I don't own neither CSI Miami nor those songs…

Thinking Over… (song : thinking over by Dana Glover)

I want to thank Liphuggers for the amazing help and beta on this one... girl, without you this story wouldn't come true. Thank you so much for everything!

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Thinking Over

"Hi.... I'm CSI Calleigh Duquesne" she introduced herself

"Hi..I'm a …I'm Eric Delko" he said a little nervous

"Oh.. the newbie… I'd heard about you…" she said smiling

"well…. yeah…really?" he asked a little too concerned

"It'll be a pleasure having you on the team…" her southerner hospitality kicking in

"The pleasure is all mine…"

She was living all these new feelings... something she never felt before. Every time they were together butterflies fly on her stomach, her heart speed fast, palms sweat, the hair behind her neck rise…

"So… there's one more question…. You are gonna give me your phone number now or later??"

This was his first flirtation encounter with her and all she could do was give him a laugh… he was a flatter, she was definitely impressed with him. She could swear that she was getting red… be still my heart. He was young, strong, all smiling, charming and very very desirable if she could say that. She confessed later, only to herself, that she had to hold herself to not give him her phone number… sighresisting him was gonna be a hard mission… she was a single woman, open to opportunities, challenges, diversions, surely open to him and he was there in front of her, 6 feet of muscle and hot stuff, asking for her number. God! How she wanted to taste those lips, to feel those arms on her but he was her co-worker. She couldn't get involved.

I've been searching for a reason

And I'm running out of time

I can feel that it's the season

It's time to make up my mind

Walking with her "Hey Calleigh. Listen, I was wondering if, uh, maybe I could crash at your place tonight. I'm trying to keep a low profile and H has been stirring up the neighborhood."

"You know how he is- he's like a dog with a bone." She add

"Yeah, well, he needs to learn how to let go, because this girl's family doesn't care about solving the crime. Their niece is already dead. You know, they're thinking we gotta protect the living."

"I can't say I blame them." Checking her test results while he waits by the door; she smiles "On the couch. No midnight tiptoe. Deal?"

"Deal."

That day was his first night in her house; she had to admitted that she was a little intrigue about that… Why her? Why not Speedle?

These amazing sensations of rightness, of perfection, but feelings are feelings and they come as fast as they go, right?!?! 'Damn it, Calleigh… what is happening to you?? Where is the confident Calleigh?? What happen to her?'

"Thanks for the vote of confidence"he said a little too hurt.

"Eric, I trust you with every fiber of my being and you know that, ok?!" Telling him that, she saw him practically melting, calming down.

That was the truth… she could trust him with her life she knew that he wouldn't let her down…he would cover her back, help her in anything. He had to prove that in so many ways but … there is always a but…

And I can't really tell you what I'm gonna do

There are so many thoughts in my head

Sure with him it was different, she couldn't denied that even with him she couldn't help but feel careful after all he was a man and what a man he was, so handsome, so strong but at the same time so sweet, so much kindness; so hot and so sexy and with a grasp that left her losing her mind… I am not speaking about those traces that have our feet leaving the ground, nor the proofs that were usually found by the detectives of the cartoons. Grasp, in the way that a man catches a woman, almost always some seconds before gluing his lips on her. The grasp I refer to here can even be romantic, but it has to have a Neanderthal touch… a grasp that makes you see the heart beating in his eyes'– how he had improved that she didn't like to think of –' definitely one that made her crazy; and being a man she needed to stay alert because after so much disillusion in her past relationships she couldn't help but stay insecure…

Calleigh seeing him, "Hey hot stuff. I thought this was your day off." Smiling, he grins "Yeah. They called me in to testify, but I'm done now."

"Ah, too guilty to take a day off?" he replied "Well, you're the same way. You know how it is." She agrees "That's true."

That day he was very hot – she always admired men in suits – and with Eric dressed like that, it was surely a hot view but she had to say that out loud?? Her and her big mouth …fortunately he didn't reply; if he had said something she would be definitely embarrassed.

There are two roads to walk down and one road to choose

So I'm thinking over the things that you've said

Thinking over the things...

And here she is laying at his side… at 3:00 a.m. sleepless, one hand holding her head and the other hugging her pillow, thinking over … about the past, where all those feelings had started.

I'm thinking over

Thinking over

Thinking over

So many thoughts… so many doubts… so many things that were said, how could she knew he was the one? How could she be right about that, about them?? 'Damn it… why did things have to be so difficult, why was it so hard to make a decision??'

The things that you've said

And I'm thinking over

Thinking over

Thinking over the things...

She said in a whisper "Eric. Hey, it's Calleigh."

Eric drowsy; still out of it "Cal..."

She smiles around her tears "You look good." He laughs quietly as she tells him "Your parents are on their way. They're gonna be here really soon, and Horatio was here, and Alexx."

He a little dazed "Where's my sister?"

Stunned she asked "What?"

