(Author's note: Thank you for the reviews so far. It's not much but enough to let me go on and write my story. I appreciate the reviews and I just want to reassure you that this is truly and 100% an Eric and Calleigh story though it will get worse before it gets better. Please, please bear with me and just let me tell my story. This chapter is short but I promise to post a chapter or 2 tomorrow. Again thank you for the reviews and for following this story. )

It is no secret that the part Calleigh Duquesne loved most about her job is when she gets to spend time at the firing range. Somehow she finds peace by zoning out of her present surroundings, muffle the sound and just stay focused on the target. It is also a good way to let off steam and that is partly what she is doing right now. She just spent up a round to test fire a gun that could potentially be the murder weapon. Calleigh stopped to reload the 44 Magnum revolver when she turned to see Eric staring at her. She took off the ear muffs and shooting glasses.

"You need anything?" she said without looking at him and continued her task of loading the gun with bullets.

"Yeah, H wants to know if you've got a match?"

"As you can see I am not done with the testing so...no."

Calleigh was hoping he'd leave right away but he was still standing there looking at her. She finally looked up to see his concerned face.

"Cal, I think we need to talk."

"Talk about what?"

"Calleigh, I know you. I know something is bothering you."

"No, I'm fine… actually never better. Thanks for the concern."

"It's just that when you left yesterday…"

"Eric, I'm fine and whatever it is you want to talk about – there's no need. Really, I'm fine."

"Suit yourself Calleigh." Eric sighed and left the room obviously exasperated.

Calleigh tried to be civil with Eric on the few occasions that they get to work together. She stayed away from "after work" drinks with the team just so she won't hear any small talk about Eric. Calleigh buried herself with multiple caseloads so by the time she gets home she was just too tired to do anything.

The month went by with more difficult cases coming in and this day turned out to be the worse. A family just disappeared in the middle of breakfast and they have to find them before it's too late. During the middle of the investigation Officer Delarenzo was shot and died instantly at the scene. She has to go with Eric to an airstrip when they got a tip that Duarte was heading there with Andrew Nolan. Later on Nolan was shot and died while Calleigh was trying to control the bleeding from his gunshot wound. Thank God that Horatio was able to get to the motel in time to save Mrs. Nolan's life.

By the time Calleigh got to the locker room, she was feeling the signs of a migraine. Days like this she wished that she had a "Surrogate Calleigh"- devoid of feelings that she can send to work so she can stay home and be spared of the heartaches that goes with this job.

"Are you okay?" She didn't hear Ryan come in.

"Yeah, got a little headache but I'm good."

"Do you want to go for drinks with the gang? Today was a bad day for everyone – we could all use a drink."

"Thanks but I just want to go home and sleep."

Ryan did not insist further which Calleigh was grateful. She retrieved her purse and headed towards the exit. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow. Tell the gang I got a headache and I'll make it up next time."

"Sure! Good night."

As soon as she got home she took off her blazer and shoes, took some Tylenol for her headache and lay down on the couch. She can't tell how long she dozed off but she woke up to sound of the message alert on her answering machine . The short nap helped with the headache, she was feeling much better now. She got up to listen to the message and then dialled a number.

"Hello" A man answered.

"Hi James! This is Calleigh. I got your message."

Suddenly Calleigh's spirits lifted. It was nice to hear his voice again.