Date Chapter Written: June 11, 2008
Author: Adorelo
Beta'd by: Kazalene and bookworm45
3 Elements from: bookworm45
1. A Lake
2. A Photograph
3. Marisol

AN: Thank you to hayzemay for her help with the forensics details.
I'd like to state for the 'official record' that I had a really hard time with this chapter and the only reason it was finished on time was due to Kazalene blackmailing me with EC porn, ((nods)). But I enjoyed being a part of this project; thanks for your support, guys!

Edit from Kaz: Jodie is lying, I would never do such a thing. And if she allowed herself to be blackmailed by said EC porn, then that says more about her than me. But again, I hotly deny anything that she says. That is all.


Chapter Four: Comfortably Numb


Calleigh gently clipped the pen to the top of her note book. Glancing over her shoulder to ensure Eric was behind her, she said, "you know, this one could be interesting. Computer Forensics has always fascinated me."

"I have trouble logging onto mine," Eric admitted. "Should give me some useful information." He picked two name stickers off the side and stuck a new one on himself. Scribbling Calleigh's name, he turned and stuck one to her shirt, not giving it a second thought until her eyes shot to his face. "Sorry," he muttered, a blush covering his cheeks. His heart cringed tightly. Crap. He'd just...

Don't go there, Delko. Their relationship was strained enough as it was; he didn't need to add the fact he'd just accidentally felt up her boob into the mix.

"It's alright," she drawled coyly. "But if you think you can feel me up in the lecture hall, you've got another thing comin'." With that she turned and walked assertively into the hall, not casting even a fleeting glance over her shoulder to ensure that Eric was behind her. She knew he would be.

Eric followed quickly, gulping at the innuendo she'd suddenly flung at him. He loved it when they bantered, but he was normally the one who heightened the sexual tension between them, and she the one who brushed it off. This sudden switch sent a bolt of intrigue through him and Eric wondered how long it would last.

Quickly finding two free seats near the wall of the lecture hall, Calleigh sat and dated the top of her page, entitling it Computer Forensics. She cast her eyes over, noting Eric lacked even a pen. "You intend to copy my notes for this report?" she teased, smirking internally as his blush deepened. Teasing him into submission was always something she enjoyed to do, but she rarely got a chance anymore; recent circumstances and events had more than dampened her relationship with Eric.

He shook his head. "I'm an auditory learner," he commented, eyebrows raised to support his argument. When he received nothing but a pointed look in response, he sighed, stating, "you'll see. When we get to writing it, I'll bet I remember more than you."

She gave a soft smile, shaking her head as the lights dimmed and the professor walked to the podium. Expecting the lecture to be incredibly boring, Eric settled back into his chair, listening half-heartedly as the man introduced himself as Professor William McCain.

The information he gave them was incredibly insightful. The standards of evidence admissible in court were now incredibly high, given the number of innocent convicts. He displayed photographs of crime scenes, stating, in each, what would no longer be considered evidence unless in context.

Eric tried to pay attention; the computer forensics side of the lecture was surprisingly interesting -- though he didn't learn how to do basic things -- and he realized just how often computer based evidence was used to secure a conviction. Although it was difficult to assign ownership to things on computers and online, it was becoming increasingly easier to identify from 'signatures' - similar to those used in explosives evidence. Every person has a signature; something unique about themselves they do online, be that typing patterns or lexis choice.

He spoke expressively about cookies and cache files, mentioning how important they could be in exposing actions and tracing information. The power point display on the back white wall showed images and document photocopies from various controversial cases in which Computer Forensic evidence was able to secure a conviction. Specifically, he focused on the case of Kupper v. State, 2004, where a defendant was convicted of four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a minor and was sentenced to thirty eight years for each count. In this case, the Professor explained, Computer Forensics was able to construct a clear image of the events that happened.

Shutting off the power point and leaving a pile of sheets on the lowest table, the professor left as quickly as he had came, inviting any questions to be directed to him outside, and offering free leaflets and forwarding email addresses for any specific queries.

Calleigh glanced to her watch as she walked down the steps, grabbing a few sheets from the side as she made it to the bottom; it was after seven and they'd not eaten since lunch. As they stepped into the cool night air, her stomach incessantly reminded her of that fact, complaining loudly as the potent smell of the catered food wafted through the air. "Ugh," she muttered. "Fancy finding a restaurant instead?"

Chuckling softly, Eric nodded. "Sure, you know the area?" Receiving a negative response, Eric shrugged, saying, "I think we can find a place."

- - -

The restaurant was small, cozy, and a few delicate pictures hung from the walls giving the area a welcoming feel. Several waitresses bustled around, speaking animatedly with the customers while taking their orders. The building was old in itself, but the old English cottage beams that stuck out of various parts of the ceiling gave a more period feel, and the woman seating the customers looked as though she'd come with the building! She stood just as tall and proud as the old house, long gray hair pulled back into a sweeping bun, a large smile formed naturally and her eyes held that twinkle of history.

Calleigh's eyes scanned the photographs behind Eric's head, which was buried in a menu. She took in the vision of bunches of painted flowers and serene lake scenes, photographs of young children playing happily by streams and lovers meandering sinuously over grass. The place was perfect.

