Calleigh waited at the downtown police station long after she had given her statement. She had arrived home as usual, only to find the door of her apartment had been forced. She had her gun with her, and had entered the apartment, intending to scare away any intruders, calling out to whoever might be in her home. As she began to relax a little, assuming the burglars had left, two figures came pelting out of her bedroom, one carrying her stereo. The other carried a large semi automatic pistol. The second man slowed as he passed Calleigh, getting a good look at her face. Then, as he left, he fired two warning shots in to the air, causing a portion of the ceiling to collapse, just over her head. CSIs were going over her apartment with a fine tooth comb, but there was no one she could call in the meantime. Her father was out of town, *probably drunk off his ass by now* she thought, somewhat bitterly. She told herself she was just gathering her wits before deciding anything but, deep down, Calleigh knew she was waiting for him.

Just twenty minutes after she arrived downtown, he strode through the door, eyes searching for her. He found her sitting, huddled, on plastic bench. He went over to her

"Calleigh?"

The relief in her voice was obvious "Horatio! Oh thank God you're here!" she stood up and fell against him, burying her face in his shoulder as she felt the tears start to flow. They left quickly, getting in to Horatio's Hummer, parked illegally across several hazard lines. Calleigh recognised the turns he was making'

"You're taking me home."

"Yes I am, but we're only going there to pick up a few things, you're staying with me tonight."

Calleigh thought briefly about arguing but then a little voice deep inside started to speak

*Shut up! He's taking you to his apartment, the place you've never been but always wanted to see. Come on, you've been fantasising about this for months, don't blow it now!*

Calleigh had to admit that the voice was right, so she submitted to Horatio's decision with very little protest. They arrived at Calleigh's apartment to find it swarming with CSI personnel. She moved to get out of the car, but was stopped by Horatio.

"Tell me what you want and I'll fetch them for you"

"No, thank you, there are some things I need to get for myself" she smiled at him, then it dawned on her, was Horatio trying to keep her out of her apartment? Before he could stop her she was out of the car and halfway to the elevators. Arriving at her front door, there was the usual scene of chaos, but nothing out of the ordinary. She spoke to a policeman on duty, checking that it was ok to remove a few things in an overnight bag.

"No problem, just don't disturb the bed."

A little puzzled, Calleigh went in to her bedroom, where it was pitch black. She could make out two guys near her bed, and felt a sudden sense of fear. Then one of them pulled out a portable UV light, and began to run it over the bed linen. To Calleigh's increasing horror, the sheets glowed brightly, proving a bodily fluid had been discharged over her bed. A powerful wave of disgust threatened to overwhelm her and she turned away, bumping in to Horatio, who had followed her.

One of the police on duty was sent for a cup of coffee, which Horatio then gave to her, with a large shot of brandy, the only liquor she kept in the house. They then explained that the police thought this was a targeted burglary, that the men had intended to leave a message, and that the theft of her stereo was only cover. It was the only piece of furniture stolen, despite her TV and VCR being lightweight and easily accessible. It seemed that their primary goal was to humiliate and terrorise, they were working on DNA analysis and it was only a matter of time. However, until the case was resolved she would have to stay somewhere else, for her own protection.

At this Horatio raised his head "uh, she'll be staying with me, if that's still ok, Calleigh?" She nodded absently, allowed a female officer to collect a few of her belongings in a bag and left her apartment with Horatio, her mind spinning.

They arrived at Horatio's apartment twenty minutes later. Calleigh had never been there before, so she was silent as she simply took in her surroundings. Truthfully, she was memorising the apartment, in case she never came back. She was interrupted by Horatio, offering her a drink, then showing her to the spare bedroom. He explained that the spare room was on the ground floor, and that the bathroom and the main bedroom were on the mezzanine floor. He showed her the kitchen, then announced jokingly that the grand tour was over. He looked at Calleigh with a tender expression, wondering whether to mention the scene at her apartment, or to leave it to another time. Calleigh decided the question for him

"Why me, Horatio? Why did they pick my home?" She was close to crying again and gratefully buried her head in his shoulder again.

