The way she moves about her house was comforting. The ease in which she navigated the open walls were admirable. She enjoys spending time in each room, making sure to bask in the late night. Cup of tea in hand she makes her way to the bedroom.

Esteban found his heart pumping thru his throat. As much as he didn't want her privacy being invaded, he knew she wouldn't mind him doing such. She sets her tub to a warm bath, Calleigh sheds her clothes in quick fashion and settles into the bubbles with a deep sigh. He smiles as she rids todays stress with a relaxing bath and tea.

He's lost in her as she's lost to the ritual of preparing for bed. Her smooth skin pale against a green negligee. He takes a deep breath at the beauty he sees in front of him. His heart at the back of his throat now, he feels those flutters rack his body again. For the first time in his life he feels arousal to just the sight of a woman, one not in pain. His heart ached to hold her close to him, to feel her soft skin pressed against him. He bets she smells sweet, maybe with a bit of gunpowder who knows? They were standing at a good enough distance that he only got the faintest smell of vanilla surrounding her.

These nights proved paramount. Esteban was getting important intel on his wife. He wanted Calleigh to feel comfortable, lobed and safe, especially safe. It was people like him that wanted to take their anger out on Caine by using her and he'd be damned if he let that happen.

Turning back, he makes a mental note to give the hands off warning to his father. The ache returned to his chest just then. Looking back at the form of her retreating house, Esteban drives off deep in thought.

Two Weeks Earlier

Esteban found himself climbing thru her window one sunny day. It's been over a week since his last toy was discovered and he had laid low at his father's insistence since then. But his curiosity was getting the better of him, so he decided to get to know Calleigh before he introduced himself to her. He scanned her modest house, taking in the Southern and modern mix with great interest. Her house had a "homey" feeling to it, and the pictures showed just how much she cared for her loved ones. The kitchen was surprisingly full of fresh food and he felt his heart soar. It would be simple to drug her so he could spend time with her. He takes a mental note to watch her for a little while to know where to drug her and decrease his chances of a fulfilling love.

Her bedroom was fun, a spitting image of his lover. Everything had a place and was kept as such. Her clothes were organized by color, down to her underwear. Her many shoes were neatly set up and kept neat, her toiletries had their own organized space as well. This was great news for him. He had high standards when it came to order, and she surpassed all of them.

His nose finally got his attention as he turned to her many vanilla scented products How befitting of one who was such a sweet flavor herself. He found himself looking thru her hamper for a worn shirt. Finding one, he loses himself in her scent and decides that he needs to leave before he does something stupid.

Present Day

Calleigh woke up with a start, head feeling heavier the more minutes that pass by. She checks the time in a panic, grateful for a day that requires her to mid shift. Leaning back, she stares at her ceiling wondering how her life became nothing but emptiness. She refuses to turn to the drink and instead goes on a jog to clear her mind.

The running helped clear her mind whenever she feels low like now. Her purpose in life seemed to be at the whim of Horatio and she was wondering if she should slow down. It's not like she had a man to go home to or to stay home for anyway. Her days became repetitive and predictive. Her spark was lost to the years of having to pick up after a man who lost sight of what he was fighting for.

Horatio has spent the last few years relenting after each and every bad guy, she's seen shady things go down one too many times and wondered if it was for the better. On one hand these bad men were off the street, but on the other, it seemed like more sprung up each time the lock one away. Horatio made new enemies wherever he goes, and he's taking the team on his ride to notoriety. The constant questions from O'Shay were enough to wear her thin. He was trying to fish for information she understands, but sometimes it felt as if he knew a lot more than he presented, and that was off putting.

Everyday she felt like she was failing, the work no longer fulfilled her. Nowadays, she' just waiting for the excitement to come to her.

Too bad for her, she never realized how that thought could come back to haunt her.