A/N: Thank you all for your lovely reviews. Didn't quite make 45, but I still appreciate all your wonderful feedback. I'm sorry it took me so long to get this one up, but real life has interfered with me getting it up. Thank you for your patience. Special thanks go to Jenne and Lani for betaing for me!


Calleigh's POV

As I pounded on the door I prayed Eric and the others had found my message. If they didn't, I'll be dead in just a few short minutes. The thought terrifies me. I just want to see Eric again. I want to bury my head in his chest, feel his lips pressed against my head, hear his heart beating, and breathe in his scent. I want to feel the comfort I know I can count on Eric to give me. He always knows exactly what to say, exactly what to do to make everything okay again. I can't die without letting him know how I feel. He is more precious to me than any man I've ever met. I meant what I told him all those months ago. I do trust him with every fiber of my being. He's the only man I can say that about. I would trust him with my life. And my heart.

All these thoughts and desires raced through me as the door opened to reveal a well-dressed older gentleman. My heart sunk. Everything in me had hoped to see Eric behind the door.

"Sorry. Invitation only." He said.

"Yeah, here's my invite." Seth said as he shoved the gun in the man's face. Poor man. What he was doing was wrong, but he didn't deserve this. Then I saw Eric. He was sitting at the table. Suddenly I knew everything was going to be all right. Eric always makes everything okay. Just seeing his handsome face takes my breath away. I know it's not over yet, but my burdens seem suddenly so much lighter. Eric won't let anything happen to me.

Eric's POV

As Calleigh walked in relief and a fresh wave of fear washed over me. She appeared to be unharmed, but this isn't finished yet.

"Alright, Ladies, poker game's over. I want all your cash." The man said as he pointed his gun at me. That was a good sign. As long as his gun was pointed at me, Calleigh wasn't in his line of fire.

"C'mon."

I pulled my gun on him. Ryan and Tripp reached for theirs at the same time.

"Drop the gun, or I will shoot her." He yelled.

Not what I wanted to hear. I was so glad H had anticipated this response.

"You're not going to get the chance." Horatio said, as he pointed his own gun at the kidnapper's head.

"Now if I were you, I'd fold." Horatio advised the man.

I know H would never fold, but that wasn't really important now.

"Don't you agree, Calleigh?" Horatio asked.

As if on cue my beautiful girl spun into action. A spin, a kick, and she was holding his gun on him.

"Clear!" She yelled.

This was her time. All we could do now is stand behind her.

"You messed with the wrong people." She said as the officers cuffed him.

I wanted to pull her into my arms right then and there, but there was still work to be done, so I settled for kissing her hair, squeezing her arm and making sure she was okay. The rest would have to wait.

I sat beside her the whole way to the lab. I don't know if I can ever bear to let her out of my sight again. Eventually I had to. She went down to see Alexx and get her injuries examined, but she promised to come and see me before she left. That would be enough for now. She was safe, Alexx would take good care of her, and I'd see her in just a little while.

Calleigh's POV

Eric's arm around me as we drove back to the lab felt so good, but I knew I had to pull myself together. I can't afford to appear weak in front of my colleagues. I should be able to handle a little kidnapping without falling apart. But I couldn't pull it together with Eric there. I still wanted nothing more than to curl up against him and cry my eyes out. I wanted to feel his arms around me and hear his sweet, sexy voice murmuring words of comfort in my ear. What a man! He is so attractive, so competent, and so very kind. Not perfect, perhaps, but perfectly wonderful to me. He always knows exactly what I need. Whether it's gentle words of encouragement or brutal honesty to shake me back into place. This evening I enjoyed his gentle love. I wish I could stay here forever.

Instead, I went to see Alexx, ostensibly so she could check my injuries, but I really just needed an excuse to fall apart quietly without anyone else there to see. She knew how hard it was to be kidnapped for your skills. She knew what it was like to feel like you have to put on the brave front, so the guys won't see you break and think less of you. I know it's rather foolish. Eric, of course, would never think less of me, no matter what, and I don't think the others would either. Still, I can't help but feel as if they wouldn't respect me as much if they saw me break down and weep. When I finally reached autopsy, I just burst into tears.

Alexx held me while I cried and then helped me get my face back in order. She gave me strict instructions to take a couple days off to recover, ice the bruises and stay out of trouble. Good. It'll give me a couple days to pull my mask back in place and handle my feelings for Eric.

At the moment, my thoughts and emotions are running wild. I can usually put them aside and hide them from others, but right now I don't think I can hide anything. This whole ordeal has shaken me up so badly. I just want Eric, nothing but Eric. I've loved him for years, but I can't admit that to anyone else. He's my best friend. I don't want to do anything to ruin that. If things didn't work out or if Eric doesn't feel the same way, I don't think I could take it. It's easier to just keep these feelings to myself. I can't handle any more pain right now. I'll just go home, shower, and cry myself to sleep. Alone.


A/N: Please leave me a review. Pizza and Soda for all my reviewers! I'm feeling so generous that there are no "one per customer." limits.

I will try to get a new chapter up soon, but no promises. I have it written, but I still have to type it out and send it to my betas.