She tore her gaze away from the pictures when a young waitress made her way over, focusing instead on the list of exquisite food before her. Choosing a chicken pasta, she set the sheet down, smiling to herself as Eric ordered a steak in peppercorn sauce -- as usual -- and a bottle of wine for them to share.

Waiting for the food to arrive, Eric studied his companion. The soft country-style lighting cast unusual shadows on her face, bringing out the green of her eyes and the slight hint of tiredness behind them - a touch of vulnerability he wasn't used to seeing there. Her fingers were closed softly around the water glass before her, her small wrist rotating in circles as she swirled her single ice cube.

"Hey, after dinner, fancy a walk some place?" Calleigh suddenly blurted, breaking into the easy silence. She caught his questioning glance and quickly added, "I know it's late and you're probably tired…"

Eric shook his head, moving his napkin out of the way as the waitress arrived with their food. "I'd like that," he replied before saying a quick, "thank you," to the waitress.

She smiled softly, eyes falling down to her meal. Truth was, she'd been wanting to spend some time alone with Eric for a while. A trip to Quantico wasn't really what she'd envisaged, but at least the distractions were limited. Though things were no longer particularly 'awkward' between them… things still weren't the same. Calleigh intended to change that. Ever the queen of omission, she'd skirted around the elephant in the room for long enough, ignoring the problems both she and Eric knew were there. Both ignored them for the sake of faking an understanding, an unspoken agreement. And Calleigh felt her chest constrict with fear at the thought of saying the things she wanted to.

But she wouldn't back down. Not this time.

- - -

A half-hour drive to the outskirts of The Medal of Honor Golf Club allowed them to meander through the courses, dodging wildlife and gazing at twinkling stars. Enjoying the view of the small illuminated lake at the marine corps base as they stuck to the coast side of the golf course, the pair exchanged anecdotes, laughing at embarrassing stories and strange situations.

Eric gave an embarrassed chuckle. "You should see the photos, my mother pinning me down while Marisol painted pink lipstick all over my face." He pressed his hands to his eyes. "Took me forever to get it off, and mom just kept taking pictures and pictures. Apparently it was cute."

"I'd like to see them," Calleigh said with a laugh. "I can only imagine. Sounds like Marisol, she always liked to tease you."

And just like that, the mood changed. His body tensed, eyes snapping to hers. Calleigh bit her cheek, drawing blood as she realized her chances of moving the light conversation onto their issues were gone. As she considered how selfish that was, she immediately turned her attention to the man before her. "Eric," she said quietly, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have - "

"No, it's fine," he cut her off. "It's been three years, Cal, I should be used to it." Eric gave a sigh, casting his eyes away from her as he leaned on a railing marking the edge of the course. Chopawamsic Island was beautiful from the mainland, sparkling serenely in the cold night air - the beauty of it a stark contrast to the melancholic direction their conversation had suddenly taken. Just then, Eric felt a hand on his arm, squeezing gently.

"No, you shouldn't," she pressed. "These things take time." He shook his head defiantly and she took hold of his hand, tugging his view from the coast to her. "Eric, your sister was murdered - " He tried to look away, effectively cutting her off. But this time, though, her hand found his cheek, pulling him back to look in her eyes. "It's only natural," she continued, "for you to be angry, for you to find it hard to talk about. You've been through a lot, Eric. Just know that I'm here for you."

Eric winced internally. Yeah, he'd been through a lot, but he could normally handle things better then this. Maybe it was the wine he'd consumed that was making everything seem more intense, but the memory of Marisol had cast a shadow of despair over his heart, and the slight tingles shooting up his arm from where Calleigh's hand was still pressed -- bare skin against bare skin -- did nothing to alleviate his state of confusion.

"I guess," he complied weakly. Unable to resist the pull of the woman before him, Eric flicked a few strands of hair over her shoulder and away from her face. "Thank you," he murmured, fingers still lightly paying with her locks.

Fighting waves of… something, Calleigh smiled widely, tilting her head to one side as she studied him intently. He had been through a lot, and she kicked herself for not being as supportive as she could have been. Part of her felt she had let him down, her own insecurities and incapabilities holding her back from being the true friend she claimed to be. She'd told him she trusted him more times then she could count. But at no point had she showed it.

Pitching down a peg in her battle, she dropped her eyes, refusing to look at him as she moved closer, slipping her arms around his waist in a loose hug. Calleigh's breath hitched when he didn't respond right away, fear tightening her muscles as she faced the potential rejection she had been so terrified of. But when Eric's arms wound over her back, she felt those muscles relax, tension of a different kind flitting between them as they held each other close.

It was strange how normal it felt.

Because things were changing. Time and karma had done its work. She'd become comfortably numb with their situation - every hurt or trouble sending her farther into the very things she was trying to fight. Futile. It really was. Everything about Eric was magnetic; it was like resisting a hurricane. Impossible.

Calleigh glanced up to him, her chin resting on his chest. "Eric - " she breathed, voice shaking slightly with the intensity of her emotions. But she got no further with her speech.

From further in the golf course perimeter, a single gun shot reverberated from the trees, echoing in the now deathly silent air.


Next Author: bookworm45
Next Chapter Post Date: 07/02/08