Author's Note: Ok, I've made some slight deviations from what happened in season 4 and tweaked the characters here and there. I've only watched clips of the latter half of season 4 but I'll try to integrate this fic as far as possible with the scenes in S4. Hope you enjoy reading this. Please leave some feedback because I'm thinking of doing their relationship in multiple chapters but I'm not sure yet. Oh and apologies in advance for all the various English language errors you may come across. Cheers

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except Isabella Sorenson, and she's merely a figment of my imagination. The characters you do recognise here from the series respectively belong to CBS, Jerry Bruckheimer and the CSI franchise writers.

Options and consequences

Marisol Delektorsky sat at a desk in one of the backrooms of the Il Covo nightclub crunching the numbers of the previous week's sales. She had a degree as a chartered accountant but her cancer had somewhat dashed her hopes of joining a major firm due to health policies. So in order to juggle her chemotherapy and its effects and paying for her treatments she had taken up a job as a part-time accountant for a number of small firms. This allowed flexibility and didn't commit her fully to anything.

Marisol sat back and rubbed her eyes, glad that she was coming to the end. She ran a hand through her hair and noted with dismay the strands of hair that gathered in her palm. She was just about to start the final figures when a brunette head popped around the door and startled her with a loud hello.

"Jesus Bella! If I don't die from cancer, you'll be the death of me!" Marisol exclaimed somewhat angrily.

"Oh come on Mari, you know you enjoy being startled…adds some spice to your life right?" Bella winked back, a broad smile breaking out on her face.

"So you think." Marisol replied unable to be angry with her best friend for very long and breaking out into a smile despite herself. "So what brings you here?" Marisol asked.

"Well pardon me, but I didn't think I'd need a reason to drop in and see how my best friend is doing…" Bella pouted playfully, "Actually I was wondering if you wanted to go for coffee or something, I have some big news…."

She was interrupted mid sentence by one of the bartenders coming in, "Ms. Delektorsky. Sorry to intrude but these were just dropped off for you." He handed her a stunning bouquet of lilies, with a flaming orange-red centre and creamy yellow edges.

"Thanks Pat." Marisol smiled as she took the flowers from him. A small smile played across her face as she looked at the card and recognised the handwriting. "So you were saying Bella…what's the big news?"

"Oh no you don't Marisol Tatyana Delektorsky…. I haven't seen you smile like that since your prom date with Riout. You were utterly besotted with that French Cannuck! So what's up, who are those gorgeous petals from?"

Marisol sighed wondering how she was going to get out of her best friend's interrogation. She and Isabella Sorenson had been friends since as far as her memory could take her. Marisol regarded Bella as a sister, and she knew that Bella (being an only child) held her in the same regard. They both knew each other's habits as their own and so lying or even attempting to was going to take a lot of effort.

"Don't be silly Bella, they're from Eric. You know how attentive he's become since my diagnosis. Speaking of which I better call him and tell him not to pick me up if we're going for coffee." Marisol turned away and punched in Eric's number. He answered after a couple of rings.

"Delko"

"Eric, it's me."

"Are you done already Marisol?"

"Well almost but Bella just dropped by and well I'm going for coffee with her, so don't worry, I'm in safe hands." She glanced at Bella who just feigned an innocent smile. "Oh and thanks for the flowers Eric. They were really sweet." Marisol tapped Bella's hand as she tried to sneak her hand towards the card hanging from the bouquet.

"Mari? What flowers…."

"Ok, bye." Marisol ended sweetly and hung up on her brother.

Eric looked at his phone in confusion. Then guessing it was something to do with Bella being there he began to concentrate wholly on his work reassured that Marisol would be all right while she was with Bella.

"Bella, didn't you know that curiosity killed the cat?"

"So Christian and my mother keep telling me." Bella rolled her eyes, "But come on you don't honestly expect me to believe Eric sent you those? Besides he sounded hmm…a tad bit confused on the phone."

"Well I have no idea what you mean." Marisol replied arching an eyebrow, "Now go find something to occupy yourself for about ten minutes so I can finish up here because you're such a distraction and then we'll head out for that coffee and your big news. Ok?"

