleaner that you're on sick leave?"

"No, this must have slipped me," he groaned and sat up. Now this was embarrassing.

"Well at least she caught us early enough, I don't want to think about if she had-"

"Stella!" he groaned even harder. "We don't even want to think of that possibility, yes?"

"I told you before that we shouldn't do that while your shoulder is still sore," she chided him. "That was the revenge."

"Haha, very funny. I didn't hear you complaining?" he shot back and reached for his bathrobe.

"Oh.. I had no intention to do that," she just smiled sweetly at him. "So what are you going to do?"

"I think it's time to give Rosa a raise," he deadpanned and only rolled his eyes, when Stella started to laugh again. "We probably gave her the shock of her life," he explained, but in the end he just gave up. Of course Stella found this amusing; it wasn't her cleaner in the end who'd seen her making out. At least they'd been dressed…well...more or less anyway.

Downstairs, Rosa was busy cleaning the living room, her cheeks still red from embarrassment. She could only hope that Señor Caine wouldn't fire her, because of her faux pas. She really needed to knock next time, though she doubted that those two would have heard that anyway. And she should stop thinking about it; this was none of her business. Though a small part of her was pretty happy for her boss since he'd found another woman. But her embarrassment and fear for her job occupied a bigger part in her mind right now.

"Rosa?" Horatio appeared in the living room and gave her an apologetic smile.

"Oh Señor Caine, Lo siento…lo siento.. I'm so sorry. No tengo un idea, I had no idea that you.."

"Rosa, Rosa it's alright. It's me who has to apologize," he tried to calm the upset woman. "I should have told you that I'm on sick leave and...that I'm not alone.."

"Eso es embarázoso, this is so embrassaing…"

"Not only for you," he gave her a half smile. "But maybe you should start with this floor today so we can get ready upstairs?" he chuckled.

Giving him a small smile, she nodded. "Si Señor Caine. This is a good idea."

"Good, then I won't interrupt you any longer and leave you alone. I'll see you later, Rosa."

"Si Señor Caine, adios." Well at least he hadn't fired her. But she would clean this house like she'd never done before just to be sure.

Upstairs, Stella had just emerged from the shower, when Horatio entered the bedroom again. "Is everything alright with Rosa?" she asked and towelled her hair.

"Yes, she's just embarrassed by interrupting us, but otherwise she's fine," he nodded and captured her from behind.

"No, no stop this," she shrieked when he rubbed his stubbles against her shoulder. "Have you forgotten that this had led us into this embarrassing situation in the first place?"

"Spoilsport," he nipped her neck and let out an "Ouch" when her elbow connected gently with his stomach.

"Don't start what you can't finish," she told him sternly. "And we won't finish this because sooner or later Rosa will appear again."

"Okay, okay," he let go of her. "So what are we doing today?" he asked when he sat down on the bed and watched her getting dressed.

"I don't know, you could read a bit in the garden?" she suggested.

"Oh no, no way. We need to get out of the house." Seeing her look, he shook his head. "I mean it Stella. I'm sick of being imprisoned, first in the hospital and now in my own house. I need to see something else or I'll go insane."

"You're such a drama queen," she sassed and folded her arms. "So where would you want to go?"

"The beach."

"The beach? Horatio, there's no way that you can go into the water with your wound. It's not fully healed and you still have stitches." This man could be too stubborn for his own good.

"Well I didn't say anything about swimming in the water, but I need to get out of here. Listen Stella, the beach is just a few meters away, so what harm could be done?"

"Except of sand in your wound? Or the fact that I'll find you in the water sooner or later?" she challenged him.

"And if I promise you that I'll wear a t-shirt the whole time and won't be near the water?" he put on his best puppy face. He would wear a t-shirt anyway because of his scars and that he'd look like a lobster in seconds, but she didn't need to know that.

"Don't give me that look."

"Why, is it working?" he drawled.

"Yes and you know it," she hissed and threw her hands up in surrender. "Okay, we'll go to the beach, but I warn you Mister. If I find you in the water, I'll call Alexx and then you have to answer her and I promise you that this won't be pretty."

