I am so so sorry this has taken me so long to update and it's shorter than usual but it was this is a longer wait. I should be updating more often because I've finished my seemingly endless geography coursework. A warning: this has not been beta'ed so will probably have numerous mistakes but I hope you enjoy.

Calleigh felt her heart skip a beat before it started to pound against her rib cage, as she descended down the stairs that lead to Horatio's office. Calleigh hoped that no-one saw her as she tried to figure out the best way of getting past reception without being noticed by anyone let alone the person she was trying to avoid.

She was nearly in the clear but when she heard Valera call her name, Calleigh couldn't help but cringe. As she turned to face Valera who was hurrying towards her, wafting an evidence file in the air. Out of the corner of her eye, Calleigh could see her mother looking around to find her.

"Hey Maxine, what's up?" Calleigh asked, keeping a careful watch on her mother out of the corner of her eye.

"Could you please give this to Natalia? I was just on my way out and as she wanted to speak to you..." Maxine asked her voice trailing off, Calleigh smiled,

"Sure thing," Calleigh replied taking the folder from Maxine,

"Thanks Calleigh I owe you," Maxine replied, as she turned to leave,

"Yeah you do," Calleigh called out as Maxine walked away, leaving Calleigh with a grin on her face.

"CSI Duquesne," Calleigh cringed, her smile instantly wiped from her face, as the receptionist called her name and waved her over signalling to her mother like Calleigh didn't know she was there.

Calleigh reluctantly walked over to the reception, "Mom? What are you doing here?" Calleigh asked slightly confused. However, Sandra Duquesne did nothing but glare at her daughter before handing over a blank envelope and leaving without saying a word and therefore, keeping her ten year silence.

Calleigh with sad eyes, watched her mother leave, before turning her attention to the envelope. It was blank with the exception of her name written neatly on the front in her mother's best writing, meaning that the content of the actual letter was bad news.

Eric rounded the corner just in time to see Calleigh's face fall as an unknown woman made her quick get away in the elevator. Immediately Eric wanted to go over and wrap his arms around her but this was neither the time all the place- they both knew that.

"Calleigh? Are you alright?" Eric asked, his voice caused the blonde to jump before looking at him glossy eyed.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you come over," Calleigh replied quietly, her glance returning back down to the letter in her hands,

"Calleigh?" Eric said with a little more force

"I'm fine," Calleigh replied a little too quickly for Eric's liking and with a little too much force. Calleigh though just hoped Eric would leave the issue alone as she tried to prove her point and look him in the eyes. "Excuse me," Calleigh said quietly her focus now on the letter in her hand but as she tried to get past Eric she felt a strong hold grasp her wrist and Eric spin her to face him.

As Calleigh looked up she saw sincerity and concern in Eric's mocha eyes but determination on his face. "We'll talk later Eric," she said in a whisper as she raised her hand and placed it to his cheek showing she meant it.

However, as Calleigh walked away Eric couldn't help but feel there wouldn't be a later. This feeling was intensified when he answered his phone.

"Delko?"

"Eric, PD have tracked Amy and her father down to an abandoned building off south beach. SWAT are en route but I want you and Calleigh here," Horatio said before hanging.

Leaving Eric to dash into the locker room and retrieve his and Calleigh's bullet proof vests and guns. He was sure Calleigh wouldn't mind him going into his locker and if so it wasn't his fault he happened to know her code.

Calleigh sat in the break room staring at the opened letter that was currently in her hands. She could feel the tears pricking her eyes as she stared at her mother's cruel words. For the first time in a long time she felt unwanted and hated by the one person who at one point feared for her safety.

Calleigh now realised that undying love was rare, as even her mother had run out of love for Calleigh but somewhere in her hollow heart had found some for her father.

Eric quickly pulled on his vest before jogging down the hall to the break-room where Calleigh was sat supposedly reading the letter she had received off the woman he saw leaving. Even through the glass he could her shoulders were slumped and the news was bad.

"Hey bullet girl," Eric said entering the break room trying to add a little humour to Calleigh mood. He tossed her her bullet proof vest causing her to give him a confused look as she put it on.

"Horatio called, they've tracked Amy and her father down to an abandoned building south beach," Eric explained.

"Ready?" Calleigh asked, Eric nodded passing her her gun. "I'm driving," Calleigh stated grabbing the hummer keys out of Eric's hand and walking out.

"Sure Calleigh be my guest," Eric muttered sarcastically before following her out.

Again I'm sorry it's short but please review and give me some inspiration!