A/N: Hang in there soon it gets very good! :) reviews always welcome! And those who have already reviewed, thank you.
A couple years passed since that day. Arya had gotten to stay with Horatio. He was cleared and became her foster parent. She had blossomed into a beautiful vibrant young woman. The one she would be if her family were still alive, Horatio liked to think. Arya had embraced them as her family. And they in turn had embraced her. Alexx and Calleigh had to. And Horatio thanked god for that. Arya didn't have many friends. But the ones that she did have. She protected fiercely. And loved just as much. The second she walked into a room, as many as ten people at least would say hi. She was outgoing and funny, sociable. She made everyone smile. Even Horatio, on his dark days. They would have long talks at home. He would often take her to visit her families graves. She would tell him that she never wanted to forget her past. No matter how bad it was. Horatio would marvel at that. In those moments she would show a maturity in herself, that most kids, heck even most adults didn't have. Regardless she had gotten out of her shell, the little 8 year old shell was no more.
She was a bright eyed child. Her eyes sparkled when she smiled. Her smile was amazing. She was intuitive, in tune with Horatio. Arya it seemed could read minds. She finished Horatio's sentences, he finished hers. They were kindred spirits. Two peas in a pod. And she never let him forget that. The whole team laughed, she was a very funny person. Hell she even made Tim, the driest and most sarcastic person laugh. She brightened every room she walked into. Arya delighted Horatio. No one could separate the two. Her personality was as beautiful as her. She on a regular basis would save Horatio from himself and his dark thoughts.
One day Arya was sitting on the pier by Horatio's seaside condo. She stared at a sketchbook in her lap drawing furiously. She often went there to doodle. And Horatio always came with her. He smiled making a few comments as he watched her. She smiled looking up at him. She paused and went back to drawing. "What are you drawing sweetheart?" Arya shook her head dismissively. He cocked a brow and tried to look. She jerked back pushing him away. "No! I'm not done yet HC!" He chuckled and leaned back. "Ok ok." She stuck her tongue out clearly concentrating. Horatio smiled, content to just watch her draw. Arya looked up at him again and squinted. His eyes asked a question. She shook her head and kept drawing. He thought he heard her mumble. "Never can get the eyes right..." But he wasn't sure. The light was fading behind the ocean casting a golden glow over them, over her. Horatio smiled and stood taking it in. "Hey it's getting dark. Why don't we go home and you can finish up there?" Arya sighed and stood. "Fine." He nodded and put his arm around her back leading her home.
Once home she sat on the couch by a lamp putting the finishing touches on her still mystery drawing. Horatio leaned against the opposite side of the couch watching her. "You gonna tell me what that is?" Arya smiled and put her pencil down. "I'd rather show you." She smiled a little bigger and handed him the sketchbook. He took it and his eyes widened as he scanned the drawing. "It's me..." She grinned, his eyes widened a bit more. "This is really good!" He traced the picture of his face. Every line, every detail, was there right down to the dark spot on his left cheek. She even got the flecks and little lines that would be lighter or darker shades of blue in his eyes right. Arya had even made the eyes look moist, with a circle of a light source in his eyes. She made him handsome. She had drawn him doing his little half smile that raised his left cheek. Arya had even drawn him in a real fashion. Not the silly cartoon style kids liked to do. It was amazing. "Sweetheart... This is incredible.." Arya blushed biting on her lower lip. "You really think so?" Horatio nodded enthusiastically sitting down next to her. "Sweetheart you need to pursue this. You've got some major talent!" He grabbed her shoulder and shook her pulling her into a side hug. Her head dipped down, raven hair in her face, hiding a mad blush making it's way down her neck. "I was really thinking about it HC.." He smiled amazed by her. He had no idea where this talent came from. But he had to encourage her to pursue it. "I'll help you."
Her face lit up and she tackled him. "Really?!" Horatio laughed nodding. "Tim knows a guy who runs an art class. I'll get you in." Arya hugged him hard. "Thank you!" Horatio grinned. Arya had gotten particularly close to Tim as well. Even more so than Tim and Eric were. Arya had in fact made Tim her big brother. Horatio and the others had noticed that she brought out the best in Speed. When they were together you couldn't tell they weren't related. Tim would do anything for Arya. Even, after the call Horatio would give him, get her into an advanced art class. Arya grabbed Horatio's phone and grinned. "I'll call him!" She ran off dialing as she went. Horatio laughed hearing the distant conversation between them. That little 13 year old girl had him, speed, and everyone wrapped around her little finger. She walked back out and kissed his cheek hard hugging him again. "Thank you HC... I love you.." Horatio smiled and choked hugging her back. "I love you to..." He smiled hearing Speedle's Ducati in the distance. Hell the way her future was going. Arya would be able to DRAW how bright it was.