Author's Note: Cor! it's been a while, I really should have gotten this chapter up sooner. Firstly I made up the RDX and TNT thing, I don't think it exists and secondly I don't think the plot line for this chapter is as solid as some of the previous chapters hence the title 'blowing things out of proportion.' I'd like to know what you guys think of the explanation for the whole nightclub arc (in 6), because I feel that's the weakest point and maybe I have blown things out of proportion, I hope you guys can follow the explanations and logic jumps. Oh and Marisol's secret will be revealed in a later chapter, as I'm still developing the idea. By the time I started writing this chapter, my plot ideas had disappeared, so bear with me. Also I hope you feel the chapter content stays within the 'T' rating. Apologies in advance for any grammatic errors e.t.c you may find. Reviews are very welcome. Cheers!
Disclaimer: I'm still hoping as hard as hell that one day the CSI:M characters may belong to me, but presently they are way off from being mine!
Blowing things out of proportion?
Horatio was still sitting with his paperwork when he heard a knock on his door,
"Come in." he called out.
Eric opened the door and stepped into Horatio's office, "Morning H. I'd just like to confirm something about the mass spec results I got from the Parker case." asked Eric looking down at the file, before looking up at Horatio, his eyes widened, "H! Are you ok man? What happened to your lip?" asked Eric handing over the file to Horatio's waiting hand.
"Just a little accident. No harm done." replied Horatio smoothly, gesturing for Eric to sit down. He turned his attention immediately to the spec results knowing it would deflect his CSI's questions.
"Well…" said Horatio after a few minutes, "This is interesting, it would seem we have traces of RDX and trinitrate, only this is glyceryl trinitrate; a drug they use for cardiovascular patients. Well either our suspect has CV problems or he's using these pills to manufacture explosive TNT to add to the RDX. What are the results from swabs we took of the saliva at the scene? Check anyone involved in the case for cardio-vascular disease and bring them in for in questioning."
"Ok meds and explosives, sounds like a real nut-job." remarked Eric, as he took the file back from Horatio and stood up to leave. He paused when he got to the door.
"Let me know how the case goes." said Horatio watching the younger man get up to leave.
"Sure thing H." replied Eric
Anything else Eric?" asked Horatio who was already seated and shuffling through some papers, he looked up at the younger man.
Eric hesitated for a moment, before walking back to Horatio. He didn't know why he was lowering his voice to a whisper and he felt slightly stupid for doing so, "Umm…H. you haven't been out of here to get a coffee or anything yet since the day shift clocked in?"
"No. I haven't. Is something wrong?" asked Horatio, a note of concern entering his voice.
"Well…no, lets just say that the whole lab is…is in disbelief about you um, about last night. Just thought I'd give you a heads-up." finished Eric quickly. When Cricks had mentioned to Eric that Lt. Caine had been at Il Covo last night Eric was so surprised that he dropped the results Cricks had handed him moments earlier. Horatio Caine at a club?
"Last night?" asked Horatio carefully, wondering how on earth anyone could have seen his little bust-up with Viegas.
"Well Wolfe was in a pretty big group. Half the lab was there."
"Really?" asked Horatio finally understanding what Eric meant. "Thanks Eric. Let me know how the case goes."
"Sure H. and LT you may want to get that lip checked out." replied Eric, smiling as he heard Horatio mumble that he was fine. He walked back down to the labs choking down a laugh as it occurred to him that perhaps Marisol had caused it. The thought of his sister and boss being so intimate made him want to laugh out loud. He hurried down the steps back to Trace, a grin on his face.
Horatio felt his eyes straining to remain open. His mind remained focused but it seemed unable to control his fatigued muscles: from his hands to his eyelids. He conceded to the fact that he needed a break (but not a decent 8 hours sleep). He stretched his legs and felt the knots in his back tauten further as he rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. The pain in his side had dimmed to a dull ache but flared up again as he pressed his hand to his side to test it, he doubled over slightly letting out a short gasp. He got up, deciding that coffee sounded like a good idea.
As he made his way to the break room with his mug he felt the stares, the secret smiles and nods that were passed his way, shared between all those around him. Yes, contrary to what you all think the dull Lieutenant Horatio Caine does have a social life! his mind felt like calling irritably to those around him. He sighed and tried his best to ignore it knowing that in a few moments the caffeine would ease his irritation.
