He nodded smiling, "No, we… we don't live together… yet."
She smiled at him with a tilt of her head. "Yet?"
He chuckled, "We were um… working on that."
She nodded to him looking down shyly. "Oh, ok, I get it."
He looked down now lowering his tone. "Calleigh, are you ok with me… staying here with you?"
Her eyes went wide. "Oh my god, of course I am... I mean if it's… ok with you?"
He nodded, "Yes, it's fine with me."
She smiled and walked into her bedroom. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, "Mmm, vanilla?"
He smiled and spoke in a low tone behind her. "You like vanilla very much, you'll notice a lot more in the bathroom."
She looked at him and smiled walking into the bathroom now. Her southern accent went thick again. "Oh my! I guess I do, huh."
He leaned on the bathroom door and smiled at her. She held his gaze for a moment and walked right up to him kissing him fully on the lips.
He was surprised at first but when she wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against him resting her head, he sighed deeply in relief.
She felt him and looked up at him confused. "What's wrong?"
He nodded whispering, "Nothing's wrong, everything's fine..."
She chuckled, "Well, I'm the one who hit my head but you're the one acting weird. Did we… I mean did we—"
He exhaled softly again now. "Calleigh I'm sorry, it's me. I just want to give you some time, ok. I don't know what you remember about us and I don't want to push you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
She nodded closing her eyes now. "I wish, I could remember more, I wish…"
"What, what do you wish?"
"Nothing, forget it… Just forget it."
Horatio shook his head and let it slide as his voice went low again. "Ok, how about I make us something to eat?"
She shook her head, "Ok, that sounds good and I can't wait to take a shower."
"Ok, can I um… Do you need any help, Calleigh?"
She smiled and nodded. "No, I'm fine… Unless you want to join me that is?"
Horatio's eyes went wide and he looked down shyly, "Um… Umm, I think we should wait a while, the doctor said you need to rest sweetheart."
She chuckled and turned putting the water on in the shower. He went to the closet and grabbed two towels for her.
"Here you go sweetheart, I'll leave them on the counter for you. Do you want your robe or one of your satin tops?"
"Well you obviously know where everything is so why don't you choose for me, and tell me while you're at it where I keep my underwear?"
He chuckled and walked back out to her dresser as she leaned against the door-frame and watched him. He pulled the draw open and turned to her. "Any particular color you would like?" He gave her a smile.
She laughed now. "Hmm, let me see… I would like a pink pair, please."
He turned back and found a pink pair for her now, closing the draw. He heard her chuckled and turned as his eyes went wide. She had already stripped down to her underwear as his eyes came upon her beautiful naked body.
He looked down quickly and stood where he was.
She laughed, "Ok, so do I have to come over there to get them?"
"No, um… I just… you um… surprised me, that's all."
She laughed, "You have seen me naked before, right?" She asked, as he walked over and handed them to her, looking back down shyly now with a nod.
"Mm-hmm."
"Thank you for helping me, Horatio." She turned and walked into the bathroom as his eyes came up and locked onto her back and beautiful rear.
"Not a problem, beautiful. I'll go get the food started and you just call me if you need anything, ok?"
"Ok." She chuckled as she got in now mumbling, "Are you always this sweet."
Horatio smiled walking back out into the kitchen and turned on the radio as he began cooking.
Calleigh was finished in 20 minutes and wearing one of her black satin nightshirts. She left her hair up in a towel and laid back on the bed for a moment relaxing. She dozed right off into a very deep sleep.
Horatio wondered what was taking so long and went looking for her. He quietly walked into the bedroom seeing her curled up and fast asleep now. He watched her sleep for a moment and couldn't believe that this had happened to her. He gently covered her with a throw blanket as his eyes caressed over her body and legs once again.
She moaned softly and opened her eyes seeing him as she sat up realizing now. "Oh my god, I'm sorry, I fell asleep."
"That's alright, you just rest, ok sweetheart, you need to rest."
She smiled at him and closed her eyes resting back down against her pillow. "Sorry…" She rasped.
"Nothing to be sorry for ok, go back to sleep and rest now." She leaned up to him as he leaned down giving her a quick kiss on the lips.
