Temptation
See Part 1 for Disclaimers, etc.
Dedication: This is for Everyone who reviewed this story. You know who you are and I always appreciate your thoughts....
A/N: I may do a sequel someday, if I'm so inspired...please let me know what you think of this one
The pain in his head was intense, unlike anything he'd ever felt. He tried to remember what had happened to cause the pain but it wouldn't come to him. All he could think of was that he was on his way to Calleigh's and then something had happened. But what was it?
The fact that he could feel pain was a small comfort because it meant that he was alive at least. He hadn't been ready to die, there was still too much he wanted to do so unless he was in his own special hell, the pounding in his head meant he was breathing if nothing else. Speed opened his eyes slowly, his head throbbing and his ribs tender as he struggled to sit up. A gentle hand went to his shoulder, trying to prevent him from sitting. He gave up and lay back down in defeat.
"He's waking up! Get the doctor." An excited voice Speed recognized as Megan's sounded in his ear and he wondered where he was. His vision, while blurry at first, was slowly coming into focus. His head hurt like hell. Megan was beside him, holding his hand, her brown eyes full of worry. "Don't try to sit up yet. How do you feel, Tim?"
"Like shit." He admitted, looking around the room. Horatio was there, looking extremely relieved "What happened?"
"You were in an accident." Horatio answered. "Can you remember anything?" Tim thought for a moment and then he remembered that he had been going to meet Calleigh at her place for dinner. Now he was in a hospital bed with a bandaged head, a cast on his left arm and an I.V. hooked up to his right.
"Calleigh. I was on my way to her place. That's all I remember." He said. "Is she here?" The need to see Calleigh was very strong right now, he remembered thinking he wouldn't ever see her again.
"We sent her home a few hours ago. She needed some sleep---she's barely left your side since it happened." Horatio responded.
"How long have I been here?" Speed asked her, as a doctor entered the room, followed by Eric and Alexx, both of whom looked like they hadn't slept in days. The doctor checked him over and told him he was very lucky. He'd broken his right arm, a few ribs and had a concussion but his helmet and the fact that high speed hadn't been involved had definitely helped.
He asked Speed a few questions to ascertain whether there or not there had been any memory loss as a result of his concussion and was satisfied that everything was normal. Telling him to get lots of rest and cheerfully instructing his visitors to keep the chaos to a minimum, the doctor left the room.
"So, how long have I been in here?" He asked Megan again.
"Two days." Speed opened his mouth in shock.
"Whoa. I wasn't expecting that. So, what happened to me? I just can't remember."
"You were hit by a drunk driver, man. Forty-year-old woman ran a red light and you were thrown off your bike." Delko answered. Speed shook his head, searching his memory for the moment he was hit. It just wasn't happening and maybe that was for the best. "Listen, I'd better go call Calleigh and let her know you're awake. I'll be right back, okay?" Speed nodded, glad that Delko was going to tell her. He didn't want her to be worried anymore.
He appreciated the support of his other friends but the thought that he'd nearly died without getting the chance to tell Calleigh how he felt about her was heavy on his mind.
"I can't remember being hit...just the moments before it happened. Can any of you tell me what went down?" Speed asked, curious to know more details.
"As you entered the intersection you were hit immediately by a vehicle coming from the opposite direction. The driver clearly ran a red light and after hitting you she hit a telephone pole." Horatio said.
"Is she okay?" Speed asked. Horatio shook his head and Speed winced. Despite the fact that the woman had landed him in the hospital he'd been hoping for a different answer.
"One of the witnesses to the accident called 9-1-1 and she was pronounced dead at the scene. You had your work I.D. on you so I got a call as you were on route to the hospital." Horatio continued, "They couldn't give me any information over the phone so I got here as quickly as I could and once I knew you were stable I called everyone from here. Calleigh had been worried sick. She'd been trying to call your cell so when you didn't answer she feared the worst."
"I know she must have been worried, she knew I was out in stormy weather. Of course, this had nothing to do with the weather." Speed said. Alexx came over to him then and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Tim. I'd better get home to my kids but call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Thanks Alexx. I think the only thing I really need now is sleep. My head is still pounding." Speed answered wearily. It was true. The headache had gotten worse since he'd woken up and his ribs were sore too, making breathing a bit more difficult than normal.
