Author's note: Thank you for all the reviews and I'm glad that you like it so far. Now, this is where I need your help. I have some ideas on what I want to see happen in the story, but there aren't many of them...so tell me what you'd like to see happen keeping in mind that Calleigh is only at about 50 percent of her normal self.
Recuperating chapter 2
Eric smiled as he held Calleigh's hand as she watched the sunset through the airplane's window. He raise it to his lips and kissed her knuckles, causing her to redirect her attention from the sunset to him. She smiled in return.
"What?" she asked.
"You haven't looked this happy since before the fire. Your eyes are sparkling and your cheeks are flushed. I've missed that," Eric said, giving her hand a squeeze. "We're going to be landing soon. Are you ready to handle the landing?"
"Now that I know what to expect, I think so," Calleigh replied softly. She had nearly freaked out on the take-off when the minimal force hit her chest as they left the ground. She suddenly couldn't breathe and tried not to panic. Eric dug out her rescue inhaler and helped her take it. Within moments she could breathe again. She had been mortified. "I'm good, Eric."
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain. We will be making our decent to the San Juan Airport in a few moments. It is 9:06 p.m. and a balmy 79 degrees. Have a good evening and enjoy your stay in beautiful Puerto Rico," the Captain said and then repeated it again in Spanish.
"You want your inhaler?" Eric asked as the first pressure of descent began.
Calleigh began to feel the pressure and the breathlessness return and held her hand out. As calmly as she could, she took the medication and then closed her eyes, waiting for it to work. Slowly, the breathlessness eased up and she was nearly normal just before they touched down.
Eric squeezed her hand. "You okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
They got off the plane and waited for their luggage to be unloaded. Once that was done, Eric hailed a taxi to take them to the hotel. He knew which one that Horatio booked them into the Ritz-Carlton. He tried to get his brother in law to change the reservation to a less expensive hotel, but Horatio wouldn't agree. Eric couldn't wait to see the look on Calleigh's face when they pulled up. He couldn't wait to see what kind of room Horatio booked for them. The Ritz was an extremely luxurious hotel and Eric had only been in the lobby once, but it had left a lasting impression on him. He placed his arm around Calleigh's shoulders and drew her into him. "Happy?"
"Unbelievably. What do you want to do when we get in?" she asked, eyes still sparkling in the lighting. It was nearly as bright as Miami at night.
Eric shook his head. "Calleigh, it'll be after ten and it's been a long day for you. I think we should just unpack and go to sleep."
"But, Eric-"
"No. You're still recuperating and I won't jeopardize your recovery, alright? I promised Dr. Goldflies that I'd take good care of you. I don't want to break that promise," Eric said sensibly. "We'll start vacationing in the morning."
Calleigh sat silent for awhile, her head resting in it's space on Eric's shoulder. He was right and she knew it. "Okay; you're right. I'm just excited."
"I can see that," Eric said as the cab pulled up to the hotel.
Calleigh pulled away and gazed up at the hotel, her mouth dropping in awe. "This is...I mean...Horatio booked us into here? It's too much. You told him that it was too much, right?"
"I did and he wouldn't change the reservation. He said for us to accept it and that was it. You know how he is when he makes a decision; he doesn't change his mind," Eric replied as the doorman came and opened Eric's door for him and then he came around and opened Calleigh's door, offering her his hand to help her out of the car. A valet was already loading their luggage onto a bellman's cart. Once he was finished, he lead them over to the concierge.
A blonde hared man with bright blue eyes behind his wire rimmed glasses smiled at them as they approached. "Mr. Delko and Ms. Duquesne?" he asked politely.
"Yes," Eric answered, a little stunned.
"Lt. Caine told us to expect you about this time. He explained the situation to me very clearly and this hotel will extend every courtesy we can for you and Ms. Duquesne," he said kindly. "This will remain in confidence."
"What did he tell you?" Eric asked. He wasn't angry, exactly.
"Only that Ms. Duquesne is currently recuperating from a work related injury and to make sure that your room was in a quiet area," he supplied. "I didn't mean to offend."
