Okay kiddies I agree that I should be killed. Yes once again I have been neglecting my story and I promise that from this day forward I will post a chapter every day to two days. So I promised to show Eric's reaction to the news coming from his brother in law, the ever-inspiring Horatio Caine. (P.S. I decided to throw in a little M scene. Adios)

Eric felt the darkness that surrounded him. He wanted to escape this dark prison that surrounded his mind. He wanted to find a door or something that could get him out but the darkness was never-ending. This is death, this is hell for all the things he did wrong, Marisol, Calleigh, his unborn child, this must be punishment for all he did wrong, for failing to be a real man that could protect his family. Eric started to feel he wanted to allow the dark abyss to take him, to let him go, to end the pain that clutched his heart. He was about to take that leap when he heard a voice calling him. It was feminine and it sounded familiar but he could place it. It did have a southern twang, so it wasn't Calleigh's, it didn't have a American accent, so it wasn't Alexx's, it didn't sound like Valera or Natalia either, it didn't have a Columbian accent, so that ruled out Yelina. Who was it?

"Eric! Wake up Eric! ERIC DELKO, IF YOU DON'T WAKE UP THIS MOMENT, I'LL TELL MAMA!" What? He knew that voice. It couldn't be. He must be dead. "No you're not dead, you're just being difficult. Get up now!"

"Mari?"

"Who else could it be, Eric? Yes it's me. Come on baby bro you need to get up. There are those that need you right now. You need to wake up baby."

"But Mari, you're dead." Eric told the beautiful woman that materialized in his sight to present his lost sister. "How could this be? Who could possibly need me?"

"Sometimes I wonder how you graduated with top honors. This is not really I, it's just your subconscious conjuring me up to help you work through the problems you're trying to hide from. The reason I was the on chosen to talk to because I was the one that you usually went to talk to when you couldn't talk to Calleigh or Speed. You have to understand something Eric, you are in a coma, and there is a chance you're not going to wake up unless you fight the darkness that you have allowed to consume you thus far. There are those that need you. Think of those you'll be letting go if you let death take you. Please Eric wake up." Eric shook his head, unwilling to believe that this was happening. There was no way that this was happening. He must be dead or something or he's probably suffering a hangover.

"Delko you idiot, open your eyes. Thanks for waiting until I died to make a move on Calleigh; I don't even get a chance to spoil your kid. I can't believe that Calleigh was the one to start this thing, but then again you have always been a little slow when it came to approaching girls you could actually have a relationship with. I'm not surprised at all, however I am surprised that you're giving up, not even listening to your sister is making a change in you. I'm ashamed to say this, but you're a coward if you even won't face your late best friend."

"SHUT UP SPEED!! You know nothing! NOTHING! You're the one that got yourself killed by not cleaning your gun. By being a lazy fool, one scare wasn't enough for you, you had to wait until it actually killed you to realize that you should've just sat your ass down and clean your gun. Really would it have been so hard to do that. And now you're going to come and tell me I'm a coward and that I'm afraid to fight to live. Don't try and act all high and mighty now Speed. You lost that right that moment you let your life slip through your fingers. You hurt me Speed, and you come and say I won't face you. That's bullshit. You would've spoiled our kid if you stuck around, or if our child had survived. Actually now that I think about it, you're right. I am a coward because I couldn't protect my child or Calleigh. I wouldn't be surprised if Calleigh never wanted to see me again because I am a weakling. Leave me alone Speed, I don't have the desire to continue."

"BUT YOU MUST!!!" Speed and Marisol screamed together.

"Listen Eric, I know that it was my fault that I didn't clean the gun and I am sorry you're going to have to live with that for the rest of your life, but look at this situation Eric. You promised that you would never hurt Calleigh, don't you think giving up and letting go of life would hurt her. You promised to love her, god dammit you were going to propose. Stop being an ass and live life, the way it is supposed to be lived, with Calleigh. You cannot wallow in this misery; you cannot hide from life! Calleigh has seen you as her closest friend, her one constant, and her rock. Losing you would destroy her. Yes Calleigh is strong, yes she'll probably keep going, but it won't be Cal, she'll only be a shell of what she once was. There will be no one who could save her. She will be a void of emotion and will live a life of pain and misery, who knows what will happen to her years down the road. Be reasonable and for once, stop being selfish about your pain, you both were hurt, not it's time to heal together."

