Title: CSI: Miami - Realisations

Author: D M Harper

Summary: Sometimes the things you really need in your life are right under your nose. A/U

Pairing: Calleigh Duquesne & Natalia Boa Vista

Rating: M for Mature readers.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of CSI: Miami they belong to creators Anna Donahue, Carol Mendelsohn & Anthony E. Zuiker. I only use them for the purposes of entertainment and do so for no financial gain. I do stake a claim on all original characters that make an appearance in this story. No copyright infringement is intended towards CBS Paramount Network Television or Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

Chapter 19

Calleigh spotted Natalia in the arrivals lounge and grinned.

As she neared, the brunette rushed up and embraced her, "Welcome home Cal."

"Hey baby, let me grab my bag and get home."

"Speaking of home, I moved in while you were away."

Calleigh's smile broadened, "Oh, I'm so pleased to hear that." She took Natalia's hand and led her to the baggage carousal.

The couple embraced and chatted about the seminar until the bag came into view.

"I'm parked out front honey," declared Natalia.

"I'm grateful for that, I am so tired."

"I thought we could pick up something for dinner on the way home."

"That sounds good to me."

Natalia unlocked her car and forty five minutes later, she pulled into the parking garage of Calleigh's building.

Calleigh had a quick shower while Natalia arranged the cartons of Chinese food and bowls on the coffee table.

The blonde walked into the living room carrying a brightly wrapped gift box and explained, "I bought you a present."

"Thank you." Natalia swiftly unwrapped the paper and giggled when she saw the FBI tee shirts.

"I thought you needed some new ones."

"That's very thoughtful of you honey."

"There is another gift under the shirts."

Lifting then up, Natalia gasped at the elongated jewel box. She opened it and stared at the gold bracelet with a heart shaped charm, "Thank you Cal, it's wonderful." Putting it on, she leaned over and kissed her girlfriend soundly.

After dinner Natalia thanked her several times and Calleigh showed her gratitude for Natalia's decision to co-habitat.

-0-

Rolling over on the couch, Calleigh kissed Natalia then asked, "Shouldn't you be thinking about getting ready for work?"

"I'm not on tonight."

"Oh, that's a bonus for me; I get to fall asleep with you three nights in a row."

"You do honey and I reap the benefit too."

"I forgot to ask how you slept while I was at Quantico."

"Good and there were no nightmares. Doctor Everett will be pleased when I see her tomorrow at eight."

"Oh, you have an early appointment?"

"Yes babe."

"Would you like to go to bed sweetie?"

"Is that a loaded question?"

Calleigh laughed then answered, "I'll rephrase, would you like to have an early night and make love?"

"That's a definite yes Cal."

-0-

After a morning run, Calleigh and Natalia shared a shower then Natalia prepared breakfast. She was dressed in a white pants suit and lime green buttoned shirt and her hair was up in a ponytail.

Calleigh walked up behind her and wrapped her arms around Natalia's waist. "Have I told you how beautiful you look in that outfit?"

"No, but I did catch you gawking at me the last time I wore it to work."

"Oops, I must work on that." The blonde sat down at the counter.

"Sweetie, can you drop me at the doctor's office?"

"Sure babe, but how will you get home?"

"They have this invention called a taxi."

"Ha ha very funny."

"It's not far from work and I'd like to spend the drive in with you."

"That's very sweet and I'd enjoy your company."

"Don't forget we have dinner with Horatio on Saturday night."

"I won't darlin', I've set the reminder on my cell's calendar."

"Very smart honey, now finish your breakfast." Natalia sat beside Calleigh and rested a hand on the blonde's thigh and ate.

"How do you feel about work colleagues knowing about our relationship?" inquired Calleigh between mouthfuls of fruit and yoghurt.

"I don't mind who knows Cal, I'm certainly not going to hide my feelings for you."

"Cool, I know Ryan is hanging out for information."

"I thought he would have learnt his lesson about being nosey."

"That's unlikely to happen any time soon and he is still in my bad books. He knows better than to ask me questions."

"Well in that case, he can be the last to know."

"I agree and by the way, I'll do the grocery shopping on the way home."

"Okay Cal." Natalia finished her meal and stood, "I'll fetch our equipment from the closet safe."

"Thank you and don't be getting all hot and heavy staring at my gun collection."

"Babe, it's you who does that."

Calleigh grinned with acknowledgement before taking another spoonful.

-0-

Calleigh pulled into a vacant space outside Doctor Everett's office building and leaned over to kiss Natalia goodbye, "I love you and will see you later."

"Love you too, bye."