She lied back down and closed her eyes going to sleep again. After a few minutes of watching her sleep peacefully he turned and left. He had a small bite to eat and flipped on the TV now relaxing on the couch. It only took him a little while to doze off himself as his head rested back on the couch and his eyes closed.
He heard her yell and jumped up moving quickly to the bedroom now. He walked in to find a frightened look on her face as she was gasping for air. He went right over to the bed and sat down next to her trying to calm her, speaking softly and soothingly now. "Your dreaming that's all, you're ok, sweetheart."
She looked at him with wide eyes and suddenly hugged him with force.
He was surprised as he held onto her and felt her body shake in his arms. He spoke softly trying to sooth her, "Hey, everything's ok… I'm right here with you, everything's fine Calleigh."
She nodded with her head against his chest and final loosened her hold on him. "I'm sorry Horatio, I just…"
"Had a bad dream?" He finished for her.
She nodded again now and he laid her back down as she breathed softly, "Please stay with me?"
He gave her a smile and nodded, "Of course I will."
She patted the bed next to her. "Please… Just lay with me for a little while?"
Letting go of her hand now he walked around the bed and kicked off his shoes. He slowly sat down and then lied back on the bed next to her. She was quick to cuddled against him as his arm automatically wrapped around her in a protective hold.
She softly whispered into his neck, "Thank you for staying with me."
He answered her softly. "Always."
He pulled the throw blanket over them and they both quickly fell asleep in each other's arms. They slept for only a few hours holding one another closely.
Horatio woke to the feeling of warm wetness in his ear. His eyes suddenly snapped open as her hand slid down his chest and lower to a very hard bulge in his pants. He gasped and quickly held her hand now turning to her.
She smiled at him and quickly covered his lips with hers catching him off guard again. He pulled back and spoke in a dry voice. "Calleigh, wait…."
She covered his lips again and continued to kiss him as she forced her tongue right into his warm mouth. He moaned softly now feeling her tongue once again and relaxed against her. Her hand headed south again and now quickly undid his belt buckle. It snapped him out of his heated haze and he stopped her once again holding onto her hand.
He pulled back but she continued to kiss him, climbing right on top of him straddling his waist now. He groaned as she let her hands slide all over him, it felt wonderful and he missed her soft touch so very much.
He groaned softly again being quickly carried away and turned his head from her lips. She backed off and looked at him in shock. She leaned back down to him and began kissing him harder now with need. There was only so much he could take before he caved to her desire and broke the kiss again gasping her name.
"Calleigh, wait…"
She looked into his eyes breathless now, "What's wrong?"
He nodded, "I think, it's a little soon for you right now, for us. I'm worried about you and Joe said—"
She huffed at him, "Joe said! Joe said! I'm fine, unh!" She got off him abruptly and walked into the bathroom slamming the door.
Horatio sat up in shock trying to figure out what just happened. He got off the bed and quietly knocked on the bathroom door speaking softly.
"Calleigh…"
She snapped back, "What!"
He exhaled softly and looked up to the ceiling searching for the right words. "Calleigh… I'm sorry; I… didn't mean to upset you." He nodded to himself thinking now, 'C'mon Horatio, you can do better than that.' "Calleigh… I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm truly sorry and—"
She opened the door and looked at him with tears in her eyes now. She looked down and spoke low. "No Horatio, it's my fault… I just needed to feel, I just want to be close and…" She shook her head upset now as he wrapped her up in his arms.
"Trust me… please. There's nothing I want more than to be with you but I want to make sure you're ok first. I will not risk your health, Calleigh. We'll go see Joe in a few days to make sure you're ok, all right? Then, I promise you anything you want, anything for you, ok?"
She hugged him back and nodded. "I'm sorry about all this Horatio."
He looked at her and smiled. "Never be sorry, you did nothing wrong but go along with your feelings."
She smiled up at him, "My feelings say… I'm starving."
He chuckled, "Ok, c'mon dinners all made, all I have to do is heat it."
They walked outside together and Horatio heated dinner up for them. They ate and then sat down on the couch watching some TV and relaxing. A little while later Calleigh went into the kitchen and made them some popcorn. She came back with a bowl and Horatio laughed, "We would normally each it out of the bag... and fight over who gets to hold it."
Her eyes went wide as she stated firmly, "Well tonight we're having a bowl."
