We would like to thank ALL our loyal readers for your support while we have been away. In the next few weeks, you will see our stories being reposted here for all of you to read along with several NEW stories we've written while we've been away.

We appreciate all the kind messages we've received for our readers...we didn't realize how many of you were reading our stories, lol. It has brought HUGE smiles to us and we hope you'll continue to stick with us as we re-post some old favorites and hopefully new favorites. Thanks again!

CaineSpeedle & Speedfanatic05

Now for the good stuff!

**WARNING: STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT AND LANGUAGE! You Are Warned**

"The most natural, and, consequently, the truest and most intense of the human affections are those which arise in the heart as if by electric sympathy."

From "The Spectacles" by Edgar Allan Poe

Getting out of her car and walking up the darkened walkway, Calleigh rolled her head on her neck. After spending the last five hours at the ER with Tim and Emma, Calleigh was finally able to take them home and then head home herself. Glancing back to the Hummer that sat in her drive, she readied her key to open the door.

The sound of the door opening caused Calleigh to look up suddenly, the inside lights silhouetting around Horatio. Giving him a small smile, she tilted her head, "Hey, Handsome."

Arching his brow, Horatio nodded and made way for her to enter, closing the door behind her. Watching her walk into the living room, he kept himself calm, the undeniable desire to question her relentlessly, eating at him. He'd been home for hours, and had waited for her patiently. There was a plethora of feelings percolating underneath his surface ranging from concern to anger to finally settling on disappointment in the fact that she hadn't called.

When she settled into a seat, Horatio remained standing, crossing his arms, "Hello to you. I trust everything's okay?"

Releasing a long breath, Calleigh sat back in the corner of the couch, her arms resting on the arm and her hand pushing her hair back some, "Yeah. I uh...I'm sorry I wasn't here when you got home. Something came up and I needed to take care of it."

"Something came up?" Uncrossing his arms, Horatio walked to the couch and stood, keeping his eyes on her. She wasn't at odds with anything, her expression was serene and she actually smiled lightly, something that incensed him even more, "You couldn't call me, Calleigh? Let me know if you were okay? Where have you been?"

Sighing, she got up, going to the kitchen and glanced back, seeing him follow her, "I was at the ER with Tim." Going to the refrigerator, she opened it, "Emma went into a asthma attack while I was there and he hadn't gone to get her inhaler refills yet. I offered to drive them being he needed to care for her."

Horatio blistered and his voice raised as he followed her into the kitchen, "And you couldn't call to let me know this? How long had you been with him? Did you spend all day with him?" Standing against the wall, he narrowed his gaze, "You were done with your appointment hours ago, Calleigh."

Pulling out a pitcher of tea, Calleigh glanced at him and then went for a glass, "I'm sorry if I forgot to call, Horatio. But I figured you'd be busy with that scene you were on. Besides, I only stopped by there after I went to the bookstore."

"How long ago, Cal?" His tone became deadly and he glared at her, the anger seeping out, "Why didn't you call to let me know you were going over there?"

Placing the glass down hard on the counter, Calleigh turned her head, glaring, "Since when do I have to check in with you, Horatio? And why are you so concerned with how long I was there? Do you not trust me?"

"I trust you to let me know what's going on with you, Calleigh. You spent time with him, a lot of time, Calleigh. Shouldn't I be concerned?"

Crinkling her brow and turning to him fully, Calleigh's temper began to flare, "Excuse me? Almost ninety percent of the time was at the hospital, Horatio. The other ten percent I was talking to him and Emma when she woke up."

"And still, you didn't think to give me a call? Why, Calleigh?"

"Since when do I have to check in with you and tell you everything I'm doing and every place I'm going?" Calleigh replied back, her voice rising.

"Since the moment you laid down and opened your legs," Horatio responded, the anger bubbling over. He could feel himself loosing control and he stormed away. Going into the bedroom, he slammed the door, the walls shaking.

Standing there fuming, Calleigh left the kitchen, going back out to the living room. Pacing, she looked to her purse and went to it, snatching it up. Heading to the door, she flung it opened and then slammed it back close behind her, making sure he heard her leaving. Going to her car and getting in, she started it and then pushed it into gear. Stepping on the gas, the tires squealed as she pulled out and stopped, placing it into drive and taking off down the street and into the night.