Eric glanced at a quiet Calleigh. She was looking tired and pale again. "Yes, she is so can we get checked in and up to our room as soon as possible?"
"Of course." he said and then quickly checked them in and sent them off with the bellman to their room.
On the way to the elevator, Eric placed his arm around Calleigh's waist and helped support her. She was flagging fast and he was a little worried that she had gone downhill so fast. The last few hours had held more activity than she had done in a week. "How's your breathing?"
"Good, I just suddenly got so tired. I guess you were right and we'll unpack and go to sleep," Calleigh admitted, leaning on him slightly.
They got on the elevator. "I'll unpack and you rest."
"Right," she replied.
They got off and followed the bellman. He stopped in front of 312, used a key card to unlock the door and began to unload the luggage. When he was done, Eric tipped him and he left.
Calleigh and Eric were stunned with the opulence of the room. Exhaustion temporarily forgotten, Calleigh went to the glass French doors. She opened them and salt air greeted her. "Eric, I think we have an ocean view."
"The concierge said H booked us a Peace of Mind package," Eric said, beginning to unpack first her things and then his.
"We have to find him something to say thank you for all of this. It's too much. This vacation has to be in the thousands. How can he afford all of this?" Calleigh asked, closing the doors and sitting on the king sized bed.
Eric tossed one of his shirts at her. "Well, it's not like he has anyone to actually spend it on. He has a beautiful house that he owns outright, property in the Keys which earns him some serious cash, and, shy of barely being married to Marisol, has never been married before or since. He could have a much more showy lifestyle, but you and I know that's just not him. You know the paycheck he pulls down because you know how much you pull down as his second. Calleigh, face it, as assistant supervisor of the day shift, you don't make all that much less than he does. You have a beautiful home that you almost own, and it's in Bal Harbor. You don't live extravagantly. Not that I want to know, but what does your financial statement look like? H can afford this. Cal, short of Yelina and Ray Jr and Kyle, we're all the family he really has. He didn't say the exact words that he loves us, but it was clearly implied when he handed me this envelope with everything in it. Hey, change into the shirt."
Calleigh had been listening to him intently and thinking about everything he said and knew he was right. Horatio was her elder brother and mentor. She practically hero worshiped him when she first joined the lab. For a while, she even had a bit of a crush on him...and then she met Eric and, really, all bets were off. "The shirt? Where are my pyjamas?"
"I didn't pack any since you steal my shirts so much anyway. I did pack you a couple of bathing suits, though," Eric said, beginning to remove his own clothes as Calleigh began shedding hers. "Tank tops, shorts and a couple of skirts, underwear, shoes that I know you love and all the stuff I've seen you use from the bathroom. And, I was sensible. Just because you've been given clearance to get your heart rate up doesn't mean we're doing anything too vigorous because I don't want you to have to be rushed to a hospital here."
She shrugged his shirt on and buttoned enough buttons that it would stay on and be comfortable. She was perilously close to tears..'What have I ever done to deserve you in my life? You've been so tender and loving through all of this. I'm so sorry I've put you through it. When Ryan and I pulled up to that house and I saw Patrick struggling to live in that window, I just reacted. I never thought...and I didn't want-"
Eric saw where her emotions were heading and he sat next to her and took her in his arms. "No, don't go there, Cal. You're too tired. I don't know what you did to deserve me, but you're stuck with me. Are you getting tired?"
"Yeah," she said, her voice rough with unshed tears.
He took her hands in his and lead her to the head of the bed, which the staff had already turned down for the night. "Then climb in." She complied and slid into the blissfully comfortable bed. He climbed in on the other side and he took her in his arms, kissing her softly. "Go to sleep."
He needn't have have said so because she was more than halfway there already.
Eric awoke and reached over for Calleigh and found her side of the bed empty and the sheets cool. He sat up. "Calleigh?"
