Title: Something Unexpected
Chapter 1 – Altered Futures

Summary: Horatio's life is turned upside down by a surprise from Julia, straining his relationship with Calleigh. Horatio tries to find a balance between his new life, his growing romance with Calleigh and a madman out for revenge at any cost.

Disclaimer: They aren't mine you all should know that by now or read more of my stories! Grin

First an introduction! Yeah it's only taken me 9 years to get this done.

Well everyone this year I want to finally give you a personal introduction to my hard working muse. Her name is 'Alice'

Part of the reason I chose that name is because Alice the name of my all-time favorite Disney Heroine (Alice in Wonderland) and much like that beloved character, we too like to explore all the writing potential that an idea has to offer us; going down into the literary rabbit hole or through the creative looking glass as it were. She was a dreamer with a vivid imagination just like myself which translates into my work; either fan fiction or original.

So say hello to 'Alice' and now back to the stories! She promises to keep working very hard for you all this coming writing year of 2011

A/N: We have been stewing about this idea for sometime but after much prodding from 'Alice' thought we would take a chance. There is another action based story coming but we thought we'd put up this idea also to see what you thought of a story like this. This story will be slightly AU in timeline's only; they'll be who they are and in their respective professions w/set backgrounds. But I don't want to give too much away right now. I want you to read and find out what Julia's surprise for Horatio is. This story won't be as action driven as the last few stories but you know I will toss in some peril for H (hehe you know I can't resist), action, angst and of course fluff for our fave pair and this new situation. So I am EXTREMELY nervous about this and hope you all like it enough to continue.

Why am I so nervous?

Horatio's mind ponders that question as he looks at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, his fingers slightly damp from applying some tempting cologne, his mind trying to calm his nerves.

It's just a date.

He tries once more to tell himself that his reasons for being nervous were unfounded and that tonight, while special would be just another night.

"Tonight will be special," Horatio confirms verbally as he places the bottle of expensive men's cologne down on the counter and heads into his bedroom to finish dressing. He reaches for a light colored dress shirt; his mind replying his question over and over as he slowly does up the buttons.

'Calleigh, I uh…'

'What is it Horatio? You look nervous. Has something happened?'

'Not yet,' he had sighed. 'I was wondering if you would…like to have dinner with me.'

'Any reason in particular?' She had asked with a sweet but sincere smile.

'The reason is I would like to get to know you a little better…on a more personal level.'

He remembered his heart racing so fast that she would turn him down that he almost turned away without her answer.

'I would love to Horatio.'

They cemented details and the week seemed to pass by with ease; his mind however, worried that something would go wrong and their special date tonight would never happen. However, it was Friday night and he would be picking Calleigh up in half hour; so far everything was on schedule.

They had had a few coffee dates, but nothing official; tonight would be their first. The first he hoped of many. He was also worried that if something were to happen then their working relationship and strong friendship would be ruined. But he also knew that he wasn't one to just sit around and wait, he would take the risk, telling himself that Calleigh was worth it. However, the other part of him said that because she was worth it he would have to take it slow and just take it one date at a time or run the chance of scaring her away for good.

He finishes dressing, grabs his wallet and heads for the door; tonight was going to be his treat and he was hoping that she would like the place he picked; a place he would like to become their place. It was romantic, mostly secluded and adults only. Horatio locks the door, takes a deep breath and heads for his car; his heart rate now starting to pick up the pace. I'll bet she's not this nervous.

"Oh stop fussing already," Calleigh mutters to herself as she leaves her bathroom, brushing her black dress with her hands, straightening lines that didn't even exit and brushing away fluff that never even came near. She heads back into her bedroom and grabs her earrings, her fingers slightly shaking as she starts to put them on.

"It's Horatio," she groans. "Tonight is…" she pauses. "Tonight is going to be special," she finishes in a soft whisper just as a confident knock was heard at the door. Her lips automatically curl into a warm smile as she heads for the front door and pulls it open, her core instantly warming at the handsome man standing before her.

