Butterflies
See Part 1 for Disclaimers, etc.
Speeding down the highway on the back of Tim's motorcycle, Calleigh was in heaven. She hadn't been on many motorcycles and this was her first time on Speed's but she realized she loved the feel of it. She felt so free. He still hadn't told her where they were going so she decided to just enjoy the surprise. In the meantime she was just reveling in the nearness of him, as she clung to his waist and held on tightly to him she thought that she wouldn't mind staying like this forever.
Calleigh had closed her eyes so she didn't know they'd arrived at their destination until the bike started to slow down. She looked around and realized he'd taken her to the carnival that was in town for the week. She'd always wanted to come and check it out but was always too busy with work so she ended up missing it every time. Speed parked the bike and took off his helmet, as she did the same.
"Surprise!" He said to her, smiling broadly. This was a side of him she rarely saw.
"This is so cool, Tim. I haven't been to a carnival in...I don't know how long, actually." Calleigh said, practically grinning from ear to ear. She took his breath away, her cheeks rosy from the night air and her long hair windblown in a way he found incredibly sexy.
"Well, I'm glad I thought of this then. I always mean to come to these things but I hardly ever get the chance. I hope you like going on the rides, Cal." With that, he put his arm around her shoulders and steered her toward the entrance.
It turned out that Calleigh loved the rides even more than Speed did and dragged him on nearly all of them. After two hours of it he had to admit he was feeling a little queasy so he suggested going on the Ferris wheel in order to take a break from all of the upside-down roller-coaster rides Calleigh seemed to adore. They made it to the top of the wheel and then the ride stopped to let more people on. They just sat back admiring the view--it was a beautiful starry night and the stress of the day was long forgotten to them both. Calleigh turned to Speed, her eyes shining.
"I'm so glad you brought me here--this really beats sitting in the crime-lab."
"I agree. It also beats going home to an empty apartment, don't you think?" Speed replied, looking into her eyes. Calleigh was suddenly feeling very vulnerable staring back at his unwavering gaze. She just wasn't prepared for the feelings that were coming over her tonight. She had always liked Tim and been attracted to him on a level above friendship but they worked together, very closely sometimes, and she never wanted to endanger that relationship for something that might not work out.
Calleigh hadn't even been sure how he felt about her but judging from the way he was looking at her right now, he felt more than friendship too. He was making her feel warm all over right now and she had to look away. Her hands were in her lap and he reached over and grabbed one, holding it in his own.
"What is it, Calleigh?" he asked, concerned that she seemed to be pulling away. He had felt like they had really been connecting tonight.
"Nothing, it's just that I wonder what we're really doing here?" Calleigh replied, meeting his eyes again briefly before looking away again, her emotions getting the better of her.
"We're having a great time at the carnival and forgetting all about work. I just want us to have fun tonight." Speed gave her hand a squeeze and then returned it to her lap. Calleigh let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding and had to admit she felt disappointed. Part of her had been sure he was going to declare his feelings for her but for some reason he had backed off. She knew she had to somehow let him know how she felt but before she could respond the ride lurched forward and they were on their way back down.
They sat in silence for the rest of the ride; each lost in their own thoughts. Speed was a bit confused about Calleigh right now. He really liked her but he felt like he was getting mixed messages from her. Was she just being a friend or was there more beneath the surface? Whatever the answer, tonight was going to be a night for them to both relax and the last thing he wanted was to create more stress for either of them.
When the ride ended Speed got out first and offered Calleigh his hand. She took it, giving him a small smile and Speed was pleasantly surprised when she didn't let go right away. Hand-in-hand they walked through the crowd toward the booths. Speed led her to the booth with darts and balloons and she looked at him in surprise.
"Are you really going to waste your money in here--I'm pretty sure they're all rigged." Calleigh whispered. Speed just smiled at her and reached for his wallet.
"I know they're rigged but I'm really good at this one---"
"Hey sir, you want to win a present for your pretty girlfriend there?" interrupted the young man in the balloon booth.