He opened the door to the break room, glad to find it empty. He put on the electric kettle and then spooned some instant coffee into his mug. Hearing the kettle lever give a slight pop, he added the boiling water to the granules at the bottom of his mug and closed his eyes as the aroma wafted up to him. He then refilled the kettle with water from the sink and sat down at the table at the far side of the room. He flicked through the newspaper left on the table, sipping his steaming coffee, enjoying the bitterness at the back of his mouth. He was finished with the newspaper in 10 minutes. There had been no interesting articles, all that seemed to be in the news these days was the war and how everything seemed to be bad for ones' health. The sports section had caught his attention with a small piece written on his favourite football team, the Arsenal Gunners, but that was about it. He glanced at the clock and decided to check on the results he had asked for processing for one of the cases he was working on. He gulped down the rest of his hot coffee, burning his mouth slightly in the process. He ran his tongue along the roof of his mouth and felt the soft flesh peeling off slightly. He sighed and thought that with regard to his mouth - today was really not his day!
As he stood over the sink washing his mug his mind drifted back to the lab's reactions about last night. It wasn't like he never went out, of course he did. On a superficial level Horatio blamed his job for not allowing him the leisure time that others had but deep down he knew that it was because he preferred not to. He loved staying in his home and yes perhaps he had grown used to the lonely shell that had encased him over the years. And when the sadness and pain that had built up onto his shoulders over the years threatened to break his spirit he wandered around Miami on foot for hours till he couldn't walk anymore, taking in everything, seeing the good and the bad and finding the strength he needed in the actions of the people around him that he saw and had a duty to protect. His duty – it was both his saviour and his damnation in finding the happiness that all mortals (good and bad) in this suffering world are allowed to taste. Horatio could only think that in some way there must be some happiness in everything, even in suffering, bitter-sweet though it may be. Isn't that what he'd found in and with Marisol? MADISON! His mind suddenly roared up with the fact that it was her birthday soon. He hadn't spoken to Madison and Susie for a while...
It was just then that Valera walked in, coffee mug in hand, and interrupted his train of thought. "Morning Lieutenant Caine." She said making an effort to sound peppy. She had a hangover and she was craving coffee.
"Morning Valera, not sure if it's a 'good' morning though." replied Horatio, a small smile on his lips as he took in the appearance of his DNA analyst.
Valera blushed slightly and stammered that it was a good morning, surprised that her boss was in such a good mood that he even had a smile on.
"Well then enjoy your coffee Valera. I'll pick up my results later." said Horatio, exiting from the break room.
"Yes Sir." said Valera, her tone immediately switching back to professional.
Horatio walked to Trace but changed his course and headed back to his office and then back to the break room.
Valera was sitting down, her eyes were staring at the newspaper that Horatio had been reading earlier but her gaze was unfocused.
"Valera." said Horatio, tapping her lightly on the shoulder to get her attention.
She straightened quickly, accidentally elbowing Horatio's injured side. He gritted his teeth as the pain flared up. Valera stared at him blankly not noticing his grimace, "Yes Lieutenant?"
"Thought you may like to take one of these," said Horatio handing her some aspirins, adding as an after-thought, "just to make sure. So please be extra careful with all samples you handle Valera. We don't need you suspended from duty again."
"Yes Sir, thanks." she replied in a small voice as they both remembered the error in logged DNA that had led to her temporary suspension.
"Good." finished Horatio. He turned to leave and was just out of the door when he heard her say,
"Lieutenant, I hope you had fun last night."
"Why, thank-you Valera. I had a great time." He said, leaving with a small laugh that just shocked Valera, who couldn't remember a single moment with him when he had laughed. She shrugged and turned back to nurse her coffee.
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Eric had just finished interrogating his suspect who had confessed to be the bomb-maker and was heading out to start the paper work and speak to the State Attorney when he noticed Horatio heading into one of the interrogation rooms with a suspect from a different case. It reminded him that he had yet to call Marisol. He walked back to his desk and made the call to the State Attorney about prosecuting his case. After finishing his call he dialled Marisol's home number. She answered after 8 rings,
" 'Ello…" she mumbled into the receiver, her voice heavy with sleep.
