Author's note: First of all, thanks for all the great reviews. It just keeps me coming back to write more. I'm trying to keep this as in canon as I can and, despite the writers' strike and the, what I call, "distraction" with Jake, I firmly believe that the writers will finally pair up Eric and Calleigh.

I'm running a little dry on ideas, so suggestions would be appreciated. Remember, I'm trying to keep it in canon.

Good Morning

Eric awoke refreshed and relaxed for the first time in a long time. He had slept more soundly than he remembered ever doing. He was home and in his own bed; nobody waking him at midnight to give him a sleeping pill to put him back to sleep. Gradually, he became aware of a soft, warm weight pressing down on his left side. Opening his eyes, he found himself looking down at a familiar blonde head resting on his chest. She was curled up halfway on top of him, snuggled in.

How had he actually been able to fall asleep with Calleigh there?Or maybe that was it; he could sleep with Calleigh there. He tried to remember a single night in his long hospital stay when he had fallen asleep without Calleigh at his bedside. He couldn't remember a single one. She had always been there, every night until he finally could fall asleep. Just how much did she really care?

Ever-so-gently, so as not to wake her and ruin the few moments that he had with her completely unguarded before him,he ran his fingers through her silky hair, releasing a soft vanilla scent as he did so. He breathed it in deeply, reveling in it's sweetness and warmth. This moment in time was a rarity and Eric knew it. No one got as close to Calleigh as he was just then. No one saw her as relaxed, unguarded and vulnerable as she was all curled up against him. He smiled to himself; she was a cuddler.

She made a soft sound and wrinkled her nose, her hand coming up to rub at an itch and Eric knew his moment had passed. He closed his eyes and feigned sleep as she opened hers. He didn't want awkwardness to ruin everything.

Calleigh rubbed her nose a second time, coming fully awake. She was snuggled up against something warm and soft and comforting. She stretched her left arm out and around this soft, warm, comforting thing. That's when she remembered where she was and in whose bed she'd slept. Her eyes shot open and to her relief, found Eric's closed. She let herself drink in his sleeping face, peaceful and almost boyish in relaxation. Unable to stop herself, she ran a gentle hand down his morning rough beard, trailing a light finger over his lips before settling her hand back on his chest, feeling the soft rise and fall beneath her palm. She laid her head back down.

It was a miracle to her that she had been able to fall asleep sharing a bed with him. But, as she thought about it, it really was no mystery. She knew on the day that he had been shot that she'd never be able to sleep without seeing with her own eyes that he'd be alright and even on that first night just knowing wasn't enough. She had slept all night with her head on his chest, her only reassurance had been his steady breathing and gentle beat of his heart. Every night after that, she visited him, staying until he fell asleep, more nights than not, she fell asleep as well, only to be woken by the morning shift as they checked in. She'd run home for a quick shower and a refresher before heading back into the Lab. It had been exhausting, but it would have been worse if she hadn't done it.

Reluctantly, she rolled away from him onto her side of the bed before getting up. She left the bed slowly and gently so as not to wake him and padded out into the kitchen to start some coffee and make them both a little breakfast.

Hearing his door quietly snick shut, Eric opened his eyes and stretched, a smile on his lips, secure in the knowledge that if what he had just felt from her was any accurate indication, she had feelings for him as much as he had feelings for her. Now began the delicate ballet that they were going to have to dance if they didn't want to ruin their friendship as well as any possible romantic relationship between them. If he knew Calleigh as well as he thought he did, it was going to take a while and she was most likely going to have to be the one that made the first move and it would only be when she was absolutely ready.

"Time to put on my dancing shoes," Eric chuckled to himself as he threw back the covers and got out of bed. He crossed the room and made his way down the hall to the kitchen. Calleigh had turned on one of the numerous country music stations in Miami and was busy scrambling eggs. The smell of frying chorizo spiced the air. He stood there and watched her in her domestic display and thought that he could get very used to it. Rest of his life used to it.

"Good morning," he said quietly, not wanting to startle her.

She half-turned toward him, most of her attention on keeping the eggs and chorizo moving in the frying pan. "Good morning, yourself. How did you sleep?"

Eric poured himself a glass of orange juice and sat at the kitchen table. "Like a baby. How about you? Were you comfortable? I know how it is trying to sleep in a bed that's not yours."

"I slept great." An awkward silence fell as she tried to concentrate on the eggs.

"I didn't snore or anything, did I?" Eric asked, trying to break the tension.

She divided the eggs onto two plates, retrieving a pile of toast as well. She brought it all to the table. "No, you don't snore."

"You do," he said with a glint of mischief in his eyes as he took a large forkful.

"I do not! You're so lying!" Calleigh laughed, throwing her napkin at him.

Eric chuckled and continued eating. "These are the best eggs I've ever tasted. What did you do to them?"

"Heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder and a little cayenne. You know I worked in a restraunt kitchen when I was in college," she said nonchalantly.

"You know, if you promise to make breakfast in the morning, you can stay over whenever you want," Eric commented around more eggs.

Calleigh laughed. "So you only want me around for my cooking?"

"And your charming personality and sparkling wit." Eric grinned at her. The dance was going good so far. "I have hydrotherapy this morning but I'd like it if you came along."

"I thought that you're leg is alright now," Calleigh said, suddenly concerned.

"It is. I need to work on my motor skills. Today Doctor Taylor was going to have me meet him at the University pool. I thought we could swim a few laps afterward. That is if you don't have anything planned," Eric said.

"We'd have to stop back at my place so I can get my suit, but sure, why not? But then you're straight back here to rest. Horatio wants you to come in and start working on your proficiencies on Monday. Take the vacation while you can," Calleigh advised. "We're running like mad being one short."

"Great! Are there any more eggs? I'm starving."