I have to apoligize for the slowness of my updates but truth is I haven't found the inspiration to write recently and have had minor writersblock. Also I go to Barcelona on Monday with my georaphy class so I will not be starting a new chapter until next weekend therefore expect a wait for a next post. Anyways thanks to Jenny for beta-ing this so quickly.

Hope you enjoy now the ramble is out of the way.

From his seat at Calleigh's bedside, Eric could see straight out into the corridor. It looked like Calleigh's mother was bickering with her daughter-in-law Hannah (most probably about Calleigh), while her brother Andrew sat by Duke.

Eric really couldn't believe how a mother could hate her daughter so much. It really begged the question... "What did Calleigh do?"

The atmosphere at the lab was very sombre. The news of Calleigh being shot had spread through the lab like wildfire on a dry day. Anyone who came to see Horatio or a member of his team couldn't resist asking how Calleigh was doing or when they thought she would be back and although it showed they cared, it also got incredibly annoying. The news that she was critical but stable and wouldn't be returning in the near future just didn't seem to spread.

"Is that Calleigh's vest?" Ryan asked as he entered the layout room. Horatio was standing processing the evidence they had collected from crime scene.

"It is Mr. Wolfe," Horatio said, his concentration fully focused on removing a folded piece of paper from the breast pocket.

"What is it H?" Ryan asked, placing his hands on the layout table to get a better view of what his boss was engrossed by but Horatio was no about to allow Ryan to be so nosy and guarded the note from the young CSI's view, knowing that Calleigh wouldn't want anyone to see it let alone her work colleagues.

"It's nothing. Just Calleigh's shopping list," Horatio lied, re-folding the paper. Ryan seemed to get the message and left Horatio alone to sift through the rest of the evidence.

Once Ryan had left, Horatio unfolded the piece of paper and re-read it. He hoped that angry words were the only thing Calleigh's mother would use against her, and that she wouldn't let her anger cloud her judgement and start acting on her words.

All her limbs felt weighted down, it was incredibly hard to move...it hurt to move. She desperately wanted to open her eyes and see the white walls that she knew would be there but she couldn't find the strength or the mind. All she could do was lie there stiff and drugged, listening to the monotonous beeping of the machines around her.

Someone's hand was gripping her own, offering her strength and a sense of belonging. Calleigh could only pray that they would never let go, never leave her on her own.

The hand itself was soft and warm. It was like a vice-grip on her conscience - trapping it and stopping it from moving or slipping away.

From the bed Calleigh could hear voices. The soft voice she suspected was the person who held her hand, and she knew that was Eric. Her voice of reason, her best friend, the only man who she let see into her heart because she knew he would never hurt her.

When Alexx slipped into the ICU, she couldn't stop a smile gracing her lips at the sight that greeted her. She assumed Eric had been sitting by Calleigh's bedside all night because when Alexx walked in, the Cuban was slumped forward in his chair, asleep with his forearms resting on his pillows.

"Eric baby, time to go home," Alexx whispered in his ear while gently rubbing his back.

Eric stirred groggily, and immediately sat back to fix the kink that had formed in his lower back and shoulders.

"Mm, what time is it?" he asked before letting out a yawn and stretching.

"A little after 6. So time for you to go home and get some real sleep and a shower," Alexx said, smiling slightly.

"What about Calleigh? I don't want to leave her on her own," Eric replied, his focus shifting back to his fallen friend. Alexx smiled, seeing the love he had for Calleigh and the love she had for him. However, she still found shocking that neither of them had noticed yet or anyone else for that matter. It was true what they said...love is blind.

"I'm staying Eric. Don't worry about her," Alexx said forcefully, her voice practically kicking Eric out the door. He reluctantly left the ICU.

Outside the ICU, Eric couldn't help but stop and watch Alexx and Calleigh from the glass windows, unwilling to let the blonde out of his sight.

"You love her don't you?" a voice said bluntly, causing Eric to jump and turn. Next to him stood Hannah, a 5ft 8'' brunette with chocolate brown eyes and a slightly hour glass figure.

Eric opened his mouth to speak but he couldn't – it was like his voice had been muted. His mouth opening and closing like a fish caused Hannah to crack a smile and a giggle.

"Don't worry Eric. Your secret is safe with me, however I'm not sure you will be keeping it for much longer with the looks you give her," Hannah said in a low voice, softly rubbing his arm. "Anyway, let's go get a coffee. I'm sure your colleague kicked you out here for a reason," she said, gently pushing Eric's body in the direction of the elevator.

Light streamed through her dorm window, illuminating the shadows that had fallen on her bed, chasing them away. It was early anyone could see, yet the 18 year old blonde who occupied the room was excited. Her first day of college had finally arrived, years of hard work and anticipation had paid off. Yet the furthest she could get away from Darnell was...Tulane.

However, what Calleigh didn't know was that back in Darnell, a town where the majority of residents were on the verge of poverty, her family were withholding heartbreaking information out of pure spite.

Love it or hate it?? Honesty is the best policy. Please read and review.