"There is no way you're Timothy Speedle. Speed never talked that much in week span."

"You know what Delko can it!!" The old friends shared a smile and a laugh that seemed to have happened in a world that had long past. Eric looked to his sister and knew it was her turn to give pep talking to her stubborn little brother.

"Sure, laugh it up with Speed but give me the hard time. I am your older sister. Gosh to think I used to claim that you were the favorite of my siblings when you're just as big a pain in the ass. You have to learn to let go Eric, to let the past be past, to move on and accept what the present has laid out for you. You and Calleigh have the chance to make something beautiful, and of course there are going to be moments and things that make the pain to great to see the other side. But I know you little brother and you have been in love with Calleigh since that beginning. All the girls that you used to try and get her out of your mind because you thought you weren't good enough for her. How wrong you are. I knew from the first moment that I met her that she would be the perfect one for my little brother, the one that would break his playboy ways and make him the family man we knew he was to grow to be. I hoped that you two would've have gotten together sooner, but I wasn't surprised to see my dimwitted brother not take a chance that was basically open to him from the beginning."

"I know you feel like you failed with me Eric, but if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have fought the cancer as long as I had. I wouldn't have met Horatio and married him. I wouldn't have left my apartment thinking that life was worth fighting for. I wouldn't have lived and loved as I did if I hadn't had you. You are my life Eric. You made me see the good of things and the beauty is this ugly world. You showed strength and hope as a good man, a good friend, and the most amazing little brother a sister could ask for. Your sense of humor, your caring personality and your love for life make people love and want to be around you and I think Calleigh finally found what it is to trust and to love whole-heartedly. I know it seems life is unfair know that you seem to be meeting tragedy after tragedy. But I remember what you once said to me, "You have to keep living Mari, because even when life gets tough you have to keep fighting for it because there is so much more beauty than ugly, you only have to be willing to find it and keep it for yourself. Listen to your words Eric. Horatio is waiting for you to wake up. And if you can remember this, give him my love."

Eric ran to his sister and hugged her, knowing that he won't see her again for a long time. He held her like he wanted to when he saw her body in the hospital room. He understood what they were trying to explain to him now. He had a life to live and fulfill and he couldn't give up now, not now. He walked away only glancing back to the two people he wished could have still been around. Speed, his best friend, the one who stood by his side no matter what was going on and Mari, his older sister, the reason he fought to see the beauty in life, the reason he wanted to live life to the fullest. He looked away and continued on his path back to the real world.

Eric blinked as the bright fluorescent lights of the hospital coupled with the bright light of the sun blinded him. He scrunched his eyes closed but immediately opened them again when he felt another presence in the room. He hoped it would've have been Calleigh but was not completely disappointed to see that it was Horatio and not some random nurse. He looked to his brother in law and saw that he looked as if he hasn't slept in days. He contemplated whether indicating to Horatio or not that he was awake or just allow the man to believe he was still asleep, but that choice was taken away when Horatio turned to face him. "Eric." He said wearily and softly. "Good to have you back. How are you feeling?" Eric could only nod. His throat was parched. Horatio seemed to understand and he got him a glass with water in it. Eric drank slowly and nodded his thanks when he was done so Horatio could out the glass back down.

"Thanks H. What's going on? Where's Calleigh?" Horatio nodded, understanding what the questions really meant. 'What's be happening while I was asleep? Is Calleigh okay? Why isn't she here?' Horatio sighed. The exhaustion that has been taxing him before has felt extremely heavy on his shoulders.

"You remember lashing out earlier right?" Eric only nodded. "Well apparently that did some damage to the wound that doctors couldn't repair completely in surgery. That led to a loss of blood and oxygen to the brain triggering the damage that was caused by the shard of bullet still in your head. You slipped back into a coma and have been in one for the past 4 days. As for Calleigh, she was by your side, but Alexx finally convinced her to go home and get some rest. Eric, Calleigh isn't looking too much like herself. She seems broken, lost. Then when Alexx told her about what happened to the baby, she lost it. They had to sedate her. I'm sorry."