"Yes ma'am."
"Ma'am?" She looked at him in shock.
Horatio shook his head. "Umm, sometimes we joke around like that, it's just a joke."
"It had better be..." She said and turned back to the TV.
He watched her now thinking, 'Handsome. She normally would have called me handsome.' He smiled and hoped with time he would be hearing it once again.
She got up again quickly and her hand went to her forehead. He looked at her and moved to get up.
"Hey, you ok?"
She put her hand up to stop him from rising. "I'm fine; I just got up to quickly, I forgot the—" Her eyes rolled back and her face went pale as her body went limp falling.
"Calleigh!"
He shot up and caught her right in his arms before she went down. He laid her down on the couch kneeling beside her. He checked her pulse and noticed it was low, in the 50's but beating normally.
"Calleigh… Calleigh… can you hear me?" His heart was racing as he called to her, unsure what was happening now.
He placed his hand against her cheek and caressed her face softly. She was still out cold and now he was worried as he opened his phone. He got up and soaked a washcloth in cold water as he hit send.
"Alexx"
"Horatio?"
"Yes listen, Calleigh just passed out on me and I tried waking her but she not coming around."
"Go get a cold cloth right now and—
"I'm doing it as we speak but she's still… hang on, I think she's coming around."
Calleigh's eyelids began to flutter and she moaned.
"Did she do anything today, anything that may have exerted her?"
"No, she only took a shower and then rested."
Calleigh's eyes fluttered open now and he kept the cool cloth on her head.
"Calleigh, can you hear me?"
Her eyes went wide and she seemed shocked. "Horatio… what happened, how did I get down here?"
"Listen, you're ok, just rest for a few minutes, alright?"
She nodded and closed her eyes again as he exhaled a breath in relief.
"Horatio, is she ok?"
"Yes, I think so… do you think I should call the hospital?"
"No honey, but I think I can give Joe a call and I'll call you right back, ok? You stay with her and keep cooling her down."
"Alright Alexx, thank you."
Calleigh tried to sit up now and he held her down. "I'm ok, Horatio."
"Sweetheart, just a few more minutes, ok?" His phone rang and he opened it.
"Horatio its Joe, tell me what happened."
"She got up off the couch to fast we think, and she passed out cold."
"For how long?"
He looked at his watched. "Umm, she was out at least 3 minutes."
"Alright, I want you to bring her in tomorrow, ok? Anytime you can make it is fine with me."
"Ok Joe, we'll be there. Anything I could do for her tonight?"
"Yes, if it happens again I want you to bring her in and call me. For now, keep using cold compresses it will revive her. It's already late and I think it would be a good idea to make her go to slept for the night now."
"Ok Joe, I got it… We'll see you tomorrow, thank you."
"You're welcome Horatio, see you tomorrow." Joe hung up and Horatio closed his phone.
Horatio looked down at her now. "Calleigh, you ok?"
She smiled and nodded. "I'm better, thanks."
"Ok sweetheart, lets get you to bed now."
"Horatio, I'm fine now and—"
"Bed, now, I'm going with you, ok?"
She gave him a smirk. "I don't think I have much of a choice, so ok."
"Ok, lets get you up slowly, nice and easy."
He helped her up and let her walk slowly as he held her. He sat her down on the bed and pulled the covers down helping her lay back. He covered her up and tucked her in.
"Better now?" He asked placing a cool hand on her forehead.
She nodded. "Yes, thank you… I'm fine now."
"Ok, close your eyes and I'll be with you in a few minutes." He leaned down and gave her a very soft kiss.
"Goodnight, Horatio."
"Good night and sleep with the angels, sweetheart."
He shut the light walking back outside now. He picked up the bowl of popcorn and put it in a large zip lock bag for her. He put the bowl in the sink and went back to shut the TV off. His phone rang and he quickly opened it seeing it was Alexx.
"Hey honey, is she ok now?"
He exhaled. "Yes, she's better now Alexx, sorry to worry you and thanks for calling Joe. She has to see him tomorrow, I'm thinking in the morning, you know. The sooner the better."
"Yes, that sounds like a good idea, honey. If you need me for anything tonight or tomorrow just call me Horatio, ok?"
"Yes, I will, thank you again Alexx. Have a good night."
