AN: Thanks for the continued support, here is the next chapter.
Chapter 6: Two months later
October 15, 1990
After two months, playing a part that he perfected so much there wasn't an ounce of suspicion, the case was solved and they got their main man and his followers. Once they were done with the work part that day, his team and captain that worked with him behind the scenes, took him to a bar to celebrate. Of course it was a different bar than where he visited as he was 'John Walden'.
When the party ended, or at least ended for him, he said goodbye to his 'team' and walked out of the bar, ready to be himself again. But in doing that, he also needed to be honest with someone he's growing attached to while working undercover.
He still didn't know if he could call it love, or at least true love, but there had been a definite attraction between them, and while a part of him knew he shouldn't have let things go as far as it did, he just couldn't help it, they both couldn't, they felt it was something they needed.
Now that he was going back to his real life, he needed to tell Julia the truth. He wasn't sure how she'll react or if they'll even have a true relationship once it was revealed, but he knew he couldn't live out this lie for the rest of his life.
Once he got to her apartment and stopped in front of the door, he knocked, but there was no response coming from the other side, and after a second knock with nothing still happening, an elderly woman was coming out of her apartment and said. "I'm sorry young man, but she's not there."
Horatio nodded after taking a breath. "Oh, ok. I'll just come by later."
He hadn't planned on driving down to Miami until tomorrow morning, so he could come back later tonight since it was still early.
But as Horatio started to walk away, the woman shook her head and gave him the news. "I mean, young man, she's not coming back. She took her stuff and left."
Horatio turned back to face the woman again with a look of shock on his face as he asked. "And you're sure?"
The elderly woman nodded before smirking. "I may be old, but I assure you I still have good eyesight."
Horatio nodded with a small smile. "Right, sorry."
The woman just waved it off before she continued down the hall so she could leave the complex and take her daily walk.
Horatio looked at the door with a sigh, and admittedly feeling a little heart broken, then he turned and headed for the exit of the building so he could go back to his 'apartment', pack his bags and decided to leave earlier than planned, knowing there was nothing left for him here anymore.
Hours later
He drove for countless hours while memories of his moments with Julia came playing around over and over in his head, while also trying to think why she would leave without a trace. But no matter how much he thought, he just didn't understand what made her go. He thought they were getting closer, well as close as they could get when there was a giant secret between them on who he actually was, but he had hoped that what they were building could have withstood anything that came their way, now it looks like he'll never know either way and once again he'll be continuing his life's journey alone.
Horatio mentally shook his head, no, he wasn't fully alone. He may not have a significant other to share his life with at the moment, but he still had those in his life that he loves, and he was happy, despite what he lost, that he'll finally be back into the 'real' world again. He didn't realize how much he would miss those he cared/loved, especially his brother, Yelina and Derek when he accepted the assignment.
When he arrived in Miami very late, or really early, depending on one perspective, he booked a room in a motel before crashing the minute his head hit the pillow, giving him one of the longest sleeps he's ever had. In fact, he was surprised when he woke up it was already almost lunch time, and since it was a respectable hour, he called Captain Jennings, who told him he could have a few days off work so there was no rush in going home, then he called Derek, whom he hadn't talked to in a couple of weeks, to let him know that he was alright.
After he was done with those conversations, he got into the shower, got ready for the day and left the motel so he could surprise his brother.
Once he arrived at their apartment, he knocked on the door, then a second later the door opened and Yelina gasped in surprise, then she smiled as she brings him in his arms, which when she had done that, his heart no longer raced while being in her arms, which didn't mean he no longer loved her, it was just in a different way now, more of a family kind of love.
He smiled brightly as he hugged his sister-in-law in return. "It's nice to see you again."
She took a breath and nodded in return. "It's nice to see you again too, I'm glad you're alright."
After they pulled back and she got a good look at him, which while he was mostly unreadable, and that was nothing new, there was something there in his eyes, so she asked. "Something happened while you were undercover."
Before he could speak, Raymond's voice was finally heard. "Of course it did, he came out victorious."
Yelina stepped to the side to let the brother's reunite, wrapping their arms around one another in an instant.
Raymond spoke first. "It's good to have you back, bro."
"And it's great to be back."
They release one another a few moments later before Raymond asked him to come inside for some lunch and for Horatio to catch up on what's been going on with them, and after lunch, the couple headed back to work while Horatio went to the beach, his favorite spot in Miami.
Two days later he was back in New York, and since Derek would still be at work, he went to his apartment, which was looked after from Derek while he was away, unpacked his bags then tried to relax, which for someone who loves his job and is mostly working, it wasn't easy, but he pushed through it, and when it was time for Derek to be home, Horatio left his apartment and headed towards Derek's house he shared with his wife.
When he arrived there surprisingly, Felicia was shocked when she opened the door at first, then there was an immediate warm welcome before moving to the side to let him in, and as he was walking in, Derek started speaking while walking in the living room. "Babe, who was..." Then stopped and smiled when he saw it was Horatio. "Now this is a nice surprise, welcome home."
They met in the middle of the room and shared a hug while Horatio spoke. "Thank you, I'm glad to be back."
As they were pulling back, Derek asked. "So, successful mission?" But before Horatio could answer, Derek shook his head with a small chuckle at himself. "Of course it was successful, you wouldn't be back here right now if it wasn't."
Horatio answered anyways. "It was successful."
They go over to the couch and sat down, Horatio on one end while Derek was at the other, and Felicia headed towards the kitchen, before Derek asked again. "And how was it?"
"Well, I can't tell you the details, but it was..." Horatio paused for a moment before continuing. "Something I've never done before, especially pretending to be someone I am not, that was the hardest part." Then in his mind he thought 'for more than one reason'
Derek nodded in understanding before asking in concern. "But you're ok, right? They didn't..."
Horatio cuts him off with a smirk, which he wasn't known to do, but it's been two months since he's felt this comfortable so he could be a little looser on how he acts. "Convert me to the 'dark' side?"
Derek was surprised about the smirk coming from his friend/partner, but he didn't think too hard about it, and chuckled with a nod. "Yeah."
Horatio shook his head slightly before giving him a reassuring tone. "No, trust me I'm still the same man that I was 2 months ago." As Derek started to eye him, Horatio asked. "What is it?"
Derek shook his head, still not sure, but said what he was thinking. "I don't know, I feel that something is different about you."
Trying not to squirm in his chair like he was in an integration, he asked. "Is that a good thing or bad?"
Before he could speak, Felicia walked into the room with a smile. "Dinner is ready." And before Horatio could say something, she smiled at him a little wider. "And you are welcome to stay. In fact, I'm not taking no for an answer."
Horatio nodded with a smile. "I'll be happy to stay, thank you."
Felicia nodded in return before turning and walking back into the kitchen while the men stood up from their seats, then Derek turned to his friend and held out his hand. "Really, it's nice having my partner back. It hasn't been the same without you."
Horatio shook his hand with a nod. "I've missed you too."
After they release hands, him and Derek headed towards the kitchen, where they not only had a meal together for the first time in 2 months, but Horaito got to hear what's been going on with them.
AN: Thanks for reading, and please review. Hope you are all safe out there.