A/N: See Intro for Standard Disclaimers. Another short bit. For those who like longer parts, sorry. For my co-worker reading this...get back to work! VEG> Please R&R. Really. Even if you don't like it. Tell me it bites. I can take it.

Annabel picked at the paperwork at her desk. She turned to her computer and filled in some forms. Annabel printed them off and added them to the file. She compared what she had just found with what was already there and took some more notes. Nothing held her attention. She sighed and reread what she had just written. Calleigh slid into the chair next to her desk. Annabel focused on the paper she was reading. She didn't really want to talk. Calleigh didn't move.

"Hey," Calleigh prompted.

Annabel gave in, looked up and gave her a weak smile. Calleigh frowned. Annabel's face looked drawn and her eyes were smudged from lack of sleep. "Hey, yourself. How are things down in the lab?"

"A little chilly. How are things with you?"

Annabel frowned and shook her head. "Icy. I wish he would yell or scream or just say something."

"That's you, Annie. Not Horatio."

Annabel stared out over the edge of her cubicle. "I know, but I can handle that. I can't handle the total tune out. I can't find a way in, Calleigh. He hasn't left me a way back in." Annabel looked back at Calleigh. "Actually, I'm kind of surprised that you're here. Eric won't even look me in the eye. I expected that from Ryan, all things considered..."

"You know. All for one and that kind of stuff."

"Yea. That kind of stuff."

Calleigh nodded and changed the subject. "So, how long are you playing desk jockey?"

Annabel sighed and rubbed at her eyes. "I'm confined for a week. But I'm headed to New York tomorrow. For the funeral. That will knock a few days off. I just wish I had something to tell Julia or Elie."

Calleigh shook her head. "We've just hit a wall. It's not one of those simple cases. I'm not holding back, Annie. I just don't have anything else to tell you."

Annabel gave her a small smile. "Well, thanks for telling me anything. I'm surprised you're braving the wrath of Horatio Caine."

Calleigh gave Annabel a big smile. "Oh, I can handle Horatio, Annie. Just let me know if you'd like me to knock some sense into him."

Annabel shook her head. "Thanks for the offer, Cal. But I screwed up. Royally. I just have to be patient. I can wait him out."

"Good. Glad you're as stubborn as he is."

Annabel gave her a small, bitter laugh. "Yep. Quite a pair we make. A couple of real hard heads."

"You just remember that. Not the hard-headed part. The other."

"I'll keep it in mind, Cal."

Calleigh stood up. "Well, I'd better head back before I get into trouble for fraternizing with the prisoner."

"Ha, ha. Very funny. Really though, thanks for stopping by, Calleigh."

"Not a problem." She started to head off, and then turned back. "Hey, do you need a ride to the airport?"

"I was just going to leave my car in long term parking."

"Oh, don't do that. I'll drop you off. Just let me know when you flight is heading out."

"Thanks, Calleigh."

"Like I said, not a problem." Calleigh headed down the hall.

Annabel went back to the case in front of her. She glanced at the clock and calculated the hours until she could escape Miami. Not soon enough.

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