Author's Note: I'm sorry I've taken so long to put this up but infact I orginally meant this chapter and the next to be 1 chapter. However I got a bit carried away when writing and so it became a bit too long to post as 1 chapter. Like I said I got a bit carried away, it was fun to write but I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have. If you could take a moment to review the chapter that would be awesome. Apologies to any readers if you find any mistakes, my brain tends to sometimes block out the green and red squiggles.

Disclaimer: the CSI:M characters you recognise here don't belong to me but Christian Henry, Isabella Sorenson and Pat the bartender as lousy as they may seem do belong to me. Il Covo is an actual night club just not in Miami I'll move it back to it's original location when I'm done with this story line.

Questions

Marisol was sitting at a desk at the Il Covo nightclub working through their invoices when her phone began to ring, glancing at the caller ID she accepted the call.

"Hey Bella,"

"Hi Marisol. Everything ok?"

"Yeah, fine. What's going on?"

"I was just wondering if you were still at Il Covo's? Because if you are, the boss is letting us out early today soooo I was thinking maybe you wanna go for coffee? and then I'll take you home if you like. You know less stress for Eric and stuff." Bella waited for an answer. After a few moments of silence she asked, "Marisol?"

"Um, yeah Bella?" Marisol asked.

"So how about coffee?"

"Umm…well actually Bella, I'm going to be here for a couple of more hours. I have quite a bit to get through." Marisol paused, "Then…then Horatio's going to pick me up when I'm done here. Uh…I…I think I'll have to take a rain check on that coffee."

"Oh…" there was a short silence at the other end before Bella continued, "Ok then… well then, rain check it is." She gave a small uncomfortable laugh. "I better get going then, time to lock up the vault. I'll speak to you later. Will you be home tonight or do you guys have plans?"

"Uh…no, no plans. Bella…" Marisol started hearing the trace of slight disappointment in Bella's voice.

"No its ok, really it's fine. I'll speak to you later...I uh…I have to go." Bella said quickly and before Marisol could say anything she added quickly, "Speak to you later then. Bye."

"Isabella…" Marisol started only to hear to hear a click at the other end as Isabella hung up. Marisol sighed, she knew her best friend had a good reason to be ticked off at her. Since their anniversary picnic she had only met Bella for lunch once these past 2 weeks and although Bella had called her several times she had always been working. She realised she was being selfish wanting to spend all her time with Horatio as she had been doing lately, she had spent almost every other evening in his company, and knowing that made her feel guilty that she hadn't seen Bella as much. She looked at the invoice she was on and made a note of it in the ledger open infront of her, writing the details in the relevant columns. She moved on to the next one and by the time she had gone halfway through the stack she still felt uneasy about Isabella. She glanced at her watch, trying to honestly justify to that little voice at the back of her mind that there was no way she could make coffee because she really had to get these done. The little voice argued back that Bella would have waited around for her till she finished if she'd asked. She soon finished the stack but it seems a guilty weight had settled on her conscience. It was a complicated guilt: partly because Bella had done so much for her over the past few years but the bulk of the guilt seemed to stem from the fact that she hadn't been there for Bella as best friends were meant to be. After promising to help plan a fabulous wedding, Marisol had just had a measly three conversations regarding the subject. She felt angry with herself but she knew it was no use because when she was with Horatio some of her resolves just strengthened while others just faded away to the back of her mind. She always managed to find an excuse to be with him. This only served the purpose of making her angrier. It wasn't that she was letting the simple things in life go past but she was letting parts of her life, that had brought her stability before she met him, go by. Her anger peaked and she let out a frustrated sigh, hurling her pen across the room.

"Woah! That was some throw! Everything all right Ms. Delektorsky?" asked Pat who had walked in at that moment and saw the pen flying to the other end of the room.

"Huh?" Marisol asked surprised, "Oh…Hi Pat, yeah everything's fine, just made a mistake." She said getting up to retrieve the pen. However Pat reached it first and picked it up before handing it to her.

