Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: Miami or its characters.

Note: This is my first attempt at a mystery/action/romance type story. The idea has been on my mind for a while, yet I haven't had much time to put it to paper. Also, the title is a working one. Jake may very well be OOC since I am not too familiar with his character. Lastly, all but the very first paragraph in the first chapter is from Calleigh's point of view. Well, enjoy.

Accidental Murderer- Chapter 1

The glow of the full moon overhead illuminates the silver coupe making its metallic paint glisten as it pulls into the driveway of the darkened house. When its headlights make a sweep across the front windows, a figure in the living room window ducks down to avoid the light. A few seconds later, he springs back up to resume his place in the window. The occupants in the car are oblivious to his presence.

"Thanks again for driving me home Ryan" I say, placing a gentle hand on Ryan's knee.

"Hey, it's no problem at all. If you need a ride in tomorrow just let me know. Unless of course Jake wants to take you."

Ryan's voice is uncertain and apprehensive after his last sentence. He has always been leery of Jake since he knows Jake doesn't care for him much. I, on the other hand, don't care what Jake thinks of Ryan; he is my best friend, and always will be. So, I give Ryan's knee a gentle but re-assuring squeeze before I speak again.

"Would you mind driving me in tomorrow? I know there's no way the dealer will have my car ready before noon at least. And don't worry about Jake. If can't accept you as part of my life, then too bad. You're my best friend Ryan; no guy will ever come between that."

In the darkness surrounding us as we sit in the car, I know Ryan is grinning from ear to ear now.

"I would be more than happy to Cal. I'll be here at 7:30 sharp. And so you know, no girl will ever come between you and me either."

"Great. But you'd actually have to get a girl first Ryan" I tease him.

"There are plenty of girls out there who want me" he responds trying to act all debonair and suave but failing miserably.

"If you say so."

I can barely get out my response as I am starting to laugh at Ryan's antics. He joins me and soon we are engaged in a full-on laughing fit in my driveway. Luckily the windows are up so none of my neighbors can hear us. We laugh until we have tears streaming down our faces. When Ryan's elbow accidentally blows the horn, it causes us to laugh even harder.

Finally, gasping for breath and our sides aching, we start to calm down again.

"I haven't laughed that hard in I don't know when" Ryan says, wiping the tears from his face.

"Me either. I thought I was going to pee my pants. What were we even laughing about anyway?" I ask.

"I don't even know. Well, I guess I'd better let you get inside."

Ryan sees me holding back a yawn. It has been a long day for the both of us.

"Yeah, I guess. So I will see you at 7:30 then. Goodnight Ryan. We gotta remember to laugh more. We so needed that one."

"We certainly did. Don't worry, I'm sure I will give us both something to laugh at pretty soon."

I open the door and climb out of Ryan's car. After closing the door I make my way to my front door. Ryan stays in my driveway, watching to make sure I get in okay. Once inside, I stand behind the screen door where I watch him leave. We wave good bye and Ryan is off towards his own place for the night.

Stepping back I close the heavy wooden door and lock it tight. Then I head for my bedroom. As soon as I step into the doorway a familiar scent fills my nose- Jake's cologne. This is strange because he hasn't been to my place in nearly a month. I click on the light then nearly jump out of my skin at the sight on my bed.

"Jake, what are you doing here? How did you get in?"

"Oh, I have my ways. It looks like you have yours too."

The tone in his voice is icy cold streaked with jealousy. His clothes are rumpled, and now that I am closer to him I can tell he has been drinking. This is not a welcome surprise.

"What do you mean Jake?"

"Don't play dumb with me Calleigh! I saw you and your new boyfriend in the driveway!" Jake yells at me

"Ryan is my best friend Jake! You and I are over!"

I stand before him, hands on my hips. How dare he make drunken accusations. And how dare he yell at me in my house.

"Oh, just because of those two women! It's been almost a month since we've I've talked to you Calleigh! The only times I see you is at work! And you won't return my calls!"

"Not after you became a lying cheating bastard Jake! And you know I've been pulling overtime everyday now to try to catch up on the backlog we have!"

"Excuses, excuses! Well that all stops right now!"

Jake reaches out and grabs my arm. He then begins to pull me out of the room. I grab onto the doorframe in response.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"You're coming with me! We're taking a little get away."

"Uh, no I am not! The only one who's getting away is you!"

We are playing a tug of war. He tries to pull me out of the room while I try to keep myself in the room. I am winning, barely. The alcohol seems to have made him stronger than I remember.

"I said you're coming with me!" Jake yells, and then pulls me with both arms and all his strength.

