Title: Til' Death do us Part
Chapter 21 - A Family in Distress
Eric and Calleigh walked into the office the following day hand in hand. Eric felt his tension starting to rise again but when he felt Calleigh give his hand a small squeeze he knew things would be okay.
"Hey man, welcome back," Ryan said with a smile, giving him a brief hug. "You okay?"
"Just glad to be back," he replied as Natalia walked up to join them.
"So you guys know?"
"Yeah, either one of us gets the ID and if it's not tied to the mob in any way then you" Ryan's voice trailed off.
Eric looked at the team and frowned. "Im really glad you guys are okay with this," he sighed. "This really sucks but until Sharova is out of the picture then things might be tense for a while yet."
"Its okay, Eric," Natalia smiled. "If it were one of us, I'm sure we'd want understanding and compassion also. You have that."
"Thanks, so what's up first?"
"Just a routine call," Ryan frowned. "But we also have a jail run and court duty."
"Hmm men's prison," Eric said looking at Calleigh. "Yeah I guess I'll take that one. But first," he said as the elevator doors opened and Rick walked out.
"It just never ends," Calleigh moaned.
Rick walked up to them and received the token nods from the team before asking to speak to Eric in private. Eric gave Calleigh a small smile and then hurried after Rick into another small room and sat down.
"What's this about Rick? I haven't broken any laws as of late," Eric stated firmly.
"I heard about what happened and I just wanted to know what happened."
"I didn't have a gun if that's what you want to know," Eric shot back. "Sorry if you were looking for something sinister."
"I actually wanted to know if you were okay," Rick replied with a frown. "Not that you'd believe me."
Eric leaned back in his chair in surprise. "No offense but I dont believe you. Your record has been one of mistrust and usually comes at the most inopportune times."
"So I just need a few more details," he said handing the report to Eric. "Take your time."
Eric watched him leave and then looked at the form in his hands. It wasn't a form for new employees or those with any kind of restrictions; it was for a regular officer involved in a regular incident. With a heavy sigh, Eric started to fill out the form; hoping the day would at least past by without incident.
He finished the report and then hurried into the lab to see only Calleigh left. "They left?"
"A call on State Street," she replied. "They'll call us when they have pictures to send and then,"
"Rick just wanted me to fill out a form; surprising but that's all he wanted, in case you were wondering, you were right?"
"I was but didn't want to pry. Thanks for letting me know," she smiled as her cell buzzed to life. "I'll take this one."
"I'll do the prison run. See you later," he smiled as he turned to leave.
"H," Eric said catching up to Horatio in the hallway.
"How are you feeling?"
"Still sore but I just couldn't stay home," he replied. "I am off to do the prison run."
"It's standard, Clavo needs his documents and I can't go," Horatio frowned.
"Yeah no worries, after dealing with Alexander, Clavo Cruz doesn't scare me."
"Well he has a way of getting under a person's skin. Speaking of Alexander; I was talking to a friend at the CIA and they might have something that will help us rid ourselves of Mr. Sharova at least for a bit. I dont want you to get your hopes up but it's a start."
"Music to my ears," Eric huffed. "If I can do anything,"
"Just keep yourself sharp," Horatio reminded him. "This isn't over yet and we dont know the full capacity that Alexander is capable of."
"Right," Eric said turning to leave. As he neared the jail his heart started to beat a bit faster. He stopped the in lot and just sat in the Hummer for what seemed like forever. Finally after a few deep breaths he pushed himself out of the CSI vehicle and headed into the large building.
"Clavo Cruz," Eric frowned as he stood before the county guard. "Paperwork," he said showing the guard; letting him inspect it. He heard Clavo's name being called and then slowly headed into the waiting area. He walked for one of the receptacles and noticed himself and Calleigh seated next to him. He quickly blinked his eyes and his image was replaced with the couple that was there all along.
He glanced up as Clavo walked into the room; wearing the familiar orange outfit that he had been earlier.
"Officer Delko," Clavo grinned. "To what do I owe the honor?"
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"Maxine, is this the gun remnants from the dead body Ryan brought in two days ago?"
"Yeah, no matches in the system, except this one," she said handing him the sheet. "Alexander Sharova," he read. "But we already knew that," he frowned. "What about the tape?"
"Same, there was one unknown DNA strand but nothing came up in CODIS," Maxine told Horatio.
"Run it against Sharova's," Horatio directed.
"But we know it's his also on the tape and the gun,"
"Just run it," Horatio told her.
"Sure."
XXXXXXXX
"This is just a quick visit Clavo," Eric frowned.
"A quickie? Sorry Delko but you're not my type," he laughed; to which Eric just rolled his eyes and produced the forms.
"So I hear you found your dad," Clavo said not looking up.
"Whatever your game," Eric started.