"You to honey, good night." Alexx hung up and Horatio closed his phone.
He headed into the bedroom and changed for bed. He moved easy gently lying down slipping under the covers with her. She was facing away from him now and he wanted so badly to embrace her closer. He wouldn't move in fear of waking her again but he closed his eyes and could remember not so long ago the two of them spooning together. He was dying to hold her close and touch the soft smooth curves of her body. He missed her so much and almost gave into her earlier when he felt her hands touching and caressing him.
He tried to clear his head as he listened to her soft breathing sounds. It was only a few days she was gone but it felt like forever to him and he missed her very much. He said a little prayer for her, hoping she would get better soon and finally then he dozed off to sleep.
III
He woke to the sound of his phone ringing and reached for it on the night table. His voice was dry and his eyes were fuzzy from sleep. It was bright and early as he looked at the clock and it read, 7 am. He opened it clearing his throat.
"Horatio"
"Hey H, sorry to wake you, I got a beat on the suspect for that carjacking. Eric gave me the info and I tracked him down. I'd figured you want to pick him up with me."
"Umm, you know what Frank, let Eric and Ryan help you out on this one."
"Ok, no problem H, I'll give them a call now."
"Alright Frank, any problems let me know."
"Ok, will do. I'll talk to you later H and, send Calleigh my regards please."
"Ok, thank you Frank." Horatio closed his phone and laid back on the bed.
Calleigh turned and cuddle right into his side wrapping her arm around his waist. "You have to go?"
"No, I'm… going to take you to the hospital today, remember? How are you feeling this morning?"
"Hospital… but, I'm ok, I'm fine now. Can't we just stay in bed all day?" She grinned and snuggled into his chest.
He closed his eyes reveling in her now, thinking, 'God she felt great.' "I wish we could sweetheart, but you have to see Joe and we need to make sure you're alright."
"I'm fine, really." She said, sliding her thigh up and down on his. She felt him getting very aroused now and kept it up.
"Calleigh… stop using your leg on me."
She grinned at him. "Why?"
"Sweetheart we discussed—Ahh… Calleigh!" He gasped as she reached down with her hand and stroked him through his pajamas.
She lifted her head and looked at him in shock. "God… you're hard as a rock. Are you always like this or do you just missed me?" She smiled at him.
He sat up a bit and held onto both her hands now. "I believe the truth is…a little of both." He let her hands go and she peeked under the covers.
"Geez, you're huge… are you sure you do want a little help with that." She chuckled teasing him. I wouldn't mind introducing myself to him again.
His brows arched and he looked away in shock at her boldness. She suddenly pulled the covers off him and stared.
"Calleigh!"
She chuckled innocently, "I'm just looking."
He shook his head at her. "Ok well, I'm going to take a shower before your looking... turns into something else."
He got up as she laid back down on her side looking up at him. "Hey, it looks like you are going to need a very cold shower."
He grinned at her. "It does indeed; see what you do to me?" He wanted to picked her up off the bed and drag her into the shower with him now. He smiled as he let the thought fade and remembered their time in the shower together.
She sat up again and gave him a sad face. "Well, I could help you if you would just let me?"
He nodded to her, "After we talk to Joe, alright. I won't break my promise to you."
She huffed and let her body fall back on the bed. "Ok, if that's how it's got to be then...I guess I have to learn to live with it."
He turned and walked into the bathroom thinking, 'God, give me strength.' He was having a very hard time living with it himself. "I'll be right out." He said, closing the door behind him.
Calleigh laid back and smiled as all sorts of thoughts ran though her head. A few moments later he came out in a towel.
Her eyes devoured every part of his body as she leaned over to watch him get dressed.
He turned and gave her a grin speaking in a deep voice now. "Ok stop staring, you made your point."
"You mean… you made yours, again." She grinned. "You put on a very good showing."
He let his voice go deeper now. "I do believe you will be putting one on for me very, very soon."
She chuckled and sat up on the bed now. He smiled as he realized she was finally joking around with him again. He loved how she always had a come back for him and she never let him slide, that was his Calleigh.
"Ok, my turn." She announced, walking into the bathroom"
He watched her closely. "Hey, you ok, you want me to… help you out?"
