F&F Chapter 2

Calleigh walked into the lobby and looked over towards the waiting area. Her face lit up with a huge excited smile, "Anna, Hugh, oh my god, it's great to see you both."
Calleigh hugged them both. She looked at Anna's bump.

"Wow, how far are you? Four, five months?"

Anna smiled, "five months."

"Really, that's gone quick. Come on through."

Anna and Hugh followed Calleigh to the staff room.
"So, what brings you to Miami?"

"Anna was invited to give a speech at a convention in Orlando over the weekend."

"Really, what about?" Calleigh busied herself making drinks for them both.

"I was asked to talk about skin conditions, like eczema, psoriasis and urticaria, and how people with the worst cases cope with everyday living and treatments to ease their conditions."

"Skin conditions?"

"Yeah, I'm a dermatologist."

"Oh yeah I forgot about that."

"So, how's it going with Horatio?"

Calleigh smiled, "things couldn't be better."

Calleigh gave Anna and Hugh their cups of tea. Hugh took a sip of his.
"Well your memory can't be that bad; you remembered how we take our cupper's. So where is Horatio now?"

"He's at an appeal meeting."

Anna looked at Calleigh, "oh that sound serious."

Calleigh sighed, "it's a bit of a mess really. Can't say anything right now as it's still ongoing but when it's over, I'm sure I can tell you."

Alexx opened the door, walked in and looked at Anna surprised.
"You're Dr Anna McBreadle, right?"

"Alexx? How do you know Anna?"

"I went to the convention in Orlando over the weekend. Great talk. I have to admit, I learned a few things over the weekend. So how come you're in forensics and not dermatology?"

"I got bored of dermatology, whereas forensics is so much more interesting and varied."

"That's very true," Calleigh chirped, "Alexx, the kettle has just boiled. Oh by the way, this is Hugh, Anna's husband. Hugh this is Dr Alexx Woods, our M.E."

Alexx said hello, shook his hand and went over to make herself a coffee. Anna and Calleigh went and sat down and Hugh pulled up beside them.

"Have you told the rest of your team then?" Hugh was intrigued.

Calleigh looked over at Alexx, "yes, thanks to our in-house mother hen."

Alexx looked at them with a grin, "baby, nothing gets past this mother hen." She went and sat down with her coffee, "I've got ten minutes before I have to start work so if you don't mind I'll join you."

Anna flinched and fidgeted about on the sofa, "you okay honey?" Hugh pondered.

"Yeah, she just kicked me in the ribs again."

Calleigh grew excited, "so you're having a girl?"

Hugh grinned, "we are and we've decided to call her Chloe-May."

Calleigh got even more excited, if it was at all possible, "that's a beautiful name."

The four of them sat and chatted between themselves.

In the judge's chambers, Horatio stood waiting with his file. Stetler and Jake turned up. Horatio could feel himself fill up with anger seeing these two together.

"Horatio, may the best man win," Jake put his hand out to shake Horatio's.

"Jake, I plan to," with that he walked into the room where there he took his seat. Jake stood with a smirk across his face; no way would he be tried for what happened in the Steve Tillidge case. He went in the room after Stetler.

A lady walked in and sat in the judge's chair opposite the men.
"Hello, I'm Judge Saywell of Chicago. I will be over seeing this case."

Stetler leaned forward, "why have they brought someone else in for this case?"

"It was decided that someone who wasn't biased towards any party to reside over this case so I was appointed."

Stetler sat back in his chair. Jake started to look a bit worried, he was hoping for someone he knew and would see his point of view.

"I have gone over the evidence and testimonies from both sides. If this was a normal member of public, then they would have been tried and thrown in jail by now. Mr. Berkeley, you said you acted out of interest of the investigation. In that case you should have called your superior for help. You cost three teenagers their lives because of your actions. What you did, was out of order and now that your undercover work has been completed, I am siding with Lieutenant Caine and will have you tried for theft, tampering with evidence and accessory to murder on three counts. Mr. Stetler, your actions won't go un-noticed either, when this case is over, your superiors will deal with you accordingly. You should never have interfered with this case in the first place as Lieutenant Caine was right to have Mr. Berkeley arrested. This has gone on for long enough and I would like to go home so I will reside over this trial next week. Mr. Berkeley, I hope you have a d*mn good lawyer. Thank you for your time gentlemen, I shall see you all next week." With that, she left the room.

Horatio stood up and walked over to Jake, "I guess the best man did win and Rick, you can congratulate me later." He put on his shades and walked away clutching his file leaving Jake and Stetler bewildered.

Horatio arrived at the lab to be met by Alexx.

"How did it go, Horatio?"

Horatio smiled, "we will be court next week."

"Congratulations Horatio, I bet Stetler is slightly annoyed."

"His face was priceless and so was Jakes. Where are you going?"

"Coconut Grove. Not sure what I got but I'm sure I can deal with it."

"As always Alexx. I will send Ryan and Calleigh over."

"Speaking of Calleigh, she's in the staff room with a surprise for you."

"Really?" Horatio smirked.

"Behave yourself! I've seen your surprise and I'm sure you'll like it."

Alexx left Horatio to it and carried on her way to her crime scene.
He saw Ryan and collared him.

"I hope you're ready to stand in court next week?"

"I take it the judge didn't like Stetler and Jake?"