Slightly Condoned
Disclaimer: Don't own anything.
Rating: R (later)
Pairing: Eric/OC, Speed/Calleigh
Summary: After the death of Janet Medrano (Body Count) Elisabeth Kaytlin is hired as the new ADA. Under the condoned guide of Horatio Caine's ex-wife, Mia Dayton, who also happens to be the DA for Miami, as her first assignment Kaytlin is forced to reopen a cold case, which also happens to be Eric Delko's first case with the Miami-Dade crime Lab.
Spoiler: Tinder Box, Body Count
A/N: I *need* to take a break from Cardboard Copy.and perhaps this is a feeble attempt for your entertainment, but I just need to write an Eric fic.he's so lovable.hope you like it. Note: direct mentions from episodes will be featured later.
***
Part 3- Elevated Pressure
Eric woke up that morning feeling a little unusual. When he looked to his left, he found the bed empty for once and he was nearly positive, if his short term memory didn't deceive him, that there would be no one in the kitchen making him coffee and Pop-tarts.
Glancing at the wall that was opposite his bed he stared at the small mirror hanging above the TV set. Studying his image in the reflector he concluded that he still looked the same. Still had the features that apparently appealed to tall blondes in push up bras named Andie.
Yet he was sure he'd never call her again, and that in itself was something he'd sadly concluded the night before when he was introduced to an auburn haired green-eyed ADA.
" Elisabeth Kaytlin." He murmured to himself as he studied himself a little better. What was it about her that stirred such a physical emotion in him? Sure she was gorgeous but so were a lot of women he'd come into close contact with.
Think Calleigh, Alexx, Laura, Megan, Adele, Yelina. However none of them got to him like Elisabeth did. Why? He had yet to answer that question and that definitely annoyed him the worst.
Eric knew he was a patient if sometimes obnoxious man, but being in the dark about his own feelings wasn't something he enjoyed very much, because if he didn't have the answers, then who did?
Not wanting to plague his tired mind any longer with enigmatic bullshit, Eric slammed the snooze button, a little too hard, on the still ringing alarm clock and rolled on his stomach for another nine minutes of heaven.
***
Promptly at 8am Elisabeth stood in front of her new office, chewing on her previously glossed lip apprehensively. The whole floor was dead silence and Elisabeth took that as an opportunity for a moment of clarity.
Having unpacked some of her living room the night before, while going through half a case of beer by herself, Elisabeth woke up with a slight hangover and an upset stomach. After taking an Alkaselzer, dissolved in a cup of instant coffee, with a ratio of 3 to 1 in the caffeine's favor versus water, she took a quiet half hour to unload another box of furniture and proceed to the evidence case.
It took her ten minutes to separate the documents and nother ten minutes to understand that she wouldn't be able to distinguish the difference between a post mortem report and a sign off by the CSI without assistance. About fifteen minutes later she left the case evidence with the secretary at CSI in regard with a message to either Calleigh Duquesne or Tim Speedle.
Knowing that Eric would most likely head straight to the DA's office she neglected to mention his name in the note.
Elisabeth was wheedled out of her thought by the clacking of heels coming from a few feet away. Mia had arrived, giving Elisabeth no more time for uncertainty over her job and anxiety toward her meeting with Eric.
" Oh shit, you're here." Mia said somewhat disarmingly, to Elisabeth who raised an eyebrow in the process.
" You said a little earlier." She reminded and Mia rolled her eyes, not at all condescendingly but ruthlessly.
" Are you this goody-goody by practice or nature?" Mia opened the office and Elisabeth eagerly followed her. Not having the strength to enter by herself before.
" I prefer to think of it as respect for my elders." She teased after a while. Mia set her briefcase on the easy chair next to her desk and leaned in for a moment to, no doubt, ponder on the comment, " Oh now you don't have to tease. I thought you said the Botox injections worked?"
Elisabeth polished her sharp tongue as she opened the door to her office, " Don't misunderstand me Mia, they do work, but there's just so much modern technology can do." She smiled and disappeared into her smaller sanctuary before having something thrown at her by her boss.
Exactly six minutes after she closed the door to her office, Elisabeth was greeted by a stack of papers that looked older than her grandmother, neatly tucked away at a nursing home east of Manhattan.
