Chapter Four

It was late by the time I got home. Darkness hadn't set into the Miami skyline yet, even though the clock was striking evening. Carrying the food I managed to pick up from Calleigh's favourite Chinese restaurant on the way, I struggled bitterly for a few minutes trying to juggle between the key, the takeout and the door. Eventually managing to push open the front door to my apartment, I leaned against it, peering in, searching for some sign of Calleigh. Not seeing her in the kitchen that lay directly across from the door, I proceeded to slip through the now closing door and let it shut quietly behind me in case she was sleeping.

"Welcome home sugar." I turned around facing the small living room that was through the kitchen. Upon the old leather couch sat the homely figure of Alexx, and next to her a slightly smiling Calleigh, both of them leaned comfortably against the deep red cushions, nestling cups of what I guessed was tea between their hands. I found myself smiling at the sight.

"Alexx didn't know you were coming. I would have brought more food. I'm sorry." I held up the white take out apologetically. Alexx stood up reaching for her handbag.

"Don't you worry sugar, I was just leaving, and I came here to see how our Calleigh was doing." Alexx looked directly at Calleigh, who smiled wearily at me. I guessed maybe she'd had a phone call or two also from concerned lab friends.

"And you can see I'm going fine, now away with you Alexx." Calleigh laughed bringing a wide grin to my face. Her happiness was infectious. She looked a lot better than she had this morning, in fact Calleigh looked refreshed. Yet there were still evident signs of strain on her face. It was still proved to me that she was at least coping with what had happened. I backed into the kitchen, slipped the bag onto the table as Alexx came through to me, putting her cup into the sink next to me. She leaned into me as I started removing the take away packages from their plastic prison.

"She's looking a lot better than she did yesterday." I murmured to Alex as she swilled water around the inside of her cup. No matter what I said to her about cleaning up here, she ignored it and washed her own dishes.

"I hope you take care of her sugar." Alexx murmured, out of view of Calleigh. I looked up at her and then averted my gaze down at the carrier bag of take away food.

"I will Alexx; I'll do the best to let her know she's not alone." I spoke quietly concentrating on the food in front of me. This was awkward, Alexx didn't know what had occurred between me and Calleigh, yet she was aware that we were very good friends.

"Honey, you're not alone either. Remember that." Alexx pointed out. She was asking if I wanted to talk, just without asking the question. I turned to face her, sighing. Talking was supposed to help in situations like this, and Alexx was a far better mother than my own.

"You know Alexx, when I saw Hagen on top of her like that I didn't think." I crossed his arms over my chest defensively and leaned against the work surface. Alexx took a step back, doing the same, she was also curious.

"I just shut off. I treated it as if I was on the job." I ran a hand through my unruly curls. I glanced towards Calleigh who sat on the couch in the living room, looking distantly out of the window that overlooked part of the beach and the sea.

"It bothers me that I did that. I mean I felt rage, pure blind rage that he could do that, but more than that I was scared. I was scared that he'd hurt her badly and what he could still do to her. I needed to know she was alright. The thing was Alexx I knew the second that gun was in my hand that if he even moved in her direction I would have shot him. I couldn't stand to see her hurt. I can't stand to think of what will happen if Hagen gets away with this." Alexx's eyes were fixated on my face. I was aware I was speaking with such remorse and bitterness. Behind Alexx's eyes I saw realization and trust. Calleigh was in the best place she could be right now and she knew it. I was right here to look after Calleigh and protect her, to even give her the support and space she needed. I was going to make sure I was here for her.

"Don't you worry Timmy. Hagen won't get away with it; I bet Horatio's processing the evidence right now." Alexx reassured him. I nodded thoughtfully, thinking the evidence and the case through.

"Thanks Alexx. I mean it thank you." I spoke with gratitude and honesty whilst opening the food trays.

"No problem sugar. I'll see you tomorrow." Alexx moved towards the front door.

"Bye Calleigh"

"See ya tomorrow Alexx." Alexx opened the door and turned back to face me.

"You know I swear that girl's a workaholic." I smiled in return as Alexx closed the door behind her. As I proceeded to put the Chinese food on the plates in front of me, I heard Calleigh's small footfalls.

"What did you bring me?" Calleigh asked leaning around me to get a look at the food. Her closeness sent warm tingles up my spine. Taking up a position next to me she leaned on the counter analysing the contents of the food trays. I found myself looking up at her with a contented smile.

"You're favourite." I replied. Calleigh picked up a spring roll and popped it into her mouth, as I carefully guided our plates to the table, also supplying us both with forks. Calleigh slid down into her seat, shovelling food into her mouth quickly. I also followed suit. I hadn't really eaten much in work, there'd been too much to do.

"How was it today?" she asked between mouthfuls.

"Dull, you know I swear that lab's a hell of a lot quieter when your not there." I answered watching her eat.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" she asked curiously. I put on my debating look for a few seconds.

"That's a bad thing." I told her openly. There were a few more minutes of comfortable silence before Calleigh spoke. She put down her fork with a small clatter and looked across at me. I diverted my gaze quickly.

"Tim, we need to talk." Those words ran through me making me feel cold run through me. I knew this was coming. I'd been expecting her to tell him that the night we spent together was a mistake. It was just one of those rules. Colleagues don't sleep with each other. They cause problems in work. Yet for me it wasn't a mistake. For along time I'd felt something for Calleigh, something deeper than friendship. Yet it lay dormant, leading me to do nothing about it, until the other night. Taking a deep breath I put more food in my mouth. I wasn't going to help her say this. I found myself enjoying this less, my food now tasteless. Calleigh stared at me, shifting food around her plate, watching for an answer. I pushed my plate away, clenching my jaw. I had an idea.

"Do you want to go for a ride?" I asked suddenly standing up. Calleigh looked up at me surprised also rising to her feet.

I reached out, grabbed hold of her hand and tugged her towards the door smiling.

"Come on, I want to take you somewhere." Calleigh stared at me unsure I could see what was ticking through her mind. I ignored her stare and handed Calleigh a helmet from the closet. Glancing towards the window and back at Calleigh again I felt my face move into an almost exasperated grin.

"I promise when we get there we can talk about whatever you want. I'll even be honest." Calleigh smirked at my comment, and took the helmet from me collecting her shoes, I knew she was wondering what I had in mind.