"Yeah, I think I'll give it a shot," Speed said, not bothering to correct his assumption that he and Calleigh were a couple. He tossed some tickets onto the counter and the man gave him a handful of darts. Speed gave Calleigh a wink and proceeded to throw each of ten darts, only missing one balloon. A few minutes later, they walked away from the booth, Calleigh carrying a big teddy bear and Speed smirking at the vendor's surprised expression.
"I always like giving those guys a run for their money--they rip off so many people. Believe me, I've wasted enough money over the years to know!" Calleigh smiled at him. He really was like a kid right now and she loved seeing him like this. Most of the time at work he was so serious and seemed to rarely let his guard down. She could always joke around with Eric but Tim wasn't nearly as easy-going around her. She was getting to know him in a different way and she really liked this side of him--a lot.
"Feel like goin' on one more ride? I know we've been on most of the good ones."
"Have you got one in mind?" he asked.
"How about the log ride? It's still pretty warm out and if we sit in the right spot we won't get soaked."
"You're like a kid in a candy store, aren't you?" Speed teased her.
"I've always loved the rides and it's so rare to find someone who loves to go on them with me--don't ruin this for me, please!" Calleigh gave him a big smile and batted her eyelashes at him.
"How could I resist? Let's go." The line for the ride had been too long earlier but things were starting to wind down so they only had to wait for about five minutes. They got on and Calleigh was pretty sure they wouldn't get too wet in that particular seat. Speed had his doubts, but what the hell--it's only water! His suspicions were correct and by the end of the ride they were both drenched.
Calleigh had starting shrieking at the top of her lungs every time they'd been hit by water and he couldn't stop laughing at her so by the end of it they were both laughing and totally soaked. They both got out and tried to compose themselves. Calleigh unzipped her bag and got out a tissue and mirror so she could wipe off the makeup she knew must be all over the place.
"Well, aren't I sight for sore eyes!" she cried and went to work, as Speed squeezed the water out of Calleigh's soaked teddy bear. The water had taken off most of her makeup already so she didn't have much to worry about--Speed thought she'd never looked more beautiful than she did right now. He wasn't a big fan of makeup and had to admit he preferred this more natural look on Calleigh. He knew better than to say that, of course.
Satisfied that she'd done all she could, Calleigh zipped up her purse and reached for the bear. Speed handed it to her and Calleigh's butterflies came back when she saw how his shirt was clinging to his chest. She couldn't believe all of these new feelings that were developing just from being near Speed tonight.
She also saw the way he was looking at her and realized her own top was leaving little to the imagination right now. He had desire in his eyes, pure and simple and Calleigh wondered if she should do something about it or just ignore what was becoming clearly obvious to both of them.
"You ready to go, Cal?" Speed asked her, before she could decide what to do or what not to do. She nodded at him and let him lead her through the dwindling crowd back to his bike. It was still warm enough out that Calleigh didn't even feel cold, despite the fact that her hair and clothing were still quite wet. She had a feeling that Tim's presence had something to do with it too.
She found it amazing how much could change in one night--she felt like a light bulb had been turned on in her head and she finally realized how strong her feelings were for him. It was hard not knowing exactly what his thoughts were though and she knew she had to find out before she went crazy wondering. When they reached his bike instead of reaching for her helmet Calleigh leaned against the seat and looked up at Speed, a question in her eyes.
"What is it?" he asked curiously, moving closer to her.
"Do you like me, Tim?" Calleigh asked him in a small voice. He was taken aback, not expecting her to be so direct with him.
"Of course I do, why would you ask me that?" Calleigh smiled softly at his apparent confusion.
"I don't mean it like that. I know you like me as a friend but is it any deeper than that for you?" Speed felt like he was getting lost in her eyes right now so he did the only thing he could think of at the moment--grabbing her by the waist he pulled her close and kissed her.