" This is what I could dig up on the Gale case with Mercedes, whom by the way send her regards and thank yous for doing this." Mia said as she lowered herself in one of the easy chairs across the desk from Elisabeth, who currently sported a knowing smile.
" I got ambushed into doing this, remember?" Mia frowned, "You don't have to be so bitter you know. It's a great learning opportunity for you."
When Elisabeth made no effort to compromise Mia continued, " And if you don't mind I gave her your address and telephone number." " Why?" Elisabeth asked, although she already knew that she'd be getting a fruit basket delivered to her that afternoon.
" Something about showing appreciation." Mia stated hitting the jackpot.
" Well isn't our Council Woman a peach?" " Like I said you don't have to be so bitter. It causes wrinkles." " So who's the guy that took care of that for you?" Elisabeth asked in attempt to be left alone.
She succeeded in forcing Mia out of her office but not before she told Elisabeth to fuck off and not leave before a certain CSI made himself known.
Elisabeth ignored her last comment and for once enjoyed the pile of work laid out for her.
***
Having slept better than she could remember the night before, Calleigh made her way through the front lobby of CSI briskly, and fresh in step.
Speed had left that morning shortly after 6, complaining about needing to get out of the clothes that were sticking to him from all sides. She made him promise not to be late for work and left the apartment the same time Speed did, for her morning jog.
Calleigh hadn't counted on the desk clerk at the front to stop her on her way to the break room, but welcomed her with a small smile and received a piece of paper in return.
To Whom It May Concern:
This is Elisabeth Kaytlin, the ADA reopening the Gale Case, I figure that I might need help on figuring out what the hell is in the evidence box that Speedle and Duquesne dug up for me, in their spare time can they please analyze the contents and return to me with a report. It would be greatly appreciated.
It was signed in a pretty italic print, and Calleigh could just make out Liz's full name.
Accepting the box from the secretary she made her way further into the corridor, in hopes of catching Horatio and letting him know he'd have to sign both her and Speed off for at least the day, so she could do Elisabeth this favor.
Something told her he'd understand, even if his ex wife were involved.
Calleigh had never known her boss to be the type to hold a grudge but she knew he greatly disliked his former spouse. There weren't even enough facts for the ballistics expert to hypothesize on what happened, but what little she knew led her to believe that a third party was involved. However she didn't know who cheated on who and preferred not to even go there.
She was never one for gossip and wouldn't start now. Hugging the box deeper against her chest, she tried to forget how restlessly her sleep had begun the night before. The same dream she'd been having for countless nights had reared its ugly head and she tossed and turned until Tim finally held her down and she fell asleep.
The same nightmare, of Janet being gunned down by Hank Kerner, and the same awful sensation that tingled her body spread through her as she replayed the scene over, and over in her head.
This vision was one of a haunting experience, because about two days after the investigation was wrapped up, they'd found out that a couple of tourists, filming their vacation caught the shooting on tape but had been scared to turn themselves in, and mailed the tape to Hagen's division after they flew back home.
Calleigh remembered John cautioning her about watching the tape, he'd said, " Calleigh, it's really unnecessary to see something like that."
But the more he encouraged her not to view it, the more she urged herself to do the exact opposite, so she watched it, and regretted it, because now, the tape played itself over and over again in her head, not giving her a moment of solace.
Tim was obviously great, and sometimes Calleigh wondered if she deserved him, and if he honestly needed such a broken person to spend the rest of his life with him, it struck Calleigh to be so insecure, she wasn't used to it, but that's how she felt when it came to Tim.
Maybe one of these days she could tell him that he needed to go and find himself a better deal because if he didn't stick around, she wouldn't be able to handle it later, and it would destroy them both.
Forgetting that she was looking for him, Calleigh was startled when Speed snuck up behind her and whispered in her ear, " Miss me?"
Calleigh jumped up on her heels and nearly dropped the box after he'd tickled her waist.
He started laughing uncontrollably, as she regained her composure and was greeted by a slap on the back of his head.
" I was looking forward to seeing you, but now I'm not so sure." She teased him lightheartedly and set the box on the table.
