As you may have noticed I have decided to change the title to one that I thing suits the story more and I have also made a better summary so hopefully its better. Anyways heres the new chapter. Any comments welcome as I seem to be losing my way and with that the plot.

Two days had passed agonisingly slowly since Calleigh was shot in the leg trying to protect Amy Jensen. Eric had spent every minute he had with her, whether he was awake or asleep as long he was by her side. However, Eric was back to work on the second day therefore, he could only manage evening hours with his best friend, much to his dismay. The last thing he wanted was Calleigh to wake to her angry family.

As Eric sat in the world's most uncomfortable chair next to Calleigh's bedside, and he was just drifting to sleep when he felt the hand he was holding tighten around his. His eyes shot open to see Calleigh's emerald eyes looking back at him.

"Hey. I'm glad you're back," he whispered, feeling that if he spoke any louder he would get hushed as if he was in a library.

Calleigh smile faintly at Eric touched that he had stayed beside her and somewhat relieved that the first thing she saw was his chocolate brown eyes, which calmed her. But behind her seemingly calm demeanour, Eric knew that Calleigh was about to explode as she turned her blonde head to see her father in his bed across the ICU. It was killing her that all she had to do was walk the short distance to her father yet couldn't get out of bed.

"How is he doing?" she asked, her voice raspy from two days of constant sleep.

"His condition changed last night. Doctors say his liver is failing but I don't know much else. Hannah has been trying to leak information to me but each time your mother seems to magically appear," Eric explained handing her a glass of water to soothe her throat which Calleigh gratefully accepted.

"Hannah's here?" she asked, surprised and curious.

"Yeah. She came the morning after you were shot but I don't think she's here to visit your father though," Eric said, causing Calleigh to crack a smile. "So what did you do to them anyway Calleigh?" he asked but instantly regretted it. The glimmers of happiness that had been presented Calleigh's emerald eyes faded and the tension in the air grew.

"I'm surprised my mother hasn't told the world what an awful daughter I am... and all about the trouble I've supposedly caused," Calleigh spat. Eric ignored her tone, knowing her anger wasn't directly aimed at him, and instead shook his head.

'It was now or never' Calleigh thought.

Confiding in Eric about her past would be a big personal step for her and their relationship, but like every important thing a person has to say, someone inevitably interrupts. This time it was their team probably coming to persuade Eric to go home, have a shower and a bite to eat while they stayed with Calleigh. However, their loud voices and the click of heels faltered when they saw Calleigh was awake through the glass walls of the ICU. From that moment everything was blurred as their friends and co-workers literally fought their way to her bedside, each wanting to be the first to get to her and ask her how she was.

"Hey guys," Calleigh said cheerfully, instantly her regaining usual cheerful composure. However, Eric though saw through the fake smile and chipper attitude. Instead of listening to the conversation though, he became deep in thought at what Calleigh could've done to make her family so cold and spiteful towards her.

It was getting late and hours of story telling and laughing was taking its toll on Calleigh, who was still recuperating, as she tried to listen whilst trying not to fall asleep as they team, talked about their cases and lives in general. Being the a mastermind in deception she knew where she was supposed to laugh, however she wasn't really paying attention to them. Instead all her limited focus was on Eric. He had drifted to sleep in the uncomfortable chair next to her, his hand still holding hers. She wondered how long he'd been there and wishing she could join him in what looked like a peaceful slumber.

Finally her eyes gave up as they began to close the more she thought about sleep. She had to put her free hand to her mouth to stifle a yawn.

"Come on guys, let's leave them," Alexx whispered when she noticed both Eric and Calleigh had fallen asleep. They all nodded in agreement. Alexx placed a kiss on Calleigh's forehead and Horatio squeezed Eric's shoulder as they all filed out.

A huge sigh of relief coursed through Calleigh's body as Eric wheeled her out of the hospital the following morning.

"God it's nice to breathe fresh air," she sighed using her hand to shield her eyes from the morning sun's glare.

"I think any air is better than hospital air," Eric replied as he wheeled her to his Hummer.

"Hospital air?" Calleigh giggled, "Very scientific Mr. Delko" Eric held the car door open and Calleigh grunted as she tried to lift her body out of the chair she had been forced to use to keep any unnecessary pressure off of her leg. However, being in a hospital bed for a week had, not surprisingly, taken some of the strength away from her arms.

"Here let me help," Eric said, placing one of her slender arms around his broad 'swimmer' shoulders and helping to lift her out of the chair.

"Thank-you," Calleigh whispered half of her a little embarrassed at her lack of strength but the other half wondering what else Eric could do with those arms.

Once Calleigh was safely in the passenger seat, Eric folded up the wheelchair, placing it in the trunk of the car before climbing into the driver's seat.

"So how 'bout we grab a pizza maybe with a couple movies, go back to mine and take advantage of your first night of freedom," Eric suggested, reversing out of the parking lot.

"Eric you don't have to..."

"I want to Calleigh," he interrupted, "Besides your house isn't exactly wheelchair friendly not with those narrow stairs,"

"Your point?"

"I...I think it would be best if you stay at mine at least until you get your crutches in a couple of days," Eric said shyly already preparing for an argument with the blonde so it was a shock when she said ok.

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