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 5- Downfall
" Thanks for breakfast." Elisabeth walked out of the restaurant, following Eric, " it was great." She smiled at him, and he led them to his car.
" Yeah, especially since you paid for it." He commented bitterly and unlocked the roadster.
Opening the passenger door for Elisabeth, he surprised her by being such a gentleman and she smiled, " Don't be so cynical, we can't keep eating like this, and you can't keep paying for it." Elisabeth said as she lowered herself into the seat.
" I don't mind." Eric murmured to himself as he shut the door, and moved around the car to the driver's seat.
Elisabeth pondered on his confession and didn't feel guilty for sort of eavesdropping, and hearing what she was sure wasn't directed her.
She concluded that perhaps she wasn't the only one that had unresolved issues over their time together. Maybe the tension that was building up inside her was a mutual feeling.
Maybe.
Eric started the ignition, and woke Elisabeth up from her thoughts. Taking a left turn on Market St. Eric made the short trip to City Hall, and without further conversation parked the car in the front of the building.
Shutting down the motor, he unbuckled his seatbelt, ready to get out but Elisabeth set her hand on his shoulder and he looked at her, before trying to get out.
" Eric." Her voice stopped him and he turned around to look at her.
" What?" He nearly snapped and Elisabeth removed her hand quickly from his shoulder, as if she touched something that burned her.
" Nothing, never mind." She replied edgily, and unbuckled her seatbelt with equal hastiness, not noticing Horatio Caine existing the building as she entered.
Eric, who stayed behind to evaluate what the hell just happened, however, noticed Horatio descending the stairs of the tall edifice.
The two CSIs locked eyes and made their way toward each other. Identical looks of confusion mirrored their faces, if for different reasons, then for the same purpose - women.
" Hey H, what are you doing here?" Delko asked, casting off his urge to follow Elisabeth into her office and force her to tell him what was wrong.
" Ah, well you should know that I'm here for my ex wife." The redhead ran a hand through his hair and settled against the trunk of Eric's roadster.
" Eh, ain't life a bitch, what's up?" Delko commented with personal experience attached to every syllable as he continued.
" Not nearly as much as you, what are you doing with Ms. Kaytlin?" Horatio probed and Delko felt compelled to tell him to shut up, but realized that wouldn't be the smartest or most courteous thing to say to his boss.
" She forced me into a late breakfast, and we talked about the case, nothing more. Don't worry H I don't dip my pen in company ink." Delko assured him unconvincingly to both, as it seemed, because it was evident by the side-glance that Horatio gave him, he wasn't buying this story.
" I would imagine so, and don't worry Eric it never ends well anyway." Horatio leaned forward and pat his CSI on his shoulder in a fatherly mode.
Eric couldn't help but tense under his touch and stepped back just a little, not sure if Horatio grasped the seriousness of the situation.
In fact he didn't think *he* understood the significance of his position in all of this. So why would Horatio? He hadn't met Elisabeth for more than five minutes, and he didn't know the impact that her presence had on his CSI.
For a second Delko wanted to dub his boss lucky, but he wasn't so sure anymore, he wanted to explore every possibility, take every chance, and turn every page in his book, but it occurred to him that with every risk he took he ventured deeper and deeper into an abyss he probably wouldn't be able to get out off. That wasn't something he wanted on his résumé for future romantic purposes, if they would be any.
He wasn't sure if he wanted there to be any more romantic possibilities, and that frightened him, to be content with just one person, it always fazed him how people could be able to commit and trust themselves with another human being entirely. It was a skill he could never master.
That's why in his 27 years on earth he was dubbed a womanizer more times than he could count and had too many telephone numbers stashed away in his address book that became obsolete to him after some time.
He was spontaneous and quickly lost interest in some one, and the fact that Elisabeth could taunt him, but pique his attention so well scared him. He hadn't allowed himself to feel this way about any one in a very long time. It was always physical and for the sake of pleasure.
Here it was deeper and he could sense it within ten minutes of meeting her, and something told him that she was probably feeling the same way.
Eric snapped out of his thoughts, and found his boss in a rare state of daydream, he decided to ask him something, that would probably determine his decision about whether his boss was honestly human or not.
Theoretically of course.
" Say H." He began deliberately slow, to grab his listener's attention.
" Yeah?" Horatio turned to his CSI, a small grin playing on his face, but he, himself, remained tense and even through the dark shades he sported, Delko could sense it.
