Something About Vegas
Decision
They squared off in front of one another. A tense battle of wills was about to begin.
"Calleigh it was an awful experience and I'm not too crazy about getting right back in the air, but you can't be serious about driving. Do you know where we are?" Tim asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
"Yes, I know where we are," she answered irritably, plainly annoyed with him. "People drive long distances all the time. It will just take a couple extra days. I've made my decision."
"Calleigh we have to be back at work tomorrow. Have you forgotten? You can't drive from Denver to Miami just like that. Did you think this through at all, or did it just pop into your head? he questioned, his own irritation growing. "This isn't a good idea. It's not a short jaunt." He took a deep breath before continuing. "The next flight will be smoother, don't be worried," he reasoned.
"I'm not afraid to fly. I just don't want to, there's a difference," she stated adamantly. "I'll fly again, just not today or tomorrow. I have a lot of days saved up. Horatio will have to understand and let me take the time off, it's only a few extra days. I need a break. Besides, you'll be back, so he'll only be down one. This really isn't your concern," she explained.
"I can't let you drive from Denver to Miami by yourself. I'll have to go with you and I really don't want to," he told her, knowing it would probably piss her off.
"I appreciate your offer, if that's what it was, but I am perfectly capable of driving a car and reading a map. It's not like I've never gone on a road trip before. So, thanks, but no thanks." She sounded polite, but she was pissed. He could see it in her eyes and in the forced, tight smile on her face. 'God forbid, someone think her not capable of something, she'll let'em have it with both barrels', he thought to himself. He had to choose his next words carefully.
"I'm not inferring that you're not capable of making this trip, I just don't think it's a wise decision. I don't feel comfortable with you on the road alone and I sure as hell don't want to drive all the way to Miami, unless you're talking about taking motorcycles, then we'll talk," he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood and get her to see the folly of her mind set. It didn't work, she became more aggravated with him instead.
"I don't need you feeling comfortable with my decision," she emphasized. "Although I appreciate your concern, you don't need to be, it's not like we're really married," she remarked with an expression that told him, if words could kill, he'd need Alexx right about now.
He exhaled irritably. "Technically, we are, but that's beside the point. Why do you have to be this stubborn? Is it simply to irritate me?" he asked, then mumbled under his breath, "and do you have to be so damn good at it."
"Why do you? I'm not debating this with you. I've made my choice and you don't have to agree with it," she informed him, letting his other comment slide. She began looking around, seeking the direction she needed to exit the boarding area.
"Calleigh," he started, but she interrupted him.
"Tim why don't we say goodbye now. You don't need to follow me. I don't want you to miss your flight," she told him, her southern drawl now more pronounced.
"I have time," he replied brusquely and started walking, knowing she'd follow.
She sped up along side of him. "But if you leave this area you'll have to go through security again and look at that line," she added, motioning with her hand to the long, snaking line of people waiting to be screened, "you'll miss your flight for certain."
"I'll take my chances. We need to talk about this some more," he said, still walking and taking a quick glance to make sure she was following.
"There's nothing to discuss, haven't you been listening?" she asked him pointedly, her voice an octave higher now. He stopped and turned to her, his eyebrows raised and eyes narrowed in a look of disbelief.
"Haven't you?" he challenged. He shifted uncomfortably, one foot to another, his eyes darting, finally landing back on hers and they stared unblinking for a moment before he looked away. What he wanted to do was shake her, but he didn't trust himself not to do something undoubtedly stupid, like kiss her instead. That, he was certain, would really piss her off.
"Tim, I don't want you to come with me." There, she said it, only she felt no relief, just guilt and something else she couldn't put her finger on.
"I don't want to go with you, either, but Calleigh, this is a rash decision you're making," he implied, their eyes connecting once more.
"Oh, like I've never made one of those before," she snapped. The words hung in the air between them, neither speaking, neither taking their eyes off the other. He sighed heavily. He'd been doing that a lot, she simply exasperated him. She broke eye contact first, blinking rapidly, then looking anywhere but at him, clearly uncomfortable.
"You have to catch your plane. I'll talk to you when I get to Miami. I'll call Horatio and tell him my plans. I hope you have a better flight," she said haltingly.
"Don't do this," he pleaded.
"I'll see you in Miami," she replied with a smile he suspected wasn't sincere, then turned from him and continued on her way, her boots clicking rapidly across the tile floor.
He walked off disbelieving, needing the movement to help quell his rising temper. He couldn't believe she was going to do this, but he knew better, knew what she could be like when pushed. 'Why does she have to be so stubborn all the time?' he asked himself, shaking his head. His headache was back, no doubt brought on by one short blonde, who knew exactly how to push his buttons, among other things.
tbc