"Get lots of rest, Tim. The rest of you too." Alexx said as she left the room, passing Eric on his way back in.
"Calleigh's on her way over. I told her you were okay and she should just sleep some more but she insisted, so..."
"Listen, I think you should take Alexx's advice, Speed. We all should." Horatio said, looking at Megan. "Let's all go get some rest, okay?" Megan nodded and lovingly put her hand on the side of Speed's face, kissing his forehead softly. He smiled at her, finding comfort in her somewhat motherly concern.
"I'll be back first thing in the morning, Tim. Is there anything you need?"
"Not that I can think of right now but thanks for the offer, Megan." Horatio and Megan said goodnight, leaving Speed and Delko alone in the room.
"This has all been like a nightmare, Tim. It seemed like you were never going to wake up but I knew you'd pull through. You had to." Delko said, more serious than Speed had ever seen him.
"Yeah, I've got some unfinished business here. There's no way I could check out yet." Speed replied with a smile.
"Well, I'm glad. I don't know what I'd do without you, man." Delko said, clearing his throat. Speed was sure he saw tears well up in his friend's eyes but Delko quickly switched gears, his face breaking into a grin. "Speaking of unfinished business, yours should be here in about ten minutes. I think I'll head home too so you two have no distractions. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Funny guy." Speed said sarcastically as Delko laughed and ducked out of the room. It dawned on Speed that this accident of his had really disrupted everyone's lives. Cathy and Eric likely didn't have their date and H, Megan, Alexx, Calleigh and Eric had spent most of the last three days here by his side from the sound of things. The fact that they had all been there for him gave him some comfort as he closed his eyes for a moment, wishing that the pain in his head would lessen a bit. The fatigue was overwhelming and he didn't even try to fight it as he gave into sleep.
He was dreaming of Calleigh. The two of them were at the beach he'd found the day of the storm and were locked in a passionate embrace. Lightening lit up the sky as Calleigh lowered herself onto the sand, pulling Speed on top of her.
He kissed her neck, reveling in the feeling of her soft skin against his lips. She moaned his name as he worked his way lower and he wondered if maybe he really had died and this was heaven. Calleigh said his name again, even louder this time but her voice seemed to come from someplace else. Confused, Speed stopped kissing her and realized she'd disappeared and he was alone on the beach.
"Tim!" She said his name again and he looked around, confused, as thunder boomed overhead and lightening flashed, hitting a tree about twenty feet away from where he was on the beach. The light was blinding and he closed his eyes as pain erupted behind them. "Tim, wake up, you're dreaming." He felt a cool hand gently brush his forehead and opened his eyes to see Calleigh's tear-filled ones staring back at him.
"Hey you. How are you feeling?" Calleigh asked, gently brushing her right hand over his forehead as her left hand held onto one of his. "You were moaning in your sleep, that must have been some dream." She said with a smile as her eyes blinked back happy tears.
"I'm feeling a lot better now. I'm glad you're here, Cal." He was so happy to see her but he was still feeling the effects of his strange dream and wondered if he was actually awake or if this was part of the dream too. The pain that had been with him moments before had lessened and he was thankful for that. He found it was hard to think clearly right now and he knew it must be because of the pain medication they had put in his I.V. drip.
"This is the only place I want to be right now. Horatio pulled rank on me earlier, forcing me to go home and get some rest earlier, otherwise I would have been here when you woke up the first time." Calleigh said with a regretful smile.
"It's okay, Calleigh. I'm glad Horatio talked you into going home and getting some rest. I would have done the same thing." Speed told her gently as she laced her fingers through his.
"I was so scared, Tim." Calleigh confessed, as a tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. "You didn't show up and then Horatio called and he didn't know if you were going to live or die..." Her voice dissolved into quiet sobs and Speed wished he could hold her close and comfort her. In his present state all he could do was speak softly and squeeze the hand that still held his.
She composed herself very quickly and smiled through her tears. "The doctors said that we wouldn't know how bad the concussion was until you woke up so none of us were sure what was going to happen." Calleigh took a deep breath and continued. "When Eric called and told me you were awake I really felt like we were getting a second chance."