"You look beautiful Calleigh," Horatio offers warmly as he steps into her front entrance, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Well you look pretty handsome yourself Horatio," Calleigh returns the compliment, drawing a small smile to his own lips.

"Ready to go?"

"You still won't tell me where?"

"It's a surprise, is that still okay?"

"Just hope you'll let me return the surprise on our next date."

"I'm already looking forward to it," he answers firmly as he helps her with her light wrap. They head outside toward his car, talking about the week that just passed and what the next week might hold. There was a few important court hearings and the arrival of new equipment, plus the ongoing daily battle of cases that demanded their attention.

"We are eating here tonight?" Calleigh asks in happy surprise as Horatio brings his car to a stop in the parking lot of the upscale restaurant, overlooking the bay.

"A private table for two by the window. If you so desire."

"I do desire, that and much more," she whispers in his ear, leaving his sensitive skin with one last kiss before they head inside and are shown to their waiting table. Horatio watches the delightful expressions Calleigh's beautiful face displays and feels his heart warm further; his mind applauding his choice as the correct one for their first official date.

The waiter comes, takes their first order and then leaves them alone once again, both of them enjoying talking about the food and the creative items they would soon be sampling.

"And you're sure I'll like all this?" Horatio asks with some uncertainty, causing Calleigh to lightly giggle.

"Where is your sense of culinary adventure Lieutenant Caine?"

"It usually ends when I can't pronounce the name of what I am about to eat Detective Duquesne," Horatio confesses candidly.

"Do you trust me?"

"Will you tell me what I am going to eat?"

"A little something to put you under my spell," she teases as her fingers intertwine with his.

"Ah well you don't need food to accomplish that," he admits in haste. "Your smile is effective enough."

"I'll have to remember that," she replies.

"Please do," he smiles in return as he leans in closer. "Thank you for coming tonight," he utters so that only she can hear and then pulls back, a small look of uncertainty creeping behind his crystal blue orbs once again.

"You thought I'd say no?" Calleigh asks in surprise.

"I…I wasn't sure."

"Saying no to you was never an option Horatio."

"I want this to work and I'm willing to take it slow if that's what you want."

"That's what I want," Calleigh assures him, her fingers giving his a firm squeeze. "This to work. Some things to have to be so slow," she assures him and his face lights up immediately.

The first course finally arrives and their talking quickly switches to food, Horatio asking what they were eating and Calleigh explaining before he would try, adding a small story to each item to ensure his dining experience would be better than either would expect.

"Well?"

"Amazing as you said," Horatio confesses as he holds her hand in his, the fork just having departed from between his lips.

"Lucky fork," Calleigh softly flirts as she draws her hand back.

"I agree," Horatio adds as he returns the favor, picking up a small forkful of the exotic bites and offering it to her. Her fingers linger in his grasp, the warmth between them growing until Horatio is forced to pull back or else suffer the outward shame of his bodily arousal. She had that effect on him with even a few seconds of their skin being connected. And full bodily contact? His brain offers. I'd die for sure, Horatio inwardly groans. Yeah…but what a way to go!

As they await the second course their conversation changes to one of a more serious nature.

"I think if I were in a secure enough relationship I would consider a family but I know they are a lot of hard work and…"

"And a life altering experience," Horatio finishes. "I am sorry to sound so forward and obtrusive on our first official date."

"We aren't teenagers anymore Horatio, it's okay to ask adult questions without me thinking you are expecting something more than an honest answer."

"It's just that in my experience with women as soon as you start asking them about wanting a family or children they run as fast as they can in the other direction."

"Well I guess up until now, you just hadn't met the right woman."

"That would be true. Thank you for being honest."

"Horatio I know why you asked," Calleigh mentions softly.

"Why is that?"

"You want me to say no."

"Pardon?"

"Because you are afraid that any child you bring into this world will end up like you."

"Calleigh…"

"But you are not your father Horatio, you have worked very hard to prove that to yourself and those around you. Your child would be safe and loved and very well cared for."