Pacing the room, Horatio felt his anger peak, the need to release over taking him. Not thinking, he picked up the lamp and tossed it into the large mirror, spider webbing it. The destruction didn't stop as the fury coursed through him laying ruin to the room. Spent, he sat on the bed, his chest heaving from exertion and looked around. With his anger now dwindling, he was left with an emptiness that was now all consuming and made worse with knowing that she may not come back.

Driving through the city and to the other side of town, Calleigh pulled into the parking lot and looked up at the building. With her anger still present, she got out, and headed in, punching the button for the elevator. Running a hand through her hair, she clenched her jaw as his words rang out in her head. Getting on as the doors opened, she paced back and forth in the small compartment as she waited for the door to reopen on the floor she wanted.

The ding of the elevator caused Calleigh to pause in her movement and then stalk out through the open doors. Making her way down the hallway, she came to the door and began to knock on it loudly.

Coming out of Emma's room, Tim arched his brow at the banging on the door and walked to it, hoping that whoever it was, they had a very valid reason for being there. Undoing the locks, Tim snatched the door open, ready to kill but stopping short when he saw her. He could tell that she was upset, her eyes were hardened and glistening and her jaw was clenched, the stress very evident. Stepping aside, Tim asked, "Calleigh…is everything okay?"

Moving past him, Calleigh shook her head before turning back at looking at him, "Mind if I crash on your couch tonight, Tim? I'll be damned if I'm gonna put up with his shit tonight."

Arching his brow, Tim closed the door and followed, chuckling, "First of all, you're going to take the bed, and I'll take the couch, and second…what the hell happened?"

Dropping her purse onto the couch, Calleigh began to pace the living room, "No sooner do I walk in the door and he starts in on me. Wanting to know where I was and all…and I told him. Then…then he wanted to know if I'd been with you all day." Stopping and clenching her jaw, she looked at Tim, "When I asked him when it had become his business where I was and who I was with he proceeded to tell me it was when I laid down and opened my legs."

Stopping in his tracks, Tim's smile faded away and then clenched his fist, his body now starting to shake with fury. Shaking his head, he asked, "Tell me he didn't say that to you, Calleigh."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Calleigh raised a brow, "Oh…he did say it. Right there in my kitchen."

Unable to move, he glared at the floor, willing himself to calm. The way he felt at the moment, it would've been nothing for him to cross the city and beat his former boss and friend into a bloody pulp, but as he looked to Calleigh, he could see that he was needed here more. Taking a deep breath, he came closer to her and opened his arms, enveloping her completely. As she relaxed and wrapped her arms around his waist, he exhaled and whispered, "You want me to beat his ass, Calleigh? You know I'd do it…for you."

Closing her eyes, Calleigh sighed heavily before speaking, "No, I can do that myself…but thanks for the offer." Opening her eyes again, she stared out, asking, "Why doesn't he trust me, Tim? I've never given him a reason not too."

"I don't know, Calleigh. But I know you don't have to worry about anything here. You can stay as long as you need to." Pulling away from her he sighed, "I wished you didn't have to go through this."

Looking up at him, Calleigh shook her head and then looked down, "Why does he have to be so jealous? He knows I'd never cheat on him." Walking away, she rubbed the back of her neck, "Maybe I should go back and tell him to leave and find another place to stay."

Knowing that going back was a bad idea, Tim followed and reached to take her arm, shaking his head, "Maybe you two need to cool it tonight. Let yourselves decompress. You can approach him in the morning."

Thinking about what he said, Calleigh nodded and released a deep breath, "Maybe you're right. I just…I don't understand any of this."

Caressing her face, he then dropped his hand and shook his head, "I know exactly what it is. Jealousy is powerful, potent. It makes people do stupid things. Just let him have the night and then go back over there refreshed. But…you're going to have to really sit down and talk with him, Calleigh. He's gotta know, beyond anything that you're there for him."

Nodding, Calleigh knew he was right, but it was still going to be hard. Looking back up at him, she shrugged, "Do you think I was wrong in not calling him? I mean, he was at a crime scene…and we've barely just started this relationship."

Tim sighed and gave her a faint smile, "I hate to say it, Cal, but yeah, you should've called him. I can understand where he's coming from; you're a gorgeous, gorgeous woman and you're hanging around someone who has the hots for you. Yes…I understand fully, but," he paused as he scratched his head, "I don't think I would've went as far as to talk to you like that."