" Oh now, your just mean, I was kidding." Speed said, kissing her neck softly, in an attempt to wheedle his way back to her good side.
" Well, I have an idea of how you can make it up to me." Calleigh said in a soft voice that resembled a purr.
Tim didn't recall her using this sort of tone with him at work, " Really? Would it involve a bath for two, and my favorite dessert?" He asked in a low whisper.
Calleigh turned to him with a small smirk playing on her lips and just about when Speed figured she was going to concur she replied, " No, it would involve you going through this box while I got get breakfast. Something tells me were gonna be here for a while."
Tim frowned, and looked at the familiar box, " Why couldn't Elisabeth go through it?"
" Because." Calleigh stated, and Tim waited for her to continue, " Not everyone is a CSI, remember that." She tugged on his shirt collar, and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, " I'll see you in what hopefully will be about 30 minutes, I'm going to Ezra's so I'll just get your usual."
She released him and Tim grumbled, " Yeah, sure and make sure you pick up a double espresso from Starbuck's." He warned, as he fingered the lid of the box.
" You have coffee right here." Calleigh pointed to the percolator and Speed raised his eyebrow at her, " You're asking that like you haven't been working here for the last three years and haven't tasted the coffee." He managed a smile and Calleigh shook her head.
" You're way too picky." Calleigh warned him, as she fingered her badge.
" You're the one who only eats organic fruits." Speed reminded and Calleigh placed her hands on her hips securely, " Keep talking like that Speed, and you'll be taking baths alone." She stated and walked away.
" I shudder with fear." Speed mumbled after her departing form.
" I heard that." Calleigh said and he opened the box.
***
Standing in front of Elisabeth's office, Eric collected himself and tried to focus on the task at hand, not the beautiful woman he'd be associating with shortly.
Taking a deep breath he reached for the doorknob and was taken back when the door opened by itself and from inside emerged Mia.
" Eric, your early." She said in a tone of voice that told Eric she was less than thrilled to be stating that.
" Don't sound too excited." Delko flashed her a tightlipped smile as he managed to squeeze through the door and not encounter her slim form leaning against the other frame.
" I suppose my ex husband is rubbing off on you, talk to you later." Mia turned around a clacked her way turning the corner.
When she was out of earshot, Eric murmured, " I'll be holding my breath." Then closed the door to the office, and stepped in.
He remembered the last time he visited this place and could definitely say that with much candidness that this visit would be worth his time quite more than the previous one.
" Knock, knock." He stepped further into the room and headed to the slightly opened door on his right. Where he remembered Janet's office used to be.
" Who's there?" A voice from behind the door called out.
" Okay, this must stop now, before the irony of this game gets to us." Delko made himself known and shut the door behind him.
" Glad you agree, how are you this early morning Mr. Delko?" Elisabeth inquired with little sarcasm, but a small grin.
" I told you not to call me Mr. Anything." He reminded her cautiously, as he took a seat at one of the easy chairs across from her behind the desk.
" Sorry, Eric, Delko, whatever, you gonna answer my question?" Elisabeth asked, looking between the files she was leafing through and the man watching her with an amused expression.
" If there's something in it for me." He said beforehand, and Elisabeth found herself smiling.
" There definitely is." She murmured and then looked down at the folder she was studying.
" Care to elaborate?" he raised his eyebrow, obviously not finding the seriousness in her voice to be something of negligence.
" Yeah, sure, I'll tell ya what." Elisabeth began, and before her words to stir her away from the subject at hand, " I'm starving, and haven't had breakfast yet, so you take me to one of those restaurants, that are gonna make me wish I've lived in Miami all my life, and I'll give you a sneak peak at the case update." She said manipulatively, as she drew lazy circles on the file in front of her.
Eric followed her finger, and then looked up at her twinkling green eyes, " I think I can manage that." He replied, and Elisabeth mumbled something about using the bathroom before they left.
Eric was too deaf with excitement to hear what she was saying, after all it wasn't everyday that he received a blatant invitation for company, from a beautiful woman like Elisabeth and it wasn't everyday that even such simple banter could stir up such feelings inside him.
Maybe this was worth checking out, he wondered to himself, as Elisabeth emerged from wherever she went and asked where he was taking her.
He told her it was a surprise, and they left the office.
