Title: Shattered Lives

Author: csimiamilover

Rating: K+

Author's Note: I want to thank everyone for reviewing, reading, favoriting and alerting. It really is appreciated!

Chapter 5- I Think The Message Is Clear

"The blood on the bedspread belonged to Ms. Shelton." Natalia Boavista told the blonde pacing patiently in front of her. The two women were gathered in the DNA lab where they were discussing the results from the blood found at the crime scene. Calleigh abruptly stopped pacing and half-turned to face the brunette staring back at her. The results weren't what she was expecting; there was so much blood on that bedspread, she couldn't believe it all came from one donor. "Are you sure? There was so much blood….." Her sweet voice trailed off………

Natalia nodded, confirming that the blood belonged to the victim and the victim only. "I couldn't believe it either Calleigh but DNA doesn't lie." Calleigh exhaled deeply, accepting the results. She opened her mouth to speak but before the words could form on her lips there was a knock on the glass door leading into the lab. Both woman located the source of noise. Eric was standing outside the lab, motioning the platinum blonde over with the wave of a hand.

"Thank you Natalia." She said before walking off and joining Eric out in the hall. She felt her heart rate increase as she came to a standstill beside her best friend, her eyes roaming over his body as if they had a mind of their own. Pull it together Cal. She commanded herself. Now is not the time to be checking out your best friend!

Thankfully, Eric didn't seem to notice her appreciating his body. Instead he wore a serious expression on his handsome face. "What's up Eric?" Calleigh asked. "We've got another crime scene and H says it's very similar to the Shelton crime scene." He explained, looking at her as he spoke with affection lingering in his gaze. Her bright mood seemed to instantly change with the news. "Is he thinking serial killer?" She asked, hoping the answer was no. There was already enough crime to last them a lifetime, the last thing they needed was a serial killer.

He nodded gravely. "Only this time H thinks he is a serial stalker as well." Eric added. Great. Calleigh thought sarcastically, running a hand through her golden locks. "Are you ready to go to the scene?"

She nodded and Eric stepped back, gesturing for her to lead the way. She shot him a warm smile and proceeded down the hallway with Eric striding comfortably at her side. The pair settled in a comfortable silence, each lost in their own trains of thought. The blonde could already picture the scene in her mind- blood seeping through the hardwood floors and the victim discarded like a piece of garbage on the bed. She hoped she was wrong.

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15 minutes later found Calleigh and Eric standing outside a small single-story brick home. The outside of the home was neat and organized like the owner worked hard to keep up with the appearance of the neighborhood. The neighborhood itself was very still and quiet, the little homes full of families that kept to themselves, so it was no surprise that the heavy presence of police vehicles gathered attention. The blonde and young Cuban CSI weaved their way through the patrol cars parked in the paved driveway, both with CSI kits in their hands.

Finally after what seemed like forever the pair of investigators flashed their badges at the guard posted outside the door and entered through the front door into the home's foyer. The foyer opened up into the living room. It was small and painted a sea foam green color, with several pictures and small art pieces hanging on the walls. A black, leather L-shaped sofa sat in the corner of the room, with a coffee table sitting opposite it. In the front of the room, on a small and black TV stand, a 24 inch color television was positioned there. With these observations in mind, Calleigh could infer that the home probably belonged to a young person. As she studied her surroundings, the ballistics expert could see her boss coming toward them out of the corner of her eye. Her fascination with the home quickly died, her attention now focused on the man approaching her. Horatio came to a halt a few feet in front of his CSIs, his expression was blank and unreadable but she thought she saw a hint of worry in his deep blue eyes.

"Calleigh, Eric, I think there is something you need to see." He said, pinning his gaze on the blonde. With his gaze on her and the worry in his eyes she suddenly felt sick to her stomach. Something was wrong, she could feel it.

" What's wrong Horatio?" She asked, her own concern reflected in her tone. He looked at the floor briefly, before meeting her stare again. Calleigh was so busy studying the foyer she had overlooked the evidence baggie in his hand.

Horatio raised the evidence baggie into clear view and turned it to face her. The item in possession made her heart stop. Staring back at her was a photograph of her placing her kit into her hummer. The photo looked professional and she recognized the apartment building in the background. It was taken at the Jennifer Shelton crime scene. But that wasn't what caught her immediate attention. The photograph was covered in blood. Someone else's blood.

Calleigh felt her world start to spin and then shrink until it made her dizzy. She could barely register Eric squeezing her hand lightly. And the sounds that were familiar earlier like soft voices and loud footsteps seemed to dissolve like her ears were clogged. Something sparked from deep within her, traveling from her core through her blood stream. The thought hit her like a runaway train; she was frozen in fear. But of what? Of what was going to come?

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TBC? I'm sorry if the chapter was kind of short, I am trying to pace myself the best way possible. I hope you continue reading!

-csimiamilover