"Rise and shine young lady." said Eric imitating their dad's voice
"Papa?" she said, her eyes flew open as she desperately tried to come out off sleep, "Uh…Papa I'm awake, I wasn't asleep…not asleep."
Of all the Delektorsky children Marisol had always slept the most and had been the most difficult to the get of bed in the mornings. Something her father still teasingly reminded her of.
"Mari, I love the way I can get YOU every time, it's Me." said Eric sniggering.
"Ohhh…Eric." she said, relief clear in her voice. "What do you want?" she groaned into the phone.
"Isn't it a little late to be in bed, even for you Marisol?" he asked.
"Well no…seeing as I got to bed at five am I think I've got one more hour to fill my eight hour quota. Yes?"
"Right, whatever…some people have all the luck," muttered Eric jokingly, "So what are you doing for lunch tomorrow? I have the day off, so how about I cook lunch."
"What! Does Ms. Boa Vista not have the day off too, that you're deigning to spend it with me?" asked Marisol playfully, now awake.
"Well…. actually she does have the day off but we're meeting up for dinner. And don't blame me! It's not my fault you always seem to be busy with a certain someone. Heard you guys went to a club yesterday. My boss at club, who would've thought!"
"Yes, you're boss at a club. You know Horatio does have a life outside the lab." She said huffily in his defence before continuing, "We had a really good time with Isabella and Christian. I think Isabella's taken to Horatio. Guess who else was there?" said Marisol issuing out a gentle groan as she stretched out in bed, receiver still in hand.
"Who?"
"Eduardo Viegas. Yup the Big V is back in town." said Marisol, a peculiar note coming into her voice.
"Well Isabella certainly wouldn't have been pleased…how did things go?"
"Well I introduced him, we danced and then he tried to feel me up..."
"HE TRIED TO DO WHAT?" Eric shot up out of his chair enraged.
"Relax Eric! You and Bella are exactly alike. She gave me a piece of her mind on the dance floor. But hey, the guy was drunk, didn't completely know what he was doing. I kneed him and well… Horatio intervened. That kind of put a damper on the evening."
"Bastard! Next time, tell me when you're going out so that I can come along and kick this guy's ass. He's had it coming since you guys were in high school. I just wasn't big enough back then."
"Gosh you boys still do things with your fists, whatever happened to talking." retorted Marisol.
"If you insist Marisol, if you insist." said Eric rolling his eyes at his sister's words. "You're sure he didn't hurt you Marisol?" he asked softly.
Marisol squeezed her eyes shut forcing the memories out of her mind, "Yeah, I'm fine. We have to move on. What's done is done, we…I can't change that Eric."
"Yeah…yes, you're…right."
There was a moment of silence between them before Eric continued, "So…did you know the rewards you presented to Horatio for his bravery last night are very visible this morning. What did you do? Use a saw to file your teeth? I mean Christ, even I'm not that bad."
"Pardon?" she blurted out, wondering what the hell her brother could have possibly hit his head on.
"Horatio…..Err…H. did spend the night with you right?" asked Eric uncomfortably.
"Eric, have you lost your bloody mind! Not that it's any of your business, but Horatio went home, I spoke to him on his cell when I got home." said Marisol raising her voice slightly but ending with a giggle as she remembered the message she'd left. "So what is wrong with Horatio then?"
"Well for one he looks like hell, like he hasn't slept for a while and two…" Eric lowered his voice to a whisper for the second time that day and glanced around him to make sure no one was paying too much attention to him, "And two, his lips are pretty messed up. And knowing you as my sister, I'd say you're guilty on both accounts."
"Sorry to disappoint you but I'm as innocent as innocent can be. I have no idea what you're on about. And by the way Eric, your lips cause more damage than mine could ever hope to." She replied teasingly, smirking at the fact that she had the upper hand against Eric.
"If you insist Marisol." repeated Eric. Seeing Horatio less than 10 steps away from his desk he hurriedly continued, "So I'll come around at about eleven tomorrow with all the stuff. How does that sound?"
"Sounds good. Eleven o'clock then. Love you little brother."
