A/N: The next chapter is here! Just so you know, everything in italics is a flashback. Thank you again for the reviews! Keep them coming! Enjoy!
He crossed the room in four strides and gathered her into a hug. She held on tight, relieved to see a familiar face. She let go and he stepped back so he could see her more clearly.
"What are you doing here? How did you find us?" Calleigh asked, her signature smile lighting up her face.
"That can be answered later," Horatio said, a smile of relief on his face, "How are you guys?"
Her smile dimmed as she turned back toward her husband. "I'm alright, I guess. The doctors aren't sure about Ryan though. I'm worried Horatio."
"It will be okay," Horatio said, placing a comforting hand on her arm, "He's strong, and he wouldn't leave you for anything."
Her small smile thanked him for his kindness. Her thoughts then turned to other matters, "Horatio, where are my kids? I need to see them."
"They are safe back in Miami. Don't worry about them. I got your letter and I've been taking care of them. You can see them as soon as we get home." he promised.
"Do they...do they think we're dead?" Calleigh asked, her eyes tearing up.
"Yes," Horatio said softly, "But we know better, don't we?"
"I have to call them Horatio. I need to talk to them." Calleigh insisted.
"I don't think we should tell them anything until we get home. That way your homecoming will be that much more special. Besides, it would only make them anxious for you to get home, and we don't know how long it will be until the doctors say you can go home." Horatio explained.
Calleigh just nodded her head. They sat there in comfortable silence for a few minutes until Horatio spoke. "You don't know how glad I am to see you Cal," he said, "This last month has been hell without you. I had given up hope that I would ever see you guys again. What happened to you?"
Calleigh sighed, "Do you want to know the whole story?"
"Every bit," Horatio said, pulling up a chair next to Calleigh.
Calleigh closed her eyes letting herself drift back to a month before.
"Here's to my one and only," Ryan said with a smile, as Calleigh and he clinked glasses, "May we have many more happy years together."
Calleigh giggled, "I'm counting on forever, Mr. Wolfe."
"Well, I'm glad, cause I'm going to love you longer than that," Ryan said, in awe of the woman who had pledged her life to him. Fifteen amazing years together, and he still felt like he had taken his vows yesterday.
"What are our plans for the afternoon?" Calleigh asked as they finished lunch.
"Cal, we're on vacation, we don't need plans. Let's just see where the day takes us," he said standing, offering her his hand.
Early evening found them cuddled together in a hammock over looking the beach. As the warm tropical breeze rocked them gently, they laughed and talked, enjoying the lack of interruptions.
"I love you Cal," he whispered in her ear, holding her close to him.
"I love you too," she reciprocated, kissing him softly. They stayed that way for quite awhile, just holding each other and enjoying the moment.
Ryan looked up for a moment and noticed storm clouds approaching. Calleigh noticed his face change from pure happiness, to worry, touched with fear.
"Ryan," Calleigh said, suddenly curious, "What's wrong?"
"Calleigh," he said slowly, "We've got to get out of here."
Calleigh sat up and followed his gaze out to the open ocean that had suddenly grown choppy and dangerous. The gray-green clouds were only miles off shore and the waves were building.
"Ryan," she said, worry edging her voice.
"Come on Calleigh," he said taking her hand and running towards the civilized part of the island. They had purposely wandered far away from the city and now it was a danger that they had never expected.
"We're never going to make it," Calleigh said as the strong winds hit the coast.
By now the rain was pounding down and the wind was screeching through the trees. The storm was coming up way too fast. They could barely hear each other as they raced for shelter. Ryan changed his course suddenly and ran towards the dense jungle, hoping it would provide them more safety than the open beach. A short ways into the trees, he tripped and both of them came crashing down. They both got up and kept running, no longer holding hands, trying to keep their balance. In the chaos of the storm, they were separated.
"Ryan!" Calleigh called, panic raging inside her. "Ryan!" With the rain and wind crashing into her face, she could not see where she was going and she tripped over a fallen branch, tumbled down a hill, and landed in a heap at the bottom. She registered pain for a few moments before her world went black.
A/N: More of Calleigh and Ryan's story is coming, so stay tuned!