After a whole night of thorough thinking Eric still hadn't made up his mind. He considered all the pros and cons and decided that he would just carry on as it was for now. Ryan and Natalia had tried talking to Eric again but the responses were no different from before, just a few nods and long sighs. Eric knew that he had to cheer up soon as today was a special day, it was Calleigh's birthday. Calleigh had invited a few of her closer colleagues to the pub after work, and Eric was glad that he was one of them. Now the only difficulty was finding her a present. If it had been before the shootout she would still be his girlfriend and he could have bought her flowers, chocolate, taken her out to an expensive restaurant and spent a night at her place. But things were different now; he was just one of her friends and so, choosing an appropriate present was important. He therefore decided to consult the only other girl-friend he had at the lab, Natalia.

'Hmm, this is hard. I'd say to get her flowers but you wouldn't want to be too up front about the fact that you have feelings for her. I'd suggest chocolate, but that's too normal, you need something that will make your present stand out from the rest,' Natalia advised.

'So what are you getting her?' asked Eric.

'I'm not telling you! It's a surprise!' said Natalia.

'Great, so how am I going to know if my present is going to be better then yours?' asked Eric.

'Eric, your present will never be as good as mine,' said Natalia cheekily, 'but that doesn't mean it won't be the most special, just think through all the memories with her and see what would be special to her.'

Eric let out a long sigh and said, 'Maybe I should just get her shower gel or a bath bomb.'

'NO!' Natalia shouted, 'absolutely not! Shower gel equals I-can't-be-bothered-to-think-up-a-good-present-therefore-here's-some-dove. Baths bomb indicates I-got-this-last-Christmas-but-I'm-never-going-to-use-it-so-here-it-is. You still have 5 hours to find a good present. Now if you don't mind I have three DNA samples to analyse.'

*At Calleigh's Birthday Drink*

'Happy birthday Calleigh!' Natalia and Ryan said together. They both handed their presents to Calleigh. Natalia got Calleigh a gun cleaning kit. Ryan got Calleigh a box of chocolates.

'Oh, you guys didn't need to get me a present. But thanks anyway,' said Calleigh,

She was wearing a short pink dress tonight, which created a contrast from the working Calleigh who almost always wore black. Just as she finished hugging Ryan and Natalia, Horatio walked into the pub.

'Happy birthday Calleigh, I'm sorry I didn't get you anything so please, let me pay for tonight's bill,' said Horatio.

'Horatio, you don't have to do that'

'No, I insist.'

'Hey, that was going to be my birthday present to her, but you beat me to the punch,' Jake complained as he entered the pub. 'Happy birthday Cal,' said Jake giving Calleigh a quick kiss on the cheek, 'but thank goodness I still got you something. Here, Happy birthday.' Jake handed a small envelope to Calleigh.

Calleigh looked at the envelope with curiosity and opened it slowly. It was two tickets to see Don Giovanni. Calleigh sighed with watery eyes, 'Jake…you still remember'. She was so moved by Jake's present.

'Of course, that's where we went for our first date. So next Saturday I'll pick you up at 5,' said Jake giving Calleigh a quick wink.

Calleigh nodded and gave Jake a huge hug. Just as she pulled away she saw Eric standing by the door of the pub, whose facial expression was impossible to read. Calleigh, who was confused by Eric's mood, greeted him first, 'Hey! Eric you've made it, better late then never,' said Calleigh giving Eric a quick smile.

'Sorry, it took me a while to find the…right present for you. Well, happy birthday Calleigh,' said Eric handing over a bunch of flowers and a small box.

'Oh, thank you Eric! Those flowers are beautiful,' said Calleigh.

'Well, someone once told me that girls like flowers,' said Eric looking at Calleigh hopefully.

'Whoever that was, she was right, thank you so much. What's in the box?' said Calleigh.

Eric, disappointed with another failure, answered, 'open it and see.'

Calleigh gently tore the wrapping paper and found a small transparent box containing truffles, Grandine Truffles to be precise.

'Oh my gosh Eric! These are my favourites. You can't even get them in Miami,' said Calleigh.

'I know, I had to go out of town to get them that's why I was a bit late, I hope you like your presents.'

'Eric, I love them. But how do you know I love those truffles?' asked Calleigh, confused as she had never told anyone about her love for Grandine Truffles.

'I'm psychic, didn't you know?' said Eric with his cheeky smile.

After a few drinks it was getting close to midnight. Horatio was the first one to notice the time and told his team that he expected them to all be on time the following morning.

'Calleigh once again, happy birthday and I will see you tomorrow,' said Horatio getting out his credit card to pay for the bill.

'Hey Eric, do you want to take Calleigh home I think she's had a little bit too much to drink,' hinted Ryan.

'Hey, Eric I didn't come by car, do you think you could drop me off, too?' asked Jake.

Ryan shot Jake an angry look from behind and said, 'Jake I can take you and Natalia.'

'Wouldn't it be easier if Jake came with Eric and me, he lives just down the road from me?' said Calleigh.

'Sure Jake, let's get going,' agreed Eric unwillingly.

The car journey was practically silent. They arrived at Calleigh's place first.

'Calleigh we're at your place,' said Eric quietly.

'Already here? OK, well, I'll see you guys tomorrow. Thanks for taking me home Eric,' said Calleigh, She got out of the car and walked slowly towards the front door.

Jake suddenly leapt out of the car and ran towards Calleigh. They started talking but Eric could not hear anything; this was a moment when he wished that he could lip read. They talked for about 5 minutes. Then slowly Jake's right hand rose to touch Calleigh's cheek. Eric could sense that something was about to happen that he didn't want to see. Jake suddenly leaned towards Calleigh to close the gap between their lips. Eric wished that he had the strength to drive away; he wished that he had the strength to look away, but he couldn't do either. His eyes were fixed on the couple who were now embracing in each other's arms, pulling each other closer. At this moment Eric made his decision.

It's too late, he thought.

OK, not a particularly good chapter for hiphugger fans but things are going to get better soon!!! bare with me!

(I am a huge hiphugger fan)