Date Chapter Written: July 22, 2008
Author: Racefh853629
Beta'd By: LLK

3 Elements (from LLK):
1. A lady named Jane
2. An oak tree.
3. A hole in someone's panties

A/N: Many thanks to Kaz and LLK for their help. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter. :)

A couple of people have mentioned that there was no one named Jane in this chapter, despite it being one of the elements. There is, though - she's the hostess :P.


Chapter Ten: What I Love About You, Is I'll See You In My Dreams


As the pieces of the case came together, it was decided that Matt, Angela, and O'Leary would run with the new lead. Calleigh informed Horatio of the new developments before turning to Eric. "Now what?" she asked. He smirked.

"I have an idea…" he said suggestively. She shook her head.

"Not here."

"I meant, dinner, at a real restaurant." She shrugged.

"Okay, fine." She grabbed her bag, walking out with him to their car. He smiled, following behind her.

He could walk behind her for days, taking in every square inch of her perfect frame. Her long, blond hair tempted his fingers to get lost in it for hours while he stared deeply into her green eyes to see her soul. She always knew the right clothes to wear to display her perfect curves without being too trashy about it.

Any way Eric looked at the situation, he saw one solution- she was, always had been, and always would be perfect.

She threw a glance over her shoulder, catching his small smile and wandering eyes. "Eric Delko," she said.

"Yes?" he asked, meeting her eyes. The eyes he dared to dream about.

"Stop staring at me." He shrugged.

"I can't help it. You're perfect."

- - -

She had to work hard to keep the blush off her face at his statement. She stopped, allowing him to walk up to her and put an arm around her."Yeah, well, you're not so bad yourself," she said with a wink. He chuckled.

His laugh always had been music to her ears, soothing her soul in even the darkest of moments. From his dark hair to his perfectly smooth, tan skin to the strong muscles held under the flesh, there wasn't a part of Eric Delko that Calleigh didn't love.

She smiled up at him, thinking about how there was no other person in the world that she'd rather be with at the moment. No one in her life had ever made her as happy as Eric did. And she loved him for it.

He smiled back down at her, his eyes twinkling from the sunlight and his delight. His dark chocolate eyes were always the most telling part about him. One look in them, and you knew exactly what he was thinking or feeling, whether he wanted you to or not. That was another one of the many things she loved about him.

But the thing she loved most was that he could read her much better than anyone ever could. He always knew what she was thinking and feeling.He always had the right words to say for the moment.

As much as she hated it, she loved it.

- - -

"What're you thinking about?" he asked. She smirked.

"Come on, like you don't know," she bantered. He smirked.

"About how much you love me?" She smiled wider.

"You always could read me really well." He chuckled.

"I try," he said with a wink.

"So, what do you have in mind for dinner?" she asked. He smiled.

"Something I think you'll really enjoy."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"If I can read you so well, don't you think I'd know what you'd enjoy?" She shrugged.

"Yeah, I guess. But, I want to be sure." He took her hand in his gently, smiling sweetly at her.

"I'm sure you'll love it." She smiled back at him, squeezing his hand gently as he led her away.

- - -

After changing into something nice, Calleigh met Eric at her door. "You clean up nicely," she remarked. He grinned.

"I could say the same thing about you, my dear," he replied, extending his elbow to her. She took it gently.

"So, where are we off to?"

"Some place fitting of your beauty."

- - -

As they entered the restaurant, she gasped. "You told me it'd be good, but…" she said softly.

"I know," he said. "You always have your doubts." She smirked.

"Yeah, I do." They walked up to the hostess, Jane, who smiled.

"Welcome to the Star Island Restaurant," she said. "Reservations?"

"Two, for Delko," Eric replied. Jane checked the list before looking up with a smile.

"Right this way." She grabbed two menus and led them out to a secluded area on the patio. Calleigh smiled widely at him.

"How's you manage this?" she asked him. Eric chuckled.

"I had Horatio call in a favor for me," he replied. She laughed while he pulled out her chair for her. She smiled, sitting down. He helped her push it back in before walking around the table and sitting in the chair next to her.

"This is amazing, Eric. Thank you."

"Anything for you." She smiled as the waiter came over and took their drink order. The waiter walked away, leaving the couple to peruse the menu.

- - -

After a nice, intimate dinner, the two returned to their hotel, opting to hang out in Calleigh's room. Eric rested back against the pillows, and Calleigh laid next to him. He wrapped his arm gently around her shoulders as she turned on the TV. They settled into TV Land, watching reruns of the shows they used to watch as kids. Neither said a word, but then again, neither had to.

Their silence was comfortable, something built upon years of trust and friendship. There wasn't a need to get to know one another better- having worked side by side for years, they knew each other very well. They had spoken over dinner and now, case work aside, there wasn't much else to talk about.

They settled closer together before quietly nodding off.

- - -

The old oak tree came into view, and Eric frowned. He was used to this dream image, and he wasn't sure he wanted one of these right now. Not when things felt so right. Then again, maybe this was confirmation.

Speed came into focus, and Eric shook his head. "You definitely grew a flair for the dramatic when you died," he said. Speed chuckled.

"Can't help it," he replied. "I somehow began to embody H."

"What's the deal, Speed?"

"Calleigh's not wearing any underwear, and you're falling asleep?"

"She's wearing underwear."

"You peeked."

"I did not."

"Fine, you stared at her ass, then." Eric shrugged, and Speed smirked. "She does have a nice ass."

"Did you pull this up so you could harass me?"

"Okay, so she's wearing underwear, but trust me, they have a hole in them. in the right place, if you catch my drift." Speed winked, and Eric shook his head.

"You're immature," he said. Speed smiled.

"You know, when I first met you, that was typical conversation for us," Speed remarked. Eric shrugged.

"Things change. That was almost 10 years ago."

"Eight."

"Whatever. Point is, I've grown up a lot, and so have you." Speed nodded.

"You're right. We have."

"Which, again, begs the question," Eric said. "Why are you here? Why am I here? What are we doing?"

"We're talking," Speed replied.

"Why? Is there something you have to say, or do you just wanna bust my balls?"

"Why're you so serious today?" Eric sighed.

"Stressed. That's all." Speed shrugged.

"Relax, Delko. Life's too short to stress."

"You're right, Speed. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Listen, though. I did wanna tell you something, and we don't have much longer."

"Okay, shoot."

"First of all, if I was alive, you'd owe me 200."

"Shut up." Speed smirked.

"Secondly, I'm happy for you guys. This is the real deal, Eric. You better hold onto her."

"And that's why I didn't rush into her panties."

"They do have a hole in them, though."

"Shut up."

"She wore them just for you."

"Speedle."

"Alright, alright. I'm gonna get going because you're about to get…"

- - -

Eric woke up to Calleigh smacking him on the arm. He furrowed his brow at first before looking up at her. "What's up?" he asked sleepily.

"You were talking in your sleep," she replied, amused. His face flushed red.

"What was I…?"

"Nothing embarrassing." He nodded. "But I woke you up because I got a phone call from Matt. They have something for us."

"Great," Eric said, getting up. "Let's go." She nodded, grabbing her bag. As she bent over, Eric pondered Speed's mention of a hole, and he shook his head.

"You okay?" she asked. He nodded quickly, his face still red.

"Yeah, I'm good," he replied. "Let's go."


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Next Chapter Post Date: August 04, 2008