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: 7 "The Start of Something New"

Author's NotesYes, I am aware that the chapter title is a song from HSM. LOL I have the CD, but it seemed to just fit nicely.

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The Following Week…

Tuesday – 1900EST

Calleigh's Apartment

When the knock at her door came right a seven, Calleigh was sure it was a neighbor wanting something, and not Horatio. Not that she knew him to be a man who didn't arrive on time; it just wasn't the nature of their jobs. But he hadn't called, which he promised to do if he was going to be late. Calleigh was shocked when she found that it wasn't a neighbor at her door, but in fact it was Horatio. "Oh…I didn't expect you…so…on the dot," she mumbled, and moved out of the way to let him in. He had brought Chinese as promised, and Calleigh was impressed that he had made the effort to make the time for her. Of course, she supposed it was expected after randomly declaring love and proposing marriage to someone…

Horatio smiled warmly and entered. "I told you I'd call if I were going to be late," he reminded. He made his way in and towards the table without asking, and started to set the white cartons on the table. "I got an assortment, so I'm sure I brought something you'll like," he informed her. He turned to see her standing there with a smile. "Where are the dishes? I'll set the table."

"You don't have to do that," she brushed off and started into the kitchen.

He followed, "You're supposed to be taking it easy, remember?"

"I don't know the definition?"

Horatio smirked, "I see that," he told her and once she opened the cupboard to reveal dishes, he guided her to a chair and made sure that took a seat at the table. "Let me do this…it'll be like we're actually following the doctor's orders."

Calleigh gave him a small smile and then watched as he rummaged through her kitchen. As he started to place the dishes, glasses, and silverware on the table, she commented, "You're so sweet."

"You deserve it," he promised.

"I think you deserve it, too," she said with a smile. "You've gotten me out of the lab and I've gotten you out of the lab…" They were both workaholics, and their job was their life. Forensics may not seem glamorous, but neither were in it for that. They both firmly believed in helping people, and forensics was their way…

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Tuesday – 2130EST

Calleigh's Apartment

"It's late," Horatio noted when his eye happened to catch the time on the clock. He knew it wasn't too late, but he knew that Calleigh needed to sleep. So far, they had eaten their Chinese and then had relaxed on the couch for the rest of the night just talking… It was a nice change, and he had to admit that he hadn't felt so relaxed and at ease for some time…

Calleigh tilted her head at him and then craned it upward to the clock. "It's only 9:30!" she argued. "It's not late…" She had been having a good time with Horatio and wasn't ready for him to leave her…not yet…

Getting to his feet, Horatio figured that if he left, then Calleigh wouldn't have anything else to do, but sleep. "It is, and you need your rest."

"Stay."

"Calleigh—"

She smiled at him, "I didn't mean like that…" Getting up, she stopped mid way, and caught herself on the coffee table as she choked back the pain.

"Calleigh," he said worriedly as he hurried to her and eased her back to the couch. "You okay?" he asked as he pushed hair away from her face. He kneeled down in front of her waiting for an answer; his stomach was knotted and cold as he stared up at her.

Forcing a smile forward, she tried to lie through the pain. "I think I just got up too fast."

"Let me see," he said gently unbuttoning the bottom buttons of her shirt and pulling the pieces apart. "I think you pulled one of your stitches," he said when he saw the blood. "I should get you back to the hospital…"

"Horatio, please…" Calleigh begged. She really didn't think she could go through more hospitalization.

He sighed and stood up. "At least let me call Alexx and see what she says? I'm going to get a washcloth to put over that. Just…stay still…to keep the bleeding down." When Calleigh nodded, he pulled out his phone immediately as he headed to get a washcloth. "Alexx? It's Horatio, I'm sorry to bother you so late at home. Calleigh got…up too fast," he said using her lie. "And I think she pulled one of her stitches…she's bleeding a bit. I wanted to take her back to the hospital, but I wanted to know what you thought about it? Yes…yes, I was going to do that. Alright, yes, thank you, Alexx."

"So?" Calleigh asked as she took the washcloth from Horatio when he got close enough. Gently, she applied pressure to where she was bleeding. It was tender, but it didn't hurt. She knew it wasn't bleeding badly, but she'd do what Horatio wanted. "How's Alexx? Tuckin' in the kids?"

He smiled, "Yes…the kids say goodnight…" He tilted his head, studying her. "Alexx said that you should be fine… As long as you're not in too much pain, as long as it stops bleeding that there's no need to go into the hospital…"

"Told ya," she told him brightly. "So…does this mean you'll stay?"

"Stay?"

"Mmmhmm… Just…staying…"

"I thought we were going to take this slow?"

Calleigh smiled, "Well, I won't make you sleep on the couch…but there will be clothes," she told him. "I'm just not that kinda girl…"

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TBC…