"They think it might be someone who you've out away in the past, someone you might have been connected with, they really are counting on the DNA evidence. I don't suppose you have any idea who it could be? You saw them?"

"Only as they ran past me, and they were both wearing masks" Calleigh replied, releasing herself with regret. She was afraid that if she stayed in his presence too long her feelings would overwhelm her. Calleigh was used to keeping her feelings in check at work, but she always had the feeling that prolonged contact with Horatio Caine would make her lose control. She was spared further confusion when Horatio was called in to work. He left her with a key and her gun by her side, still feeling shaken by the morning's attack. Left alone, Calleigh took the opportunity to explore Horatio's home. She looked in to the kitchen first, noting the precision with which everything was labelled, the neatness which spoke of exactness, but also of a person who enjoyed cooking and knew precisely where everything was.

She then moved on to the room which was to be hers for the duration of her stay *which reminds me, I didn't ask how long I'm meant to be staying*. This room was clearly a place for storage, there was a set of weights in one corner, and Calleigh had a brief moment of fantasy about Horatio, using the weights, getting hot and sweaty *Stop it, you're not helping yourself*. In one corner was a stack of books, mostly out-dated forensics texts, in another there was a trunk. Calleigh tried to open it, but it was locked. She then decided to move up the stairs, heading to the bathroom.

*Wow*. The whole room was white marble, the shower had a delicate glass surround, there were towels on the floor. Calleigh smiled, finally something was cluttered in this too perfect apartment. she looked forward to using the shower, so much larger than her tiny stall at home, but this thought brought unfortunate allusions to Horatio using the shower, which quickly moved on to the two of them using the shower together. This closeness to Horatio was a mixed blessing, thought Calleigh. She was gathering ideas to fulfil her fantasy life for months, but at the same time, she was dangerously distracted by his home, even when he was nowhere near her. Calleigh stepped out of the bathroom and moved down the hallway, towards the final room of the apartment, which she had thus far avoided. Horatio's bedroom, where most of her fantasies and dreams had ended.

She pushed open the door, as apprehensive as if he was on the other side on it, but a quick glance around reassured her. In the room of her dreams there had been candles, silk sheets and flowers, but although the reality fulfilled none of her ideas, it had a simple charm for her. The bed was large, with rumpled white covers and sheets, there were a few pictures by the bed, his brother, his sister-in-law and their child, Ray jnr. and one of a woman who had to be his mother, she had the same red hair and blinding smile. Calleigh wanted to lie on the bed and breathe in his scent, but suddenly recollecting what had been done in her own home, she suddenly felt ashamed. She went back down to the spacious living area and watched TV until Horatio came home. He had brought Chinese food, and they sat in the kitchen eating and talking as they had many times when a case had kept them late at the office. At ten Calleigh announced that she was tired and would go to bed, so she said goodnight to Horatio and went to her room. Five minutes later she was back, looking a little embarrassed

"Horatio, the officer this afternoon forgot to pack any night things, could you lend me something?" she asked, turning a vivid shade of red. Horatio blushed as well, somewhat to her surprise, but it was strangely comforting that he was shaken out of his usual calm. He fetched a pair of jogging bottoms and a t-shirt, then mumbled something about having an early morning and going to bed early. They each said goodnight and went their separate ways.

Later that night Calleigh was awoken by footsteps padding past her room, stealthy footsteps, and she was immediately afraid. What if they had followed her to Horatio's apartment? She picked up her gun, lying beside her as always, and opened the door, looking each way before stepping out in to the hallway. She saw a light in the kitchen and almost screamed but Calleigh held her nerve. She moved closer to the kitchen, intending to make sure that it was the same men who had been at her home, then breathed deeply, ready to shout for Horatio. The cry froze on her lips as she moved closer to the open door of the kitchen

