A/N: The setting of this story is before the lab changed and Calleigh thought about adopting the North children. Kyle is not in the picture either…just to clarify for readers. I hope everyone enjoys!

No Way Out

Horatio slid his sunglasses on, scanned the crime scene while he impatiently tapped his gold shield with his left hand and rested his right on his Sig Sauer holstered securely on his belt. They had missed something examining the crime scene, he could feel it deep inside and they needed to get the evidence back to the lab as quickly as possible to go over everything with a fine tooth comb. This was not a natural gas explosion, none of the connections showed deterioration and the gas company showed nothing on their monitoring leading up to the explosion that would have caused it.

The team had been called to examine the aftermath of the explosion which occurred at a neighborhood store near Miami Shores and the reverberation from this would be felt for months, if not for years to come. The explosion and subsequent fire had left an elderly man and his wife dead in what remained of their mom and pop business. During the interviews with the people in the area who also owned stores, it was very obvious how much they thought of the couple. When the team arrived back at the lab, for the first time in a long while, Horatio walked into trace and put on his lab coat to join his team as they looked at the evidence collected.

Calleigh was the first to comment, "Well now, isn't this a sight to see… you haven't had on your lab coat in ages…but you're still as handsome as always!"

Horatio dipped his head, then looked up and gave her a shy smile, "It has been too long Sweetheart."

Horatio and his team went over the evidence, spread out on a large table, several times and then on the last pass, Horatio noticed what looked like a small amount of chemical residue on a piece of charred metal. Quickly he swabbed the spot and began to run the necessary tests to tell them what the substance was and if it was related to the explosion.

They waited and after several minutes they heard the machine begin printing out a report. Horatio took the piece of paper and read the results out loud.

"RDX, hmm…an explosive component of C-4," Horatio noticed the blank looks on the CSI's faces as he expanded the definition, "it is also known as cyclonite or hexogen. It detonates quickly and is an extremely powerful detonator that is very stable in storage until ready for use."

Eric was the first to speak, "Isn't C-4 manufactured only by the military H?"

"It is Eric, but RDX is an ingredient found in fireworks and rodent killer both easily purchased by any civilian, but check for any breach of security and loss of RDX at surrounding Army ammunition plants."

"You got it H."

Horatio seemed to be deep in thought until Calleigh broke through, "So you are saying anyone on the street could have made this bomb with household items essentially?"

Looking up slowly into Calleigh's eyes Horatio answered, "Not just anyone, I would consider the use of RDX as a unique signature. Search RDX and known criminals that have used it in the past. It seems our victims were targeted, and we need to find out why."

Eric and Ryan began the search as Horatio told them to call him when they had some information, in the meantime he would be in his office reading over the neighbors interviews.

About 2 hours later, Horatio's phone chirped and he saw it was Eric. "What did you find Eric?"

"We found 3 bombers connected to RDX in the Miami area…thought you might like to come down and take a look to see if you remember any of them from your days on the bomb squad."

"I'll be right down."

After looking at all three of the men's information, Horatio took his cell phone and called Frank Tripp.

"Francis…you have a few minutes? Great, see you in a bit."

"We'll give Frank the information on all three and have him and his officers round them up and bring them in. I want all three checked for explosive residue. The crime scene needs to be re-checked since we know what we are looking at," Horatio told his team.

Later that afternoon, two potential suspects had been brought in for questioning and as Horatio walked to the interrogation room where the first one was held, he ducked into the trace lab after seeing Calleigh there and asked if she would like to join him for the interrogation. He had always thought she was an excellent interrogator. She responded that she would and together they walked into the room where the suspect was seated.

Horatio and Calleigh came up empty trying to tie either suspect with the recent bombing, plus Frank and his officers were striking out on finding the third potential suspect, but in his phone call to Horatio, Frank swore they were not going to give up looking just yet.

Later that evening in his office, Horatio was standing at the large windows looking out over the city, but not really noticing the view, concentrating instead on the fact that this case was going to be a difficult one, one nevertheless that necessitated resolution for the victims as well as for his own peace of mind. So lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize Calleigh was standing in his doorway watching him. She had admired her boss for years, both for his uncanny way of solving crimes, for his integrity and strong character as well as the gentleness he exuded and if she would just admit it, she has been in love with him since she arrived at MDPD ten years ago. She actually felt shivers run up her spine if the tall, blue-eyed redhead stood anywhere near her, and heaven help her if he even brushed his hand against hers, but alas, her feelings for him she felt could never be revealed given their work situation.

She walked across his office, but before even reaching him, with his back still toward her he softly said, "Cal…shouldn't you be at home by now?"

Calleigh shook her head, "Horatio, I swear you must have eyes in the back of your head," and then giggled.

She was not prepared for the boyish smile he gave her that took her breath away momentarily as he turned and looked deeply into her green eyes and answered, "A characteristic of self-preservation I suppose."

"I wanted to check on you before I left…I know how much this case is affecting you, how it's affecting all of us. Did you even eat lunch?"

Horatio thought for a minute then hung his head and quietly answered, "No, I didn't have time."

Raising his head to face her, "How about…we go find something to eat somewhere so we can discuss something more pleasant than this case?" He asked her with a longing look, searching her eyes, and wondering how she was going to respond to his invitation.

