Chapter: 9

One of those nights:

Calleigh stood in the layout lab looking over some pictures from their case this morning. It was interesting too, because they didn't have to look far for a gun or any evidence it was all right in front of their faces. The gun that was used, a 45, was placed right next to their victim. There were no finger prints on it though so that put a damper on things but they were a great team and Calleigh had no doubt in her mind that they would all sooner or later catch who they were looking for. They gathered a lot of prints so she was hoping they would point them in the right direction.

Calleigh sighed and rubbed the back of her neck with her hand as she scooped up the pictures in the other. She was doing ok today, better than she expected and she liked to think a lot of that had to do with Eric. He was so sweet and gentle like he always was with her and the fact that he just listened to her last night and let her tell him a little how she felt about him without pressuring her into more, made it all the better. She looked up seeing someone walk into the room, Natalia stood there with a smile looking at the pictures Calleigh had scattered on the table.

"Hey – those the pictures from the scene this morning?" Natalia asked her while picking one of them up. Calleigh just nodded her head without saying anything. Natalia frowned for a moment and looked Calleigh in the eyes. "Y – You ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Calleigh said with her sweet southern accent. She gave Natalia a sweet somewhat uncomfortable smile. Natalia got the hint and didn't say anything more.

"So, I was thinking about maybe going out tonight. There's this new club that opened up in Coral Gables, you maybe wanna check it out?" Natalia asked her as Ryan and Eric walked into the room. Calleigh's eyes shot over to Eric as she blushed and smiled at him. Both Ryan and Natalia picked up on it and wondered what that was all about, but neither said anything.

"What's this I hear about going out?" Ryan asked being nosy as usual.

"I was telling Calleigh that there is this new club that just opened up, its got a huge bar and salsa dancing, its called, Alcazaba. Thought maybe it would be nice if we all went out? Had a few drinks – maybe had some fun?" Natalia pressed on.

Ryan nodded his head crossing his arms over his chest looking at everyone. Eric moved a little closer to Calleigh and leaned against the table next to her. "I think that would be cool. What about you two?" Ryan asked.

Eric looked at Calleigh with a soft grin, it was his irresistible look, although Eric had many of those, this was among Calleigh's favorites. She tucked some hair behind her ear and looked down at the layout table again not saying anything. "Yeah we're in," Eric stated picking up on Calleigh's answer without her even having to say anything.

"Great! How about we meet there about nine?" Natalia asked looking around at the other three CSI's. They all nodded in agreement as Natalia and Ryan walked out together they left Calleigh and Eric alone in the room. Eric leaned up from the table and looked down at Calleigh just watching her slow careful movements. This was another one of those moments where they were dancing around their flirting, only to the both of them it meant more now. They had more insight on what each other felt for one another, so the tension was a little greater. But that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"You do want to go tonight, right?" Eric asked a little hesitantly now looking at her not really knowing if that was what she wanted. He wasn't her boyfriend or anything so who was he to make dissensions about what they wanted to do?

Calleigh just smiled and looked up at him; her eyes sparkled with love when she looked at him. "Yes. I – I want to go. Maybe having that kind of fun is what we need?" she said emphasizing the word we because she had done nothing but spent time with Eric the past two weeks none stop and now she couldn't imagine herself doing anything without him. Eric caught onto that and smiled letting his cheeks flush a light red color. "One thing though -," her accent heavy that time, "What do I wear to a club like that? I mean salsa dancing?" she chuckled lightly not sure why she asked him that, he was guy, but then again Eric knew these things better than she did.

"It's a Hispanic club, Cal. You can't do the salsa or dance in pants really, I mean for a woman I assume its uncomfortable," Eric said with a shrug and grin. "You do plan to dance with me right?" he said with the same grin only making it wider this time.

Calleigh cocked her brow and looked around the room then back up at him sucking in her bottom lip. "We'll see," she teased gathering up the rest of the photos. Eric knew that he could charm the panties right off of Calleigh if he wanted too and he was sure that he had more than a few times but she was good at not showing emotions at certain times. It was their work place so Eric didn't press any further.