*Oh. My. Lord*

There in the kitchen was Horatio, standing with his back to the door, looking in the fridge. Calleigh just couldn't take her eyes off of him. He was naked, his broad back fully visible to his unseen admirer. Calleigh knew that the contours of that back, his finely toned muscles and frankly gorgeous ass would be burned forever in to her mind. She watched at he moved to put the kettle on the hob, drinking in the details of his body, noticing the scar on his left shoulder, a bullet wound from his time on the force, the way his muscles rippled under his tanned skin, the very epitome of controlled strength. Calleigh wished she could remain exactly where she was forever, but common sense was dispelling the lustful haze, telling her that if she didn't move quickly, she would be discovered. This was more than Calleigh could bear, so she waited until Horatio was busy searching a cupboard, then quietly slipped away, back to her own room. Once back in bed she couldn't stop thinking about what she had inadvertently seen, she squirmed under her covers, wishing that she had not seen him, and the next minute overcome by intense longing. She eventually fell asleep and dreamed of Horatio.

The next morning Calleigh woke early and headed out to the kitchen where she found Horatio drinking coffee and reading the morning paper. He started to get up but she forestalled him, raising a hand and heading over to the coffee machine. Calleigh was not a morning person, and generally avoided speaking until she had had at least one cup of coffee. She took her coffee and went back to her room, stopping briefly in the bathroom to wash her face. When Calleigh reappeared, looking immaculate as always in her work clothes, Horatio looked a little startled.

"You're not going in to work today Calleigh, I've given you the day off" he said, without taking his eyes from the newspaper. She neatly removed the paper from his hands, forcing him to pay her his full attention.

"Handsome, I'd like to see you stop me' she joked, then seeing him about to argue, she went on, 'I'd feel safer at the CSI building, I need to get back to work, I don't want to have to think about this more than I have to."

Horatio knew better than to argue with Calleigh, he usually came off worst, so he submitted, after making her promise that she would wait for him to drive her home at the end of the day. The day passed uneventfully, there were two cases brought in but they were knife attacks, no ballistics evidence required. By the time it was time to go home, Calleigh had the distinct feeling that Horatio was deliberately keeping her out of the loop. He came to fetch her from the ballistics lab, prising her away from a promising study on identifying coated bullets. They drove back to Horatio's apartment, which surprised Calleigh slightly, so she decided to broach the subject of how long she would be staying.

"Until you're ready to leave" was the typically cryptic answer. That night Horatio cooked for them both, showing an unexpected flair for Italian cooking

*unbelievable, he can still surprise me* thought Calleigh with an inward smile. There was a little awkwardness between them, but Horatio put it down to the two of them both being unused to sharing their space. Once they had retired Calleigh was haunted again by dreams of Horatio. He came to her room silently, and whispered loving words while he took care of the needs she felt. In a way, now she had seen the object of her desires, they became more painful; now that they had a physical form she could no longer deny her feelings for Horatio Caine.

In the morning, Calleigh announced that she would be leaving that evening, and would like to cook a meal to say thank you. Horatio seemed a bit surprised, but as always his feelings did not show for long. Calleigh had the day off, so she walked to the market, feeling much more secure. She enjoyed cooking, it was often therapeutic, but she found herself unaccountably nervous at the thought that she and Horatio would be eating the meal together. It was too much like a relationship, she was allowing herself to get too attached to Horatio, to her role in his life. Calleigh was suddenly glad that she had made the decision to leave, her physical closeness to Horatio had only intensified her feelings towards him, and Calleigh felt that the sooner she removed herself from Horatio's immediate vicinity, the better it would be for her peace of mind.

Having been persuaded to stay an extra night, to avoid being home alone in the evening, Calleigh packed up her overnight bag, sneaking in the t-shirt that Horatio had lent her. She took her bag to work that day, intending to take a taxi back to her own apartment building but in the end, Horatio dropped her at her home. She slid out of the Hummer and said goodnight, wanting to get the parting over as quickly as possible. Calleigh was so eager to get out of Horatio's confusing presence that she entirely missed the crestfallen look on his face as she almost ran away from him.

