It took several months, but things began to cool down in the Miami-Dade crime lab. Crime was still rampant of course, but those who worked for the lab calmed down after the mole aftermath. Things settled between Natalia and the other workers, for the most part. She had to gain their trust back. It was difficult for her. She had made many friends with many of these people and now they look at her with cold stares. Calleigh and Horatio, however, remained to be her friends and stood by her side during the aftermath. In fact, Horatio made her a permanent member of the department and she was to become a CSI.
She was doing well at her job, learning as she went. There were some mistakes, but nothing she could not handle. She loved adding this to her daily work. She was no longer stuck in DNA. Nope. She was out in the field, even working on getting her gun license.
"Great job, Nat!" Calleigh exclaimed. She and Natalia were standing in the hallway discussing a breakthrough Natalia had discovered for the case they were working on. Natalia smiled in response, enjoying the compliment her colleague had given her. And it wasn't just some colleague, it was Calleigh. She admired Calleigh very much and her feelings for Calleigh was deeper than just friendship.
"Thanks, Cal." Natalia responded. They continued discussing the case when she saw him. The man who had tried to ruin her life and almost killed her. Her face went pale as she watched him walk out of the elevator. Calleigh noticed the immediate change in her friend's expression. Calleigh turned to see the object of Natalia's distress.
"Who is he?" Calleigh asked softly. She turned to face Natalia to see that she had begun shaking. Calleigh gently took Natalia's arm and pulled her out of sight from the man.
"Natalia?" Calleigh asked. Natalia snapped out of her fright and looked at Calleigh with fear.
"That's my ex-husband." Natalia shakily answered. Calleigh immediately knew, in partial, why Natalia's reaction to seeing him was so strong. She knew only some background of the two individuals, but she knew Natalia was still holding a lot back. She would let it out in time, but right now Calleigh needed to help her friend.
"Come on Natalia. Let's find H." Calleigh assured Natalia, grabbing her arm again and then directing Natalia with her hand on Natalia's lower back. Natalia felt safety in Calleigh's presence and definitely noticed Calleigh's hand on her lower back. It barely registered before her fear set back in.
Calleigh had directed them to Horatio's office, where he was sitting behind the desk looking at a file. He tilted his head as the two women walked in.
"Ladies, what can I help you with?" He asked. He was like a father to all of his team. He noticed the fear in Natalia's face and the need to protect his family kicked in.
"Nick… Nick is… he's…" Natalia stuttered. Calleigh made Natalia sit down on the couch before she turned to Horatio.
"Her ex-husband is on this floor. Horatio, he shouldn't be here." Calleigh informed her boss. He looked at Calleigh and Natalia before standing up.
"I will take care of it." He assured both of them. "Stay in my office Ms. Boa Vista until I speak with him and you calm down. Ms. Duquesne, please stay with her."
"Of course." Calleigh replied. Her boss walked out of the office while Calleigh took a seat next to Natalia. She wrapped her hand around Natalia's and squeezed.
"It will be alright." Calleigh assured her friend. She felt Natalia's shaking ease as she continued to squeeze onto Natalia's hand.