My petite frame is no match for this. I nearly rip off the doorframe as I fly out of the room and across the hallway. I smack into the bathroom door with a loud bang headfirst. Pain and anger well up in me. How dare he try to have his way with me.

"Get out Jake! Now!" I yell while lying on the bathroom floor.

My vision is a bit blurry, but I see him standing over me, a smirk playing across his face. He leans down in an attempt to pick me up, but I use my feet to kick him. He is sent stumbling backwards, giving me the chance to slam the bathroom door shut and lock it. I turn and lean against the door with my head in my hands. I cannot believe how things have spiraled out of control. Out of all the years I have known Jake, this side of him is totally new to me. And it scares the hell out of me.

"Calleigh! Open the damn door!"

He is now pounding on the other side of the door.

"No! I told you Jake! Get out of my house!"

"Look, I'm sorry Calleigh! Just open the door and we can talk!"

"No Jake! No! Just leave me the hell alone!"

"Fine, if that's the way you want to be Calleigh, you leave me with no choice!"

Now, he is using his body to try to break down the door. I am trapped. There is no window in this bathroom. I just have to hope he gets tired before the door gives way. I reach in my pocket hoping my cell phone will work in here; however, it is not in my pocket anymore. It must have fallen out in my flight. Jake continues with the door; it is getting weaker with each hit. The wood is cracking, and the frame coming loose. It is only a matter of time now.

"Jake stop! Stop now!" I plead one last time as the door gives way and Jake gains entry.

He takes me by my arms, and I look him in the eye for the first time. What I see scares me: fire, rage, and pure anger swirl in his eyes. These are the eyes of the many murders and serial killers I have seen in my years on the job.

I try my best to fight him off while he drags me back to my room. My mind is racing, trying to comprehend this man I know as Jake who is doing this to me. Something in him must have snapped. Or the wrong wires got crossed in his brain. He would never intentionally hurt me, right? I cannot attempt an answer since I am thrown once more, this time onto my bed. I hit it with such force that I bounce off it and onto the floor. My left arm hits the nightstand as I fly.

Jake comes towards me one final time. I reach up with my good arm for the statue I know is on that nightstand. This has to stop right now. My arm shakes as I raise the bronze figure high over my head. I must do this; this is not the Jake I know.

"Come on Calleigh! Don't be like that!"

Without another moment's hesitation, I swing on him with the statue. Finally, he goes down.

Accidental Murderer- Chapter 2

I run as fast as my legs will carry me. I right down the middle of the empty streets. The full moon overhead lights my way. As I run, I do not look back, and I force the pain in my head and arm away. Every few seconds I have to wipe the blood from my head wound out of my eyes.

Yet, I do not stop until I reach a familiar condo. His silver coupe is parked out front. The steel hood has cooled now; it has my bloody handprint on it now as I touch it. I reach the front door and begin banging on it as hard as I can. After a few minutes, I see the light come on. Then the door opens.

Ryan sees me standing there, and his jaw drops to the ground. Without a word, he gently ushers me inside then closes the door behind us. He pulls off his t-shirt to stop the bleeding on my head. As he applies the pressure to the wound, he draws me close to him, wrapping his free arm around me. In return I wrap my good arm around him, staining his back with my blood. But, neither of us cares. He feels so warm around me while I feel so very cold.

"Calleigh, who did this to you? Why?" he speaks softly into my ear.

"Jake. He was waiting for me. He had been drinking. He saw us in the car. He was jealous and came at me. So I…I hit him with the statue." I try to explain, fighting waves of pain and dizziness.

Ryan pulls back from me. I still cling to him.

"I'm taking you to the E.R. right now. Just let me get my keys."

'No! I want…just…"

Everything is really spinning now and getting darker. I fight to hold onto Ryan; I hear him yelling my name. Somebody pulls the floor out from under me. Everything goes pitch black and silent.

As I come to, I realize I am in bed, but this bed is totally unlike my own. And there is a steady beeping. This room also smells funny- very clean and sterile. I open my eyes to find Ryan holding tightly to my right hand. There are large purple bruises ringing my wrist. My left arm is in a cast. It feels like my head is bandaged. I look over at Ryan.

"Hey babe" I manage to get out.

His eyes light up and he starts smiling.

Hey. Cal, I'm so happy you're awake. You had us all so scared."

"Where is everyone?"

"In the waiting room. I can go get them when you're ready."

"Oh, okay. Um, Ryan, where is..."

"Calleigh, Jake is dead."

Suddenly it feels like someone sucked all the air from my lungs. Ryan's words echo through my head. His face has changed to one of concern and fear. We just stare at each other in silence. Panic is about to explode inside me. I am at a loss for words. I killed Jake.

TO BE CONTINUED