Author's note: Thanks for all the reviews. They really keep me going. I'd also like to thank everyone who has been so patient while other things had to take precedence to my finishing the story. Things should be returning to normal soon, since my seasonal show has had it's Opening Day (see Joust Murder and you'll get it) and all the craziness will now die away to the routine of the show season.

Progress

Calleigh wheeled herself to the pool's edge and set her brakes, waiting patiently for Jenny to join her. She sat back and closed her eyes, a slight, yet satisfied smile dancing across her lips. She was a little tired, but it was a good tired. It was the kind of tired that she loved after having a good day at work. She had been having a string of good days at work and got up each morning eager to have another one. Her prolonged and forced absence only made her appreciate her calling more and served to remind her why she loved what she did so much. If there was anything that darkened her day a little it was the fact that she couldn't be in the field.

"If you're too tired today, Calleigh, we don't have to do this," Jenny said, seeing her patient apparently dozing.

"I'm not too tired at all. It's been a really good day. I found the murder weapon and with a little testimony and some power point pictures, I got myself a bad guy. They're probably processing him as we speak," Calleigh said with a smile. "Now are we getting in the pool or are we going to sit here and talk all day?"

Jenny returned the smile and began to help Calleigh out of the chair and into the water. "Aren't you feisty? Put your money where your mouth is and get to work."

Calleigh laughed and slid into the warm water. As was her routine, she rolled over and floated on her back, luxuriating in the freedom. When she heard Jenny get in, Calleigh opened her eyes and took hold of the side as Jenny took her right leg and began to bend and straighten it, bringing the knee into Calleigh's chest and straight out again.

"Your muscle tone is improving in spades, Calleigh. Have you been practicing at home?" Jenny asked, repeating the process with Calleigh's left leg.

"A little. I still can't believe that I'm beginning to move my legs again. It seems like a miracle," Calleigh said and then winced. "You want to not do that?"

"Sorry, I guess your legs still don't stretch that way," Jenny said.

"They've never stretched that way."

Jenny smiled at her, palming the bottom of her foot and bending her knee. "Push my hand."

Without thinking, Calleigh straightened her leg ever-so-slightly. "Did I just-?"

"Yes, you did. Do it again," Jenny encouraged, just as excited as her patient.

Calleigh repeated the process until her entire leg was out straight. Jenny then had her do the same with the other leg. Excited and encouraged, Calleigh repeated it. "Okay, now what?"

"I think you need to try sinking your legs again. We haven't worked on that in a while. I think you've gained enough strength to be able to get them a little bit under the water," Jenny said, hoping that she wasn't moving Calleigh along a little too fast. A failure at this point would set her back.

Calleigh was skeptical, remembering the last time she tried and how dismally she failed. "Okay, if you think I can. I'll give it a shot."

"Now remember, a little bit is better than nothing at all," Jenny coached, watching Calleigh raise herself up on the side of the pool.

Breathing deeply, Calleigh closed her eyes and concentrated on sinking her legs beneath the surface. She felt the coolness of the air on the back of her thighs and then it happened. Warmth enveloped her ankles and then her shins. Sweat breaking out on her forehead, Calleigh worked harder, unconsciously pointing her toes and sending them further under the surface. Warm water lapped at the backs of her legs and then she was completely upright. She held it for as long as she could before sliding herself back in and allowing her legs to relax and resurface.

Jenny enveloped her in a joyful hug as the door banged open and there was a sudden splash of someone jumping in. Another set of arms embraced Calleigh.

"You did it, Querida!" Eric cried before giving her a passionate kiss.

"Where did you come from?" Calleigh asked, laughing and hugging them both back.

"I was passing by on my way back from a crime scene and I thought I'd look in on you. I got here just in time to watch you push your legs under," Eric explained.

"On the way back from a crime scene? Eric you know better than to stop off somewhere. What if the evidence gets compromised because you stopped?" Calleigh asked, reverting back to Horatio's second in command.

Eric kissed her again. "Fingerprints, hair and fibers can wait a few minutes. You're more important to me."

"Okay, okay. But now you're soaking wet. How are you going to explain that?" Calleigh asked.

"I have a change of clothes in the Hummer. Calleigh, you did it!" Eric exploded, spinning her in the water. "You're going to walk again. I know you will!"

All else was forgotten and the trio celebrated Calleigh's success.

ECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECECE

"I still don't see why you want to keep this from everyone," Eric said, picking Calleigh up and setting her in the passenger side of the Hummer. They had both changed and Eric was going to drop the evidence off at the Lab and then take Calleigh home. His shift would be over by the time they arrived at the Lab anyway. "Calleigh, I think they'd be jumping for joy. Don't you think your friends and family want to celebrate with you?"

"No, Eric; I still don't want to tell anyone. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up and I certainly don't want to feel pressured. This is going to take as long as it's going to take and no one can rush that along. If everyone knew that I can move my legs some, then...Please say you understand," Calleigh said as Eric got in and started the engine.

"I don't, but if that's what you want; okay," Eric said. He was silent for a while, basking in the happiness of Calleigh's success. While he really didn't understand her reluctance to share the information with anyone, he couldn't help being excited for her. "So, you had a major victory today. How do you want to mark it? We have to do something."

"I really don't know. Why don't you choose," she said, her head leaning back against the leather upholstery and closing her eyes. "I know that I want a nap first."

Eric glanced over at her. Even tired out she was still radiant in his eyes. "You nap and I'll think about what we can do. Calleigh, I want to make a fuss over you, you know that."

Calleigh opened her mouth to protest, but then saw the light of joy in Eric's eyes and relented. "Alright, but nothing too much. Eric, I'm excited, too, believe me, I am; but I don't want to put the cart before the horse. You and I both know that this could, very realistically, be as far as it goes. There's no guarantee that I'll walk again."

Alarm raced through Eric. "Cal-"

"I'm not giving up. I want that more than anything and I'm willing to give everything to get it, but I'm just being realistic in knowing that I may never have it be the way it used to be. So, while I want to bounce around and scream at the new boundary, I really can't until I know if I keep it or I get to jump over it." Calleigh took his free hand. "Eric, every little victory is still a victory, but let's keep the celebrating to a bare minimum until I know where this is all leading. Until Jenny and Dr. Santos can give me a definitive answer as to what my outcome will be, let's just keep it to ourselves. Dr. Santos is going to do another neurological exam in two weeks. We should have a clearer picture at that time. Who knows, maybe I'll have improved even more by then."

Eric pulled the Hummer in to his usual parking spot. "Alright; I get it now. You're cautiously optimistic and want to hold off on major celebrating until the uncertainty is all cleared up. I can deal with it. I still want to mark today's victory, though. Do you want to come in and hang out in the break room while I log in the evidence or do you want to wait in my car?"

Calleigh yawned. "As much as I'd like to socialize, it would be too much of a temptation to go to my office and get some extra work done if I went in with you. Why don't I wait in your car and I can get a head start on that nap?"

He leaned over, kissing her gently. "Alright, Querida. And while you sleep, I'll think of a memorable way to mark today."