Disclaimer: I don't own CSI or any of its characters
Darkest Days
"They want you to do what?!" Calleigh yelled.
"Cal, it's only for a year. One year and then I'll be home for good," Ryan said, presenting his case before his wife.
"A whole year Ryan? You make it sound like that's no time at all," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. Inside she felt like she was on fire. Anger oozed out of the hole he had made in her heart. Frustration was building and she knew this was going to end badly. She paced the bedroom like a caged animal.
"It isn't that long, and then I promise no more undercover missions. Cal, this is a great career opportunity for me," Ryan said, trying to make her understand, by force if necessary. He wanted this very badly, and he wasn't going to let anything stand in his way.
She flipped to face him, fire in her eyes. "A good career opportunity? Honestly Ryan, do you think about anyone besides yourself? When you married me, you promised that we'd work through life together, doing what was best for both of us," she spit, venom in her voice.
"Cal I need to do this right now," he said, trying to take her hand, which she pulled from his grasp, "My team needs me for one last mission."
"What about me?" Calleigh asked, "What about our daughter? Don't you think we need you?"
"Don't you think you're being a little selfish Cal?" Ryan fumed.
"Selfish? You're the one that wants to abandon your family for a year, and you think I'm the one that's selfish?" she accused, getting right in his face.
"You guys have gotten along just fine before when I've left," Ryan pointed out, "Done well in fact."
"The most you've been gone before was three weeks at a time," Calleigh said, not understanding his logic, "A year is a whole different story. Do you really want your daughter to grow up not knowing who her father is? She's three, Ryan. Three years old and you want to abandon her."
"That's why you're here, so I'm not abandoning her," Ryan said.
"Oh so all I'm good for is to take care of your child when you're off having all your crazy adventures?" Calleigh yelled.
"Well it's not like I wanted her in the first place!" Ryan yelled back. He immediately regretted it when he saw the hurt in Calleigh's eyes. She looked as if he'd slapped her. "Cal...I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't mean it," he said trying to soften the blow.
"Go take one last look at your daughter and then get out," Calleigh said quietly, looking away from him.
"Cal, I..." Ryan tried, putting a hand on her shoulder.
She shrugged his hand off. "Just go," she said quietly again, never turning around to meet his eyes.
Ryan sighed and walked to the door of their bedroom. He turned around to take one last look at her, and then walked across the hall to his daughter's room. She was sleeping peacefully in her little bed, all wrapped up in pink and lace dreams. He bent down by the bed, tucking the covers tighter around her as he brushed his lips to her forehead.
"I love you Becca," he whispered before turning to the door. He stopped long only long enough to pick up his already packed duffel bag, before walking out the front door.
Calleigh heard the front door slam and she sank to the bench at the end of their bed. Hot tears filled her eyes, burning her cheeks as they ran down her face. She'd offered him the opportunity to stay and work things out. She had hoped that this time he would choose her over his work, but once again he had left her behind. She wrapped her robe more tightly around her shivering figure. Sobs shook her whole body. There was only one thing that she would be feeling tonight: alone.
A/N: So what do you think? Should I continue?