Title: Not All Bad
Author: innocent choir girl (ff-dot-net), shannyfish (From Out of the Lab/Miami Heat/LJ)
Summary: A challenge that I sort of issued to myself. CBS blames "Born to Kill"'s suck factor to the fact that they had no budget. So, I figure that an episode done solely in one room couldn't cost that much. This story involves the whole team, and only one room. But what will they face in this room? Post "Born to Kill".
Category: Ship Ahoy! Calleigh/Horatio
Genres: Angst, Drama, Episode Related, Established Relationship, Friendship, Hurt Comfort, Suspense
Characters: Horatio Caine, Calleigh Duquesne, Eric Delko, Natalia Boa Vista
Rating: PG-13
Chapter: 2 "Dangle"
Author's Notes: Alright, I think some folks want variety now that I'm typing up all the chapters that I wrote while the laptop was away being repaired. So, I will update between "Promises, Promises" and "Not All Bad" for variety's sake and for those who read this story, but maybe not "Promises, Promises".
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Natalia nervously pressed the call button repeatedly. "Come on," she muttered as she continued to hit the button. "Why isn't this damned thing working?"
They'd already been in the elevator for twenty minutes, and Eric had noticed that it was affecting everyone. "Natalia," he said hoping to get her to stop. When she didn't, he pulled her away from the panel. "Talia!" he yelled at her as quietly as he could. When he could see that she'd snapped out of it, he spoke up again. "We're going to get out of here."
"Frank was downstairs," Horatio spoke up. "Alexx should be trying to make her way up here any minute. We've got a lot of people working for us.
"Release the body," Calleigh said quietly from where she sat in her corner of the elevator. She rubbed her temples; the lights were too bright and were hurting her eyes.
Horatio kneeled down next to Calleigh, his face full of concern. "Calleigh? How are you feeling?"
"Tired," she whispered keeping her eyes to the floor. "Head hurts."
He looked over and saw that Eric and Natalia were looking over. Their expressions conveyed concerned. Horatio turned his attention back to Calleigh, "Sweetheart, maybe you should close your eyes and try to sleep." He knew that Calleigh could have a concussion and she should stay awake just in case, but he also didn't want to see her suffer.
"The panel," she said. Calleigh looked upward and then immediately regretted it as the light sent shocking pain through her green eyes. Calleigh pulled her head down quickly and squeezed them shut tightly.
Horatio looked upward and straightened as he kept his gaze on the panel in the ceiling. "Yes…" He looked over back to Eric. Maybe we should try to open the panel. It may be out best way out…
Eric nodded, "Alright, H."
Natalia checked on Calleigh, she stroked the blonde's hair. She and Calleigh hadn't always gotten along or seen things eye to eye, but she still didn't like seeing the other woman in pain. It wasn't like Calleigh to be so quiet and fragile. The Calleigh she knew was strong, confident, and true. "We're going to get out of here, Honey."
Horatio bent down, offering his hands weaved together as a stirrup to help boost Eric to the ceiling. "We need to get Calleigh medical attention as soon as possible, Eric," he said quietly so that just Eric could hear.
"How bad do you think she is, H?" Eric asked just as quietly.
"Concussion," Horatio said. "She's not acting normal."
"I noticed that, too."
"We should try this," Horatio said offering his hands. "If we can get out, we can get her to help faster."
Eric nodded and went to step up, but halted when Natalia's voice pulled him from the task at hand.
"What if the elevator's stuck?" Natalia spoke up.
"Then," Horatio said. "We climb out."
"But it feels almost as if it's vibrating," Natalia argued. "Maybe we should just hang tight and wait for help." It felt odd speaking those words after she was just the one having issues keeping it together. "Couldn't the car be damage from the explosion?"
Horatio noticed that Calleigh was out. He just hoped that meant she was no longer in pain. "Take a look at Calleigh. She needs help."
"But if Frank and Alexx are in the building—"
"They may not get here in time," Eric spoke up. He stepped up using Horatio's hands as a stirrup and his shoulder for brief support. He reached up and ran his hands over the ceiling and found the panel.
………………..
TBC…