Going over and sitting down heavily onto his couch, Calleigh leaned forward, holding her head in her hands, "Do you know how much of a slut he made me feel like?"

Taking his seat next to her, he sighed and slipped his arm around her shoulders and brought her close, "I can only imagine, but Calleigh, it was his anger talking. You know as well as I do that he adores the ground that you walk on."

"I'm starting to doubt that," Calleigh whispered and then leaned over to him, her head resting on his shoulders. "I don't want to be a possession."

"You're not to be possessed, Calleigh, and that's something you are going to have to talk to him about. You deserve love." Giving her a slight kiss, he sighed heavily, "Just let the night pass and then talk."

"'Kay…" she replied softly and closed her eyes. Staying within his arms, she sighed, "I'm sorry for ruining your night, Tim."

"Actually, the night has just gotten better." He looked down at her and smiled, "You could never ruin my night."

Looking up at him, she nodded slightly, "Thanks, Tim."

"No problem." Rising to his feet, he pulled her along and rubbed her arms, "It's late, you should get some rest and worry about things later. I'll show you where things are."

Walking with him, Calleigh could only wonder what the following day would bring. Granted, she knew Tim was right and that she should have called Horatio, but, with her independence, she still felt that there were some things he didn't need to know about at that particular moment. She had agreed to wait to talk to Horatio, but, even with that, she still had her doubts about their relationship now.

Attempting to clean the room as much as he could, Horatio had finally calmed to where he could think clearly. All of the emotions and anger had gotten in the way, clouding his judgment, and his words. In the silence of her home, he realized that what he had said had the potential to drive her completely away. Slowly, he looked around the room, remorseful at the sight of the spider webbed mirror and shaking his head, the shame of his actions washing over him. He lost his control and in turn it may have cost him the love of his life.

Glancing at his bags that were still sitting at the door, he sighed heavily at the sight of them, knowing that this was the extent of his life. He never thought he'd be brought down this low, having no place to go and nothing of his varied life to remind him of where he'd been. He felt as if he didn't belong anywhere, save for one place, but he knew that he couldn't live there and because of his blindness actions, he didn't deserve to stay with her.

Sitting on the bed, Horatio took a deep breath and released it, thinking of his next step. Moving with a new found determination, he found a pen and paper in the desk that was situated against the wall and began to write. Once he was finished, he folded the piece of paper and then picked up his bags, heading out of the room. Placing the note where he was sure she would be able to, he slipped his hand in his pocket and retrieved the keys, mindful to take her spare off of his ring and left it near the note. With a brief but sorrow filled glance back, Horatio stepped out of the door, pulling it closed softly. It was such a contrast to the brutality of his previous actions that it struck him heavily at the ramifications of what had transpired. He moved slowly towards the darkened Hummer, unsure of where he would go for the night, but certain that things were never going to be the same again.

Tiptoeing out to the living room, Calleigh stopped short as she saw Tim laying on the couch, his blanket barely covering him. Looking down at the note in her hand, she moved over to him as quietly as she could, placing the note onto the small table and then headed towards the door. With her shoes and purse in hand, she carefully unlocked the door, and slipped out, locking and closing it back behind her. Slipping on her shoes, she then headed for the elevator, her mind set on going home and talking to Horatio.

Driving across town, she went over everything in her head again, even pondering over her feelings for the red head. Years before, they had been close but things had changed. Both had been through so much but had somehow remained close to an extent. She had seen what jealousy could do to a person first hand and did not want to see Horatio contemplate that path.

Making it across town, she pulled up to her house to see his figure walking to the Hummer with bags in hand. Shutting off the car, she got out, her eyes remaining on him. When he closed the door and looked her way, she did the same and walked towards him.

Turning to meet her completely, he kept his eyes on the ground, surprised that she was here. After all that had happened between them, the words that he spat, he didn't think he'd see her again, but now she was making her way towards him, with an expectant expression and he had to now account for his actions.

Once she came to rest in front of him, he lifted his eyes and looked to her, her expression almost ghostly in the moonlight. He could easily see the hurt in her eyes and it broke his heart to have done this to her.

