Yeah you guys are keeping me amused. I look forward to coming to this site all the time.
The weather in Chicago was cold. It was a far cry from Miami. Horatio had grown up in New York, and one would have thought he would have been used to the cold, but perhaps he had been in Miami too long. The cold only made him miss the warmth of home more.
Tha day was over and he had another week to go before he could fly home to Miami. He removed his large overcoat and tossed it on his hotel bed. He picked up the phone and dialled the familiar number. It was answered after a long time.
"Hi, I was beginning to think you weren't home." Horatio said.
"Sorry," Yelina apologised. "I was in the shower."
"Hmm.. that's a nice thought. Wish I could be in the shower with you."
Yelina laughed the laugh Horatio loved to hear. "Matt's asleep?" Horatio asked.
"Yup." Yelina replied.
"How was your day?" Horatio asked.
Yelina thought it wise not to let Horatio in on too many details. She didn't want him worrying unncesesarily. "Nothing much, ran into some car trouble."
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah. Ray's picking Matt and me tomorrow, till the car's fixed."
"Good... Miss you." Horatio said softly into the phone.
"Miss you too." Yelina replied.
"You'd better get to bed." Horatio said. "In case Matt wakes in the night."
"Yeah. I love you." Yelina said. "Goodnight."
"Love you too." Horatio smiled. He waited for her to hang up before he did. He never felt like this before Yelina, he could pick up and move on without trouble. Domestic life had softened him somewhat, he mused.
He toyed with the thought of calling Calleigh to see how things were at the lab, but decided against it, knowing that he had left the lab in good hands. Instead he opted for a quick shower, then decided to head to the hotel bar. He ordered a beer from the bartender. Horatio usually didn't drink, but he thought he had better order some beverage, since he was at a bar. He surveyed the scene, a couple of other CSIs from the various states, he had met at the conference were there. A man in a cowoby hat was attempting to pick up come blonde at the other end of the bar.
He bowed his head and studied his fingers for a moment. He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath he thought he could almost smell Yelina's scent. He heard someone take the seat beside him, and he opened his eyes. He wasn't in the mood for company.
"Lt. Horatio Caine. Good to finally meet you." The brunette seated beside him stuck out a hand.
Horatio found her face familiar. He shook her outstretched hand. "You're Ms Daniels. You gave a lecture on blood splatter analysis earlier." He now remembered why he found her face familiar.
"Please call me Lisa." The brunette smiled. "I'm surprised you were paying attention. I thought someone with your reputation would find my lecture boring."
Horatio laughed. "There's always more to learn." He paused. "What did you mean by, my reputation?"
"I heard you always get your man. That you're keeping Miami safe." Lisa smiled.
"Isn't that what we all do?" Horatio replied. "I'm fortunate to have a good team of CSIs."
"Humble and charming." Lisa teased. "Care to buy me drink?"
Horatio blushed a little. "Sure." He signalled for the bartender, and Lisa ordered a Martini.
The night wore on and they made small talk, both getting comfortable with each other's company. Horatio drank a little more than he thought he should but Lisa kept ordering him drinks.
"Care for some company tonight, Horatio?" Lisa asked suggestively.
Horatio blinked, forcing himself out of a fog that had seemed to have come over him. "Umm... " he cleared his throat. Didn't she notice his wedding ring? "No thank you."
"Sure?" Lisa asked. She leaned close to him. He could smell the alcohol in her breath. She slid a hand up his thigh.
Horatio almost jumped out of his seat. He hadn't been touched by any woman in that fashion since Yelina. He blushed again. She looked like she was about to lean in to kiss him, and Horatio knew it was time to make an exit. He stood up and paid the bartender for their drinks.
"I happen to be happily married to a woman I'm madly in love with. And er, I wouldn't do anything to jeapordize that." Horatio said, almost apologetically.
"That's a shame." Lisa said. She slid a piece of paper into Horatio's jacket. "In case you change your mind, call me." She stood up, her gait slightly unsteady. It was clear to Horatio she was drunk. "We could have some harmless fun, your wife would never know."
"I think you need to get to your room." Horatio said. He could just leave her, but he knew there were many men who would take advantage of her in her drunken state. He took her gently by the arm, and led her out of the bar. He had no idea which room she was in, but fortunately the hotel conceierge saw them and gave Horatio the room number, winking at them as Horatio punched the number in the elevator to her floor.
Horatio sighed. They did look like a couple headed back to the room for night of fun and sex. Reaching Lisa's room, Horatio unlocked the door, helping her onto the bed. He laid her head down on the pillow, then slipped off her heels. He pulled the covers over her, and just as he was about to leave, Lisa grabbed his hand. "Sure you won't stay?"
Horatio gently pried her hand from his. "Get some rest."
He hurried out of the room, closing the door behind him. He took the elevator to his floor. He could alomost imagine what Yelina would say if he told her of what had just happened, that he was very attractive and he should expect that certain women might try to get in his pants.
Horatio sighed. He missed Yelina and Matt even more now. He unlocked his room door, and was soon fast asleep after a drop too many of alcohol.
