Disclaimer: CSI: Miami does not belong to me. The characters are full of inspiration, intelligence, and intrigue that I can't help but borrow them a short while. I heartily enjoy the show and its premise. The events of this story are mine, but the characters are definitely not.

Author's Note: For b8kworm, the H/C group. Eternal gratitude to Mr. Hathaway, who made me realize I had a talent I was wasting; my apologies for neglecting to put a note here on all the other stories. To Lauri, because you've made me more vocal about the smut I'm addicted to but can't write; this is as close as I get. Thanks, Marianne, for your enthusiasm and help for my *trudgings*, LoL!

Summary: She could see that control, which kept him just outside her personal space, giving her his permission to seduce to her heart's desire. Just before she did just that, she promised his heart a sincere conversation with hers.

Archives: My site. Anybody else, email me. I like to go visiting.

Pairing(s): Horatio/Calleigh

Spoiler: None, sorry.

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Title: Nights Under the Full Jazz Moon

Author: Laeta
Email: [email protected]

Chapter 5: Moonlight Confessions

With every step along the sand grained shore they took, the haze of civilization fell away and left Horatio and Calleigh to journey through the world as they wished. Stars shone unchallenged by the cloudless sky; the fading moon sheltered its share of lovers' secrets. Meanwhile, the din of artificial conversation bowed behind to the imposing crash of waves. The breeze echoed both the moon and the water and brought shivers to Calleigh's slight frame.

Having wandered far enough, they settled in each other's arms to watch the play of light upon moving water. Once again ensconced in the comfort of Horatio's body, he warmed her and waited patiently, content to share nature's beauty with the one in his arms.

Lulled into a light doze by the elements, wine, and Horatio's steady heartbeat, she wondered how life managed to maneuver them to this moment. A week ago she was remarking on how they would never cross the line away from professionalism whereas now, she learned how deeply entrenched Horatio was in her and the reverse for him. Everyday he had surprised her with something about himself or obscure ways to show he cared and loved her; there were bouquets of flowers dotting the surfaces of her home while at work, there were little trinkets scattered about her lab. Her favorite was a square, clear paperweight with a bullet embedded in it; she enjoyed Horatio's subtle methods of teasing her immensely.

And during the past week, since their jobs demanded most of their time, Horatio had made a point of seeing her at some point along the day - never allowing her to leave for the night without a quick chat in his office or coffee in her lab first thing in the day - insignificant things that strengthened their initial friendship. For her part, she alternated between melting bones and the edge of sexual need. She had to give him credit for cherishing the novelty of this stage in their relationship.

Now, she knew it was her turn to bring them to the next.

"You asked me a question that I never answered."

"I did, but, Calleigh, you shouldn't feel obligated. You're not one of my suspects who I'm demanding an answer from."

She also could not fault his courtesy, but damn him for it anyway. She did not hesitate to say so.

Heated the barb was not, so she relished the vibrations of his humor, loving the fact she could bring him little joys like it, adoring the wry chuckle that flowed so easy out of him in her presence.

He nuzzled her bare neck, serious again. "Then, why me, sweetheart?"

Now or never. "Because the object of the night was to find the perfect man and you're it for me. Because I wanted you. Because I fell in love with you. Take your pick, but -" She sighed, trailing off, unable to completely portray her feelings.

Horatio's tightened his arms around Calleigh and she felt a breath heave out of him, blowing her bound hair. His head shifted to hide his face in it.

So being, his voice was muffled when he finally replied. "Thank you for that, Calleigh. Thank you so much." Her heart soared. "And I think I need to offer you an explanation."

Playful with relief, she turned to face him, depriving him of his shelter. "Yeah. Why were you there at the club?"

His face twisted into a small, self-deprecating smile. "Apparently I spend too much time at work for the company of a certain blond, fiery spirited, wholly independent criminalist. Or at work where I could be near her lab. A friend, I suppose you could consider him that-" The teasing note was a welcome additional to his voice as the smile grew full. "-is the owner of the club. He said there was this beautiful blond lady with an amazing, sultry accent and a smile to die for frequenting his place about once a month. He demanded I come see if it was you, swearing it was, once he saw that picture I made of you."

"So, being the dedicated scientist you are, you came see for yourself."

"Absolutely. I also will admit she was perfection on wings, and could you believe of all the men there, she chose me."

"And here we are."

She settled more comfortably into his arms and whispered, "I'm glad you went."

"Me, too, sweetheart. Me, too."

A moment later, he twisted his body in a smooth movement and Calleigh found herself looking up into his eyes with the fire dancing enticingly and his face and body backlit by the starlit sky. Her head cradled tenderly, body protected by his from the cool of the night and cushioned in the soft sand, she gazed befuddled into the desire drenched eyes of the man she loved.

"Always the truth, right, Calleigh? Then here's one: I can't resist you."

Then his mouth closed the distance to hers and Calleigh gave up on thinking, trusting him to keep her safe.

Later, he drove her home after their tryst was interrupted by party revelers spilling out onto the beach for some water fun. They stole quietly away and Calleigh slipped off her low-heeled shoes. Voice teasing, Horatio caught her hand and tugged her to his side; she let the sound of his laughter wash over her and through her soul.

When they reached the pavement of the parking lot, Horatio swept her into his arms as she held onto to her shoes and him. He deposited her in the passenger seat of his car after Calleigh successfully distracted him from his goal of opening the door for her. She merely grinned at his half-hearted threat of retaliation; she was enjoying the disheveled look he sported too much to let such words disturb her pleasure.

The drive occurred under quiet reflection though Horatio did not relinquish his touch. He varied from merely holding her hand to fingertips absently grazing the skin of her arm to playing with wisps of her hair. Calleigh luxuriated that he was finally comfortable with touching her; she missed the simple act of being touched by love. And Horatio did not do anything halfway.

At the entrance of her home, she knew why he hesitated at her offer to enter. If he wanted slow, the temptation of going in, and eventually staying until morning, would be too strong. Though she understood, she had to make that point to him; she respected his wishes and intuition told her that, in the long run, the waiting would head off into a very interesting night. She looked forward to that.

So with a sentence, she managed to convey everything: "Horatio, I really love that picture, too." Then she let the door shut him off from her, but not before she caught the three-dimensional thinking she was so fond of turn the gears in his mind.

Yes, she mused. She was in for a very interesting time whenever the night arrived for them to move the relationship further. In the meantime, she had their next date to tempt an alteration to his plans.

FIN

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© RK 23.May.2003