Eric didn't need Horatio to tell him anymore. He understood perfectly what was going on. Calleigh was reacting out of guilt. She believed it was her fault that they were in this situation. That she failed at protecting their child and now she was blaming herself. He couldn't stop the lone tear that traveled down his cheek. "I'm going to kill Peter Elliott."

Horatio understood his anger and nodded in agreement. "Don't worry Eric, Peter will get what's coming to him. That, I promise you." Horatio walked from the room and left the hospital. Eric sighed and looked around the room, wishing Calleigh was there. As if she heard his thoughts she walked through the door of the room. She smiled grimly at him and sat down in the uncomfortable chair they left for visitors in the room. She sat down still unwilling to look at him and sighed. Eric wanted to say something but nothing seemed appropriate in the situation that they were in. She looked so small, broken and lost all in one. What could he possibly say to change that?

"Cal, baby, look at me please." She wanted to ignore the command but his voice was too much to resist. She looked up, immediately wishing that she hadn't because all she saw was the love he had for her. She didn't deserve it; it only made her feel worst because he still loved her even after she failed him. If it wasn't for her messed up past with all the crazy men she dated they would be planning the names for their child, maybe she would be engaged to him. She wanted to cry. She looked away, wanting to escape the room, his love smothering her, making it hard for her to breathe. She loved him, but she couldn't do this, she couldn't be with him anymore. Not when every time she looked at him she only felt guilt about what happened.

"Eric, please don't. I only came here to make sure that you were okay and to tell you that I was right. This can't work Eric." Eric was praying she didn't mean what she telling him. Inside he knew that Calleigh was letting this go. She was unwilling to continue this. He couldn't no he wouldn't let go the most beautiful thing that has happened to him.

"Cal, don't do this. Don't let this go." But she only shook her head, unwilling to listen to his pleas. "Why? Why then?"

"Because this Eric, has the potential to destroy us both if we continue to pursue this. I told you this was too dangerous to continue. If something goes wrong I don't think either of us could survive it. I can barely look at you without feeling the guilt of losing our child. I can't do this Eric, I am not as strong as you think I am." Then before Eric could argue back Calleigh fled from his room in tears leaving Eric broken hearted and alone.

It was a couple of weeks before Eric was allowed to come back to work. Calleigh had steadily been avoiding him. Every time he tried to talk to her, she would come up with some random reason why she couldn't stay and talk. Eric was getting frustrated; he was so frustrated he went to the one person that could help him understand. "Alexx?"

"Yes baby?" She smiled at him as she walked away from the body that she was working on. She walked to him slowly and placed a hand on his arm. Eric saw the concern boiling over in her eyes as he realized what she must have been seeing. The dark rings around his eyes, the emptiness in her eyes, the slump in his shoulders and the crushed clothes that he was wearing. "Are you alright?" He tried smiling weakly but he knew that it was not to convince her. If there was anyone that knew Eric well, it was Alexx, she was like another mother to him. "Eric baby, what's wrong?" He decided to tell her.

He blew out a frustrated breath and started, "I just don't get it Alexx, she won't even talk to me, and she won't spend five minutes in the same room with even if there are other people in the room. Doesn't she understand that it is harder being apart than it is together; I love her and there is nothing that I can do to change that."

"Oh baby, I am so sorry that this happened. You have to understand; Calleigh is one that is willing to carry the blame, all the blame of something that went wrong around her. She feels it is her curse to have a messed up life, to not enjoy and feel happiness. She feels as of she doesn't deserve happiness or love. I'm so sorry baby, but you have to wait for Calleigh to decide whether or not she wants to stay with you. I know she loves you, she's told me so, but until she learns that all that has happened is not her fault she will continue blaming herself. Just be patient, ok sweetie." Eric could only nod. He missed the concerned look that came into Alexx's eyes as he left the morgue. The day continued the same way for him, pushing him to the point where he thought he would snap. He worked until 6 deciding that there was nothing he could really do here. As he walked out he passed the break room, seeing Ryan and Natalia holding each other. He smiled as he thought about when Ryan first asked him if it was ok for him to take out Natalia, he was jealous, but he later learned that jealousy was more brotherly concern than a man and woman jealousy. He nodded his head and continued out. His breath caught when he saw here there, the wind blowing her hair wildly around her face, and she was leaning against his car. He must have been dreaming, there was no way Calleigh would be standing against his car waiting for him. She left like two hours ago.