"Thanks," she said taking the pen from him.

"No problem," he said, "Just to let you know that it's getting near six, so we'll be opening soon. Michael wanted to know if you would still be a while because we can close off one of the rooms in basement for you, if you like?"

"No, it's fine…I'm almost done. I'll be out before six."

"Ok then. I guess I'll see you around then Ms. Delektorsky." He finished turning around to leave.

"Thanks again Pat." She said as he waved his acknowledgement. She suddenly had an idea. Turning back to the desk, she dialled the familiar number and listened the ringing tone; she hoped Bella would pick up. She began sorting out the papers into different piles as her phone call went to voicemail. She hung up and tried again several times but had no luck. Sighing she cleared the rest of the things and carried the books and files up to the manager's office. Just as she was walking out her phone began ringing, it was Horatio.

"Hello?"

"Marisol, Horatio here…"

"Hi."

"Hey…um sorry but I may be a few minutes late picking you up. I've just left the lab."

"Sure, thanks for calling. I'll see you soon ok?"

"Mhmm ok, bye."

"Bye." Marisol hung up. Still feeling very frustrated she went back into the club and talked to the manager, Michael about a couple of things. By the time she finished with him Horatio still hadn't arrived. Taking out her phone she tried calling Bella again: this time she was lucky, Isabella picked up on the fifth ring.

"Hello?"

"Isabella, where have you been?"

"Sorry Mari, I just popped out for some ice cream…the usual you know, forgot my phone at home. I just got back." Bella said in a very neutral tone.

Just then Marisol spied Horatio coming in, she waved and gestured that she would be a couple of minutes. He waved back and turned around. "Isabella, about today..." She paused, watching Horatio's retreating back.

"Marisol it's fine. Don't worry."

"Would you just let me finish," Marisol said exasperatedly before continuing, "I take it you and Christian don't have plans for tonight. So how about we go for drinks?"

"Er…I don't know."

"C'mon Bella, I'm really sorry about today." Marisol pleaded.

"I…I'll have to check with Christian, he's working late today."

"Ok, so let me know. I was thinking Il Covo, say about 11.30?"

"Sounds good….umm….will Lieutenant Caine be there?" Bella asked cautiously.

"If I can convince him to come. It's about time you guys were introduced. Besides it feels like ages since we went to a club and had some girly fun. Anyway best-friend impressions are so important." Marisol said matter-of-factly.

"Oh Marisol you already know that I think he's great." Bella gave a laugh and Marisol felt relieved that Bella was letting her off so easily. "And yes, if I can't convince Christian then a total girly night out sounds like something I could definitely do with. Not to mention it would be good practice for a hen night right?"

"Good idea, any excuse to party." said Marisol smiling, "Good, so let me know ASAP Bella. Bye."

"Ciao Marisol." Replied Bella before hanging up.

Marisol shut the phone and placed it in her purse before walking towards the car. Horatio was sitting in the car, arm hanging out of the open window, the fading colors of the day dancing across his form. Marisol couldn't help but acknowledge what a welcoming sight he was. He reached over and opened the door for her as she approached.

"Hi." She said kissing him on the cheek before shutting the door and putting her seat belt on.

"Hey, sorry I was late." He said apologetically, revving the engine.

"It's fine. Everything ok?" she asked quizzically.

"Yeah, what can I say: paperwork. It's been piling up, mainly because you've been such a distraction." He said smilingly. "In…in a good way of course." He finished quickly. She couldn't help but smile back in response before giving him another kiss on his cheek.

"You are just too savvy sometimes Lieutenant." She said playfully.

"Why thank-you for that compliment ma'am," replied Horatio with mock solemnity.

