Party Trouble
It was two days later. Eric was off at a crime scene. Calleigh looked bored as she played with a pen at the desk. "This sucks," she whispered. "I'd keep your voice down. The walls have voices." Calleigh smiled as she looked up and saw Natalia. "Hey." Natalia smiled. "You look bored out of your mind." Calleigh smiled. "I only look *that* bored." Natalia smiled. "Hey, Horatio will probably let you off of desk duty within the week. I know even Eric's been bugging him about it." Calleigh smiled. "That would be great." Natalia smiled. "Hey, I got invited to this party tonight, and I was told to bring a friend. All the guys have to wear masks, so I thought it'd be good for you to go have some fun. What do you think?" Calleigh looked at her watch. "Well, I'll have to talk to Eric. Make sure he's ok with it and that he'll either be able to watch Emily or I can get a sitter. But I don't think he'll mind." Natalia smiled. "Great. Call me if something comes up. And if it doesn't, I'll plan to be at your house by six." Calleigh smiled and nodded, and then Natalia smiled and went back to work.
"Calleigh, Natalia's here!" Eric called. he was sitting on the couch, gently rocking Emily. She was awake, and playing with his fingers. "I'm coming," Calleigh said. Eric's jaw nearly hit the floor as he saw her. She was wearing a simple black dress. It reached a little below her knees, and the sleeves barely covered her shoulders. She was wearing the charm bracelet he'd given her, and had a simple chain necklace on. Her hair was even straight than usual, and her shoes were also simple. But she looked absolutely stunning to him. Calleigh couldn't help but laugh. "Eric, please, quit drooling." She looked herself over. "i didn't think it was that fancy, I just wanted something simple, but I-" "Cal, you look amazing," he said. "You'll fit right in tonight." She smiled, kissing his cheek. "Thanks. Now behave. Call me if anything happens, and the doctor's number is on the fridge, and-" "Calleigh, we'll be fine," he said with a smile. She giggled, then kissed him gently on the cheek before she went out to meet Natalia in the car. Natalia was wearing a strapless blue dress, a matching necklace, and her shoes as well seemed to match.
Calleigh was taken aback at the size of the party. She hadn't figured it would be this big. Natalia turned as someone touched her shoulder. "Good evening ladies," he said. Even with his mask, Natalia easily recognized him. "Hey Ry," she said, smiling and placing a quick kiss on his cheek. "Calleigh, I didn't expect to see you here. Wow, both of you look.... wow." Natalia smiled and laughed. "Calleigh, want to join us for a dance?" she asked. Calleigh smiled, but shook her head no. "You two go have some fun. I think I'm just gonna sit here and relax," she said. Natalia shrugged. "Suit yourself, but you'll know where to find us," she said with a smile. Calleigh smiled, and then the two disappeared.
Calleigh looked around. It was the new hit club in Miami, Blazing Guns. She looked up as the bartender approached her. "I didn't order anything," she said. "No ma'am, some gentlemen over there did. He even added the, umm, umbrella," he said. He looked like he'd rather be a hundred other places. Calleigh looked at the masked gentlemen. He smiled, tipping his glass towards her. She smiled at him, but turned away as he went to talk to his friends. She smiled at the bartender, then sipped at her drink. As soon as she'd finished it, the bartender brought her another one. She smiled, another umbrella. She finished this one, then walked over to the man. **Has it really been that long since I've had a drink that I'm already getting tipsy?** She sat down next to the man. "Hi," she said. "I wanted to thank you for the drinks." The man smiled. "You're welcome." Calleigh seemed to recognize the voice, but, at the moment, she couldn't place it. Suddenly, it hit her as she watched the man turn away. "Jake, you have no business-" "Doing what Calleigh?' he asked, turning back to face her. His breath was hot and steamy. He'd obviously been drinking and partying. Suddenly, he grabbed her wrists. He pulled her out towards a more quiet corner. He gripped her tighter as she bit him. "Let me go," she said. "Oh but Calleigh, with no Eric here to protect you, I've got you right where i want you," Sheer terror raced through her as one of his hands let go of her rest, and he moved it up her leg, and up into her dress. She seemed paralyzed; frozen in place. But something inside of her clicked as his hand moved all the way up the inside of her dress and leg, reaching her thigh. "I said, let me go!" she snapped. She kicked him hard in his shin. He cried out, but kept his hands in place. She bit him, but he still didn't move. Suddenly, she whipped her body around. His hand on her wrists snapped around as she twisted her body, and it slipped off of her. His other hand was freed almost at the same time. She grabbed his hands, twisted him around, and he cried out as she had him pinned against the wall, his hands on his back. "I told you to let me go, and not to mess with me," she snapped. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a gun appeared, the end resting on the side of Jake's head. Calleigh turned her head, and saw Ryan and Natalia. "I suggest you don't move Berkely," Ryan said, bitterness in his voice. He'd always loved Calleigh in a brotherly sort of way after everything she'd done for him, and he had no intention of letting Jake go. He hadn't been caught since he'd told Eric where to find Calleigh, but they had him now. Natalia looked at Calleigh. "Let me go Cal. Ryan's got him. Come on, let's go." Calleigh was trembling, both from memories and from anger. She was tempted to swipe the gun from Ryan and put a bullet in jake's head, but she refrained herself, turning and storming off. Natalia looked back at Ryan, who had Jake in handcuffs. "I got him," Ryan said. "Get her home." Natalia nodded, then followed Calleigh. She finally managed to convince her to go home, and she drove her back to the house.
Eric looked furious as Calleigh explained to him what had happened. Natalia had gone back to fill out a statement. "Eric, please, let's just... stay here," she said softly. He kissed her head gently. "you still look beautiful in that dress babe," he whispered. She smiled. "i love you Eric." "I love you too," he whispered, pulling her close. She closed her eyes, and breathed in the scent. It was a mingled scent; one of herself and him. To her, it was the best smell in the world.