The Return
Chapter 27
Calleigh kept glancing over at Horatio as he dressed. Tonight the team would see him for the first time in over a year. She finished her makeup and walked over to where he was standing at the closet deciding on a shirt. It was to be a casual affair, jeans – comfortable attire, just a relaxing time among friends – she hoped.
Wrapping her arms around his waist, she placed a light kiss on his shoulder then laid her head against his bare, muscular back. Responding to her affection, he leaned back into her embrace.
"Nervous?" she asked.
Horatio smiled and blew out a puff of air. "It shows, huh?"
"A little; you always try to be Mr. Cool. I just know inside, you're concerned about what the team will think, but they'll be so relieved to see you. They love you Horatio – they'll understand after you assure them you had nothing to do with it."
"You were angry when you first saw me."
Calleigh cringed at the mention of that time. "I… I was in shock Horatio; I should have at least allowed you time to explain. You can't judge them by me; I was closer to you… I was still deeply hurt by what had happened to you. They felt a great loss too, believe me, but not as strongly as I did."
He turned around still in her embrace and drew her into a breathtaking kiss. When their lips parted, he rested his forehead on hers and whispered, "You're my strength Calleigh – always have been and always will be."
Neither moved for a minute until suddenly he gave her a playful swat on her backside and chuckled, "But if you distract me any further, we won't be ready for your party."
"Would that be so bad?" Calleigh responded with a mischievous grin.
Walking out of the bathroom, Horatio stepped to the closet and grabbed a brown polo shirt to wear with the jeans he put on.
"I knew we'd be late – they'll be here any minute." He exclaimed while pulling on the shirt as Calleigh pulled up her jeans.
Calleigh smiled lovingly toward him, "But you are a lot calmer Horatio – and so am I."
He gave her a warm smile in return, having to agree with her.
Meanwhile, Eric deliberately drove slower than normal after picking up Ryan. As they made their way toward Horatio's, Eric exuded an angry restlessness that was easily recognized by his colleague. Hoping to ease the tension in the car, Ryan playfully commented,
"Hey speedy-Gonzales, don't hold back on my account."
The unwelcomed comment caused Eric to divert his attention and glare at his friend before resuming watching the traffic. He was driving slower than usual on purpose; not in any hurry to meet the 'new' man in Calleigh's life.
Finally the need to release some of his anger caused him to abruptly ask, "Don't you have a problem with Calleigh bringing a strange man into Horatio's house?" He waited but Ryan only shrugged his shoulders at the remark. "Well, I think it's extremely bad taste on her part," Eric added, "She could've rented a hotel room."
Ryan now understood Eric's erratic behavior ever since Natalia cooked up this little welcome back party for Calleigh, partly to meet the husband – something she'd been dying to do since the couple's arrival.
In a matter-of-fact tone, Ryan countered, "She could've… but maybe she's working at cleaning out Horatio's things and just thought it'd be more convenient to stay there."
Eric huffed loudly, "So, her new husband is helping to go through Horatio's things?! I should be the one to help her – he was MY brother-in-law you know!"
"I'm sure she thought you were busy with the lab Delko. It's not like H's things are sacred or anything…"
"THEY ARE TO ME!"
Ryan thought it best not to continue the conversation. He knew Eric was real upset about not only losing Horatio, but now Calleigh. Maybe after he meets the guy, he'll feel better. I know Calleigh wouldn't take up with just anybody… unless – she did it on the rebound. Shit, I hope that's not the case.
They arrived at the house just ahead of Frank and Walter. All four men got out and gathered at the end of the driveway, waiting on Natalia and Alexx to help the women unload food they were bringing. Caleigh and her husband were to grill the meat.
It wasn't long before the ladies arrived, and everyone began taking the dishes toward the house.
Natalia spoke up, talking to no one in particular, "When I've talked to Calleigh about tonight, she sounded really happy and I'm glad. She deserves to be happy after what she's been through."
"I agree, she needs a good man," Alexx replied, "And I for one, know he must be a good man for Calleigh to have taken such a big step."
"I think so too," Ryan agreed.