It was true. Horatio hadn't taken any paperwork home for a week. He had looked at the growing pile everyday but had refused to address it. It wasn't in his nature to ignore things that needed his attention, but in the last couple of weeks, he just felt that paperwork didn't need his immediate attention – well that was until he saw his INBOX overflowing and had spent the afternoon addressing the situation. He was also sleeping better, granted he wasn't sleeping longer hours but he felt his quality of sleep had improved, the dreams that often plagued him were somehow kept at bay by Marisol calling him and wishing him sweet dreams each night. He realised that she had produced very subtle changes in his life; from what he wore to the smiles he smiled. He glanced at her through the corner of his eye; she was staring out the window, lost in her own thoughts. "How was your day?" he asked slowing down as they hit the rush-hour traffic.

"Let's just say I'm glad it's Friday. Are you working this weekend? She asked holding her breath slightly.

"Yes I am." He admitted. The weekend had never held the same comforts for him as it had for other people mainly because he worked. He didn't even take his scheduled days off, until his fatigued body demanded it, because of his commitment as an officer of the law. The overtime was just an added bonus. He felt her stiffen slightly with his words, he looked over and realised she looked slightly crestfallen, "Anything wrong?" he asked.

"No…uh, nothing's wrong. I…I was just wondering." She said a little too quickly and a little too brightly before lapsing into silence again. Her hands began to fiddle with her purse as she thought about how to ask him about going out tonight. Horatio kept an eye on her, noticing her fidgeting. Her phone beeped indicating a message had arrived. She opened her bag knowing it was probably Bella. She was right: Bella had sent a message to confirm that Christian and her would be at Il Covo for 11.30 that evening. Marisol really felt that sometimes Bella read her mind. She was glad Bella hadn't called because Horatio would have probably picked up on the subject of their conversation. She didn't put the phone away but continued to fiddle with it, occasionally sneaking glances Horatio's way. She didn't know why but she blushed when she noticed that he noticed her glances because she saw the pink tinge rising from his neck.

"Did I say something wrong Marisol?" he asked shifting slightly in his seat, becoming more aware of her covert stares.

She gave a little gulp, "N…N…No. Just thinking." She said, her hands fumbling with the phone more and more.

"Ok." He said, not wanting to push. They drove on in comparative silence, occasionally remarking about things that caught their eye. Marisol felt a bit conflicted: on the one hand she wanted Isabella and Horatio to meet and on the other Horatio had work tomorrow and he probably needed his rest. She didn't know why she was getting so worked up, it was simple – all she had to do was ask him. But either way she was determined to see Bella tonight. She couldn't help but feel a bit anxious over what they would make of each other when they met. Horatio was a good judge of character and Bella…well Bella hardly gave a damn about what anyone thought and could be quite blunt to the point of being rude occasionally. They were both headstrong in their own ways. The last thing Marisol wanted was a rift between her best friend and the man she was romantically involved with. However she knew that Isabella meeting Horatio would give Isabella a chance to see what she and Horatio had and convince Isabella that things were going well. When they arrived at her apartment complex, he walked her up to her door as usual.

"So how was the deep thinking?" he asked, stepping closer to her as she opened the door and turned back towards him. She focused her eyes on his shirt, unwilling to meet his eyes, seeing her biting down on her lip he knew she was on the brink of answering his question.

"When was the last time you went out clubbing?" she asked, directing her question more to his chest than to his face.

"It's been a while." He said, curious about where she was going with this.

She blinked a couple of times before saying, "I know you're working tomorrow, but I was really hoping to introduce you to Isabella tonight."

"Ok, what time were you thinking?" he asked immediately, tilting his head to one side to gauge her expression better.

"Horatio…Horatio, no pressure really. I wasn't sure if you'd be working when I spoke to Bella. I know you've had a long day so I understand. I…I feel a bit guilty that I haven't seen Bella in a while and I don't have chemo till mid-week, enough time to get any alcohol out of the system…uh, I'm babbling now. But yeah, I just wanted to ask if you wanted to come out tonight…that is…only if you want to."

