Title: Tomorrow Never Comes

Disclaimer: Slash. Violence. Language. Angst.

POV: Delko

Chapter Thirteen: A Friend In Need

Speed is released from the hospital today. I should be happy. Shouldn't I? But he's been hiding things from me. We've both been hiding things. And not just from each other. It's time we both come clean. I need him to tell me who is threatening him and he needs to know a few things about myself. Mainly who is hurting me.

I glance at Horatio as he walks by the Trace Lab. He doesn't even notice me standing there. Is that bad or good? He hasn't really been talking to me. Not since he arrested Timmy. Now Tim is on a leave of absence, pending an investigation. How can Horatio do that to one of his closest friends? I close my eyes and sigh. Why is the world falling apart?

A hand touches my shoulder. I jump.

"Sorry, I thought you heard me," Calleigh says.

I look at her bright smile. "I was off in my own little world. Kind of my fault that you scared me. I should be paying attention to the work at hand."

She pulls the evidence from my hand. "Why are you still here? Doesn't Speed get out of the hospital today?"

"Yes," I nod.

"Well, who's going to pick him up and take him home? Who's going to love on him if you're here?"

I chuckle. "Cal, Hagen is picking him up and I'll see him after work. We're not really talking to each other right now. There's a lot on the table, you know?"

The smile disappears from her face and is replaced with a look of deep concern. "Are you two having a lover's quarrel? Over what? The car accident?"

I bit my bottom lip. Should I tell her? I need to tell someone. It's getting on my nerves. I've been jumpy and edgy for a few days now. Ever since I found those notes. Calleigh is a great listener. A great friend. She can handle it. I need a friend and Calleigh is the perfect one. I sigh.

"There's a lot to talk about. How about we do it over lunch, what do you say? My treat?"

She shakes her head. "My treat. You've obviously got a lot on your mind. Let's go. I want to help you out."

We're sitting in a booth at a restaurant that sells Cuban food. I never thought Calleigh would eat here. But it was her choice. She says she likes the place. Personally, I've never even been here. We both look over the menu. Calleigh is doing it for my benefit. I know that her mind is made up about what she wants. I take a few minutes to find a meal that sounds like it'll be delicious. We both order and are left by our waiter.

"So, what do you want to cover first, Eric?" She asks, sipping her water.

Where do I start? Horatio? Speed? The notes? My own guilt? Or…?

"Earth to Eric." Calleigh is waving a hand in front of my face.

"Sorry, I was trying to decide where to start." I take a short pause. "I came across Horatio's resignation again, the other day. When he had me sorting files. I think he's really going to go through with it. Can you believe that?"

Cal shakes her head. "That doesn't seem like H. I know things haven't been great lately. But they'll improve, they always do. He won't leave. It's not in his nature."

"I hope you're right. I can only imagine who they would pick to be our new boss." Time for topic two. "I can't believe that H thinks Speed is abusing me. Did you know that?"

Calleigh's eyes grow big in surprise. "Yes, I actually did know, I just didn't know that you knew."

"Oh, I've known for a little while. Hagen told me. I was not very pleased about it. Timmy has never hit me. Honestly. I don't think he can bring himself to do such a thing," I remark.

"I agree." Calleigh and I stop talking while our food is placed on the table. Both dishes look really yummy and smell great. I kind of hope I can try some of her meal. But now is not the time to ask.

"This is not easy to talk about. So please keep the next few things to yourself. Please?"

She must hear the desperation in my voice. All she does is nod in agreement.

"You know how we never caught Speed's kidnapper?" She nods. "He's been getting threatening notes at work. That's why he's been acting weird. I'm not sure if they're actually from the same person or if someone is just playing a mean joke."

"Now normally, I would say tell Horatio, but he's not an option right now. Does Speed have any idea who it is?"

I shake my head. "Not a clue. Not that I'm aware of, anyway. He's been hiding the whole thing from me. I only found out because I came across one of the notes at our apartment the other night. Needless to say, I'm not pleased."

She places a hand over mine. "I know that this news is troublesome. Yet, something else is paining you. What is it, Eric? Please tell me. I want to help. Telling another person may make you feel better."

I chew my lip. How do I tell her? Do I just come right out and say it? Is that really the best way? Only one way to find out…

"The accident wasn't an accident, per say."

"What are you talking about?" She wipes her mouth with her napkin.

I sigh. This is hard. "I did it. I..I pulled the wheel. There was never another car or something in the road. I just pulled the wheel. I drove us off the road."

She sits there quietly, digesting the words. I can see the information sinking in. That's it, I've lost a friend. I never should have told her about that. No one should know. It's a horrible thing. How can a person do that? It's just not understandable. She takes my hand in hers, surprising me for the second time today.

"I'm sure you had your reasons. And even if you don't understand them now, that's okay. We all makes decisions in our lives. Maybe you didn't mean for the car to hit that tree. Perhaps you just wanted Tim to pull over and he wouldn't. Don't fret over it. Not everyone understands their own actions. I've been in a few moments like that myself. It's really okay, Eric."

Her words are caring and loving. There is hope. I wasn't trying to kill Speed. Could she be right? Was I just trying to pull the car over? We were arguing. It's possible. I sigh with relief. The guilt of that incident is gone. Now to bear my inner soul and tell Calleigh something I have yet to tell another human being. Screaming at myself in the mirror doesn't count.

"Cal, I have something else to tell you. Something that I don't want you to react to. Not in the way I know you're going to."

She gives me a quizzical look and a half smile. "If I can't react that way, then how can you know that I will?"

Any reply is cut-off as the waiter swings by again. This time to take away are dirty plates, ask for refills, and see if we want dessert. Calleigh orders a piece of cake. For a petite woman she can really pack it away without adding extra pounds. It's really all part of our job. We burn a lot of calories. Chasing perps is a lot of work. Takes a hell of a lot of energy. And than there are those days that you don't eat at all because of a particularly nasty crime scene.

Calleigh winks. "I'll share my cake with you if you tell me your secret."

Despite my nervousness and apprehension, I chuckle. Leave it up to Calleigh. "You don't have to bribe me with cake, Cal. I plan to tell you."

She waits in silence. Knowing that if she says anything I might change my mind. The waiter interrupts us once again. Bringing with him refills, a slice of heavenly chocolate cake, and the bill. I grab the bill before Calleigh can. This will be my treat, even though she offered in the beginning. I will have unloaded some nasty news and paying the bill is the least I can do.

"Calleigh, the bruise that I've had lately, the ones that have you all curious, well," I pause. I can't believe I'm admitting this to some else. But it's time. I need to do it. "Someone at the lab has been, how shall I put this…" I sigh. There really isn't an easy way to put it. "They have power over me. And things have not been nice. They are the source of the bruises. Not Speed."