Eric asked incredulously as he walked along behind the group, "Doesn't anyone have a problem with Calleigh being in Horatio's house… with another man?"
"Oh Eric – get over it! It's just a house! It's not like Horatio is still there or anything," Natalia quickly rebuffed sharply.
Alexx placed her free hand on his arm as they stopped at the door, "Sugar Nat's right. Horatio would want us to go on with our lives – especially Calleigh."
Eric closed his eyes and shook his head. He couldn't believe no one else felt that this somehow wasn't right.
Calleigh greeted each of them and exchanged warm hugs. Only Eric felt awkward in his greeting.
"Calleigh," he softly said after an awkward half-hug.
She saw the pain in his eyes, but hoped that would change once he saw Horatio alive and well.
Frank spoke up after all the initial greetings were over and asked, "Where's… ah… that new husband of yours?"
He knew it was Horatio and was eager for the team to see him. Walter also knew and added with a slight smile, "Yeah, I think we all want to meet this guy."
"He's outside by the pool manning the grill," she smiled.
Everyone eagerly followed Calleigh through the kitchen and then out the French doors leading to the patio. Alexx looked around and realized that she could still feel Horatio in this house, her nostrils even picked up his familiar cologne – was Eric right? Is it too soon for another man to take his place?
The evening was unusually pleasant by Miami standards. The area had been blessed with lower humidity, something to be enjoyed as it wasn't a common occurrence. There was a light, cool breeze blowing inland from the ocean beyond. Seagulls called out to one another as they still circled over the beach, hoping to find that last fish of the day. It was twilight; the sun having just dropped below the horizon behind the house, added to the soft glow along with the help of the dancing fire from the torches strategically placed in the ground around the patio.
Eric dropped behind the others, being in no hurry to meet the newcomer; lingering a few moments in the kitchen desperately attempting to calm himself so as not to cause a scene in front of his friends – and Calleigh.
Frank and Walter were directly behind Calleigh, effectively blocking everyone else's view as the group exited outside, hoping to delay the reaction until closer to the grill. Ryan was the first to step out around the two big men and who he saw caused him to stop so abruptly, that Natalia ran into his back.
"RYAN, what's got into you…" her words trailed off as she followed his line of sight instantly becoming speechless after her eyes fell upon Horatio.
Both stood stock still and stared incredulously at the redhead who looked up at them shyly as he tended the meat on the grill giving the group an apprehensive smile. He pulled in a deep breath realizing now was the time he'd find out how the team would feel about him still being alive.
Alexx just stood still for a few moments joining her friends in staring silently at the man before softly saying, "Well, I'll be damned. The man is like a cat… he's the only human I've ever seen that has nine lives!"
Frank and Walter were enjoying watching everyone's reaction. They themselves had been just as shocked and overwhelmed as everyone was right now when they first saw Horatio.
Natalia was the first to recover from her initial shock. She walked closer to Horatio with a look of amazement on her face and her breath caught as she stammered, "We… thought you… you were dead Horatio… I can't believe you are here!" She stretched out her arms and pulled him into a brief hug as she felt a warm tear escape down her cheek. Stepping back she added, "I can't tell you how relieved I am… we all are that you are alive! But, what… how… and you and Calleigh got married!?"
Nervously he answered, "I'll explain everything Miss Boa Vista."
Ryan walked up and shook Horatio's hand then quickly exchanged a friendly hug with their boss, confusion very evident in the young man's expression as to how Horatio could still be alive, but greatly relieved that he was.
Even Ryan's eyes began to get misty as Horatio gave him his familiar tilt of the head and smiled as Ryan exclaimed, "It's hard to believe that you're here… but…" Ryan laughed nervously and shook his head in disbelief, "I'm glad you're back H. REAL glad!"
"Thank you Mr. Wolfe."
Alexx walked up to Horatio after the others, greeting her in the familiar stance he was known for, a shy smile, his head tilted to one side, prepared for her demand for an explanation right then and there. She stopped and looked up into his sparkling blue eyes and asked,
"Horatio Caine… I want to know one thing before you tell us how you can still be living. Were you at Dade Memorial a few months ago on the eighth floor?"
