A/N 1: Set around ep.2x04, "Death Grip." My take on what could have happened. Five-part fic, not beta'd.

A/N 2: There are mentions of rape in this story. Also, since "Death Grip" occurs before S.7 and S.8, I've taken slight creative liberty with Eric's story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 1

Delko wasn't sure how many more of these cases he could take. He'd stood and watched as Jeff irrigated the crocodile's stomach, and somehow he didn't even flinch when a foot spilled out of its mouth. He knew Conseula Valdes was dead before this moment; the foot only confirmed what he already felt deep down.

Without a word, Eric turned and left. He didn't make it very far before he felt a calm presence approach behind him.

"Hey. You okay?" came a sweet, quiet voice. Calleigh had been Eric's constant since the day he began at CSI three years ago. They'd become close friends, and he-frequently-thanked his lucky stars to have her in his life.

Eric sighed. "Blonde girl's missing and the National Guard turns out to help. Hispanic girl, no one gives a damn."

Calleigh felt her friend's pain. She knew these cases affected him the most, and she tried her best to comfort him when he started down the dark road of memory lane.

"I think there are a lot of people here," she tried to rationalize. It sounded lame even to her ears.

Eric finally turned around, gesturing in frustration. "Oh, come on, Calleigh. You saw the media's response to Lana Walker. You know? Where were the yellow ribbons for Consuela Valdes? The recovery center. It's the same song, you know? You want any real attention in this world, you got to have blonde hair and blue eyes. No offense."

Calleigh smiled. "None taken. My eyes are green."

Eric chuckled a little and gave another exhausted sigh. "I'm just mad that we couldn't save her," he said softly, looking toward the marshes without actually seeing them. They would probably never find Consuela's body. What kind of closure could that ever give her parents?

Calleigh stepped forward and placed a light hand on his crossed forearms. "Let's go get this guy."

He smiled, a new determination settling over him. "Yeah." With that, they both turned back toward the group of police officers and searchers.

Despite Eric's resolve, Calleigh watched him closely as the afternoon progressed, becoming increasingly worried that all was not, in fact, well with her best friend. A storm was brewing inside the man, and she dreaded the moment he would let it all loose.