Title: Til' Death do us Part
Chapter 11 – Taken!

A/N: wow last chapter had the least reviews for the story…do you still want more or are you bored? Please review and let me know if I should continue…thanks!

"I know you're not asleep," Calleigh said later that night as she felt Eric continue to toss and turn.

"Too much on my mind…my father… both of them…my mom…the hit…the note, Jake, the meeting, the coming report…all of it. I just can't seem to quiet the voices; the threats, the angry words…none of it," he huffed in the dark.

"I wish I could take it away," she said softly.

"Yeah me too," he said pulling her closer. "I keep telling myself now that mom and dad know they'll work through this and come out okay. But then again she did betray my father, Pavel with Alexander and now…that's why my other siblings even Marisol wouldn't have been affected by this. An affair…how will he move past it?"

"Depends how strong their love is. Would you?" She asked.

"Course I would, I love you very much," Eric replied in haste.

"You say that now but much like your father when you have had time to ponder it…"

"And that is part of my stress," he sighed. They lay in silence for a bit longer; Eric's mind a mix of worry and strife and Calleigh's a mix of Eric's fears and future threats.

"Got any good remedies for sleep deprivation?" He asked with a heavy sigh. "Anything that will tire me out?"

"A midnight jog?" She teased.

"Not exactly what I had in mind…actually I was thinking of a sleep aid," he told her with a frustrated sigh.

"A sleeping pill?" She asked in concern.

"Just this once…seriously Calleigh I just can't seem to quiet my mind and nothing…and I do mean nothing will take those voices away!" He huffed in frustration.

"Okay," she resigned as she slowly turned on the small bedside light and hurried into the kitchen. She came back with the pill and a small glass of water. "Just don't get dependant on these."

"I won't," he frowned. "Thanks." Eric downed the pill and then snuggled back up to Calleigh and tried to sleep. Sleep did come but it was still fitful and troubled; regardless of the drugs in his system.

Calleigh slowly opened her eyes the following morning to find Eric still asleep beside her. His face was warm and there were tiny droplets of sweat on his forehead. She frowned and then gently touched his face – it was warm.

"I'm not sick…just tired," he noted as he forced his sleepy eyes open.

"Didn't work?"

"You know I think we should invest in some kind of home gym…just a punching bag or weights or something," he started. "I read somewhere that exercise before bed helps you sleep."

"And you don't get enough of that?" She pouted.

"I meant the other kind of exercise," he smiled.

"You mean the boring kind."

"Exactly," he stated.

"Well I don't mind…we do have that small spare study. I think it would be perfect."

"Okay," he said moving in for a kiss.

They went about getting ready for the day and then headed into work. "Well today I my progress report from Eddie Fisher goes in," Eric said as they walked into the lab.

"Well at least it will only be a couple more days after that right?"

"Right…one down…a million to go," he stated. "And at least no Jake…" he finished with a smile. "I think today is going to be a good day."

"See you after work," she smiled.

"You bet."

XXXXXXXX

Jake, however, sat outside the building in an unmarked van, his plan still continuing to formulate in his mind. He checked his watch and knew he was due at the rendezvous point for his new case in an hour.

He turned his van into traffic and drove away.

"See Eric…soon she'll be mine…"

XXXXXXXX

"No doubt it's Sarnov," Eric overheard Ryan talking as he walked past the lab. He stopped and just waited until Ryan hung up.

Ryan eyed Eric and looked up. "Hey buddy, what's up?"

"Sarnov…a new Russian Mob case?" He asked in hesitation.

"Yeah…something new," Ryan frowned. "I just can't get anyone to help me with this."

"What do you need?"

"At the scene there is one piece of the puzzle left and I need…"

"Backup?" Eric asked sourly.

"Sorry man…never mind I'll go alone," Ryan stated. "It'll be okay."

Eric struggled with his sense of duty and his sense of loyalty. He couldn't just let his friend and partner go alone into a scene with the Russian Mob and he couldn't just do nothing either.

"I could drive," he offered; knowing he'd probably come to regret it later.

"Eric, you can't," Ryan said quietly. "If Rick was to find out…"

"He won't…right? You can't go alone," Eric insisted.

"He won't," Calleigh said walking into the room. "And you are not going," she stated firmly.

Eric looked at her with a frown. "Ah yeah okay…" he said looking back at Ryan. "So do you need my help?"

"Eric," Calleigh said quickly.

"Calleigh I got this," Eric replied.

"No you don't," she stated firmly.