"Marisol, you're not getting off that easily." Her friend replied flippantly as she jumped of the desk and strolled to the door.

"Oh Bella you do fuss a lot."

"Ok, I'll be back in ten."

Marisol got up from her chair to make sure Isabella was clear of the immediate vicinity when she went back to the desk and looked at the card, thrilled that he had sent her flowers and had taken the time to personally write out the card, for the handwriting on the envelope was identical to the one on his card, given to her when they first met. She opened the card. The message inside was simple. "Dinner was gorgeous and so were you- Thank you." The scribbled signature at the bottom just acted as further confirmation that he had personally written it. The message made her heart soar. She turned back to the ledger infront of her and forced her mind to concentrate on the numbers. She soon geared into automatic, as her thoughts devilishly slipped back to last night:

Dinner had gone well, he had showed up promptly at 8pm. His clothes were different from what he had been wearing earlier. He had on a deep red shirt that brought out the hues in his sun-streaked hair. At first conversation had been stilted but after they both acknowledged this with a laugh, conversation began to flow more easily. Marisol laughed softly to herself as she remembered his surprised expression when she told him she was a chartered accountant because…well she certainly didn't look the part. She hadn't eaten much but he had tucked into her culinary efforts with some relish. The evening ended much to her delight with the promise of having dinner again soon. When he left, she had taken a couple of moments to regain her state of mind.

Marisol felt blown away by the man she had just spent an evening with. He was so different from the others she had dated over the years. There was just something special about him, and she felt she had been blessed to know him.

"Wow Marisol your fingers seem to be working over time there." Bella said as she once again reappeared.

Marisol's eyes came into focus on the figures as her mind snapped back to reality. "Uh huh, just a few more numbers." She replied as she scribbled in the ledger. Isabella watched her from the doorframe as Marisol continued to work. The scene before her made her incredulous of the fact that Marisol's life still wasn't guaranteed. Bella had taken Marisol's diagnosis very badly indeed, worse than Marisol herself. She had cried and been angry with those around her but her anger slowly gave way to the realisation that all she could do was be there for her best friend.

"All done." Said Marisol as she closed the ledger with a thud and put the pens and calculator away. She stood up and scooped the lilies up in her arms, taking in their scent once more. She gave Bella a quick hug as they walked out together towards the front of the club. On the way out, Marisol ducked into the manager's office to let him know that she was done. He thanked her and promised to send her a cheque in the mail.

In the car, Isabella held back her big news, insisting she'd tell Marisol during coffee. The ride was therefore an unusually quiet one. Marisol's thoughts once more drifted to last night as she argued with herself. There was no reason why she shouldn't tell Bella, it had just been dinner after all, and that too merely as acquaintances who had enjoyed each other's company. When they reached the coffee shop they were shown to their usual table.

"So Isabella, what's the big news?" Marisol asked as she sat down

Isabella's eyes began to shine with happiness, "Mari…Marisol, Christian proposed to me last night!"

Marisol broke out into a huge smile, "Oh, Bella! That's fantastic. Congratulations!" she got up to give her friend a kiss and hug, "So tell me all about it. But hang on, isn't Christian in Maine till the weekend?"

"Yes, he flew back to surprise be because well, call me stupid, but the Rodman account has had the bank really busy and I completely forgot that it was our anniversary yesterday, well until Christian showed up on my doorstep at 11.30 in the night and proposed to me while I was in pyjamas!" Bella smiled, "We're going to tell the parents the good news on the weekend. And well I want us to get married as soon as possible because I want you to be my maid of honor."

Marisol shook her head slightly, touched by Bella's words, "Bella, this is your wedding we're talking about, the special day we've dreamed about since we were 7…"

"An occasion where we promised each other we would be each other's maid of honour." Bella finished for her.

Marisol sighed slightly, "No Bella, I don't want you to rush this because of me. This is your day. It will take time to plan. I want it to be as natural and as perfect as wedding days should be. I will be your maid of honour, I promise." She saw tears form in her best friend's eyes. Marisol reached over to hug her, "Oh Bella, I promise I'll be here. I promise." She said soothingly as Isabella's tears fell on her shoulder.