"Must suck right," Clavo said; putting down his pen and looking up at Eric.
"What does?" Eric asked in annoyance.
"You, becoming like me," he smiled.
"I am not like you," Eric stated firmly.
"You're going along, doing your job, minding your own damn business and then you are hit with the news your father isn't,"
"How did you know about that?" Eric hissed.
"Isn't it,"
"How the hell," Eric started.
"Calm down Delko," Clavo started. "I have friends in low places. So it must suck, the one man you looked up to all your life, isn't the man who helped bring you into the world. And the one that did? Hates you! At least I did myself a favor, I rid my life of my traitor, what's your next move? Heard you had to get some officer to marry you to keep you here. Your no good father do nothing right? Just like mine? We're the same bro,"
Eric offered a small grin and leaned in close. "I am nothing like you," Eric said in a low tone.
"Not yet," Clavo smiled. "But give yourself time, you'll be sick of looking over your shoulder."
"Clavo,"
"And when that happens Delko, you and I will be prison buddies," Clavo winked. "Some in here might like you."
"The difference between you and me is I know my boundaries," Eric stated.
"Right, you do right now, but that could change," Clavo insisted.
"Are you finished yet?"
"Oh I'll bet you've thought of it," Clavo continued to goad. "When you close your eyes at night," Clavo said as he leaned in close once again. "I bet you imagine you do it right, pull the trigger, stop looking over your shoulder."
"If you think,"
"And just like my father, the good old General," Clavo said leaning back. "He had the opportunity to do the right thing right? And didn't? Your father? Left you high and dry?" He laughed.
"Finish the forms," Eric said firmly.
"Didnt want to help his son in his moment of need," Clavo hissed.
"This is,"
"To save your life? And he just WALKED AWAY!" Clavo half shouted.
Eric looked around and mouthed its okay to the guard; telling him to back down, and then turned back to Clavo with a scowl.
"Sad thing is Delko, we are the same. My father, he turned his back when he had a chance to save my life, yours did the same. In time, you will be me."
"Send the forms when,"
"Here," Clavo said as he signed them and shoved them back toward Eric's side of the table. "If you need help," he smiled.
"That will never happen," Eric frowned as he got up to leave.
Clavo grabbed his wrist and stopped him; forcing Eric to sit back down and glare at him in anger before yanking is wrist free. "Think about it Delko," he whispered firmly. "This is how it works in my world, either you kill him or he'll kill you. Would be a shame to ruin your family even before it got started."
"I'm not in your world," Eric said as he pushed himself up to leave.
"Yes you are Delko," Clavo smiled. "You just refuse to acknowledge it."
Eric turned on his heel and quickly left the area; Clavo's smiling face burning holes into his back as he finally vacated the room. He reached the end of the hall; his heart racing and his ears pounding. He slammed his fist into a nearby wall and offered a curse before starting to feel dizzy. He bent over and grabbed his knees; hoping to calm his breathing.
"Damn it!" He cursed as he pushed himself back up and rushed outside and into the Hummer; Clavo's words burned into his memory.
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"What's that?" Calleigh asked Horatio as she walked into the lab later that day.
"The tape that was used to bind the gun to Eric's hand. We found his DNA and Alexander's and I am running the third," he said as his phone rang. He stopped the search and looked at Calleigh with a frown. "I have to go, this will have to wait."
She offered only a shrug and then went about her task; looking at the clock and wondering where Eric was.
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However, someone in the Sharova organization was working on a plan of their own. His own agenda, his own rules. With one big difference. The man looked over his shoulder to ensure he wouldn't be caught and then made the drop. He hurried back to his car and sped away.
A few minutes later CIA Field Agent Derek Corrigan came around the corner; fetched the package and raced back into the shadows from whence he came.
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Eric sat in the Hummer; staring ahead in misery; Clavo's words replaying over and over again in his head. 'Just like me, father turned his back, kill him before he kills you, welcome to my world,'
"AHHHH!" Eric yelled as he hit the steering wheel in anger and then started back for the lab; his mood anything but pleasant. He reached the lab in a foul mood and even Calleigh's smiling face did little to help his mental state.
"Hey," she said with a slight frown. "You okay?"
"Yeah, just great," he huffed as he turned away; files in hand.
"Eric?"
"Calleigh I'm busy," he shot back.
"Pardon?" She asked catching up to him and forcing him back to her. She could tell by the look on his face that something had happened at the jail. "What on earth happened?"
"Nothing," he said pulling away. "Nothing, just, I just need to get these to the clerk," he said with a frown.
Calleigh watched him walk away as Ryan came up behind her. "Everything okay?"
"Not sure," she stated softly. "What's up?"
"I just need an extra set of eyes,"
"Sure," she said as she watched Eric finally disappear and then turned and followed back after Ryan.
