Set Me Free 8/?
Spoilers: Season 2, specifically "Big Brother"
Disclaimers: None of these characters are mine
Rating: R
Calleigh sighed as the hot water from the shower flowed down her body. She closed her eyes and smoothed back her wet hair, feeling all of the tension flow from her as the water warmed her skin. There was nothing better than a nice warm shower or bath to help her get into a relaxed state.
Thinking of the girls in the sorority house Calleigh couldn't imagine being in their shoes. And by their own choice too. To choose to have millions watching in moments like this one was inconceivable to Calleigh.
She just couldn't help but think those young women were demeaning themselves. It was one thing to use your body to attract a man but what they were doing was so different. Calleigh took pride in her job and while she didn't mind if there were guys who were turned on by the fact that she carried a badge and a gun, it's not like she did it for them. For those girls, it was their job to flaunt all of their intimate moments in front of a camera.
Right now, one of them was probably taking a shower just like she was and those simple actions were fueling the dreams of horny men all over the world. Having overcome many obstacles in her own life to get where she was now, Calleigh was sure all of those girls could to better for themselves and deserved to try.
As messy as her personal life had become lately, Calleigh knew that she had it pretty good. She hadn't screwed up her life as badly as she could have and she was grateful for that.
Reaching for her shampoo, Calleigh squeezed a small amount onto her hands and worked it through her hair creating a strawberry scented lather. Rinsing it out, she suddenly had an uncanny sensation that she was being watched. Feeling a little foolish but unable to brush her paranoia aside she pulled open the shower curtain, revealing an empty bathroom.
Smiling sheepishly to herself, Calleigh realized that the case must have gotten to her more than she cared to admit. The thought of millions of eyes watching while she showered definitely gave her the creeps.
Stepping back under the stream of water she willed herself to chill out. After all, she was alone in her apartment and perfectly safe. She knew it would just take a little while before she took her privacy for granted again thanks to this case.
Then again, it's not like someone violated those women, they chose to violate themselves instead. All in the name of money.
Even though she knew it was silly to be bothered by the sorority house, it obviously hadn't bothered Eric or Tyler, she couldn't help it. Calleigh shook her head, vowing to think no more of it tonight. The case was over and she didn't need to dwell on things.
Remembering Tim's moodiness earlier in the day Calleigh knew she had more important things to think about.
***
Stepping out of the shower, Calleigh grabbed her fluffy blue bathrobe, wrapping it around herself and reached for a towel to dry her hair.
It had been a long day, what with wrapping up her case and helping Horatio with his brother's. That had been a shock, closure to Ray's murder after so long. But she was glad for Horatio, he had seemed relieved if a little sad.
Re-opening the case must have brought back a lot of memories for him, good and bad. She had left Ballistics to seek out Tim and see if he wanted to have dinner or just go for a drink.
When she had spoken to him that afternoon about the case he had been a little short with her and she wanted to talk to him about it, make sure things were okay with them.
Spotting him in the hallway outside Trace she had been disappointed to find him inattentive and distant. Mumbling an apology and something about dinner plans with a friend he had turned from her and walked away without a backward glance.
Angry tears filled Calleigh's eyes again as she thought of it now but she knew that it served her right. Things had been strange with Tim for the past few weeks and Calleigh knew it was her fault.
She'd led him to believe that she was on her way to being single but weeks later things still weren't resolved between her and John. They hadn't been spending much time together but they hadn't broken up either.
"Hey beautiful, what's on your mind?" Calleigh nearly jumped out of her skin when John's voice sounded behind her. Turning around, she managing a weak smile as her heart pounded in her chest.
"John! My God, don't sneak up on me like that." John put his arms around her, pulling her against him.
"I'm sorry. I used my key and when I realized you were in the shower I wanted to let you finish so I waited for you. I thought of joining you but I guess it's a good thing I didn't huh?" John asked, smiling suggestively at her as his hands wandered down her back.
So there really had been someone watching her.
"Can you blame me for being jumpy? I thought I was alone and it's not like you called to tell me you were coming over. I haven't spoken to you in two days." Calleigh said, pulling away from his chest to look him in the eye.