Calleigh felt as if she would faint right there. Horatio is asking ME to go out with him? I don't know if I my heart can take it! Would it be right? What if someone saw us together and caused a stink at work? Calleigh knew she must respond quickly or his feelings would be hurt.

"Um…I would love to Horatio, I just wonder how it might look to someone else," Calleigh finally answered.

"Sweetheart…its just dinner I don't think we'll be committing any crime."

Sure enough, Horatio was the perfect gentleman, not to say he didn't hold Calleigh's hand as they walked, or place his hand on her lower back to help guide her to their table at the Italian restaurant that was his favorite eating establishment in Miami Beach. Each time he touched her in the slightest way, she found her breathing begin coming in short, shallow breaths and oh, the sensation of his touch almost made her grab him right in the middle of the restaurant and push him down on the nearest table and smother him in kisses. To her surprise she acquiesced to her restraint.

All during their meal, even though he tried his best to show her outwardly that it was just a dinner with a fellow colleague, he was about to come unglued every time she smiled at him and looked into his eyes.

Could I be imagining that Calleigh desires more than just a platonic relationship between her boss and co-worker? Or am I reading more into her body movement than is actually there. I only know one thing for certain, I don't know how much longer I can keep my hands off of her, as I've found over the years that her beauty is more than just her outward appearance…it is her inner beauty that is her most desirable characteristic in my eyes.

"Horatio," she received no response, even though he was looking directly into her eyes.

"Horatio…where are you? The waitress is asking if we would like dessert."

Suddenly, Horatio realized Calleigh was asking him something and noticed their waitress standing beside the table.

He jerked into a more upright position and asked, "Uh, Sweetheart would you like a dessert?"

"Gosh Handsome, I don't know if I could eat an entire order…the dinner was fabulous and..."

Horatio then looked at the young girl and said, "We'll order the Tiramisu and split it, if you would bring us two forks and two decaf coffees please."

The waitress took their order and disappeared back into the kitchen.

"Oh Handsome, that will be perfect…I would have been stuffed attempting to eat a whole order!"

Horatio smiled at her and responded, "Hmmm, we can't have that now, can we?"

Just the simple act of eating off the same dessert made Calleigh flutter inside. She had never shared anything with this gorgeous man before when they had eaten together, mainly at the lab; usually just sandwiches delivered from the deli when they found themselves staying late to finish some evidence pertinent to a case they'd be working on so, this was definitely a new experience.

As Horatio settled up the bill, Calleigh reached across the table before she realized what she was doing and covered his hand with hers and gave his a light squeeze and thanked him for a most wonderful meal.

With her gesture, Horatio thought his barrier was going to fly out the window at the feel of her soft touch.

Horatio smiled warmly and answered, "Glad you enjoyed it Sweetheart…I know I did."

On the drive to her condo, both Horatio and Calleigh were relatively quiet, occasionally making somewhat nervous small talk. Then they stood at her door after Horatio walked her up to her floor and it was obvious neither knew how to handle their goodnights to each other.

"Cal…Horatio," they both said simultaneously, and then laughed. "Cal, thank you for such a wonderful evening, your company was most enjoyable."

"Thank you Handsome, it was the best evening I have had in quite some time…both the meal and companion contributed to make it so."

Horatio smiled shyly and shook his head slightly from side to side as he looked deep into her eyes that seemed to be sparkling more than he had ever noticed before. Having worked up his courage he leaned in and first kissed her cheek, then pulling back and noticing her facial expression of warmth, he wrapped his arms around her waist and brushed her lips with his before giving them a tender kiss.

Breaking for air, he dropped his arms and stepped back saying, "Cal, I am so sorry…I don't know what came over me, please forgive me?"

Calleigh smiled sweetly and answered, "For what Handsome?"

Her reply shocked him to his toes, but it didn't take him but a second to take her once again in his arms and kiss her more hungrily this time with her responding in kind.

"Cal…Cal, we need to stop Sweetheart or I won't be able to…"

"Would…you like to come in Handsome," she said breathlessly.

"I would love…nothing more Sweetheart…but…" he suddenly stepped back and gave her a sweet smile. "I must go now…see you in the morning."

Horatio turned and forced himself to walk down the hallway, stopping as he reached the elevator and turning to look back at Calleigh who was smiling so lovingly at him that he couldn't breathe as he smiled in return and struggled to overcome the tremendous desire to run back and scoop her up into his arms and carry her to her bed.

Sleep did not come that night as much as he tried, all he could think about was her soft, sweet lips on his and her beautiful body hugging his. He had called Calleigh when he got home, just to make sure everything was alright at her place. He usually would have checked out her place to make sure everything was secure for her since she had been gone most of the evening, but he knew he could not trust himself to walk out if he had gone in for a check.

Calleigh couldn't sleep either, thinking about Horatio kissing her and admonishing herself for coming on too strong. Calleigh Marie Duquesne what were you thinking? Umm, she thought suddenly how she had wanted him to make love to her right there at her door. Oh girl, you have got to get a hold on your feelings. Horatio may not want a relationship with you being your boss and all, and here you have literally forced yourself on this man. But, at the time it didn't seem to take too much forcing to feel him react to my touch, she thought.

Both were thinking simultaneously as they lay waiting for sleep, for the first time in a long while I can't wait to get up in the morning and get to the lab…maybe before anyone else arrives, we can enjoy a cup or two of coffee together…even though physically, they were miles apart.

TBC…