"So I figured out what you're doing," Calleigh said to Eric. He lowered his eyes from his locker to the floor, then straight ahead again.
"I can't wait to hear where this is going," he mused. Calleigh took a deep breath before replying; she had to keep the tears from falling.
"You're leaving CSI aren't you?" She hoped that maybe she was wrong.
"You know me too well Calleigh," Eric muttered, shutting his locker and striding toward her. Calleigh's heart fell but she fought to not let her pain show. She stood straighter as Eric continued to speak to her, but she couldn't hear him. Her head was spinning. 'This isn't happening. This isn't the end,' she thought. She dropped her gaze, suddenly finding it hard to look at him. Pain turned to anger.
"So this is it. Twelve years in the job and you're leaving just like that." It was more of a statement than a question. Eric just put his arms around her; she was crying now.
"Cal, I'm not saying I'll be gone forever, I just need some time to figure things out. She only shook her head, still not looking at him.
"Hey," he said.
"Hey…" he lifted her face towards his and wiped a tear from her cheek.
"The minute I make a decision, you'll be the one I call," he smiled meekly at her. She smiled back and leaned her head on his chest. She couldn't think of anything to say, this should make her feel better, but it won't make him stay.
"Thank you," was all she could summon. They hugged silently, prolonging goodbye.
"I should go, let you get back to work," Eric said
"Yeah," Calleigh answered. Tears began to run down her face again; she let them fall. He cupped her face with his hand and kissed her. She put her arms around his back again, helplessly trying to keep them together. A moment later, Eric was walking away. At the door he turned.
"Bye Cal,"
"Bye," she whispered. One last smile and he was gone
• • •
Calleigh's world came crashing down on her. Usually calm and composed, she wasn't used to losing control this way. She crumpled onto the bench and her head fell to her knees. Her mind exploded with memories of Eric: the first time they met; his corny pick up line. All the crime scenes they worked together. How badly she had hurt him while she was seeing Jake. The day he was shot, or days she should say; how she had almost lost him. While she was in the hospital, he had confessed his love for her, in so many words. He had been her best friend, and now her whole heart, and she wasn't about to lose him like this. Not after everything they'd been through. Before she knew it she was up and running out of the locker room, out of CSI. She reached the parking lot and quickly scanned it, searching for Eric. She spotted him standing beside his car, keys in hand.
"Eric!" she yelled, beginning to run again.
"Calleigh, what's the matter, what's going on?" he asked when she reached him. Her eyes were red and she was breathing hard.
"I…just…" she said between breaths.
"I couldn't let you leave yet." She wiped her face with the arm of her jacket
"Calleigh, you're crying again what is it?" he grabbed her arms, looking worried now. She smiled a little but still continued to cry; she couldn't help herself. Finally Eric sighed.
"Calleigh, please don't cry. I know you're angry at me because of my decision, and I--" she threw her arms around him, cutting him off, and kissed him. She could feel the surprise on his face turn into a smile. When she stepped back, she continued to hold his hand.
"I couldn't let you leave without telling you that I'll always be here for you. If leaving CSI is what you need right now, then I will support you, because I just want you to be happy. I love you Eric." He stared at her for a moment before pulling her into a hug. With her in his arms, he felt like he had nothing to figure out, that everything was right. He hated himself for wanting to leave the job. It seemed like she always knew when to save him.
"Cal, I've been through a lot in my life, and I'm sorry I dragged you through it."
"Eric, there's no place I'd rather have been," she placed her hand on his cheek, smiled and closed her eyes. Eric could see the stains Calleigh's tears had left. He kissed one cheek, then the other, finally landing on her lips. One way or another, Eric knew they were going to be okay.
Rick Stetler walked out of CSI into the parking lot across from them, but Calleigh and Eric were so caught up in the moment, that they both failed to notice.
• • •
Calleigh blinked, seeing nothing but darkness as she slowly stirred awake. Instinctively, she rolled over grabbing her watch off the bedside table to check the time. She squinted at the small hands of the clock. Around 5:30am maybe. We wiped her eyes with her hands rolling back the other way. She smiled groggily when she saw Eric lying beside her, still asleep. She propped her head on her hand and watched him. The way his eyelids often twitched. The steady rhythm of his breathing. He looked completely at ease, and surprisingly seeing him this way relaxed her too. She lay her head on the pillow and drifted off back to sleep.
An hour later she woke again, this time to bright morning sun. She sat up, combing her hair with her fingers. Eric was up reading the newspaper and drinking a cup of coffee.
"Morning Cal," he smiled offering her his cup.
"Morning," she yawned. Taking it, she moved closer. He moved his arm around her shoulders, tucking her against him.
"Anything interesting?" Calleigh asked, peeking at the paper.
"Hmm, nothing really. A break-and-enter, a stolen car." Eric said. Calleigh sighed and leaned back against his shoulder.
"What are you thinking?" Eric asked, stroking her arm.
"How I really don't want to go to work today," she answered looking up at him, a shy smile appearing on her face.
"Calleigh Duquesne, not wanting to work?" "Shocking," he joked. She hit his chest playfully and they both laughed. She put her one arm around him and he stared at her.