True to his words, Horatio hadn't come near the water for the whole day; not even when Stella had jumped into the water and had given any mermaid a run for their money. No, he had stayed on his beach lounger and had just enjoyed the view.

Just like now.

It was certainly a good thing that he was wearing his sunglasses, so she had no idea that he was running his eyes all over her body. And what a glorious body it was. It wasn't the first time he'd seen her like this, but now he had the opportunity to watch her openly. And what a sight she was!

She was well trained, slim, but not too thin. Her olive bikini fitted her just fine and he had to fight the light urge to just walk over to her and free her from the spare clothing.

Had he said that she looked utterly good like this?

Well nothing would compare to the feeling of touching her glorious body with his hands. To hear her soft sighs of pleasure when he kissed her neck or the way her whole body trembled after a round of love making.

All of this would be burned into his memory for forever.

But now he needed some cool water to get himself under control again because one embarrassing situation was enough for one day. And he was sure that Stella would tease him endlessly if he couldn't keep calm.

But damn that woman made it hard for him to stay calm.

"Oh great Caine, just the right choice of words. Now get a grip and act as if you've been thinking about budget meetings." Taking a deep breath, he flashed her a smile and held out a towel for her.

"Thanks," she smiled and reached for the towel easily. "It's really a shame that you can't get into the water."

"Aww thanks, wasn't it you who threatened me with Alexx?" he countered. "Yes, I think it was you."

Stella's smile just grew larger. "And I was correct about that." She wouldn't allow him to get his wound infected. "So did you come any further with your book?" she asked and nodded at the book in his lap.

"Nope, I was busy watching one special woman," he thought, but didn't say it out loud. "No, not really. I just let my mind wander for a bit.."

"Ah," Stella said and reached for the sun cream. "Interesting thoughts?"

"Alluring ones for sure." "Nothing in particular. Need some help with that?"

"Yes, once I'm finished with the rest," she smiled and put on some lotion. "So was the beach one reason why you bought the house?"

"Actually, yes. I've always loved the beach in general and the sea in particular so when I found this house, I knew I had to have it. It's very soothing after a long day at work."

"I bet," she agreed and flashed him a smile. "And it's certainly nice for midnight walks, huh?"

"Do I sense a hidden proposal in there?" he raised one brow in question and chuckled.

"Maybe, but why don't you surprise me?" she teased back and thrust the sun cream into his hands. "Now it's your turn."

"Then come here," he ordered her and spread his legs a bit, so she could sit down between them. "Do you miss New York?" he asked her softly and gently massaged her shoulders.

"A bit," she sighed contently, "but I do feel at home here."

Smiling at that, he kissed her neck tenderly. "I'm happy and proud to hear that."

"Your team is really nice and I'm getting along with Kyle quite well."

"Yes, this surprised me as well…in a good way of course, but it still surprised me," Horatio agreed. It was a very good sign that Kyle and Stella seemed to get along so well. The boy had never seemed to be jealous of her and the time she was spending with him instead of Kyle himself, so yes, it really was a good sign. "And my team? Oh well they're pretty open.."

"And funny," she added. "And not very secretive when it comes to relationships so it seems."

"Ha, yes, I told you it was easy to see that they're a couple even though they tried to hide it," Horatio snorted.

"And what about us, Horatio? Do we hide it as well? From ourselves?" They still hadn't talked about them and time was running short. "Yes they were pretty obvious, but maybe they've just given up their hide and seek."

"Maybe, but I don't mind, as long as they're happy," he put the sun cream away and just continued to rub her back.

"Didn't you tell me that there are regulations in the department against relationships between colleagues?"

"Yes, I did. But I'm currently working something out with the Chief to get this ridiculous rule banished. Just because some people won't find their significant other, doesn't mean that others should suffer because of that."

"Well from my own experiences it doesn't harm the team spirit if there's the one or other couple among them. I mean Danny and Lindsay are still arguing about a case just like they'd done before. And our homicide detectives, Don Flack and Jessica Angel are in a relationship as well…"

"Well you certainly have more human IAB agents, that's for sure," he snorted. "But I won't let this continue. No matter what they say about it."