Eric said to clarify "Marisol...where's my sister? I wanna see my sister."

She said, trying to calm him down "Hey. Why don't you rest? Just rest."

She remembered the day he was shot… she felted so lost, so meaningless... – a simple tear fell from her eye – … God, she thought she had lost him… her best friend, her lifeline… her partner… her Eric. Then when she came to see him again, he was awake and she felt relieved until he asked for her sister, Marisol. He had hit a gap in his memory ... and that devastated her… her Eric, her best friend, the one who knows her better then herself, suddenly didn't remember what had happen some months ago. Maybe she was being selfish but she couldn't help the feeling of wanting the old Eric there, the one who had conquered her heart, even Eric remembering her, she was afraid of never having him again, but what she didn't know was that this new Eric was a lot better for her than the old one…

Am I ready for forever?

Oh, God, show me a sign

Was she ready for forever? For all the till death do us part thing? She needed answers, signs that this was the right thing to do. She wasn't familiar with happiness, simple life, love. She had suffered so much already that she was tired. Tired of fighting for the right thing. Tired for fighting for someone wasn't worthy, fighting for things almost unreachable.

Eric: "Calleigh, I wanted to thank you. For taking care of that girl today."

Calleigh: "It's no problem. You would have done the same thing for me."

Eric: "Yeah. It's just that, uh... you've helped me out a lot this year."

Calleigh: "Well, I appreciate you for appreciating me." she kissed him on the cheek

This new side of Eric was getting into her more and more… he wasn't afraid of showing her gratitude. She knew that was hard for him… getting back to work after everything that he had suffered, remember things, having confidence, trusting in him again… he made her feel important, no one had appreciated her like he did that day… of course she had heard a lot of thanks for her great job but this was different, this was gratitude for life, for caring, for being there, for support…

'Cause if we're to be together

Then it's got to be divine

She gets a piece of glass stuck in her finger at the crime scene "Ow! Damn it."

Eric: "What happened?"

Calleigh: "It's a piece of glass."

Eric: "Hang on a second, let me see. Ooh."

Calleigh: "That'll teach me to leap before I look."

Eric: "Got it."

Calleigh: "Eric…"

Ok! That was totally unlike her… flirting like that in the middle of a crime scene?? It wasn't supposed to happen that way… what was sexy and breathless in having a piece of glass in your finger?? Nothing but pain... ugh... but when it comes to Eric, with that longing yet at the same time worried face being the one taking that piece of glass from your finger…God! You can simply get lost in any coherent thought...

And I can't really tell you what I'm gonna do

There are so many thoughts in my head

Calleigh: "I spoke to the ER. Jake's gonna be alright."
Eric: "Oh, I'm sure he'd love for you to go visit him in the hospital."
She pauses "Yeah, you know what, I came to see you at the hospital too."
then pauses "Yeah. That was different."
Calleigh: "It is different. Because you and I work together."
Eric: "You work with Jake too."
Calleigh: "He's in homicide. You and I are in the lab day and night." she pauses again "You know that I trust you with my life. I don't even know how I feel about Jake yet."
He pauses, look at her eyes for a moment "Alright, maybe we should get back to work"

Was he jealous of her? Was she so blind to see back there that he was trying to tell her that he wanted her? One thing she was sure of… she was confused, there were too many things, happening too fast, she needed to sort those things out.

There are two roads to walk down and one road to choose

So I'm thinking over the things that you've said

Thinking over the things...

She knew that sooner or later this was coming, the day that she had to make the most important and the most hardest choice of her life. There were two roads to walk down, only one road to choose and she was running out of time, literally.

Two roads. One with Eric and one without him. Two destinies, only one choice. Which one she would chose, she didn't know but she was sure that she needed Eric, the only constant in her life.

Calleigh: "How does Rick Stetler have even the faintest idea of what's going on in my personal life?"
Eric: "It was an accident. I left you a message. I called you."
Calleigh: "I didn't get it."
Eric: "Look, I never intended for this to happen, okay? I don't like the situation with Jake but I wouldn't rat you out. You know that."
Calleigh: "Let's just work the case."

Every day he was amazed with her by being so sincere, so open with his feeling of her… or maybe she was too scared about letting him in, that she always pulled him away from her, she needed to think before doing something that she might regret later…

I'm thinking over

Thinking over

Thinking over

The things that you've said

Eric: "Still, uh, angry with me about the thing with Jake, right?"

Calleigh: "No, I'm not. You know what? It, it probably would have gotten out eventually even if you hadn't have told Stetler and you probably just sped up the inevitable."

Eric: "If it would've been me, I would a transferred to the night shift."

Calleigh: "That's sweet."

How could a person put another in such a priority in his life?? He was willing to change shifts for her, to change his life for her… did he care so much for her like that? Did she deserve someone like him? Would she have done something like that if it was reversed?