"Calleigh," he started, averting his eyes, "I…I apologize…"

"I think you and I need to sit down and talk, Horatio," Calleigh stated firmly as she looked up at him. Slipping her hands into her pockets, she kept her look firm, not letting any emotions out. "Matter of fact there is a lot we need to talk about."

"I agree," he answered back softly, looking to her. He tilted his head and nodded, watching as she turned and walked towards the house. By her tone, he could tell that she was still seething with anger a complete contrast to the calmness that he now felt. Before she could reach the door, he placed a hand on her arm briefly before letting her go, "There's a note…and your key."

Looking at him, she then turned back, heading to the door. Pulling her keys out again, she unlocked the door, going in and leaving it open behind her for him to follow. Going straight to the living room, she placed her purse down and turned back to him, her arms crossed over her chest. When he entered into the room, she cocked a brow, "Have a seat if you want."

Taking a seat, he looked to her and sighed heavily, shaking his head, "I don't know what came over me, Calleigh."

"Jealousy," she stated simply as she looked over at him from where she was standing. Adverting her eyes, she pursed her lips and then spoke again, "You were jealous that I spent time with another man…a man that is only a friend and has been for years to the both of us."

Listening to her, he nodded and leaned on his thighs, staring at the floor as he answered, "I know how he feels about you, Calleigh. I…I just don't want to lose you."

Crinkling her brow and looking over at him, Calleigh shook her head, "You don't want to loose me? But yet you stood in that kitchen and all but called me a slut, Horatio. I've told you before, I have no feelings for Tim in any romantic fashion…he's only a friend and that's it."

Horatio closed his eyes, the words that he said to her coming back to him fully. Exhaling heavily, he looked to her and spoke, his voice still soft yet holding an edge, "I apologize for the words that I said to you, it was insensitive, inappropriate and not how I truly feel about you, Calleigh. I was angry that you didn't call. How was I supposed to know if you were okay or not? You'd just been through something that was traumatic…" His brow crinkled and he rubbed his neck, "I don't own you, and it was wrong of me to speak as if I did. It's your business who you go to see."

"Horatio, have I given you any reason not to trust me?" Calleigh asked as she turned to him more.

"No, you haven't. I just lost it," he said as he looked to her, "I can't help it, Calleigh. There are so many reasons why I shouldn't be as lucky as I am and Speed's one of them." He gave her a small smile and shrugged, "I wasn't blind back then, Calleigh. I could see that you had something for him."

"But that was years ago…I'm not in love with him, Horatio. I see him only as a friend now. I am in love with you…but I can't be if you keep this jealousy up over a man that I will never be with in that way."

Horatio held her gaze and nodded, "I'll focus on us and not our pasts. But…could you do one thing, Calleigh?" When she arched her brow expectantly, he stood and approached, reaching out to her, "Please…if you're going to be late, call me. Since Larken took you, I've been concerned highly for you. This isn't an attempt to run your life, I just…it would make me feel a bit better if I knew you were okay."

Remembering her previous conversation with Tim, Calleigh nodded, "I…I can do that…and I'm sorry that I didn't. I just figured you'd be busy on that scene and didn't want to disturb you."

"I'm never too busy for you, Calleigh." He sighed and shook his head, "Even if you get my voice mail, I'll call you back. I just want to make sure that you're safe. I can't lose you, not when I just found you." Coming closer to her, he took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, "I don't deserve your forgiveness."

Relaxing her stance, Calleigh looked up at him, and then lowered her eyes, "I should have called…"

"I lost control," he whispered as he looked to the hall, "both with you and after you left." He stood away and caught her curious eyes and shook his head, "As I said, I don't deserve your forgiveness."

Looking towards the hallway, Calleigh tilted her head, "Do uh…do I even want to know?"

"Probably not," Horatio responded ruefully. His brows raised and he sighed heavily, "I'll replace everything that I've destroyed."

Moving slowly from him, Calleigh went down the hallway and to the spare room. Opening the door and turning on the light, she saw the broken mirror and also noticed the lamp missing. Going in further, she looked around, seeing where he had cleaned up, but also the remains of what was left. Running a hand through her hair and pushing it back from her face, she sighed heavily.

Her silence was unnerving and he waited, calling out, "I lost control, Calleigh. I was angry. I apologize and I will fix it, I promise."

