Breathe
Chapter 10
A/N: I think I may have killed Calleigh inadvertently by giving her way too much Valium :). It was a mistake, and thanks goes to Random writing , for catching it. That's what I love about you guys...
Calleigh descended the stairs to hear pots and pans rattling in her kitchen. She walked into the room and stood with her arms wrapped snugly against her body as she watched him open and shut cabinets. The movement of his body struck her and she soon lost herself in her thoughts. Could she be falling in love with this man, after only knowing him a month? Shaking herself out of her query, she cleared her throat and dropped her hands. He seemed to know exactly where everything was, and that alarmed her slightly. Tim turned around, with a big smile on his face as she walked up to him.
" I see you found the pots alright. You sure do know your way around a kitchen."
" If you've seen one kitchen, you've seen them all," Tim said as he turned back to the stove. " I was thinking chicken cacciatore with pasta, if that's okay with you?"
" Sounds delicious," Calleigh said. She stood next to him at the sink. She got a good look at him as he continued to prepare.
" Did she get to bed okay?" Tim asked .
" Yeah, she'll be up in about an hour," Calleigh said as she positioned herself better. " Trent, can I ask you something?"
" Sure, ask away," he said as he continued to busy himself.
" Do you have any idea why Cammi reacted to you like that?"
" Maybe because I'm likable?" Tim said as he looked up at her. He saw the concern that had now etched across her face. Had he gone too far?
" No, I've never seen her so clingy to someone before. It's just odd..."
"Calleigh, I'm sorry if I freaked you out. I've always loved children and for some unknown reason, they gravitate to me."
" It's okay. I am actually happy, because I 've never seen her that way before. I guess, even though she never knew her father, she still misses him."
Tim stopped what he was doing and turned to her, grasping her hand. Her warmness sent a pleasurable feeling through him.
" I know it must've been hard to go through such a loss, Calleigh. There's nothing that I could say that could make you feel any different about it, but I want to let you know that I am here for you whenever you need me," Tim said softly as he squeezed her hand.
Calleigh glanced down at her hand then back up to him, revealing the tears that had started to drop. So many emotions were coursing through her that she didn't know what to do or what to feel. Before she knew it, she had her lips on his and her arms around his neck. The energy of the kiss pushed Tim back against the wall and he returned its intensity. Pulling away only for air, he looked into her eyes, seeing the familiar signs of lust as it rose inside of her. He had a feeling that dinner would be late, as he picked her up effortlessly and carried her to her room.
TS
" I still can't believe that she's been suspended," Eric said to Alexx as they were on their way to the elevators. The shift had ended and they were the last ones to leave the lab.
" This doesn't seem right. Why would Calleigh risk her job like that? She loves what she does," Alexx said as she glanced up to Horatio's office. His light was still on, telling her that she and Eric weren't the very last to leave.
" She loved Speed more," Eric replied as he pushed the button. Getting into the lift, he un clipped his cell phone from his belt and flipped it up. " I'm going to call her to see if she's okay."
" That's a good idea," Alexx returned quickly as the doors slid shut. Eric dialed her number and waited for her to pick up.
You've reached Calleigh Speedle, leave a message after the beep...
" Hey Calleigh, I just wanted to make sure that you are okay. Um, maybe I'll stop by before going home. Anyway, I'm sorry to hear about today. See you in a few minutes," Eric said into the phone. He then flipped it down and turned to Alexx, " I'm gonna stop by there just in case. She shouldn't be alone at a time like this."
TS
Calleigh laid , entangled in the sheets, feeling her heart as it beat insanely through her chest. She had not felt this way in a long time and she relished in the moment. It was as if all of her pain, her inhibitions were thrown off of her shoulders and she was allowed to live again. She let a radiant smile draw across her face as she turned to face him, seeing that he was staring at her. He put a hand up to push the long strands of her pale blond hair out of her face, gazing into those amazing green eyes and losing himself in them. His mind replayed the feeling of her touch, her love as she released what had been pent up for so long. He caressed her cheek with his thumb as she placed her hands on his chest, her fingers lightly touching the scar that he bore there.
" Thank you , Trent," was all that she could muster as they continued to stare at each other.
" For?"
" For being there when I needed you," Calleigh said as she inched up to his body. His touch made her skin feel warm again.
" I promise that I will always be here for you, just like you have been there for me," Tim said as he kissed her on her forehead. He pulled her into an embrace and held on to her tightly, not wanting to let her go. Then he heard a bell. " What was that?"
Calleigh thought for a moment, then hearing the bell again, she jumped out of the bed, " It's the door bell. Someone's here."
Tim got up quickly and pulled his jeans up as Calleigh was slipping her shirt back on. The door bell continued to ring incessantly and he wondered who this was. Calleigh finished dressing and hurried down the stairs, swinging the door open, revealing Eric on the other side.
" Calleigh, what were you doing? I've been out here for almost five minutes,"Eric said as he stepped forward into the foyer. Calleigh glanced nervously behind her as she stepped aside.
