TAKING A BREAK

Chapter 1

Horatio awoke stiff, uncomfortable and confused. He tried to move and was stopped by a small 'yip' of protest.

"Seb?" He felt around until he encountered the dog's small body, curled up against his belly. He stroked him idly, and tried to concentrate.

It was just getting light. Cecile's condo… Cecile's sofa… He was fully dressed, bar his jacket and shoes, and half-covered with a blanket. He thought back to the evening before.

It had gone surprisingly well, mostly because the dog was such a good ice-breaker. Everyone had made a fuss of him, and he clearly, despite his time on the streets, enjoyed human interaction. Inquiries about his injuries – he still had stitches, and a bandage on a broken leg - elicited a response from Cecile, 'Horatio ran him down.' Horatio was teased about it for the rest of the evening.

He realised quickly that Calleigh knew who Cecile was. It was an unusual enough name that she would not have forgotten it. But, apart from a quick glance at him, she gave nothing away, which was only what he would expect. He did, however, expect a few questions when he got back to work.

He couldn't believe he had fallen asleep here. He hadn't been that tired, had only had a couple of drinks. The last he remembered was sitting talking to Cecile, enjoying the conversation, but thinking he really ought to go home…

He glanced at his watch. Six-fifteen… He felt annoyed with himself, and mildly embarrassed. Carefully, he moved Sébastien and got stiffly to his feet.

"Go back to sleep, dog," he whispered. "It's early."

He planned to leave a note, and slip out of the condo, but the little dog had got down from the sofa and nosed his way into what he knew to be Cecile's bedroom. He heard a demanding whine. Oh, be quiet…

He heard a few muttered words – in French, he thought – then a rustle of bedding, as the dog was presumably lifted on to the bed. Spoilt… Then silence. He realised it was actually the little dog's first night here. He smiled. Start as you mean to continue… He found a piece of paper, scribbled, 'I'm sorry. Call you later. H.', and tiptoed out of the condo.

The roads were quiet as he drove home. A shower and a change of clothes refreshed him somewhat, though his back was aching, protesting at his uncomfortable sleeping arrangements. He was at his desk by eight o'clock. He called Calleigh, on the excuse of discussing a case, but really to discover if he was going to be grilled.

"I enjoyed last night," she said easily. "I really like Cecile."

"I presume you know who she is…"

She nodded. "Are you still consulting her?"

"No. I met her by chance. We just found… we enjoyed talking. Of course, she knows everything about me, and I know next to nothing about her. But we seem to get along."

"You don't have to explain, Horatio. I'm certainly not going to say anything. As far as I'm concerned, she's just a friend of yours."

"Which is true."

"I love Seb." She chuckled. "Did you really run him down?"

"I did. He ran right in front of me. I just couldn't avoid the little devil."

"He doesn't seem to hold it against you."

"Well, I suppose he thinks I rescued him, rather than hurt him. He was a stray – going up for adoption. I never expected Cecile to take him on." He laughed. "Something like a saluki would suit her better."

"It would. She's a very elegant woman. It's that 'French' thing." She looked quizzically at him. "You know, they will gossip about you. It's so rare to see you with a woman friend."

"Well, I can't stop that, can I? If they find it so fascinating… Can't imagine why."

"Come on, Horatio! You're not naïve." She chuckled. "They always take an interest in you. You're important to them. And…" She broke off, her face becoming serious.

"What?"

"Well, they think you've been rather… unhappy, lately… They'll just be glad for you."

"They'll assume things that aren't there."

"They're not out to hurt or embarrass you, Horatio… They care about you. You don't have to explain things to anyone."

"Calleigh, Calleigh, there's nothing to explain!"

"I know. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned it."

"And I shouldn't have invited Cecile to a team thing."

"Yes, you should. Horatio… accept that your team are fond of you. That's all."

They dropped the subject. Horatio knew she was right about the gossip, but he also knew that no one would say anything to his face. He'd simply ignore it. Meanwhile, he phoned Cecile.