"Oh marriage spat," Ryan said lightly. "I'm staying out of this one," he said backing away, turning and hurrying out of the room.

"Eric you can't break protocol," Calleigh told him.

"Calleigh this involves the Russian Mob and I wasn't going to let him go alone," he insisted. "And it's not safe for you either. You remember that note from yesterday," he said when Ryan was away.

"But it was your father who told you not me to stop investigating the mob. What happens when you show up at a mob scene…think they'll ignore that!" She reminded him in anger.

"Look if you weren't here then I would have gone!" He shot back. But then he realized what he said and felt immediately guilty.

"Oh…so…if you would have gone and they knew, then my life would have meant nothing to you?"

"No…Calleigh I swear I didn't…"

"Think? You're right, you didn't think," she hissed in a quiet tone. "Being married means you think about someone other than yourself. I guess you'll need to work on that."

"I said I was sorry," he insisted.

"You say that now because you know I'm mad," she told him. "But if I wasn't here, would you have gone? In truth…would you?"

Eric looked at her with a deep frown; knowing inside he probably would have gone, not really thinking about the consequences until it was too late.

"I…"

"You need to think about the bigger picture, Eric. That bigger picture is us," she told him; trying to calm herself down. "Not you."

"Okay already, I'm sorry," he rushed.

"We'll see," she said turning to leave.

"Calleigh…"

"Eric, think on this," she said looking at him. "If I do go to this scene and something does happen…what will your last memory of us be?"

Eric watched her leave and then hit the desk in anger; thankfully he was alone, but still offered a heavy curse and then another bang to the piece of furniture. Not really realizing that he would be forced to remember her words when she didn't come back.

XXXXXXXX

Calleigh stormed into her locker room and banged the metal door with her boot. She finally took a few deep breaths and then headed outside to see Ryan.

"You know I didn't mean to cause any problems," he offered with a slight frown. "Sorry if I did."

"It's not you…it's Eric," she moaned. "He's still…"

"Getting used to the idea of putting you before himself?"

"Thinking about the bigger picture is not his thing," she huffed as they neared the Hummer. "Oh well he can stew a bit."

"Man chicks are rough on us poor saps," Ryan smiled.

Calleigh offered a smile as her phone went off. She looked at the message and then up at Ryan.

"What?" He asked; as Natalia walked up to them.

"I just got a call about the Rider case. I guess I need to pick up something, can you take Natalia with you instead?" Calleigh asked, referring to the phony message Jake sent her.

"Sure," he replied as she turned to leave. "And Calleigh…Eric will come around…"

"He better," she smiled. "Or I'll kill him and you can work the scene."

"Ohhh hell hath no fury," he teased.

Calleigh headed for her Hummer and got in. She stared at the building in misery. "Oh Eric…you better come around."

She drove the Hummer away from the building; unaware of the trap Jake set and that he was already waiting for her. Her mind trailed off to the discussion about his family. He she told him she had an affair and if she had a son he thought was his and then she told him it wasn't, how would he react? Eric said things were strained but then he also said his mother just told his father the day of the dinner. And did she tell him the whole truth? What else would Eric have to contend with?

Calleigh reached the scene her mind racing with worried thoughts; her guard not as high as it usually would be.

However, she wasn't alone…there was another set of eyes watching besides Jake.

XXXXXXXX

Eric continued to storm around the lab; his bad mood starting to be the discussion point among his colleagues.

"This damn thing won't work!" He muttered in frustration.

"Well hitting things is never the answer," Maxine told him with a frown.

"Then you do it!" He snapped. He quickly stepped back and sighed. "Sorry, didn't mean to lose my temper. Can you help?"

"Sure," she said slowly. She took the piece of machinery from his hands and started to fix what he had done.

Eric continued to pace the small space. He had told himself when they got married and then had to work closely that he wouldn't allow differences between them to affect those around them or their jobs. Now he was failing at the very words he had told himself not to fail at.

Maxine fixed the item and then let him get back at his task. Eric settled into the next item; but his mind wasn't even near the lab. It was in the Hummer with Calleigh…where he assumed Ryan was with her.

Calleigh neared the site and frowned. "Looks abandoned," she said as of the house that was once their crime scene. It was a small shack on a construction site; the same site that Jake had saved her life the day before.

She stopped the Hummer and looked around; her eyes searching for any signs of Eric's father; not realizing that Alexander Sharova was the least of her worries at the moment. She exited the Hummer and slowly headed for the building; her heart starting to beat a bit faster.

Jake hovered in the shadows…waiting.

