A/N So, eight months later and I haven't updated. This is becoming a pattern isn't it? Blame it on genetics and the IB program. I haven't had to time breathe, let alone write. I really do miss this story, so hopefully I can finish it up soon, and stop leaving it unfinished. Please review, if you want. Much love, CsI-aDdIcTeD.

"Lost a pulse. Starting compressions."

White walls enclosed a room so desperately starving for happiness as the beeping of machines disturbed the uneasy silence. A limp hand held gently by two weary ones, silent prayers to angels of mercy.

He hadn't slept in two days. He hadn't eaten since Horatio had forced a bagel and coffee down his throat. He hadn't left the hospital since he pulled her out of the water. He hadn't prayed so hard since…Marisol's diagnosis. She hadn't woken yet, out of her medically induced coma the bruises, cuts, and bulletwounds covered by thick medical gauze. And yet, the damage to her mind couldn't be cushioned by any kind of bandaid.

Her breathing quickened and Eric looked up in concern before it returned to normal and resting his head on her thigh, closed his eyes, his hands still holding hers. He had almost lost her. The fear that sent electric shocks down his spine in time with the defibrillators. Each shock increasing the pain inside his heart. The doctor's face as they wheeled her out of surgery, pursed lips and a weary, almost forced smile. He was so tired of it all, wanting to holding her in his arms and taking her pain away. His unanswered kisses to her forehead, squeezes to her hand, whispered prayers.

The team came every day.

Horatio was a stone. He would sit in that chair, letting Eric take a quick shower and forcing him to eat something, not moving, not crying, but grieving. Never betraying his internal torment to anyone, except the rare moments where he talked to his unconscious CSI. His bullet-girl. The one that forced him to go home at 12AM, the only one who could gently berate him and yet soothe his trouble soul. The girl who was his best friend, his side-kick, his back-up and his rock. Horatio never did have much luck, but had he known that one call from a Sergeant in Lousiana would have changed his life so much…he would've picked up on the first ring.

Ryan was a wreck. His training officer, his mentor, secret crush and friend, he always asked her in his quiet voice to come back. He wasn't ready to give her up yet, none of them were. His young mind filled with if-only's and what-ifs. Surprisingly, if there was anyone there for him the most, it was Eric. An unspoken bond between the two men had formed and although it didn't prevent arguments, they had each other's backs. The way that Speed, Eric and Calleigh used to.

Alexx was a worrier. Motherly battled medical instincts and she would talk her baby girl, as if she was alert. The sisterly, if not maternal bond between the two women had been cemented as soon as Calleigh had walked through that door. She was infectious, making Alexx look a little closer at the living, rather than only focusing on the dead. She was the glue, the lynchpin.

And yet, they all felt each other's pain, aguish, worry, anxiety. Duke had been pulled over and arrested for a DUI, Calleigh not around to bail him out anymore. They were her family, the only family she could count on.

Eric sighed quietly, slipping a little further into a hazy, much needed sleep.

She struggled to lift her hand, succeeding and running her weak fingers through his dark hair.

His eyes snapped up immediately, dark brown meeting green and he kissed each of her fingertips before letting a tear trail down his face, in relief.

"Eric?" she rasped, a dry throated cough emerged from her worn throat, wincing at her ribs, slowly moving her hand to his face to wipe away the droplet coursing down his cheek.

A smile cracked his weary face, leaning over and kissing her passionately on the lips, looking at her seriously, not speaking for several moments.

"I'm going to go get the doctor, okay?" he said quietly.

Calleigh fought to quell the panic that bubbled inside of her. She didn't want to be alone, not right now. But if there was one thing she wasn't, it was weak. So she nodded her head, and took a few deep breaths. She looked around the hospital room, questions rising to the forefront of her mind. She didn't remember what happened. What if she never remembered? What if her arm never healed properly? What if she could never work again? What happened to Hagen? And Stetler? What if they got out of prison? What if something happened to Eric? Where was her team?

"Stop."

Calleigh looked up, confused.

"You're thinking too much, I can tell," Eric smiled small and came over to sit next to her again, "I called the doctor and she's on her way. How are you feeling?"

"I can't…I can't remember…" she said quietly, brokenly and Eric's heart snapped again. He stroked her hair gently, smoothing back the messy blonde tresses from her face and kissing her forehead again.

"Shhhh, it's okay. It's okay. It'll come back, slowly. Don't worry about that right now, okay? I'm here, and everything's going to be okay," he soothed his distressed girlfriend softly, murmuring quiet words of comfort as he rubbed her hand with his thumb.

The doctor walked into the room, and smiled at her brightly. "Hey, Calleigh. Glad to see you're awake. I'm Dr. Nita Jain, and I'm going to be taking care of you for the next little bit." The doctor did a preliminary exam quickly and asked her some more questions about her physical pain, memory, senses.

"We're going to get you out of here in no time," the doctor smiled, before gesturing to the man, "Eric, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Eric, she's still in bad shape. And she's going to need definite counseling. I want you to stay with her if you can, she obviously feels safer with you there. If anyone tries to kick you out, just page me, my number's by the desk. I'll be back soon to take her for some tests. Keep her calm, and just take it slow. And don't let her skimp on the pain meds, okay?"

Eric smiled at the doctor, nodding his agreement before thanking her and sitting on the edge of Calleigh's bed, lacing his fingers with hers. The connection passed through their fingertips and calming both of them, the smiles in their eyes and relief on their faces. They were completely in-sync, partners in work and life.

"I thought…I thought I'd lost you," he whispered, kissing her nose. She smiled the best megawatt smile she could muster.

"You didn't."