A/N: Post "In the Wind." Not beta'd. I've taken (minor) creative liberties with the events of seasons 7 and 8. I realize I am juggling several stories at the moment-but have no fear! They will all be updated off and on. As always, constructive criticism is my friend!
Oh, and warning to Jake Berkeley fans: you might not want to read this story... I have unabashedly over-exploited his character flaws.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 1
"Seriously Eric, get a move on! I refuse to be late again."
Calleigh finished drying her hair and walked back into her bedroom. Their bedroom. She leaned against the doorway to watch Eric slowly stretch his back muscles, letting the feeling reach the tips of his toes before he responded, face still buried in his pillow.
"Well I could have been ready an hour ago if somebody hadn't jumped me in the shower." Calleigh's small smile morphed into a cat-got-the-canary grin. He has a point.
His muffled voice sounded again, and she could tell he was grinning, too. "And I specifically remember a certain someone keeping me up way past my bedtime last night."
Unbeknownst to Eric, Calleigh had crept up beside him on the bed. She slid one leg over him so that she was straddling his figure, placed her hands on either side of his shoulders, and leaned down to whisper in his ear. "If I remember correctly, that one was your idea."
Calleigh squealed as Eric suddenly flipped over on his back, settling his hands firmly on her sides so she couldn't escape. He sat up and tugged her closer, arms sneaking around her back as their torsos met length for length. They sat this way for a moment, laughing at each other and letting the tension build in the small space between their lips before Eric kissed her softly, deeply, resolutely. His hands roamed her back for a few seconds before he broke their contact, knowing that he really didn't have time to take things further, no matter how much he wished otherwise.
Calleigh chuckled a deep chuckle and pouted teasingly as Eric shifted her weight to the side, planted another soft kiss on her lips, and climbed out of the bed. At least it's not a bad view, she grinned as she watched him walk to the bathroom and start the shower…again. "I'll be in the kitchen, minding myself." Calleigh laughed. "Do you want somethin' to eat before we leave? It'll be a while before dinner."
Eric poked his head out of the shower, "Sure. The lo mein from last night?"
"I'm on it." Calleigh couldn't resist coming back for one last kiss before she threw on her blue silk robe and headed for the kitchen.
She opened the refrigerator and took out their leftovers from Chang's. Two minutes and seven seconds later, Calleigh set piping hot noodles on the island to cool when she heard a knock at the door.
Who could that be on a Saturday afternoon? I wonder if Laura's having car trouble again…
Calleigh opened the door, sucking sauce from the noodles off the pad of her thumb. "Jake?"