"I…I can't take that risk. I just…"

"It's okay," Calleigh soothes in haste. "I know children are a big deal but as long as we are both on the same page with not wanting them right now then we can concentrate on what really matters – getting to know each other better on a more personal level and talk about that – well later. You know I don't even know what your favorite color is."

"Take a guess," Horatio playfully goads.

"Blue."

"Green."

"Green?" Calleigh asks in surprise. "Care to explain the reason behind that?"

"Isn't it obvious. It is the color of your eyes," Horatio answers, hoping he comes across as sincere and not as a man offering a beautiful woman a cheesy pick up line. But when she offers a small giggle, his face quickly furrows. "I am being honest. And no it wasn't a pick up line that I got from Eric."

"I have heard him say it but yes I do believe you," she quickly puts his mind to rest. "I just found it charming because my favorite color is blue, like the ocean and your eyes are the same color as the ocean. So if you were worried that you were handing me a cheesy line then in guess I could worry the same in return."

"So much for being mysterious," Horatio huffs.

"You know, most women don't like a man who's mysterious. It makes us think he's hiding something."

"I have nothing to hide from you Calleigh."

"Well actually at this moment you are hiding some of your best…assets," she winks and his face quickly warms. "I meant your heart."

"Right, of course," Horatio clears his throat, forcing a soft giggle from her perfect lips.

Their second course then arrives and the serious talk about neither of them wanting to be burdened with a child right away was put aside in favor of enjoying the next course offerings. Already two blissful hours had passed but neither of them seemed to mind, too caught up in finding out about the other to notice the night was well along.

Dessert arrives next and the evening was finally starting to wind down a little; however Horatio's mind was now starting to ramp up a bit more. How do I end the evening? Calleigh had already hinted at another date with her wanting to surprise him comment. But a goodnight kiss? Surely that was in order? Sex? As much as he had wanted to just take her the second he saw her, he knows that to make such a forward request on the first date might rush things a bit too much. The second? Down boy, his brain chuckles. Can't help it. She just looks tempting he concludes. How about let her dictate how the evening will end? Ah now that I can do.

So when he had finally settled in his mind to let her guide the end of the date, he was able to settle back into the conversation and end his mechanical and somewhat nervous replies. But as they head for home, Calleigh's nervous anxiety also starts to grow. Do I invite him in for a night cap? Will he expect more if I do? I have been wanting to taste those lips all night but will one kiss be sufficient? How about a kiss and the promise of something more for next time? A smile grows upon her lips just as Horatio brings his car to a stop in front of her place. Without asking he gets out and heads for her side, holding open the door and offering her an old fashioned display of chivalry.

She loops her arm in his as they head for the front door, both of them talking about the amazing food they just enjoyed and the even more amazing company they were blessed with.

"Thank you again for tonight Horatio," Calleigh whispers as his body leans closer into hers, his lips within inches.

"Thank you for saying yes," he whispers in return. His desire for her finally takes over as his arms quickly capture her in his strong grasp and pull her close, his heart racing, keeping time with hers as his lips hungrily devour her plump skin. His mouth nips at her lips, the tip of his tongue gently teasing but not making full penetration. Her own lips offer a soft moan of pleasure in return, prompting him to keep going.

His body starts to tingle in certain areas and he knows within mere seconds, bodily arousal will be something he won't be able to hide from her. But he reminds himself it's only their first date and to ask for sex right now might not show his true intentions. So with his heart waging a desperate war against his body, he pulls back, allowing his body to cool and their electrical heat to die.

"I…uh…I do want…" he pauses, offering her a tormented expression of lust and regret. "Calleigh I…" he sighs as he takes her face in his hands and tenderly kisses her lips once more. "I want more, I do but…"

"But there will be a next time," she assures him, her mind also begging for him to prove his intentions and forgo any notion of a one night stand by being the gentleman she knows he to be.

"There will be, I promise," he utters huskily.

This time it's her turn to firmly grasp some auburn strands and guide his mouth back to his, tasting his lips once more before pulling back with a warm gaze. "Tonight was perfect Horatio, thank you."