" How much time has to pass before someone knows if they're in love. For example, you and Mia, I know it's not the greatest comparison but you know." Eric's voice trailed off, and he dipped his head in slight embarrassment, reminding himself that he'd asked this question for a reason and that being Horatio he wouldn't judge him at the least.
Hopefully.
Horatio looked at the younger man long and hard, contemplating on how significant his answer would be to whatever was stirring up trouble in the drug specialist's head.
He decided that it would be significant enough, and took another stretched out minute to think about his answer.
He honestly didn't remember how and when he fell in love with Mia. Now his own personal question was why? But he decided that it would be explored in a later state when he was alone and could smash things.
So for now, he settled on helping out the lost man in front of him.
" Yeah, I know what you mean. And your definitely right in mentioning that my situation with my ex wife wasn't one of the greatest, but you know what, I wouldn't trade it in for anything. Not only did she teach me a powerful lesson in life, but she also gave me the knowledge that despite the fact that we didn't end on such good terms, you must take risks in life to make the reward worthwhile."
" Why does everyone keep telling me that?" Delko asked with exasperation throwing his hands up in frustration of not being able to fully interpret that comment.
" Because it's the truth Eric. You might not like it but you gotta accept it otherwise your gonna end up alone." Horatio eased off the car trunk without damaging it, and pulled his shades further up his nose, walking passed his colleague.
Eric watched him depart and called after him, " You never answered my question." He exclaimed with a shout.
Horatio didn't turn around but instead waved him off, " Oh I think I did." He then walked faster to his car, not wanting to have more questions thrown at him.
Eric didn't reply, but leaned against his car.
He looked on as his boss pulled out of the parking lot and drove on the main street.
" So he's human after all." Delko murmured to himself and ascended up the stairs to the law offices of Dayton & Kaytlin.
***
Calleigh watched Speed work through the translucent walls of the Trace Lab, wondering how to approach the situation best.
He was so bitter it kind of spooked her. In all the months they spent together it didn't seem as if he could have the capacity to be so cynical and hateful toward such an emotion. She thought that he'd taken a big risk when applying his efforts to their relationship and making his intentions known.
But now that he was being so moody about Eric's situation she didn't know how to think about their own relationship. Was he serious or was this just a game for him? Didn't he take a risk opening up to her? Didn't he think she would be skeptic to pursue a relationship with a colleague?
Which she was in the beginning but he sort of charmed his way into her life, without material possessions even. The only time he'd ever gotten flowers for her was the first night that he'd come to see her. About two days after Janet's funeral.
And upon finding out that she completely loathed chocolates, he dropped that idea. And of course neither was die hard romantics, so that put a damper on the traditional idea of dating.
Calleigh couldn't remember the last time they did the movie/dinner bit. Life was just too hectic with both their intense job hours and then just a few hours of much needed sleep finding time to be together got strenuous sometimes, but they always managed to pull through.
Calleigh liked to think of it as a joined effort, and of course desire for the other person. Now with Tim's sudden out burst she wasn't so sure anymore.
Taking a deep breath and further clutching the container in her hand, she opened the door and stepped into the lab.
Speed didn't look up from the microscope, and she could tell by the tension in his shoulders that he was very uneasy in her presence. This virtually devastated her but she kept her façade up, with her teenage years of practice under her belt, she was pretty damn good at it too.
Placing the container in her possession in front of Speed, she stepped back, waiting for him to turn around.
When he didn't, she took a deep breath, about to speak but he beat her to it, " No food in the labs." He reminded in a cool tone of voice that sent chills down Calleigh's spine, leaving goose bumps in their wake.
It still frightened her just a little bit that he could switch roles so easily, she didn't know how he'd mastered that skill, but something told her that it was his way of protecting himself. Just like her stonewall was a way for her to protect herself.
Although to be perfectly blunt she had been letting her guard down a lot these days and one of the reasons was probably Speed. It just made her feel unnerving that he couldn't feel the same way about her.
Made her question what they were doing here.
" So go eat, I'll take over for a while." She solicited lightly, knowing he wouldn't give in with force.
He was just as stubborn as she was, and battling it out would be like fighting a losing war, and Calleigh didn't think she had the strength to do it.
" I really don't have time to." He confessed mindlessly, and ignored her presence all together, it didn't faze Calleigh one bit though, because she knew her purpose for being here, and also knew that at work they weren't supposed to show signs of their involvement together, and if Speed wanted to pick a fight, he wasn't getting on.
