Re: Not Just Words: A DuCaine fic inspired by the DuCaine th
Thanks to all for the feedback.
The next installment in this little serial was based off a dream I recently had.
**SPOILER WARNING**
**SPOILER WARNING**
**SPOILER WARNING**
**SPOILER WARNING**
However, it contains spoilers for S6, so if you don't like spoilers, you may want to skip this next installment and PM me for the non-spoiler synopsis
Three months had passed since the fateful evening in which Calleigh finally had her wish come true. The time since then had been one brim-full of magical evenings shared with Horatio, be it at a crowded restaurant or on the comfort of his couch snuggled close in front of his television. Either way, she was with him and she was never happier, for he was always there to hold her whenever she needed him for support.
When Horatio received a startling bit of news, however, Calleigh knew she would have to be his rock that day and perhaps for a few more after that. She knew that something was peculiar about Kyle Harmon the moment she first gazed upon his visage; his blue eyes were undeniably familiar, and his composure, calm during the initial interrogation, reminded her so much of Horatio that she feared more than coincidence. Once she saw Horatio outside talking with Yelina, whom he had sent to uncover more about this mysterious young man, the look on his face when he received the news brought a large lump to her throat. She knew he had received earth-shattering results from Yelina’s investigation. She watched as he walked slowly back inside to his office before she crept outside, carefully hidden from the view from Horatio’s office, to where Yelina still stood.
“Yelina, what’s going on?” she asked as she approached Yelina.
Yelina turned to face Calleigh and looked at her with serious eyes. “Calleigh, this kid Kyle…I did some digging on him, and I found out that he has been with foster parents since he was a few months old.”
“Okay, so why does Horatio look like he’s just seen a ghost?”
“Because,” Yelina started, “Kyle’s real father is Horatio.”
Calleigh gasped, mouth agape. “Oh my god…”
Yelina nodded. “Yeah. I asked Horatio if he was all right and he said he needed some alone time to process this whole thing. I don’t blame him; that’s quite a lot to chew right now.”
“Yeah,” Calleigh said quietly. “I wonder why Kyle’s mother never told Horatio about him. Knowing him, he would have loved to have had the chance to take care of him, you know?”
Yelina smiled. “Of course. You should see the way he interacts with Ray Jr. Horatio is such a wonderful father figure to him.”
“Horatio’s always had strong feelings towards family,” Calleigh said. “He was so helpful when I had my problems with my dad. I hope I can help him with this.”
“I think…now is the time you should help him,” Yelina said. “He needs you now more than ever.”
Calleigh nodded.
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With the blinds closed and only the light of the small desk lamp illuminating the room, Horatio sat at his desk, trying to comprehend the bigger picture.
I never thought I would get the chance to be a father, Horatio said to himself.
Knowing that I helped to create a life…as much as I would be happy that I finally have a child, I just wish I could have been there to raise Kyle right. I hope it’s not too late for Kyle, for my son.
The sound of the door handle turning roused Horatio from his deep train of thought. Calleigh quietly slipped in and closed the door behind her. The look on her face told Horatio that she had talked to Yelina and found everything out.
“Hi,” Calleigh said as she slowly approached Horatio’s desk.
Horatio forged a small smile. “Hey. So…I take it Yelina told you about Kyle.”
Calleigh nodded. “Yeah. I’m so happy for you.”
Horatio sighed, folded his arms on the top of the desk and laid his chin atop them. “As much as I am, I just wish I could have been there for him, you know?”
“Of course I do,” Calleigh said, pulling up another chair and placing it right next to his.
Horatio then laid the side of his head on top of his arms in order to face Calleigh. “What am I going to do? I’m afraid of what’s going to happen to him.”
“Well,” Calleigh said, placing a hand on top of his head, “he’s still a minor, so if he is guilty, then maybe his sentence won’t be as harsh.”
Horatio lowered his voice to near-whisper. “I hope he’s innocent, though. He still has a full life ahead of him, and I hope to help him get on the right track so he doesn’t spend the rest of his life in jail.”
Calleigh began to rub her fingers through his hair. “You’re going to be such a great father,” she said as the soothing strokes of her rubbing his head calmed him down even more. “I hope to be there to help you along the way.”
Horatio smiled. “I would like that.”
As Calleigh continued to run her fingers through Horatio’s hair, Horatio slowly began to drift into a soft and peaceful slumber. Yelina sneaked in around the time of the night shift’s arrival to catch Calleigh asleep in her chair, her fingers still locked in Horatio’s hair. Yelina grinned as she walked over to Calleigh and gently roused her from her nap.
“How is he?” Yelina whispered.
“I think he’ll be all right,” Calleigh answered. “He’s going to need some help with Kyle, though, which worries me.”
Yelina nodded. “Day shift’s over. I think you need to take him home.”
“Okay. Thanks for coming in, otherwise I wouldn’t have woke up.”
Yelina smiled and walked out. Calleigh turned around and gently nudged Horatio. With bleary eyes, Horatio looked up at a smiling Calleigh.
“Hey Handsome, it’s time to go home,” Calleigh whispered.