"Second chance? It's not like this is my first brush with death, Cal." Speed said, wondering what she was trying to say.
"What I mean is, I care about you and I don't think you really know how much." Calleigh said softly, looking into his eyes.
"Tell me." Speed said, seeing the answer in her eyes already. That didn't stop him from wanting to hear her say it. He'd been waiting so long already.
"You're everything to me, Tim. I'm happiest when I'm around you and when I'm not with you, you're all I think about." Speed smiled at her and gingerly reached out to wipe a stray tear from her cheek.
"That makes two of us then, Calleigh." Calleigh's expression was one of surprise and joy.
"I wasn't sure. I wanted to tell you but the timing was never right..." Her voice trailed off, she was apparently at a rare loss for words as she held his gaze.
"I know. It's scary taking that next step. You just don't know where you're going to end up. I think it's worth the risk though, don't you?" Speed said, as Calleigh's face inched closer to his.
"Yes." She said breathlessly, before capturing his lips with hers. They started off soft and slow but they were soon kissing each other with a shared intensity. When they finally broke apart for air, Calleigh smiled guiltily at him.
"What is it?" He asked, worried that he hadn't measured up somehow.
"Nothing. I mean, that was...wow!" Calleigh said, absentmindedly nibbling her lower lip, driving him wild. If he had been physically able he would have pulled her to him so he could taste her lips with his own again. "I just don't think we should do this right now."
"I understand." Speed replied, thinking Calleigh had changed her mind about him.
"No! What I'm saying is, you have a severe concussion to recover from and you need to rest. I don't think that's going to happen as long as I'm here."
"I think you're exactly what I need, Calleigh. I'm feeling better already." He lied. His head was starting to pound again and his ribs were killing him but the last thing he wanted was for her to leave him.
"Nice try, Tim but you don't look very comfortable. Do you need anything for the pain? We can buzz for a nurse." Calleigh asked, running her fingers along his bare arm, sending shivers up his spine. He was kind of in shock over their unexpected kiss. It had been better than anything he'd ever allowed himself to imagine and all he wanted was to feel her close to him again. The pain was there though and couldn't be willed away.
"Okay, maybe I could use some more drugs." Speed grudgingly admitted. Without hesitation Calleigh leaned over Speed to press the call button, the only part of her that touched him was her hair as it brushed over his arms but he could feel his heart racing from the minimal contact.
As they waited for the nurse to arrive they just held hands and both of them were smiling. Speed felt relieved to just have his feelings out in the open and he felt deliriously happy knowing that Calleigh felt the same way. They had given into temptation and it felt so good. He couldn't wait to get out of the hospital and spend some time alone with her but in the meantime, it was good to just have her with him, wherever they were.
The nurse came in to see what they needed and Speed tried to explain the intensity of the pain. The nurse agreed to give him a bit more medicine.
"This is going to make you sleepy though. Just get some rest and I'll check in on you later, okay?" She smiled at them both and quietly left the room.
"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep, Tim." Calleigh said.
"I'm glad." Speed replied, already feeling the heaviness in his eyelids. "So, did I miss anything while I was sleeping?" He asked with a grin.
"I'm afraid not, Tim. You were the main attraction the last couple of days. Horatio got someone to cover me at work and he and everyone else have been in and out. Everyone's been very worried about you." She said, a hint of sadness in her eyes as she talked about the last two days.
"I'm not going anywhere. Except to sleep pretty quick." Speed closed his eyes. "Eric and Cathy, did they have their date?" Calleigh squeezed his hand.
"No...they both decided they wanted to wait until you were available to baby-sit Melissa, since you were so excited about it..." Speed tried to open his eyes as Calleigh spoke those last words but his eyelids were too heavy and he had to sleep.
Giving into it, he drifted off to dream of Calleigh and him, spending an evening with Melissa. Then he noticed that this baby was smaller than Melissa was and had a head of blonde curls. As he looked at Calleigh and the baby laughing at each other, he realized she looked happier than he'd ever seen her before. He knew this was just a dream, but maybe, someday....
