Author's Note: Hello there! I finally have time to write again, what with all this waiting for responses to my job applications. And I am back with a remake of "Together We Stand, Divided We Fall"! This work has been left lying around for ages, and I finally decided to give it a shot again after a reader requested for a follow-up.

I thought you should know why I wrote this story in the first place. I was going through something at that time, and, well, it translated into my work. I cringed at some parts of my original version (and at some of my earlier stories posted here in FF, mind you!), but I pray I won't be doing the same with this one!

Anyway, I have deleted the original version. This time, I made sure I had all the chapters planned out before reposting a remake. Hopefully, this version will be better than the other one. Please excuse the inconsistencies I might make when it comes to some parts of this story, like events that happened on the TV series. The characters might become OOC at some point as well.

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: Miami, or any of its characters, and some parts of this tale's plot which were lifted from the TV series.

Together We Stand, Divided We Fall

Prologue

You can't keep denying it, Calleigh. You might be able to put on a happy façade in front of your team, but face it. Eric is leaving, you're broken, and there's nothing you can do about it.

Calleigh Duquesne smiled as she raised her glass along with her team in response to Jesse Cardoza's toast to honor Eric Delko's new career.

"Cheers!"

Warm smiles were casted around the room, light laughter issuing after their toast. Everyone has come to terms with Eric's decision to pursue a new career as a private investigator. Everyone, that is, except Calleigh.

She was still nursing her hurt over Eric's decision to leave. She retreated to the far corner of the room, pretending to be in deep thought over choosing between a muffin and a doughnut.

Right after…without even…

Incoherent thoughts ran through her head as she tried to keep her mind on the party at hand. No one seemed to mind her, and she didn't exactly mind anyone save for the guest of honor who was laughing together with Jesse and Ryan Wolfe in the middle of the room.

Calleigh didn't know how she survived the party without breaking down and asking Eric the million questions running through her head. But at last, the gathering broke up, and one by one their colleagues left. Calleigh stayed behind, waiting for Eric to finish talking to Horatio Caine.

When they were done, Horatio gave Calleigh an encouraging smile, and left without a word. She sidled up to Eric's side as he packed his things up and casually asked, "Can I walk with you to your car?"

Eric, startled to see that she and Calleigh were alone in the room, silently nodded his assent.

They walked the halls of the Miami-Dade Crime Laboratory together for the last time. Was it just Calleigh, or was the silence of the starting night shift in the Crime Lab nearly unbearable? She hadn't remembered it to be quite so.

Finally, they got out of the door where Eric's car was parked. Calleigh watched him put his things inside.

What went wrong, Eric? Was what I did for you not enough to make you stay? Calleigh silently wondered if she will ever get the answers to her questions.

Eric turned to her and searched her despondent eyes. As if reading her thoughts, Eric said, "It's not your fault, Calleigh. Not at all. But…you know what I went through. I can't…I'm afraid I can't be in the same place where it all happened. I loved her more than anyone else. I don't expect you to understand. But I would appreciate your support to my decision."

How can I understand when you haven't given me the chance to? Calleigh wanted to retort. But somehow, she knew he did not want to be shaken from his decision. This kept Calleigh from saying anything.

"I have to go now. Please take care of yourself," Eric turned away from her.

Calleigh could feel her eyes starting to sting. She lifted a hand to touch his back, but then drew it away. She wanted to put her arms around him. Her mind suddenly flashbacked to that day when he locked her in his embrace after her frightening brush with criminals. How comforted she felt that day. But now, she felt empty and cold.

Eric started to get into his car. "Good bye, Eric," she whispered as she stared at his back. He never turned back to her again as he started his car and drove away.

And there, alone in front of the Crime Lab building at dusk, Calleigh finally let her tears fall for the man she loved, who also left her eventually.

A/N #2: Please share your thoughts about this tale with me! :)