"Love you too," said Eric quickly before hanging up just in time as Horatio reached his desk. "H." said Eric in the best nonchalant voice he could manage. He looked up and studied Horatio's lip without making it too obvious. He couldn't differentiate the wound on the lip without being in closer proximity to Horatio so he stood up.
"Eric, nice work on getting the Parker case wrapped up. I was wondering about the finger-prints from my case, have you had a chance to analyse them yet?" asked Horatio. "Eric…Eric!" called Horatio, taking a step back wondering how long this phase of sometimes lapsing out of it would last amongst his staff. First it had been Calleigh, then Tyler, now Valera and Eric.
"Hmmm, Sorry …what did you say?" asked Eric his mind made up that that was definitely a split lip from a fight and not a make-out session. Eric had been in enough fights to know what a busted lip looked like. When he was younger he had spent hours in front of the mirror admiring the split lips he had picked up in school.
"Analysis of the finger-prints from my case?" repeated Horatio with mild annoyance as he saw Eric shift his gaze from his mouth.
"Yeah, I did those ASAP like you asked. Results show the vic's prints and several others which I compared to reference samples given. There was only one odd print out. The name's in here." said Eric handing the results to Horatio who glanced through it.
"Looks like our hunch paid off. Thank-you Eric." said Horatio, his expression became more sharp and serious as he walked away with a purpose – to confront the killer now that all the pieces had come together and give closure to the victims involved.
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After Eric's call, Marisol drifted back to sleep and woke up a couple of hours later feeling hungry. She couldn't believe that she had spent most of the day in bed – a day wasted in light of the fact that she didn't know how many days she had left. Still, she felt lethargic, like she just couldn't be bothered. She was allowed to feel like that occasionally wasn't she? But she knew she'd feel guilty about it later. Her bones felt heavy and she wished she could still stay in bed but her stomach reminded her that it had been more than 12 hours since she had eaten and she needed to take her medication.
She brushed her teeth and then went downstairs in her pyjamas to make a late-lunch. To her annoyance all she found was a croissant, chocolate spread, a pot of yoghurt and 2 apples in her fruit-basket. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she stomped to the cupboard and counted out her pills before swallowing them. She sat down on the couch in her living room and rapidly munched her way through an apple and a chocolate plastered croissant while watching the sun begin to make it's slow descent. The sunlight streamed through her small balcony warming her living room and adding more color and vibrancy. Minutes later she still felt hungry. She stared at the jar of chocolate spread on the stool beside her before finally giving in to temptation. She got up off her sofa and got a teaspoon from the kitchen that she used to attack the contents of the jar with.
While playing with the chocolate spread she dragged up her conversation with Eric from the dregs of her memory. What was it that he said about Horatio? Messed up lips? Now how did he get that? These and other questions flew through her mind as she looked for plausible answers: maybe he had gone to see someone after he had left them, maybe something had happened with a suspect, maybe he had an accident with his razor blade, she quickly dismissed the last one. The probability of him kissing someone kept popping up into her mind, she knew it was absurd but the jealousy had taken root and had begun to grow in her. Christian had mentioned that Horatio had something to do, but the girls hadn't been able to break his silence in the car. Her eyes settled on the photo she had framed of him – under the baobab tree, which she had taken during their picnic She settled deeper into the sofa and contemplated on what to do. Ignoring him would probably not be the best option out. She sighed, shaking her head as she settled down with her thoughts. Her defences had come up after last night's encounter, and all the memories had come flooding back. Her mind began a tirade of internal conflict : considering he had been there for her so much, shouldn't she reciprocate the emotion and feeling that his actions had on her back to him. Her mind tried to get through to her heart that most importantly of all she was not to jump to conclusions! Especially the conclusion of it being another woman! Hadn't he said that he'd only had eyes for her last night, hadn't he? She knew he had been at home when she called, had he lied about being called to work? But then why would he lie? Maybe he had to pick up his badge or something from home? Her fumbling heart looked for something to grasp on as hope as her thoughts went round in circles. Her logic soon intervened: She should let him explain, god knows he had been patient with her! Her mind stumbled on the fact that she hadn't really said anything about last night to him other than she was fine and she still hadn't called him about the message she'd left. She knew that sometimes she perhaps took her humour too far. What would he think of her leaving such a message at his workplace? As more questions arose in her mind, she began to feel the onset of a headache. She finally decided that the only way to make any progress would be to call him. She looked at her phone, switched it on reluctantly and scrolled down her contacts list for his number. She pressed the 'Call' button but then promptly hung up before it had a chance to connect. She did this several times and after 10 minutes she felt like a complete fool. She took a deep breath and pressed the 'Call' button again.
