Change of Direction

Horatio awoke as usual before his alarm clock buzzed. Laying there for a few moments he thought, another long day of witnessing the evils the people of Miami are capable of perpetrating against each other. It will also be another day of working alongside Calleigh, and a day closer to that Halloween party she's hosting for the team. I just wish she'd gone on with the party without me, but she wouldn't hear of it, telling me I needed to have fun. Fun…dressing up in crazy costumes; that's not quite my idea of fun.

The problem is it's becoming harder for me to be exposed to her southern charm; the alluring scent of her perfume; her outfits that reveal tantalizing peeks of forbidden areas of her body, especially with my height. Just thinking of her beauty both inside and out made a smile spread across his face.

For a few moments, he mentally went over the relationships she'd had with different men, a less desirable ending was the case for each. Every time he observed, she'd lose a part of herself, especially after the incident with Hagan. I'll never forget holding her in my arms, comforting her after that horrible incident of him committing suicide at her lab, but it was just what friends do for each other. More recently, Eric began a relationship with her, but it did not last very long before they agreed to end it, thank goodness; I don't know how much more of that I could have stood before confronting Eric and making a fool of myself. He's the type man that plays the field. Calleigh needs a man to love her and support her, not be treated like a toy to play with then be thrown away. I'm one of the few people who know how fragile she is on the inside while portraying a strong persona to the rest of the world.

Well, lying here developing a melancholy mood isn't helping me get to work. Slowly he sat up on the edge of the bed, wiping his face with both hands before getting to his feet and walking the few steps to the master bath for a quick shower. Little did he know what awaited him at work, it would turn out to be a day for change.

Calleigh made it a point to arrive at the lab before Horatio and was in the break room waiting for the coffee to finish brewing when he walked into the room. "Good morning Handsome!" She smiled radiantly, turning to face him.

Her smile momentarily took his breath away. "Good morning Beautiful. May I ask why you're here so early?"

Calleigh looked down momentarily, before raising her head asking sweetly, "Horatio, you know my Halloween party is coming up soon and I was just wondering…" she thought to herself, damn it, why is this so difficult?

Horatio noticed her hesitation and encouraged, "Cal, wondering what?" He smiled tilting his head, chuckling inside watching her struggle with whatever it was she wanted to ask.

"I wanted to ask if you would help me out by dressing to match my costume…I need a partner."

Horatio almost dropped his cup, but made a quick catch to save it. Calleigh had never witnessed Horatio being all thumbs and found it quite amusing.

Finally finding his voice, Horatio softly inquired, "Ah, just what is the theme of your costume?"

Calleigh's devilish mind quickly thought of a theme guaranteed to get a response from her boss. A person rarely got the opportunity to pull one over on him and she just couldn't resist.

She smiled and nonchalantly said, "I thought I'd be a Playboy bunny and you a Chippendale!"

Horatio had just taken his first sip of coffee as she answered, hearing her words caused him to spit some of the coffee out of his mouth and choke on the rest as it inadvertently went down his airway. He just managed to put his cup on the counter before doubling over in a coughing spasm. Suddenly Calleigh felt so guilty for toying with him and began slapping him on his back trying to help.

Finally recovering enough to talk, Horatio croaked, "Calleigh Duquesne, you're…not serious, are you?"

"Heavens no Horatio, I was only teasing. Sorry to make you get choked on your coffee."

"For one thing, I'm not Chippendale material. You however…well…."

"Don't sell yourself short Handsome…I've seen you in a t-shirt!" Calleigh smiled and then suggested, "How about Bonnie & Clyde? Would that be reasonable?"

Horatio had just finished wiping up the coffee off the floor and was cleaning his face with a handkerchief before commenting, "At least that's more appropriate. Might be fun playing the bad guys for once. How do we get these costumes? I don't own a wide lapel, double-breasted suit or a fedora."

"I have a good friend that is working part-time at a costume shop over on Beach Avenue that gave me the suggestion. She's holding my costume and when I told her your height and build, she found a Clyde outfit, complete with wingtip shoes in several sizes, that should fit you and she'll put it with mine after I give her the word."

Horatio was not looking forward to going to the party, but had decided this morning as he drove to the lab that it would hurt Calleigh's feelings if he didn't show and he never wanted to deliberately hurt her. He could tell she was real excited about the whole thing. On the other hand, Calleigh saw Horatio's hesitation and for a moment was afraid he wouldn't agree.

Then his cell phone chirped and he politely said, "Excuse me Sweetheart," then answered the chief's call, "Lieutenant Caine." Calleigh busied herself making her a cup of coffee while Horatio talked.