TBC.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything.
Rating: R (later)
Pairing: Eric/OC, Speed/Calleigh
Summary: After the death of Janet Medrano (Body Count) Elisabeth Kaytlin is hired as the new ADA. Under the condoned guide of Horatio Caine's ex-wife, Mia Dayton, who also happens to be the DA for Miami, as her first assignment Kaytlin is forced to reopen a cold case, which also happens to be Eric Delko's first case with the Miami-Dade crime Lab.
Spoiler: Tinder Box, Body Count
A/N: I *need* to take a break from Cardboard Copy.and perhaps this is a feeble attempt for your entertainment, but I just need to write an Eric fic.he's so lovable.hope you like it. Note: direct mentions from episodes will be featured later.
***
Part 3- Elevated Pressure
Eric woke up that morning feeling a little unusual. When he looked to his left, he found the bed empty for once and he was nearly positive, if his short term memory didn't deceive him, that there would be no one in the kitchen making him coffee and Pop-tarts.
Glancing at the wall that was opposite his bed he stared at the small mirror hanging above the TV set. Studying his image in the reflector he concluded that he still looked the same. Still had the features that apparently appealed to tall blondes in push up bras named Andie.
Yet he was sure he'd never call her again, and that in itself was something he'd sadly concluded the night before when he was introduced to an auburn haired green-eyed ADA.
" Elisabeth Kaytlin." He murmured to himself as he studied himself a little better. What was it about her that stirred such a physical emotion in him? Sure she was gorgeous but so were a lot of women he'd come into close contact with.
Think Calleigh, Alexx, Laura, Megan, Adele, Yelina. However none of them got to him like Elisabeth did. Why? He had yet to answer that question and that definitely annoyed him the worst.
Eric knew he was a patient if sometimes obnoxious man, but being in the dark about his own feelings wasn't something he enjoyed very much, because if he didn't have the answers, then who did?
Not wanting to plague his tired mind any longer with enigmatic bullshit, Eric slammed the snooze button, a little too hard, on the still ringing alarm clock and rolled on his stomach for another nine minutes of heaven.
***
Promptly at 8am Elisabeth stood in front of her new office, chewing on her previously glossed lip apprehensively. The whole floor was dead silence and Elisabeth took that as an opportunity for a moment of clarity.
Having unpacked some of her living room the night before, while going through half a case of beer by herself, Elisabeth woke up with a slight hangover and an upset stomach. After taking an Alkaselzer, dissolved in a cup of instant coffee, with a ratio of 3 to 1 in the caffeine's favor versus water, she took a quiet half hour to unload another box of furniture and proceed to the evidence case.
It took her ten minutes to separate the documents and nother ten minutes to understand that she wouldn't be able to distinguish the difference between a post mortem report and a sign off by the CSI without assistance. About fifteen minutes later she left the case evidence with the secretary at CSI in regard with a message to either Calleigh Duquesne or Tim Speedle.
Knowing that Eric would most likely head straight to the DA's office she neglected to mention his name in the note.
Elisabeth was wheedled out of her thought by the clacking of heels coming from a few feet away. Mia had arrived, giving Elisabeth no more time for uncertainty over her job and anxiety toward her meeting with Eric.
" Oh shit, you're here." Mia said somewhat disarmingly, to Elisabeth who raised an eyebrow in the process.
" You said a little earlier." She reminded and Mia rolled her eyes, not at all condescendingly but ruthlessly.
" Are you this goody-goody by practice or nature?" Mia opened the office and Elisabeth eagerly followed her. Not having the strength to enter by herself before.
" I prefer to think of it as respect for my elders." She teased after a while. Mia set her briefcase on the easy chair next to her desk and leaned in for a moment to, no doubt, ponder on the comment, " Oh now you don't have to tease. I thought you said the Botox injections worked?"
Elisabeth polished her sharp tongue as she opened the door to her office, " Don't misunderstand me Mia, they do work, but there's just so much modern technology can do." She smiled and disappeared into her smaller sanctuary before having something thrown at her by her boss.
Exactly six minutes after she closed the door to her office, Elisabeth was greeted by a stack of papers that looked older than her grandmother, neatly tucked away at a nursing home east of Manhattan.