He answered after a couple of rings, "Hi." His voice was filled with warmth and Marisol felt like he was right there in the room with her. Her mind asked how he managed to radiate his presence so damn far? It was truly amazing.
"Hi. Are you busy? I mean… I can call back if you are."
"That's ok, I have a minute. What's going on?" he asked. Horatio looked around and motioned to Frank, who was waiting to talk to him, that he'd just be a minute.
"I was wondering if you'd like to come over later? If you're not busy and don't have to work late that is." She heard silence at the other end and hastily added, "I promise to cook dinner for you."
"Hmm now how could I possibly resist an offer of good company and good food?" he asked jokingly. "So what time were you thinking?"
"Whatever time suits you. I really don't mind."
"How about I come by after work?" he asked.
"Sure sounds good…. well then I guess I'll see you in a bit."
"I guess I will. And Marisol well…I need to tell you something." Horatio's mind urged him to get it over with, he said gently, "Can we talk about last night?"
Marisol stiffened at his words, "Uhm…Ok, how about we do that later?" she asked, her mind starting to worry again.
"Ok then and thanks for the message, I guess it must be true." He added on a lighter note trying to gauge her feelings out.
She gave a small laugh, that didn't quite sound like her, "Yeah…I see you got that then. Well then, see you later, bye."
"Bye."
Horatio heard the click as she hung up quickly and studied his phone a bit longer before moving to join Frank.
"What the hell happened to you, Horatio?" Asked Frank as he saw the dark stain on Horatio's mouth. Horatio just waved a weary hand to let it go. Frank was unwilling to be dismissed so easily, "Did you get into a fight?" he asked, putting his hands on hips.
"No Francis I didn't. I just had a little accident this morning. Now can we get back to the case? How far along are we in getting a warrant for this guy's stuff from the shooting this morning?"
"Got it right here." said Frank taking it out from inside his jacket, "We better make a move, before the guy decides to get rid of anything else."
"Good point, let's get going." said Horatio. He turned around and left the crime lab, with Frank following close behind him.
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Marisol forced herself to get off the sofa and go for a shower. She still felt slightly tumultuous after the phone conversation. She was feeling apprehensive but glad at the same time. The only thing remaining at the forefront of her mind now was: was she ready to tell him yet? No one knew except her family and Bella and she wanted to keep it like that. There was something holding her back but she couldn't figure out what, and she really didn't feel like figuring it out right now.
After her shower she donned a pair of black knee- length shorts and a pink-red striped t-shirt that cut off just where her shorts began. She then stuffed her wallet into her pocket and left the house to do some grocery shopping for dinner. The sun had just begun to disappear and the shadows were lengthening as Marisol made her way home with an ice-lolly in one hand and a big brown bag full of shopping in the other. As entered the apartment compound she noticed Horatio's car. She frowned and checked her watch, thinking she hadn't been shopping that long had she? She walked up to his car and saw his silhouette against the side of it.
"Hi." said Marisol, a smile on her face as she stepped up towards him.
"Hey, I was getting a bit worried. I was contemplating breaking the door down." he said a smile on his lips as he took in her appearance, especially her slightly un-naturally red tinted lips. They looked so darned kissable right now that he had to mentally restrain himself from pulling her into his arms.
"Well I must confess, I'm really surprised, you're here pretty early. I mean we normally have dinner quite late."
"Surprised in a good way?" he asked, a note of hope in his voice.
"Of course Silly! Horatio you do ask the strangest things sometimes. I love seeing you." she replied in a tone that left no room for doubt.
"Well then, I guess I should surprise you more often huh?" he said bringing his lips closer to hers as she shifted the groceries and ice-lolly in her grasp.
Marisol didn't bother answering him verbally instead she raised herself slightly on her toes and closed the distance between their lips. Horatio tasted the sweet, sticky fruit syrup from the ice-lolly on her lips and for some reason it really turned him on. He was just in the process of deepening their kiss when approaching headlights made them break apart. Marisol raised the hand with the ice-lolly up to block out the lights. They both had a grin plastered on their faces as the car drove past them.
