Rick Stetler worked diligently in his office on his case against this girl. Notorious for seeing only what he wanted to see in evidence, if it meant putting a little girl behind bars... So be it. And on a plus note he might actually be right in accusing her. Either way he was hurting Horatio and his team. That was a win for Rick. Any day.
Arya watched him as he drove. Her little eyes took in the details of his strong face. The not quite there lines, the slight lines already on his face. He wasn't that old. But he definitely wasn't young. She committed his face to her memory. So as to not forget her protector. The man who so readily gave her his care. Maybe his love? With slight embarrassment she realized he was talking to her. She cocked her head and blushed as he looked at her. "Arya..you okay?" She nodded and studied him again. "Arya. Since your going to stay with me.. What do you want to call me?" Arya shrugged and asked. "What do you wanna be called?" Horatio rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm.. Good question. How about... You and I work on that? I'd like you to call me Horatio.. But anything is fine." Arya smiled softly. "Ok HC."
Arya was starting to come out of her shell. Almost. She was talking a little more. Eating a little. Making more eye contact. That made Horatio happy. The agent assigned to Arya had come when Horatio got her home. A little meet and greet, a small inspection and Horatio was told that as far as his house went he was a good candidate. They just needed to look into his job hours how he would watch her. Etc. a small price to pay he thought smiling, seeing Arya eat ravenously. Arya looked up from her clean plate and muttered almost in a trance. "Clean plate club momma." Horatio choked and cleared the plates. "Arya honey.." He was interrupted by the shrill ring of his cell phone. Growling with irritation he picked up and barked. "Caine." He listened and stilled. He spared a glance at Arya and growled urgently with the voice on the other end. He hung up and visibly paled. Arya, the observant child, saw and stared at Horatio soon paling as well. She walked to him and grabbed his hand clenching it tightly in her little hands. "I'm gonna have to go to a big house?" Horatio went to his knee and hugged her close. "Yes Arya...I'm sorry." Arya wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his shoulder and stared into space. "Don't be..." Horatio was shocked by her sudden show of maturity. She wiped her tears on her hand and let him hold her. She knew this would happen. Somehow she just knew.
Horatio got up early the next morning. He had to get Arya ready for court. He had to get ready for court. He had to figure out who did this. No, why that son of a bitch DID do it! He clenched his teeth letting out a growl. Why would rock do such a thing? He could handle Rick if he tried to do this to him or the team. But to a little girl? A little innocent girl! That just made Horatio sick. Rick Stetler made him sick. He snarled and went to punch a wall. But his little Arya was there. She stared up at him sad. "Why you so mad..." Just as quickly as his anger appeared, Horatio's anger melted away. His arm lowered to his side. He cleared his throat. "I uh... I'm not mad sweetheart..." She took his hand. "Thinkin about that big angry man?" Horatio smiled softly and snorted a chuckle. "Yes that big angry man... I think he is doing this to you." Arya cocked her little head to the side. "Why?" Horatio went down on one knee and cocked his head looking her in the eyes. "Truth? I don't know why. He just doesn't like me. Or anyone I like." Arya wrapped her arms around him. "I like you HC. He's just a stupid head for not liking you." Horatio chuckled hugging her. "Oh really?" Arya nodded. "Mm-hmm." Horatio grinned picking her up. "Well that doesn't matter now... You hungry?" Arya smiled a little and nodded. Horatio grinned and carried her into the kitchen. She smiled and sat down watching him cook what smelled like cheesy eggs and bacon. He moved with ease around the kitchen never letting anything burn. That was so cool to her. He handed her a plate of bacon and eggs and smiled at her. "What do you want to drink Arya?" Arya stared at him. "Got any orange juice?" Horatio nodded smiling. "As a matter of fact I do." He poured a tiny cup for her and then went to make his morning cup of stout coffee. He smiled watching her eat. He leaned his hip against the counter top and ate smiling. She was so cute. She jumped up as a knock sounded. Horatio patted her head. "Easy.." He walked to the door and in stepped Calleigh. "Mornin H! How is she." Horatio smiled lookin down. "A little spooked miss Duquesne.." Calleigh cocked a brow. "Spooked? Why?" At this point Horatio was laughing. "The knock scared her!" He chuckled trying to control himself as Calleigh blushed looking down. "Oh.. Sorry little one!" She called hoping Arya would hear.
Arya peeked out from the couch directly beside Calleigh. Calleigh and Horatio both jumped and shot back. Arya stared at them for a moment and then began to giggle. And to Calleigh and Horatio's amazement, began to laugh a little. She giggled all the way back to the kitchen where she sat down and began to eat again. In a much brighter mood. Horatio and Calleigh stared after her. "H? Did she just scare-?" He nodded. "Yes." Calleigh noted the look of wonder and happiness beginning to take a seat in his crystal blue eyes. "And were okay with-?" He nodded again grinning in that boyish way he did. "She'll need all the happiness now so she can deal with the events later. So yes." Calleigh and Horatio grinned seeing that sweet girl get a little brighter before a dark world.