Speed was worried when he heard that Calleigh had gone home sick. Horatio could tell he was concerned so on the way back to the crime-lab he offered to drop him off at Calleigh's apartment.

"No way, H, we've got too much work to do. I'll just get a ride later with Delko."

"Look, I can tell you're worried about her. Just spend some time with her and then come back in a couple of hours. I can handle things for a while without you." Horatio meant it and Tim gratefully accepted his offer and Horatio dropped him by Calleigh's place. As he quietly entered the apartment with his key, Tim didn't hear a sound. Figuring Calleigh must be taking a nap, he walked softly down the hallway to her room.

"What are you doing here, Tim?" Calleigh sat up from the bed as he entered the room. Tim could tell right away from her red puffy eyes that she'd been crying and not sleeping at all. He moved to the bed and took her into his arms. Calleigh went willingly and let the sobs shake her body as Tim held onto her tightly. He was scared to death, wondering what had driven Calleigh, someone who was usually so composed, to cry like he'd never seen anyone cry.

"What is it, baby? What's wrong?" Tim rubbed her back and kissed her forehead softly. Calleigh shook her head, and choked back another sob. "Is it someone in your family, what happened?" Calleigh didn't answer him at first, as she tried to stop crying. Tim continued to hold her and knew she would tell him when she was ready. After a few minutes of just being in his arms Calleigh felt a little stronger. She knew she had to tell him but it was so hard. Pulling away from his embrace, she looked into his eyes and saw so much love and compassion that she decided to just go for it.

"There's something I've got to tell you. I can't think of any other way than to just say it--Tim, I'm pregnant." Calleigh blurted out, tearfully. Tim looked at her, the shock showing plainly on his features. He didn't say anything at first, as the news sunk in.

"Oh my God. How....h-how pregnant?" he stuttered.

"Six weeks. I didn't find out until today and I was going to tell you tonight when you got home. I just wanted to be alone for awhile--I needed some time to get used to the idea." Calleigh watched his face, hoping for some clue as to what he was thinking.

"Are you okay? How are you feeling?" Tim pulled her close to him again.

"I'm okay. You know how tired I've been lately and my appetite has been different but I didn't even suspect I was pregnant. I haven't been paying enough attention to the calendar to realize that my period never came. I felt nauseous a little earlier but I'm better now. I guess other than being in complete shock I feel fine." Calleigh gave him a weak smile. Tim put his hand on her stomach and looked at her in amazement.

"I can't believe we made a baby. You've got our child growing in there right now." Tim said it with such childlike wonder that Calleigh had to laugh.

"I love you, you know? I was so scared that you'd be angry--I just didn't know how you'd react."

"Angry? Why would I be? I mean, neither of us planned for this to happen but now that it has we've got to make the best of it. How do you feel about it, Cal?"

"In a word, terrified. I do want kids but I wasn't thinking it would be this soon. I don't feel ready quite yet but I guess it's going to happen regardless. I'm going to have a baby." Calleigh said it with disbelief in her voice.

"I'm in it with you all the way, Cal. I love you and want us to have this baby. We'll be okay." Tim was surprised at how calm his voice sounded because he sure didn't feel calm on the inside. His whole world was going to change and he had some decisions to make with Calleigh about their lives together. He knew that they didn't have to make them all right now but the sooner the better. Calleigh's eyes were filling with tears again but this time they were tears of happiness.

"I love you so much, Tim. You're a good man." She began kissing him softly on the lips and soon they were in a passionate embrace. Tim realized that he needed to be back at work soon but he also knew these moments would never come again and wanted to be here with Calleigh, celebrating the fact that they were going to be parents together. Soon, his beeper and cell phone were on the floor in a pile of their clothing and Tim didn't give them another thought.

Tim must've dozed off because next thing he knew the phone on the bedside table was ringing, waking him up. He grabbed it on the first ring, hoping that it didn't wake Calleigh.

"Speed, why aren't you here? Horatio's looking for you and you haven't answered your pager or your cell. Is everything okay with Calleigh?" Delko's voice was on the other line and Tim glanced at the clock, cursing when he saw how late it was.

"Sorry man. I meant to be back there by now but Calleigh hasn't been feeling well and I lost track of time. I'll leave right now."

"Is Calleigh okay?"