" This is what I could dig up on the Gale case with Mercedes, whom by the way send her regards and thank yous for doing this." Mia said as she lowered herself in one of the easy chairs across the desk from Elisabeth, who currently sported a knowing smile.
" I got ambushed into doing this, remember?" Mia frowned, "You don't have to be so bitter you know. It's a great learning opportunity for you."
When Elisabeth made no effort to compromise Mia continued, " And if you don't mind I gave her your address and telephone number." " Why?" Elisabeth asked, although she already knew that she'd be getting a fruit basket delivered to her that afternoon.
" Something about showing appreciation." Mia stated hitting the jackpot.
" Well isn't our Council Woman a peach?" " Like I said you don't have to be so bitter. It causes wrinkles." " So who's the guy that took care of that for you?" Elisabeth asked in attempt to be left alone.
She succeeded in forcing Mia out of her office but not before she told Elisabeth to fuck off and not leave before a certain CSI made himself known.
Elisabeth ignored her last comment and for once enjoyed the pile of work laid out for her.
***
Having slept better than she could remember the night before, Calleigh made her way through the front lobby of CSI briskly, and fresh in step.
Speed had left that morning shortly after 6, complaining about needing to get out of the clothes that were sticking to him from all sides. She made him promise not to be late for work and left the apartment the same time Speed did, for her morning jog.
Calleigh hadn't counted on the desk clerk at the front to stop her on her way to the break room, but welcomed her with a small smile and received a piece of paper in return.
To Whom It May Concern:
This is Elisabeth Kaytlin, the ADA reopening the Gale Case, I figure that I might need help on figuring out what the hell is in the evidence box that Speedle and Duquesne dug up for me, in their spare time can they please analyze the contents and return to me with a report. It would be greatly appreciated.
It was signed in a pretty italic print, and Calleigh could just make out Liz's full name.
Accepting the box from the secretary she made her way further into the corridor, in hopes of catching Horatio and letting him know he'd have to sign both her and Speed off for at least the day, so she could do Elisabeth this favor.
Something told her he'd understand, even if his ex wife were involved.
Calleigh had never known her boss to be the type to hold a grudge but she knew he greatly disliked his former spouse. There weren't even enough facts for the ballistics expert to hypothesize on what happened, but what little she knew led her to believe that a third party was involved. However she didn't know who cheated on who and preferred not to even go there.
She was never one for gossip and wouldn't start now. Hugging the box deeper against her chest, she tried to forget how restlessly her sleep had begun the night before. The same dream she'd been having for countless nights had reared its ugly head and she tossed and turned until Tim finally held her down and she fell asleep.
The same nightmare, of Janet being gunned down by Hank Kerner, and the same awful sensation that tingled her body spread through her as she replayed the scene over, and over in her head.
This vision was one of a haunting experience, because about two days after the investigation was wrapped up, they'd found out that a couple of tourists, filming their vacation caught the shooting on tape but had been scared to turn themselves in, and mailed the tape to Hagen's division after they flew back home.
Calleigh remembered John cautioning her about watching the tape, he'd said, " Calleigh, it's really unnecessary to see something like that."
But the more he encouraged her not to view it, the more she urged herself to do the exact opposite, so she watched it, and regretted it, because now, the tape played itself over and over again in her head, not giving her a moment of solace.
Tim was obviously great, and sometimes Calleigh wondered if she deserved him, and if he honestly needed such a broken person to spend the rest of his life with him, it struck Calleigh to be so insecure, she wasn't used to it, but that's how she felt when it came to Tim.
Maybe one of these days she could tell him that he needed to go and find himself a better deal because if he didn't stick around, she wouldn't be able to handle it later, and it would destroy them both.
Forgetting that she was looking for him, Calleigh was startled when Speed snuck up behind her and whispered in her ear, " Miss me?"
Calleigh jumped up on her heels and nearly dropped the box after he'd tickled her waist.
He started laughing uncontrollably, as she regained her composure and was greeted by a slap on the back of his head.
" I was looking forward to seeing you, but now I'm not so sure." She teased him lightheartedly and set the box on the table.
" Oh now, your just mean, I was kidding." Speed said, kissing her neck softly, in an attempt to wheedle his way back to her good side.