He looked tired, much more stressed than normal and Calleigh couldn't help but feel concern for the normally self-assured man.
"I've been pretty busy Calleigh. As usual, criminals don't rest, not to mention the fact that old ghosts have been hanging around and that doesn't make things any easier." Calleigh wondered what he meant by that. Surely he was elated that Ray's case was solved.
"Horatio asked for my help with Ray's case. Finally someone is paying for his death, you must feel like a weight has lifted off your shoulders."
John pulled away from her, recoiling as though he'd been slapped.
"What the hell it that supposed to mean?" He demanded and Calleigh felt a tiny wave of fear as she looked into his eyes. He looked like he was ready to snap.
"What do you think it means?" She fired back, refusing to be bullied by him. "Ray was your partner, I would've thought you'd be happy that the person responsible is behind bars."
John visibly relaxed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he reached out, gently giving her hands a squeeze.
"I'm sorry for barking at you, Calleigh. I've just been questioned about this case more than enough in the past couple of days, I didn't want to get it from you too. I am glad, really."
"Really? Then why are you so upset John? Did someone accuse you of something?" Calleigh questioned, wondering why he was so defensive.
"No, no. I'm okay, it's just been an emotional ride, rehashing all of the details of Ray's death." John insisted, watching as Calleigh resumed drying her hair. "Enough about me. How have you been? You looked so serious when I walked in."
"Oh, I'm fine. I was just thinking about the silly sorority house we investigated on my last case."
"Yeah, I heard about them." John replied with a smile that quickly disappeared at Calleigh's sharp glance. "I haven't seen them or anything but some of the guys were talking about it."
"Don't tell me you think it's okay, what those girls are doing." Calleigh said to him, walking out of the bathroom, John right behind her.
"I'm not making any judgements on them Calleigh. All they're doing is letting people in on their lives."
"Whatever you say. I really don't want to discuss them anymore, the whole thing really get to me."
"Oh, come on Calleigh." John said, playfully pulling her toward him and reaching for the tie on her robe as he guided her to the bed. "Look at you, you're a beautiful woman working in a sea of men. Tell me that you don't get off on that fact that more than half the guys you work with probably have wet dreams about you every night. Those girls are probably having a great time." Calleigh pushed him away, pulling the robe tighter around her body as she sat on the edge of her bed.
"You are such an ass, John. I can't believe you'd say that to me. Whether men look at me or not, it's not the same thing as what those girls are doing."
"I know, I'm just trying to lighten the mood. I'm sorry." He pulled her into his arms but the damage was done. Calleigh struggled out of his grasp and got off the bed, looking at him in disappointment.
"I think you should go." It occurred to her that he really didn't know her very well. If he did, he would never speak to her like that.
"Calleigh, I'm sorry." He sat on the edge of the bed and reached for her hands, pulling her closer to him. He reached up, brushing his hands against her breasts as he parted her robe, gently kissing her stomach. "I acted like a jerk. Let me make it up to you."
He really did look apologetic but Calleigh wouldn't let him weaken her resolve. She couldn't give herself over to him tonight, if she invited him into her bed he would assume everything was fine when in fact, their relationship was far from it.
"I'm just not in the mood John. I want to be alone, okay?"
"I don't want to go but I can take a hint." John let go of her and stood up, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Call me okay?" He looked at her sadly as he headed to the door.
"Okay." Calleigh replied and sat back down on the bed as he left the room. She sat there until she heard him turn the key in the door and then she stretched out on the bed, wondering if she'd made the right decision telling him to go.
Self-doubt clouded her mind but then she thought of Tim and how being with him made her feel. Sex with John would only have reminded her of what she was missing with Tim. She knew what she needed to do but she was afraid that if she weren't careful she'd end up hurting the two men she cared about and losing both of them by the time the dust settled.
One thing Calleigh knew for certain. It was time she set herself free of John Hagen's grasp.
The End
A/N: This is it for Set Me Free as a post-ep series but I may start up another one where this one left off. It's just that I didn't think the John/Calleigh relationship would drag on this long, I figured it would have been resolved by now on the show. I just feel like I'm running out of steam on this one...Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this series so far, your thoughts make my day!