XXXXXXXX

Eric finished his task and continued to wait for Calleigh to arrive; her tardiness was making his anxiety grow higher with each passing minute.

"You're worse than a woman," Eddie noted; making Eric stop his useless pacing.

"Ah I screwed up," he huffed. "And now I have to make amends."

"She's got you on a tight leash," he smiled.

"But it was something I should have known…I'm just so used to thinking only of me and…"

"And you made a decision that affects her without asking or telling her?" Eddie finished.

"Are you clairvoyant or something?" Eric smiled.

"Nope, just been married longer than you," Eddie smiled in return. "Don't worry…she'll finish whatever she has to do and then be back. Then it's groveling time."

"You know I think I might miss these chats," Eric said as he walked into the evidence room once again.

"Hurry back, Calleigh…please," he begged in a whispered sorrow.

XXXXXXXX

Calleigh neared the entrance to the building and then stopped; once again listening for anything that might betray its hiding place to her.

Yeah nice try Calleigh, Jake thought. You won't see me until it's too late.

Calleigh finally headed inside and then pulled out her flashlight and looked around. "What on earth…there is nothing here…" she uttered.

Jake finally produce himself from the shadows and rushed behind her; sticking a gun in her back.

"Actually I'm here," he whispered sharply.

"Jake!" She hissed as she tried to turn around.

Jake, however, yanked her side arm and then fairly threw her to the ground.

"Jake, stop this!" Calleigh yelled as she felt him jump on top of her and pull her arms painfully behind her.

"I like it when you struggle beneath me," he stated firmly as he produced a pair of handcuffs and captured her wrists.

"What are you doing?" She snapped in anger.

"Well if I can't have you…then why should Eric?"

"Jake, you might…" she started only to have a piece of cloth forced between her lips and tied behind her head; gagging her.

"We'll talk later," he smiled as he pulled her up to face him.

Calleigh glared at him in anger and hatred but knew Jake had just taken things to the next level.

Jake planted a kiss on her lips and then pulled back and slapped her face hard. "Unlike Eric…I know how to treat a real woman." Calleigh eyes watered but she just glared at him in hatred.

He started to drag her further into the darkness; Calleigh tried to fight him off but was held fast by his strong arms.

"Hope you and Eric enjoyed some quiet time this morning," Jake whistled as he pulled Calleigh toward the waiting van on the other side of the building.

Calleigh continued to struggle against her bonds but to no avail; she was caught. ERIC! Her mind yelled. HELP ME!

Jake opened the van door and shoved her inside before getting in beside her. Calleigh kicked him hard in the leg to which she only received a harsh fist to her stomach; making her eyes instantly water. Calleigh fell back on her side, cursing herself for now allowing Jake to bind her ankles.

"Hope you like your new home," he smiled.

Calleigh screamed muffled yells into the gag but Jake only laughed and then got into the front seat and started up the van. Calleigh lay her head down on the side of the van and closed her watery eyes.

Eric, I'm so sorry…you have to find me…please find me before it's too late.

XXXXXXXX

Eric watched the elevator willing it to open. When it finally did he spied Ryan and Natalia only; where was Calleigh?

"How did it go?" Eric asked quickly.

"Ah it was okay…Mr. Forgetful here forgot a key piece of evidence," Natalia said holding up the bag for him to see.

"I thought Calleigh went with you?" Eric asked; a sense of panic starting to develop.

"Nope. She got a call about the Rider case," Ryan told him. "She should be back soon."

"She went alone?" Eric asked in fear.

"She's a big girl," Natalia smiled.

"Right," Eric said as he walked away. He quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Calleigh's number; willing her to answer. "Come on…where are you?"

"How predicable," Jake said as he heard Calleigh's phone ringing. "Sorry Eric…but Calleigh doesn't want to talk to you right now," Jake laughed.

Calleigh heard her phone and then tried to maneuver herself to reach it. Jake looked back and noticed what she was doing. He quickly stopped the van and then rushed to her side; snatching the phone before she could push the 'send' button to answer it.

"Yeah nice try my love," Jake smiled down at her. "But our poor little immigrant won't be able to talk to his mail order bride for quite some time…if at all!" He laughed. "Besides I'm sure you would have tired of his pathetic ability to screw his life and yours!"

"Don't cry," Jake soothed as he pushed some hair off her face. "I know you'll warm up to me soon…and if not…oh well…"

He left her with those words and then got back into the front seat and continued toward their intended destination.