Moving back to the door and shutting off the light, she went back out to the living room, finding him in the same spot. Crinkling her brow somewhat, she looked at him and shook her head, "I lost someone due to jealousy, Horatio, years ago. I've seen what it can do…and I don't want to see you on that same path."

"I don't want to walk down that road," he said as he gazed at her, "I just want to love you, Calleigh." Looking away from her, he built up his courage and then reached for her hand, holding it tightly. For what he was going to say to her, he wanted her to know that he was still there. "Calleigh…I think we should take this slower and I should find a place. Maybe if we have some distance between us, I can cope and deal with things better. I want it to be completely right when it's time."

Understanding his point, Calleigh nodded as she looked at their hands. Lifting her sights up to him, she spoke softly, "You have to do what you feel is right, Horatio. I understand what you're saying…and I want the same for us."

"I want this to last, Calleigh." He brought her into his arms and held her close, "This doesn't change anything, I still love you, I still want to be with you, I just think we need to take our time."

Wrapping her arms around his waist, Calleigh laid her head against his chest and whispered, "I love you too, Horatio."

He held her for a moment longer before pulling away, "I'll pay for the destruction, but as for now….I'll go and get a room. It's better this way."

Looking up at him and nodding, Calleigh took in a shaky breath, "Okay." Stepping out of his embrace, Calleigh looked down at the floor as her hands slid into her pockets. The moment seemed awkward, and she looked back up at him, "So you know…my door is always open to you."

"Thank you," he whispered with a small smile. Leaning forward, he captured her lips in a soft kiss, feeling the despair welling between them both. Breaking the kiss gently, he exhaled heavily, keeping his eyes down. When he lifted them, he saw the tears and his brow crinkled, reaching to wipe them away with his thumb, "Don't cry, Calleigh. Things will be alright, we're going to be fine."

Nodding, Calleigh took in a shaky breath and tilted her head slightly as she looked up at him, "Where will you stay?"

"I'll get a room, but I won't be out of place for long, I had homeowner's insurance, I can have a place within months." His fingers touched her face and he sighed heavily, "Hopefully, by that time, I will get myself together."

Leaning into his touch, Calleigh lowered her eyes and whispered, "I don't mind you staying here until then, Horatio."

His voice was barely audible as he shook his head, his brow furrowing even more, "I know you don't, but it's better that I go. Distance is what we need right now, in order to grow." Leaning down, his lips brushed hers and he exhaled as he pulled back, "I love you, Calleigh, and this is the reason why I must do this."

Nodding, Calleigh looked around, "I understand." Looking at up at him, she shrugged, "Can you at least stay and have breakfast with me? You have to be to work in a few hours."

Horatio allowed a small smile and nodded lightly, "I would be honored. Why don't you go and get some rest, this day's been long for you."

Shaking her head, she took his hand in hers, "I can sleep later…it's not like I have to go to work or anything. I can at least fix us something to eat."

"Well then, let me help. I promised to cook you a meal anyway." He tried to keep his voice buoyant, but he could feel that he was failing. Staring at their hands intertwined, he sighed heavily and then smiled faintly, "You can get the coffee started."

"Okay," she replied softly and then began to lead him towards the kitchen. Looking back at him, she gave him a small smile, the heavy burden of earlier seemingly gone from her shoulders.

Picking up the file from her desk, Macy flipped it open and read over the chart quickly and started for the lobby, a smile coming. In the two weeks that she'd been seeing Calleigh, she could see that the young woman was finally starting to embrace therapy and using it to her advantage. There hadn't been a serious crisis, and she was certain that Calleigh was on the right track for healing, but there were still issues she was hesitant to talk about.

Emerging into the lobby, she looked around to see her sitting still, her eyes drawn to the floor as if in deep thought. Macy's smile faded somewhat at the expression on her face and brought the file close to her chest. Approaching her, she pulled her smile back up and tilted her head, "Calleigh, hi. How are you today?"

Coming out of her daze at the sound of the doctor's voice, Calleigh jumped slightly as she looked up, "Oh, Macy…hi."

Gesturing to the door, Macy stepped aside, "You ready to come on back?"

"Yeah…" Calleigh said as she gathered her purse and book and stood up. Following Macy, she smiled faintly as they moved through the door, "Sorry about that. Guess I zoned out there for a moment."