Spoilers: Season 2, specifically "Big Brother"
Disclaimers: None of these characters are mine
Rating: R
Calleigh sighed as the hot water from the shower flowed down her body. She closed her eyes and smoothed back her wet hair, feeling all of the tension flow from her as the water warmed her skin. There was nothing better than a nice warm shower or bath to help her get into a relaxed state.
Thinking of the girls in the sorority house Calleigh couldn't imagine being in their shoes. And by their own choice too. To choose to have millions watching in moments like this one was inconceivable to Calleigh.
She just couldn't help but think those young women were demeaning themselves. It was one thing to use your body to attract a man but what they were doing was so different. Calleigh took pride in her job and while she didn't mind if there were guys who were turned on by the fact that she carried a badge and a gun, it's not like she did it for them. For those girls, it was their job to flaunt all of their intimate moments in front of a camera.
Right now, one of them was probably taking a shower just like she was and those simple actions were fueling the dreams of horny men all over the world. Having overcome many obstacles in her own life to get where she was now, Calleigh was sure all of those girls could to better for themselves and deserved to try.
As messy as her personal life had become lately, Calleigh knew that she had it pretty good. She hadn't screwed up her life as badly as she could have and she was grateful for that.
Reaching for her shampoo, Calleigh squeezed a small amount onto her hands and worked it through her hair creating a strawberry scented lather. Rinsing it out, she suddenly had an uncanny sensation that she was being watched. Feeling a little foolish but unable to brush her paranoia aside she pulled open the shower curtain, revealing an empty bathroom.
Smiling sheepishly to herself, Calleigh realized that the case must have gotten to her more than she cared to admit. The thought of millions of eyes watching while she showered definitely gave her the creeps.
Stepping back under the stream of water she willed herself to chill out. After all, she was alone in her apartment and perfectly safe. She knew it would just take a little while before she took her privacy for granted again thanks to this case.
Then again, it's not like someone violated those women, they chose to violate themselves instead. All in the name of money.
Even though she knew it was silly to be bothered by the sorority house, it obviously hadn't bothered Eric or Tyler, she couldn't help it. Calleigh shook her head, vowing to think no more of it tonight. The case was over and she didn't need to dwell on things.
Remembering Tim's moodiness earlier in the day Calleigh knew she had more important things to think about.
***
Stepping out of the shower, Calleigh grabbed her fluffy blue bathrobe, wrapping it around herself and reached for a towel to dry her hair.
It had been a long day, what with wrapping up her case and helping Horatio with his brother's. That had been a shock, closure to Ray's murder after so long. But she was glad for Horatio, he had seemed relieved if a little sad.
Re-opening the case must have brought back a lot of memories for him, good and bad. She had left Ballistics to seek out Tim and see if he wanted to have dinner or just go for a drink.
When she had spoken to him that afternoon about the case he had been a little short with her and she wanted to talk to him about it, make sure things were okay with them.
Spotting him in the hallway outside Trace she had been disappointed to find him inattentive and distant. Mumbling an apology and something about dinner plans with a friend he had turned from her and walked away without a backward glance.
Angry tears filled Calleigh's eyes again as she thought of it now but she knew that it served her right. Things had been strange with Tim for the past few weeks and Calleigh knew it was her fault.
She'd led him to believe that she was on her way to being single but weeks later things still weren't resolved between her and John. They hadn't been spending much time together but they hadn't broken up either.
"Hey beautiful, what's on your mind?" Calleigh nearly jumped out of her skin when John's voice sounded behind her. Turning around, she managing a weak smile as her heart pounded in her chest.
"John! My God, don't sneak up on me like that." John put his arms around her, pulling her against him.
"I'm sorry. I used my key and when I realized you were in the shower I wanted to let you finish so I waited for you. I thought of joining you but I guess it's a good thing I didn't huh?" John asked, smiling suggestively at her as his hands wandered down her back.
So there really had been someone watching her.
"Can you blame me for being jumpy? I thought I was alone and it's not like you called to tell me you were coming over. I haven't spoken to you in two days." Calleigh said, pulling away from his chest to look him in the eye.