/X/X/

The day seemed to go by so slow, but once the time came to leave Eric drove Calleigh back to her place to give her time to get ready for tonight. He said he would be back around 8:30 to pick her up, which gave Calleigh more than enough time to pick out something suitable for tonight's events. She was a little nervous, this wasn't an official date seeing how they were going out with two of their friends, but still going out and actually having fun it was going to be a slight challenge for her seeing how she had been feeling the past couple of days.

But Calleigh hated to be asked the same question over and over again, are you ok? So even though she wasn't completely ok she had to make it look like she was just so no one would ask her that tonight.

After her shower Calleigh wrapped the towel around her slender body and blow dried her hair. But instead of letting it hang straight like it always was, she let it fall with loose curls. She put on what little make up she did wear and headed for her bedroom to find something to wear.

Eric was nervous and excited about tonight. He knew that Calleigh was going to look breathtaking just as she always was. He hoped that he looked alright, he checked his face in his rearview mirror, skin smooth and tan and his smile never faded. His dark blue jeans fit perfectly around his waist and his white button up shirt was thin enough to see through. It was a hot night out so he didn't wear his usual undershirt, so his chest was noticeable in the right light. He cleared his throat before knocking on her door and when she answered they wore the same look on their faces. She was simply stunning. The light curls in her hair, the red strapless dress she wore fit every curve of her body perfectly, her cleavage was more than Eric thought he could take, but once his eyes caught onto her long slender legs he felt the urge to just push her against the door and kiss her passionately.

But he restrained.

"Muy bonita." Eric managed to say to her still stunned by her beauty.

Calleigh bit her bottom lip looking him up and down. She could see every curve of his chest through his shirt. The way he didn't button up the top three buttons almost made her melt. When he told her she looked very beautiful she blushed, "Gracias," she said with a smirk. "I have to say, you look – you look -," Calleigh couldn't find the words. There were no words to describe Eric Delko. In Calleigh's eyes he was all around perfect.

He chuckled and held out his hand as she took it. Calleigh didn't have to say anything to him about the way he looked; he could tell by the look on her face when she opened the door that he looked good enough to be with her tonight. That was all that mattered to him.

/X/X/

Once they got to the club Calleigh dialed Natalia's number to see where she and Ryan were. They eventually found them up in the corner of the club. The place was fantastically huge; the music was orgasmic through their ears. They all sat at one of those round booths that could hold up to ten people. Ryan and Eric went down to the bar to get both ladies drinks. Calleigh and Natalia made small talk and Natalia made sure to complement on how good Calleigh looked tonight. Which made Calleigh feel good to know that she didn't look like she was out of order again.

Once the guys came back Eric couldn't keep his eyes off of Calleigh, Ryan got a few glances in too. Eric slid in next to her as Ryan did with Natalia. Eric casually brought his hand back around Calleigh resting it against the back of the booth. She could feel his eyes on her as she bit the side of her lip taking a sip of her drink.

"So I hear H is getting out in a few days?" Natalia said breaking the verbal silents around them. The music was blaring; they all had to shout just to hear one another.

"Yeah, I talked to him this morning. He said he's feeling a little bit better. I think it also has to deal with Kyle going up to see him, made Horatio happy to see that his son was ok," Ryan stated taking a sip of his drink as he shot a glance at Calleigh again. She swallowed hard playing with the straw in her drink. She closed her eyes for a moment thinking back to that day in Rio. She shook her head like she was trying to shake the thoughts from her mind.

Eric saw her and lowered his head down moving some of her hair out of the way before he let his hot breath brush against her ear before speaking, "You alright, Querida?"

Calleigh shivered feeling him that close to her as she nodded her head with a gentle smile. Ryan and Natalia watched the two of them, they knew that Eric and Calleigh were best friends but they never really saw them this close before. Then again they were always around each other at work, so maybe they were friendlier outside of work?

Eric was working the nerve up to ask Calleigh to dance with him, sure he joked about it earlier, still he was shy about it. After a few drinks they all loosened up and laughed. Eric let his hand softly rub up and down Calleigh's back feeling her soft skin that the dress didn't touch she smiled and leaned into his touch. The song changed, causing Eric to bob his head a little with the beat. It was a salsa song, and he knew this was his moment. Eric nodded to Ryan; it was one of those nods for him to ask Natalia to dance so they all could be out on the floor.