He walked slowly toward her, fearing what was going to happen. Maybe she had a box of all his things to give back to him, never wanting him to stay at her place again, maybe she was going back to New Orleans, or maybe Louisiana. He couldn't bear the thought of Calleigh going back to either place. He drew his breath when he finally reached her. (a/n: OMFG, This chapter is over 3000 words, you guys better be happy!!! Especially you calleighsthebest!! The things I do for you kiddies. Jk jk.) She refused to look at him so he waited. "I'm sorry." He barely caught it when she whispered it. It was so quiet he wasn't sure he heard it. He turned to look at her to find her wide, bright green eyes staring at him. He could see the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. He immediately pulled her into his embrace, ignoring her flinch. He held her tightly, not willing to let her go anytime soon. He felt his shirt get wet as her tears soaked through his shirt. When her sobs quieted down he pulled away looking at her, looking for a sign that she had come back to him. She wiped her face, silently cursing herself for showing weakness. She looked to him and pulled on all the anger she had left for strength and shook herself out of his hold. Before he could say anything she held up her hand and glared at him; silencing him immediately. She nodded over her shoulder to the box behind her and once again said, "I'm sorry." Eric felt his heart plummet again. It was like she was toying with him and he wasn't sure how much more he could take. He only nodded watching her silhouette, as she walked away from him again.

He picked up the box and threw it carelessly into the back of his car. He climbed into the driver's seat contemplating what to do. He finally let out a frustrated breath and drove to his house. He sat on the couch looking at a picture in one hand and mojito in the other. In the picture was he with Calleigh. They were at amusement park; he had his arms wrapped around her waist and her head was turned to look back at him with a huge smile on her face. They were so happy. In the same frame was another picture of them on the beach kissing as the waves hit their bare feet. He remembered that day…

He couldn't believe it. He was going to be a father. He was so excited he didn't know what to do with himself. He had been grinning like an idiot for the rest of the day and he knew people were starting to wonder if he lost his mind. It got so bad that Calleigh had to pull him into her ballistics lab and talk to him. "Eric, sweetie, I know you're excited but you need to stop smiling. People are beginning to talk."

"So let them talk. They can be bothered, worried, or think I'm crazy, but that's not going to get rid of the smile on my face. I wish you would let me tell people, I feel like I want to go to the highest peak in Miami and scream to the world you're pregnant with our child. I can't believe I'm going to be a dad. I can't believe I'm going to be the father of your baby."

"Our baby, you goofball." Calleigh couldn't stop the wide grin that crossed her face when she saw the childish joy that lighted Eric's eyes. He was so happy. She was glad that he was the man that she was with. She knew he would be the perfect father to their child. "Now, will you try to tone it down a bit please. At least until our shift is over so our child and I don't have to come visit you in a psych ward in the near future."

Eric frowned at the idea of being in a psych ward during his child's upbringing and nodded his head enthusiastically to the idea. He then began to bounce on his feet; he was going to be a daddy; he was going to be a daddy! "ERIC!" The warning tone in her voice calmed Eric down immediately and he gave a sloppy grin in apology to his hyperness. He couldn't help it. He was going to be a daddy. He walked to her and encased her in a kiss that would've led to some serious love making if they weren't in the lab. It was filled with passion, love, seduction, gratitude, and Eric's enthusiasm for their child. He pulled away leaving the both of them breathless. They were about to lean in for another kiss when someone cleared their throat behind Eric's back. They both turned to see Alexx with a raised eyebrow staring at them. Eric grinned and kissed Calleigh again, ignoring the "oh no he didn't look" on Alexx's face. He pulled away winking at Calleigh and pretty much bounced out the lab, only stopping to pick Alexx up and spin her around in a hug.

