Disclaimer: I own anyone you don't recognize and everyone else belongs to Anthony Zuiker.
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Tim stared at Eric as he rambled on.
"Right. And why are you doing this?" Tim asked.
"To make sure you're happy."
"I'm not listening to you anymore."
"Speed,"
"Eric, I'm not dating your friend. I'm not dating anyone. So stay outta my business."
"You do realize it's been a year right?"
"Yeah." Tim muttered.
"Now I've never had to go through this but when do you think that you'll want to start dating again?"Eric asked.
"Never."
"Tim,"
"Eric, just stop. Please? I know you're trying to be helpful but you're not. I'm not looking for anyone to replace my wife."
"I'm not saying replace..."
"Then what else would it be? I don't want another girlfriend. I don't want to get married again. Just stay out of it." Tim grabbed his empty water bottle and tossed it into the garbage. "I'll be down in autopsy."
He didn't wait for answer, just left and went down to the morgue.
"Hey,"
Alexx looked up and smiled.
"Hey Timmy."
"So what do you got so far?" he asked.
"He was shot once through the heart, like we knew at the crime scene. I got the bullet it out," Alexx handed Tim and evidence envelope.
"Great. I'll take it down to Cal—." Tim stopped short, realizing what he was about to say. "Um... get it over to Ballistics."
Alexx gave him a sympathetic smile.
"How's Hannah?"
Tim sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"She's fine, I suppose." he replied.
"What about you?"
"I can't sleep." Tim muttered.
"When was the last time you had a day off?"
"A year ago."
"Honey, you need to spend time with that little girl of yours." Alexx said. "You drop her off at school in the morning and pick her up at six when that after school care is over then she goes up to her room, only to come out for dinner, then goes to bed. You said you think she's fine but I'm not so sure she isn't. Take the day off."
"I can't. I have to work this case."
"No. Go home. Get Ryan to do it."
"Yeah and then this case will go to the dogs." Tim mumbled. "I'll go home when I feel like it."
"Timmy, I know you stay here to try and fill that void that you have now but it's not helping. Believe me it's not."
"What about the body?" Tim asked. "Can we worry about this dead guy?"
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Tim stood outside Hannah's classroom, waiting for the small after school group to finish. He glanced through the window and saw most of the kids playing with the toys provided in the room but his daughter was not among them. Tim frowned and looked around. He finally found Hannah scribbling on a piece of paper over in the corner, away from her classmates. Tim sighed and began to think Alexx was right. Miss Manning, Hannah's teacher noticed Tim in the doorway and walked over.
"Hi Mr. Speedle." she smiled.
"Hi. Um... how was she today?"
"Kinda quiet but... the usual."
Tim nodded.
"Can I take her or is she in the middle of something?"
"Just doodling. I'll tell her you're here."
"Thanks." Tim nodded. He waited a couple of seconds as Hannah grabbed her bookbag and walked over.
"Hi Daddy." she smiled, her blonde curls bouncing.
"Hey." Tim picked her up and hugged her tightly. "Did you have a good day?"
"Mhmm."
"How come you weren't playing with the other kids?"
"I dunno."
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After Hannah was in bed, Tim collapsed on the couch and pulled Hannah's bookbag over to him. He opened it and pulled out a few pieces of paper. Tim read the first one and tossed it aside. Then he read the next, something about show and tell. Finally, Tim got to the last paper, which was not a notice. He frowned and unfolded it. Tim sighed as he saw what it was. Hannah had been busy in school drawing; drawing pictures of him, her, and Calleigh. Tim put the drawing down on the coffee table and leaned back into the couch. The past year had been rough. Calleigh had been at a crime scene and the suspect came back to the scene and shot her. Tim's world had come crashing down around him. The only thing that kept him going was Hannah, who instantly retreated into a shell and didn't understand why her mother was not coming back.
Tim sighed and walked over to his computer and turned it on as he sat down. He immediately signed on AOL and checked his e-mail. Nothing special. Tim looked through the main menu that popped up when he signed on and clicked on a chat room. He usually got a kick out of the stupid things people said. Then...
BlueEyedBeauty has invited you into a private chat.
Tim groaned and went to turn the computer off but stopped. He'd do it for kicks and clicked okay.