" Eric, what brings you by?"
" I just wanted to check up on you. I heard that they suspended you today."
"Yeah, I guess I get to take that vacation now," Calleigh quipped nervously.
" Hey, where's Cammi?" Eric said as he walked into the kitchen, seeing the pots and pans on the stove, " what are you cooking?"
" Just some dinner."
Eric raised an eyebrow and smirked at her, " Just some dinner, huh?"
Calleigh lightly punched him on the shoulder, " And what is that supposed to mean?"
" We all know that Speed was the cook in the family. Your expertise lie in the world of firearms, not of pots and pans..."
" Calleigh, thanks for letting me use the restroom," Tim said as he came down the stairs. Eric shot a look to Calleigh then back to Tim, questioning them both silently.
Tim decided to go on the offensive, extending his hand," Delko, isn't it?"
Eric took it hesitantly and answered, " Yeah, Trent."
" I just invited him over for dinner,"Calleigh said jumping in . She saw the look on the young cuban's face and decided that she didn't want him to start anything here, or now.
" Dinner?"
" Yes, dinner, you know the meal after breakfast and lunch," Tim offered sarcastically. Delko always had the knack of appearing at the wrong time.
"It's just the two of you?"
" Does that bother you?" Calleigh asked growing tired of this.
" Yes, I mean , no. You are a grown woman, Calleigh. I just want you to be careful," Eric replied as he continued to glare at Tim.
" I'm fine, Eric. I'm just having dinner with a friend," Calleigh returned as she glanced at Tim, knowing that her cheeks were turning bright red. " Care to join us?"
" I'm making chicken cacciatore ," Tim said humorously.
" Maybe I'll take a rain check, Calleigh," Eric said as he turned to go out. " Can I talk to you for a second?"
Calleigh nodded and walked outside with Eric, leaving Tim to go into the kitchen to finish what he had started. When she got out, she closed the door slightly and stood in front of it. Eric took a good look at her then sighed, not really wanting to say this to her, but he felt like he had to.
" Calleigh, what's going on with you and Trent?"
" Nothing, he's just over for dinner. We're friends," Calleigh said as she shuffled a bit. She didn't know why she felt so nervous, it was her house and her right to have anyone she pleased , over.
" You two looked a lot more cozy than friends. Did you think that I wouldn't notice?"
" Okay, so we are more than just friends. What's the big deal?" Calleigh asked as she glared at him. She practically knew what was coming up next, and she braced herself.
" Calleigh, are you sure that you are ready?" Eric asked as he came closer to her.
" Eric , I appreciate what you are doing really, and I love you for it, but Tim's ... Tim's been dead for two years now. I have to start to move on. Remember what you said to me in the firearms lab the day that we got Trent's scene?"
" Sure I do."
" Well, this is me trying to move on, to grow. I don't know what it is about Trent, but he makes me feel comfortable being me again. It's like we've known each other for years."
Eric placed a hand on Calleigh's shoulder and looked her in the eyes. He wanted to tell her about the signature, but he didn't want to ruin her happiness. Before he could turn away, Calleigh noticed his hesitation and called him on it.
" Eric, what's the matter?"
" Nothing, I just don't want you to get hurt. I promised Speed that I would look out for you and Cammi," he said.
" And you have done a fine job, Eric. Tim would be happy of the things you have done for us," Calleigh said smiling at him. She took him into an embrace and squeezed him tightly. If it hadn't been for him, Calleigh wouldn't have know what to do with herself. Eric had been the rock that she could hold on to for a long time. She still had doubts inching at her as she pulled away from him, still seeing the hesitation. " Are you sure that was all ,Eric?"
"Yeah, it is. Hey, what is this I hear about a suspension?"
It was Calleigh's turn to provide the hesitation as she glanced behind her at the door, " I came back positive for drugs . Valium."
" Just about everyone takes Valium. What's up with Stetler?"
" I didn't have an prescription for it. My therapist would give me samples every time I went in for a session. I should've told her to prescribe it for me. Now I'm under investigation and it seems , out of work for a while."
" I'm sure they are going to work this out," Eric stated dourly. There was no way that Calleigh was abusing drugs. It went against everything that the southern spitfire believed in. " So what are you going to do on your little ' vacation'?"
" Rest. Spend time with Camille, and maybe take in some sight seeing."
" With a 'friend'," Eric said sarcastically.
" Maybe with a friend," Calleigh laughed .
Eric looked at his wrist and then back up at Calleigh, " I gotta go, Calleigh. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Calleigh smiled at him and nodded, " Tell Max and Chris I said hello."
" Done. You sure you are going to be okay with Trent?"
" Positive, now go," Calleigh shooed. She watched him as he walked briskly down to his truck and got in. She waved slightly before turning to open the door. Tim would be proud of how Eric had stepped up to help. She quickly shifted gears in her mind, smelling the food that was already cooking , and put a smile on her face. Her future was awaiting her.
TBC...