Asking Her Out

Or, A Response to Calleigh's Frustration.

It had been a long, particularly arduous case for the Miami Dade Crime Lab. The double murder had taken up an entire week of the criminalists' attention. Finally, Lieutenant Caine sat at his desk, a place reserved for only one thing: paperwork. Though he generally detested it, today's mountain of paperwork meant two good things. First, it meant that one more case was closed, which brought a sense of finality to the end of the week. It also meant that Horatio Caine could focus his efforts on something more to his taste…

Calleigh Duquense's resolute ballistics report had been the nail in the homicide suspect's coffin. The pair had begun their usual dance around each other during this case. Perhaps it was an outlet of frustration, a distraction. Or maybe it was just the result of long-withheld emotion. At any rate, Calleigh knew nothing would come of their flirtatious banter. Thus, as always, she worked diligently on the evidence on her table. It is there, with the southern belle bent over a microscope, that the story begins.

Horatio Caine entered the ballistics lab at his usual brisk clip. "Calleigh, what have we got?" Calleigh straightened up and flashed a smile at her LT. "What we've got is a perfect match, he's nailed. Metaphorically speaking, of course."

Horatio gave her a rare grin. "Well, ma'am, would you …would you care to accompany me?" A thousand thoughts ran through Calleigh's head. Accompany him? Dinner? A date?

"Calleigh," Horatio's voice persisted, "Would you like to come on his arrest?" Oh. Of course he meant to arrest the suspect.

"Sure, handsome, I'd love to." Calleigh responded, trying her best to achieve that perky norm.

Horatio had officially done the Caine-sideways-stare at Calleigh Duquesne six times on the Hummer-ride back from apprehending the criminal. The last time, he had been caught by Calleigh's sharp gaze back at him. This was pushing her feminine limits. Finally, as he glanced once more, her patience snapped.

"Horatio Caine, unless you have something to say, would you kindly keep your eyes on the road? I'm trying to maintain some degree of professionalism and I feel like I'm trace under a scope! Either ask me out or quit getting my hopes up. This is ridiculous! All this dancing around each other! We work together for nearly ten years, and all we ever do is grin." Calleigh exploded.

Horatio smiled a thin-lipped smirk. Here goes everything…Keeping his eyes on the road, as requested, he paused before asking.

"Well,ma'am, I was hoping you'd do me the honor of having dinner with me tonight?"