Chapter 19

Hours went by. Every half hour, Speed called the lab to update them the latest course of events, but there was nothing to report. He was sure that his colleagues would rather be in the hospital, but this wasn't possible. Horatio would never permit that they would neglect their job because of him. He dialled Alexx' number.

"How are you Timmy?"

"Bad, Alexx. But Cal feels even worse." He looked at her. She sat squatted on a chair, nervously playing with a handkerchief.

"Any news?"

"No. There hasn't been a doctor here for hours. Oh, wait. I guess one is coming, I have to hang up, Alexx."

He walked to Calleigh in order to meet with the doctor.

"Are you colleagues of Lt. Caine?"

"Yes we are. This is Calleigh Duquesne and I'm Tim Speedle." The two shook hands.

"Good. So we just finished the emergency surgery now."

"Emergency surgery?" Cal was shocked. Speed took her hand, because he felt what was going on inside her. Her hand was ice cold.

"How is he doing?" Tim asked fearfully.

"Well the injuries are grave. A shot in the stomach is always dangerous."

"That's not what I asked you Doctor. I want to know how he is doing and if…." He started to get annoyed.

"He is in a coma, Mr. Speedle. I don't know if he will survive at this juncture. This will decide on the next hours or days."

"Oh God." Calleigh had to sit down.

"At the moment he is in the intensive care unit. I reassure you, that we will do everything within human power."

"Is it possible to see him?" Speed asked.

"Hm, normally it's only possible for relatives."

"I'm his girlfriend" Calleigh said without thinking about it.

Speed was astonished, opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.

"Well in that case, I can make an exception. Would you please take Miss Duquesne to the ICU?" he asked a nurse.

Calleigh and the nurse stroke off.

"I have to leave you Mr. Speedle."

"Ehm, yes, sure. Thank you very much." He took out his cell phone and phoned. The team had to be cleared up about the new situation.

Before she was allowed to enter the ICU, she had to dress a smock and had to scrub up. The nurse led her the way to Horatio's room. She opened the door and left Calleigh alone. That what she saw give her a whack. She didn't dare to go in. She was afraid that her legs would give in. There he was. It seemed as he was sleeping, if there hadn't been all these machines around him.

A continuous peep interrupted the silence. It was from the ECG…This noise gave her hope, but also showed her how real the whole situation was.

She made towards him and sat down on a chair right next to him. She watched him. He lay so peaceful there. His chest raised and lowered. For gods sake he didn't need no respirator. But these other machines were more than enough for her. Her hand jittered when she took his hand. His hand was so warm in contrast to hers.

"Horatio, can you hear me? It's me Calleigh. Everything will be all right, ok?" She had tears in her eyes. There was no reaction.

"Don't dare to leave me behind." She cried. A nurse entered the room. Calleigh wiped away her tears.

"I'm sorry but the visiting hours are over."

Calleigh nodded and stood up. She caressed his cheek and left the room.

Outside, Speed was waiting for her.

"Everything ok with you? How is he doing?"

"He is in a coma Tim, what else can I say?"

"I'm so sorry Cal. Come on, I'll take you home."

Three days later he was still in a coma. Calleigh has visited him every day. Speed, who was the representation for Horatio, had advised her to take vacation. Virtually the whole team was feeling bad, but work had to go on, as Horatio always said.

Cal was sitting on her chair and held his hand. Somehow she believed that he could feel that, even though he was still in a coma. Suddenly the door was opened and Yelina stood in the doorway.

"Yelina?"

"Hi. How is he doing?"

"Unchanged." She replied cold. "I guess you want to be alone with him?" she asked snappish.

"Calleigh I…."

"You don't have to say anything Yelina." Once again there was this ire that she hadn't felt the last three days. She was about to stand up.

"Calleigh, please remain seated." Calleigh was wondering.

"We have to talk implicitly."

"I'm not sure if I want to."

"Than, just listen to me. So, I know that you believe that Horatio and me are a couple and therefore he would betray you." Yelina explained.

Calleigh didn't look at her.

"That's not true." Yelina said insistent. "Horatio told me everything. He and Stetler had a, I'll call it a conversation, about that. Unfortunately you got that wrong."

"But he loved you."

"Yes he did. But now, he loves you Calleigh and nobody else."

"And why did you meet behind my back?"

"He wanted to talk with me about something, that I can't tell you. He has to do that."

"So he loves…"

"You Calleigh. And you love him, otherwise you wouldn't be here. Say hello to him for me, when he is awake, ok?"

"Yes, sure. No problem Yelina."

Yelina left the room.

This conversation had changed everything, but somehow nothing. Yelina was right, she still loved him, even though she didn't want to admit that. Lost in thoughts she toyed with her chain. She looked at Horatio.

"How can I be so dopey?" she asked herself. How could I assume that he betrays me? It's my entire fault. If I hadn't said no to him, when he asked for the case, nothing would have happened." She reproached herself and started crying. Not of sorrow but of anger.

Exhausted of the exertions of the last days she fell asleep with her head on his bed.

tbc

A/N Thanks for the Reviews. Uh and Hotchner, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, too. Isn't it somehow uncomfortable sitting on the edge of your seat? grin Thanks to everyone who read this chapter.