" Well, I have an idea of how you can make it up to me." Calleigh said in a soft voice that resembled a purr.
Tim didn't recall her using this sort of tone with him at work, " Really? Would it involve a bath for two, and my favorite dessert?" He asked in a low whisper.
Calleigh turned to him with a small smirk playing on her lips and just about when Speed figured she was going to concur she replied, " No, it would involve you going through this box while I got get breakfast. Something tells me were gonna be here for a while."
Tim frowned, and looked at the familiar box, " Why couldn't Elisabeth go through it?"
" Because." Calleigh stated, and Tim waited for her to continue, " Not everyone is a CSI, remember that." She tugged on his shirt collar, and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, " I'll see you in what hopefully will be about 30 minutes, I'm going to Ezra's so I'll just get your usual."
She released him and Tim grumbled, " Yeah, sure and make sure you pick up a double espresso from Starbuck's." He warned, as he fingered the lid of the box.
" You have coffee right here." Calleigh pointed to the percolator and Speed raised his eyebrow at her, " You're asking that like you haven't been working here for the last three years and haven't tasted the coffee." He managed a smile and Calleigh shook her head.
" You're way too picky." Calleigh warned him, as she fingered her badge.
" You're the one who only eats organic fruits." Speed reminded and Calleigh placed her hands on her hips securely, " Keep talking like that Speed, and you'll be taking baths alone." She stated and walked away.
" I shudder with fear." Speed mumbled after her departing form.
" I heard that." Calleigh said and he opened the box.
***
Standing in front of Elisabeth's office, Eric collected himself and tried to focus on the task at hand, not the beautiful woman he'd be associating with shortly.
Taking a deep breath he reached for the doorknob and was taken back when the door opened by itself and from inside emerged Mia.
" Eric, your early." She said in a tone of voice that told Eric she was less than thrilled to be stating that.
" Don't sound too excited." Delko flashed her a tightlipped smile as he managed to squeeze through the door and not encounter her slim form leaning against the other frame.
" I suppose my ex husband is rubbing off on you, talk to you later." Mia turned around a clacked her way turning the corner.
When she was out of earshot, Eric murmured, " I'll be holding my breath." Then closed the door to the office, and stepped in.
He remembered the last time he visited this place and could definitely say that with much candidness that this visit would be worth his time quite more than the previous one.
" Knock, knock." He stepped further into the room and headed to the slightly opened door on his right. Where he remembered Janet's office used to be.
" Who's there?" A voice from behind the door called out.
" Okay, this must stop now, before the irony of this game gets to us." Delko made himself known and shut the door behind him.
" Glad you agree, how are you this early morning Mr. Delko?" Elisabeth inquired with little sarcasm, but a small grin.
" I told you not to call me Mr. Anything." He reminded her cautiously, as he took a seat at one of the easy chairs across from her behind the desk.
" Sorry, Eric, Delko, whatever, you gonna answer my question?" Elisabeth asked, looking between the files she was leafing through and the man watching her with an amused expression.
" If there's something in it for me." He said beforehand, and Elisabeth found herself smiling.
" There definitely is." She murmured and then looked down at the folder she was studying.
" Care to elaborate?" he raised his eyebrow, obviously not finding the seriousness in her voice to be something of negligence.
" Yeah, sure, I'll tell ya what." Elisabeth began, and before her words to stir her away from the subject at hand, " I'm starving, and haven't had breakfast yet, so you take me to one of those restaurants, that are gonna make me wish I've lived in Miami all my life, and I'll give you a sneak peak at the case update." She said manipulatively, as she drew lazy circles on the file in front of her.
Eric followed her finger, and then looked up at her twinkling green eyes, " I think I can manage that." He replied, and Elisabeth mumbled something about using the bathroom before they left.
Eric was too deaf with excitement to hear what she was saying, after all it wasn't everyday that he received a blatant invitation for company, from a beautiful woman like Elisabeth and it wasn't everyday that even such simple banter could stir up such feelings inside him.
Maybe this was worth checking out, he wondered to himself, as Elisabeth emerged from wherever she went and asked where he was taking her.
He told her it was a surprise, and they left the office.
TBC.