The End.
See Part 1 for Disclaimers, etc.
Dedication: This is for Everyone who reviewed this story. You know who you are and I always appreciate your thoughts....
A/N: I may do a sequel someday, if I'm so inspired...please let me know what you think of this one
The pain in his head was intense, unlike anything he'd ever felt. He tried to remember what had happened to cause the pain but it wouldn't come to him. All he could think of was that he was on his way to Calleigh's and then something had happened. But what was it?
The fact that he could feel pain was a small comfort because it meant that he was alive at least. He hadn't been ready to die, there was still too much he wanted to do so unless he was in his own special hell, the pounding in his head meant he was breathing if nothing else. Speed opened his eyes slowly, his head throbbing and his ribs tender as he struggled to sit up. A gentle hand went to his shoulder, trying to prevent him from sitting. He gave up and lay back down in defeat.
"He's waking up! Get the doctor." An excited voice Speed recognized as Megan's sounded in his ear and he wondered where he was. His vision, while blurry at first, was slowly coming into focus. His head hurt like hell. Megan was beside him, holding his hand, her brown eyes full of worry. "Don't try to sit up yet. How do you feel, Tim?"
"Like shit." He admitted, looking around the room. Horatio was there, looking extremely relieved "What happened?"
"You were in an accident." Horatio answered. "Can you remember anything?" Tim thought for a moment and then he remembered that he had been going to meet Calleigh at her place for dinner. Now he was in a hospital bed with a bandaged head, a cast on his left arm and an I.V. hooked up to his right.
"Calleigh. I was on my way to her place. That's all I remember." He said. "Is she here?" The need to see Calleigh was very strong right now, he remembered thinking he wouldn't ever see her again.
"We sent her home a few hours ago. She needed some sleep---she's barely left your side since it happened." Horatio responded.
"How long have I been here?" Speed asked her, as a doctor entered the room, followed by Eric and Alexx, both of whom looked like they hadn't slept in days. The doctor checked him over and told him he was very lucky. He'd broken his right arm, a few ribs and had a concussion but his helmet and the fact that high speed hadn't been involved had definitely helped.
He asked Speed a few questions to ascertain whether there or not there had been any memory loss as a result of his concussion and was satisfied that everything was normal. Telling him to get lots of rest and cheerfully instructing his visitors to keep the chaos to a minimum, the doctor left the room.
"So, how long have I been in here?" He asked Megan again.
"Two days." Speed opened his mouth in shock.
"Whoa. I wasn't expecting that. So, what happened to me? I just can't remember."
"You were hit by a drunk driver, man. Forty-year-old woman ran a red light and you were thrown off your bike." Delko answered. Speed shook his head, searching his memory for the moment he was hit. It just wasn't happening and maybe that was for the best. "Listen, I'd better go call Calleigh and let her know you're awake. I'll be right back, okay?" Speed nodded, glad that Delko was going to tell her. He didn't want her to be worried anymore.
He appreciated the support of his other friends but the thought that he'd nearly died without getting the chance to tell Calleigh how he felt about her was heavy on his mind.
"I can't remember being hit...just the moments before it happened. Can any of you tell me what went down?" Speed asked, curious to know more details.
"As you entered the intersection you were hit immediately by a vehicle coming from the opposite direction. The driver clearly ran a red light and after hitting you she hit a telephone pole." Horatio said.
"Is she okay?" Speed asked. Horatio shook his head and Speed winced. Despite the fact that the woman had landed him in the hospital he'd been hoping for a different answer.
"One of the witnesses to the accident called 9-1-1 and she was pronounced dead at the scene. You had your work I.D. on you so I got a call as you were on route to the hospital." Horatio continued, "They couldn't give me any information over the phone so I got here as quickly as I could and once I knew you were stable I called everyone from here. Calleigh had been worried sick. She'd been trying to call your cell so when you didn't answer she feared the worst."
"I know she must have been worried, she knew I was out in stormy weather. Of course, this had nothing to do with the weather." Speed said. Alexx came over to him then and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Tim. I'd better get home to my kids but call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Thanks Alexx. I think the only thing I really need now is sleep. My head is still pounding." Speed answered wearily. It was true. The headache had gotten worse since he'd woken up and his ribs were sore too, making breathing a bit more difficult than normal.
