Eric and Calleigh

Calleigh stood in her/ Stetler's office and stared out to the sea, thinking about all that had changed in just six years. Ryan and Horatio had left, she and Eric were married with their third child on the way, Natalia and Jake had gotten together, Speed had come back from the dead and was engaged to Valera.

She took a deep breath, the thoughts overwhelming.

She looked down at the car park. Eric was standing there, holding Emily in his arms while Adam played a little bit away. Eric looked up and smiled. She smiled back. In a few moments, he was up there.

"Hey, stranger."

"Hey, pretty lady. What are you doing up here all on your own?"

"I'm waiting for Stetler. We have a meeting with the Boss!"

"Oooo, that sounds scary… Are you alright?"

Calleigh nodded. "Yes. It is just a meeting."

Delko tilted his head. "You have a look on your face that you get when your thinking bad things."

"I'm not thinking bad thoughts… I just-- I was just thinking about Horatio and…" Eric looked at her. "Ryan."

"How many times do I have to tell you that thinking about him isn't good for the baby? This pregnancy is risky enough with out bringing him into the equation."

"Eric, he was my best friend. He was family--"

"Friends don't just leave. Family don't not say goodbye. They make the people they're leaving feel like they meant something to our lives."

"Eric…" Calleigh looked at him with pleading eyes. She gently touched her swelling stomach.

"I'm sorry, Cal… But you know how I feel about him… Can we not talk about him again until you and the baby are safe?"There was a knock on the door. Stetler walked into the room. "Am I interrupting something?"

Calleigh shook her head. "We'll talk later. Go save Tripp and I'll see you at home."

"You want me to pick you up for Nat and Berkely?"

"No, Natalia's working."

Eric kissed her quickly before walking. She stared after him before turning to Stetler. "Is it really just because of Ryan leaving?"

"What?"

"His attitude toward Ryan?"

"Calleigh, you know as well as I do that after Speed and Marisol, Eric couldn't take another hit like that… and then Ryan upped and left without a word… I doubt it has anything to do with you and Ryan."

Calleigh shook her head. "You're right." She smiled. "Eric knows I love him."