"I'd love to Marisol. So what time were you thinking?" he asked again.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Thank-you Horatio." She said shyly but wanting to kiss him there and then, she bit her lip to restrain herself. "Umm…I was thinking 11.30, Il Covo?"

"Sounds good. Do you want me to pick you up?" he asked as he took another step towards her, forcing her to take a step back so that they were practically in the apartment now.

"No…I'll come with Bella…Thank-you Horatio, it really means a lot. You're both really important people in my life and Bella's wanted to meet you for a while now. I guess I…I don't know why but this has me a bit stressed out."

"Mhmm, so it would seem." he said lowering his lips to hers and pulling her close. She held her breath waiting for him to kiss her but he didn't, instead he just traced the indent she had made on her lips in her nervousness. She couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. "Alrighty then, 11.30 it is." he said, before gently letting go of her.

"Well you don't have to be there exactly for 11.30 because…well Bella isn't as punctual as you. So I was thinking you should probably rest before coming."

"Why? Do I seem that old? Don't think I can hold my own at a club Marisol?" asked Horatio amused.

"Of course not Horatio! I just thought…thought you'd probably want to catch forty winks especially since…since you're working…" she stopped flustered, feeling like a complete fool.

"Sweetheart, I'm just kidding. Don't worry I know what you mean." Horatio said moving back to lean against the doorframe.

"Right…sure…sure." Muttered Marisol casting her eyes everywhere but at him.

"So about 11.30, Il Covo, I'll give you a ring before I leave: How does that sound?" he asked taking out his sunglasses and putting them on.

"Sounds great. See you then. Bye." Said Marisol moving to shut the door.

"Bye Marisol." Said Horatio before disappearing down the stairs to his car. On the drive to his place his thoughts for once were incoherent. They seemed to lack the logic that was the norm with him. Was he really going out to a club on a Friday night? He gave a wry chuckle imagining what Speed would say if he knew Horatio was going to a club for a purpose other than a case.

Marisol shut her door and leant against it, a smile on her face. She took out her phone and rang Bella.

"Bella?"

"Marisol."

"Good to know Christian's coming."

"I take it from the unsubtle glee in your voice that the good Lieutenant will be joining us?" Bella asked a drop of sarcasm in her voice that Marisol couldn't fail to notice.

"Yes, he is." Marisol sighed before continuing, "So 11.30 and Bella 11.30, I don't want to get there and hear one of your '5 minute' stories because you and I both know that it'll end up with you getting there an hour later."

Bella giggled at the other end, "Well I'll be there for 11.30 just to impress your Lieutenant! Hmph, who would've thought…I'm only punctual for Christian, well I guess I can make an exception for him."

"Well good to know that Christian won't be left at the altar for too long." Said Marisol rolling her eyes.

"Ok, Marisol, I'll be there for half eleven. Ciao."

"Bye." Said Marisol hanging up.

Horatio got home to see his answering machine blinking that he had message waiting for him. He hung up his jacket and placed his badge and crimelab ID in his office before checking the machine. There was a message from Ray calling to say hello and to check that Horatio was keeping well. Horatio put in the long-distance call and waited for someone to pick up.

"Caine here." Came Raymond's familiar voice.

"Ray."

"Hey! Big brother, how's it going? You get my message?" asked Raymond.

"Yes…Yes I did. Is everything all right with you guys?" asked Horatio quickly.

"Everything's fine Horatio. I was just wondering how things were going…you know from our last conversation?"

Horatio fell silent and squirmed slightly; he could tell Raymond was trying hard not to laugh at his big brother who was almost never speechless.

"Horatio?" Ray chuckled at the other end.