"Oh it's alright," Macy answered as she waved it off. Glancing back at her as they meandered through the office she asked, "Is everything okay today, Calleigh? You seem a bit out of it."

Shaking her head, Calleigh sighed, "I uh, I haven't been sleeping all that well…and someone I'm really close to I rarely get to see now."

Coming to her office door, she pushed it open and allowed her to move first, following and closing the door. She kept a smile as she walked to her desk, putting the file down and then looking to Calleigh as she sat down. "Is there anything you wanted to talk about specifically today?"

Taking a seat and setting her things into the other chair, Calleigh shook her head, "I can't really think of any to be honest."

"I see," Macy answered as she slipped her glasses on. Pushing them up on her nose, she smirked, "Nothing to talk about, that's not something I hear often in my line of business." Leaning forward, she arched a brow, "You realize that you have to show some progress, Calleigh. Since you've been here, you haven't really talked about what's going on with you. It's not healthy to keep things in." Taking a brief look at the file, she asked, "You want to talk about what's keeping you up at night?"

Shrugging, Calleigh crinkled her brow, "Just dreams…about what happened, that's all. I usually go back to sleep a little while later though."

Seeing that she was going to have to pull this out of her, Macy exhaled lightly, "Can you tell me what it is that you dream about? Maybe if we can get to the bottom of them, we can start to eradicate them."

Becoming uncomfortable, Calleigh stood up and began to walk around the office some, her hand's wringing together. Not even with Horatio or Tim had she gone into details of her dreams. Taking in a deep breath, Calleigh licked her lips, "Well, uh…each one's different really. Some…some are about when Christopher blew up my vehicle in the garage…others…others are about what he did to me."

Sensing the hesitation, Macy knew that this was what she needed from her. Watching her move about the office, she nodded, "What did he do to you that made such a profound mark on your life, Calleigh?"

Looking down at her hands, Calleigh took in a deep breath, her brow crinkling as the memories haunted her, "He…he would read to me…and quote Edgar Allan Poe poems and stories. When…when he was stalking me and would send gifts, each card had a quote by Poe. He uh…he was also constantly touching me in some ways or another."

"Did you often wonder why he decided to use Edgar Allan Poe instead of other romantic poets? You do know the connotation behind Mr. Poe's work, right? It's deeply entrenched in the macabre and death. Why would he use that to woo you?"

"He said Poe saw the beauty of both life and death. Not all his work was about death…some…some that he read to be was rather beautiful." Looking over at Macy, Calleigh shook her head, "He was an English professor…he studied Poe."

"How did you feel about him reading to you? Touching you? You had to feel violated," Macy stated as she watched Calleigh intently. It was delicate, the work that she was doing and she had to step carefully.

Dropping her eyes, Calleigh began to move again, "I didn't like it…I tried to think about other things. But I had to play it out like I enjoyed it. I didn't want him hurting anyone."

"How does this translate to your intimate moments now? Do you have hesitation?" Macy asked, as she began to make notations.

Moving to the window and looking out, Calleigh nodded slightly, "The first time…when I got back…it…it was difficult for me. Even now sometimes it bothers me a little." Lulling her head back and closing her eyes, Calleigh sighed, "One thing that Christopher told me was that when him and his wife would read…that let to them being intimate."

"I see, and do you find yourself wanting the same thing?" At Calleigh's expression, she sat back and crossed her arms, relaxing in her seat, "Do you sometimes wish that your lover would read to you?"

"Me? No…never. That's just a little too weird to me personally," Calleigh said as she turned back, looking at Macy. "No, if someone reads to me, I just like to listen and then discuss what was being read."

"Okay," Macy nodded. It was evident that Calleigh was either hiding her fears deeply or that she was coping really well. Chuckling lightly, she nodded, "Well, Calleigh, it seems that you're coping very well. I cannot stress enough, however, how important it is to talk about things that bother us." Glancing to her side, she narrowed her brow, "I see you didn't bring your journal. Are you using it still?"

Looking at the woman, Calleigh nodded, "Yeah. I forgot to grab it before I left. I was trying to get to lunch with my…uh, friend." Seeing Macy's expression, Calleigh sighed and relented, "Fine…boyfriend."

"Why are you so reluctant to share things, Calleigh? This is just to help you," Macy said as she narrowed her sights. Letting the issue go slightly, she continued, "Now, tell me about the missing person in your life. How did that come about?"