TBC...
See Part 1 for Disclaimers, etc.
Speeding down the highway on the back of Tim's motorcycle, Calleigh was in heaven. She hadn't been on many motorcycles and this was her first time on Speed's but she realized she loved the feel of it. She felt so free. He still hadn't told her where they were going so she decided to just enjoy the surprise. In the meantime she was just reveling in the nearness of him, as she clung to his waist and held on tightly to him she thought that she wouldn't mind staying like this forever.
Calleigh had closed her eyes so she didn't know they'd arrived at their destination until the bike started to slow down. She looked around and realized he'd taken her to the carnival that was in town for the week. She'd always wanted to come and check it out but was always too busy with work so she ended up missing it every time. Speed parked the bike and took off his helmet, as she did the same.
"Surprise!" He said to her, smiling broadly. This was a side of him she rarely saw.
"This is so cool, Tim. I haven't been to a carnival in...I don't know how long, actually." Calleigh said, practically grinning from ear to ear. She took his breath away, her cheeks rosy from the night air and her long hair windblown in a way he found incredibly sexy.
"Well, I'm glad I thought of this then. I always mean to come to these things but I hardly ever get the chance. I hope you like going on the rides, Cal." With that, he put his arm around her shoulders and steered her toward the entrance.
It turned out that Calleigh loved the rides even more than Speed did and dragged him on nearly all of them. After two hours of it he had to admit he was feeling a little queasy so he suggested going on the Ferris wheel in order to take a break from all of the upside-down roller-coaster rides Calleigh seemed to adore. They made it to the top of the wheel and then the ride stopped to let more people on. They just sat back admiring the view--it was a beautiful starry night and the stress of the day was long forgotten to them both. Calleigh turned to Speed, her eyes shining.
"I'm so glad you brought me here--this really beats sitting in the crime-lab."
"I agree. It also beats going home to an empty apartment, don't you think?" Speed replied, looking into her eyes. Calleigh was suddenly feeling very vulnerable staring back at his unwavering gaze. She just wasn't prepared for the feelings that were coming over her tonight. She had always liked Tim and been attracted to him on a level above friendship but they worked together, very closely sometimes, and she never wanted to endanger that relationship for something that might not work out.
Calleigh hadn't even been sure how he felt about her but judging from the way he was looking at her right now, he felt more than friendship too. He was making her feel warm all over right now and she had to look away. Her hands were in her lap and he reached over and grabbed one, holding it in his own.
"What is it, Calleigh?" he asked, concerned that she seemed to be pulling away. He had felt like they had really been connecting tonight.
"Nothing, it's just that I wonder what we're really doing here?" Calleigh replied, meeting his eyes again briefly before looking away again, her emotions getting the better of her.
"We're having a great time at the carnival and forgetting all about work. I just want us to have fun tonight." Speed gave her hand a squeeze and then returned it to her lap. Calleigh let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding and had to admit she felt disappointed. Part of her had been sure he was going to declare his feelings for her but for some reason he had backed off. She knew she had to somehow let him know how she felt but before she could respond the ride lurched forward and they were on their way back down.
They sat in silence for the rest of the ride; each lost in their own thoughts. Speed was a bit confused about Calleigh right now. He really liked her but he felt like he was getting mixed messages from her. Was she just being a friend or was there more beneath the surface? Whatever the answer, tonight was going to be a night for them to both relax and the last thing he wanted was to create more stress for either of them.
When the ride ended Speed got out first and offered Calleigh his hand. She took it, giving him a small smile and Speed was pleasantly surprised when she didn't let go right away. Hand-in-hand they walked through the crowd toward the booths. Speed led her to the booth with darts and balloons and she looked at him in surprise.
"Are you really going to waste your money in here--I'm pretty sure they're all rigged." Calleigh whispered. Speed just smiled at her and reached for his wallet.
"I know they're rigged but I'm really good at this one---"
"Hey sir, you want to win a present for your pretty girlfriend there?" interrupted the young man in the balloon booth.
