DISCLAIMER: If you recognize them, I don't own them.
"You want me to WHAT?" Calleigh shrieked, losing the cool she normally possessed. Horatio remained calm, giving Calleigh time to process the information he had just given her. "This is ridiculous. Why do I have to do it? Why can't Natalia work the case?"
"Because Natalia is still new to the lab, and I don't want her to get overwhelmed if something should happen. This isn't a case for rookies." Horatio replied, hoping Calleigh would quickly return to the professional he knew her to be.
"But why are we even being assigned something like this to begin with? We're CSI's, not detectives." Calleigh had stopped yelling, but she was still in shock. She'd have to completely rearrange her life, to give up the independence she clung to with every fiber of her being.
"Because, Calleigh, the suspect lives in a gated community. The Homeowner's Association refused to grant us permission to investigate the neighborhood, and we need people on the inside. People I can rely on to report back information about the suspect's daily life."
"But I can't possibly pay attention to everything that goes on in the community. We work crazy hours. If I'm not at a scene, I'm in the lab. There's no way that I can work this case unless-" Calleigh froze, searching Horatio's face for the reply she knew was coming. "No," she said angrily. "Horatio," she warned, hoping for a change of mind.
Horatio took a deep breath, trying to delay another Calleigh outburst. "You're being reassigned. Your focus will be this case, and you are not permitted to enter a crime scene unless summoned or this lab unless your request to do so is granted. Calleigh," Horatio began before Calleigh could react. "I need you. I know this isn't what you want, but its what we have to do. I cannot go to one more scene knowing that we could have stopped this guy. Please, do this for the lab, for your co-workers, and for me."
Calleigh opened her mouth to respond, closed it, and then opened it again. "Fine," she answered, sighing.
"Good, now go home. You have the rest of the day off to pack and prepare. I don't have to tell you this, but I need you at 100 per cent." Calleigh turned on her heel and walked down the hall, her heels clicking angrily on the tile floor of the lab. Horatio sighed. It was going to be a long case.
The next morning, Calleigh pulled up to the gate and entered the security code Horatio had given her. She waived to the guard and entered the community. She found the house on her second try. Pulling into the driveway, she noticed that his car was already parked in front of the house. She turned the car off, got out, and walked towards the front door. Letting herself in, she slowly walked around the house, admiring the designer furniture that filled the rooms. So this is how the other half lives, she thought. She walked into the master bedroom, seeing his suitcases sprawled across the bed. She left the room and walked across the hall into another bedroom. She sighed with relief when she saw a queen-sized bed in the center of the room. Good, she thought. We can have our own rooms. She returned to the master bedroom and moved the suitcases into the other bedroom. She left the house and went to her car to begin unloading it. Leaning into the back seat to grab her cross-stitch materials, she felt arms circle her hips.
"Hey hon," a deep male voice greeted her.
In one fluid motion she backed out of the car, stood up, turned in his arms and gently pushed him away. "Eric," she exclaimed irritably.
"Hey, we're supposed to be newlyweds. You know," he paused to wiggle his eyebrows, "all over each other."
"In your dreams, Delko," Calleigh replied, picking up a few bags and walking into the house. Eric laughed, picked up a few of her bags and followed her.
"Come on, Cal," he said when he reached the foyer. "I was just messing with you."
"Wipe your feet," Calleigh commanded in return.
Eric followed her and smiled when she entered the master bathroom. "So you want to sleep with me, huh? I knew you couldn't resist-- hey! Where's my stuff?"
"Across the hall."
"But I put them in here!"
"And I'm calling this room. I'm the female, I should get the bigger room."
"Are you pulling the gender card, Ms. Duquesne?"
"If it gives me the bigger room, then damn straight I am."
"But we're supposed to be married. That means one room." Eric winked at Calleigh.
"Not going to work, Delko. I've worked with you for too long. Your attempts at charm fall on deaf ears."
"Fine. We'll draw for the room."
"What?"
"First one to draw their gun on the other gets this room."
"Are you serious?" Calleigh was shocked. "Fine, then get ready to lose."
They both put the bags down and stood facing each other. "One, two, three!" Eric exclaimed. Eric's gun was pointing at Calleigh before she realized what had happened. Her gun had gotten stuck in her holster, leaving Eric the clear winner.
"Shit," she muttered under her breath.
"What in the hell is going on here?" A booming voice interrupted them, making both Eric and Calleigh jump.
"Horatio," Calleigh greeted, guiltily readjusting her gun in its holster.
Eric closed his eyes and then turned around to face his boss, returning his gun to its holster. "H.," he nodded a greeting. "We, ah, we were 'drawing' for the use of the master bedroom."
"In the living room, now." Horatio commanded, gesturing for Calleigh to lead the way. Horatio stood in the hallway for a few seconds, trying to collect his thoughts. He was shaking with anger. What had gotten into them? They had ignored the basic rule of guns over a bedroom?
Calleigh and Eric reached the living room and sat down quietly in the living room. They were in trouble and they knew it. Neither could remember a time when Horatio had raised his voice at anyone. Horatio soon entered the room and stood in front of them, hands on his hips, looking down at them intensely. "Horatio, I can explain," Calleigh began.
"No, you can't. You two had guns pointed at each other over a bedroom? You two know better. You both know that you never, ever, point a gun at someone unless you intend to use it. What if one of the guns discharged?"
"Our safeties were on, H." Eric defended himself and Calleigh.
"I'm not finished yet," Horatio replied in a steely voice. "On top of pointing guns at each other, you guys could have jeopardized this case. What if a neighbor had seen you two? I'll let it go this time, but only because I know that you two know better and that you will never repeat this episode. Now let's go Eric. Calleigh, the case file is on the breakfast bar." Horatio walked out the front door.
"What?!?" Calleigh yelped.
"I have to go to work, dear." Eric smiled. "Someone's gotta pay the mortgage and take care of you in the manner to which you've become accustomed." He winked at her. "Don't forget to return my suitcases to the master bedroom. It is my room now. As he reached the front door, he turned around. "Oh, and Calleigh, my favorite dinner is Arroz con Pollo. I'm sure my Mom will give you the recipe. Now that you're taking care of her baby boy and all." He laughed as he pulled the door closed.
"Jerk!" Calleigh yelled, throwing a decorative pillow at the door.