A/N: This is a little shorter than the last few chapters, but it felt like a good place to stop. Thanks to Leilani for betaing for me. I did add a little to it after she finished though, so you'll probably spot a few mistakes.
Cal's POV
I showered and curled my hair after Eric dropped me off, put on some make up, and then did a little bit of laundry, cleaned up the kitchen, and straightened up my bedroom. I was the only one home and I didn't want to wrinkle my dress, so I wandered around in an above the knee-length rose silk robe until I was ready to get dressed. I had the perfect dress in mind. I picked it up a couple days ago. I had seen it in the window of a little dress shop. It's a beautiful emerald green dress that brings out my eyes. It wraps around my waist and is held in place by a single button on each side. The neckline is fairly conservative, but dips just enough in the center to show a hint of cleavage. The dress stops just below my knees and they even had a matching pair of strappy sandals with a 3" heel that makes my legs look fabulous. I hope Eric likes it. I know I do. I feel so sexy and feminine in it. I feel like just another CSI so often, it's nice to feel like a woman again.
A quick glance at the clock shows me that it's 5:20, I should think about getting ready. I just don't want to wrinkle the dress before Eric comes. I was just about to go to my room when the phone rang. I looked at the caller ID. Daddy. I couldn't really hold off talking to him any longer. He was already worried enough.
"Hi, Daddy." I greeted him.
"Hey Lambchop."
"How are you?" I asked.
"How am I?" he said incredulously. "I'm not the one who was kidnapped."
"I'm fine, Daddy. I promise. I really am. Eric's taking good care of me. You remember him, don't you?"
"Of course I do. You're always talking about him."
"Am I? I didn't realize."
"Trust me. You do. But I'm glad he's taking such good care of you. Is he there now?"
"No, he took me diving this morning and then dropped me off here a couple hours ago." I don't know why I'm avoiding the topic of our date tonight, but I just don't want to tell Dad about it quite yet. We talked for another half hour. He told me about his latest cases. He's so proud of himself. He's been sober for a full year.
"I'm so proud of you, Daddy. That's great."
There was a knock on the door. I looked at the clock. 5:58. Oops. I answered the door, gave Eric an apologetic look and motioned for him to come in. I looked at the flowers. Wow. They are so beautiful.
"I'm sorry, Daddy. I have to go now," I told him. "I'll talk to you later?"
"Okay, baby. You take care of yourself."
"I will. I love you."
"Love you, too."
"Bye."
Eric's POV
Calleigh put down the phone and turned to me.
"I am so sorry," she said. "My dad called just as I was going to get ready. He was worried about me."
"Don't worry about it, Cal. Gave me a chance to enjoy the view," I teased. She blushed.
"These are for you," I said as I handed her the flowers.
"Thank you, Eric." She put her face in the flowers and took a deep breath. "They smell wonderful. You know how much I love tulips. Particularly the yellow ones."
I grinned. "That's why I got them."
"You want something to drink while I get ready?" She offered.
"No, I'm good. Thanks," I said as I sat on the couch.
"Okay. I'll be ready in a minute," she told me.
"Take your time."
She was only gone about 5 minutes before she appeared again. I stood up as she entered the room. She looked stunning.
"Wow," I said slowly as I let my gaze travel down to her feet and back up to her face again. "You look incredible."
"Thank you, Eric." She blushed.
I felt my own face warm at her slow perusal of my body.
Her tongue darted out quickly to wet her lips.
I grinned.
It was a moment before she was able to meet my gaze.
"You look quite handsome, yourself."
"Shall we?" I asked, resisting the urge to tease her.
"Certainly." She picked up a small black purse.
"What is it with ladies not leaving the house without their purses?" I asked.
"Well, unless you want to carry my lipstick and cell phone all night, that seems like the best option," She said lightly.
"Why not?" I returned.
She looked at me and laughed.
"Actually, it's a discreet way to keep a gun with me at all times," she told me.
"Well, in that case, I guess it's a good thing for you to keep," I agreed. "I don't think I want to try throwing guns across the room in case of emergency.
She laughed and started towards the door. She locked it behind us, and relaxed against me as we walked out the car.
If these first minutes were any indication, this is going to be one incredibly wonderful evening.
A/N: Like I said, I haven't quite gotten the next chapter finished yet, so it may take me a little while to finish, but reviews always help. If you reach 100 reviews, (that's only 10 away!) I'll see about an Eric-Calleigh kiss, but it's up to you.