She turned and smiled at him. "Only if you're going to really help me out." She said, as she turned and walked in closing the door.
He shook his head at her words and finished with his belt buckle. He stopped as both hands rested on his hips now and he let out a very heavy breath. His thoughts reminding him how things were before and he realized he wanted her back, the joking and smiling Calleigh that he worshiped so much. All the things she did and said that made his heart skip and race, all the things that made her go shy and blush in front of him. He nodded and realized 'Even her walk seemed different, everything was different,' he thought, as he finished getting dressed. He shook his head now thinking, 'She has a concussion and is just starting to come around, what's the matter with you, be patient.' He brushed it off thinking about her concussion and realized it could have been worse. He shook his head and slowly walked out of the bedroom.
III
They arrived in Joe's office and Calleigh was brought right into the examine room. Horatio smiled at her when she took a seat on top of the table.
"Hey, it was me up there last time, remember?"
She tilted her head and nodded. "Umm… You were here too?"
He looked down hoping to stir some memory in her but she didn't remember at all.
"Yeah, Joe took care of me too."
She looked around the room and Joe came walking in.
"Well hello there you two, how are you feeling, Calleigh?"
"I feel fine, but I wish you would tell him that."
Joe looked over at Horatio and saw him hanging his head as he answered her softly. "What do you mean by that?"
Calleigh nodded, "He's treating me like a… a new born baby, and he won't even touch me."
Horatio brows rose in surprise at that but his eyes stood down.
Joe shut the lights and turned on his ophthalmoscope examining her eyes. "Just look straight ahead." He said to her, as he put the light right up to her eye and leaned in. "You know Calleigh, I told Horatio you needed to rest right now and take it easy. He's just worried about you and following my instructions."
She exhaled, "I know, but I'm better now."
Joe flipped the light switch back on turning to her. "You're feeling better but the swelling is still there, it's going to take time to heal. Lay back for me, please."
She laid back and Joe listened to her heart for a few seconds. He observed her as she closed her eyes and finally relaxed. "Any headaches, or pain in your head?"
"No, I feel fine, really. I'm eating and god knows I'm resting."
Joe nodded and gave her a smile. "Ok, I want to take some blood and do another scan."
She sat up suddenly, "What? I'm fine, Joe… I don't need—"
Joe shook his head to her cutting her off. "Yes you do, Calleigh. You passed out last night and I need to make sure nothing else is going on. Now lay back and relax until Cathy comes to get you, alright?"
"No, it's not alright!" She huffed and laid back down angry now.
Joe looked over at Horatio and walked back up to her. He gave her a small smile trying to reassure her. "Calleigh, you're edgy and jumpy, do you know why that is?"
She turned away from him now and let out another deep breath.
"It because your brain is swelling and it's affecting you… a lot more than you realize. Horatio and I are just trying to protect you and make sure that you don't hurt yourself. We want to make sure that you heal properly. The scan is going to be less than 15 minutes tops, ok. It's important for me to take another look and make sure the swelling is going down.
She turned her head and looked back at him now. "I'm not that jumpy… Am I?" She snapped giving Joe a sad look.
Joe looked down and she lifted her head and looked over at Horatio who was already looking down. She let out a heavy breath and lied back not saying another word.
Joe felt bad now. "Calleigh, this is what a concussion does. It makes you think and act differently. It makes you forget, and causes a person to become very moody. This is not your fault, ok?"
She nodded and shot Joe a glare. "I'm… sorry that I'm so moody doctor."
Horatio stepped over to her now as Joe looked his way and headed out of the room. He let his voice go soft, "Calleigh, try to just—"
"Don't you start with me too now!" She glared at him.
He nodded and held her eyes speaking softly. "Sweetheart, Joe is just—"
She cut him off snapping out her words. "Don't sweetheart me, alright! I'm fine and I know what I'm doing."
Horatio nodded no and spoke low now. "I don't think you do know. I don't think you realized how you're acting. He's trying to help you and—"
"Get out!" She snapped at him now.
His brows arched and he opened his mouth to say something and she didn't give him a chance now.
She glared at him. "Don't say another word, just get out. You don't need to stay and hold my hand, I'm not a baby."
He shook his head in defeat and slowly walked out pulling the door closed behind him.