Calleigh waited for Natalia to enter the building before heading to the Crime Lab. She turned into a parking bay and smiled when she spotted Jesse standing beside his car.

He waved as she alighted from her Jeep, "Hey Cal, how was your weekend?"

"Morning and it was very good. How was yours?"

"Nice and relaxing."

The two CSIs walked to Reception then onto the locker room.

"Have you settled into you new home?"

"Yes thanks, Ryan lent me a hand on Saturday."

Calleigh smirked, "I hope he didn't chew your ear off with a million queries?"

Jesse chuckled, "He tired, see you later."

"Will do, bye." Opening her locker, she took off her jacket and put on her lab coat then went to a layout room.

Accessing the file of the case she was currently working, she concentrated on the evidence.

Just after nine, she was called to a scene with Jesse while Horatio and Ryan were already out in the field dealing with another case.

When she returned to the ballistics lab with a 202 rifle and shells, Calleigh began setting up the weapon for testing. While reloading the gun, she turned around to find a grinning Natalia standing behind the safety barrier. She took off her protective gear and approached her lab coated girlfriend.

"Hello, did Horatio call you in?"

"No, I'm back on dayshift."

Calleigh beam brightly, "Oh, that's fantastic news."

"Horatio made the arrangements Friday."

Moving in closer, Calleigh husked, "It's so good to see you back and you kept your secret well."

"I wanted to surprise you Cal."

"You did and it was very delightful. Have you eaten yet?"

"No, that's why I am here. I wanted to see if my gorgeous girlfriend was available for lunch."

"Just give me a minute to secure the room."

"No worries and I've a match for the blood found at your crime scene." She handed Calleigh a printout.

"You know, I've missed working with you."

"Don't let Maxine hear you say that."

Calleigh hurriedly secured the evidence and room then the couple headed to the break room. Collecting their meals from the fridge, they sat at the table side by side.

"How was your appointment?" asked Calleigh before nabbing a piece of chicken from Natalia's salad.

"Good and she noted I was more relaxed."

Calleigh giggled, "I wonder why."

"I have no idea and stop stealing my food."

"Well, you're no fun," taunted the blonde.

"I bet you don't say that tonight."

"Say what?" questioned Ryan as he bounded into the room

"You'll never know," answered Calleigh with a coy grin.

"Ah, special women's talk," Ryan sat down with his lunch as Jesse arrived.

He looked at Natalia and said, "Hi, I'm Jesse Cardoza."

"Hello, Natalia Boa Vista, nice to meet you."

"You're the DNA specialist right?"

"That's me."

"It's good to have you back on days."

"Yeah, I missed it."

Jesse grabbed his lunch and joined the others at the table.

"Natalia got a match on the Watson case Jesse," announced Calleigh.

"Who is it?"

"The out of town brother."

"Oh how convenient for him."

"I'll call Frank and let him know once I've finished lunch. Maybe he'll have a location of his hotel by then."

Natalia's cell phone beeped with a text message alert, "Excuse me." She read the screen, "Got to go, I have a case."

Jesse's cell sounded, "Looks like I'm with you Natalia."

The duo left and Calleigh glanced at the goofy expression on Ryan's face, "What's that look for?"

"Nothing, I'm not saying a word."

"You better not because your suspicion is totally wrong."

"Come on, you saw the way Jesse looked at Natalia."

"Jesus Ryan, he was just being friendly. You know men and women can talk without it meaning anything but conversation."

"Well I heard Cardoza has a reputation with the ladies."

Calleigh jumped to her feet and snapped, "When are you going to learn to stop listening to gossip? If you must know, Jesse was happily married until his wife was ruthlessly murdered as an act of revenge and Natalia is very much involved with someone else."

"Oh shit, sorry Cal."

"Seriously Ryan, you need to take less of an interest in other people's lives."

"I guess it's time I found a hobby."

"Or a girlfriend or boyfriend."

"Hey now, that would be a female."

"Who cares as long as you are happy?"

Ryan laughed and saw the funny side of the comment, "Has your girlfriend got a sister?"

"She has two, but I don't think their husbands would approve," joked Calleigh as she cleared the table. "Why don't you ask Maxine out, she's impressed with your intellect and snazzy clothes?"

Ryan's face lit up, "Really?"

"What do you have to loose? Besides, she is the only female left in the building who didn't go out with Delko."

Ryan laughed again, "That's true, but she did go out with Nick Townsend and look at the disaster that turned out to be."

"He was a thieving thug of a bastard and got what he deserved."

"I can't argue with that."

"Well I've got work to do, see you later."

"Bye Cal."

-0-