Shrugging some, Calleigh walked back over to her chair and sat down, "We had a fight…and he thought it'd be best if he moved out and got his own place," Calleigh replied as she looked down at her hands.

"Moved out," Macy said as she made more notations, "it seems that this relationship is devolving. This type of separation speaks to needing space, distancing themselves from the issue. Are you having problems?"

Keeping her eyes down, Calleigh shook her head minutely, "I didn't call him and he freaked out. I was with another friend at the hospital. His daughter had gotten sick and needed to be taken in, so I drove him and didn't call to let Ho…him know. When he found out I was with my friend, he lost it."

The reaction from Calleigh was immeasurable, and Macy frowned, "He got upset because you didn't call, or was it the fact that you were hanging out with another friend?"

"Both. He was scared something might have happened to me again…and…" she sighed heavily, "our friend…well, he like's me…in a romantic way, but I only see him as a friend and I've stated that I don't know how many times."

"But he perceives this as a threat to your relationship. Why was his first suggestion to move out?" Macy asked, trying to understand.

Looking up, Calleigh shrugged, "He thought we were taking things too fast and we should slow down. We talk everything out…after we both cooled off some, and he all but trashed my quest room."

Macy shook her head and sighed, "It's a good thing that he decided to take himself out of the equation before things got too bad. The reaction that he had was clearly out of hand. How are you adjusting in his absence?"

"Not good. I miss him at night a lot. He was always there when I would have a dream…and I felt safe." Looking at her, Calleigh bite her lip and then shrugged again, "I know he was jealous of our friend being around, but he'd never do anything to hurt me. He's not anything like that."

Macy nodded again and gave her an encouraging smile, "Does he come over a lot? Are you spending quality time with each other?"

Huffing and shaking her head, Calleigh turned some in the chair, bringing her right leg up under her, "Uh, no. I'm lucky to see him twice a week now. His job demands long hours from him…so he usually goes to the hotel being it's late when he gets off most nights."

"And how does not seeing him make you feel?" Macy centered her attention on Calleigh and waited, already seeing the vestiges of sadness erupting.

"Alone…and unhappy…" Calleigh said softly, keeping her eyes down from her. "I usta see him everyday at work…now with me home, I can't even do that."

Macy sighed and then sat back, glancing at the clock and then making a notation. She could see as well as hear the despair in Calleigh and knew that it was important to keep her positive. Taking off her glasses, she narrowed her brow, "Calleigh, in order for you to piece back your life, you have to be willing to acknowledge that there are issues that you need to start talking about. I want to send you back to work, but I don't want to do that if there is a possibility of you having difficulties in coping. I want you to be completely prepared for taking back your life. You understand this, right?"

Nodding slightly, Calleigh looked up at Macy and released a breath, "I understand fully."

"Good. Remember, anything that you say here with me will not be repeated, so feel free to do what you need to do, say what you need to say to get it out. The more you talk about it, the more you'll be able to cope with it." Macy smiled and then rubbed her eyes, exhaling lightly, "I know how hard it is to trust once something like this happens, but it's imperative that you begin to open those doors."

Biting the inside of her lip, Calleigh looked down, "I…it's hard…I don't know where to start."

"It's going to be hard, but that's what I'm here for. I'll guide you through it, Calleigh. And as for where to start, how about I let you think about it for our next session, okay?"

"Okay," Calleigh replied as she looked back up at her. "When do you want us to meet again?"

"Is Thursday good for you?" Macy asked as she looked to her. Her smile brightened as she stood, watching as Calleigh stood along with her. Walking around her desk, she came to the young woman and walked with her to the door, "There's something I want you to do, Calleigh. Talk to your boyfriend, let him know how you feel. It's important that you begin to express how you feel to others."

"If I see him…" Calleigh replied as she looked at the other woman. Turning to her more as they reached the door, Calleigh sighed, "I'll try though."

"That's all that you can do, Calleigh. Just try," Macy answered, opening the door. Standing next to it, she nodded, "Things are going to work out, Calleigh. You just have to have a bit of faith."

Nodding, Calleigh held her things close to her chest and gave Macy a small smile, "See you Thursday." Leaving out, Calleigh took in a long deep breath, releasing it slowly and deciding she'd make a stop on the way back home.