Mind of a Fanatic
Chapter 16
Several more breaks and a good deal of testimony later Calleigh was back in her hospital room, sound asleep. Horatio sat at her side, stroking her soft blonde hair. She had fallen asleep in the Hummer on the way back from the court house and hadn't stirred since. And the fact that she hadn't troubled him greatly. When he had tried to wake her, she mumbled something incoherent and refused to wake. Having little choice and without fuss, he picked her up in his arms and carried her up to her room, eschewing the use of a wheelchair. She was so soundly asleep that he feared that she'd fall out of one if he tried to use it.
"Sleep well, Sweetheart," he whispered as the door opened and Dr. Webber walked in.
"I'm sorry, Lt. Caine, but I need to examine her to make sure today's activity didn't do her any harm," the petite, slender, blonde physician said quietly; Dr. Webber was in her late fifties and exuded a very motherly air about her that appealed to most of her patients.
"Doctor, she's sleeping." Horatio whispered. "Can you come back later when she's awake?"
Doctor Webber smiled warmly at him, appreciating the tender concern he held for her patient. "I can examine her while she sleeps. She pushed herself too hard today, you know. She should have taken breaks far earlier than she did and she needed more of them than she took."
"I know, but that's Calleigh for you; she isn't happy if she isn't pushing herself; testing her boundaries." Horatio explained, his own concern going unvoiced.
"Considering that we both know she overdid it, I really do need to take a good look at her." Doctor Webber's voice was kind but firm. "Would you mind stepping into the hall please?"
"Of course, Doctor," Horatio said softly.
He stepped into the hall, unconsciously fiddling with his ever present sunglasses. He had a feeling that the doctor would pull her authorization for Calleigh to testify for a while and he knew that wasn't going to sit well; she wanted to nail Dupree so badly that she could taste it. She was going to blow like Mount Vesuvius.
It wasn't long before Doctor Webber stepped out of the room. "You can go back in now, but I need to speak with you first. How much influence do you have with Calleigh?"
"Would you clarify that statement please?" Horatio replied carefully; sensing what was coming. "I'm not certain what you're referring to Doctor."
"Oh, I think you do. I'm pulling my permission for her court trips for a few days. She's completely exhausted and didn't even wake when I rolled her over to check her back. I tried to wake her up and all she did was mumble something. I can't, in good conscience, allow her to return to court until she rests up for several days." The doctor explained. "If she doesn't, it could seriously compromise her recovery - possibly do some lasting, if not permanent damage. I didn't like what I saw in there, and I never want to see that again. She's weakened herself almost to the point she was at back when she was first brought in. If she rests now, she should bounce back in just a few days; if she persists in exhausting herself, she'll be looking at a very grim future."
"I had a feeling you were going to say that. Calleigh isn't going to like it at all. Why don't you let me tell her?" Horatio offered. "She's used to taking orders from me; maybe it'll be easier to hear coming from me."
"Lt. Caine, are you playing the chivalry card because Calleigh has a temper?" Doctor Webber said with a grin. "Listen, I've had some pretty violent reactions when I've needed to tell patients bad news before; one almost broke my arm once. Anyway, Calleigh doesn't seem violent and I think I can handle her myself."
"Tell you what, why don't we leave it to Fate; the first one around after she wakes up gets to tell her because I'm not backing down on my offer here."
The doctor laughed. "Alright, I see I've met an immovable object. You've got yourself a deal."
Laughter rolled out of Calleigh's room as Horatio stood at the door. From the sound of it, Doctor Webber hadn't been by to see Calleigh yet and she obviously had a visitor.
Looks like I get to do the honors. Horatio pushed the door open and went inside. He found Natalia sitting on Calleigh's bed and the two of them laughing at whatever was playing on Calleigh's laptop. He watched them for a moment. They were a study in contrasts; Natalia was tall, dark haired and dark eyed. She was more inclined to be serious and didn't really engage her co-workers in banter. Calleigh, on the other hand, was petite and pale; blonde haired and green eyed. She was bubbly and feisty, always had a ready laugh and a flirty manner. They were as different as night and day, yet they complimented each other in the lab. He didn't realize that they had struck up a friendship after the whole mole fiasco, though, but then he remembered Calleigh's generous and forgiving nature and figured she sought out Natalia first and then the friendship must have grown from there.
