Title: Morning After
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: FRM
Disclaimer: I don't own them. They are owned by various executives, producers, studios and writers who have more lawyers on retain than I ever want to mess with. Not making any money and promise to return them....some day.
Summary: The morning brings new information to light.
Beta: Lynn (Janet)
Series: Escort Service, The Phone Call, The Meeting Dinner & Dessert
Challenge: Lover 100 – Horatio/Speed
Prompt: # 62 - Should of
Word Count: 901


~*~

Horatio shifted in the bed, his arms reaching for Timothy. His hand felt cold sheets instead of a nice warm body. He sat up quickly in the bed and looked around the hotel suite. The doors out to the balcony were open, there was a table set up with breakfast out on the balcony.

He smiled softly and got out of bed, quickly pulling on his jeans and stepping out onto the balcony. "Morning," he said sitting down at the table smiling at the younger man. "You sleep well?"

"Straight through the night, first time in a long time," he answered. "So I guess, well I should pay you."

Horatio sipped his coffee before answering. He knew this was when he needed to tell him. He opened up his mouth to explain the situation when something shiny caught his attention. His badge. He looked up at Tim; his eyes were hard and unreadable.

"I wanted to tell you last night, but..." Horatio set the cup down.

"Is this when you arrest me?" Tim asked staring at him. "Though does it hurt the case or better it given the fact you fucked me?"

"I'm not Vice, nor is this a case..." he sighed.

"Then what the fuck is this?!" he demanded his voice raising. "Wasn't it pathetic enough that I actually called an escort service, but to be part of some sting operation..."

"I told you I'm not Vice." Horatio's voice dropped. "I work in the Crime Lab."

"Excuse me?" he stared at the redhead. "Am I being investigated? Is this to do with the malpractice suit?"

"The what?" Caine asked surprised.

"The fact that the parents of William Henderson are suing me for wrongful death, are they now trying to have me arrested?"

"No." Horatio stood up and moved across the small balcony and knelt down in front of Timothy. "I have no idea who the Hendersons are; the truth is you got the wrong number."

Tim blinked at him. "Wrong number?"

"My number is one digit off the escort service, you misdialed and got mine." He placed his hand on Tim's knee. "Yours wasn't the first call I've gotten, but there was something in your voice that called to me. Demanded that I listen."

Tim leaned back in his chair in shock. "So you just decided to show up and pretend you were an escort?"

"I actually had no idea what I was doing," Horatio answered honestly. "All I know was that I had to show up. I was drawn to you, to your voice."

"So last night?" he asked.

"Was the best thing that has happened to me," the redhead stood up and pulled Tim up with him. "I wanted to tell you, but didn't know how to."

"Were you ever going to tell me?" he asked stepping back slightly. "Or just let me believe I was falling for a hooker?"

"Falling for me?" Horatio cupped his cheek.

"Answer the damn question, Horatio."

"I had every intention of telling you this morning," he ran a thumb along the stubbled cheek. "I was even hoping to ask you to dinner."

Timothy snorted and shook his head. "You know this is like some bad romance novel."

"Well then, this would be when you swoon into my arms, because you just can't live without me." Horatio leaned forward and brushed his lips against Timothy’s.

"It's not that easy," Tim whispered

"No, it's not." He agreed. "Then let’s start over."

"I don't think I can," he pulled out of Horatio's arms and moved back into the suite. "I have surgery this afternoon so I..."

"Tim please," Horatio called from the door. "This wasn't the best situation, but I honestly feel that this was meant to happen."

He turned and looked at the older man. "Fate." He snorted. "Fate is a bitch who hates me."

"Fate was you calling my number," the redhead stepped into the room. "It was us who did the rest of the work."

"Look," Timothy ran a hand through his hair. "I can't deal with this right now. Give me some time at least."

Horatio nodded, it was only fair. He grabbed his badge off the table, slipping it into his pocket. He pulled on his shirt and jacket then grabbed his bag. As he headed for the door he stopped next to Tim, cupped his cheek and leaned in for a soft loving kiss. He stepped back and pulled open the door. "My number is on the card," Horatio looked back at the young man. "For what it’s worth, it was the first time in a long time I also slept through the night."

With that, he turned and walked away, closing the door softly behind him. Tim looked down at the card in his hand and stared at the number, his thumb running across the lettering: 'Lt. Horatio Caine' Miami-Dade Crime Lab.