"So you're going out with Speed tonight." Horatio commented.
"You were stood there when he asked me." Calleigh pointed out. "And it's just a thank you dinner, not that it's any of your business."
"Calleigh..." Horatio started.
"You should get those seeds analysed so we can put Mr Fletcher away." Calleigh said.
"Calleigh we still need to talk."
"Not on either of the two topics available at present." Calleigh replied. "Let's just get this case over with. I have to write up my findings."
"It's not over Calleigh."
"You're quiet." Speed commented as he sat in the restaurant with Calleigh.
"Sorry Tim. I've just got a lot on my mind."
"Do you want to talk about it?" He offered. "You helped me out today, let me help you."
"It's stupid." Calleigh replied. "Not worth talking about."
"If it's distracting you then it is." He prompted. "Dr Speedle's office is now open; tell me what ails you child."
Calleigh cracked up with laughter.
"Sorry." She apologised when she managed to control her laughter. "Very Freud."
"Come on Calleigh; tell me what's bothering you."
"Horatio." Calleigh said.
"Ah, I see." Tim said leaning back in his chair.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Calleigh asked.
"I just said I see."
"It was the tone in which you said it."
"No tone." Speed insisted. "What's H done this time?"
"He leant me his jacket this morning at a crime scene because I was cold." Calleigh replied.
"And?" He prompted.
"It wasn't a problem until Yelina saw when she came to see Horatio, who had already left the scene to help Eric out with his entry problems."
"I see where this is going. She was more hostile than usual." Speed said.
"Has everyone noticed that?" Calleigh asked.
"Cal unfortunately she is fine with the rest of us, it's you she has a problem with."
"So I noticed."
"What's this got to do with H?" Speed asked.
"Alexx told him about what happened. Now he wants to talk about it."
"I see."
"Dr Speedle you're not being very helpful. But since you're here you can tell why do you, Eric, Horatio want to take care of these thing for me. I'm an adult, I'm a detective with Miami-Dade police department, I'm a good CSI, I'm a ballistics expert, I took kickboxing classes while I was in college, I can take care of myself."
"Cal, you're our friend and we care about you. Of course we want to make sure that you're okay. You shouldn't have to put up with Yelina's crap."
"I can deal with it." Calleigh insisted.
"But you shouldn't have to. So you're mad that Horatio wants to talk about it and sort the situation out."
"I'm not mad well at least not about that, I'm just slightly ticked off about Horatio's reaction to the fact that you asked me out for dinner."
"That would be because Yelina is not the only one who is jealous." Speed replied.
"Excuse me."
"Yelina is jealous of how well you get along with Horatio." Speed explained.
"That's what Alexx said earlier."
"Alexx is a very smart woman." Speed acknowledged.
"But what were you saying about Horatio being jealous?" Calleigh asked.
"Calleigh, we're CSI's."
"Yes."
"We're trained to be observant right?"
"Yes." Calleigh agreed.
"So believe me when I tell you Horatio likes you."
"Of course he does, he's my friend."
"Okay, how do I put this...?" Speed said. He pulled out his cell phone and dialled a number.
"Delko." The voice on the end answered.
"Eric it's Speed."
"I thought you were taking Calleigh out for a thank you dinner."
"I am. I need you to do me a favour."
"What kind of favour?"
"Tell Calleigh how Horatio feels." Speed said.
"Let me talk to her." Eric said.
"It's Eric." Speed held out the phone to Calleigh.
"Eric?" She questioned.
"Hey Cal. What Speed wants me to tell is that Horatio wants to jump your bones."
"Excuse me?"
"Horatio wants to jump your bones."
"I got that the first time."
"It's true. Speed will fill in more details. I'll see you tomorrow." Eric hung up.
Calleigh closed the phone and handed it back silently.
"Cal you okay?" Speed asked.
"Eric said Horatio 'wants to jump my bones' and that's a direct quote."
"Not as poetic as I was hoping for but that's basically it." Speed agreed.
"Umm..."
"Cal, Horatio's felt that way since he went to hire you."
"I don't..."
"Don't worry he hired you for your talent in ballistics, Horatio doesn't let his personal feelings get in the way of doing his job. When he came back from interviewing you, he was raving about your talents. Delko asked if you were cute, he said yes but we were to keep our hands off."
"He said that?"
"Yes. I worked just fine for Eric and I. We both think you're gorgeous and love your accent but we think of you as a sister."
"Don't you say the sweetest things." Calleigh smiled.
"Horatio on the other hand has a little more trouble with it. He watches you work when you're concentrating so you're not going to catch him. The whole thing with Hagen nearly killed him, he was trying to no show you it affected him, but it did. Alexx and I were keeping an eye on him."
"You've talked about this?" Calleigh questioned.
"Cal there is only so many conversations you can have about dead bodies. Of course we talk about it."
"Why didn't someone say something? Why didn't Horatio say something?"
"Because he's our boss. He doesn't want to rock the boat and make you uncomfortable so you'll leave. He'd rather suffer in silence."
"What do you think I should do?"
"Talk to him. Because whether you know it or not we're pretty sure you like him too."
"I see." Calleigh said.
"But first dessert." The waitress came over bringing their desserts.
"Thank you." Calleigh said.
"Come on I'll drive you home." Speed said after they had gone for a walk so Calleigh could clear her head.
"Actually there is somewhere else I want to go." Calleigh said.
"Are you sure?" Speed asked.
"I need to get this out in the open before I change my mind." Calleigh replied. "You can drop me off; I'll get a cab home."
"Okay, if you're sure." Speed agreed.
"I am."
TBC
