The sound shattered the silence, ringing throughout every room. Calleigh and Eric lay motionless in each others arms, ripped away from their momentary paradise. They looked, horrified, at one another. Eric put a finger to his lips and Calleigh nodded slowly in response. Adrenaline pulsed through them, their hearts pounding in their ears. Eric slipped off the bed and found his gun on the dresser. Walking back toward her he saw she was holding his shirt. He quickly threw it back on and took her hand in one of his own; his gun held high in the other. One glance between them, and they made their way out of the bedroom, down the hallway, toward the living room. Together they rounded the corner, not sure what to expect. They looked around. Someone had thrown a rock through Eric's window. The rock had rolled and landed under the coffee table. Glass from the window covered the entire room; splayed over the couch and stuck in the carpet. Eric let go of Calleigh's hand and ran out the front door. Calleigh covered her mouth in disbelief. Five minutes ago everything had been perfect, only now to be as if it had never happened. She began biting her nail nervously, looking around the darkened room. She couldn't remember what time it had been when she got here. Her mind began to race. 'It was probably some kid making a joke. Or what if it was a threat? Who else would be trying to get to Eric, or was this meant for her? But then, who else knew she was here?' She saw Eric's phone on the kitchen counter. She rushed to pick it up, her fingers beginning to shake, and dialed.

"Horatio, it's Calleigh. We may have a situation," the sound of her own voice startled her.

"Calleigh, where are you?" Horatio answered urgently..

"I…I'm at Eric's place," she sighed, closing her eyes and biting her lip.

"I'm on my way," he answered. She hung up but continued to stare blankly at the phone. Eric finally came back inside. He saw her expression and immediately tried his best to comfort her.

"Cal, everything's alright now. Whoever it was, they took off." He wrapped his arms around her. The draft made Calleigh shiver and Eric hugged her tighter.

"I called Horatio," she shifted back and looked up at him.

"Great, if anyone, H will figure out who did this."

"Yeah I know, but Eric, you don't understand. If he brings the team down here, they'll all know about us," she looked at the ground. Eric rubbed her arms.

"We'll get through it Calleigh, I promise." They both looked out the kitchen window as the sound of cars approached. Calleigh looked at him, wide-eyed. Eric rested his forehead against hers.

"It'll be fine." He gave her a quick kiss.

"And when this is over, we'll pick up where we left off." He winked and went to let Horatio inside. Calleigh looked at her feet, smiling, trying to keep her blush at bay. She sat down at the table and realizing she was still holding Eric's phone, placed it on the counter beside her. She crossed her legs, trying to retain some sort of professionalism. She turned in her seat as Horatio and Natalia came in, Natalia carrying her silver kit. 'Here we go,' Calleigh thought. She stood up and crossed her arms. It was freezing. She could see Natalia's surprise to see her; trying to find something to say.

"Hey Calleigh, everything alright? What happened?" Natalia looked at the glass coated living room.

"Well Eric and I heard a crash and when we got to the living room, the window was smashed and the guy had taken off," Calleigh told her.

"Did you happen to see who did it, or anything else out of place before the window was broken?" Natalia glanced out the window at the street.

"Um, no. I was…well we were…um, you know…in the other room," Calleigh's face was so hot, she could feel her ears burning. Natalia only smiled.

"He has a way of distracting you, doesn't he?" she laughed. Calleigh laughed a little, looking over at Eric who was talking to Horatio by the door.

"Yeah, he does."

"Well, let's see what we have here," Natalia walked into the living room and began photographing and taking notes. Horatio joined her and Eric returned to Calleigh's side. He smiled at her.

"You look happier than you did a minute ago. What did Natalia say to you?" he put his arm around her shoulder.

"Nothing special, just girl talk," she smiled in Natalia's direction. Eric laughed. Together they watched their colleagues collect evidence.

"I think I should go, though," Calleigh whispered.

"What, why?" Eric whispered back.

"Walk me to the door," Calleigh said taking his hand and leading him outside. Eric shut the door behind them and they stood alone on the porch. It was dark, except for the light above them and a few glowing windows along the street. Eric took both of her hands.

"You know, you don't have to go Cal," he sort of begged. Calleigh shook her head and put his arms around his neck, hugging him.

"I know, and I don't want to, but I think I should. I'm not really sure why, I just think it would be better if I did."

"Okay," Eric walked with her to her car which was still parked along the sidewalk. At her car they stopped.

"Oh my…" Calleigh stepped back, right into Eric.

"What?" Eric looked over her shoulder. He exhaled. The driver's side window of Calleigh's car had been smashed in. He put his hands on her shoulders and turned his head quickly around, scanning the street. Nothing. They were the only ones visible up and down the block.

"Eric!" Calleigh had turned to face him.

"This can't be a coincidence. Someone is trying to get to me. If whoever did this wanted to get to you, they would've gone for your car," she took a deep breath.

"Someone else besides Horatio and Natalia knows we're together."

"Calleigh, please don't go home, not until we figure this out at least." He pleaded. She nodded quickly. They both ran back up the driveway.

"Horatio!" Eric burst through the door.

"Eric, talk to me," Horatio followed him back outside. Calleigh and Natalia stayed inside.

"Calleigh, what's going on?"

"Someone broke into my car. I'm thinking it may be the same guy who broke Eric's window." Natalia's eye's widened. Horatio and Eric returned a moment later.

"Natalia, go out and process Calleigh's car please. Eric, you and Calleigh stay here so I can reach both of you if I need to," Horatio ordered. Eric and Calleigh sat down across from each other at the kitchen table. Horatio left to join Natalia outside.

"This could be just some sick prank," Eric offered, trying to calm the situation.

"I doubt it," Calleigh answered, resting her head in her hand. Eric put his hand over hers and leaned closer to her.

"If this is serious, Calleigh, I promise I won't let anything happen to you." She smiled.

"I know."

Back at home, he opened the door, hung up his jacket and ditched his gloves, throwing them in his fireplace. He sat down and watched as they slowly began to burn. His face was emotionless. He had watched the house all day, waiting for them to come home. Finally they did, and that's when he broke the windows. He had to get his point across, and this was only the beginning. It was the perfect plan; quick and clean, no evidence to link back to him. He rubbed his hands together, elaborating on his next move. So many things he could do, but he had to wait. Wait for them to let their guard down before he'd strike again. He stood up and went to bed, turning off all the lights on the way. His work was done, for tonight.

• • •