Title: Officer Down

Author: innocent choir girl (ff-dot-net), shannyfish (From Out of the Lab/Miami Heat)

Summary: This is a fanfic based on an episode that was supposed to be shot in season two where Calleigh is shot and Horatio has to face how much she means to him, but since that never ended up being taped, I'll make up my own version ;)

Category: Ship Ahoy! Calleigh/Horatio

Genres: Angst, Case, Character Study, Drama, Friendship, Hurt Comfort, Pre-relationship, Suspense

Characters: Calleigh Duquesne, Horatio Caine, Frank Tripp (Other)

Warnings: None

Rating: PG-13

Chapter: 6 "Opening the Subject"

Author's Notes: none

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The Following Week…

Tuesday – 1330EST

South Miami Hospital Parking Lot

"I swear I don't need to be fussed over so much," Calleigh told Frank and Horatio, who were both trying to help her into the Hummer. She was being released and one person wasn't capable of picking her up. Eric had apparently wanted to come also, but Frank had told him that it was overkill. Calleigh considered two being overkill, but she kept her mouth shut. She was just happy to be leaving the hospital. "I'm pretty sure I can walk on my own," she told them, "I'm pretty sure the bullet didn't hit any body part that affects me walking…"

"Just do us a favor, and humor us," Frank told her. He was there as support for Horatio and Calleigh, but he wanted to make sure things went well. He knew Horatio had been blaming himself and he also knew that Calleigh could be stubborn…so his plan was to make sure they both behaved until he had to leave.

Horatio sighed and stood there with his hands on his hips once Calleigh was in the passenger seat of the Hummer, "As I recall, the doctor said you could pull open where they stitched you up if you strained or stretched too much." He had made it a point to be there when they explained what they wanted her to do and what she couldn't do before she was released. He knew Calleigh; she was used to pushing herself and not stopping for anything. They were a lot alike in that way, but he had intended on slowing her down, so she wouldn't cause any further injuries.

"I promise to be good," Calleigh told him with a small smile. "You think I wanna get put back into this place?" she asked motioning to the hospital behind Horatio. "There's nothin' fun to do…they think resting is fun."

"I'll ask'em to put in a recovery wing in for CSIs and cops just for you, Calleigh," Frank teased. "Shooting range…police scanner…"

Rolling her eyes, Calleigh cut him off, "Time to go," she said pulling the door shut to block out Frank going on. She was just far too used to working and being injured and in the hospital with nothing to do just put her into a state of constant boredom.

Horatio smiled at Frank before bidding him goodbye for the time being and heading off on his own to the driver's side of the Hummer while Frank went back to his car. He shook his head still thinking about Frank's comment before opening the door and getting it, pulling the door behind him. "Do you want me to stop to pick anything up on the way?" Horatio asked knowing she'd been in the hospital a couple days and some of the more perishable food in her home might be past date. "Grocery store?"

"No, everything's fine… I don't get things that go back that quickly," she told him as he pulled the Hummer out of the parking space and moved it out onto the street. Calleigh smiled and looked over at him, "I mean, c'mon…how often are you or I home for a meal?"

"Point taken."

Calleigh watched him as he drove for a few minutes in silence and then spoke up, "We never finished talking about what you said…" She had been thinking about it…and going over it over and over again and she had finally decided things. "If we kept it quiet…"

Horatio kept his eyes on the road, but listened intently to what she was saying before responding, "We'd keep it a secret. Not even Alexx or Frank could know." Even though Alexx and Frank were the ones they would most likely tell about their relationship, Horatio knew that they couldn't know. "If Internal Affairs found out, it wouldn't be fair if they were to get in trouble…"

"Agreed," Calleigh spoke up quickly pushing a strand of her hair out of her face. "But I'm not saying one date and I'm marryin' ya."

"Understood," Horatio told her with a smile. He pulled up in front of her place and put the Hummer in park. She turned in the seat, so she could look at Calleigh. "We'll do whatever seems right…"

She smiled brightly, "You just remember that I expect a proper proposal," she teased and laughed lightly.

"Noted, Ma'am."

"Calleigh…"

"Calleigh," he repeated her with a smile.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" she asked hoping for him to allow her into work, even if just for desk work.

Horatio laughed lightly and shook his head, "Calleigh, you have to take a couple days off from work…" When he saw the look she was giving her, he sighed, "How about we have dinner tonight?"

"Who's cookin'?" she asked thinking about the idea. She liked knowing details before agreeing.

"Chinese?"

"Always a good substitute for cookin'," Calleigh said with a smile. "Time?"

"Seven?"

"Or…subject to change on notice?"

He smirked, "I'll call you if I'm going to be late. Seven, unless I call though." He opened his door, but stopped when he heard Calleigh.

"What are you doin'?" Calleigh asked.

"Coming around to help you out to your apartment," Horatio answered.

She smiled, "I don't need help, Horatio…"

He closed the door and walked around to the other side anyways. "I'm trying to ensure that we have dinner later today in your apartment and not in the hospital," Horatio told her as he opened her door and offered his hand to her. He helped her down once she took it, and then put his arm around her to help her into the apartments after closing up the Hummer.

"I told ya, you guys are makin' too much of a fuss," Calleigh argued.

"Is it that hard to let us?" he asked, stopping for a moment to look down at her.

Calleigh realized that letting her guard down like he was asking was something she rarely did. Her past relationships had been with cops and she had to keep her guard up with them, because the minute they let her down they exploited her weak moment, and Calleigh never wanted that to happen. She had to be strong, to show them that she could do her job. Calleigh wasn't one for hand holding, she needed to do what needed to be done. "Yes," she admitted looking down, and walking on, feeling him walk with her.

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TBC…