Bella gave a huge sniffle "No Marisol, I really insist."

"No Bella, I really insist, C'mon planning is all part of the fun. Hey! I don't want my best friend's wedding to be crappy. Just think, how will we make that perfect day perfect without proper planning huh?"

"Marisol…"

"Isabella it will be fine, and that's that!" Marisol finished with a no-nonsense expression.

Bella gave a small laugh, "Well…if you tell me who sent you those flowers then we have a deal Ms. Delektorsky."

"Oh Bella!" Marisol exclaimed knowing she would have to give in. Isabella was the most stubborn person she knew, besides telling her about him seemed a small price to pay for her best friend's happiness. "Ok, we have a deal."

They both ordered cappuccinos as Isabella launched into some more details about Christian's proposal. After their cappuccinos arrived Isabella pressed Marisol for the details about her flowers.

"Well the flowers are really just a thank-you for dinner last night." Marisol offered.

"Who was dinner with? Anyone I've tried setting you up with?" Isabella shot back, dissatisfied with the vagueness of Marisol's first answer.

"No. Bella you know I think you have appalling taste in men, well apart from Christian. His name is Horatio Caine. I met him through Eric." Marisol replied as nonchalantly as possible.

The name sounded familiar and then it hit Bella. "Wait, did you say Horatio Caine."

Marisol nodded unwilling to let on anymore. "Oh gosh! Not the Lieutenant Horatio Caine from the paper the other day?" Marisol nodded again, "Marisol! How did you end up having dinner with Eric's boss?" Bella wailed.

"Hey! It was just dinner, to say thanks for getting me out of the drug incident. That's all." Marisol protested in her defense.

"I'm waiting for the But…" Bella asked playfully

Marisol smiled ruefully knowing how well Bella could read her. "Ok, but we've agreed to have dinner again and I think I'm falling very badly indeed for him. Oh Bella's he just so wonderful."

"Well I remember him from when the tsunami hit the bank and some gold was stolen from the vault. He seemed nice, especially to the Rileys." Marisol raised an enquiring eyebrow; "Oh Mr. Riley was the manager at the time. Lieutenant Caine, and Eric too, seemed very in control and calm when we were in the vault while the rest of us just kind of freaked out… oh and it's also how I met Christian remember? … but Marisol what does Eric think?"

"Oh I mentioned dinner to him before Lieutenant came around...he just laughed, you know Eric."

"Really? Eric laughed when you told him you're falling for his boss?"

"Um, well I haven't told him about that yet."

Bella let out a sigh, "Marisol, I hate to put a damper on a relationship before its even begun. But I really think you should consider Eric. He's been through so much these past couple of months at work. Jesus, he almost lost his job! and now…no, wait let me finish…you're seeing his boss? Did you ever consider the possibility of how this could affect their working relationship? "

"But Bella, we're not in a relationship yet, it's just dinner."

"Mari…" Bella shook her head impatiently, "If it's going to be just dinner like the first time it will probably end up with another dinner date."

"You don't know that Bella." Marisol shot back

Isabella raised her hands defensively, "All I'm saying Marisol is that Eric has a right to know because this situation affects him too. At least tell him that you guys are having dinner again. Oh Crud! I'm beginning to sound like my mother!" Isabella finished, trying to lighten the mood a little.

Marisol gave a small smile but remained silent – Bella had a point. When she had first asked him for dinner, Lt. Caine had been hesitant over accepting - Eric had been a reason. But she had managed to win him over by insisting it was just dinner. But she had been so happy over the prospect of having dinner with him again that she still hadn't faced the reality of the situation, or the seriousness of having a relationship with Eric's superior. But that was because she wasn't sure if they were going to have a relationship or not. She decided that she should talk to both Eric and Lieutenant Caine about it.

"Point made Bella. What would I do without you?" Marisol smiled at her friend.

"You my dear girl would have no love life if you were left to your own devices. You think life is as straight forward as those damn numbers you crunch, with everything being balanced!" Bella stated matter-of-factly as she took a sip from her cup.

