A/N : Heyya! This is my second H/Nat fic. Just wanted to get out of my comfort zone. Hope you would give it a chance. If you want to know the timeline, this takes place in Season 5, after the death of Marisol.

Enjoyyyyy ;)

"Heard you had a close call today?" Natalia asked the moment she walked towards Horatio. She had heard about it; about his narrow escape with death, trying to dispose of an armed vehicle. The officers were talking about how brave he was, driving a car that had a bomb ticking, just waiting to explode. The moment she heard about what happened, her heart thumped so hard against her chest and she almost panicked, worried something might happen to her boss.

"Well…we all did." Horatio replied in a slow and husky tone. "Did you get a chance to see Alexx?" He continued, concerned about his CSI's well being after he heard about what happened in his lab. He took a glance over to the plaster on her forehead. The glass table in the trace lab had shattered into pieces and had caused major damage. Not only that, it almost killed his CSI.

"Pfft. Yeah I feel like a total pin cushion." She chuckled slightly. "I should know if I'm healthy in about..about a week." Natalia continued, tugging a smile at the end of her lips. She loved how Horatio cared for all his CSIs. It was just in his nature; being caring and always the gentleman.

"Good. If you..uhm..feel you need to take some time, that's okay." Horatio offered. He stuttered a little. He was nervous. He smiled slightly at her, glad that she was fine and that she wasn't badly injured. He didn't want to lose any members of his team anymore. Especially after losing Tim Speedle, he became more protective of his team members.

"Thank you." She paused. "I think I'm going to be of more use here though." Horatio turned and tilted his head towards her, studying her face. She was serious about it.

"Okay." Horatio consented. Silence fell over the both of them. They both stood there in silence, trying to figure out what to say next. Horatio was just studying her. He looked serious. He frowned as he imagined how his life would be if Natalia had been killed in that incident.

"I guess you just never know when death is coming." Natalia broke the silence between them. It gave Horatio a slight shock but it gave him something to think about. He pondered and looked up at her.

"No we don't and that's why we shouldn't live in fear of it." She smiled at him and nodded. She agreed with him. She knew he was right.

"You're right." She stared at him. "You're right." She repeated, smiling. "Then I will see you tomorrow." She turned away slowly.

"You will see me tomorrow." He said, smiling again at her. As she walked away, he turned slowly, towards her. He watched her walk away. He smiled as he watched her walk away. This was the first time he felt like this ever since Marisol. He felt nervous around her and it made it hard for him to talk properly or even think properly.

'Damn Horatio. You just lost your wife. It hasn't even been a year! How could you even do this.' He scolded himself for having such thoughts. Marisol was not even gone for a year and he was already thinking about another woman. What made it worse was that Natalia is his own colleague, his CSI.

"Natalia, wait." He called her back. Natalia turned back.

"Yes? Is there anything else you need?" Horatio stared at her blindly. "Horatio?" Natalia called out.

"Uhm…" Horatio stuttered. 'Shit. Now you better have something to say!' Horatio screamed inside his head. He was nervously fiddling with his sunglasses. Natalia looked at him and back at his hands. He wasn't talking or looking at her.

"Horatio? Is there anything you want to tell me?" Natalia pried.

"When you said you never know when death is coming, did you think that you could've died just now and that you never did what you wanted to do most?" It took all his courage to bring up that question. Natalia smiled.

"Yes I did. My life flashed before my eyes. And the only thing I saw was someone that I really loved. If I had died, that would be the only regret in my life; not telling him that I really loved him although I never showed it to him." Natalia smiled again. Horatio was still staring down at his sunglasses. He was quiet all the way but Natalia could see his shoulders slump.

'Nick.' Horatio thought. He was the only person that Natalia has been with. He should have known that despite Nick's abusive character, Natalia and him had a past together and of course Natalia would love him. 'Shouldn't have asked such question. That was stupid. At least you know now Caine. Be cool and be nice.' Horatio took a deep breath and continued.

"Then you should go ahead and tell him. Don't live in regrets." This time, Horatio looked up at her. "But Natalia, be careful. We don't want history to repeat itself." Horatio showed pure concern in his eyes. Natalia could feel her soul melting at his concern.

"I can assure you history won't repeat itself Horatio. But thank you for your concern."