He looked tired, much more stressed than normal and Calleigh couldn't help but feel concern for the normally self-assured man.
"I've been pretty busy Calleigh. As usual, criminals don't rest, not to mention the fact that old ghosts have been hanging around and that doesn't make things any easier." Calleigh wondered what he meant by that. Surely he was elated that Ray's case was solved.
"Horatio asked for my help with Ray's case. Finally someone is paying for his death, you must feel like a weight has lifted off your shoulders."
John pulled away from her, recoiling as though he'd been slapped.
"What the hell it that supposed to mean?" He demanded and Calleigh felt a tiny wave of fear as she looked into his eyes. He looked like he was ready to snap.
"What do you think it means?" She fired back, refusing to be bullied by him. "Ray was your partner, I would've thought you'd be happy that the person responsible is behind bars."
John visibly relaxed, his shoulders slumping slightly as he reached out, gently giving her hands a squeeze.
"I'm sorry for barking at you, Calleigh. I've just been questioned about this case more than enough in the past couple of days, I didn't want to get it from you too. I am glad, really."
"Really? Then why are you so upset John? Did someone accuse you of something?" Calleigh questioned, wondering why he was so defensive.
"No, no. I'm okay, it's just been an emotional ride, rehashing all of the details of Ray's death." John insisted, watching as Calleigh resumed drying her hair. "Enough about me. How have you been? You looked so serious when I walked in."
"Oh, I'm fine. I was just thinking about the silly sorority house we investigated on my last case."
"Yeah, I heard about them." John replied with a smile that quickly disappeared at Calleigh's sharp glance. "I haven't seen them or anything but some of the guys were talking about it."
"Don't tell me you think it's okay, what those girls are doing." Calleigh said to him, walking out of the bathroom, John right behind her.
"I'm not making any judgements on them Calleigh. All they're doing is letting people in on their lives."
"Whatever you say. I really don't want to discuss them anymore, the whole thing really get to me."
"Oh, come on Calleigh." John said, playfully pulling her toward him and reaching for the tie on her robe as he guided her to the bed. "Look at you, you're a beautiful woman working in a sea of men. Tell me that you don't get off on that fact that more than half the guys you work with probably have wet dreams about you every night. Those girls are probably having a great time." Calleigh pushed him away, pulling the robe tighter around her body as she sat on the edge of her bed.
"You are such an ass, John. I can't believe you'd say that to me. Whether men look at me or not, it's not the same thing as what those girls are doing."
"I know, I'm just trying to lighten the mood. I'm sorry." He pulled her into his arms but the damage was done. Calleigh struggled out of his grasp and got off the bed, looking at him in disappointment.
"I think you should go." It occurred to her that he really didn't know her very well. If he did, he would never speak to her like that.
"Calleigh, I'm sorry." He sat on the edge of the bed and reached for her hands, pulling her closer to him. He reached up, brushing his hands against her breasts as he parted her robe, gently kissing her stomach. "I acted like a jerk. Let me make it up to you."
He really did look apologetic but Calleigh wouldn't let him weaken her resolve. She couldn't give herself over to him tonight, if she invited him into her bed he would assume everything was fine when in fact, their relationship was far from it.
"I'm just not in the mood John. I want to be alone, okay?"
"I don't want to go but I can take a hint." John let go of her and stood up, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Call me okay?" He looked at her sadly as he headed to the door.
"Okay." Calleigh replied and sat back down on the bed as he left the room. She sat there until she heard him turn the key in the door and then she stretched out on the bed, wondering if she'd made the right decision telling him to go.
Self-doubt clouded her mind but then she thought of Tim and how being with him made her feel. Sex with John would only have reminded her of what she was missing with Tim. She knew what she needed to do but she was afraid that if she weren't careful she'd end up hurting the two men she cared about and losing both of them by the time the dust settled.
One thing Calleigh knew for certain. It was time she set herself free of John Hagen's grasp.
The End
A/N: This is it for Set Me Free as a post-ep series but I may start up another one where this one left off. It's just that I didn't think the John/Calleigh relationship would drag on this long, I figured it would have been resolved by now on the show. I just feel like I'm running out of steam on this one...Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this series so far, your thoughts make my day!