Title: Cause and Effect (7/7)
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters (including Maria. She's made it quite clear that she owns her own damn self, thank you very much.) I'm just borrowing them and will return them when I've had my fun, somewhat dazed and disheveled, but otherwise in their original condition. Also, Maria and I have decided to keep Eric for a while, and we're sending Tim to Yana...
Rating: Still R, but no smut, so all you conservatives and prudes (uh, maybe that was a little redundant) can chill, okay?
Pairings: Eric/Maria, Tim/Calleigh, John/Yelina, Horatio/Adele
Feedback: Hey, you! Yeah, I'm talking to you! You're reading this, right? Well then review it! Come on, pretty pleeeeeease? It only takes a minute or two, and it makes my day. Besides, we both know you've got the time. What else are you going to do, work?
Dedication: Yana, for, as always, putting up with my crazy self. Jackie, Tina, Mel, Annie, Dorothy, Nonnie, and all my other loyal reviewers, what would I do without ya'll? I'll tell ya what; I'd stop writing! And that would suck. So, thanks!
Note: A few people have asked me about the stories that removed. muttermuttergrumble They aren't currently posted anywhere, but if you're interested in reading them (which I'd recommend since they are part of a series) my email can be found in my profile. Do keep in mind, they do contain graphic sex scenes, so let me know if you'd prefer to read an "edited" version.
Soundtrack: "Walk On" by U2
One month later...
And love is not the easy thing
The only baggage
That you can bring
Not the easy thing
The only baggage you can bring
Is all that you can't leave behind
"So, how's she doing?" Tim asked as Eric finished a cell phone call to Maria, who had called in sick that morning.
"She'll be fine." Eric replied, clearly relieved. "Her morning sickness was really bad today, and she was so dizzy she could barely stand up, so Yana drove her to doctor's office."
"No wonder you've been acting so damn jumpy all day." Tim observed. "I'm surprised you didn't go with them."
"They practically forced me at gunpoint to come into work instead of going with them." Eric explained.
Tim smirked. "Sounds about right. You know, man, all joking aside, you keep on 'hovering' like that, she really is going to kill you."
"Yeah, I've been giving her more space lately. I just keep reminding myself it's just temporary, and she'll be less crazy after the baby's born."
"Really? You mean she's been pregnant the whole time I've known her?" Tim joked, straight-faced. Eric rolled his eyes, and he shrugged. "Hey, you walked into that one, it's not my fault."
"What did we just talk about last night?" Calleigh said teasingly, hearing the last part of Tim's sentence as she walked into the room. "Everything is your fault." Standing behind the couch, she leaned down to kiss her boyfriend on the cheek, then glanced at Eric. "Is Maria okay?"
"Yeah, the doctor said she just needs to get more rest." Eric replied.
"She seems like she's recovering well." Calleigh said, knowing that Eric would understand that she was referring to the investigation of Adam's death, and Aimee's suicide.
"She's getting there." Eric agreed. "She's over that whole 'I'm gonna be the worst mother in the world' kick, at least. Anyway, I've got some more paperwork to finish, then I better head home."
"Forget it." Calleigh told him. "We can take care of that, you should go home now."
"You sure?" Eric asked.
"Yeah, don't worry about it." Tim said. "Go take care of your 'baby mama.'"
Eric chuckled. "Speed, please, be whiter. You can't pull that off, even ironically. Thanks, you guys, I'll see you later."
"Tell Maria we said hi." Calleigh called after him.
And if the darkness is to keep us apart
And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
Before the second you turn back
Oh no, be strong
Walk on, walk on
What you got, they can't steal it
No they can't even feel it
Walk on, walk on
Stay safe tonight
Thinking that Maria might be trying to sleep, Eric opened the door and closed behind him as quietly as possible, and kicked off his shoes in the front hallway. Hearing Maria's voice in the bedroom, he assumed that she was on the phone and made his way down the hall, stopping outside the door.
"I take it all back." She was saying. Peering into the room, he saw her lying on the bed, propped up against some pillows, gently rubbing her stomach as she spoke. "You don't know how lucky you are. Because you are going to have the best daddy in the world. And as for me...well, you and me are gonna figure things out together. But we're going to be fine, all three of us. I promise." Glancing up, she saw Eric and smiled. "Hey, how long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough." He replied, grinning as he walked over to the bed and sat down beside her. "So, 'best daddy in the world,' huh? You really think so?"
"I know it." Maria said, sitting up to kiss him. "Sorry I was so crazy this morning. I was just...I was scared."
"It's okay." Eric assured her. He kissed her forehead as she curled up against him. "I was worried, too."
"That's why I felt sorry, I should have let you come with us." Maria insisted.
"Nah, it's fine." Eric said. "You should have heard Speed. 'Eric, so help me, if you don't stop fidgeting and messing with your damn phone...' And then Calleigh would start in on him for not being more 'sensitive.'" He hesitated for a second. "And, uh, she asked how you were holding up."
"Did you tell her I'm okay?" Maria asked. "I mean, I get it now. I know it wasn't my fault, what happened to Aimee. The only person who was to blame for that already got what he had coming. I just might need you to remind me of that once in a while."
"Deal." Eric promised. He slipped his hand under her thin cotton nightshirt and rubbed her stomach gently. "So, you're sure you two are okay?"
Smirking, Maria pushed him back onto the bed and straddled him. "Why don't I show you just how okay I am?"
Eric laughed as he slid his hands up her back. "I love the way you think."
Maria leaned down to kiss him lightly. "I love you too."
Home, hard to know what it is
If you never had one
Home, I can't say where it is
But I know I'm going
Home, that's where the heart is
And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
You can only take so much
Walk on
Is it me, or is it a little sappy in here? Better bring on some angst, quick!
Next time:
"Sometimes I can't believe I'm bringing a child into a world where there are people like that."
"I could have lost both of them because of that son of a bitch, and now I want to see him get what's coming to him."
"We have shots fired, we've got an officer down, we need rescue here immediately! I repeat, officer down!"
"Jesus Christ, how the hell did it come to this?"
Stay tuned...