"How would you know that?" Horatio frowned.

"I know that because I know him. He's not that kind of guy. Besides, I can take care of myself now." Natalia tried to convince him.

"Alright. I just don't want you to get hurt all over again."

"Thank you Horatio. But really, if I am ready, I will tell him. But right now, I don't think it's a good time." Horatio nodded.

"Alright. Just be careful." Natalia caught a tinge of disappointment in Horatio's voice when he spoke. He then looked down and focused on his sunglasses.

"Are you okay Horatio?" Horatio focused his attention back at her and looked into her eyes.

"I'm fine. I'll come by your place tonight to check on you. Is that okay with you?" His hands kept fiddling with his sunglasses.

"You know you don't have to trouble yourself Horatio. I don't want to cause you any inconvenience." She tilted her head slightly and smiled at him.

"It's not trouble. I just want to make sure you're alright. And don't bother making food. Just rest. I'll bring dinner for you." She smiled at his thoughtfulness and nodded. Her heart was suddenly beating fast and she could feel her face getting flushed.

"How about I send you home now. I think you might need the rest. You've been through a lot for a day." Horatio suggested in a very gentle manner. He waited patiently for her reply.

"Uhm..okay..but just let me get my stuff?" She asked for permission. Horatio nodded.

"Okay. I'll just wait at the car." He replied and walked away from her to the car. After a few minutes of waiting at the car, Natalia finally showed up with her handbag and walked towards Horatio who was already waiting in the car. As she neared the car, Horatio stepped out and guided her towards the passenger seat. He waited for her to settle down before closing the door and walking back to his seat.

"Wow. I didn't know you had such a nice car. I don't think I can afford such luxuries." Natalia complimented Horatio's white Audi A7 and chuckled at the end. She thought it was perfect for him. It was a simple yet elegant car. It was sleek. Just right for its owner whom is also a very elegant and simple man. Horatio just smiled slightly at the comment and put on his seatbelt then started driving off.

"So H, why did you risk your life, driving the car? Did you realize that it's like a suicide mission?" Horatio glanced and smiled at her.

"If I hadn't done it Miss Boa Vista, then I would risk everyone's lives and everyone might die."

"But wouldn't that mean losing your own life?" Natalia looked at him quizzically.

"They all have families and I can't let them die in vain. I can't do that to their families." Horatio let out a loud sigh.

"So you would rather lose your life?" Horatio nodded silently. Natalia just stared at him in awe. She admired his courage and bravery. He had always put other people in front of himself. She looked out of the window, her thoughts on Horatio.

"I've lost people I love for nothing. I know how that feels like and I don't want other people to experience it too. It hurts so much." Horatio spoke up but he said it very softly. It was as if he didn't want Natalia to hear it. Natalia turned her head towards him immediately and looked at him with sympathetic eyes. She wanted to say something to ease his pain but she didn't know how. He was opening up to her for reason she didn't know but she wanted to be there for him no matter what. She just kept quiet to let him talk and release whatever that he has been keeping inside. Horatio noticed that she was quiet.

"Sorry." He shook his head and chuckled slightly. "Didn't mean to throw that all on you." He apologized as he made a swift turn to the right and then stopped at an Italian restaurant to get take-away food for the both of them. Natalia waited in the car while Horatio went in to order.

Natalia waited in the car, sitting inside quietly as her thoughts went back to Horatio. Sometimes, she worries that one day, he could lose his life, trying to protect everyone. 'Everyone. No matter how hard he tries, he can't possibly save everyone.' She thought to herself. Of course, she wouldn't dare tell that to Horatio. She knew how much Horatio care about saving other people even if it means taking his life. She respected his principle. Just then, her thoughts were distracted by a knock on the window. It was Horatio, with food boxes in his hands. Natalia opened the door for him and took the entire load from him.

Horatio settled down and started driving. Within a few minutes, they arrived at Natalia's apartment and Horatio carried all the food boxes, allowing her to unlock the door. Once Horatio entered the house, he was mesmerized by the stylish and well-designed home. It felt cozy and warm. It felt like a home, unlike his house, cold and quiet. He could get used to this, he thought but he shook those thoughts off.

TBC...

Thank you for reading this. Tell me what you think! :)