Chapter 8.

As soon as they were back in Miami, Horatio took Calleigh to her place so she could rest. She still looked at him with insecure and scared eyes. He assumed she was scared she would try anything so he assured her he wouldn't touch her. She didn't respond to this, but said she wished to lie down to sleep, but required he'd stay, as she didn't want to be alone.

He said he would do that, but wanted to know if she wanted him in the bedroom with her or in the living room. She said living room as she preferred to be alone for now. He agreed and settled on the couch with one of her woman's magazines to make time pass.

He had never really cared for them as he in a way found that it was beyond crap. But now that he started to read it he found it most entertaining. He skipped the fashion pages, but he couldn't help but wondering what Calleigh would look like in some of the outfits.

As he turned the page to start reading about stories from real life, he heard a scream coming from the bedroom. He quickly put the magazine aside, only to run into her to see what the matter was. In her deep sleep she was terrified fighting an invisible enemy with all she got, before curling up, shivering in terror.

He sat down next to her and carefully put a hand on top of hers whispering, "Calleigh, it's OK, you are safe."

She opened her eyes and looked at him very much confused saying, "Horatio, it was horrible."

"I know it must have been and I think it will take some time to get pass it," he said.

"If I ever can," she said, looking at him with sad eyes.

"I will help you, I must ask you a couple of things," he said.

She nodded and he said, "How did you end up in that situation in the first place?"

"Well as you know me and some friends were out. It was so much fun and then I meet Angelo at the bar and let me buy me a drink. That's the last I remember. When I woke up I was in that tiny room, hurting everywhere and I at once knew what he had done," her voice was shivering now.

Horatio nodded and said, "I know you have been through a lot, but I just want to be sure that you haven't gotten anything. Would it be OK if I had a doctor look at you?"

Again she looked at him with insecure eyes saying, "Do I really have to? I mean I really don't think I would feel comfortable with that right now. Having someone else down there."

"I understand so I was thinking about asking Alexx, would you be OK with that?" he asked.

"Yes, but I want you there, not looking, but…" she said.

"I can do that, I will call her tonight and take the day off tomorrow so we can do it," he said.

"You really don't need to do that, you've already done enough," she said as she felt badly about it.

"Please, don't worry about it, I just want you to get better," he said.

"Thank you," she said with a huge yawn, before closing her eyes to get some more rest, under his protection.


It was around noon the next day that Calleigh laid spread on Alexx's table. The older woman was examining her closely before telling her to putting her cloths back on. She had done what to Calleigh felt like were a dozen blood tests on her moments before.

As Calleigh slowly got dressed Alexx said, "I am sorry Calleigh, but those injuries will take a long time to heal."

"I already assumed as much," said the blonde.

"If it does hurt I can prescribe something for the pain to make it heal faster," she said.

"That would be at great help," said Calleigh and smiled vaguely at her.

"Horatio, can we please go, I just want to be alone," she said, turning to him with pleading eyes.

"Of course, I just need a quick word with Alexx, then I will take you home, if that is OK," he said.

"Just…make it fast," she said, leaving the room.

"So…?" Horatio questioned.

"It is worse than I first thought, but as I said, it will heal," she said.

"After what she has been through that is not surprising, I am however more concerned about her psychical and emotional damage," he said.

"I have to be honest with you Horatio. I've never seen her like this before, this scared and insecure. She will need support and a lot of it for the coming time, most likely around the clock. She will have nightmares and most likely also panic attacks. I don't know for how long. She might also be depressions and abstinence, now that the drugs are leaving her. My question is do you think you can handle that?" said Alexx in a very serious tone.

"I have no choice, that woman out there is one of my best friends, if not the best. I care deeply for her and I want to help her in any way possible. If that is around the clock, well then be it," he said.

"OK, but promise to call me or anyone else if you feel like you cannot handle it," said Alexx.

"I promise, and thank you," he said and gave her a smile.

"You are welcome and good luck," said Alexx.

He nodded as he left, while she wondered if he really would manage to handle what he had ahead.


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