"She will be." Tim left it at that, even though he would have liked to tell Eric the news he knew it was way too early.

"Listen, you stay with her and I'll cover for you. Just don't forget you owe me." Eric told his friend

"Don't worry, I won't forget. Not that you'd ever let me." Tim was grateful to have a guy like Eric on his side. Not everyone was lucky enough to have a friend who would help out with no questions asked. "Thanks again, Delko. I'll touch base with you later." They hung up the phone and Tim turned to Calleigh, who was still sleeping soundly. He was glad she hadn't woken up since she needed all the rest she could get. Plus, this gave him some time to think about their situation. He quietly got dressed and then went out to the kitchen to leave Calleigh a note telling her he'd be back soon but had an errand to run.



Tim's plan was to go to the grocery store and grab some food to make a nice dinner for Calleigh. First, though he stopped by his apartment. There were so many emotions swirling through his mind right now that he felt a bit overwhelmed. Picking up the phone, he dialed a familiar number. Tim's mother picked up the phone on the second ring, greeting him by name. Tim smiled, remembering that she had call-display.

"Hey Mom, how are you?"

"Great sweetie, how are you? It's so good to hear your voice." Tim felt guilty immediately, knowing he didn't call home nearly as often as his mother would have liked. She often left messages on his machine that went unanswered for days. Tim again felt like a failure as a son. Hopefully he could make up for it by being a good father.

"I'm okay Mom." Tim began hesitantly. He wanted to tell her his news but he just didn't know where to begin.

"Is everything okay, Tim? Are things going alright with you and Calleigh?" The motherly concern in her voice made Tim smile.

"Actually, Calleigh is kind of the reason I called. We just found out today that she's pregnant." Tim's mother didn't respond at first, and the silence on the other end unnerved him a bit. Was she so disappointed that she didn't know what to say?

"Wow, Tim, that's big news. How do you feel about it?"

"At first I was a bit stunned but it's sunk in a bit and I think I'm happy about it now. I love Calleigh and want to be with her. I had kind of hoped to be married before we thought seriously about kids though."

"Were you thinking about proposing marriage to Calleigh?" His mother asked.

"Sure, I've thought about it but I haven't been out looking for a ring or anything. We've only been dating for four months, I didn't want to rush it. I've got to admit that now I'm seriously thinking about asking her. I'm just afraid that she will think I'm asking her because I feel obligated."

"Tim, you may not be able to pull off the romantic proposal you always intended. Now that your situation has changed your proposal may have to be more of a mutual decision the two of you will make together. Maybe you should just talk to Calleigh and find out if marriage is what she wants right now. Is she happy about the pregnancy?"

"She was really freaked out earlier but I think she's gotten over the shock of it now and she seems happy, yeah. We've still got a lot of talking to do but she knows that I'm there for her and she definitely wants to have this baby."

"Oh my goodness, wait until I tell your father. I can't believe I'm going to be a grandmother! I'm very proud of you and I know you'll make a wonderful dad." Tim was surprised to hear such praise and was glad that his mother sounded so excited.

"I didn't really expect pride to be one of the feelings to come from this conversation, Mom. I mean, Calleigh and I didn't exactly plan this out."

"I know that, but I'm really proud of the way you're handling it and I'm proud of the person you've become. I just wish we saw more of you, is all. Promise me that you'll let us meet Calleigh soon."

"Of course, Mom." Tim was a bit surprised by that comment. Did she really think that he would leave his family out of the most important parts of his life? "Calleigh's special to me and I really do want you to meet her. I know Calleigh wants to meet all of you too."

"I'm sure she's got a lot to think about right now so I know we can wait a little while longer. Congratulations Tim, and please tell Calleigh the same for me."

"I will, Mom. I promise to keep in touch and let you know what's going on."

"Please do. I'll be thinking about you. I love you, Tim."

"I love you too, Mom and give my love to everyone." They said goodbye and hung up. Tim felt a lot better having spoken to his mother. She was a source of support and was always there when he needed a shoulder. He had really drifted apart from his family when he was younger but in the last couple of years he'd been making a conscious effort to be in contact with them more often. He was glad he had because at times like these he was grateful to have family. His heart skipped a beat as he came to the realization that in about 7-1/2 months he was going to have a family of his own with Calleigh.