AN: Thanks for the support, here is a new chapter.
Chapter 8: A new road taken
Three years later
December 22, 1995
Since Horatio will be in Miami for Christmas, and the rest of that week, Horatio was over at Derek's place to do Christmas with him, Felicia, and their now three kids (The last pregnancy resulted in twin girls).
While Felicia was in the kitchen, Derek and Horatio were in the living room, sitting on the couch and keeping an eye on the kids, who were playing on the floor, when Horatio looked at his best friend and cleared his throat before speaking. "Hey Derek, there is something I need to tell you."
Derek shook his head with a smile. "I think I already know what it is." He paused to look at his kids a little longer before looking at his best friend. "You want to transfer to Miami."
Horatio then smirked. "I guess I don't need to ask how you know that?"
Derek smirked in response. "Well I know it can't be you wanting a new partner."
Before Derek could continue, Horatio spoke in a serious tone. "You should know that when I made this decision with a pro and con list, leaving you was a big con, and this decision was not made lightly."
Derek nodded with a known look. "But your nephew is getting older, and you want to spend more time with him before you really start to feel like you missed out on his childhood."
Horatio nodded, telling him he was right, but there was also another reason, so he sighed. "Plus, Raymond has started going on more undercover cases and I want to help Yelina out as much as I can."
Derek nodded in understanding. "I get it, you are making this move for your family."
Horatio gave Derek a small smile as he replied with a sincere tone. "And like I am with your family, you are my family as well, and whatever you need, I'm still only a phone call away."
Derek smiled as held out his hand with a smile. "And the same goes for me, you are always welcome here, which I expect you not to be a stranger."
Horatio nodded with his smile getting a little wider as he took his best friend's hand. "I hear you, and I'll make sure I come and see you every once in awhile." As they release hands, Horatio continued after clearing his throat. " I also wanted to thank you for having my back for the last 10 years."
Now Derek was feeling a little emotional as he replied. "The same could be said to you, and I always will."
As Horatio nodded one more time, Felicia walked in the room with a smile, but she did feel something in the air between them.
"Is everything ok?"
Derek spoke as he stood up. "We'll tell you about it during dinner, is it ready?"
She nodded but now with a small frown as she looked at Horatio. "Horatio? Is everything ok?"
Horatio walked up to her and brings her in his arms, which kind of surprised her since it was always her initiating the hugs between them, before he spoke softly. "Thank you for welcoming me into your family. It's been a joy getting to know you the past 10 years and I'm glad I got a front row seat to your relationship with Derek, your relationship is an inspiration, so you continue to take care of him for me, ok?"
Felicia nodded with a sniffle, feeling sadness creeping in as she asked. "Just tell me it's not an illness that's taking you away."
Horatio chuckled slightly with a shake of his head. "No it's not an illness."
As they pulled back, Felicia smiled. "So, we are losing you to Miami, then."
The men looked a little shocked as Derek replied. "How did you figure that out?'
Felicia then smirked while rolling her eyes, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "It felt like a goodbye speech, and there is only one reason why he would leave you, and that's in Miami."
She walked passed the guys with a chuckle so she could get the kids.
Horatio and Derek looked at one another and they started chuckling with the shake of their heads while D.J. rushed to Horatio so his godfather could help him get his plate for dinner.
January, 1996
Once Horatio's vacation, which lasted into the New Year, in Miami had ended, he went to work that next Monday, and after greeting Derek, he headed towards the captain's office and knocked.
A moment later, he hears 'come in' from the captain.
Horatio opened the door and Captain Jennings smiled when he saw it was Horatio. "Ah Mr. Caine, come on in. I hope you had a good holiday break."
Horatio smiled as he walked further into the room, and replied as he sat down in the chair in front of the desk." I did, even though it did feel a little wired not working for that long."
The captain nodded with an understanding smile, they were probably the two most workaholics on the team, before he asked. "So, what can I do for you?"
Horatio cleared his throat before speaking, not use to being emotional in front other others but his brother and Derek. "First off, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to work here, and keeping me on this team, especially after what happened."
Horatio paused to take a breath, so Captain Jennings spoke. "And I don't regret that, I always knew you would be one of my best detectives, but you, even Derek, have both exceeded my expectations. You two are like a dream team."
Horatio looks at the older man with sympathy as he continued. "I appreciate the comment and I wish I can tell you that it will always be like that, but…"
Captain Jennings, cuts the younger man off with a knowing look. "But you are leaving us, aren't you?"
