When the storm let up the city looked shattered, and shaken with the wind blow debris having settled. Horatio and Calleigh wasted little time in getting back to their respective jobs. Their city needed them and just as much, they didn't need anyone to find them in their private place and moment when the power had returned at CSI. They parted ways with warm looks and the promise of meeting back here later when they could both call it a day and pick up their moment when it had left off..

Calleigh strode back into the office, and beamed brightly as usual, bolstered by anticipation of seeing him again. Across the office she saw him and approached, but half way there she stopped smiling when she realized he wasn't either. His expression was back to that familiar scolded look and the cause of that almost immediately presented itself, or rather herself. Yelina stood up from her desk making herself visible to Calleigh, whose pace slowed to a stop just shy of interfering but close enough to hear the conversation.

"So you'll come?" Yelina asked, working those dark eye lashes. "I just don't have the time or the energy."

"I um..yes, I'll come by." He replied.

"Great." She said and flipped her hair back a little. Calleigh wondered if she'd done that intentionally just then. "Come by around eight could you? I have plans with Rick tonight." She added and the words seem to make him tense a little, but he held his tongue and nodded.

"I'll be there."

"You always are." She smiled and picked up her handbag and made her exit. Horatio seemed to watch her walk away. Calleigh sided up to him and grabbed his attention back.

"Hi." She said in a voice that relflected her smile. "Are we… are we still on for later?" she asked somewhat afraid of the answer.

"Well.." he started and she couldn't help letting her shoulders drop a little. "It might have to be a while later.. I umm.. Yelina needs a hand, you know.. cleaning up the house after the storm." His explaination seemed timid in some way and Calleig's shoulders dropped a little more yet.. Would she never win again that woman?

"Horatio.. " she proceeded with a cautious tone, "don't you think, perhaps she could get Rick to help her with that?" Horatio's only response was look of mild disbelief.

"She asked me." He clearified.

"I realize that but Yelina… tends to…" While Calleigh searched for the most gentle words horatio cut her off.

"I have to. She's family." He put it bluntly.

"She doesn't need your help Horatio, can't you see that? You you seem to think you owe her something and I can't stand to see how how she treats you."

"I just.. have to."

She sighed a little as much out of heartbreak as frustration over how Yelina could undo so much of the talking they'd done in that locker room.. "Well, you'd better get going. Yelina said eight o'clock." Her some what dismissive response gave him no reason to reply. Instead he Horatio gave her a half hearted nod and left for the parking lot. Calleigh watched him walk away until a voice brough her into coherence again.

"Ouch." John said with just a little to much smugness in his voice, causing her eyes to cast a sharp gaze on him.

"I don't believe that conversation had anything to do with you Detective." She said heading for her jeep and noticing he was hot on her heels.

"You're right." Hagen admitted holding his hands up in surrender, "Sorry, I was just looking for an opening… anyway Cal I think we should talk."

"I think we tried that John." She reached for the car door and his large heavy hand caught her's.

"I'll come by tonight. I'll bring dinner. Ok?" his offer only made Calleigh look back blankly.

"Are you not hearing me John?

"I hear you.. I just think we deserve a better shot." Calleigh pulled her hand back.

"Good night John."