Carpe Diem

Carpe Diem, "seize the day", that's what she told herself each morning before going to work, she started doing it after watching that Robin Williams movie, Death Poets Society, it was a good phrase, motivating, and almost always worked, but today the day had been really hard, case after case had piled on her desk, she had fired endless rounds , compared hundreds of casings, interview so many witnesses she thought she was going to go insane repeating the same questions to each of them.

She was so tired her only thought was reaching her apartment and soak her aching body in a hot tub for at least an hour maybe two.

Calleigh smiled at the thought as she grabbed her car keys from her purse and stepped into the almost empty parking lot, suddenly, a screeching sound made her head wipe around towards the street, a gray car was zigzagging towards the parked Hummers, it ran over bushes, trashcans, and everything on its path, finally crashing into a police black and white with an awful metal sound.

Calleigh and 2 officers that had been at the spot ran to check on the driver, one of the patrolmen yanked the door open , there was a young blond woman covered in blood slumped over the wheel, Calleigh reached in to check on her pulse when she turned her face.

Oh my God, Susie!!! –

You know her? – one of the officers asked, as the other one finished calling for an ambulance.

Please officer call Lt Caine ASAP – she said without answering, while she turned to check up on Susie, she was covered in blood but she could she two bullet wounds on her chest, Calleigh tried to stop the bleeding, but blood was just pouring from her, she prayed that the emergency services arrived fast enough.

Susie? Honey open your eyes please –

The young woman shifted, and tryed to open her eyes without much success, of course, Horatio's team knew about Susie, he had told them everything after returning from Brazil, he said they deserved to know, and …

Madison!!! – Calleigh screamed, making both officers jump, she could hear the sirens coming closer, and voices behind her, but she just realized Horatio´s niece could be in the car too, she started to get up, but Susie's hand grabbed her arm.

Ma...dison…Maddy – she whispered, Calleigh leaned closer to hear her better

Where is she Susie? Tell me – she urged her

La…undry – Susie gasped starting to choke

Laundry? –

Someone pulled Calleigh away from Susie who was still holding her hand, her color draining fast.

Oh Lord, she looks bad – she thought stepping back to allow the paramedics some room, she saw them check the interior of the car as they gently took Susie out and started the race to save her life, it was empty, Madison was not there.

Calleigh? What happened?

Yelled Erik Delko running towards her followed by Ryan Wolfe, their faces paled when they saw her, her white blouse was covered in blood.

Horatio? Where is he?

He is not here, got a call – Ryan answered looking ashen faced at her.

Are you alright? - Erik asked.

Yes, yes, I am ok, Erik call him, tell him Susie has been shot, she probably won't make it.

Oh God, is that her? – Ryan said looking at the paramedics working feverishly on the young woman - Calleigh ? The girl?

I don't know, we have to get to her house, maybe she is injured too, come on – she said walking towards her Hummer.

I'll stay here Cal, take Wolfe, Horatio will need someone to look at the car and everything, he is on his way – Erik finished closing his cell phone.

Ok , Ryan and I will go, thank you Erik, stay with Horatio ok?, this is not going to be easy for him. – Calleigh added sadly looking at the paramedics faces. She wished she could stay, but finding Madison was top priority, her heart ached for Horatio, how much more pain was he going to be able to take? She didn't have an answer to that. Erik nodded putting his cell phone away; they all wished they could spare H any more pain.

Ryan jumped into Calleigh's Hummer after her, both praying the little redheaded girl would be safe and sound when they find her, the young CSI called for police backup on their way to Susie's apartment looking as worried as Calleigh did.