Eric…Calleigh lightly cried; tears continuing to escape her eyes and rest on the floor of the van. Please find me…please…

XXXXXXXX

Eric listened to the empty rings and left a message. He tried to keep himself busy but with his father's ominous note from the day before he was certain something was wrong.

Jake finally pulled into his hiding place; thinking no one would ever be able to find them and stopped the van. However, he was wrong.

"Ready for some fun?" He asked Calleigh with a broad smile, turning to her with an evil glare. "I sure am."

Calleigh shook her head no…trying to tell him not to proceed with his present course. Jake, however, didn't care. He got into the back and pushed the doors open and then turned back to her.

Calleigh tried to kick him away but his strong arms just by passed her kicking legs and pulled her up and then over his shoulder. He patted her ass, making her even angrier. He carried her into the dark room; sealing the heavy doors behind them.

ERIC! Her mind yelled again. HELP ME!

XXXXXXXX

Eric looked at the clock and then tried her again. "She can't still be mad," he said hurrying to find Horatio.

"Hey can do you please do me a favor…can you just call Calleigh…I don't care as to the reason but…something's wrong…I just know it."

"You two had a fight this morning?"

"More like a difference of opinion…please?" Eric begged. "I have called several times but she usually hasn't ignored me like this."

Horatio dialed Calleigh's number and then listened to the empty rings.

"Ryan said she got a call about the Rider case and something that was left…"

"Eric, nothing was left. I cleared that scene myself, yesterday," Horatio told him firmly.

"We have to…"

"You have to stay here," Horatio directed.

"There is no way. I'll stay in the Hummer…H, I swear I just need to come with you. Please…she's my wife," Eric begged in misery. "I can't just wait here."

Horatio looked at him with a frown but knew he couldn't say no. "You promise you'll stay in the Hummer?"

"Cuff me to the door…I don't care…I just need to know for sure," he told him.

"Don't make me regret this Eric," Horatio warned.

"I won't...I promise," he uttered fatefully.

Horatio called Tech Travers and got the location on her Hummer and then looked at Eric with a frown. "It says she's still there…let's go." Horatio knew there would be hell to pay from Rick, but for Calleigh it was chance he was willing to take.

The ride to the site was pure hell for Eric. Now her words did come back to haunt him.

"If I do go to this scene and something does happen…what will your last memory of us be?"

"Stupid! Why was I so stupid?" He cursed himself. "If something happens to her I'll never forgive myself."

"Then let's make sure it doesn't happen," Horatio stated firmly.

XXXXXXXX

Jake carried Calleigh into another small room and fairly dumped her onto a small soft bed and sat down beside her.

"You know I don't get it," he said yanking the gag from her lips. "Why Eric? Just to save his ass?"

"I love him! Now let me go," she urged.

"Not gonna happen my love," Jake smiled as he stood up and crossed the dimly lit room. He turned on a small light and then looked back at her. "I have a nice snack for you…just a mild sedative…nothing major."

Calleigh looked up at him in horror. "Jake…no…you can't…please don't…" she begged in sorrow. The sedative was usually used for one thing – asault. She looked up at him in fear.

Eric and Horatio reached the spot and noticed her Hummer but no sign of Calleigh. Eric reached for the handle when Horatio touched his arm. "Don't, or there will be hell to pay. Just wait here."

"Just find her," Eric insisted. He watched Horatio get out of the Hummer and rush for the building. "Calleigh…you better still be inside…please be inside…"

Jake sat down beside Calleigh and pushed up her sleeve; preparing to plunge the needle into her arm.

"Jake…please…don't…" she tried in vain.

"Night night my love," he said pushing the cool liquid into her veins.

Horatio emerged from the building; his face telling it all. Calleigh was missing.

"Oh no…what have I done!" Eric shouted in horror. Against orders he pushed the door open and met Horatio head on.

"Eric, get back…"

"Where is she?" He demanded.

"She's gone," Horatio informed him, as he quickly called for Tripp. "When they arrive you better not be here," Horatio told him. "Take a cab back to the lab and wait."

"H…if you think…"

"Eric, that's an order," Horatio stated firmly.

"She's missing because of me!" Eric yelled.

"We will find her," Horatio countered.

"I'll kill him," Eric said referring to his father; thinking Alexander was responsible for kidnapping.

"Eric…" Horatio started. "Don't even…"

"I'm going to find my father and I'm going to kill him! He did this!"

"ERIC!"

Eric turned on his heel and rushed for the busy street, ignoring Horatio's calls for him to stop and turn around. "I will kill him…" Eric vowed.