Ryan chuckled and asked Natalia to dance, she must have said yes because she was smiling and scooting out of the booth with him. "Cal you wanna – you wanna dance?"

Calleigh smiled big and slid out of the booth with him. Eric took her hand in his, lacing his fingers with her own. It just felt natural to do that. He was feeling bolder than usual. Once they hit the dance floor he was surprised that Calleigh got in the right stance to do the salsa. He didn't take her for someone who knew that dance. He raised his brow looking down at her beautiful face as the multi –colored lights hit it.

The way she moved her hips with his was outstanding, she had every move down to a 'T', he was shocked that Calleigh never mentioned that she knew these dances before. Calleigh smiled up at him; once the song changed she moved her hands up his chest lightly and wrapped them around his neck. Eric just shook his head with a chuckle seeing that pleasing look on her face. "Didn't think I knew the salsa did you?"

Eric just shook his head moving his hands down along her sides feeling her every luscious curves until he rested them on her hips as they swayed back and forth with his. Calleigh let out a faint moan with the way his hands were driving along her body, it drove her completely insane. She pressed closer against Eric's body without caution and let herself fall into the depths of his eyes as she looked up at him. It was like she was deaf, the music was no longer playing and there were no people around, all she saw was him.

"Eric? W –What did you say to me that night? I mean before you left my condo you whispered something in Russian, w –what was it?" Calleigh asked him curiously. She watched his face change; he looked confused yet embarrassed somehow? "Eric?"

"Ya tebyA lyublyU," he repeated to her in a whisper with slight hesitation. He looked at her like he expected her to know what he was saying. "Cal, It means -," Eric started to say as he leaned down a little more his face mere inches from hers.

Then it happened, Bang, Bang, Bang.

Three gun shots overpowered the loud music. There was a sudden silents then screaming could be heard all around. Eric gripped onto Calleigh tightly getting down to the ground. They were off duty CSI's so they didn't have their guns with them. After a few minutes they heard Ryan yell out to them. Eric helped Calleigh up off the ground as they rushed to where they were. Ryan and Natalia were standing next to two bodies; a young couple both had bullets in their chest.

"This is CSI Delko we've just had a shooting at Club Alcazaba, two people have been shot, I repeat two people have been shot, send an ambulance right away!" Eric flipped his phone shut as he kneeled down next to Calleigh who was checking their pulses. She looked up at the three CSI's shaking her head. They were gone.

/X/X/

Calleigh sighed wrapping her arms around herself as she stood outside watching the night shift M.E. wheel the two bodies away. They had spent three hours helping out inside the club interviewing people and looking for evidence. Calleigh wasn't tired but she was ready to go, not just because of what happened but because it was hot out. Her somewhat curly hair had gone pin straight now because of the humidity.

She looked ahead to see Ryan and Eric walking straight for her. Natalia was still talking to some of the other CSI's about what happened. She and Ryan appeared to be closer then she and Eric were. She ran her fingers through her hair and looked up at both men. "Well this was a fun evening," she said a little sarcastically but in a joking way. Really Calleigh had a great time up until the part of the shooting.

Ryan chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair, "Yeah we should do it again real soon," Ryan said with a smirk. Natalia was waving for Ryan as he nodded over to her, "Eh, Boa Vista needs me. See you two tomorrow. Be safe, alright," Ryan said to them heading off to Natalia.

"Yeah you too, man," Eric called out to him as he turned to put all his focus back on Calleigh. She smiled up at him as he guided her over to the passenger's side and helped her in. "You tired, Cal?" Eric asked her once he got in and started the SUV up driving off.

"No, not really. I'm still wide awake, how about you?" she asked him softly.

"I'm pretty wired, myself," he said with a light chuckle. He looked ahead and turned down the road that was a few blocks from his place. Calleigh smirked wondering what he was doing. "Since my place is right along the south end of the beach you wanna – maybe continue our walk from the other day?" he said to her with a smile of charm.