Alexx's question made Calleigh giggle as she stood nearby.
Horatio smiled sheepishly at his long-time friend before answering her question, "I was… along with Calleigh. We came back for Miriam."
Alexx slapped her leg exclaiming, "I knew it was you. I'd know that walk anywhere… but at the time, I knew it just couldn't be possible."
She gathered him into her arms and hugged him tight. "Sugar, don't you ever do anything like this again… you hear me? We wouldn't be able to take it."
"Believe me… you don't have to worry!" He answered firmly as his arms tightened around Alexx.
Everyone was laughing, gathered around Horatio and Calleigh until the redhead noticed Eric standing silently just outside the door of the house glaring at the celebration.
Horatio called out, "Eric…" But the young man quickly turned and disappeared back into the house.
Turning toward Calleigh he softly said, "I need to be the one to talk to him. Hopefully we'll be back soon."
She gave him a worried look as she squeezed his arm replying, "Sure."
"Better watch out H…" Walter called out, "He's been like an angry bear ever since finding out Calleigh got married."
Horatio acknowledged the young CSI with a silent grimace.
Ryan took the spatula and took over manning the grill as Calleigh led the others to the ice chest stocked with cold beer.
Just as he stepped out the front door, he saw Eric hesitate for just a moment as their eyes briefly met before the Cuban disappeared into his car and sped away.
Horatio planted his hands on his hips and shook his head a little peeved with the way Eric had reacted without giving him a chance to explain. After watching the car disappear around the corner, Horatio turned around and walked back inside and to their friends.
Later that night after everyone had left, Horatio turned out the last light and walked toward the bedroom with Calleigh, their arms around each other.
He commented softly, "It felt good being back with the team…."
As they continued, she rested her head against his shoulder and responded,
"Except for Eric… I can't believe how he acted so childish tonight. He…"
The doorbell rang, stopping them both in their tracks. Calleigh looked at Horatio, startled by the fact that someone was at their door this late at night, then watched him take long strides to the table in the foyer, then take his gun out of a drawer just to be on the safe side. After looking through the security hole in the door, Horatio relaxed and put the gun down on top of the table before opening the door to a subdued Eric Delko.
"Eric?" Horatio greeted the young man in a surprised tone.
The CSI held Horatio's gaze briefly before lowering his eyes to the floor for a few seconds building up his courage to speak, then looked up at the man he'd admired for so many years,
"H, forgive me for coming this late, but I need to apologize for the way I acted earlier."
Horatio stepped aside and welcomed him in. He still detected a little tension in the man as he walked past.
After hearing Horatio's account of the ordeal that he had endured it made Eric feel even worse. Since first seeing Horatio earlier that evening, Eric assumed that his mentor's so called 'death' was like before – staged by Horatio for whatever reason. Now he realized how wrong he'd been.
As the three sat round the table on the patio sipping the last of the coffee, Eric put his cup down and said,
"You know at first, I'd hoped that it was some elaborate scheme you had come up with to counter the Russians. Then as time went by, the realization that it was real… that you were really gone hit me hard."
"Eric, I assure you I'd never have hurt the team like this has done. Even if I had been the one to stage my death, I wouldn't have let it gone on as long."
Eric nodded his head in understanding.
He glanced over at Calleigh, "After Calleigh left and we discovered she'd been kidnapped… we assumed the worse. Then when Frank and Walter found her and called back to tell us she was safe, I couldn't understand why she didn't want to return to Miami… to her CSI family."
Calleigh smiled and took Horatio's hand that was resting on the tabletop in hers, touched that the team cared about her that much… but more than that, she was amazed that Eric still could since she was the one who called it quits on their relationship more than two years ago.
Eric let out a deep sigh, "When I saw her on the news… walking with who they said was her husband, well…" he paused momentarily then continued, "About your marriage… I want you both to know that I'm really happy for you. I'm just glad Calleigh made the right decision."
Horatio turned slightly toward Calleigh giving her a tender smile as he squeezed her hand and said, "I hope she did."
There was a brief silence among the three until Eric asked,
"You are coming back to the team, aren't you?"
TBC…