Calleigh looked up to Eric standing in her doorway with a huge smile on his face. Calleigh groaned at him.
"Eric do you have any idea what time it is?" Calleigh asked as she tiredly scratched her arm.
"Go get dressed as quickly as you can, I'll wait here," Eric ordered. Calleigh, who was too tired to object, went to her bedroom and picked up any outfit.
Calleigh came back to her front door in a denim skirt and a tank top. She was too tired to care whether she looked professional or not.
"There's something you have to see," Eric said excitedly, pulling Calleigh out of the doorway and out into the cold wind.
"Eric," she murmured, "Let me go back to bed I'm tired"
Ericguided Calleigh into his car and got in. Calleigh rested her head in her hands with her eyes closed.
"Wake me up when we get… wherever we're going," Calleigh muttered sleeplessly.
Eric grinned, nodding his head. Eric decided to stopat the Top Shop deli to get a cup of coffee to wake her up.
After about 15 minutes of driving, Eric's car came to a halt.
"Okay sleepy head, we're here," Eric whispered, gently nudging Calleigh's arm.
Calleigh's eyes fluttered open. She rubbed them and then looked around to see where she was. She was on a sandy hill, and when she looked down, she saw she was at some sort of beach. It was quiet and peaceful; all they could hear was the mild sound of the waves.
The beach was a beautiful sight. The waves were inviting and the sand was golden. Eric walked to Calleigh's side of the car and helped her out. He took her hand and led her to the front of the car.
Eric handed Calleigh the coffee and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her. They felt warm and cosy. She closed her eyes and let out a relaxed sigh.
She would rather be where she was than back in her bed. She wrapped her free arm around Eric's and he rested his chin on her head.
"Look up," Eric whispered from behind. Calleigh slowly opened her eyes and looked up.
A smile spread over her face as she saw beautiful colours surrounding the rising sun.
"It's so beautiful," Calleigh whispered, "I could stay her forever"
"At the beach or in my arms?" Eric asked smiling.
"Both," she sighed. She took a sip of coffee and smiled as the warm liquid ran down her throat.
She spun her head to face Eric. He looked happy and relaxed. She turned her whole body around to face him. She rested her cup on the car and leant her hands on his chest. She looked down at her hands, and then up into his eyes.
He was staring into her blue eyes, wondering what was going through her head.
Calleigh slowly moved her hands up to his neck. She pulled Eric close so that his lips were just hovering above hers. She could feel his warm, fresh breath tickling her lips. She lifted her head up and planted her lips on his. Eric lifted one of his hands to the back of Calleigh's head and the other rested on around her waist.
Calleigh wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to pull him closer. His lips were so soft and tantalizing. He slowly opened her mouth andpassionately carressed her tongue with his. Calleigh retuned the passionate gesture.
After a while Eric reluctantly pulled away breathless. Eric's grin was ear to ear. He couldn't believe that he actually kissed Calleigh Duquesne. This was a moment he had been dreaming about ever since he met her, ever since he laid eyes on her. Calleigh spun around again to look at the sunrise, still leaning on Eric.
"Wow," Eric muttered.
"Yeah," Calleigh replied, "I still can't believe you come all the way to my house in the early hours of the morning, for my benefit"
"Well you didn't think I'd leave with just a pat on the back did you," Eric joked.
Calleigh giggled and squeezed his arms tighter.
"And that was one hell of a goodbye present by the way," Eric whispered flirtatiously in Calleigh's ear. Calleigh turned around and locked her lips with Eric's for another passionate kiss. Eric wrapped his arms around Calleigh's waist.
The feeling of his arms around her made Calleigh's hairs stand up on end. It gave her a warm fuzzy feeling that she never wanted to go away.
She gently broke away and looked into his soft brown eyes.
"Do you know how long I've been waiting to do that?" Calleigh asked with a sparkle in her eyes.
"About half as long as I have," Eric replied sweetly. She rested her head back down and thought about what just happened. The smile on her face was growing by the minute. She couldn't believe how unbelievable good it felt being in his arms, kissing him.
