CHAPTER 35: BREAKDOWN
Calleigh reached her condo in record time, Horatio's Hummer in tow. Upon seeing his sister exit Calleigh's car with a tissue pressed to her face, the redheaded man silently questioned his friend, preoccupied. Flavia did not miss the worried glances, for she barked: -I'm not crying, my nose just started bleeding again. –
Calleigh shrugged her shoulders apologetically for Horatio's benefit, unseen by Flavia. She then took her elbow and ushered her towards the entrance of the condo.
It was a medium height building plastered in a delicate shade of cream, with three semicircular balconies for story. Calleigh inserted the key in the lock and ushered Flavia inside the building, gesturing for Horatio to do the same. He entered quickly and closed the door behind him as softly as he could.
-Good evening, Miss Calleigh. -, a raspy voice greeted them. Horatio turned sharply to his right, where an old desk stood and, behind it, a frail looking wrinkled elder man, with a crown of fluffy white hair on his head. –You got company tonight. -, he noted, and Horatio had the distinct impression that that occurrence was unusual for the old caretaker.
-Good evening to you, Mr. Errol. Yeah, these are my friends and coworkers, Flavia and Horatio. -, Calleigh introduced them politely, smiling affectionately at the old man.
-Hello, nice to meet you. I hope I'm not bleeding on the floor, I got some problems with my nose. -, Flavia smiled apologetically, extending her right hand while the other remained attached to her nose.
-Don't you worry, little Miss. It's my job to keep clean here. -, the man replied brightly, obviously proud of his work. He then turned towards Horatio, examining his vibrant red hair. –Horatio, you said? As in… Horatio Caine?-, he mused, glancing briefly at Calleigh.
-That's right. Nice to meet you, Mr. Errol. -, Horatio replied smoothly; if he was surprised about the man knowing his full name, he didn't let it show.
-Ah, it's a pleasure Mr. Caine. I know Calleigh here works for you, and I also happen to know that she's very good at what she does. -, the older man kept talking, then leaned towards the younger man, whispering conspiratorially: -I hope you're taking good care of her. She's a precious little thing. –
Horatio smiled, recognizing deep affection in the man's words. –That she is. -, he whispered back. They stared at one another for several seconds, then, seeming satisfied, for he gave a little nod, Mr. Errol smiled politely at the three: -Have a good evening, guys. –
-You too. –
*
-Please, have a seat. I just got an idea for today's dinner: jambalaya. Something to drink?-, Calleigh asked while showing her guests the way to the living room. Horatio chuckled: she sure exuded energy and enthusiasm.
-Do you have some ice? I think a migraine's coming my way. -, Flavia replied. Calleigh slapped her forehead.
-Sure, I'm so stupid. -, she said, going to what Horatio assumed was the kitchen. She returned a minute later with some ice cubes wrapped up in a dishtowel; she handed it to Flavia, who thanked her and immediately pressed it to her forehead, closing her eyes in bliss.
-Horatio, make yourself at home, the sofa's really comfy. I bought it less than a month ago, I love it! Feel free to take away your shoes, I washed the floor yesterday night. –, Calleigh's voice diminished in volume as she made her way back to the kitchen to start on the dinner.
Horatio took his time in exploring the living room with an analytical eye. The sofa was really very comfortable; it was really a sofa bed, with a smooth black throw. A small glass table stood between the sofa and a row of low wooden cabinets; there were vases of flowers and small plants here and there, he recognized tulips and lilies and even a cactus or two. A composition of dry flowers towered on the small table, not quite obstructing the sight of the ultra flat TV screen. A dark wooden bookcase full of forensic journals, all in perfect order, occupied the wall on his right, whereas on his right was the access to the balcony and, a bit hidden from his angle, to the kitchen.
A quiet sniff snapped Horatio back from his reverie. He turned to Flavia, crouched on the other end of the couch. Her eyes were still closed, but silent tears damped her cheek. He wasn't a physical person, but something deep inside him made him scoot over to the girl; he scooped her up in his arms, holding her tightly against his chest, caressing her fiery red hair.
