Title: A Stolen Dance
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: FRT
Disclaimer: I think we all know I don't own them and the reasons why. They are owned by various executives, producers, writers and studios that have more lawyers than I want to mess with. I'm not making any money just borrowing them for a bit and promise to return them.
Summary: Horatio takes Speed dancing.
Beta: Kay (Joe)
Warning: Slash – hello – Don’t like it – Don't read it
Author's Note: Just a sweet sappy fic – how can you not listen to this song and not thing fluffy?
Challenge: lover100 Horatio/Speed
Prompt: #31 - Music
Word Count: 845

~*~

The awards banquet was boring, stuffy, and full of pompous asses. Speed sighed as he leaned up against the wall. Once again Horatio was overlooked for his work in the community and in the lab, because he didn't play politics.

Speed looked out onto the dance floor watching the redhead dance with Yelina. Everyone thought they were a striking pair. Dark and light. The younger man rolled his eyes. Yeah, well they seem to forget that she decided to date Stetler. Speaking of the devil.

Rick cut in and took Yelina from Horatio. The redhead shrugged and walked back to the team's table. Speed sighed and headed back to the table. It was going to be a long night. There were things he would rather be doing than sitting here watching cute couples dance.

"Where did you disappear to?" Eric asked.

Speed sat down at the table. "I went to get some fresh air."

"Dance with me." Alexx held out her hand to the brunette.

"Alexx…." Speed took her hand. "You owe me."

She grinned as the two made their way out to the dance floor. Alexx was one of the few people who knew Speed actually had some grace when it came to dancing. He expertly led her around the floor, dipping her with the music, the two laughing, enjoying each others company.

Horatio watched the mother and son. He dared anyone to tell Alexx that Speed wasn't her baby. She adopted him the moment she laid eyes on those soulful brown eyes. She had been there for him through thick and thin. And Horatio swore Speed would kill to protect her.

The two were having fun; it was so rare to see such a bright smile on the trace experts face. The redhead leaned back in his chair. This night had turned out to be a bust. Once again his refusal to play games hurt his team. They were overlooked, never getting recognition for their abilities.

Speed had found a new way to pull mineral samples out of clothes and he was overlooked for the night shift's lab boy who was friends with the Mayor. Calleigh's expertise in ballistics and design of the new database for GSR patterns was ignored in favor of the lab's new genius and her ability to get grants for the night shift.

He sipped his drink and watched the comings and goings. He could have thought of a half dozen things he would rather have been doing then wasting his time watching Rick gloat over the fact he won Yelina. Horatio worked hard not to roll his eyes at the other man's antics. He wondered what Stetler would do if he found out that Horatio could care less.

He was a taken man – just no one knew it.

~*~

The guests had left. The only ones still around were the waiters cleaning up the large banquet hall. Even the band was packing up and leaving. Speed walked towards the table to grab his jacket.

He paused when the soft sounds of a saxophone filtered through the quiet room. He recognized the tune. He smiled as he began to hum along.

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

"Dance with me?" Horatio held out his hand.

Speed looked around the deserted ball room. "Horatio…"

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

"No one is here." The redhead pulled Speed close to him. "One dance. I wanted so badly to dance with you tonight."

"Might have given away our relationship." Speed let Horatio lead him across the floor.

"Yeah, but Rick's expression would have been worth it." Horatio buried his head in Speed's shoulder.

The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"

The two were lost in the song and music, as the two just held onto each other and moved with the soft notes being played by the lone saxophone player.

Horatio grinned and then dipped his lover. His laughter echoed through the room. The redhead pulled him close, kissing him softly. Blue eyes stared into brown, love clearly showing in them. It was only a few moments, a dance stolen at midnight. But it was these moments that both men cherished with everything they were.

I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world

As the song came to an end, Horatio slid his hand into the soft brown locks, pulling him into a deep kiss.

"I love you," Speed whispered not wanting to break the magical moment.

"And I you," Horatio answered holding him close.

~ The End ~