A/N: I do not own CSI Miami or any of it's characters, affiliates...etc. This is just my imagination running with it! I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 2

Just a Nightmare

Sitting her bag down and hanging her coat up over the back of the seat she was taking, she hoped he wouldn't recognize her. He had to be one of the transfers. He hadn't changed. Still the stark blond hair with brown tips, still chiseled features, still light blue eyes. Eyes that managed to stare into her when he looked at her.

She took a deep breath to quell the shakiness that had set in. Looking straight ahead she was relieved when the professor walked in and everyone sat down. Not able to focus on anything in class, when the room disbursed, she hurried out to her next one.

She couldn't stop the sick feeling of fear and the rest of the day was no different. As she walked to her bike, she froze in place when she noticed someone standing next to it. Grateful that her riding jacket didn't let on to her body shaking, she cautiously got her helmet ready, in case she needed to clock him with it.

"Frederica! Wow. It's been a long time. You look..."

"What do you want Luke?"

Smiling maliciously, he stepped forward and reached his hand out. "You changed your hair."

She stepped back from him, not letting him close enough to touch her. "How did you even find me?"

"Actually, after you disappeared, I moved on for a bit. Found another girlfriend who fulfilled my needs. It was actually a fluke when you walked into the class room today."

"You hate animals. I don't buy that shit."

"You'd be surprised."

"Leave me alone Luke. I have a different life now."

He stepped closer, grabbing her arm as he smelled her hair. "Your hair is different. You're still just a scared kid. I can smell your fear." he said, whispering the last part. Then, letting go of her arm, he walked away, without another word.

Putting her helmet on, she got on the bike, sure she couldn't get out of there fast enough. By the time she got to work, she was crying. Walking in, she headed straight back to start cleaning cages, thankful that her job didn't require her to interact with anyone at all.

When she was done, she drove home, almost breaking the speed limit a few times. For some reason, all she wanted was her rock. She wanted to just know that she was okay, and that she would be okay. She didn't want to explain herself, she just wanted to know she was alright.

Bursting through the door half an hour later, Calleigh looked around at the girl. "Oh my gosh! It's been a crazy day today! How about you? How did class go?" then she studied her. "Hey, are you okay?"

Looking up, she cleared her throat and played it off. The longer she'd thought about it, the more ridiculous she knew she was being. Smiling brilliantly, she shook her head. "Yep. I'm good. My day was alright I guess. Class was good, no homework today but I have to come up with a subject for my thesis for the final."

"Nice. Any idea what you want to do?"

She shook her head. "It can be anything...related to animals that is, from a new way to stitch up the animals to a fun invention for scooping up cat litter. I just have to think about it."

Laughing lightly she sat down on the couch. "Seriously, you seem a little off today sweetie. How was work?"

She shrugged. "It was fine I guess. Nothing out of the ordinary. I'm just glad to be home, and glad that you're home."

"Alright, now I know somethings up."

"It's good."

"You're sure?"

She nodded. But she wasn't sure. Truth was, she was damn unnerved, and didn't like it one bit. But she wasn't going to worry anyone with it. Smiling but looking away, she glanced toward the kitchen. "What's for dinner tonight?"

"I was thinking Chinese."

"Take out. Sounds damn good to me!" then she gave her a curious glance. "Is Eric joining?"

She laughed. "No. He's not. Think you're going to make it, not seeing him through the night?" she asked, once again joking around.

"Hmmm, I don't know if I am or not. We'll have to see, wont we?"

There she was. But damn if she hadn't worried when she first got home. Something was up with Freddi and she was damn sure going to figure it out. She admittedly didn't expect to find out a little that night.

"No. Please don't do this to me again." she said softly.

Luke was on top of her. She had come over after school and he had locked her in his bedroom, pretending he was trying to get tutored. She knew it was too good to be true. He had asked her out and they had 'dated' for a couple of weeks now. He had tried to push her but she hadn't been ready for anything like that. "Do what? It's you who asked for this." he sneered, putting his arm across her solar plexus and pinning her to the bed.

"No. I...I didn't ask for this."

"Yes you did. Now sit back and enjoy it." he said loudly, ripping at her clothes. "The more you fight me, the worse it's going to be for you."

"No...stop. Please."

"Freddi." a voice came from far away. "Come on kid. Come out of it."

"Please help me." she whispered before coming awake with a start. Inhaling sharply she sat straight up, sweating and breathing hard. Noticing the body beside her and unable to control herself, she leaned in and held her tight.

Wrapping her arm around her, she felt her shaking as she cried. "Hey, easy."

"I didn't want it. I didn't ask for it." and she squeezed harder. "I didn't ask for it." she whispered.

"Shhh, it's okay Freddi. It's alright. You're here. You're safe."

Safe. She simply held her for a while, not asking questions and letting her cry. She was almost asleep again before Calleigh stood up. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. But tomorrow, I want to talk about it."

She nodded, and fell fairly quickly back to sleep.

Calleigh walked into her bedroom and glanced at the clock. Three thirty. Looking at her phone, she debated calling Eric, but decided against it. Five thirty was going to come early when they got up to jog.