Joe looked up from the desk and walked over to him. "She any better?"
He nodded no. "I… I think I made it worse."
Joe patted him on the shoulder lightly. "C'mon, lets go talk in my office. Cathy will be taking her in a minute."
Horatio put both hands on his hips and exhaled deeply. He looked down at the floor and shook his head as he followed Joe into his office.
Joe walked in and went right over to his coffee pot. "Sit down." He said, as he went on to pour two cups full and handed one to Horatio. "Here you go, you look like you could use a drink right about now and this is the strongest I have." He chuckled and sat down behind his desk across from Horatio now.
Horatio held the cup up to him. "Thank you, Joe."
"Ok, so tell me how she's doing, really?"
"Umm, she seems fine one moment and…" Horatio trailed off feeling badly now speaking about her without her being there.
Joe knew and continued. "Completely different the next, right? A concussion can do that, we like to call it the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde syndrome." He took a sip of his coffee. "Look, don't be so hard on yourself, you're trying to help her, she knows that, it's her mind that can't process it yet."
Horatio nodded and exhaled softly. "I…" He stopped himself and shook his head.
"What Horatio, tell me what you were going to say? You know you're doing all you can, right?"
"It sure don't feel that way. I… I wish I could do something more to help her, I just… I just don't know what that is."
Joe exhaled now seeing his torment and knowing his feeling of helplessness. He leaned forward on his desk and spoke sincerely to him, "It's not up to you now Horatio, it's up to her, and her body's healing process. This is not easy to handle and I'm sorry that you have to go through this, the both of you. Don't give up on her yet."
Horatio held his eyes and shook his head. "Never. I could never give up on her. I just wish I could help her right now."
"I know but you're already doing it more than you know. By being with her and talking to her about past things you've done together. You're helping her mind process and search for those moments, which all leads back to the brains healing process.
Horatio held his eyes again now and spoke low, "Do you think she's getting better, Joe?"
"It's hard for me to say, post traumatic amnesia is very tough and trying to figure out if the patient is doing better or worse is a coin toss. It all comes down to recovery… what did she remember before? Does she remembered that still, and is she remembering more and more as each day goes by. To be completely honest with you, we usually ask the family how the patient is doing, as far as recalling memories go. I may not know how she's doing in that field, but you do. I'm not the one who's with her all the time, you are, you understand?" Joe sat back in his chair now. "So, tell me how she is with you."
Horatio nodded in understanding thinking where to begin now as he exhaled softly, "Ok, she um, she remembered her home and some of her surroundings. She didn't remember her co-workers and her job. But she did remember her father. I don't think she remembers much about us in the last two months, but she did remember the rose." Horatio smiled thinking about that.
Joe nodded to him remembering it himself. "Yeah, last week when you were both here, she wouldn't stop playing with it. She told me you gave it to her; she told me it was very special."
Horatio smiled thinking about the exact moment he gave it to her at the hotel. It was a crystal clear picture in his minds eye. He wished he could go back there now and change what happened to her. His own words began playing back in his mind. 'Calleigh you should go, you love talking ballistics, and you'll enjoy yourself.' He exhaled blaming himself now thinking, 'I told her to go.'
There was a knock on the door and Cathy came in with the films handing them to Joe. Calleigh followed and sat down next to Horatio reaching her hand over to hold his. He looked at her with a small smiled.
He whispered leaning over to her, "You ok?"
She nodded. "Yep, fine, it was over in no time, just like Joe said." She seemed happy to him now.
Joe clipped the films up and flipped on the light studying the pictures. He nodded and turned to sit back down.
"Ok, I have to send these to the Nero-radiologist just to be sure. It looks like a lot of the swelling went down, that's really good. I still see a small area that doesn't seem to be healing. He looked at Calleigh now. "Calleigh, do you remember ever hitting your head when you were younger, it would have had to put you in the hospital?"
She tucked her chin and made a wry face. She looked up at the ceiling and all around the room. "I don't… I don't remember…"
Horatio held her hand tighter. "It's alright, we just have to ask your dad, he'll know."
She snapped raising her voice now at him. "My dad! Forget it! I'm not asking him anything… and neither are you!"