Well at least not until they were alone.
" Then make time." Calleigh hissed, trying to keep her anger under control.
" Calleigh." Speed's voice trailed off threateningly as he spun on the stool he occupied and finally made eye contact.
Something in his gaze wasn't sitting well with Calleigh but she chose to condone it until they could get all their feelings out on the table.
" Tim." She stated his name, daring him to oppose her, " Go eat now." She added and he had no choice but to comply.
" Fine, fine. Later mother." He took the container and brushed passed her on purpose, to let her know that he didn't like this.
Calleigh took a deep breath and took seating at the vacated stool, except instead of looking through the microscope she settled for collecting her thoughts and trying desperately not to lash out on anything within close proximity of her.
It took her this long to comprehend the whole situation and breaking down just wasn't an option.
Looking at her own reflection in the lucid cabinet across the room, she ran her fingers through her scalp, and promised herself that she wouldn't smash the evidence tube against it.
***
" What took you so long?" Elisabeth greeted Eric impatiently when he entered her office.
" Horatio stopped by." He said, not keen on elaborating any more than that.
" And." Elisabeth's voice trailed off, not letting Eric off the hook.
" Ask your boss." Delko replied edgily, reminding Elisabeth of the previous tone he used with her in the car. One she would love to erase from her memory.
" No thank you. I'd rather get down to business, shall we?" She pointed to the untouched case files from that morning.
" Your call." He shrugged and took a seat on the chair farthest away from the desk.
Elisabeth frowned, and then studied him suspiciously. When did things get so fucking complicated, and why were her feelings for him so goddamn strong.
He was just supposed to be Eric Delko, a guy she met through her boss, some one who annoyed him and sometimes made her laugh.
He wasn't supposed to be Eric Delko, a guy she met through her boss, and some one who made her question every belief that she had in herself, and he wasn't supposed to trigger every nerve in her body, making her shiver irrepressibly.
" You okay Liz?" His voice echoed through her fogged mind, and she nodded, after reconciling with her thoughts.
" Perfect, now where were we?" Elisabeth voiced and Eric silently replied, " I was falling in love with you."
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 5- Downfall
" Thanks for breakfast." Elisabeth walked out of the restaurant, following Eric, " it was great." She smiled at him, and he led them to his car.
" Yeah, especially since you paid for it." He commented bitterly and unlocked the roadster.
Opening the passenger door for Elisabeth, he surprised her by being such a gentleman and she smiled, " Don't be so cynical, we can't keep eating like this, and you can't keep paying for it." Elisabeth said as she lowered herself into the seat.
" I don't mind." Eric murmured to himself as he shut the door, and moved around the car to the driver's seat.
Elisabeth pondered on his confession and didn't feel guilty for sort of eavesdropping, and hearing what she was sure wasn't directed her.
She concluded that perhaps she wasn't the only one that had unresolved issues over their time together. Maybe the tension that was building up inside her was a mutual feeling.
Maybe.
Eric started the ignition, and woke Elisabeth up from her thoughts. Taking a left turn on Market St. Eric made the short trip to City Hall, and without further conversation parked the car in the front of the building.
Shutting down the motor, he unbuckled his seatbelt, ready to get out but Elisabeth set her hand on his shoulder and he looked at her, before trying to get out.
" Eric." Her voice stopped him and he turned around to look at her.
" What?" He nearly snapped and Elisabeth removed her hand quickly from his shoulder, as if she touched something that burned her.
" Nothing, never mind." She replied edgily, and unbuckled her seatbelt with equal hastiness, not noticing Horatio Caine existing the building as she entered.
Eric, who stayed behind to evaluate what the hell just happened, however, noticed Horatio descending the stairs of the tall edifice.
The two CSIs locked eyes and made their way toward each other. Identical looks of confusion mirrored their faces, if for different reasons, then for the same purpose - women.
" Hey H, what are you doing here?" Delko asked, casting off his urge to follow Elisabeth into her office and force her to tell him what was wrong.
" Ah, well you should know that I'm here for my ex wife." The redhead ran a hand through his hair and settled against the trunk of Eric's roadster.
" Eh, ain't life a bitch, what's up?" Delko commented with personal experience attached to every syllable as he continued.