-Shh, it's alright, it's alright. I've got you. -, he whispered in her ear, rocking her slightly back and forth.
-I'm…-, she sniffed. –I'm sorry, Horatio. I wanted to make you proud, but I only managed to make things worse for you. -, she managed to choke out, leaving any pretense of not crying.
-That's not true, Sweetheart. I'm extremely proud of you, you've been here only for a month and you've been incredible. You helped me a great deal, Flavia. You see, I think I would have resigned if it weren't for you… I felt so awful after the whole ordeal with the werewolf, I feared I'd become a danger to others; you made me realize a virus doesn't change who I really am, that it's still me in here. -, he briefly touched his chest, where the heart was. –And you've helped Calleigh hold the fort while I was… a bit out of it. You're a born leader, Flavia, and a great Detective. You deal with cases differently than us, but a new perspective is always refreshing, no matter what Eric believes. He's still young, he has a great deal to learn… and he's impulsive. I'm sure he didn't think the things he told you. -, he cooed, rubbing his sister's arms.
-But he was right, I've endangered you all. What if the vampire tried to escape?-, Flavia protested weakly, looking at Horatio through her damp lashes.
-But she didn't. You trusted your instinct and everything went well. It would have been more dangerous if we had kept her at the police station: you'd have been farther away from her, had she tried a move. It'd have been a slaughter. You have a precious gift, Flavia: you see the humanity in each and everyone that crosses your path, even those marginalized such as vampire and big bad wolves like me. -, he smiled at her, patting her cheek affectionately.
-I don't know what came over Eric, really. Usually he's a sweet guy, always looking out for others, especially women. -, Horatio thought aloud, left hand resting on his chin.
-I might be of help, here. -, Calleigh piped up; she was standing on the kitchen's entrance, leaning against the doorframe. Horatio's interest was immediately caught; he stood, approaching the blonde woman.
-What do you mean?-, he asked, hands on his hips. Calleigh bit her lower lip, glancing at Flavia, then at Horatio. He nodded. –Go on. –
-Well, the other day, I was talking to Speed. He asked me if I had noticed something wrong with Eric; I told him no, asked him to tell me what he was thinking. He blurted out one word: jealousy. -, she explained.
-Typical Tim: conversation to its barest. -, Flavia commented, sniffing a little.
-Speed said that Eric often asked him about my or Flavia's whereabouts, even yours, Horatio. Tim speculated that Eric is jealous of the new dynamic that's been creating in the team since Flavia's arrival. Me spending free time with her, you going to crime scenes with Yelina or me, Flavia taking the lead when it came to supernatural matters. It threw him off balance. -, Calleigh continued, looking Horatio square in the eyes. He was totally focused on her, nodding once in a while to indicate so far he was following her.
-Tim also said that lately the two of them quarreled more often, what with all the cases they've worked together…-, the blonde trailed off. Horatio read in her eyes that there was more to it than what she'd said, but she didn't feel comfortable voicing it in Flavia's presence. He signaled to her they'd talk about it later.
-He thinks he's lost Mama and Papa. -, Flavia suddenly blurted out. The two turned towards her, startled.
-What?-, they both asked.
-From what you've told me in your emails, Horatio, you took Eric under your wing from the beginning, right?-, the girl elaborated. Her brother nodded. –And it's clear he worships you, Calleigh. I think he has a crush on you. -, she kept going.
Calleigh looked at her in disbelief. –That's… totally not possible. I never gave him signals that I was interested in him that way. -, she stuttered.
-That's beside the point. You act motherly towards anyone, he might have misinterpreted it. -, Flavia shrugged.
Horatio chuckled, Calleigh looked playfully at the girl: -I act motherly?-
-You know you do, Cal. -, Horatio joked, earning himself a playful slap on the chest from the Southern belle.
-I just might, Papa. -, she replied with a smirk, retreating back to the kitchen.
-I didn't realize our children were still so immature, Mama. -, Horatio called back, making Flavia giggle.
-Watch it, Handsome. I might accidentally forget to feed you later. –