Marisol sighed thinking how much easier crunching numbers were; one of the reasons that accounting had attracted her in the first place. These internal arguments would, at the rate she was going, do her head in. She sipped her cappuccino.

"So what you gonna do at home? Because I was thinking we could do some shopping for some wedding planning stuff with Christian. How does that sound?"

"Oh nothing much, just the usual chores and some figures to do for Friday. But shopping sounds so much more exciting at the moment! Sure I won't be in the way if Christian's there?"

" 'Course not besides you know men's opinions." Retorted Bella rolling her eyes.

"But do you mind if we make a small detour." Marisol grinned, "Yes, I want to speak to Eric now and get this off my chest otherwise I won't be able to get my shopping craze on!"

"Not a problem Miss Delektorsky. Your wish is my command." Replied Isabella as she playfully flicked her finger through the air.

The two friends finished their cappuccinos and drove to the crimelab brainstorming all kinds of crazy ideas for the perfect wedding. Marisol made Isabella stop a little distance away from the crimelab. She got out of the car and walked towards the crimelab. She pulled out her phone and dialled Eric's number; he answered after a couple of rings:

"Delko." Came Eric's gruff voice

"Ms. Delektorsky here." Marisol replied playfully.

"Marisol, what's up?" asked Eric, his tone softening.

"Well I'm downstairs and I wanted to talk to you urgently about something, well about last night."

"You're at the lab?"

"Uh-huh."

"Gee, sorry Mari but I'm not at the lab. I just left a crime scene and I'm stuck in traffic in the centre of town. So what about last night…"

Marisol could just hear the smirk at the other end of the line. "Well…We're going to have dinner again." She held her breath expectantly.

"You and H. are having dinner again? So what've I got to do with it?"

"It's just that he's your boss, and well if you feel weird about it, I totally understand. I can cancel dinner."

Eric gave a short chuckle, "If you cancel dinner that would really make things awkward between H. and me! Of course I don't mind, as

long as I'm not dating him…"

"Eric!"

"…as long as you're happy Marisol, that's all that matters." Eric finished softly

"Thanks little brother, I just needed to know it was ok."

"Hmm…wish you did that with some of the jerks you've dated." He added testily. "Is Bella still with you?"

"Yup we're going shopping…Oh call her and congratulate her because Christian proposed to her last night."

"Wow so last night was a big night for you both. Wonder why I stayed in? maybe I could have got lucky too." Eric sniggered.

"Yeah, little brother, the day you settle down will be the day. Ok, so I'll see you later?"

"Sure, have fun shopping with Bella. Maybe we can do dinner or something later. Ok, Bye."

"Bye, and thanks again Eric."

"No worries Mari, bye." Eric hung up and swallowed hard, thinking how on earth he would cope if Marisol did go.

Marisol flipped her cell shut and debated going inside and asking if the Lieutenant was in, maybe she could kill two birds with one stone since she was at the lab anyway. Besides Marisol wanted to get this over and done with, she was happy but felt a bit nervous about having this talk with him.

Lieutenant Horatio Caine had just finished talking to Calleigh about interrogating Mario Pilar and had just closed the door to his office when he looked outside the window and saw a familiar figure talking on a cell phone. He crept along the edge of the room till he reached his desk, and then crouched down behind his chair to maintain his view of her. He couldn't believe he was sneaking around his own office but he didn't want to pull himself into her possible line of vision, content to watch her from the sanctuary of his office. He was surprised to find himself hoping that she had come to see him, but he quickly dismissed the thought knowing that it was probably Eric she had come to see. He glanced at his watch and hoped the flowers had been delivered to her on time because he certainly hadn't expected her to come here. He had wanted to call her hours ago to arrange dinner but his mind told him to wait a bit longer, so that he didn't sound too pathetic. To his eyes, she looked just as beautiful today as she had last night. He felt a stirring in his heart that he hadn't felt since Yelina had left 18 months ago. He wondered if he was moving on. The heartache he felt had certainly lessened a tiny degree. He was glad he had accepted dinner despite an inner voice yelling at him to say no. His eyes remained trained on her as she shut her cellphone off and turned to walk away. He then remembered that Eric and Wolfe were gathering information from the victim's workplace. He wondered if she was thinking of him now? Like an answer to his question he watched her turnaround and come up the ramp that would lead her to the entrance.