" Not nearly as much as you, what are you doing with Ms. Kaytlin?" Horatio probed and Delko felt compelled to tell him to shut up, but realized that wouldn't be the smartest or most courteous thing to say to his boss.
" She forced me into a late breakfast, and we talked about the case, nothing more. Don't worry H I don't dip my pen in company ink." Delko assured him unconvincingly to both, as it seemed, because it was evident by the side-glance that Horatio gave him, he wasn't buying this story.
" I would imagine so, and don't worry Eric it never ends well anyway." Horatio leaned forward and pat his CSI on his shoulder in a fatherly mode.
Eric couldn't help but tense under his touch and stepped back just a little, not sure if Horatio grasped the seriousness of the situation.
In fact he didn't think *he* understood the significance of his position in all of this. So why would Horatio? He hadn't met Elisabeth for more than five minutes, and he didn't know the impact that her presence had on his CSI.
For a second Delko wanted to dub his boss lucky, but he wasn't so sure anymore, he wanted to explore every possibility, take every chance, and turn every page in his book, but it occurred to him that with every risk he took he ventured deeper and deeper into an abyss he probably wouldn't be able to get out off. That wasn't something he wanted on his résumé for future romantic purposes, if they would be any.
He wasn't sure if he wanted there to be any more romantic possibilities, and that frightened him, to be content with just one person, it always fazed him how people could be able to commit and trust themselves with another human being entirely. It was a skill he could never master.
That's why in his 27 years on earth he was dubbed a womanizer more times than he could count and had too many telephone numbers stashed away in his address book that became obsolete to him after some time.
He was spontaneous and quickly lost interest in some one, and the fact that Elisabeth could taunt him, but pique his attention so well scared him. He hadn't allowed himself to feel this way about any one in a very long time. It was always physical and for the sake of pleasure.
Here it was deeper and he could sense it within ten minutes of meeting her, and something told him that she was probably feeling the same way.
Eric snapped out of his thoughts, and found his boss in a rare state of daydream, he decided to ask him something, that would probably determine his decision about whether his boss was honestly human or not.
Theoretically of course.
" Say H." He began deliberately slow, to grab his listener's attention.
" Yeah?" Horatio turned to his CSI, a small grin playing on his face, but he, himself, remained tense and even through the dark shades he sported, Delko could sense it.
" How much time has to pass before someone knows if they're in love. For example, you and Mia, I know it's not the greatest comparison but you know." Eric's voice trailed off, and he dipped his head in slight embarrassment, reminding himself that he'd asked this question for a reason and that being Horatio he wouldn't judge him at the least.
Hopefully.
Horatio looked at the younger man long and hard, contemplating on how significant his answer would be to whatever was stirring up trouble in the drug specialist's head.
He decided that it would be significant enough, and took another stretched out minute to think about his answer.
He honestly didn't remember how and when he fell in love with Mia. Now his own personal question was why? But he decided that it would be explored in a later state when he was alone and could smash things.
So for now, he settled on helping out the lost man in front of him.
" Yeah, I know what you mean. And your definitely right in mentioning that my situation with my ex wife wasn't one of the greatest, but you know what, I wouldn't trade it in for anything. Not only did she teach me a powerful lesson in life, but she also gave me the knowledge that despite the fact that we didn't end on such good terms, you must take risks in life to make the reward worthwhile."
" Why does everyone keep telling me that?" Delko asked with exasperation throwing his hands up in frustration of not being able to fully interpret that comment.
" Because it's the truth Eric. You might not like it but you gotta accept it otherwise your gonna end up alone." Horatio eased off the car trunk without damaging it, and pulled his shades further up his nose, walking passed his colleague.
Eric watched him depart and called after him, " You never answered my question." He exclaimed with a shout.
Horatio didn't turn around but instead waved him off, " Oh I think I did." He then walked faster to his car, not wanting to have more questions thrown at him.
Eric didn't reply, but leaned against his car.
He looked on as his boss pulled out of the parking lot and drove on the main street.
" So he's human after all." Delko murmured to himself and ascended up the stairs to the law offices of Dayton & Kaytlin.
***
Calleigh watched Speed work through the translucent walls of the Trace Lab, wondering how to approach the situation best.
He was so bitter it kind of spooked her. In all the months they spent together it didn't seem as if he could have the capacity to be so cynical and hateful toward such an emotion. She thought that he'd taken a big risk when applying his efforts to their relationship and making his intentions known.
