Chapter 2
A/n Sorry for the long delay, but I had a case of writers block, and the plot bunnies are fighting about who gets written first. (Ouch, stop biting, that hurts!) Anyway please enjoy this chapter, and please give feedback.
Horatio walked up to Susie's door precisely at 5:30.
"Thanks for doing this Horatio. I hate to leave her when she's sick, but I don't have a choice."
"Don't worry about it. Where is she and how is she doing?"
"She's in her room watching cartoons. She has a sore throat and is running a fever. Her medicine is in the kitchen, and I tried to get her to eat some soup but no luck," Susie said, with a concerned look on her face.
"Susie, go we will be fine I promise," Horatio said as he gave her a quick hug then pushed her towards the door.
"Ok, Madison, I'm leaving Uncle Horatio is here now," Susie called as she opened the door and walked out.
"Ok bye, Mommy," Madison called back in a small voice. Horatio smiled as he closed the door and walked towards his niece's room to see what he could do to make her feel better.
"So why did H say he couldn't come and hang out?" Speed asked.
"Because Maddy is sick, and he said he would take care of her because Yelina has Ray's soccer game and Susie has a business dinner," Calleigh explained. The boys, her and Alexx had gone out to a small bar to unwind after work.
"That poor little girl, she's been through so much," Alexx said softly. Eric nodded as he took a sip of his drink. Finally after a bit of hanging out Calleigh made a decision.
"Hey guys, as much fun as this is I'm going to head out. I'm going to see if Horatio needs any help."
"You softy, you just want to hang out with him outside of work," Eric said as he poked her in the ribs. Calleigh just blushed and hit Eric on the arm as she grabbed her purse and headed out of the bar. Once she was out of the bar she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Yelina's cell phone.
"Hello, Yelina speaking."
"Hey Yelina, it's me Calleigh."
"Hi what can I do for you? If you're looking for Horatio he's taking care of Madison because she is sick."
"Yeah I know that's why I'm calling. I need directions to Susie's house. I thought I would check on things and see if he needed my help."
"Ok sure thing you ready to write them down?"
"Yeah go ahead." After she had gotten the directions Calleigh thanked Yelina and hung up. She decided to run by the store first before going to Susie's. Finally with her purchases she got on to the high way and began the trip to Susie's.
Horatio quietly opened the door to Madison's room and could see her lying on her bed. Her face was red and she looked like she really didn't feel good.
"Hey Uncle Horatio."
"Hey how are you feeling, sweetheart?"
"I feel yucky, my throat is really sore and I am really hot."
"Yeah I know it's because you're running a fever. Do you think you could eat some Chicken Noodle soup?"
"Maybe, I don't know."
"Will you try for me?"
"Ok, I guess so," Madison said as she shifted in an attempt to get more comfortable. Horatio noticed that some hair had fallen into her eyes and she brushed it back. It was then that he noticed just how hot she felt.
"I'm going to take your temperature and then I will fix you that soup." Madison just nodded and Horatio got up and walked to the bathroom to retrieve the thermometer. "Open up Madison, and put this under your tongue."
"IwishIcouldhavegonetorayssoccergame," Madison attempted to say with the thermometer in her mouth.
"Shh, don't talk," Horatio gently admonished. Finally the thermometer beeped and Horatio gently took it out of Madison's mouth and looked at the digital display.
"What is it Uncle Horatio?"
"It's 100.7. When was the last time your mom gave you some Tylenol?
"Um I don't know when she got me home around 2:30 or so," Madison replied.
"Well I think it has been long enough for another dose. I'll be right back with your medicine and the soup," Horatio said as he gave her a kiss on the forehead and headed into the kitchen to make the soup and get the medicine.
Horatio had just gotten Madison settled back in bed and had cleared up the dishes when the door bell rang.
"Hold on a minute Madison then I will read that story to you, ok?" Horatio said, as he went to answer the door. Calleigh smiled at the sight of Horatio standing at the door with a slightly perplexed look on his face.
"Hey Horatio is it all right if I come in?"
"Um yeah sure, but what are you doing here, Calleigh?"
"I thought I would come by and see how things are going. I called Yelina and got directions."
"Thanks things are fine. What have you got their," Horatio asked, indicating the bag.
"Oh just something's for Madison. I bought her some ice-cream, some tissues, cough drops, and a teddy bear."
"Aww that's sweet of you, but you really didn't have to do all of this. Weren't you going to hang out with the guys and Alexx?"