"Do you want some?" she asked raising the ice-lolly to his lips. He shook his head. Marisol could just make out the broad smile on his face from the fading lights, "Are you sure? It's really, really good." She commented before taking a lick. He remained silent so she asked, "Horatio when was the last time you had an ice-lolly?"
"Years ago. I…I really don't remember. I've never really been a fan."
"What…Santa Maria! He's from Miami and he doesn't like ice-lollies." she muttered to herself. " But you have to try this, it's like the best flavour ever. It's a mixture of raspberry and strawberry." This time she thrust it closer to him.
"What about oral hygiene?" he protested weakly, although he was thoroughly enjoying being the centre of her administrations.
"Damn oral hygiene…you have to try this. Besides it's so hot. This really cools you down. Honestly Horatio I don't know how you survive in a jacket at this time of year – unbelievable. Please for me?" she cooed, trying her best to convince him.
He chuckled and opened his mouth allowing her to slide it into his mouth. She left it in his mouth and shifted the groceries. The cool ice provided some relief against his throbbing lip that had started aching after their kiss. Horatio took the groceries from her hand.
"Thanks." She said as she tried to discern him in the darkness that had set about them now.
"Mhmm…" he said as she gently drew it out of his mouth again. He ran his tongue over his lips and felt the sting as it connected with the healing flesh.
"Let's go inside. I'm starving." she said.
Again Horatio heard that mischievous note in her voice that he had heard at the club last night. By the time they walked up the 5 flights of stairs to the top floor Horatio's side and begun to ache with more intensity. He briefly wondered if he possibly had some internal bleeding. He shrugged the thought away remembering the times when he had got thrashed worse than this and had only had bruising.
Marisol got her keys out of her pocket and fumbled with them in the lock because of the darkness. She finally managed to get it open. She took the groceries from his hand and made her way inside with Horatio following close behind. She flicked the lights on with her elbow as she made her way into the house. She made her way to the kitchen and dumped the groceries on the counter before turning back to the ice-lolly in her hand that had begun to trickle down her fingers. She turned back to Horatio and offered him some more. Her heart jumped to her mouth as the bright kitchen light showed his fatigued features. She dumped the melting ice-lolly in the sink and was by his side in a second.
"Oh my god. What happened to you? Eric was right, you do look like… crap, for want of a better word I suppose."
"Pardon?" asked Horatio his features drawing into to form a slight scowl as his eyebrows arched up.
"Don't scowl Horatio, you'll just get more wrinkles." She said as she brushed her hand over his forehead. The creases softened under her touch and she gave a smile. "Eric called me today, he said you looked really tired and busted up, and boy was he right! So what happened?"
Horatio refused to make eye contact with her and merely leant back against the counter. Her face fell as she made the connection, "Does it have to do with last night?" she asked slowly. She let out a sigh at his nod and moved away from him. "Are you hungry yet because I really have the munchies today?"
He looked up at her strangely and shook his head, "Marisol, I have to tell you what happened last night." He said with urgency as he took her hand and drew her to him.
"Ok. Let's sit down then." She said pulling him into the living room. He sat down. Marisol kicked off her sandals to a corner of the room and sat cross-legged on the sofa, her body turned towards him. He closed his eyes and turned himself to face her. "So how did you get this?" she asked watching him slowly open his eyes, the tired blue had been replaced with the intensity she was used to seeing in his eyes.
"I…I got jealous last night after you introduced Viegas to us." Horatio saw her jaw drop slightly, he continued "… and then I got angry with him for trying to hit on you because I know you weren't ok. There was this look you had…" he looked down at his hands, afraid to look at her. His jaw clenched slightly.
Marisol felt her heart grow with love, admiration and respect for the man infront of her. How many times had she imagined having a knight-in-shining armour and here he was infront of her. She couldn't believe he had felt jealous. She hadn't thought that it would have affected him this much. The feminist part of her couldn't believe what it was hearing and was already forming protestations, but she quickly silenced them. She listened to him continue,
" I had this feeling that he'd be outside waiting and that's why I left early, to distract him so Christian could take you home safely. I'm sorry I lied to get away from you guys. I was just trying to…to protect you. We had a bit of a punch-about, hence my lip and then he left. I didn't mean to blow it out of proportion or anything. It's just…I was so angry." Horatio left out mentioning his aching side and Viegas' sidekick. He looked up into her hazel eyes and let out the breath he realised he had been holding since he'd finished.