"Yes Sir, I can be there in five. Alright see you then."

Ending the phone call he softly said smiling, "Sweetheart, go ahead and get the costumes, I'll help you out. I wear a size 10 and a half shoe."

Calleigh brightened replying, "Thank you Handsome. I'll bring yours tomorrow, complete with shoes." Horatio nodded and walked out with another cup of coffee in his hand.

Upon arriving in the chief's office, Horatio noticed Captain Rodburn who was over the crime lab and suddenly realized a bad feeling had begun to rise from the pit of his stomach. Horatio walked over and shook the chief's hand, and then Rodburn's.

"Horatio, have a seat," the chief requested as he waved a hand towards an empty chair in the grouping of chairs to the side of the desk.

Horatio sat down and waited for the Chief to begin.

"Horatio, I'll be up front about this. Your lab is about to undergo some major changes."

Cringing upon hearing how the Chief was beginning his message, Horatio steeled himself to take what was about to come.

"Your lab is the best in the state, hell, as far as I'm concerned the best in the country. These changes being made are due to budget cuts, but I've made sure the integrity of the lab remains intact. Rodburn here has given his approval of what we plan to do and thinks we escaped the downturn of financial support in pretty good shape."

"It really could have been a lot worse Horatio, we could've ended up having to lay off some people," the Captain interjected.

Horatio nervously glanced over at the captain, nodding slightly that he understood.

"Calleigh Duquesne took the Lieutenant's exam earlier this year, upon your recommendation I understand, and made a top score. It is my proposal that she become the head of the forensics lab, while Eric Delko will be assigned as head of the field investigations that will be housed separately, giving more room for operation of the lab. He can serve in the new capacity at his present rank until he takes the Lieutenant exam at the next offering."

All of a sudden Horatio thought, they are forcing me to retire…but mentally I'm not ready for that to happen!

The Chief sat up and placed his elbows on his knees before commenting, "More importantly though Horatio, there is an open slot for Captain in the bomb squad. It has your name on it if you want it and I hope you will consider taking the position; the squad needs a leader like you. It has fallen into disarray and you are the one man that can bring it back and make it nationally recognized, just as you did with the lab."

Horatio was speechless. His mind was instantaneously thinking of all the possibilities the position offered. In the last year, he had felt himself becoming burned out dealing with cases the lab had faced, and it alarmed him that he felt himself slowly sliding into the dark side of police work, something he abhorred. He realized one day he'd have to retire, or that he might not be around to lead the lab and Calleigh would be the only one he would want to see take it over.

Horatio finally broke his silence. "What is the time frame for all of the changes?"

"By the end of the month," the Chief answered.

"Do you need my answer right now?"

"I'd prefer it now, but if you need time to think, I'll give you to the end of the day."

Horatio nodded his head, letting the Chief know he understood. "I'll give you my answer this afternoon."

"By the way Horatio, Wednesday, I need you and Sargent Tripp to fly to Houston and transport a murderer back to Miami to stand trial for the serial killings your team implicated him in earlier this year. Of course you'll use the air service the department always uses for these trips and I hope that will be your last assignment as Lieutenant of the Miami-Dade Crime Lab."

"You're speaking of Delaney?"

"That's correct."

"We'll be glad to bring him back."

Horatio then looked pensive, "Do CSI's Duquesne or Delko have any knowledge of their promotions yet?"

"No, I wanted your answer for the Captain position first."

"Thank you both for the level of confidence you have in the operation of the lab and staff as well as in me," Horatio responded.

Then the Chief and Rodburn stood as Horatio followed suit and said his goodbyes before leaving.

Horatio, preoccupied with the news he'd just been given walked right into Eric as he stepped off the elevator, startling both the young CSI as well as himself. The file that Eric was carrying ended up on the floor with a few stray papers falling out.

"Morning H, I see you're already in work mode," Eric chuckled.

"Sorry Eric, good morning," Horatio mutely replied as he bent down to help pick up the mess he caused. Straightening up, he studied the young man for a moment and smiled as he thought of Eric being made lieutenant one day.

"No problem H. By the way, has Calleigh sprung the idea of y'all dressing as a team for her Halloween party yet?"

"She has and I told her I'd gladly help her out. It actually solved a dilemma for me as to what to wear. I'm not that experienced with these things."

The day went by quickly and in the middle of the afternoon, Horatio dialed the chief's number.

"I wanted to say thank you for your offer Chief, I'll be happy to take the position of Captain of the Bomb Squad."