And I'm thinking over

Thinking over

Thinking over the things...

"Listen, Calleigh… I got to ask you something and I don't want you to take it the wrong way." He took a deep breath, concerned about what she would think of him "I know you're off duty, but...have you been drinking?"

"You know, the paramedic asked me that question." She said almost crying

"I had two mimosas, but it doesn't have anything to do with what happened. It's my day off…"

"You don't have to explain it to me. I understand, I believe you, it's just not me that you got to worry about."

While everyone was doubting her actions, he was there with a hundred percent of trust, trying to comfort her, to make her feel better after all… she was thankful for having him there instead of Jake… she couldn't explain that it just felt right having him, being surrounded in his arms.

For Eric, life seems so easy, so uncomplicated like two and two is four; always looking at the bright side, with hope. He was so open, a man that wasn't ashamed of feelings, he was captivating, she didn't know if she could do that, love him the way he loved her, unconditionally. She was sure that she loved him but was afraid of not being this super woman that he admired. She was afraid of letting him down, of disappointing him and here he was wanting, wishing, willing for a life at her side, a life with her. A family.


Calleigh: "Can you imagine raising a family without any help? I mean, you know, given the hours we work."

Eric: "Yeah, I could, definitely."

Calleigh: "Really?"

Eric: "Yeah. Why, you don't think I'd be a good dad?"

Calleigh: "No, I think you'd be a great dad. I just never heard you mention having children before."

Eric: "Well, maybe when I find the… the right girl."

Right girl?!?? God!! She remembered… that statement made her crazy. Was he trying to tell her something? Was he mocking her? Daring her? It had started as a simple thought, a comment, but then he said that, he challenged her, pushed her to give an opinion … he would be a wonderful father she definitely knew that, but she didn't count on the right girl thing…

He wants to marry me

Carry me far away

He wants to love me for life

Calleigh stands at the altar and puts on the bride's fake veil. Eric has a smile on his face and looks at her longingly. Calleigh smiles back and tells Eric, "If you tell anyone I did this, I'll kill you" Eric returns the smile and continues the investigation.

She was determined on solving that case that she didn't realized until she saw his dreamy face on hers… she was in white clothes and wearing a veil – a wedding veil on the altar – he was daydreaming of her and she could tell by the look on his face and suddenly she was blushing, her cheeks was turning red and she felt it… why he always affect her like that?

He wants to be with me

Every morning I awake

He wants to hold me through the night

Father, which way should I go?

I cannot clearly see

Oh, I love him so

But only you know if he's the one for me

He walks side by side with her to the Hummers "You sure you're okay?"

She nods "Yeah, I'm okay."

Eric: "What are you gonna do, take some time off?"

She stops at her Hummer "I really don't know to be honest. I think I just wanna go home. Think about what happened." turns to get in the Hummer

He steps closer "Hey, you're not going home alone."

She turns to look at him "Eric, I'm fine. I really am, I promise, but thank you." and turns around again

Eric: "I'm not." Calleigh turns "I don't know what I would've done if something would've happened to you today."

She pauses and looks him in the eyes "Okay." He opens the door for her on his Hummer, and then goes to the driver's side, which she had opened from the inside.

She wasn't fine, she was terrified, scared, and afraid to go home alone but she was Calleigh, the bullet girl, hard core, strong women also she was human, she had feelings, normal ones and it looked like he knew that. He knew that she wasn't fine but she wasn't saying them aloud so like he always did, he opened his heart, his feelings to her… letting her know that he wasn't fine, he was scared of losing her, of not seeing her again… and to be truthful she felt relieved that he was there for her, that he was so stubborn when it came to her... all she needed was him with her and he was willing to give that to her.

Thinking over

The things that you've said

I'm thinking over

Thinking over

Only you know if he's the one for me

Eric: "Thank God ! You are ok!!"…

she tells him after he finds the bullet "You are my hero!"

She was devastated, she had a bullet, her specialty, fool her like that and set her lab on fire; she had compromised the only evidence that they had... the case was gone but when she thought that everything was lost he came to save her, to be her hero.

I can't really tell you

What I'm gonna do

There are so many thoughts in my head

There are two roads to walk down

And one road to choose

So I'm thinking over

The things that you've said

Thinking over

Thinking over

After so much timing dancing around each other, here they are, sleeping at the same bed; not hers anymore but their bed... finally she realized that this was right, this was meant to be, the two together, not as partners, not as friends but as lovers. This was the road that she started to walk down and she was definitely ready to walk until the end... the road that lead to him, to his arms, by his side… now it wasn't just her anymore, now it was them. Them. Us… and for that she couldn't wait anymore. Together they would fight and they would win because with him, she knew that she could go wherever she wanted to. Suddenly he stirred and pulled her against him, one arm rested protected on her waist and the other under his head; one leg between hers and a soft sigh of joy left his lips. She snuggled in his arm and fell asleep…

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TBC...