Eric hurried to the clerk's office and offered the forms and then left Horatio a text and rushed out of the building. He got into the Hummer and drove back to the pier that he was taken. He got out and rushed down the plank and looked around; frowning at the empty spaces before him.
"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!" He shouted in anger. "WHAT DO YOU WANT!" He yelled in agony as he dropped to his knees and cursed. He felt his eyes water and hung his head in his hands and lightly sobbed. He lifted his head to see Clavo's transparent form looking down and laughing at him. 'You are just like me now,' he taunted.
"GET AWAY!" Eric shouted as he picked up a handful of sand and threw it into the air. The figure disappeared and he was once again alone. He slumped down in defeat; allowing time to swim around him as he wallowed in his misery.
Calleigh waited for him to come back and then was told he left the building. She dialed his cell but got only empty rings in return. "I'm worried," she told Horatio.
"I think going to the jail was a bad idea," Horatio frowned. "Probably brought back bad memories and he probably doesn't want a fight here and so just needs some time."
"But why does he always pull away? If he's going to yell then why can't he yell at me?"
"He loves you Calleigh," Horatio said softly.
Calleigh turned on her heel and then headed back to the lab. She tried to finish her task and as soon as it was done she rushed for home; hoping Eric was there. He wasn't. Finally; a few hours after the sun had set, he slowly walked through the door.
"Where have you been?" She asked in concern; rushing up to him.
"Out," he stated in misery.
"Out where?"
"Calleigh I dont need the third degree," he frowned.
"How about the second? I mean you still have your father on the loose and you dont answer your phone and dont come home until dark, do you expect me not to worry?"
"This is, different," he stated; his anger rising, but not toward her.
"What happened today? Did something happen at the jail?"
"Calleigh please, I dont want to fight,"
"Talking is not fighting," she reminded him.
"I talked to Clavo,"
"You had to take him the forms, what happened? What did he say?"
"That he and I are the same kinda guy," Eric stated in anger.
"What on earth are you talking about? You are nothing,"
"A son becomes his father right? Pavel, is not my father, Alexander is and he's a killer, is that what I will become?" Eric asked gruffly.
"Eric, you were not raised by Alexander, you live what you learn. Pavel is a kind, gentle, loving man who,"
"Is now seeking a way out of his marriage!" He shouted. "Because of me!"
"Eric he's not,"
"It's funny, Clavo, what he said, when he found out his father wasn't really his father, his father had the chance to save his son but chose not to, just like me!"
"Eric you can't compare,"
"When I first heard what happened to him, I thought at that time, man that would suck. A man you trusted and grew to love and then you were told your mother had an affair with another man and you were the result of a one night stand. That's it, a one night stand, not conceived in love, CONCEIVED IN GUILT!" He shouted in anger.
"Eric,"
"Talk about shame. Well it's not the stories you tell your kids," he sneered.
"Eric you have nothing to be ashamed of,"
"Really?"
"You are not the same as Clavo Cruz," she stated firmly. "He was a killer from the word go. You are not like that."
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," he huffed.
"I mean, Clavo didn't have the love and support you do. I love you, he's in jail; he's bitter and doesnt care what you think."
"BUT HE'S RIGHT!"
"WHO CARES!" She shouted back.
"I am the same, I am him," Eric said pulling away. "I want to kill Alexander Sharova."
"Eric?"
"Kill or be killed right?" He half shouted. "Isn't that the only way out?"
"You seriously can't believe that," she stated firmly. "There is always another way. You of all people know that."
"I know this, my father hates me and wants me and you dead! I might not be sitting in the cell beside Clavo but in my MIND I AM HIM!"
"NO YOU'RE NOT!" Calleigh shouted back; not backing down.
"I," Eric started in anguish as he tried to move past. "I have to go,"
"Dont you dare,"
"Calleigh get out of my way before I, I just need some air," he warned firmly.
"FINE! Run away, that's what you do best!" She snapped in frustration; turning her back on him.
Eric stormed past her and rushed outside, into the Hummer and was gone. He offered angry curses as he sped through the streets. He headed back to the place this all started.
"Damn it!" Calleigh slammed her fist onto the counter and offered her own curse. "How could he not be affected by that jerk," she said angrily. "Oh Eric," she quickly opened her phone and dialed one of the night CSI's. "Ramos, I need a location on Hummer 647," she said. She got the coordinates and frowned. "Oh no," she said calling for a cab; knowing she'd need to probably drive them back.
Eric raced back for the pier, the open bottle in his hands. He slowly pushed himself from the Hummer, his mind and heart racing at dangerous speeds. "DAMN YOU ALL!" He cursed angrily. He staggered to the top of the plank and gazed around; his already paranoid brain playing tricks with his mind in the darkness.