She couldn't remember what day it was, what time it was, all she could feel was the happy and excited sensation flowing through her body.
Eric lifted Calleigh's chin up to see her beautiful smile, and before Eric knew it, one was appearing across his own face. He stood there, just staring into her eyes. It made him feel so good, so warm. Being with her was the most incredible thing he had ever felt.
Eric let out adissapointed sigh.
"What's wrong?" Calleigh asked with concern.
"I have to go finish packing," he mumbled with a heartbreaking look on his face.
"Oh. Ya know for a minute there I forgot that you were leaving," Calleigh whispered.
"I really wish I wasn't. I wanna be here with you," Eric said grabbing Calleigh's hands in his, "So I guess is kinda a goodbye thing"
"Some hell of a goodbye," Calleigh replied smiling.
"Maybe it's a good thing that we aren't too close now," Eric mumbled looking down.
"What?" Calleigh asked confused.
"I mean. If we were any closer, then this would be a whole lot harder," Eric explained.
Calleigh looked down at the ground, avoiding Eric's eyes.
"Ok then. But I personally think that if we got together earlier, we would have had more time to be together. It doesn't matter how long it's been, whether 3 months or 3 minutes, I'll still miss you like hell," Calleigh replied, breaking away and turning her back on Eric.
"Hey, I didn't mean it like that," Eric said grabbing Calleigh by the arm and turning her around.
Her blue eyes were watery and her cheeks were tear strained. Eric loosened his grip and his face went sad.
"Calleigh," he said in a shaky voice, "I've wanted to be with you more than anything in the world. And me going to California after what just happened, it breaks my heart. The only reason I can go through with this, is knowing that you'll be here for me when I come back"
"Eric, 4 months is a long time," Calleigh said wiping the tears from her face.
"I know. And I've tried getting out of it, but there's no hope. Calleigh before I go to California, I need to know if you're willing to give us a go after. I couldn't stand getting my hopes up for 4 months and then just getting dumped like trash," Eric said pulling Calleigh close to him.
"I want to be with you," Calleigh whispered
"And I want to be with you," Eric whispered before pulling Calleigh into a big, warm hug.
"Listen Calleigh," Eric explained, "Right now, this moment is perfect, the perfect way to say goodbye. I don't want to have to say goodbye at the airport again"
Through all the tears Calleigh smiled and nodded her head in agreement.
Calleigh looked down at her watch.
"Oh God, I gotta get ready for work," Calleigh said getting up of Eric and wiping he wet face.
15 minutes later Calleigh walked through her front door. She turned around to see Eric standing in her doorway.
"I promise I'll call you," Eric said, stepping in closer.
"Goodbye Eric," Calleigh said as she moved in. Calleigh and Eric's lips were inches apart.
"Goodbye Calleigh," Eric mumbled as he closed the gap and gave her their last kiss for months.
An hour later Calleigh walked into the lab to find Tim slouching in the sofa in the break room. She walked in and forced a smile.
"Are you ok?" Tim asked as Calleigh slumped down next to him.
"He's not even gone yet, but it's tough," Calleigh said staring at the coffee table.
"So are you two still playing that 'You like him, he likes you, do nothing about it' game?" Tim asked as he bitintoa biscuit.
"We kissed goodbye. And when he gets back we'll start something," Calleigh mumbled.
"That's great. You don't seem very enthusiastic about it," Tim stated putting a supportive arm around her, "What's wrong?"
"It's just… I don't know whether I can wait 4 months"
"I'm here for you"
"I know, thanks"
"Oh and Calleigh?"
"Yeah?"
"You tell anyone about me being mushy and kind, and I'll have to kill you"
"I wouldn't dare," Calleigh replied smiling. She was glad to have someone besides Eric to make her smile,because she was gonna need it.
Eric walked up the steps onto the plane. He looked back at the Miami sun setting. He had mixed feelings of thrill and gloom. He looked down at his feet and walked onto the plane.