"We are the Knights that say NI!"
Calleigh was shaking in laughter, holding her broken ribs with one hand. "Aw; please pause it, 'Talia!" She begged. Mercifully, Natalia paused the film. "I'd forgotten how funny that is!"
Horatio cleared his throat. "Am I interrupting anything?"
"Horatio! No; of course not. Come on in!" Calleigh cried, her ingrained sense of Southern hospitality taking charge. "We were just watching a movie. You're welcome to join us."
"I figured after all the drama in court today; Calleigh would need a good comedy." Natalia explained.
"Great thinking there, Einstein; show a comedy to a person with broken ribs." Calleigh elbowed her. "Go ahead, make them laugh; I'm telling Doctor Webber about you!"
Horatio chuckled. "What are you watching? It sounded familiar."
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Natalia supplied. "Guaranteed to cure what ails you."
Horatio sat on the bed as well, effectively sandwiching Calleigh between himself and Natalia. "I haven't seen that in … way to many years to admit to."
Natalia started the film over from the beginning and they spent the time in easy laughter; Calleigh occasionally holding her aching ribs. All too soon the movie ended and Natalia packed up to go.
"I need to get going, Cal." Natalia said, sliding the DVD into her purse. "If I don't do some laundry tonight, I'll have to go in naked tomorrow."
Calleigh's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I'm sure the guys wouldn't mind."
"I'd smack you if you weren't in a hospital bed!" Natalia retorted. "See you tomorrow. Sleep well."
"You too, but don't doze off while you're doing laundry; naked at work and all that!" Calleigh teased, sorry to see her go.
Natalia laughed and walked out leaving Horatio and Calleigh alone.
Horatio watched Calleigh, enjoying the sparkle in her eyes and the slight smile still on her lips. I'm going to be sorry to see that smile go, but she has to be told.
"I didn't know you liked Monty Python." He commented.
"Yeah; I blame it on my Uncle Bob and Aunt Amy. They'd send for my brothers and me every summer for vacation. My cousin is an only child and would get lonely all by herself; she and I are the same age, so it was a natural choice to bring us all over. Anyway, it's a long haul from Louisiana to North Carolina, but we did it for years. My Uncle Bob is still state chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, just like his dad was." Calleigh explained at length, uncharacteristically discussing her family. "Every Sunday night was Monty Python night. It was almost a religion. Over the years I've actually developed a taste for it. Silly British humor just isn't everyone's idea of funny."
"I thought you're a Democrat?" Horatio said, stalling the inevitable.
"I am. Just call me the black sheep of the family." Calleigh said, taking a good look at Horatio. "Ok, you have that look; you need to say something. What is it?"
"I spoke with Doctor Webber after we got back from the court house today; she wasn't happy with your condition, you clearly overdid it and completely exhausted yourself." He took a deep breath, bracing himself for the explosion to come. "Dr. Webber is pulling her authorization for you appearing in court for a few days because you need to rest and regain your strength. She's afraid that you'll do yourself permanent damage if you don't. I happen to agree with her."
Calleigh pulled away from him and rolled on her side, giving him her back.
"Fine." She said, her voice laced with misery.
"Calleigh …?" Horatio was at a loss; he'd expected more of a reaction. Yell, scream, tell me and Webber to go to hell – but don't shut me out. Please, anything but that.
"Could you go now please? I'm suddenly very tired." She whispered shakily, aware that her temper was extremely volatile at that moment. The last thing she wanted to do was say something she'd regret. How could he agree with her? He knows how badly I want to nail Dupree. "Leave me alone!"
"She's only concerned about your recovery, and frankly, so am I." Horatio explained feeling guilty for making her so miserable. "You pushed yourself too hard, Calleigh …"
"Just go, Horatio." The air between them was heavy with despair and suppressed rage. "Get out."
Horatio rose from the bed, defeated. Like so many times in the last week, he leaned over, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
He felt her stiffen. "I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I'll be back to see you tomorrow."
Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Calleigh thought bitterly as she felt him leave the room; waiting until his footsteps died away before allowing acidic tears of despair to fall. Of all people I thought you would understand; how could you do this to me?