Calleigh made the cab stop at the front of the pier; spying Eric standing at the top of the pier. She paid and got out; but slowly neared him in the shadows.
"I AM NOT AFRAID OF YOU!" Eric shouted in anger. "DO YOU HEAR ME!" He yelled. "I AM NOT AFRAID,"
"Eric," Calleigh whispered as she neared him.
Eric slowly stumbled down the plank; letting out a small cry as he lost his footing and tumbled to the bottom, landing with an angry huff. "OW!" He called out in anger.
"Eric!" Calleigh stated as she ran after him.
"Where the hell!" Eric cursed as he fished around for his flashlight when he was suddenly bathed in her flashlight. But as he gazed into the light he didn't see her; only a figure.
"I'M NOT AFRAID OF YOU!" Eric shouted; his eyes watering and his voice starting to get hoarse. He watched the light slowly make its way toward him and he cursed the fact he didn't bring his gun. "KILL ME I DONT CARE!"
"But I care and I dont want to kill you," Calleigh said as she lowered the light and gazed upon his tormented face.
"Calleigh?" He asked weakly. "Wh-why are you here?"
"Because I love you and won't let you run away," she said firmly.
"But can't you see, everywhere I go, everything I do, I'm reminded of it, my life, the lies that make up my life, what I might become. I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" He shouted; looking up at the sky. "Please leave, just leave me alone," he stammered.
"Well fine then," she simply stated; making him look at her in shock.
"What?" He asked in surprise.
"You do whatever you have to do, yell, scream, shout, get angry, but get this through your head, till death do us part means we are in this together Eric Delko," she stated firmly. "Now if you dont want to be married to me than that's fine, but dont run away."
"Calleigh,"
"Eric, are you going to argue with me?"
"But can't you see," he moaned as he turned away. Calleigh used the distraction to jump on him, grab his wrists and cuff them behind his back; leaving him on his stomach on the sand.
"Calleigh?" He asked angrily as he tried to get up. "This isn't funny," he started as he fell back to his knees. "LET ME GO!"
"NO!" She shouted back.
"Pl-please," he started. "I need to,"
"What? Run away? Well I won't let you," she smiled as he helped him stand up. "Come on, let's go."
"What? Where are you," he started as she started to pull him up the plank and toward the Hummer.
"Calleigh," Eric started.
Once there she pushed him up against of the Hummer and kissed his lips; stopping his tirade.
"Get this through your thick Cuban head," she said with a half smile. "I love you and you love me. You are not ever going to become Clavo Cruz or Alexander Sharova because I won't let you and I won't let you run away each time we have an argument. Got it?"
"Do I have a choice?" He asked in resignation.
"Yeah, we can get a divorce right now and spend the rest of our lives alone."
"But Calleigh, what if I,"
"Do you want a divorce?"
"No, of course not, I love you," he admitted warmly. "But it's just that I might,"
"Eric do you worry when every time I take a drink that I'll become an alcoholic like my father?" She countered.
"No," he said looking down. "No I don't."
"And I dont for one second think that the man before me now, the wonderful, loving man who is my husband will become a murdering thug like his biological father," Calleigh stated firmly.
"But what if, what if I do something wrong?" He whispered in anguish.
"I won't let you," she whispered back. "I promise, I'll never let you fail."
Eric looked at her and his eyes watered and he hung his head in shame. "I dont deserve you," he said looking down.
Calleigh gently lifted his head to hers and smiled. "I love you," she whispered warmly.
"I am sorry about earlier," he huffed. "About yelling and such."
"Did it work though? Did you feel better?"
"I'd like to punch out Clavo," he lightly grinned.
"Yeah me too," she smiled. "But are you okay?" She asked softly.
"I will be, man with you by my side I feel like I can do anything," he praised. "Now about these,"
"Yes," she said pushing him up against the side of the Hummer.
"Is my wife going to let me go?"
"Not on your life," she teased.
"What?" He asked weakly as she pulled open the passenger door and then looked at him seriously. "Calleigh?"
"Get in," she ordered.
"But I," he started. "Seriously?"
She gently took his arm and pushed him toward the passenger door and inside; onto his trapped wrists; careful not to hurt them too much. She just wanted to have some fun with him; not hurt him.
Eric sat in the passenger seat trapped; as he watched her walk around to the other side and get in. "Calleigh," he started only to have her lean over and silence him with a kiss.
"I think my husband needs a little punishment," she winked. "Wouldn't you agree?"
"That depends," he said as he felt his body temperature starting to rise. "I think I'm really turned on, or really nervous."
"Hopefully turned on," she teased as she kissed him again.
"Calleigh I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I know," she replied. "Now shut up and kiss me."
Eric smiled as he willingly gave himself to her; the day's earlier events finally starting to fall into the back of his mind.