Here's Chapter 6! :)
CHAPTER 6: Longer Night Than Expected
The two arrived at Brennan's, where the entire team, including Horatio, had a table in the back. They didn't bother going separately, if they were late, they were better off telling the team they had to finish a conjoining case together rather than making the lie even more permeable than it already would be. The team greeted them in a natural CSI fashion.
"Woah look who it is, a half hour late." Walter started in.
"Yeah, finally, where were you guys?" Natalia asked.
"We had to finish up reports on a conjoining case, we worked in the glades, and it was due be the end of the day so…" Calleigh trailed off as they sat down to join their team.
"So, what was the case?" Horatio asked, taunting them knowingly. Eric shot his brother-in-law a glare, hoping he would pull back, but he knew after being caught like that, they would have some hell to pay in some way, shape, or form.
"It was the Livingston case." Calleigh added, thanking her lucky stars she looked into old case files before they left to find one they worked together.
"Ah, the Livingston case. That was a rough one." Horatio backed down, as he quickly found that Calleigh was just a tad smarter than he anticipated in their current situation.
"Damn the Livingston case, I remember that one. It sucked." Ryan added.
"Yeah, but enough work talk, what's going on here? What did we miss on our way in?" Eric asked.
"Well, to start, we have a bit of an issue with your shirt, Eric." Ryan stated giggling to himself. Eric looked at him baffled, "My shirt?" he asked.
"Yeah, Delko, it's on inside out." Walter added. Calleigh looked over at him and giggled at the discovery.
"Eric, didn't you know it's only cute to dress like that when you're a child?" Calleigh teased, covering them both at Eric's expense.
"Haha, you're all a bunch of comedians now, huh?" Eric shot back.
"Only because we love you so much." Ryan retorted.
"Thanks." Eric said sarcastically, as he stood up to fix his shirt. Naturally, the team all wooed and cat-called as he took off the shirt.
"Woah save that for Calleigh's house." Ryan teased. Shock was written all over Calleigh's face, as Eric quickly recovered for them.
"Haha very funny Wolfe. You should get your facts straight before you spit em' next time." Eric stated.
"Yeah, yeah deny it all you want but we all know. We all have a running bet that we need to settle, my man." Walter shot back, defending Ryan.
"Eric, should we tell them?" Calleigh teased. Eric caught on quickly, and played along. He put his arm around Calleigh and started speaking.
"Yes, you should all know that Calleigh and I were secretly married, years ago, and we have 3 kids hiding away at home." Eric joked.
They all laughed at the joke, the team secretly hoping that they would admit to being together. However, their wish came to a dead end, and Eric and Calleigh quickly changed the subject. As the night went on, Eric stayed holding Calleigh, and everyone noticed but the two of them. The night continued smoothly until the team became impatient and wanted answers.
Calleigh was the first to let loose, she almost forgot where she was but even in her drunken stupor she remembered to keep their love private. They laughed, they joked, and the team tried their best to get them to slip, but to no prevail, Calleigh and Eric held tight. Although, Horatio had one more trick up his sleeve.
Horatio noticed that anytime someone asked questions about their relationship, Eric always covered. It seemed that Calleigh had only the alibi thought out, not the entire night. So, Horatio thought it was time to talk to Calleigh. Especially since he was forced to listen to their little bathroom rendezvous while he made sure no one entered the lab.
"Calleigh, you said you were working the Livingston case before you got here. Is that right?" He inquired.
"Yeah, that case was a doozy." She slurred.
"What was the husband's name, again? I keep forgetting and it's driving me crazy." He asked.
"Um…" she paused. She couldn't remember and since she was a bit buzzed at the moment her brain wasn't exactly working in her favor. "I don't remember. I wasn't looking for his name." she said.
"That's funny, because there was no husband. I specifically remember there being a mother and two children, but no father. No boyfriend, nothing. And if you actually did write up the report you would remember that. Wouldn't you?" He interrogated. Calleigh didn't know what to say, only to ignore it and move on.
The team caught on, and waited patiently, until the night ended. The night ended and their little investigation came to no prevail, and they gave up, figuring there'd be another way to get them eventually. They told Horatio that they were gonna do some 'extra-curricular CSI work', as they put it.
Horatio's hummer made its way to Calleigh's house where he dropped them off. They both went in, as if it were natural, and Horatio followed. Eric was, at that point, sober enough to thank Horatio and take care of a very drunk Calleigh.
"Take care of her, Eric." Horatio said, with a knowing smile on his face.
"I will, H." Eric replied, as he looked over at Calleigh laying on the couch. By the time he looked back, Horatio had disappeared. He looked back over at Calleigh, and just laughed. She looked so happy and carefree, like a child.
"Okay, come on babe, let's get you washed up and in bed, okay?" He asked.
"Okay, but I think you'd better leave the washing to me." She joked, perfectly sober sounding.
"Wait what? You're not drunk?" He asked bewildered at her acting skills.
"No, I just didn't need any more of Horatio's interrogations." She added with a wink.
"Look at you, you, sneaky girl, how'd you pull that off?" He questioned.
"Oh please, Eric, you know I lived with my dad for 18 years, right? You know his track record, I've seen it all. It's not hard to mimic." She stated, with a smug grin on her face.
"Well Calleigh, I've known you for over 10 years and you still manage to throw me curve balls."
"What kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn't leave a little mystery, huh?" She said in her sweetest southern drawl as she walked into her bedroom to get changed.
I hope you liked it! Thank you for your support! As always, the next one's on its way :)