"Cal, if you don't stop pacing H is gonna be investigating a homicide in the breakroom." Eric impatiently broke the silence between the tapping of Calleigh's shoes as she passed back and forth across the room. "What's up with you, you're making me nervous."

"I'm sorry, I… I'll pace somewhere else." She joked, trying to alleviate her own tension. She hadn't left the breakroom since the standoff between Horatio and Stetler. She'd been hiding out here trying to decide whether or not to find Horatio and speak with him. As much as she wanted Stetler to back off she knew that wasn't going to happen. Unfortunately Horatio wasn't likely to back down either and she couldn't stand the thought of him being taken from his position at CSI. She hated the idea of caving to Stetler's demands but the more she thought about it the more valid a suggestion it had seemed. Perhaps a counselor wasn't such a bad idea. Maybe Horatio could benefit from it. He certainly had been different these days, and she sighed to think that perhaps their moments together had been more due to his struggle with Tim's death and less, if anything at all, to do with them; their relationship, if you could call it that, she thought. What the hell were they? Not one whole day ago he'd practically fled the scene telling her he couldn't get involved that way and now they'd spent the night together as though it hadn't happened.

"What's the problem?" Eric asked, "I get the feeling this has something to do with Stetler."

"How'd you know that?"

"I passed him in the hall earlier and you and H both seem worked up this morning…Seeing the IAB poster boy sniffing around this early, who wouldn't expect a bad day brewing."

"Good point." She sighed, "Eric, how do you think this place would function if Horatio wasn't here?" Her question seemed somewhat out of left field.

"If we'd had a different L.T. all along? Or if he left us?"

"If he was replaced."

"Frankly, I have a hard time believing a guy like H is replaceable."

"Me too, Eric. Me too." She said swiftly standing up and making her exit, leaving Eric to sit, and give the empty doorway a confused look.

"Glad I could help…"

Calleigh knocked quietly on the door and approached with extreme caution. Horatio wasn't going to like this; someone taking Rick's side, and Stetler's little visit had already blackened his mood.

"Horatio? Can we talk?" Her voice was sweeter than usual, which he he'd never thought possible, as he looked up from his desk.

"Of course. What would you like us to talk about?" He asked while a controlled smiled played on his features. She returned the look when it struck her that he was hiding his bad mood, refusing to let his frustration with Stetler effect anyone who didn't deserve it.

"Um, this morning, about Stetler…" She began.

"Hm… I'm sorry you had to see that."

"No, it's not that. Horatio I just think--" She was interrupted when Valera appeared in the doorway, wide eyed and somewhat anxious.

"Um, sorry but Eric told me you guy's oughta come see the news." She sounded apologetic enough for interrupting but clearly something more important than personal conversations was causing office disturbance.

In the break room again Eric stood arms folded intently watching the television as the static skewed voice of a local news reporter spoke, trying to out due the breathing wind around her.

"…is expected to roll into Miami by two o'clock this after noon. The National Guard is instructing residents in shore line areas to secure and evacuate their homes by noon. All of Miami's disaster shelters are currently open to the public All residents are encouraged to leave as soon as possible to avoid traffic and…"

"Does that put CSI in the evacuation area?" Eric asked without pulling his eyes from the screen.

"Just outside of it actually…" Horatio replied.

"Once they lock down the windows, this place is secure." Calleigh added, "Last time we had a few folks in reception that didn't make it to a shelter in time…"

"…if you're just tuning in, we're reporting on the approaching category three hurricane that will be in full force by two o'clock this after noon, please secure you're homes and property as winds are expected to reach 125 miles per hour at the height of hurricane Timothy…"

It felt as though all three of them held their breath at once and the room stopped in time with them. No one's gaze left the TV set, though they all felt as if they could read each others minds. Hurricane Timothy. Eric finally broke their still hearted silence.

"H…I have family…out in--"

"Go ahead, Eric. Dispatch won't likely call us until after the storm."

"Will you be evacuating people?" Calleigh asked.

"Always." He assured with conviction that made her smile. "Care to join me?"

"I would." She beamed, "But I'd like to check in on my Dad first, if that's alright."

"Of course."

"Thank you. I'll be out there afterwards."

"No problem, I'll see you later." He said with a nod as he headed for the door. Turning back to the TV she smiled to herself. "…and Calleigh." He added standing by the exit.

"Yes?"

"Take care."

"You too."