Calleigh had Eric give her a ride to work on Monday morning. When he inquired why she hadn't asked Horatio for a ride, Calleigh had simply told him that Horatio couldn't make it. In reality she hadn't asked him, she knew he would be there if she called him, but she need to walk into CSI on her own two feet if only figuratively not literally.
"Take it easy." Eric told her when they got to the ballistics lab. "Sit on that chair with wheels as much as possible."
"Yes Dad." Calleigh sighed.
"I'll see you later." Eric winked at her.
"You must be Detective Duquesne." An eager young man said when she entered ballistics on her crutches.
"Calleigh." She corrected. "And you are?"
"Harry Donaldson, Lieutenant Caine asked me to help you out for a few weeks."
"Let me sit down and we'll get acquainted." Calleigh went and sat down on the chair. "So Harry can you shoot straight?"
"Excuse me?"
"This is a ballistics lab; I need someone who can shoot a gun without recoiling. Grab a gun out of the gun cage and some bullets; we'll do a little target practice before we start."
"Okay." He said hesitantly.
Calleigh watched his gun selection, you could tell a lot about a person from which gun they choose as well as how well they shot it.
"Okay, you'll do." Calleigh smiled looking at the group of bullet holes. "Clean that before you put it back."
"But before you do that perhaps Calleigh and I can have a moment alone." Horatio said from the doorway.
"Of course Lieutenant Caine." Harry made sure the safety was on the gun and put it on the counter before leaving.
"Thank you." Horatio said. "Calleigh."
"Hi Horatio." Calleigh smiled.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better for being back at work." She paused. "I'm sorry I told you to get out, I was just feeling a little crowded and needed some space."
"It's okay." Horatio said.
"I'm sorry anyway. Thank you for calling Alexx."
"We're all here if you need to talk."
"How about a hug?" Calleigh said.
"That too." Horatio walked over and wrapped his arms around her careful not to hurt her shoulder and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm here if you need me."
"I know. Thank you."
"So do you think Harry will work out or do I have to find you someone else?"
"He's a bit jumpy but he can shoot straight and get a good grouping, he'll do for now." Calleigh replied.
"Good."
"While we're talking about work boss, can I leave a little early around 4.30 there is somewhere I have to be by 5.00."
"You can work as long a day as you like. You're on limit duty until the doctor gives you the all clear. Just let me know when you're leaving. Do you need a ride?"
"I'll get a cab." Calleigh replied.
"How did you get here this morning?"
"Eric." She replied. "I told him you need to be here early so I needed a ride."
"I was in early briefing Harry." Horatio said as his pager went off. "I should get back to work, take things easy okay?"
"I will. I'll see you later."
TBC
