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

Warnings: None

Rating: PG-13

Chapter: 9 "Our Date"

Author's NotesThis is the final chapter of this story. The other fanfics will be updated as well and other stories will be put up ;) So have no fear! More DuCaine is on its way!

I also wanted to just let all know that I do appreciate the comments, but I have had to change the settings for my stories so that I no longer accept anonymous commenting after someone blantingly flamed a story with no real reason (because they thought something happened that didn't) and didn't even give me the chance to reply to it. Fanfiction(dot)net only allows authors to only respond to signed comments.

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Friday – 1315EST
Crime Lab

"Isn't it too soon for you to be back?" Eric asked when he saw Calleigh enter the fingerprint lab. He knew she was in the lab, but it was the first time he'd seen her all day. He was concerned that she was pushing it, especially after the blood loss and having had Alexx tell him that Calleigh had pulled something when she had been home.

Calleigh smiled and tilted her head a bit as she sat down as soon as she got to the empty stool. "I'm fine, Eric. I've been here since eight." She knew that everyone was concerned, but she was just ready to get back to work. She had been home for a couple days, and that had been too much. Even with Horatio as company it had been too much downtime. "I've already promised that I'd sit down as much as possible," she explained and then motioned to herself, "See…sitting."

Eric smirked, "I see that. Still, take it easy."

"I promise," she told him. "So? What do you have for me?"

"Well, there were a lot of partials, so I Frankenstein-ed it. It was enough to run, and I got a match with priors," Eric told her before pulling up the perp's picture and information. "Liam Marken, he's got priors for grand theft auto and attempted rape." Eric watched Calleigh take in the information, and noticed that she looked fine…normal…but it didn't stop the worry. Though he was happy to know that she was taking it easy. He looked up when he noticed that they were no longer alone. Horatio always had a way of just popping in on them, "Hey H, we got a match on the prints."

"That's great, Eric," Horatio said and walked in further and over to Calleigh. "I'll look over things…after lunch." He looked down at Calleigh, "You are late."

Smiling a bit shyly, Calleigh spoke up, "I'm sorry… I lost track of time…" She actually hadn't, but it was a good excuse. Calleigh had just wanted to check on all the evidence in the case she was working for before breaking for lunch.

Horatio held out his hand and took Calleigh's holding onto it as she got down from the stool. "If you'll excuse us, Eric, I promised to make sure that Calleigh actually eats more than a granola bar."

"There is nothing wrong with granola bars," Calleigh argued as she let go of Horatio's hand and headed out of the lab ahead of him.

He just smiled in her direction and then nodded to Eric before following after her.

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Friday – 1345EST
Cheesecake Factory

"I thought we were just going to go to the café across the street?" Calleigh asked curiously as they got out of the Hummer. "You don't have to take me here… I mean, we still have evidence to examine and…"

"And it'll be there when we get back," Horatio told her going around to her and putting his arm around her back and guiding her towards the entrance. "Now, remember there were ground rules for you returning back to work?" It had been hard on them both to be away from the lab, but Horatio had enjoyed his time with Calleigh immensely. He normally didn't get time with just Calleigh, but he had made it so that he got to see her for at least an hour alone everyday during work hours.

Smiling, she tried to act like she'd forgotten, "I dunno… Was it somethin' about sittin' and goin' easy on the guy who's got my lab completely ruined?" Calleigh looked over at him to see him smiling back at her.

"I believe there was something about lunch in there."

"Ah, yes…" Calleigh said as he opened the door for her and she went in ahead of him and then turned in after he'd followed her in and stood in front of him. "I believe it was something about a lunch date…"

Horatio smiled and reached for her hand, he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Yes, our lunch date…everyday," he told her. Putting his arm around her, he guided her again back towards the hostess.

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The End