Title: Rescue Me

Author: innocent choir girl (ff-dot-net), shannyfish (From Out of the Lab/Miami Heat/LJ)

Summary: Based on the original Season 5 Finale where Horatio was supposed to be on a plane with a convict. When the plane crashes in the Everglades, there are memories of an old case ("Golden Parachute") along with a need to get to the plane and Horatio. Will Calleigh and the team be able to make it out to him in time and catch the convict?

Category: Ship Ahoy! Calleigh/Horatio

Genres: Angst, Drama, Episode Related, Established Relationship, Friendship, Hurt Comfort, Suspense

Characters: Calleigh Duquesne, Dan Cooper, Eric Delko, Frank Tripp, Natalia Boa Vista

Rating: PG-13

Chapter: 2 "Breakdown"

Author's Notes: My laptop is still with the Geek Squad, and this is supposed to be expedited? Cross fingers for them just giving me a new laptop!!! With the normal school semester coming up in only a few more weeks here, I'm worried I'll be going to school with the old fashioned paper and pen. Though, I have gotten all of my stories outlined and "Vendetta" has been completed, I just have to type it up!

…………………………..

"See? That's the best quality I can get from the video," Dan Cooper explained. "The video surveillance in that place definitely needs to be upgraded."

Calleigh smiled, "That should be good enough for our uses."

"Well then, good." He smiled and started to play the video.

The sound of someone half knocking people over and then apologizing to them pulled Calleigh's attention from the video footage to Frank Tripp making his way hurriedly her way. At first she had a bright smile ready for him, but it dropped when she saw his face fully. Something was wrong. It didn't stop at her fallen smile; it traveled down to her stomach and started to knot. "What's wrong?" she asked concerned.

Frank stood there for a minute thinking the best way to relay the tragic news he'd just heard. "I just got off the phone. The plan didn't make it to Georgia. Traffic control said it went down in the Atlantic towards the top of Miami Dade County about an hour ago."

"Are they okay?" Calleigh asked trying to take in what Frank was saying. Horatio and Jake had to be okay.

"No word yet. The plane crashed in the ocean, but they're pulling wreckage onto the shore apparently."

"And we're sure it's the plane Horatio and Jake were on?" Calleigh asked as her stomach continued to knot.

"They double checked the plane's number already," Frank told her.

"The plane crash is the only case this lab is workin' on until Horatio and Jake are found," Calleigh told Frank.

"It's got federal jurisdiction," Frank reminded.

Calleigh stepped past Frank, "I don't care."

………………………..

"Calleigh, they're going to kick us off the scene," Eric told her.

"No, they're not," she argued.

"It's a federal case, it's in their waters," Natalia said. "They'll let us know if they find Horatio and Jake."

Calleigh wasn't about to sit back and let the federal government do what they want to do with the scene. They were their people, and Calleigh was determined to be part of the operation. "Horatio left me in charge, and I say we're goin' down there."

"They could probably use some help," Eric said trying to be positive for Calleigh.

"They're gonna get it whether they want it or not," Calleigh told them. "Get your kits and Eric bring your gear just in case."

………………………….

In the locker room, Calleigh packed up an extra set of clothes…just in case. She stuffed them into a black duffel bag that was sitting on the bench.

Looking over as he shut his locker he studied Calleigh. She'd been so quiet, "You going to be okay, Calleigh?"

"I'm fine," she responded quietly.

"Coming?"

"I'll be right behind you," she told him. "I'm just going to put my hair up." She watched Eric leave, he took his time. Calleigh could tell he was concerned about her, but she needed some time to herself. Tears stung her eyes, and she slowly sank to the bench. They didn't know whether Horatio and Jake were dead or alive, but right now she didn't feel hopeful. She knew she needed to be at the scene...she needed to know the minute they found bodies… Calleigh knew she needed to be in control if she was on the scene, but she was starting to doubt her ability to do that. She knew she was going to need to think straight…it was the only way that they'd be allowed to help and the only way any of them would remain calm. She needed to be collected on the scene for the team. They weren't used to seeing her or Horatio break down… She knew it would freak the team out more than anything. Tears would have to be in private.

