Part 2

The boys were frozen for a minute not sure what was happening, undecided about what to do first. Horatio was calling out to the other police officers to chase down Holt when he heard dual cries of anguish "CALLEIGH"

He turned to the direction of the voices to see their 'Ballistic Expert' lying on the floor blood pouring from what was obviously a bullet wound to her chest.

Tim was first at her side. He sat on the floor cradling an unconscious Calleigh in his lap, pressing on the chest wound trying to stem the flow of life's precious blood from her body. Tears streaming down his face. Looking up at his boss he pleaded "do something - she's been shot." It was simple statement but his brain couldn't cope with anything more. He looked back again at the special person laying in his arms silently praying that she wouldn't leave him. "Cal, honey, hold on for me. Help will be here soon. Please hold on." The tears continued to stream down his face "I love you".

H was already dialing his cell, the fastest way he could think of to get help, "this is Lieutenant Horatio Caine CSI for MDPD, we need rescue immediately at the old Havana warehouse, we have an officer down, I repeat, we have a female officer down!"

As their boss was calling for help Eric crouched down next to his teammates "Speed listen to me it's going to be okay, Cal's going to be okay" he whispered softly. Eric laid a very unsteady finger on the side of her neck "Tim, look at me, she has a strong pulse, Calleigh's gonna be alright."

Tim lifted tear stained eyes to look directly at Eric "I hope you're right because she is far too important to me to lose".

"Cal's gonna be fine, have faith"

They both looked down at the blonde beauty in Tim's arms. Tim was still pressing on her wound, desperately trying to prevent more blood loss. Eric gently brushed her hair back from her face, a face which looked so peaceful. He tenderly stroked her cheek willing Cal to be alright, for all of their sakes, but mostly for his best friend.

Silently both of these strong men prayed to a law above themselves to save their friends life, to bring her back to them.

Horatio who had been silently watching the scene before him, hoping that his protégé would be okay, spoke to his team "Boys, help is here please let them work" he said realizing that the guys hadn't seen rescue arrive.

Eric quietly relinquished his place, standing up to allow Dade Fire and Rescue access to Calleigh, Tim however remained unmoving, unwilling to let go of his precious bundle. "Speed" Horatio repeated, laying a supportive hand on his shoulder "The best way to help Calleigh now is to let the professionals do their job".

Realizing this made sense Tim reluctantly laid Calleigh down to allow the EMT's to work and moved slowly away. H was right. It just seemed as though, if he couldn't touch her he would lose Cal altogether, as though he could keep her alive by touch alone.

The three men stood helplessly to one side watching the medics doing their job, all three feeling totally useless, not knowing what to do for the best.

Tim broke the silence, his voice full of pain "God H, how can this be happening?"

"I wish I knew"

"She should have stayed away from the rescue; we all know how dangerous Holt is"

"Speed, you know Calleigh, there was no way in hell she was going to stay away, she was desperate to see you again."

"God" Tim wiped a shaking hand across his brow.

"Tim, it's not your fault" Horatio knew his team well and he knew that Tim would blame himself. He could only imagine how the young man was feeling at the moment, H loved Calleigh too but not in the same way. They couldn't afford to lose her; she was the ray of light in their daily lives, the heart of the team, to Tim though she was so much more.

Caught up in their own thoughts and feelings for their female colleague they hardly noticed when a quiet pain filled voice broke through the silence "Tim"

Tim, Eric and H rushed to her side, she had been placed on a stretcher ready for her journey to emergency. Tim crouched down by her side reaching out to clutch her right hand in his, and stroked a gentle hand across her forehead.

"Hi babe, welcome back, it's good to have you awake" Speed spoke so softly there was hardly any sound but it was heaven to Cal to hear his voice again, she could see the love radiating from his eyes, it gave her extra strength.

"It hurt's... Tim."

"I know baby" he soothed "just relax and let everyone take care of you. We're all here; no-one's going to leave you sweetheart" he lent down to place a tender kiss on her forehead, relieved to be able to look into her pretty green eyes once again.

Calleigh's eyes strayed upwards to her boss who was standing next to Eric "I'm Sorry H" she whispered as pain racked her body.

"What for honey"

"For getting shot"

"Oh Cal, it's not your fault."

"We've got to move her now "interrupted the medic who was working on Calleigh.

"Ok" replied H " Which hospital?"

"Grace Memorial"

As they began moving her Tim lent down to kiss her lips "I love you" he whispered softly.

"Love you too" Her reply was so quiet he felt rather than heard it

As she was being moved Cal reached out to Eric taking his hand in a tight squeeze and looked into his eyes "Take care of Tim please "

"Anything honey, just hold on and we'll see you soon" worry and concern evident in his voice too.

As the medics took her out to the ambulance she was still gripping Tim's hand, not wanting to let go. The pain seemed less when he was touching her. Tim too didn't want to relinquish the contact, only doing so when their precious cargo was safely in the ambulance.

He remained motionless, watching the ambulance disappearing into the distance when Eric and Horatio approached his side.

"Come on Tim lets get to the hospital, Calleigh's going to need us. The night shift will handle this crime scene and Holt."

The three boys walked quietly over to the CSI Hummer, the same one that H and Cal had driven to rescue Eric and Tim. How could it all change so quickly? An hour ago she was anticipating a happy reunion with Tim and now she was on her way to emergency all because some stupid criminal wanted revenge.

He had promised to make them pay and they were paying. Physically the three boys were okay, but Calleigh was such a big part of their lives they were all hurting. Give him his due, Holt had worked out the best form of revenge when he struck at the smiling heart of their group.