Part 4

A couple of hours later the silence was broken by the arrival of Calleigh's doctor. "Are you here for Detective Duquesne?" he asked.

"Yes Doctor. How is she?" It was Horatio who spoke for the four of them as they all jumped to their feet, desperate for news.

"Calleigh's been lucky; there was one bullet which we successfully removed. It missed all the major organs. She's weak from blood loss and, as you can imagine, also in a lot of pain, but she is going to be fine. Ms Duquesne is one tough little lady."

"That she is Doctor" replied H "That she is"

"When can we see her?" asked Eric

"We will be moving her to room 216 in an hour, once she's settled I will have a nurse come and get you."

"Thank you doctor for all your help" replied H.

"Oh and I believe you will need this for your investigation" responded the doctor as he handed Calleigh's bullet over to Eric on his way out of the room.

The air of relief in the room was almost tangible. They all offered up words of thanks to Calleigh's guardian angel. Speed collapsed back onto the couch in his relief, his legs no longer able to support him.

Alexx took up the same position by his side "you hear that Timmy, Cal's going to be fine"

"I just wanna see her Alexx, confirm it with my own eyes" He smiled through the tears, which were once again streaming down his face, this time out of sheer relief

"You will Speed, soon" reassured Horatio.

One very long hour later they quietly entered Calleigh's room, Speed leading the way. Calleigh appeared to be sleeping so Speed approached alone, the others holding back not wanting to frighten the blonde beauty who looked so small and fragile in her hospital bed.

Tim found a chair and took it to the side of her bed, sitting down he gently took hold of her left hand in both of his and whispered "Calleigh, love"

At the sound of his words Calleigh's eyes fluttered open and she turned her head slowly in the direction of his voice. Their eyes connected, love flowing freely from both. "Tim... she whispered as she tried to reach up and touch him with her free hand, the movement causing her to cry out in pain.

"Don't move Cal... just relax. I'm here. We're all here." He reassured, soothing her with his voice and touch, tenderly stroking wisps of hair back from her forehead. He leaned down to place a kiss on her lips, as the others moved into the room and one by one they approached Calleigh's other side.

Eric was the first there, giving her the most gentle of hugs so as not to aggravate her injuries. "Hey honey, you gave us all a scare there, don't do it again please, I don't think I can take it" He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.

"I second that" added Horatio who took over Eric's position hugging her gently which was not at all in keeping with his status as her boss. But he didn't care, she was just as much family to him as his real one. "It's good to know you're going to be okay beautiful."

Finally Alexx hugged Calleigh too "I'm glad you are alright sweetheart, but don't do that again, I think I set the land speed record driving here, my car can't take that again. I'm not at all sure how many traffic violations I committed on the way."

Calleigh allowed herself a small laugh, she was too weak to do much else. It meant so much to her that her three best friends had waited with Tim; there was nobody else she wanted to see more than these four individuals.

"Thank you" she replied in a small voice "thank you all for being here"

"Oh Cal, we would not have been anywhere else" Horatio replied for all of them, seeing how tired she was, he continued. "Now that we know you are going to be okay, we'll leave you to rest, and come back tomorrow."

Alexx agreed with their boss, Calleigh needed time to heal, she was weak and obviously hurting, she also needed to spend time alone with her boyfriend "Okay honey, we'll leave you in Timmy's capable hands, but promise me one thing" asked Alex.

"What's that?"

"Take it easy, relax and don't push yourself to heal too quickly, let these three strapping young men get you what you need. Don't be frightened to ask for help we're all here for you"

Calleigh nodded in reply.

With that Alex, Eric and Horatio gave Calleigh one final kiss and hug as they said goodbye, each of them telling her that they were there for her and to call if she needed anything. Calleigh treated them each to a small smile assuring them that she would be okay.

Finally alone Speed and Calleigh just looked at each other, Tim still clutching her hand in both of his. There was o need for words, their eyes communicating their thoughts and feelings. After the last couple of days it was a pleasure just to be able to look and touch each other.

Calleigh tried to shift position, aggravating her injuries "Ow..." she cried.

"Ssh Cal" He said gently, stroking her forehead trying to keep her calm. "Don't move or you'll hurt yourself, just relax. I'm here.

"Oh Tim there's so much I want to tell you" her voice quiet as she battled pain and the drugs she had been given.

"I know honey, but we have plenty of time. Go to sleep now, give your body chance to heal"

"I love you"

"Love you too" he replied as he gently kissed her forehead and closing eyes, as she succumbed to the pain relief she had been given.

With words of love echoing in her mind Calleigh drifted off into a healing sleep, all the time Tim remained at her side holding, lovingly, onto her hand.