But now that he was being so moody about Eric's situation she didn't know how to think about their own relationship. Was he serious or was this just a game for him? Didn't he take a risk opening up to her? Didn't he think she would be skeptic to pursue a relationship with a colleague?
Which she was in the beginning but he sort of charmed his way into her life, without material possessions even. The only time he'd ever gotten flowers for her was the first night that he'd come to see her. About two days after Janet's funeral.
And upon finding out that she completely loathed chocolates, he dropped that idea. And of course neither was die hard romantics, so that put a damper on the traditional idea of dating.
Calleigh couldn't remember the last time they did the movie/dinner bit. Life was just too hectic with both their intense job hours and then just a few hours of much needed sleep finding time to be together got strenuous sometimes, but they always managed to pull through.
Calleigh liked to think of it as a joined effort, and of course desire for the other person. Now with Tim's sudden out burst she wasn't so sure anymore.
Taking a deep breath and further clutching the container in her hand, she opened the door and stepped into the lab.
Speed didn't look up from the microscope, and she could tell by the tension in his shoulders that he was very uneasy in her presence. This virtually devastated her but she kept her façade up, with her teenage years of practice under her belt, she was pretty damn good at it too.
Placing the container in her possession in front of Speed, she stepped back, waiting for him to turn around.
When he didn't, she took a deep breath, about to speak but he beat her to it, " No food in the labs." He reminded in a cool tone of voice that sent chills down Calleigh's spine, leaving goose bumps in their wake.
It still frightened her just a little bit that he could switch roles so easily, she didn't know how he'd mastered that skill, but something told her that it was his way of protecting himself. Just like her stonewall was a way for her to protect herself.
Although to be perfectly blunt she had been letting her guard down a lot these days and one of the reasons was probably Speed. It just made her feel unnerving that he couldn't feel the same way about her.
Made her question what they were doing here.
" So go eat, I'll take over for a while." She solicited lightly, knowing he wouldn't give in with force.
He was just as stubborn as she was, and battling it out would be like fighting a losing war, and Calleigh didn't think she had the strength to do it.
" I really don't have time to." He confessed mindlessly, and ignored her presence all together, it didn't faze Calleigh one bit though, because she knew her purpose for being here, and also knew that at work they weren't supposed to show signs of their involvement together, and if Speed wanted to pick a fight, he wasn't getting on.
Well at least not until they were alone.
" Then make time." Calleigh hissed, trying to keep her anger under control.
" Calleigh." Speed's voice trailed off threateningly as he spun on the stool he occupied and finally made eye contact.
Something in his gaze wasn't sitting well with Calleigh but she chose to condone it until they could get all their feelings out on the table.
" Tim." She stated his name, daring him to oppose her, " Go eat now." She added and he had no choice but to comply.
" Fine, fine. Later mother." He took the container and brushed passed her on purpose, to let her know that he didn't like this.
Calleigh took a deep breath and took seating at the vacated stool, except instead of looking through the microscope she settled for collecting her thoughts and trying desperately not to lash out on anything within close proximity of her.
It took her this long to comprehend the whole situation and breaking down just wasn't an option.
Looking at her own reflection in the lucid cabinet across the room, she ran her fingers through her scalp, and promised herself that she wouldn't smash the evidence tube against it.
***
" What took you so long?" Elisabeth greeted Eric impatiently when he entered her office.
" Horatio stopped by." He said, not keen on elaborating any more than that.
" And." Elisabeth's voice trailed off, not letting Eric off the hook.
" Ask your boss." Delko replied edgily, reminding Elisabeth of the previous tone he used with her in the car. One she would love to erase from her memory.
" No thank you. I'd rather get down to business, shall we?" She pointed to the untouched case files from that morning.
" Your call." He shrugged and took a seat on the chair farthest away from the desk.
Elisabeth frowned, and then studied him suspiciously. When did things get so fucking complicated, and why were her feelings for him so goddamn strong.
He was just supposed to be Eric Delko, a guy she met through her boss, some one who annoyed him and sometimes made her laugh.
He wasn't supposed to be Eric Delko, a guy she met through her boss, and some one who made her question every belief that she had in herself, and he wasn't supposed to trigger every nerve in her body, making her shiver irrepressibly.
" You okay Liz?" His voice echoed through her fogged mind, and she nodded, after reconciling with her thoughts.
" Perfect, now where were we?" Elisabeth voiced and Eric silently replied, " I was falling in love with you."
TBC.