"Get lots of rest, Tim. The rest of you too." Alexx said as she left the room, passing Eric on his way back in.
"Calleigh's on her way over. I told her you were okay and she should just sleep some more but she insisted, so..."
"Listen, I think you should take Alexx's advice, Speed. We all should." Horatio said, looking at Megan. "Let's all go get some rest, okay?" Megan nodded and lovingly put her hand on the side of Speed's face, kissing his forehead softly. He smiled at her, finding comfort in her somewhat motherly concern.
"I'll be back first thing in the morning, Tim. Is there anything you need?"
"Not that I can think of right now but thanks for the offer, Megan." Horatio and Megan said goodnight, leaving Speed and Delko alone in the room.
"This has all been like a nightmare, Tim. It seemed like you were never going to wake up but I knew you'd pull through. You had to." Delko said, more serious than Speed had ever seen him.
"Yeah, I've got some unfinished business here. There's no way I could check out yet." Speed replied with a smile.
"Well, I'm glad. I don't know what I'd do without you, man." Delko said, clearing his throat. Speed was sure he saw tears well up in his friend's eyes but Delko quickly switched gears, his face breaking into a grin. "Speaking of unfinished business, yours should be here in about ten minutes. I think I'll head home too so you two have no distractions. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Funny guy." Speed said sarcastically as Delko laughed and ducked out of the room. It dawned on Speed that this accident of his had really disrupted everyone's lives. Cathy and Eric likely didn't have their date and H, Megan, Alexx, Calleigh and Eric had spent most of the last three days here by his side from the sound of things. The fact that they had all been there for him gave him some comfort as he closed his eyes for a moment, wishing that the pain in his head would lessen a bit. The fatigue was overwhelming and he didn't even try to fight it as he gave into sleep.
He was dreaming of Calleigh. The two of them were at the beach he'd found the day of the storm and were locked in a passionate embrace. Lightening lit up the sky as Calleigh lowered herself onto the sand, pulling Speed on top of her.
He kissed her neck, reveling in the feeling of her soft skin against his lips. She moaned his name as he worked his way lower and he wondered if maybe he really had died and this was heaven. Calleigh said his name again, even louder this time but her voice seemed to come from someplace else. Confused, Speed stopped kissing her and realized she'd disappeared and he was alone on the beach.
"Tim!" She said his name again and he looked around, confused, as thunder boomed overhead and lightening flashed, hitting a tree about twenty feet away from where he was on the beach. The light was blinding and he closed his eyes as pain erupted behind them. "Tim, wake up, you're dreaming." He felt a cool hand gently brush his forehead and opened his eyes to see Calleigh's tear-filled ones staring back at him.
"Hey you. How are you feeling?" Calleigh asked, gently brushing her right hand over his forehead as her left hand held onto one of his. "You were moaning in your sleep, that must have been some dream." She said with a smile as her eyes blinked back happy tears.
"I'm feeling a lot better now. I'm glad you're here, Cal." He was so happy to see her but he was still feeling the effects of his strange dream and wondered if he was actually awake or if this was part of the dream too. The pain that had been with him moments before had lessened and he was thankful for that. He found it was hard to think clearly right now and he knew it must be because of the pain medication they had put in his I.V. drip.
"This is the only place I want to be right now. Horatio pulled rank on me earlier, forcing me to go home and get some rest earlier, otherwise I would have been here when you woke up the first time." Calleigh said with a regretful smile.
"It's okay, Calleigh. I'm glad Horatio talked you into going home and getting some rest. I would have done the same thing." Speed told her gently as she laced her fingers through his.
"I was so scared, Tim." Calleigh confessed, as a tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. "You didn't show up and then Horatio called and he didn't know if you were going to live or die..." Her voice dissolved into quiet sobs and Speed wished he could hold her close and comfort her. In his present state all he could do was speak softly and squeeze the hand that still held his.
She composed herself very quickly and smiled through her tears. "The doctors said that we wouldn't know how bad the concussion was until you woke up so none of us were sure what was going to happen." Calleigh took a deep breath and continued. "When Eric called and told me you were awake I really felt like we were getting a second chance."