She reached out for his hand and gently caressed his bruised knuckles with her fingers, "Horatio. I'm sorry. I had no idea this got to you so much. I never did thank you for stepping in when you did. So thank-you."
Horatio merely nodded, his eyes widening slightly as he heard her continue, " I…I know…I feel I owe you an explanation over the way I acted so nonchalantly after he pushed me up against the wall…and right now I'm not ready to give that yet. I can't promise I ever will be ready. All I can say right now is that the two of us had history and a lot of stuff happened back then but yesterday, yesterday was just an accident. I thought maybe he had changed but I guess Bella was right, he hasn't. I guess Eric was right too…"
His expression became puzzled, so she offered him an explanation, "When Eric called me this morning, he thought I'd given you your split lip…although in a different way…" she felt a blush rising as she said this, "I guess I did indirectly bust your lip I was the cause of it." She felt a sadness rising in her as the thought of him getting seriously hurt because of her hurtled through her mind with dizzying clarity. "Are you sure you're ok. I feel awful." She put his hand down, scared to see the marks that she now realised she had caused. She crossed her arms against herself, biting her lip down as she waited for an answer.
"Yeah, I'm fine." He gave a small smile that she didn't have the heart to return it. "Hey…Hey, really I'm ok, it's just a busted lip." He wasn't sure whether to reach out to her or not. She suddenly seemed miles away from him even though he just had to stretch his fingers out to caress her skin.
"I should have been more considerate." she said, more to herself than to him. She wanted to tell him about it, she owed it to him, but something kept holding her tongue back. "I'm sorry Horatio."
"Sweetheart, you have nothing to be sorry about."
"Well, then neither do you." she replied almost flippantly. She raised herself slightly and lowered herself onto his lap, placing her bent knees on either side of him in order to face him. He didn't know how but she somehow managed to avoid pressing into his injured side. Horatio felt unsure of what to do with his arms and placed them on either side of her legs. They sat in silence. Marisol ran her fingers all over his face, gently pushing here and there. Horatio relished the feeling of her touching him, his eyes searched her face but she remained curiously engrossed in studying his lip. After a very long moment she placed a light kiss on it. She looked into his eyes and said, "Thank-you Lieutenant…for everything." Her eyes were open, her soul bare to his penetrating gaze.
"Thank-you Marisol." he returned as he pulled her in for a hug.
Her arms closed around him as she nestled her face into his neck. Her embrace tightened as she gently kissed his neck where she felt his pulse. She felt his pulse jump a little more from her kisses, so she lingered there for a moment knowing from the soft gasp that he let out that she had found a sensitive spot. She slowly kissed her way up to his jaw line as they broke apart from their embrace. She continued to tease him by gently nibbling on the unaffected part of his lip. Horatio on his part was at first surprised at the initiative she was taking. She was normally shy; he always felt the initial hesitancy her body conveyed before it began to respond. But this time it was different. Unbidden, Viegas' words came back to him, 'You have no idea what she's like.' Horatio immediately felt the jealousy spring up inside him again as he thought of the meanings it conveyed from Viegas having sex with the Marisol that was now his to knowing a secret side to Marisol that he, Horatio was not privy to. Horatio couldn't stand her teasing anymore and was just about to move in and claim her lips when she claimed his. She continued to kiss him, her tongue exploring his mouth, running over the sensitive internal flesh that had earlier been burnt by coffee. She moaned as she felt his hands caress her neck.
He reached up to unclip the bundle of soft curls trapped at the back of her head and slowly ran his hands through her hair.
Her hands moved to his jacket, trying to take it off him. Horatio shrugged off his jacket and was glad that it crumpled to his injured side, therefore cushioning it. Marisol, a smile on her face gently pushed him back against the sofa, again taking his lips with her own. Horatio's hands that initially had caressed her arms slipped under her t-shirt and began caressing her skin with skilled hands.