And she had been right. It had come too early. And when she checked to see if Freddi was ready, she found that she was barely awake herself. "You wanna skip the run this morning?"

Looking up through tired slits for eyes, she nodded. "No. But yes."

She smiled. "How about I just make some coffee?"

"That sounds good." she replied softly. Getting up and getting dressed for school she headed down the steps a few minutes later. The aroma smelled so good and she smiled when Calleigh already had a cup waiting.

"Alright sweetie. Level with me. What was that about last night?"

Staring into the dark liquid she shrugged. "It was just a nightmare I used to have. It's strange. I haven't had that nightmare in years." she said softly.

"Did something trigger..." and she cursed as she realized her phone was ringing. Running upstairs to get it, she glanced at the display. "What's up Eric?" then she listened for a few. "I'm on my way." and she dressed quickly. Running down the steps she stopped for a second. "I've got to go. High profile case. Can we finish this tonight?"

She nodded and smiled softly. "Sure." quietly happy for the call. It wasn't that she didn't want to tell her. It was that she knew when she started talking about it, Calleigh would catch on that it was way more than a simple nightmare, that it had been a memory. She always read her better than anyone before in her life, even her own mom. And her mom had been great when she'd been alive. But she had never had the chance to get that close to her. And she still deep down, blamed herself for it.

Even after what happened with Luke happened to her, and she had told her mom that nothing was wrong, she had just believed her instead of pushing the issue. At a point she'd been glad that she hadn't pushed, but sometimes, she wished...she shook her head. It was hardly the time to be wishing things had been different. And what right did she have to even think that way about her mom when she was gone?

Standing up, she shook her head and grabbed her books. She wouldn't be late for sure, that was for sure. Grabbing her helmet she decided she would take a ride, maybe clear her head and beef up her courage before setting foot back in the same room as that lunatic that once, had said he loved her. That told her she was the only one. That duped her so many years ago.

Taking a deep breath and convinced she'd drove around long enough, she pulled into the parking lot at the school and parked her bike. Satisfied that she was most likely early enough to avoid running into anyone, she was startled and scared to find out that she had been very wrong.

Coming out from around one of the vehicles, Luke stepped into view. "Here early?"

Backing up until she touched the bike wheel itself, she tried to seem like she was standing her ground, though failing miserably. Grabbing her helmet, she started toward him to walk past.

Reaching out his hand, he gripped her arm. "You don't want to walk away from me. You tried that last time."

She glared at him, trying to keep the fear from being apparent. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know Frederica."

"I don't go by Frederica any more. I told you, I've changed." and she pulled her arm back from him.

Reaching out and wrapping his arm around her throat from behind and pulling her to him, he bent down and bit her shoulder. "I've missed you Frederica."

Struggling, she pulled away from him and gripped her helmet tighter. She heard him laugh and heard it trail away. Again losing all focus through class and through the day, and grateful she was only at work for a couple of hours, she hurried home, glad that Calleigh was home when she got there.

Walking through the door she stepped up to the woman who was greeting her and hugged her tightly. She wanted to tell her so bad. She wanted to just scream out everything, but she couldn't find the words. So she just hugged her.

"Freddi, talk to me sweetie. What is going on with you? I'm really getting worried about you."

"I'm sorry. I'm just...I'm sorry." she said, still hanging on. Calleigh never moved, knowing that Freddi didn't show emotion often, so if she was this upset, she needed it and she was going to be the one to be there.

"Easy." and when she finally pulled back, she looked at the pain that lurked in her eyes. "You have a meeting with your therapist tomorrow, don't you?"

Nodding and wiping her face, she just looked away. "I'm sorry."

"Honey what are you sorry for? You've done nothing wrong."

She shook her head than she noticed Eric standing there. Clearing her throat she closed her eyes. "I'm sorry. I have a lot of homework. I'll be in my room." and she hurried off to her bedroom.

Calleigh watched after her as she disappeared. She stayed there until she felt Eric's hand lovingly touch her shoulder. Inhaling and coming back to the moment she turned, worry creasing her brow. "Something is really wrong. And I can't figure it out."

"Come on." he said softly. "Lets finish cooking and maybe we can get her to sit down and talk while we eat." then he stopped. "Do you want me to go home? If you think I should leave and give you time..."

She smiled up at him and reached up a hand touching his face. "No. It'll be alright. She's just been off the last couple of days. I'm glad you're here. Stay."

He nodded. "Just say the word if you change your mind."

Always the understanding one, she thought. She reached an arm out and wrapped it around his back and stared at him for a moment.

"What?"

"I'm amazed by you sometimes."

He grinned real big. "Well you know..."

She laughed. "Yes. I do."

The night had gone nice and she had come back out of her room like nothing at all had been wrong in the first place. Clammed up tight, Calleigh wondered what was going on in that head of hers, though she talked about class and homework, and even about an animal she'd been taking care of at the vets office. But nothing about whatever had been plaguing her.

Eric watched as she stared after her once again. "She'll be alright." he said softly.

"I hope so."