Horatio didn't ask the captain how he knew that, so he just nodded. "Yeah, I'm sorry….."
The older man shook his head with a smile. "Don't be sorry. I'll miss you of course but you have to do what you feel is best for you. So who am I losing you to?"
"Miami."
Captain Jennings nodded with a other smile. "I see, where your brother lives." Horatio just nodded before the captain spoke again after clearing his throat. "I'll start your transfer papers now, but I may still need you for the month as we train someone new."
Horatio nodded in understanding. "You have it, captain. I may need that much time just to close out my cases anyways."
The captain stood up with another nod before holding out his hand with a smile. " I'll say this on your last day here, but it's been a pleasure Horatio and be safe out there."
Horatio smiled as he stood, taking his captain's hand. "It's been a pleasure for me as well, thank you for all that you have done for me."
After they release hands, Horatio turned and walked out of the office and to his desk, sitting down and looking at Derek, which Derek just looked at him and knew Horatio had told their captain about his transfer, and while he did believe Horatio when he said he was leaving, he knew it was for real now, so he just nodded in acknowledgement before he went back to his paperwork while Horatio started on his, deep down knowing he was making the right decision but also knowing he'll actually miss everyone here, especially the ones he's been around the longest.
February, 1996
Towards the end of January, it had been one of the hardest weeks, emotionally speaking, for Horatio, even though he kept it mostly inside.
They had a going away party for him, despite him telling them he didn't want it, then on the night before he was leaving he had a goodbye dinner with Derek and his family, also his, and of course Felicia's full family.
After everyone had left the house, and Felicia and kids said their goodbyes, Derek walked Horatio to his vehicle.
They stopped by the driver's side then Horatio turned to him and spoke with a smile. "Don't be too hard on your new partner."
For the last week their two person partnership was three so the new guy could learn the ropes from them.
Derek chuckled with nod. "I'll try." He then sighed. "But he won't be a Horatio."
Pushing down the emotion, Horatio replied with a smirk. "I don't think you could handle another me."
Derek chuckled again, then once they calmed down, Horatio held out his hand for a handshake so he could leave since he needed to get to bed early for his early start tomorrow since he was driving there, but Derek shook his head with a smile. "I sorry man. I know you're not crazy for these, but this moment deserves a hug."
Before Horatio could reply, Derek wrapped his strong arms around him, and after taking a breath Horatio wrapped his arms around him while replying. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, bro."
After they pulled back, he continued. "And once you get settled, let me know your address and I'll start sending your things."
While he did sell a lot of his stuff, he did have a few there that he couldn't fit in his vehicle so they have it stored in Derek's garage to save a little money.
"I will, and I'll let you know when I arrive at my brother's."
And he'll be staying with his brother and his family for at least a few days.
"Sounds good, drive safely."
Horatio nodded with a small smile and finished. "And you be safe out there."
Derek smirked in return. "When am I not?"
Horatio chuckled slightly as he opened his vehicle door. "I do remember a few times I had to save your butt."
They just chuckled as Horatio gets into his vehicle, then the red head starts the vehicle, which by then Felicia was back outside and next to her husband at the end of the walkway.
The three waved at one another before Horatio started driving away.
As he was becoming out of sight, Derek sighed and Felicia wrapped her arms around her husband and kissed his cheek. "I know babe, I'll miss him too, but this new start could also be a good thing for him, maybe he'll finally find that special someone, his 'one'."
Derek looked at his wife with a smile. "You really believe that?"
She nodded with a smile as she cupped his cheek. "Yes I do, anything is possible." She then smirked. "I mean I got you to settle down, didn't I?"
He chuckled with a nod. "Yeah you sure did." He then cupped her cheek with love. "And have I told you lately how much I love you and thank you for taking a chance on me."
"Yes you have, and I love you too."
They kissed softly before bringing one another in a loving hug, both hoping that their friend will find the love he deserved while he will be enjoying his new start in Miami
The next morning
Before setting out to his new adventure once he woke up, there was one stop he felt he had to make.
He sighed as he kneeled down on front of his mother's tombstone, placed some white roses, which were her favorite, down and spoke to her, telling her how much he misses her, that she would be proud of the man Raymond had become, especially after he had gotten married and became a father. He told her he's still searching for his 'one', and that possibly this new adventure will be good for him for more than one reason, then he finished off by telling her he loved her and that he'll see her again soon.
He looked at her tombstone in silence for a moment before standing up and walking to his vehicle, ready to see where this new journey will take him.
AN: Thanks for reading and please review. Hope you all had a good weekend/Father's day.