Horatio looked down and remained quiet as Calleigh caught herself. She tilted her head back on the chair and looked up. "Oh my god… I'm sorry, Horatio… I just… I don't..." She let her head rest back and covered her face with her hands now upset.
"Hey, it's alright… it's alright Calleigh." Horatio said softly trying to sooth her.
She removed her hands and looked at Joe. "What is wrong with me, help me please?"
Joe got up and came around now leaning on his desk looking at the both of them. "How come you didn't tell me you're having headaches?"
She looked down sadly. "I knew he would just worry more and I don't want to keep coming back here. The headaches are not that bad Joe."
He shook his head at her. "Calleigh, I need you to be honest with me, how can I help you when I don't know what you're feeling."
She nodded. "I'm sorry, I didn't say anything."
"Well the scan said plenty, so please tell me the truth now."
She looked back up at him and then down. "I felt a little dizzy yesterday and I keep forgetting things."
He nodded. "You're also very irritable and moody, have you felt disoriented at all?"
She nodded. "No…"
Joe nodded and cross his arms on his chest. "Alright, here's what I think." He looked at Horatio now. "I think you should take her to work and let her get reacquainted with everything and everyone. I think she should talk to her family, which could help bring a lot back to her."
Calleigh put her hand up now stopping Joe. "Hang on, I'm right here, and I don't want to talk to my family. I'll go to work, I don't mind that but—"
Joe cut her off and spoke firmly now, "I didn't say to work. I said to reacquaint yourself with the people and the building. Are we clear on this? I'm not clearing you yet and you will need clearance from me, you understand?"
He looked at Horatio again. "I'll call you as soon as we have the blood results back. Until then I want her to rest and take an easy." He looked directly at Calleigh now. "Do I need to make myself any clearer? I can, and will re-admit you if you pass out again and don't listen to me. So please do as I say and take an easy, rest and try to enjoy your time off."
She nodded and narrowed her eyes on him glaring. Joe saw it and so did Horatio as she answered now, "I don't think it's possible to rest more than I already have."
Joe nodded. "Fine, what would you like to do?"
Her face went blank and she held his eyes. "I don't know… but I am sick of resting. How about…" She turned to Horatio now. "How about we go out one day this week and everyone from work can come too. I can be around my friends and have a good time being out… How's that sound?" She looked at Joe.
"That sounds fine. I think getting out and being around others will help your recovery."
She smiled and shook her head looking over at Horatio. "Is that ok with you?"
He grinned at her realizing she had to be going through so much right now. "That's sounds great to me too, I'll take you were ever you want to go."
She smiled, "Ok, we have a date."
Joe laughed as they both got up now.
Horatio was quick to shake his hand. "Thanks Joe, I feel better already." Horatio said as Calleigh said goodbye.
"Ok, just don't over do it." He looked at Horatio. "Don't keep her out to long, and I want her back here the end of the week."
"I won't Joe and we'll be here, thank you."
Horatio and Calleigh walked out now and headed over to the elevators leaving. Horatio took her over to the lab and walked with her as she began remembering little things. He watched her closely as she walked around in the firearms lab and the gun vault.
She raised her hand to the 45 automatic hanging on the wall and slid her fingers over the cold metal. She turned and looked at him. "Can I?"
He nodded. "Yes, its not loaded."
He watched her pick it up and test its weight. She held it aiming down now and squinted one eye. He smiled more and more as she began moving over each weapon, naming them now. 'She sure remembers her guns.' He thought with a smile.
She turned and looked at him. "Can I?"
"No, not yet, I'm sorry."
"You can stay right here with me; it's just to get a feel for it again."
She gave him such a pleading look he was having a hard time denying her now. "I'm sorry sweetheart, its not up to me. The rules are clear when firing a gun and you're in no condition for it. Maybe in a few days alright, I'll bring you back here when we can be alone."
She smiled at him and nodded. "That, sounds good."
"C'mon let's go say hello to Alexx."
Calleigh smiled reaching for his hand and he turned to her looking very hesitant now. She was confused with him now and quickly doubted herself. "What's wrong, did I do something?"
"No sweetheart, we just didn't announce our… relationship yet. No one here knows about it except Alexx."
She nodded and gave him a very confused look. "Oh… ok, I'm sorry Horatio."