"Splendid Horatio, I have full confidence that Ms. Duquesne will keep the lab on the same track…that of excellence."

"I know she will. May I tell my two CSI's of their promotions?"

"Of course, we'll deal with all the paperwork as soon as possible so that'll be out of the way. I hope you and Sargent Tripp have a good flight out to Texas and back."

"Thank you Sir." Horatio hung up the phone and smiled, immediately texting Calleigh and Eric to come to his office.

Calleigh was the first to arrive and they talked of the party the coming on Wednesday. Horatio told her that he might run a little late, explaining the assignment, but that he'd be there. Calleigh noticed he still was not thrilled with the party, but thought; you will have fun Horatio if I have to force you to. Eric arrived and they sat down in the upholstered chairs by the couch.

Upon hearing the news, both Calleigh and Eric were shocked and happy until Calleigh realized Horatio would no longer be part of the lab.

"Horatio, you built this lab, you've always been the major force behind it, I don't know if I can fill your shoes."

"Calleigh, I wouldn't have agreed to this if I didn't have full confidence in your ability."

Eric asked, "Has it been worked out who stays with the lab and who goes to strictly field work?"

"I can't answer that Eric. I'm sure Chief Burton and Captain Rodburn have the logistics worked out, but it wasn't shared with me."

"So, my party will also be a celebration of sorts, you being promoted to Captain of the bomb squad and Eric being made leader of the field investigations, and me as Lieutenant of the lab. It has worked out to be perfect timing!"

Horatio smiled thinking, I couldn't agree more Sweetheart, and when I muster up the courage, I'll be free to ask you to dinner.

It was Wednesday morning and Horatio was dressing when Frank called and immediately Horatio knew something was wrong. He didn't sound right.

"H, I hate this, but I woke up with one hell of a stomach bug. Can you find someone else to go to Houston with you?"

"Sure Frank. It won't be a problem. Take care of yourself my friend."

Horatio ended the call. I don't need anyone to go with me.

He stopped by the lab first and went over a few things with Calleigh and assured her that he would make it to her party. The flight to Houston was smooth; actually it gave Horatio a chance to take a nap. After arriving, and finishing all the paperwork, Horatio took the man from the two Houston police officers and escorted him aboard the small jet, securing him in a seat while constantly receiving verbal attacks from the murderer.

Assured the man was locked down; Horatio leaned over in his face and unflinchingly growled, "If you can't keep your mouth closed, I'll do it for you."

"Oh yeah, and how you gonna do that Red?"

As Horatio walked behind the man he answered, "Like this," as he put pressure on a certain point in the man's neck until the scum's head fell back against the seatback.

The plane having taken off to the north, had just completed the westward turn and was out over the Gulf of Mexico heading for Miami when there was a loud explosion from outside the plane. The jet began shaking violently, rocking and flying erratically while alarms were screaming from inside the cockpit. Horatio, fighting the movement, attempted to look outside the window to see if he could tell what had happened. Then he heard one of the pilots screaming "mayday" giving their coordinates via the radio. Horatio unfastened his seatbelt and was immediately thrown to the floor, he began fighting the jet's erratic motion to crawl toward the prisoner desperately trying to reach and unlock the chains around the man's wrists and ankles in case they went down in the water. Finally he was successful in unlocking the last chain just before impact; then darkness.

Later, Calleigh was answering her door as the first guests arrived. Soon, everyone was there, including Alexx and her husband Henry; everyone but Horatio that is. The evening was full of laughs and gaiety and before she knew it, two hours had passed.

Where can Horatio be? I swear, if he's backed out of this, I will shoot him! Her thoughts were interrupted by Eric asking playfully, "Hey Bonnie, love the Beret. Where's Clyde?"

"Well, he sure isn't here, that's obvious," she snapped.

Uh-oh she's not happy. H is going to be in for it now.

Calleigh dialed Horatio's cell to find out what was going on and how long would it be before he got there. She only heard the "party not available" message which almost caused her to throw the phone across the room.

As she sat there fuming, her cell began vibrating. Glancing at the screen, in hopes it was Horatio, but she realized it was not a familiar number answering, "Duquesne."

The talking in the room stopped as they saw all of the color drain from Calleigh's face. Quietly she told the caller "Thank you," she put her hand to her forehead, "yes, please call me with any news."

Calleigh ended the call and just sat there, her eyes reflecting a frightened gaze announcing with a soft, strained voice, "The plane went down carrying Horatio and Delaney."

TBC…