For FernClaw. I can't say how much of an influence you've been on me.

No, I don't own it.

Winds of Change

He stood on the dock and felt the sea breeze gently slap his face. Life had become much more complicated over the past couple of years for him. Deaths, murder, and personality changes- everything that could have happened did. His phone was ringing, but he didn't acknowledge it. For once, it was just going to have to wait. He wanted to be alone with himself and the ocean side… and maybe the other person standing right near him.

"You always look distant."

He looked behind where he stood. The woman's hair was being blown back, giving her a sort of mythical look. She cocked her head as she walked to him, embracing the zephyr. His eyes were cast down to the sands. She reached him and tried to look into his eyes. "Horatio, it's fine."

He looked up at her in that typical pose of a man silently pleading. "Being a parent isn't easy," he admitted. "It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to do."

Yelina slipped her hand into his. "I know it is. It's one of the most difficult things you can ever do. But I have faith in you." She gave him a smile. "Knowing you, I know you can be a great father for Kyle. You've got to have faith."

"I would have never thought I would be a father. It just didn't seem like something that would be possible." He sighed. "What if he really doesn't like me, Yelina? What if he's just lying to shut me up?"

She sighed. "He's not, Horatio. Don't think you're bad at this. I've seen much worse fathers, and you have too."

He didn't reply to this.

Yelina nodded to herself for a moment and looked into his eyes again. "Horatio, there's a thing called the winds of change, Horatio. Sooner or later, we encounter them, whether we want to or not. You've just seen them later than you thought you would. And that doesn't have to be a bad thing." She squeezed his hand. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

"That's easy for you to say," he replied. "You've been a parent for longer than I have."

She kissed him lightly. He looked taken aback by such a gesture. "What… what was that for?"

Yelina looked at him softly. "The winds of change don't just affect those who have children, Horatio. They also affect those who are lonely."

He looked away slightly. "I-I didn't know."

"But I did."

Horatio glanced back at her and smiled softly. Yes, she did.

OH, I AM A ROMANTIC FIEND. :wails: And I wish I wasn't.