When the telephone on Horatio's desk rang he was still crouched behind his chair lost in his thoughts. The shrill ring shook Horatio out of his reverie. His mind quickly disciplined itself for lapsing while being on duty!

"Caine here."

"Lieutenant, I have a Miss Delektorsky here at reception who would like to see you."

"Thank-you Paula. Please tell her I'll be with her in a couple of moments."

"Yes Sir."

He put down the handset and took a couple of deep breaths. He waited for what seemed to him a couple of moments by leafing through the papers in his INBOX tray. He made his way down to the reception and was told that his visitor was waiting for him outside. He went outside and stood still for a moment watching her soak up the sun's rays before speaking, "Marisol?"

She turned around to face him. Just hearing his voice made her smile, "Hey, I was hoping I might find you here. I um…I was just hoping to… talk to you for a second?" she finished quickly.

"Sure. What's going on?" came his quick reply.

She bit her lip, unsure of how to phrase her thoughts and decided to take the direct approach, "I had a wonderful time last night."

"So did I." came his low, husky reply that made her heart skip a few beats.

"I'm just…worried about you." She stated, knowing that she was lying and just trying to beat around the bush.

Horatio's eyes registered confusion, "Me? Why?"

"You made my arrest go away. I'm just, I'm afraid that someone could twist that, turn it into something ugly." She watched as Horatio bent his head down and played with his sunglasses.

Horatio looked up, a bit taken aback by her regard for him, he locked his eyes with her and said, "First of all, I don't want you to worry about that, all right?" He watched her mouth curve into a small smile but her eyes held a different message that she still would be concerned. However Horatio wanted to address another issue. He took a step closer towards her, "And um, Marisol what's bothering you?

Marisol broke eye contact with him, unsure of how to continue and surprised that he was able to read her so well. She gave a small sigh knowing she'd have to tell him the real reason she wanted to talk to him, "It's my brother, Eric. It's just…I don't want to do anything to disrupt…interrupt what you guys have. I mean you are his boss!"

Horatio thought for a second, "Ok…um…how about if I talk to Eric?"

"You would do that?" came her amazed question.

"Of course I will." He replied gallantly, to be rewarded by her smile. She smiled at him speechless, "Ok then." he continued

"Um." Marisol felt her mouth become very dry and bit her lip thinking of what to say next, "I guess I um… I guess I have to go."

"Ok uh…" now it was Horatio's turn to be speechless

They both chuckled nervously and gave each other awkward stares. Marisol felt herself blushing as he said, "we'll uh, we'll talk later…all right?"

"Till then." She gave a small laugh back and turned to leave when the lilies popped into her mind.

"Anything else?" He inquired.

She swivelled quickly wanting to give him kiss on his cheek but then realised it might be inappropriate for the location. Instead she placed her hand on his arm, "Well actually yes Lieutenant. Thank-you for the flowers, they were beautiful, and got me the inquisition too!"

Now Horatio blushed, "I'm glad you liked them. I'll speak to you later then?"

Marisol noticed the skin above his collar reddening slightly and smiled her affirmation and then turned to finally leave. Horatio watched her as she made her way to a car. He noticed a female driver and thought she looked vaguely familiar, when her face came back to him from the case Hurricane Anthony had brought up. He wondered briefly if that was the inquisition. Marisol's companion certainly looked like she could raise an inquisition. Making sure they had driven away safely he turned and went back inside to work on the Clare Trinner case.

Marisol got into the car to face an amused look from Isabella, "Well from my vantage point here, I see that only the Lieutenant showed up."

"Oh Eric was at a crime scene."

"So you just couldn't resist seeing him." Bella asked humorously.

"Just drive Bella! You are sounding like your mother in more ways than one now." Marisol replied playfully.

"Hmm, so touchy! So what did the good Lieutenant have to say?"

"Nothing that concerns you. All you need to know is that Eric is fine with dinner." retorted Marisol as she rolled down her window.

"Touché!" replied Bella laughing as they drove towards the mall.