He exhaled now feeling terrible. One minute he wants her to remember and the next he wants her to act like nothings going on between them. He shook his head at her now. "No, don't be sorry, this is my fault and I promise to make it right, ok?"
She smiled and held his eyes drawling her words. "Ok, so lead on then."
He chuckled low walking now in front of her. They walked into post and Alexx looked up. "Hey, my two favorite CSI's."
Calleigh smiled at her. "Hi Alexx!" She said happily as her eyes suddenly went wide seeing the cut open, bloody body lying on the table. "Oh my god, that's a dead body…."
Alexx looked at Horatio as Calleigh turned and covered her mouth.
Horatio moved to her back very surprised asking softly, "Calleigh, are you ok?"
"Horatio, I think I… suddenly feel sick."
Calleigh honey, why don't you both wait for me in the lounge. Horatio, go ahead take her out of here."
"Ok, Alexx, we'll see you in a bit."
They both left and Horatio took her to the lounge and sat her down. He poured her a cup of coffee as Eric and Ryan walked in. She was relaxing on the couch feeling much better now.
"Hey Cal, how you feeling? Eric asked as Ryan nodded hello to her.
"Hey guys, I'm feeling better, thanks."
"We miss you Cal… I miss that smile of yours." Eric said sweetly to her.
She smiled and looked down blushing.
Ryan teased her now. "Look Eric you made her blush. You know Cal, I think we all really miss you and can't wait to have you back." Ryan said sincerely.
Horatio stood drinking his coffee and keeping an eye on her. He leaned back against the counter and listened to the conversation. His mind was still back in post however, he didn't stop to think that post would bother her. He made a mental note to remind himself each time he introduced her to something new. At least this way she had a little warning of what was coming.
"Thanks guys really, you both know how to cheer a girl up."
Alexx came walking in and Horatio was quick to pour her a cup of coffee, handing it to her now.
"Thank you honey." She took the cup and went and sat down near Calleigh.
"So, tell us what the doctor said honey."
"Well, he said I should… rest and reacquaint myself with my friends and job." She looked over to Horatio. He gave her a slight nod and smiled.
"So that's good news Calleigh. When do you have to see him again?"
"He said the end of the week. Oh yeah and I thought we could all go out one night, you know maybe have some fun." She smiled widely.
Alexx looked over at Horatio who nodded to her. "Sure baby, we would love to as long as you don't go throwing Ryan in the sand again"
Calleigh looked at Alexx confused. "I threw Ryan in the sand?"
"It's ok sugar, you were only kidding around."
Ryan chuckled. "Yeah, so was I… and I winded up on my ass."
They all laughed when Ryan said that and Calleigh smiled. "I guess it couldn't have been too bad."
The door opened and everyone went completely silent. Calleigh slowly turned and looked.
He nodded to everyone and then looked at Horatio. "Horatio, I need to speak with you."
Horatio's eyes narrowed on him and he nodded speaking in a soft smooth tone. "Rick, what can I do for you?"
"I need a moment of your time please… outside." He said, as he opened the door and looked at Horatio.
Horatio excused himself, putting his coffee on the counter and walked passed Rick and out the door as he followed.
"I'm glad to see CSI Duquesne is well."
Horatio rested his hands on his hips and looked down. "Thank you, Rick."
"I also see your team is working on three cases without you."
Horatio nodded. "Two cases Rick and Yes, I have complete confidence in my team, so what is this all about?" Horatio turned sideways. "Rick, don't you work for IAB? Why are you questioning my teams work?"
Rick smiled coldly at him now, "I'm just doing my job and keeping an eye on things, Horatio. Maybe that's what you should be doing." He said insinuatingly.
Horatio turned back to him now and leaned in closer letting his voice go dangerously low. "Rick, is there something you want to tell me?"
He nodded and gave him a smirk now, "Yeah Horatio there is, I'm watching you and your team. One of you will slip up soon enough and I'll be waiting." He glared at Horatio, "Don't think for one moment I'm forgetting what you did, you made me look like an ass!"
'You really don't need my help for that,' Horatio thought, as his eyes narrowed and he raised his brows speaking dangerously low, "Did I now... exactly how, did I do that Rick?" Horatio said, now resting his hands on his hips glaring at Rick, waiting for the snake to answer.
TBC...