Disclaimer: I own anyone you don't recognize. Everyone else belongs to Anthony Zuiker.
A/N: Due to serious writer's block on E-Mail My Heart, I needed something to write. This popped into my head and I had to write it down quickly before it ran away. And yes I know its about four months early for Christmas.
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Tim picked Ava up and she giggled as he tickled her.
"Daddy, stop!" she hung an ornament up on their Christmas tree and looked at Tim. "There."
"Beautiful." Tim tossed a handful of tinsel on Ava's head and put her down. For a while, they decorated the tree and then the phone ring. Calleigh grabbed it.
"Hello? Oh hi Horatio. Yeah he's here. Hold on." she held the phone out to Tim.
"Hey H." Tim cradled the phone between shoulder and ear as he put a strand of lights on the tree. "Hold on, Calleigh, can you do this?"
She nodded and deposited Nicky on the couch. The year and a half old gave a whine and flopped back into the pillows. Tim walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table.
"I wasn't interrupting anything was I?"
"No. We were just putting the finishing touches on the tree."
"Ah... um... Speed, I hate to ask this."
"It's my day off. I've pulled overtime this whole week. I want to be with my family H."
"It's not that. There's a conference in two weeks. Eric is going to L.A with Valera for the holidays. I need you to go."
'Of course he doesn't ask Calleigh to go. He probably thinks I can't handle my kids for a few days.' Tim thought.
"Why can't you go?"
"Because I need to run the lab."
"But... I have a family. You don't."
"I have a lab to run. You don't." Horatio countered. "It's only for five days. You'll be home by the 21st."
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Two weeks later...
Ava rushed into the hallway, seeing Tim walk past the living room. He disappeared through the front door as she entered the hallway and she frowned. Her eyes lit up however when Tim walked back into the house.
"Daddy!"
Tim's eyebrows raised slightly but he picked Ava up.
"What's wrong?"
"I thought you left without saying good-bye." Ava said.
"Leave without saying good-bye? To you? No."
"I don't want you to go Daddy."
"I know honey but I have to."
"When are you going to be back?"
Tim carried Ava into the kitchen and showed her the calendar.
"Today is Sunday. I'll be back on Friday." he replied.
"Put me down."
Tim obliged and Ava ran upstairs. Tim followed her up to her room.
"Ava..."
"It's not fair." she mumbled.
"I know it's not but it's only six days." Tim said. "I need you to be good for Mommy. Don't give her any trouble."
Ava nodded.
"Promise me."
"I promise."
"Good girl. Come here." Tim pulled Ava into a hug and held her tightly. "I love you."
"I love you too." Ava pulled away from him and Tim kissed her forehead. Ava handed him her teddy bear. "Take him."
"Ava, this is yours."
"I want you to take him." she said. "Don't lose him."
Tim smiled slightly and nodded, pushing back tears.
"Okay." he nodded. "Be good for Aunt Val while Mommy's gone okay? Don't cause too much trouble."
Ava giggled and Tim gave her another hug, then kissed her cheek, and walked out of the room.
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Calleigh glanced over at Tim as she drove and finally when she parked at the airport, she spoke.
"Why do you have that?" she asked.
"Ava gave it to me." Tim replied quietly, fiddling with the old bear.
"Are you getting teary-eyed on me?"
"No." but Tim wiped his cheeks and Calleigh hid a smile, seeing his eyes were red-rimmed. They walked into the airport and sat near the terminal Tim had to go to. Finally, the boarding call came over the PA system.
"You have to go." Calleigh said quietly. Tim nodded and pulled her towards him. "Call me when you get to the hotel."
"I will." Tim mumbled. "I don't want to go."
"I don't want you to go either." Calleigh whispered, burying her face in his shoulder. "I mean, how am I gonna handle those three on my own?"
They both laughed and Tim kissed her deeply.
"I love you."
"I love you too. I'm gonna miss you."
"It's only a few days."
"I know. I don't like being away from you though."
"Neither do I."
"You have to go." Calleigh said, getting a hold of herself. "Or ya gonna miss your flight."
Tim nodded and Calleigh pulled him back to her, kissing him as though it was the last time. They finally pulled apart and Tim got on the plane. Calleigh sighed and walked towards the exit, not happy to be going home alone.