Calleigh still wasn't sure what to feel. She and Jake had been on and off dating since the academy, and they had been in an 'on' time. But was it love? Were she and Jake meant to be together? She remembered in movies how women would always know that their significant other was alive.

She didn't feel that.

What about Horatio? For some reason her mind kept telling her that Horatio was out there. It was telling her that he couldn't be dead. Calleigh sadly knew that between the two of them she saw Horatio trying to save lives, while Jake would try to save himself.

Why didn't she know Horatio was out there? Why did her heart and mind put her boyfriend off for dead so quickly? Was she that uncaring that she didn't care?

A knock on the locker room door pulled Calleigh's attention from her thoughts. Reaching up, she quickly wiped the tears away not wanting anyone to see her in such a state. She sniffled and sucked in breath. She knew who it was even before he spoke. Eric Delko was checking on her.

"Calleigh? You okay?"

"Yeah!" she said pushing forward a slightly cheerful tone. "I'll be right there!"

Pulling more air into her lungs, she forced herself to calm as she pulled her brush from her locker. She pulled her hair back and up into a ponytail before twisting it and securing it into a bun. Breathing as she closed up her locker, she reminded herself that she was going out with the team and Eric didn't need to question her emotional state.

Opening the door, she joined the team waiting for her. She had her duffel bag in hand and kept her expression sharp, "Let's go."

………………………..

The team walked with their kits in hand as they approached the police line. Calleigh flashed her badge and identification, but was only stopped. She knew it was worth a try though.

"This is a federal operation, Detective."

"We'd like to offer assistance," Calleigh told the young man. "I'd like to talk to the person in charge." Calleigh waited patiently while the officer radioed in her request. It took five minutes for someone to talk to them. It was a man in a jacket that clearly identified him as FBI. He had dark graying hair, sharp brown eyes, and wrinkles that no doubt were from worry. "Hi," she greeted and offered him her hand, "I'm Calleigh Duquesne. Miami Dade Crime Lab."

"Agent Walter McNillion."

The hand shake was firm and even, and his expression didn't change. Calleigh wondered if he knew that two of their own were involved. "We're here to help."

"This scene is federal."

"We've had experience handling situations with downed aircrafts before," Calleigh told him.

"So have we. It's our scene."

"C'mon, we can help," Calleigh insisted.

"We don't need your help."

Calleigh took a step closer to him letting her head fall for a minute. Lifting it back up, she stared at him before speaking, "Two of our own were involved," Calleigh informed him.

"We know and that's why it's probably better that none of you are involved."

She didn't like that answer. She needed to be part of the investigation. The sound of someone approaching from behind pulled Calleigh's attention from the federal agent. "Alexx, what are you doin' here?"

"Frank said you could use some help, Honey," Alexx said.

"You a CSI, too?"

Alexx turned to the FBI agent and shook her head. "Doctor Alexx Woods, ME."

"We could actually use your assistance."

The first thought that came to mind was that McNillion was splitting them up. But the second thought blurted itself out at the realization, "You've found bodies?"

"We've recovered some, yes."

"We can help you identify them," Eric volunteered quickly.

"He's right," Calleigh agreed.

Alexx turned to them knowing both Horatio and Jake had been on the flight. Frank had informed her of all the details earlier. She knew that Calleigh and Eric were too close. Calleigh and Eric had known Horatio for some time. Alexx also knew that Jake Berkeley and Calleigh had been dating again. She especially didn't need to see either one dead on a table. "Why don't I go in first?" she tried to reason.

Eric saw the concern in Alexx's eyes and nodded. He looked over at Calleigh, "Come on, Calleigh. We can wait at the Hummers."

"You'll tell us?" Calleigh asked quietly.

"If it's them," Alexx nodded. "Go on with Eric and Natalia. I'll be out as soon as I know anything."

…………………………..

TBC…