"Second chance? It's not like this is my first brush with death, Cal." Speed said, wondering what she was trying to say.
"What I mean is, I care about you and I don't think you really know how much." Calleigh said softly, looking into his eyes.
"Tell me." Speed said, seeing the answer in her eyes already. That didn't stop him from wanting to hear her say it. He'd been waiting so long already.
"You're everything to me, Tim. I'm happiest when I'm around you and when I'm not with you, you're all I think about." Speed smiled at her and gingerly reached out to wipe a stray tear from her cheek.
"That makes two of us then, Calleigh." Calleigh's expression was one of surprise and joy.
"I wasn't sure. I wanted to tell you but the timing was never right..." Her voice trailed off, she was apparently at a rare loss for words as she held his gaze.
"I know. It's scary taking that next step. You just don't know where you're going to end up. I think it's worth the risk though, don't you?" Speed said, as Calleigh's face inched closer to his.
"Yes." She said breathlessly, before capturing his lips with hers. They started off soft and slow but they were soon kissing each other with a shared intensity. When they finally broke apart for air, Calleigh smiled guiltily at him.
"What is it?" He asked, worried that he hadn't measured up somehow.
"Nothing. I mean, that was...wow!" Calleigh said, absentmindedly nibbling her lower lip, driving him wild. If he had been physically able he would have pulled her to him so he could taste her lips with his own again. "I just don't think we should do this right now."
"I understand." Speed replied, thinking Calleigh had changed her mind about him.
"No! What I'm saying is, you have a severe concussion to recover from and you need to rest. I don't think that's going to happen as long as I'm here."
"I think you're exactly what I need, Calleigh. I'm feeling better already." He lied. His head was starting to pound again and his ribs were killing him but the last thing he wanted was for her to leave him.
"Nice try, Tim but you don't look very comfortable. Do you need anything for the pain? We can buzz for a nurse." Calleigh asked, running her fingers along his bare arm, sending shivers up his spine. He was kind of in shock over their unexpected kiss. It had been better than anything he'd ever allowed himself to imagine and all he wanted was to feel her close to him again. The pain was there though and couldn't be willed away.
"Okay, maybe I could use some more drugs." Speed grudgingly admitted. Without hesitation Calleigh leaned over Speed to press the call button, the only part of her that touched him was her hair as it brushed over his arms but he could feel his heart racing from the minimal contact.
As they waited for the nurse to arrive they just held hands and both of them were smiling. Speed felt relieved to just have his feelings out in the open and he felt deliriously happy knowing that Calleigh felt the same way. They had given into temptation and it felt so good. He couldn't wait to get out of the hospital and spend some time alone with her but in the meantime, it was good to just have her with him, wherever they were.
The nurse came in to see what they needed and Speed tried to explain the intensity of the pain. The nurse agreed to give him a bit more medicine.
"This is going to make you sleepy though. Just get some rest and I'll check in on you later, okay?" She smiled at them both and quietly left the room.
"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep, Tim." Calleigh said.
"I'm glad." Speed replied, already feeling the heaviness in his eyelids. "So, did I miss anything while I was sleeping?" He asked with a grin.
"I'm afraid not, Tim. You were the main attraction the last couple of days. Horatio got someone to cover me at work and he and everyone else have been in and out. Everyone's been very worried about you." She said, a hint of sadness in her eyes as she talked about the last two days.
"I'm not going anywhere. Except to sleep pretty quick." Speed closed his eyes. "Eric and Cathy, did they have their date?" Calleigh squeezed his hand.
"No...they both decided they wanted to wait until you were available to baby-sit Melissa, since you were so excited about it..." Speed tried to open his eyes as Calleigh spoke those last words but his eyelids were too heavy and he had to sleep.
Giving into it, he drifted off to dream of Calleigh and him, spending an evening with Melissa. Then he noticed that this baby was smaller than Melissa was and had a head of blonde curls. As he looked at Calleigh and the baby laughing at each other, he realized she looked happier than he'd ever seen her before. He knew this was just a dream, but maybe, someday....
The End.