"I'll see you Monday?"

"Not before?" She offers a small pout.

"What were you thinking?"

"Brunch at my place on Sunday? It's during the day and perfectly legal," she teases with a wink, forcing his expression to soften and his mind to be put at ease.

"You told me the surprise."

"Oh I'm sure I'll make it up to you somehow," she grins.

"I would love to. What can I bring?"

"Yourself."

"See you then," he whispers as he kisses her once more and then quickly takes his leave; telling himself that if he didn't leave at that moment he might do something that he would more than regret and he wasn't about to violate her trust in any way. Calleigh leans against the window inside her locked entranceway, lightly fanning herself as she watches him leave, her heart rate refusing to calm down. She heads for her bedroom with a smile that long after she had gone to sleep was still on her face.

"Tonight was amazing," she mumbles to herself as she slowly gets ready for bed, her mind now wondering what she would make on Sunday and how perfect it was going to be, just like tonight. So with the thought of their second date now dancing around in her mind, she slowly eases herself into bed and rolls onto her side; her mind also contemplating the surprise date she wanted to plan for him. Maybe dinner and dancing? The thought of her being held in Horatio's strong arms as they danced was the dream that would carry her into the next morning.

Goodnight Horatio.

Horatio reaches home with the same happy feeling as Calleigh; a permanent smile fixed to his face as he enters his residence. His mind had wondered on the way home the possible location of their surprise date, but now he was fixed on Sunday brunch and the outcome of that. It would be a little more informal and there would be a lot less pressure to perform sexually when it was over.

Seeing her at home? In a domestic setting? Less pressure? His brain laughs. Will you be able to control yourself with no one around? His brain ponders. He knows it won't be easy, especially as his attraction for her continues to grow but knows that it's also a natural expression of two people's love and attraction to each other. So he settle in his mind that he'll just play it by ear as they say and see what signals she was putting off. If she was just as game as he then who was he to deny natural attraction.

Natural? His brain laughs. More like carnal. And that was the truth; his sexual attraction to her was more than just physical, inside it was chemical and raw. A smile forms as he replays the feeling of her body pressed up against his, the taste and feel of her soft mouth as his devoured it and the sounds of desire and pleasure that she was offering as his reward for his actions.

"Sunday can't come soon enough," he mutters to himself as he hangs up his suit, now changed into something more comfortable. But before he can get into bed to read and unwind, a soft knock is heard at the door and he practically falls down the stairs to get to the door in haste. He tells himself that it's Calleigh and that their night hasn't ended but it's only just started.

However, Horatio pulls the door open and his smile quickly fades, replaced with a wondering expression.

"Julia?" He asks in shock, staring at the last person he ever expected to see at his front door. "This is unexpected."

"Can I come in Horatio?"

"Uh sure."

Julia slowly enters but it's not until the door is closed that Horatio sees who else has come along with his estranged ex-girlfriend; a boy, a small boy with blond hair and bright blue eyes. An odd feeling starts to consume him and panic seizes hold of his core.

"What is going on?"

"Horatio, I'm in trouble and I need a favor," Julia starts, an obvious hint of desperation in her voice. She then pulls the small boy to stand in front of her; his hand clutching hers tightly. Horatio eyes the child but refrains from asking; knowing that by the desperate look on Julia's face the truth was about to be told.

"Want to take off your coat and go into the living room?"

"I can't stay long. Please Horatio, I really need your help with this. You are the only one I can trust."

"What do you need?"

"I need you to look after your son."

"What?"

A/N: So what did you think? Would you like to see more? Or is it a lame idea? Want to see how Horatio will react to Julia's news? Will Sunday brunch actually happen? What other secrets is Julia hiding? And how will her past catch up to Horatio and place him and his son in danger? How will Calleigh react when she finds out? Will this force her to leave Horatio? How will things change for her as well? All those questions will be answered going forward if you'd like it to. So please leave me a review and let me know and thanks so much in advance!