Marisol's hands moved to the buttons of the cyan dress shirt he was wearing. She slowly undid his buttons only to find the fabric of a t-shirt under it. She moaned as Horatio's hands, which seemed to have easily found all her sensitive spots, began tracing circles around them. She felt his body respond to hers and kissed him even more deeply. It was only when he let out a soft groan from under her lips did she realise how brutal she was being with him. She tasted the iron tang of his blood on her tongue. She quickly disentangled her mouth from his, angry at herself for not realising how much she was hurting him. It was just then that his phone began vibrating in his breast pocket. Marisol smiled at him and gave him a peck on the cheek before hopping of his lap with surprising agility and flexibility, given the position she had been in.
Horatio took the phone from out of his pocket and tried to slow down his breathing, running his tongue against his bleeding lip.
"Caine here."
"Horatio? Hi it's Susie."
"Susie! Hi…everything all right?
"Horatio, I know it's a Saturday night and I feel really bad imposing on you, especially on such short notice, but we're understaffed at the moment and the manager's just asked me to work overtime. I probably won't get back home till about three or four in the morning and Madison's babysitter finishes sitting in an hour and she can't stay longer. I was wondering if you could take Madison this weekend instead of next weekend then?" she finished rather breathlessly.
Horatio gathered that from the speed of her voice that she was obviously in a hurry.
"Susie don't worry. I can take Madison for the weekend, I'll go round and pick her up. You get some rest when you get back. That sounds like some serious overtime," he chuckled into the phone.
"Yeah well the Agramonte has had a last minute wedding come up, so it's really all hands on deck. You're sure it's ok."
"It's fine. Really I don't want you to worry about it."
"Thank-you Horatio, thanks so much." she said a note of relief in her voice.
"No worries. I'll call you when I get Madison. Is that ok?"
"Sounds great. I'll talk to you later then?"
"Yes. Bye then." said Horatio hearing Susie's name being called in the background.
"Bye." She said quickly and hung up.
Marisol came back with a tumbler full of ice cubes and perched herself on his lap again. She held the ice against his lip, feeling him wince slightly as the initial sensation of fiery cold collided with his exposed flesh.
"I'm sorry I hurt you again." She said a bit embarrassed.
"That's ok….So…" he was slurring slightly as she continued to hold the ice against his lip.
"Something come up?" she asked, even though she already knew the answer to her question. Her free hand moved from tracing out the lines on his face to his shirt. She slowly began redoing his buttons, her gaze moving from his shirt to his face.
"Yes, something has. My sister-in-law has to work late tonight, and it's rather unexpected. So I have to go pick my niece up." He lowered his voice to a whisper as he caressed her face, "I'm sorry about dinner."
"You have a niece?" she asked, her mind ran through the photos she had seen on his mantle. She didn't recall seeing a picture of a possible niece.
"Yeah I do. It's a long story." He said wearily not wanting to spoil the good mood he was in by remembering how he found out about Ray's infidelity.
"Ok. Don't worry, we can do dinner some other time."
"How about tomorrow evening then? My place? I guess I'll have to make it up to you twice then." He said flirtatiously and Marisol nodded and felt a shiver of excitement run through her.
"Ok, tomorrow evening then. I'll give you a call about the time. How does that sound?"
"Sounds perfect, as usual. Say hi to your niece for me." she said rolling her eyes slightly as thoughts of 'Horatio's perfect' ran through her head.
"Will do."
They sat in silence for a moment. Marisol continued playing with his shirt and then let out a sigh and gracefully extracted herself off his lap. Horatio stood up and slipped into his jacket, shrugging and pulling the lapels down slightly. Marisol looked on with tenderness. She stepped up to him and smoothed out his lapels. A smile played on his lips as she reached up for his face once more and kissed him with great tenderness.
"Horatio, will you get some sleep tonight while I try to think of a better word to say to you other than 'crap' when I see you tomorrow."
"Yes Marisol." He said laughing.
She walked with him to the door. He gave her a goodnight peck on the cheek.
She wagged a finger at him threateningly, "Don't forget to sleep Lieutenant!"
"Yes ma'am," said Horatio, blowing her a kiss before he descended the stairs, ice cube in hand to apply to his swollen lip.