"Yeah, I think I'll give it a shot," Speed said, not bothering to correct his assumption that he and Calleigh were a couple. He tossed some tickets onto the counter and the man gave him a handful of darts. Speed gave Calleigh a wink and proceeded to throw each of ten darts, only missing one balloon. A few minutes later, they walked away from the booth, Calleigh carrying a big teddy bear and Speed smirking at the vendor's surprised expression.
"I always like giving those guys a run for their money--they rip off so many people. Believe me, I've wasted enough money over the years to know!" Calleigh smiled at him. He really was like a kid right now and she loved seeing him like this. Most of the time at work he was so serious and seemed to rarely let his guard down. She could always joke around with Eric but Tim wasn't nearly as easy-going around her. She was getting to know him in a different way and she really liked this side of him--a lot.
"Feel like goin' on one more ride? I know we've been on most of the good ones."
"Have you got one in mind?" he asked.
"How about the log ride? It's still pretty warm out and if we sit in the right spot we won't get soaked."
"You're like a kid in a candy store, aren't you?" Speed teased her.
"I've always loved the rides and it's so rare to find someone who loves to go on them with me--don't ruin this for me, please!" Calleigh gave him a big smile and batted her eyelashes at him.
"How could I resist? Let's go." The line for the ride had been too long earlier but things were starting to wind down so they only had to wait for about five minutes. They got on and Calleigh was pretty sure they wouldn't get too wet in that particular seat. Speed had his doubts, but what the hell--it's only water! His suspicions were correct and by the end of the ride they were both drenched.
Calleigh had starting shrieking at the top of her lungs every time they'd been hit by water and he couldn't stop laughing at her so by the end of it they were both laughing and totally soaked. They both got out and tried to compose themselves. Calleigh unzipped her bag and got out a tissue and mirror so she could wipe off the makeup she knew must be all over the place.
"Well, aren't I sight for sore eyes!" she cried and went to work, as Speed squeezed the water out of Calleigh's soaked teddy bear. The water had taken off most of her makeup already so she didn't have much to worry about--Speed thought she'd never looked more beautiful than she did right now. He wasn't a big fan of makeup and had to admit he preferred this more natural look on Calleigh. He knew better than to say that, of course.
Satisfied that she'd done all she could, Calleigh zipped up her purse and reached for the bear. Speed handed it to her and Calleigh's butterflies came back when she saw how his shirt was clinging to his chest. She couldn't believe all of these new feelings that were developing just from being near Speed tonight.
She also saw the way he was looking at her and realized her own top was leaving little to the imagination right now. He had desire in his eyes, pure and simple and Calleigh wondered if she should do something about it or just ignore what was becoming clearly obvious to both of them.
"You ready to go, Cal?" Speed asked her, before she could decide what to do or what not to do. She nodded at him and let him lead her through the dwindling crowd back to his bike. It was still warm enough out that Calleigh didn't even feel cold, despite the fact that her hair and clothing were still quite wet. She had a feeling that Tim's presence had something to do with it too.
She found it amazing how much could change in one night--she felt like a light bulb had been turned on in her head and she finally realized how strong her feelings were for him. It was hard not knowing exactly what his thoughts were though and she knew she had to find out before she went crazy wondering. When they reached his bike instead of reaching for her helmet Calleigh leaned against the seat and looked up at Speed, a question in her eyes.
"What is it?" he asked curiously, moving closer to her.
"Do you like me, Tim?" Calleigh asked him in a small voice. He was taken aback, not expecting her to be so direct with him.
"Of course I do, why would you ask me that?" Calleigh smiled softly at his apparent confusion.
"I don't mean it like that. I know you like me as a friend but is it any deeper than that for you?" Speed felt like he was getting lost in her eyes right now so he did the only thing he could think of at the moment--grabbing her by the waist he pulled her close and kissed her.
TBC...