"I love you," she said. He smiled
"I love you too." "But you still have to go to work," he laughed and kissed her gently on the forehead before getting out of bed.
• • •
It was a beautiful day in Miami that morning. Eric turned on the air conditioning while he waited for Calleigh to buckle up. When they got to CSI she turned to him.
"I guess I'll see you later." He squeezed her hand.
"Call me when you get off and we'll grab dinner." He smiled, trying to make things better.
"Okay," she said getting out
"Cal," Eric leaned across the seat, looking out the open door.
"I'm really sorry, about everything," he said. Calleigh sighed.
"It's alright, I'll see you later." Smiling, she shut the door and waved as he drove away. She turned to head inside, but found Rick Stetler in her way.
"Good morning, Ms. Duquesne," Rick smiled, but Calleigh saw the usual sly edge to Rick's face.
"Morning Rick," she replied hostilely, walking around him. Striding beside her, he added "I saw you and Delko in the parking lot yesterday afternoon." He saw her cheeks flare a bright pink.
"You of all people would remember the rule of fraternizing with co-workers Ms. Duquesne." Calleigh stopped short at the stairs and looked directly at him.
"Yes, I quite vividly recall your rule Rick. I also recall my personal life being none of your business. Now if you excuse me, I need to get to work." She walked up the stairs and quickly through the front door.
"We'll see," Rick said quietly, "we'll see."
• • •
Calleigh had seen worse days, she was sure, but this had to be right up there. First, they were investigating the murder of a nineteen-year-old girl (drivers license confirmed her name was Natalie Hamilton) at a party held the night before at the opening of a high end club on Star Island. The CSI's were unable to find sufficient evidence against their prime suspect, so he walked; for now. On top of it all, Eric wasn't there. This was harder than she anticipated. The suspect had just been led out of the interrogation room, leaving Calleigh all alone. She laid her head on the table. The cool glass felt good against her forehead. A moment later she heard the door open, then close, but she didn't bother to look up. Finally, after the silence continued, she glanced through the hair that had fallen over her face.
"Horatio…" she said, sitting up and frantically fixing herself.
"How are you holding up sweetheart?" Horatio asked, taking a seat next to her. She sat, thinking.
"It's different without him here," she answered slowly, looking around, but at what she didn't know.
"I know," Horatio put his hand on her shoulder,
"but it will be okay, he just needs some time."
"I hope you're right." As the day progressed, the team continued to search for evidence. The girl was stabbed, so there was no bullet for Calleigh to analyze. The wound was wide; the blow cracked two of her ribs. This made their job all the more difficult. By days end, the team had concluded the knife used to kill Natalie was not a match to any found at the scene. A dead end. It felt like a lifetime had passed when Calleigh had finally signed out. Outside in the evening air she took a deep breath. Pulling out her phone, she began dialing Eric's number when she heard someone cough, clearing their throat. She looked up sharply and saw him standing there.
"Eric," she breathed. He smiled and shrugged.
"I figured I'd surprise you." His smile widened as she jogged toward him. When she reached him she stopped, rethinking her hug. Ricks morning speech replayed in her mind. She suddenly felt uneasy. Looking over her shoulders she grabbed Eric's hand.
"C'mon let's get going," she spoke quickly leading him back to his car. As soon as they had left, Calleigh relaxed a little. Eric looked over at her.
"Something wrong Cal?" he asked. She sighed.
"No, I'm fine," she lied and looked away out the window.
"Hey," he touched her shoulder and she turned back to him.
"You don't have to lie to me, I'll understand." She took a deep breath.
"Rick Stetler." She looked at him, a mix of worry and anger crossed her face.
"What? Did he hurt you, or did he say something?" His own anger rising.
"He saw us yesterday," she answered quietly. He turned his gaze from her to the road.
"I'm so sorry Calleigh," he looked back at her, sadness now flooding his expression.
"Eric, this isn't your fault. Or mine. Listen, I've handled worse thank Rick Stetler, you know that. And besides," she took his hand in hers.
"He never wins." At that they both smiled.
• • •
The following day, the team still hadn't solved the murder of their party girl, when a call came in about a body found in an alleyway outside the same club Natalie was murdered in. Calleigh and Ryan arrived at the scene shortly after their M.E did.
"What've you got?" Ryan asked
"Male vic, looks to be around sixteen or seventeen-years-old," Tom replied, kneeling over the boys body.
"Gun shot wound to the chest; doesn't appear to be a through-and-through. I'll know more when I get him to autopsy." The CSI's began their search. Ryan looked down the alley. Back doors to various shops and clubs lined either side and a few dumpsters were scattered between him and the adjoining road.
"Looks like we got a lot of work ahead of us," Ryan sighed, glancing at his watch.
"I'll take the left-side dumpsters and doorways, and you take the right," Calleigh replied. She turned and headed around toward the shop on her side. She knocked quickly and a middle-aged, dark-haired man opened the door.
"I'm CSI Duquesne, with the Miami crime lab." She held up two photos, one of each of their victims.
"Sir, have you ever seen any of these people before?" Seeing the look on the mans face, Calleigh instinctively placed her hand on her gun and took a step back.
• • •