Calleigh covered her face in embarrassment, her face looking more and more like a tomato with each passing second. "Oh God, Alexx, I'm so sorry. He's so excited to be a father, the child inside him has decided to come out to play." Her southern accent coming out strong. "I swear it seems like that I'll be having two kids instead of one." Alexx laughed loudly at the young woman's predicament.

"Oh Calleigh, you knew this was going to happen. Eric Delko not happy about being the father to your baby. Please honey. You just made that man the happiest person on the planet. He's probably out there dancing like a ballerina." Alexx laughed again at the look of horror that crossed Calleigh's face at the idea of Eric dancing like a ballerina. (A/n: 4000 words, not possible, not possible, after this chapter I retire, I will leave this story to calleighsthebest to continue, but unfortunately you don't have as evil a mind as I do, we'll see. Jk jk, this is my master piece and I will see it through to the end. Keep tune.) Alexx decided that she should tell Calleigh what she was originally there to tell her. "Calleigh, your father is at the front desk." Alexx sighed at the look of panic that crossed Calleigh's face at the thought of her father being there. Calleigh nodded her thanks and walked out the lab. She walked slowly, each step taking her to the front desk faster than she wants to get there.

"Hi daddy."

"Hey lamb chop. How are you?" Kenwall (What's his first name again?" Duquesne said with his usual charm.

"Good dad. How are you?" Calleigh replied with barely hidden anxiety.

"I'm good. You know, trying to get back, taking light cases and such. So tell me, what's been going on with you? A new boyfriend, a promotion? Anything?"

Calleigh gulped silently and nodded. "Actually daddy. You remember Eric, right?"

She waited for his eyes to light up when he nodded in remembrance. "Oh yes. That young Cuban man that is always looking out for you. I like him, always thought you should've have given him chance with you. I would've felt no qualms handing you off to him of all people if you were getting married. Good man he is, how is he by that way?"

Calleigh felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Her dad liked Eric. "Well daddy, you see, Eric and I are dating." She waited, wondering if this would change her dad's perception of Eric.

"That's great darling. I'm glad to hear you finally found a good man to make you happy."

Calleigh nearly hugged her father right then and there. She instead took a deep breath wishing Eric were there with her to tell her father the news. As if Eric heard her prayer he walked toward the front desk holding her hand, giving her an encouraging smile as if he knew all that had already transpired. "Daddy, you see, well um…" She looked to both Eric and her dad, both encouraging her to continue. "You see, I'm pregnant." There she said. She squeezed her eyes shut waiting for the explosion that will be the reaction to her pregnancy without marriage.

However that's not what she got. "Congratulation lamb chop. I can't believe it; I'm going to be a grandfather. A grandfather, I'm so excited. Thank you Eric, for all of this. I have never seen Calleigh glow like she is now, and I know it's because of you." Calleigh opened her eyes to see Eric encased in an awkward hug with her father. It didn't however get rid of the sloppy grin that still graced Eric's features. Calleigh nearly laughed out when this happened but she kept it to herself. After her father and Eric talked some more her father left, leaving her and Eric alone in front of the desk. Before she could say anything he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the office.

"Eric, where are we going?" She was laughing as he gave her a mischievous look. He pulled her into the car and pushed her into the passenger seat. She couldn't stop laughing; he was so excited. He literally jumped into the driver's seat and drove out of the parking lot. She wanted to ask again where they were going but she knew better than that. He pulled into the beach parking lot and threw Calleigh over his shoulder as he carried her to the shore. He spun around with her kissing her. Finally he could not deny the playfulness in him and ran into the waves with Calleigh in his arms. She shrieked in protest but soon got into the spirit of things with Eric. They laughed and splashed each other happily. Finally Eric and Calleigh returned to the car to head home. Before they reached the car Eric ran off and talked to a man before he returned with a child-like glint in his eyes. "What was that about?" He only kissed her in answer to her question. She shook her head and climbed into the car. He drove them back to her place. He followed her upstairs and went into the bedroom, stripping his clothes and climbing into the bed naked. He looked to the bathroom door and his breath caught as he saw Calleigh standing there naked. She was beautiful with the slight bump to her stomach indicating her pregnancy.