Calleigh settled quickly back in her own apartment, but as night closed in further she began to feel more apprehensive. She took her gun in to her bedroom as usual, but on this night she couldn't face the bed, the memory of her visitor was still fresh. Instead Calleigh lay on the floor, but she couldn't sleep, every little sound seemed amplified in the silence of the apartment. The silence seemed to grow louder as the night wore on, until Calleigh had to admit that she was scared. She thought about calling someone, *Horatio*, but a car backfiring outside completely destroyed the last of Calleigh's resolve. She leapt up and grabbed the keys to her car, still in the garage of her building. Still holding her gun she got in to her car and backed out, barely missing a couple waiting on the pavement. Blind with sheer terror Calleigh just drove without really knowing where she was going, until she realised she was outside Horatio's apartment. Still seeming to be working on adrenaline Calleigh ran up the stairs and knocked loudly at Horatio's door until he opened the door some minutes later. He was wearing a loose robe and carrying his own gun, which he quickly lowered when he saw who was at his door.

"Calleigh! What are you doing her? Is everything alright?" he asked quickly.

"I don't know what I'm doing here, I felt scared at home."

"Shh, it's alright, you can stay here tonight, I don't need to ask if you need some night things this time" he smiled, noticing Calleigh's attire. Calleigh looked down at herself, realising that she had barrelled out of her apartment wearing the vest and loose pants that served as her pyjamas.

"Oh shit."

"Hey it's alright, just come in and sleep for now, we can sort your apartment out tomorrow, please Calleigh, just come in and calm down." Horatio moved aside and pulled Calleigh inside as he spoke. He took her in to the kitchen and made a cup of chamomile tea, causing Calleigh to remember the last time she had seen him in the kitchen late at night. An involuntary blush darkened her cheeks, but Horatio put it down to embarrassment at turning up in her pyjamas. She was shown again to the room she had recently vacated, then left to sleep. To her surprise, sleep now came easily and she slipped in to dreamless slumber.

The next morning Calleigh awoke with a start, briefly disorientated, then she heard sounds coming from the kitchen and remembered where she was. A wave of hot embarrassment swept over her as she realised how she must have appeared when she turned up at Horatio's door in the middle of the night. Calleigh wanted nothing more than to run away, but then realised she wouldn't get very far in her pyjamas. There was nothing for it, she would have to go out and face the music.

"Good morning Sunshine" said Horatio when she walked in. "Do you want some coffee?"

"No, I want to thank you for being so understanding last night. I really didn't mean to come over here, I was scared and I missed you, and the next thing I know I was outside your front door."

"I missed you too y'know"

"And then, I just had to come in, or I could have stayed out...what?"

"I said I missed you too. My home doesn't feel right without you in it, and it took me until you left yesterday to realise that."

Calleigh couldn't quite take in what had just happened. *It seemed as if...no, he couldn't have just said that, could he?*

"Um...horatio, what just happened there?"

"I was admitting my...feelings for you. I missed you, I need you in my life, and I want more than just seeing you at work, I need to have you in my life all the time. I'm sorry if this is not what you want to hear, but I really needed to tell you before it was too late."

"Too late?" she asked, latching on to the one piece of the conversation she could make sense of.

"I know that you and Officer Hagan have been...getting closer, so I wanted to make my pitch before I was too late." Horatio moved away from Calleigh as he spoke, blushing almost as red as his hair.

"Hagan and I are friends, but no more. I've been in love with someone else for a long time now, so no one else really has a chance"

"Oh, well alright then, I'm sorry I brought it up...I...I...I don't know what to say. This must be really awkward for you, I'm sorry" Horatio stammered out, looking horrified at what he had just done. He moved out of the kitchen and headed up the stairs, almost running away from Calleigh, left staring in the kitchen.

Five minutes later she joined him upstairs

"Handsome, I think you got the wrong end of the stick somewhere. I'm in love with you, I have been for months now, but I had no idea that you felt the same way" now that Calleigh could see what had happened between them, her confidence came back with full force. "I think that it's time that we were honest with each other, so let me go first..." she said as she stepped forward and kissed him deeply, letting all her passion and love for him be felt. He returned the kiss and then broke it, whispering huskily to her "I don't want you to ever leave again" It was a promise Calleigh was more than happy to make.