"Ringing to apologise… Why did you let me fall asleep?"

He heard her laugh. "I couldn't stop you."

"You should have woken me – sent me home."

"You looked so peaceful. Are you okay?"

"Fine."

"I enjoyed yesterday evening. I like your people."

"I gather they like you. We're now the subject of gossip, of course."

She chuckled. "I'm sure you'll handle it. Come round sometime?"

"I will."

"Don't leave it too long."

He didn't intend to leave it long, but several late evenings at work, coupled with a vague notion that he didn't want to seem too eager, and almost a week passed. But now it was Friday, and he wasn't that busy. He thought he'd make time that evening… He reached for an internal letter that had just been delivered. Horatio read it once, twice, then picked up the phone to his boss.

"Chief? I've got a strange letter from Human Resources…"

"Strange?"

"It seems to be saying I have to take a holiday."

The Chief chuckled. "Ah, that letter. I thought you'd object."

"What's it mean? I've got to take a holiday?"

"Yep. I asked them to review who hadn't taken their holiday entitlement. You haven't used yours for three years."

"I don't like holidays. Isn't my work up to scratch?"

"I'm sure it's fine. Nonetheless, you ought to have a break. The staff welfare code says you should. And you're not the only one. Your department seems particularly… devoted to work."

"We're very busy," Horatio said defensively. "You might even say understaffed."

"It's not up for discussion. I know you're more or less between cases."

"It's an order?"

"It is. At least two weeks. Now."

"What do you expect me to do?"

"I don't know, Lieutenant! Take a cruise or something. You probably shouldn't stay in Miami. You won't be able to stay away from the lab, will you? All right?"

"I suppose so…" He put the phone down, bemused, and stared at the letter again. It was true – he did hate holidays. A workaholic, he had few hobbies, and fewer friends. Still, it was only two weeks. He had no intention of going away, but he supposed he could go through the motions. Since it was an order.

He called Eric.

"Spare a minute? My office…"

The young man arrived looking anxious.

"Don't look like that. There's nothing wrong. Look… I've been told to take some time off. I don't want to…"

Eric grinned. "Oh, I got one of those letters too."

"You did? Well, I queried it with the Chief, and it's basically an order. So the lab's yours for two weeks, starting Monday. Okay?"

"Fine. You deserve a break."

"I don't want a break." He smiled ruefully. "However, seems I have no choice. Look, Eric, see who else has got these letters and work out a schedule, so there won't be two people away at the same time." He hesitated. "Do I work you too hard?"

"You work yourself too hard."

"That's not what I asked. I can't remember the last time any of you had more than a day or two off."

Eric shrugged. "You know how it is – you get busy on a case. You don't want to leave it in the middle. Then something else comes up. And you end up never getting away."

"I told the Chief we were understaffed." He chuckled. "He didn't react. I'll work to the end of today, then… I'll see you in two weeks. Of course, if something major comes up this afternoon, I'll change my mind, orders or not."

He spent the rest of the day tidying up loose ends and putting his office in order. That done, he strolled down to see Frank Tripp.

He felt almost awkward as he said, "I won't be here for two weeks – Eric's in charge."

"Compulsory holiday…"

"Not you too?"

"Me too – I'm not taking it yet, but in a few weeks… Apparently, I only took four days off in the last year. Don't know why they care – we're short staffed, and no one's said the work's suffering. Some stupid new rule. But… I shall enjoy it – go to some games, see the kids…"

"I shan't – enjoy it."

"No, but then, you're a hopeless workaholic. Hell, Horatio, you could try to enjoy it! There must be places you want to go."

"Alone?"

"Do you have to be? What about that nice lady you brought with you the other day? Cecile?"

"We're not… like that."

"Like what? I'm not talking sharing hotel rooms. Just some company for a few outings, is all… Anyway, up to you. If you're determined to be miserable, you will be. And it'll be a long two weeks."

TBC