She smiled to him sweetly as she climbed into the bed and snuggled into his embrace. He kissed her head softly then tilted her head up so he could kiss her deeply. He then kissed her neck with soft butterfly kisses. Calleigh arched toward him giving him more to kiss and moaned in agreement to where this was heading. He kissed down her chest. Making sure he gave good praise to her beautiful breast, since he knew sooner rather later he was going to have share them he knew he should get as much as them as possible. They were sensitive now so even the slightest touches got Calleigh excited. She was purring now which made Eric harder than he already was. He kissed around her nipples, ignoring them at the time, but before long Calleigh's begging broke him and he sucked on them as if they were fountains of water he had been searching for to quench his thirst.

Calleigh was writhing and clawing at his head in response to his ministrations. He moaned as she clawed her way down his back. He carried on with his work as his hands explored the more apparent curves on her body. There wasn't a spot that his hands did not touch on her. Calleigh thought she was going to explode from all the sensations he was bringing from her body. (5000 words, this is starting to get ridiculous.) He kissed his way down the rest of her body, breathing in the scent of her sex. He reached out tentatively with his tongue and lapped at her greedily. Calleigh clutched at the sheets, her head shaking side to side at he brought her pleasure to her point where she couldn't think. Finally Calleigh exploded. Eric licked at her until she pushed his head away, the pleasure seeming to drive her to madness. "You okay?" He whispered to her softly as he wiped the sweat from her forehead. She never looked more beautiful, her eyes clouded with lust and passion, her cheeks red from the exertion. He waited until she nodded weakly before he entered her with two of his fingers.

He moaned when he felt her clutch his fingers inside of her. He pumped her softly and slowly at first until she grabbed his hand speeding up his actions. He entered her with a third finger and began to use his thumb to rub her clit until she was writhing again and exploded all over his hand. She closed her eyes, breathing slowly and deeply. "Calleigh look at me." She turned to him and moaned loudly as she watched him lick his fingers clean of her essence. She kissed him hard when he was done and pushed him on his back as she climbed on top of him, immediately encasing him in her tight sheath. She originally had planned on torturing Eric but she knew he was probably near the point of explosion. She had no idea how right she was, Eric nearly exploded as soon as he entered her. If it weren't for years of experience things would've ended to soon. He reined his control and watched as Calleigh began to ride him. He slowly slid his hands up her body, pass her slightly round stomach, her ribs, and onto her breast, twisting and pinching her nipples. She moaned and rested her hand on his hips and she began to bump and grind harder. Finally Eric knew he was going to explode soon, wanting Calleigh to cum with him he took his hand and brought it back to her clit. Calleigh began moaning louder and louder until she exploded, her muscles clenching around him making him explode inside her. Calleigh collapsed onto his chest breathing heavily. The remained in that position for a while before they separated; facing each other.

Calleigh remained in Eric's arms as the snuggled together. Eric kissed her forehead and said softly, "Thank you Calleigh."

"For what, babe?"

"For giving us an opportunity, for giving us chance to love each other. For giving the most precious gift of all, our child. Calleigh I love you, the both of you," He reached down and rubbed her stomach, "And I promised to love the both of for the rest of god given life and beyond."

"I love you too, we both do."

Eric shook his head from the memory, unable to take the pain of those good memories, Eric went to his room and changed into a dark burgundy shirt and a pair of dark jeans and got into his car driving to the club. Immediately he felt a change with the change of atmosphere. He needed this, an escape from the world. He was just heading to the bar to get a drink when a flash of blonde caught his eyes. 'No, it couldn't be.' He looked for the flash of blonde hair again hoping what he saw wasn't right. His heart froze when he saw the face of the blonde woman that caught his eye from before. "Calleigh." Eric felt a rage came over him as he watched another man rub his hands all over Calleigh's body. He pushed his way through the crowd until he reached Calleigh; he grabbed her and spun her around feeling small satisfaction at the surprise that covered her face.

Well there you go kids, consider this chapter a gift for taking so long. I hope you guys like it and enjoy it, also the next chapter will probably be just as long but from Calleigh's view from the time Eric's in the coma to the party scene and more. I will also tell what happened after the club. Tell me what you think calleighsthebest!!