Chapter 2: Confession

While Calleigh was in the Ballistic lab, Natalia came to drop off the case file so Calleigh could add her reports to it. She had her head down, looking through the microscope when Natalia asked her,

"So why were you so wet?"

Calleigh stopped and slowly raise her head, turning to Natalia.

"How did y…"

"Ryan"

Calleigh let out a deep sigh and continued, "I slipped and fell in the pool, ok" she shrugged it off and went back to her microscope. Natalia said nothing but a "bye" and left. Calleigh stood up straight and thought to herself that Ryan and Natalia might be suspecting something between her and Eric. Lost in her thoughts, she did not notice Horatio standing by the doorway.

"Calleigh."

She jumped out of her trance when she heard her name and turned to Horatio.

"Oh hey, I didn't see you there. I…uh…I'm still processing the bullets, so you might get in about 20 minutes."

"Okay. But I'm not here for that. Today I saw you went to your car, soaking wet. Did something happen at the pool?"

"Well I slipped and fell into the pool." She did not want to lie, especially to Horatio, but she had no choice. If he or anyone else found out that Eric was the one who pulled her in on purpose, they would become suspicious about their close relationship. Then IAB, Rick Stetler, would accuse them of flirterazation and would have to move one of them to night shift. Horatio knew her very well and knows that there is something to just slip and fall in the pool.

"Okay Miss Duquesne. I'll be waiting the reports." With that he turned around and left. 5 minutes later, Eric stepped in.

"Hey Cal"

"Hey Eric, I'm glad you're here. Listen, I want to apologize for pushing you into the pool. I don't know what came across me to do that, but I'm really sorry." She said.

"It's okay Cal. I actually have to apologize to you because part of my job was to get wet, not yours. So I'm sorry for pulling you in."

"I needed a way to cool down anyway, so I kinda helped." With that said, they shared a laugh. Then she continued. " But if anyone asks, I slipped and fell. Deal?"

"Deal" He turned to leave but was stopped by his thoughts. The real reason he went to Calleigh, was to admit his feelings for her and confront her on what had happened between them in the them almost kissing. He turned back around to her and asked her to meet him in the locker room after their shift to talk to her about something. She gladly accepted and went back to work.

Three hours later, the criminal was caught, her shift was over and she was now walking to the locker room to meet Eric. Many things went through her mind. 'What does he want to ask me? I he going to ask me out? Is he going to talk about the kiss we almost had? Is he going to tell me something work related that he does not want anyone else to find out about? What is it?!' As he nervously walked in the locker room, she saw Eric playing with his fingers as if he was nervous about something. She sat down beside him and asked, "What is it you have to tell me?" Eric looked up at her, held her hands, looked straight into her eyes and said,

"Calleigh, you know that we've been working together for years. And throughout those years, we've become closer and closer."

"What are you trying to say Eric?"

"I'm trying to say that as we came closer and closer, I feel like a friend to you anymore. I know you might think this sounds weird but…I love you, Cal."

Calleigh's eyes began to water but thay never ran down. She was both shocked and touched at the same time. Then she spoke.

"Eric, I don't think it's weird. I actually feel the same way too, but"

"But what?"

"Look, the reason why I never dated after I broke up with Jake, was because I could not take it anymore."

"Could not take WHAT anymore?

"Betrayal, lies," she paused before she could continue. "heartbreak. I can't trust anyone."

"But you trust me. Don't you?" she nodded "Calleigh, I would never break your heart or even betray you. And you know that.

"I know Eric but…"

"But nothing, Calleigh. Here what, how about I pick you up at 8pm to take you out for dinner tonight. You'll have plenty of time to think about it. If want us to be in a relationship or not. Okay?"

Her face lit up. She nodded and said "Okay. I'll be waiting" Her face then lit up even more, when Eric gave her a kiss on her cheek. He got up from the bench and walked out the locker room. Calleigh sat there, smiling to herself. Then she got up and left, to go home and get ready.