When there was no answer, he began to fear the worst. He threw off the covers and went into the bathroom to check on her. She wasn't there. He didn't think she'd left the room without leaving him a note. Returning to the bedroom, he happened to glance out the French doors and caught a glimpse of Calleigh's bare foot poking out from one of the lounge chairs.
Eric went to the doors and opened them. Calleigh was curled up on the chair with her robe wrapped around her. She was apparently dozing in the dawn sunlight. He bent down, brushing hair out of her face. "Querida, what are you doing out here?"
She opened her eyes and gave him a small smile. "Sorry. I woke up a while ago and couldn't get back to sleep. I figured that I'd come out here and watch the sunrise. I didn't mean to worry you."
Eric scooted her over and slid onto the lounger with her, He wrapped one arm around her and pulled her close. "I know you didn't. How are you feeling?"
Calleigh considered for a moment before answering. "Nauseous and lethargic, but I didn't sleep all that well."
"Well, why don't we go back to bed for a while and see if you feel better later?" Eric suggested.
"We're in Puerto Rico on an amazing vacation and I don't want to ruin it and waste Horatio's generosity by sleeping in the hotel all day," Calleigh objected.
"Remember that you still have to watch yourself first. There are no rules, here, Querida. There's plenty of time when you get up to do something," Eric reminded her, getting up and tugging her along with him. "Lots of something, but you need to get a few hours of sleep first. I'll make you a little peppermint tea and then we'll both lay down for a few hours."
Chastened, Calleigh allowed him to lead her back to the bed. She climbed in and watched him make her tea. "What if I feel worse when we get up?" Calleigh said softly when Eric handed her to cup of tea.
"Then we stay right here, put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and you allow me to take care of you. Horatio knew that you might have a bad day or two and he still wanted to do this. Besides, right now, spending a quiet morning cuddling with you isn't a waste of anything," Eric said as he got in as well and put his arm around her.
Calleigh nodded and drank her tea, eyes beginning to get heavy. When she was finished, Eric took the cup and placed it on the bedside table, then pulled her to him and slid down beneath the blankets, stroking her hair. He made soothing sounds at her until she fell asleep. "Sleep well, Carina."
Calleigh woke several hours later and looked over at the clock on the nightstand. 10:15. She lay still. Listening to her body. She felt well rested and was no longer nauseous. She began placing light kisses over Eric's face, attempting to wake him in the most pleasant manner possible.
"Eric," she breathed into his ear before nibbling on his lobe. She slid her hand under his shirt and began toying with his chest. He smiled in his sleep."C'mon, Eric, I'm feeling better."
His smile widened. "I can tell." He directed her lips to his. He had to tell himself not to get too excited because they still couldn't be too vigorous yet.
"How long have you been awake?" she asked when they parted lips.
"Long enough to know that you're ready to get up and do something. Do you really feel better?" he asked carefully.
"Yeah, the nap and the tea and being with you did the trick," she said as she snuggled back up to him.
Eric chuckled softly. "You know a few years ago if anyone told me that you are a cuddler, I'd have laughed. Face it, Cal, no one at the lab would think of it."
"What, am I not lovable?" she asked playfully.
"Adorable...but very intimidating when you're firing a 357 Magnum. Some of the most grizzled guys in P.D. are intimidated by you," he said, dropping a kiss to the top of he head.
She returned the laugh. "Only because I can out shoot them any day."
Eric shifted and sat up, sliding out from under Calleigh. "Let's call room service and have some breakfast sent up.. I know you're going to say that you aren't hungry and we both know that's the meds talking. Take a look at the menu and see if anything hits you."
"You're right, I'm not hungry, but I need to eat," Calleigh said, beginning to peruse the menu. Nothing seemed likely until she hit something she didn't expect to find on a hotel menu in Puerto Rico. "I want the lox and bagel plate."
Eric laughed. "Calleigh, we're in Puerto Rico!"
"I know and I'll sample the local fare later. This just sounds really good right now," Calleigh cried. She started to laugh. "Then you take me somewhere local for dinner and show me good Puerto Rican food!"
"Deal."