"Yeah…Yeah, they're going good. I guess you might not believe this but…but I'm going to a club tonight." Now it was Raymond's turn to be speechless. There were few secrets between the Caine brothers, after all at one point in their lives they had only had each other to rely on. Horatio had told Raymond about being romantically involved with Marisol. At first Raymond had been surprised and had disapproved but had reserved judgement knowing he should be the last one telling his big brother how to live his life after he had nearly messed up his own life. Raymond's opinion had changed after subsequent conversations with Horatio about the matter. He felt the changes in his big brother long before Horatio had noticed them himself and he was glad about it. He knew it couldn't be easy for Horatio having to still worry about them being in Brazil as well as the pressures of his job and if Marisol could make him forget about the weight on his shoulders, even for a little while, then their relationship was a good thing. But Horatio at a club – it was taking a lot imagination to see his uptight brother in a club.

"I see." Came Raymond's reply after a moment of silence, "You don't think you could take a picture of yourself in the club and then post it to us? You know just so we have evidence."

"Raymond." Horatio growled shaking his head in mock exasperation.

"Well then big brother, you have fun and maybe you could pass some tips on your new-found youth to your nephew. We've been trying to get him out of the house and get a social life but no luck so far. Don't know where he gets it from, certainly not from me or Yelina." Horatio clearly heard the amusement in his brother's voice.

"Well then if you insist I'll have a word with Ray Jr." said Horatio.

"Ok…" Raymond paused, he always found it hard to say good-bye to Horatio, "You take care Horatio… and have a good night out. Enjoy yourself big brother, let the hair down a bit." Raymond grinned, before handing the phone to his son.

"You too Ray…you too." Said Horatio who found it equally hard sometimes to say goodbye.

Horatio had bit of a long chat with Ray Jr. talking about school and other things. Horatio discovered that his nephew was actually interested in this girl at school and was thinking about asking her out but was very nervous about it. Horatio was a bit taken aback and started to believe Alexx's words that kids grew up too fast these days, after all when he was 14 he had never had girls on his mind. Horatio gave Ray Jr. what he considered to be the best 'uncley' advice he could give before disconnecting the call.

Horatio had a session with his punching bag in his basement to release all the pent-up frustrations that had accumulated in his muscles during the day. He then sat down to clean his personal firearm and then made an omelette for dinner. He switched on his television for a couple of minutes to watch the news before deciding to get ready for that evening.

After speaking to Bella, Marisol had a power nap. She overslept and rushed to make a sandwich wanting to have a long shower before getting ready and have enough time to pick an outfit. Marisol called a cab for 11 p.m. She had decided to take a cab to Il Covo rather than inconvenience the people she'd be meeting which is why she had misinformed Horatio about how she'd get there. As she got dressed, she began to feel excited. It had been such a long time she'd been out, and that made the preparations add to the anticipation of having a good night out. She spent a very long time deciding what to wear; mixing and matching all kinds of garments and before long a pile of discarded possibles lay on her bed. She finally decided on pair of dark jeans that showed off her long legs and, a slinky black top that hung comfortably off her slender frame. To finish the look off she selected a pair of high heels that she hoped would bring her to about Horatio's height.

Horatio in the meantime was having some issues with his own wardrobe. For a long time he stood with a towel wrapped around his waist looking at his neatly hung dress-shirts trying to decide on something that he'd be comfortable in but that would also make a good impression on Isabella. He finally settled on a black dress-shirt with faintly discernible orange and gold stripes that softened the red of his hair to a strawberry blond tinge. Horatio hoped it was enough to let him blend in. To his surprise he realised 40 minutes had elapsed since he had got out of the shower. He seriously considered using hair gel but decided against it. By the end of it all he felt nervous. He wondered if Isabella's fiancée would be there: he had once done this before when his ex-wife hadn't yet become his wife and they were still dating. They had gone on a triple date that had ended in a club with 10 of her girlfriends around them. It had been uncomfortable to say the least. But he had a feeling that tonight would be very different from his earlier experience. He called Marisol as promised before leaving and inquired if Agent Christian Henry would be there. To his relief she had answered yes.