Calleigh just smiled looking ahead as he pulled into his driveway. "I'd like that," she finally whispered to him. The beach. She remembered that day all to well and not just because it was the day that Horatio was shot but that was the day/night her and Eric became just a little bit closer. She got out of his SUV and walked up to his house stepping inside with him as he walked right for his back patio door after flipping on the living room lights. She smiled and walked over to his couch slipping off her heals as he, too, slipped off his shoes. She watched him walk down the hall as she stood up and slipped out his back patio door.

Calleigh moved down the steps and stood at the bottom waiting for him. It was a little cooler at night down by the ocean; the wind blew lightly but just enough to give her a chill. She looked up seeing Eric holding a blanket with a grin on his face as he casually slipped his arm around her waist walking down the beach line with her. Once they got a little ways from his place he placed the blanket down in the sand and walked with her over to the edge of the water.

The way the waves were crashing it was like perfect music, only a few crickets could be heard and the moon… the moon was just beautiful. The night was romantic and perfect. Calleigh moved a little more towards the water feeling Eric behind her. He was close enough that she felt his body heat radiate onto hers which caused her to shiver. She felt his large warm hands run up and down along her smooth arms to warm her. Calleigh shivered once more but this time it was because of his touch. "Cold?" Eric whispered into her ear letting his fingers drag down along her arms to meet her fingers as he linked them together and brought his hands around her petite waist.

Calleigh cooed softly feeling his body pressed up against hers from behind. She cuddled her back into his chest and just nodded with a light moan. She opened her mouth to say something about what happened at the club tonight, but she didn't want to ruin the moment by bringing up the shooting. She instead leaned her head back against his chest and looked out at the water. It was so peaceful being with Eric. Eric almost couldn't believe that she was letting him get this close to her, but then again he could believe it. "You never finished telling me what those words meant?" Calleigh finally whispered squeezing his hands and guiding him to hold her closer against his body.

She could hear him sigh; she hoped it was nothing bad? She looked over her shoulder and felt his lips brush along the side of her face and ear. "You –you sure you want to know that, Cal?" Eric whispered back to her almost in a seductive tone. She nodded her head very lightly and swallowed hard. "Ya tebyA lyublyU, is Russian for… for…" Eric hesitated for a moment. This was it, now or never. "I – I love you," he finally said. He froze there not moving. He was afraid she was going to freak out on him now that he finally said it to her. Eric kept his body in the same position it was, his lips brushing along her ear, only his breathing increased massively.

Calleigh could feel his heart pumping against her back. Her chest was doing the same thing; her heart rate was out of control. She wanted to say it back to him because she did love him, but her lips wouldn't move. She stayed in his grasp and just turned her body to face him. Her chest pressed hard into his as the small puddles in her eyes shown against the moonlight. Eric had a look of panic on his face. Was that the wrong thing to say? But when he saw her smile he knew it was ok. Calleigh opened her mouth but Eric quickly moved his finger over her lips shaking his head lightly.

"No – I'm not asking for you to say it back, Calleigh. I – I just want you to know that, I'm – I'm in love with you," Eric whispered out to her seriously and lovingly and before she could even say anything. Before she could even tell him to shut up because she was in love with him too it happened.

His lips crushed against hers. If it wasn't the Fourth of July why were there fireworks going off? Ok maybe they weren't real but Calleigh knew she heard them. Eric could have sworn he did too, or maybe it was just the bullet in his brain playing tricks on him again? Whatever it was, it was magic. His tongue traced the outline of her perfect lips before slipping it between her teeth to match his tongue with her own. The gentle caress was so soothing it was everything Calleigh imagined it to be when she kissed Eric. The world was no longer around them; it was like they were the only two people that existed.

After a few minutes they pulled away unwillingly to catch their breath. Eric leaned down a little to rest his forehead against hers. They had matching smiles. "Our secret?" Eric whispered to her against her lips. She nodded her head against his and stretched up on her tippy toes to capture his lips once more for a tender much needed passionate kiss.

This had to be their secret for now. Calleigh didn't want to be forced to the night shift or Eric for that matter.

Chapter: 10 Is COMING SOON!! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter too?

The reviews are SO awesome!! I love you guys.  TexasJen, I wrote this from inspiration from your words. Thank you!!