Leaning back, she snuggled closer to him and rested her cheeks against his good shoulder. "I'm sure you'll work something out," she mumbled and reached for his hand.

"I hope so," he chuckled. "If Alexx would still be here, she'd be on a warpath." Not that she had anything to say in this, but Stetler would be up for the high jump. "Talking about Alexx, you still haven't told me what happened in the hospital between you two?" he asked curiously.

"You know how women are, she was just curious about some tings…"

"What kind of things?" he asked interested. "You looked so serious afterwards; I hope she didn't upset you in any way?"

"Oh..no no, she just made me think about some things and..well..yeah…," she trailed of, not knowing what to say or how to say it.

"Stella, if you don't want to talk about it, it's okay," he reminded her softly. "I just wanted to make sure if she did upset you. That's all."

"Well we need to talk about it. And now I don't even have to find a start, but just tell him what the conversation was about. Darn, since when are you such a coward, Bonasera?" she berated herself. "She asked what we are."

"What we are?" he replied blankly.

Men! "Yes, what we are. Are we friends? More than friends? Friends with benefits? A couple? That's what she wanted to know."

Now this sounded like Alexx for sure. "Oh."

"Yes, oh."

"And what did you tell her?" he asked carefully.

"That I don't know what we are," she told him honestly.

"I see," he mumbled and gave her a worried look when she got up a bit and turned around to face him. "Stella?"

Reaching for his sunglasses she removed them. There was no way that he was hiding behind them during this conversation. "She also told me that we need to talk about this and I think she's right about that."

Blinking, Horatio needed a few moments to adjust to the light. "Okay," he nodded slowly. "Then we talk." This was certainly not how he had planned their day at the beach, but in the end this conversation had to be done.

"Then I'm asking you…what are we Horatio?" she asked him softly without the slightest sign of accusation.

This was a very good question; one that he had racked his brains over for some time now, probably even before Stella had arrived in Miami. "I'm not completely sure," he answered slowly. "I mean, we are definitely more than friends," he stated and at her nod he continued. "But we're not a couple either. But we're also no friends with benefits, because I think that there are too many emotions floating around. I can't really determine what kind of emotions, but not the ones of casual lovers."

She hadn't expected a concrete answer, so this was actually more than she could have hoped for. "I was asked if I liked you and I told the person, yes I do…a lot," she told him.

"It seems to me that we two have been on the rumour mill agenda," he pulled a face, but then became serious again. "I also like you a lot Stella," he said and stroked her cheek. "Maybe even more than just 'like you', I'm not so sure about this yet. I feel like I'm…falling for you...you know?" he asked but could keep the eye contact at that. "But then again, we both know that you'll leave in two days and that's just not enough for me."

Stella had never been an overly, emotional woman who was crying about everything, but hearing this gave her quite a hard time to keep the tears in check. The fact that he was so shy and couldn't even look her in the eyes didn't make it any better for her. He was a very private person, especially when it came to his emotions and after all he'd been through in his life, especially losing a wife, it must be incredibly difficult for him to open up this way.

So instead of making him look at her, she just leaned closer again and nuzzled his neck. "I think I feel the same Horatio." Her emotions concerning Horatio still confused her, but more than once she had wanted to call him by some pet name and most of all hers.

"But the distance..," he trailed off.

"As I said all those months ago, I hate the fact that we live in two different cities," she answered his unspoken question.

Nodding, he totally agreed with that. "So we…are friends who are more than friends and who have shared wonderful moments with each other?"

As sad as it sounded, this was the only thing they be could right now. "Yes, I think we should do that. We should enjoy our last days here in Miami and I hope that I'll have a home here when we see each other again."

"Stella, you made my house a home again, so don't ever fear that you won't be welcome here," he said matter of factly.

"It is home, Horatio. Even for me. I think I've used the word here more often than in New York. You didn't just give me a place to stay, you gave me a home. I'm not sure if you intended that or even realized it, but you did."

Horatio didn't reply to that. He just wrapped his arms around her and inhaled her salty smell. He really wished that he was able to stop time, so that they could stay like this forever, but he knew they wouldn't and so he promised himself that they'd enjoy their time to its fullest. This was after all the least they could do.

tbc