"I did for a while, but I wanted to help you out. So where is she?"
"She's in her room waiting for me to read her a story. Would you like to read her a story while I put away these groceries?"
"Sure I would love to," Calleigh replied, as she turned and headed down the hall. Calleigh gently knocked on the door to Madison's room.
"Come in," Madison called out softly.
"Hey Madison, I thought I would come and see how you are doing."
"Hi Ms. Calleigh, I'm feeling yucky."
"I know, baby. Your uncle said that he was going to read you a story, but is it ok if I read you one instead?"
"Sure and what is that," Madison asked, pointing to the teddy bear.
"This is for you," Calleigh said as she handed the teddy bear to the little girl.
"Thank you I'm going to name her Calleigh," Madison said with a smile as she cuddled up to the teddy bear and got ready to hear a story. Calleigh smiled at the image and picked up a book and began to read. She read for about fifteen minutes until she noticed that Madison had fallen asleep still holding the teddy bear tightly in her arms.
Horatio smiled at the image he saw when he walked into Madison's room. Calleigh was sitting on the bed gently stroking Madison's hair. The little girl was fast asleep clutching the teddy bear in her arms.
"She's out like a light," Calleigh whispered.
"Thank you for coming over, but you didn't have to."
"I know but I wanted to don't worry about it. How about we go into the living room so we don't wake her up?" Calleigh suggested, as she got up careful not to wake the sleeping child. Horatio just nodded and followed her out pulling the door part way shut behind them. Once they were settled in the living room with two sodas they began to watch the current episode of Law and Order and pick out the many things that were inaccurate about it.
All of a sudden Calleigh heard Madison coughing and crying in distress. Horatio jumped up from the couch and sprinted down the hall, Calleigh right on his heels.
"Madison, what's the matter, sweetheart?" Horatio asked as he knelt by the little girl's bed.
"I'm really really hot and my throat hurts worse then before. Every time I swallow my ears hurt," Madison said as tears slid down her face and she reached her arms out for her uncle to give her a hug. Horatio obliged and Calleigh rubbed soothing circles on her back. Then Calleigh put her hand on Madison's forehead.
"I'll be right back," Calleigh replied quietly to Horatio who was whispering soothing things into his nieces ear.
"It's on the bathroom sink," Horatio called out.
"Thanks Handsome," Calleigh called back as she spotted the thermometer. Calleigh walked back into the room and put the thermometer in Madison's mouth. After a few minutes it beeped. Calleigh took it out and turned to Horatio. "What was it before?"
"100.7," Horatio replied.
"It's now 101. I think we should try a warm bath and some ice-cream how does that sound, Maddy?" Calleigh asked. Madison just nodded and Calleigh glanced at Horatio. Horatio got the hint and left the room, giving the two girls some privacy. Calleigh helped Madison off with her hot PJ's and helped her into the tub.
"Is their anything I can do, cal?"
"Sure can you get out the ice-cream and make a bowl for when she gets out of the bath and can you get me an ice pack?"
"Sure I will," Horatio said. Finally after a comforting bath and some ice-cream Madison was tucked back into bed with an ice pack on her neck and a cool wet wash cloth on her forehead. Susie got home about fifteen minutes after Madison was tucked into bed for the second time.
"Oh hey Calleigh when did you come over?"
"It was around 7:30," Calleigh replied with a smile.
"How's my little angel?"
"She's doing ok. Her fever went up some, but Calleigh gave her a bath and we gave her ice-cream because her throat was hurting more. There are tissues and cough drops on her bedside table," Horatio said.
"Thanks you guys. I really appreciate it."
"Don't worry about it call me tomorrow and let me know how she is?" Horatio asked as he and Calleigh got up and he guided Calleigh to the door with a hand on the small of her back. Susie nodded and flashed them both a grateful smile. "Can I drive you home?" Horatio asked.
"No I'll be fine Horatio."
"At least let me follow you home so I can make sure your safe?"
"All right if you really want to," Calleigh relented as she climbed behind the wheel of her jeep. Horatio just smiled and got into his hummer. Horatio pulled up in front of Calleigh's house and walked her to the door.
"Thanks very much for helping out tonight I really appreciate it Calleigh."
"Don't worry about it. Maybe we can all go to the park when Madison is feeling better?"
"I think she would really like that. I will see you tomorrow."
"Ok see you tomorrow Handsome," Calleigh said as she leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek and then unlocked her door and walked into her apartment, leaving Horatio to drive home thinking about that kiss.
TBC?