A/N: This is post-Dispo Day.
------S/C-----
Tim stood outside Ballistics, the gun cleaning kit Horatio gave him seemed to be glued to his hand. He finally walked in and saw Calleigh shooting her gun in the firing range. Tim slowly walked over towards the enclosed range and waited for her to be finished. She did and took her earmuffs off but didn't turn around.
"You must think I'm a total ass right?" Tim asked. Calleigh stood there, not saying anything. "I mean, I walk out during your presentation to get my daughter that none of you know about. Now about a week later I get shot because my gun wasn't cleaned."
"You know why I was mad Tim?" Calleigh asked, turning around. "Because you could've died, not Hollis and what would you have done about Anna? Tim, that little girl loves you more than anything! God she'd be devastated if she lost you."
'Not to mention I'd be devastated too.' she added silently. But Tim didn't need to know that. Tim stared at her then finally looked away. He wanted to know if she read the letter or not. He wouldn't ask though.
"Hey, I thought I saw you heading out. You forgot something." Laura smiled, walking in. Anna was with her, a smile on her face.
"Forget about her?" Tim pushed away all the bad thoughts of today, seeing his daughter's smiling face. "No way. Come on. We're going home."
"Can we eat out tonight?" Anna begged. Tim looked down at her and nodded. "Calleigh wanna come?"
"Uh... honey, I think Calleigh has plans tonight." Tim said.
"Did you ask her?"
"Anna..."
"Daddy..."
Calleigh had to hide her smile as she watched the feuding pair. Tim sighed and turned to look at Calleigh.
"You want to get something to eat?"
"I..." Calleigh looked down at Anna, who had a pleading look on her face. "I..."
Anna's bottom lip began to stick out and Calleigh couldn't say no.
"Sure."
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"You know, when she said eat out, I thought she meant at a restaurant." Calleigh said quietly. Tim nodded, looking down at Anna asleep in his lap. "Not ordering a pizza."
Tim snickered and looked up.
"I'm sorry."
"No. It's okay. I had fun. Tim, she's a really sweet girl."
"Yeah." he nodded. "Anna..."
She didn't stir and Calleigh smiled.
"I can take her up to her room if you want." she offered. Tim nodded.
"I don't think I'm going to be able to get off the couch." he said. Calleigh laughed quietly and moved out of the recliner, gently taking the girl into her arms.
"Which room?"
"I'll show you." Tim walked upstairs and opened the first door on the left, showing a light pink room filled with toys, a bed, and everything else under the sun. Calleigh had an amused look on her face and set Anna down on the bed. Tim leaned over and kissed her forehead, then they both walked out. Calleigh yelped as she tripped on a toy in the hallway. Tim quickly grabbed her around the waist and she smiled meekly.
"Sorry."
"No I am. Told her to pick these stupid toys up." Tim mumbled, his eyes glued to Calleigh's soft, pink lips. He moved slightly closer to her, when Anna called out.
"Daddy?"
"What baby?"
"You didn't read me a story."
Tim sighed and Calleigh smiled.
"It's okay. I um... I have to get home anyway." she said quietly. "Thanks for um... dinner."
"It was a pleasure." Tim murmured. "Um... Anna, I'll be right back."
"I can see myself out. Bye Tim."
"Night Calleigh." he waited until he heard the door close and walked back into Anna's room. "Alright. So a story huh?"
Anna nodded, pulling the covers up to her chin. Tim sighed and sat down next to her. Calleigh sat down in her car, wondering what had just almost happened. Did she want it to?
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Tim lifted his head slightly when he heard his bedroom door squeak open.
"Anna?"
"I can't sleep." she mumbled, still standing in the doorway. Tim yawned and rubbed his eyes.
"Come here."
Anna quickly ran over and crawled under the blankets.
"What's wrong?" Tim asked sleepily. Anna shook her head. "I know there's something wrong. What's up?"
"I... I heard people talking today."
For a minute, in his hazy state, Tim wondered if his daughter was hearing things. Then realized...
"What'd they say?"
"They said something bad happened to you." Anna said.
"I didn't. I'm fine. Just... remember when you were sitting with Calleigh this morning?"
Anna nodded.
"I got held up and some bad things happened. But I'm fine."
"Then some guy walked in and said you were leaving. I don't want you leaving."
"No." Tim shook his head. "They meant work. Honey, I'm not leaving you. Not ever, so don't worry."
"Why would you be leaving work?" Anna asked.
"That guy thought I had to do with the bad thing that happened. I didn't. I'm not leaving work and I'm certainly not leaving you."
"Why did Calleigh leave?"
"She had to go home and go to sleep."
"I like having her here."
"I know you do and tricking me today was not the way to get her here." Tim said. Anna smiled sheepishly. "Come on. Go back to bed."
"Can I stay here tonight?"
Tim nodded.
"Just go to sleep."
Anna nodded and kissed his cheek.
"I love you Daddy."
"I love you too Anna." Tim didn't go back to sleep so quickly. Anna did though so Tim just watched her. He sighed, thinking about what Calleigh had said before. What if it had been him and not Hollis?