Thanks for your reviews, I know I haven't been updating as I should be, but here's the new chapter. I hope you like it. R&R

They laid smug and huddled in a hammock which they had found. It was big enough to hold the two of them and manage their combined weight. The cool breeze ruffled the long leaves of the palm trees along the river's bed, sometimes swaying them back and forth like a rocking chair which brought sleep. The sweet lullaby of the trees and the fresh water washing up onto the bank were a part of nature's relaxation.

In the middle of this peace a gust of wind rushed through the leaves causing a great noise. Eric's eyes cracked open at once. At first he was quite miserable because of this disruption but his forgot it when he gazed up to the moon. Its light gazed back at him weakly lightening the environment with its full circle. He breathed in the sweet aroma of Calleigh and sighed contentedly. He closed his eyes. His chin remained nestled in her neck and arms and legs around her body. Eric shifted his arm along his cozy shirt that she wore. Grrr...

"What was that?" Calleigh asked sleepily. She turned face towards his and looked at him.

"My stomach," he replied with his eyes closed.

"We're gonna have to find some food..."

"In the morning, Cal."

"Are you sure?" she asked worriedly. Eric squinted at her concerned face.

"Yeah, don't worry, I'll live. You're okay, right?"

"Mhm... I'm trying not to think of it."

"Okay, go back to sleep."

"I love you." Calleigh pressed a kiss against his cheek and then his mouth. She rested back into her position and cuddled into his body.

Grrr. This sound awoke Eric again. He hadn't the energy to open his eyes, instead he ignored it... Suddenly he realized it wasn't his stomach and jumped up. He began jerking her awake.

"Hm, Eric, what are you doing?" she complained.

"Come on, Calleigh get up, get up..."

"What?" she asked. She rubbed her face with her free arm and stared at him confusingly.

"Sh, I heard something in the bushes," he explained quickly. Eric jumped out of the hammock and grabbed hold of her body and dragged her out. Grrr! The vicious growl came from the forest beside the hammock. Now Calleigh was frightened and scared out of her mind. Eric took off into the river, carrying her in his arms, running across as quickly as he could to the other side.

Calleigh held on as tightly as she could to his body. The mysterious growling became louder from behind her. She looked over his shoulder but saw nothing. Sounds of crashing trees made her even more afraid.

"Hurry, Eric, hurry," she screamed, "it's coming closer!" She felt the cold water meet her feet as Eric's waist was entirely covered in it. He grunted and pushed forward as fast as he could with great difficulty. Suddenly he fell and they both got soaked. Another loud growl caused Calleigh to scream and grab his hand urging him onto the bank.

Eric gained speed on land as they raced through the other forest, away from the beast.

"There's a beach, up ahead, we should be there, in no time!" Calleigh informed gasping.

They rushed through the dark, thick forest, dodging low-lying branches jutting out into their path. Eric ran recklessly breaking through bushes and entrapping leaves. He pulled her hand as they manuvered. Grrrrr! The beast raged with anger becoming closer and closer. They ran, raced and jumped for their life! She watched as the trees ran in the opposite direction. Eric noticed her getting slower and more out of breath.

"Keep up, Calleigh," he peeked at her, "come on!"

"I'm, trying," she weezed.

He made the effort to pull her in but she wasn't strong enough to keep up with him. Calleigh began crying and her feet gave way as they came intact with a tree's root. She tumbled over and Eric skidded to a stop.

"Calleigh!" he ran to her. He grabbed her body and attempted to pull her out, but her foot was caught under it.

"Ah, ow, I'm stuck! Hurry, get me out, get me out!" she held onto him. Eric finally yanked her out, her leg now streaming with blood, and carried her.

This was it. There was no way they could make it to the beach alive because the monster was gaining on them. Its body broke though trees and anything in its way and was so close that its breath could be heard. Up ahead was a enormus tree and Eric clenched her body to him, making a run for it.

He lunged onto its lowest branch and pulled himself up, then to a higher one. Quickly he reached his hand out to Calleigh on the first branch.

"Gimmie your hand now!" he yelled. Calleigh held out her hand as far as it could go. She cried in pain of her leg, struggling to keep her balance. Grrrrrrrr! Immediately she looked down to witness a pair of large, evil, red eyes! Eric cried out, "Calleigh!"............

Most of the team visited the next morning. All of them arriving after Eric did, to be with their team member in her time of need. She was still connected to the machine and breathing tube lying in a coma. Horatio, Ryan and Natalia sat together on the couch behind him. Eric felt awkward sitting closest to her and holding her hand, possibly acknowledging his relationship with her.

"Guys...c'mon on," he urged, looking back at them. They all exchanged glances and first Natalia went over to the bed. Soon the others joined.

"Hey, Calleigh," she started, "um, I miss you - we all miss you. Please, please come back to us." She stopped herself before the tears streamed down her face. Everyone looked at her then back at Calleigh. Suddenly Eric gasped startling them.

"What?" Ryan asked in shock.

"She's squeezing my hand," Eric said smiling. Everyone watched her palm grasping Eric's tightly for about five more seconds then fall limp onto the bed.

"I'll go get Alexx."