AN: I wish I could just wrap this story up but I know I wouldn't feel right about it. Early update as I'll be out of town for this coming up weekend… Hope you Enjoy.

BECAUSE OF YOU

Chapter 18

Ryan and Natalia process all the evidence with the help of the night crew. Most of the evidence belonged to Calleigh and Sandra Mitchell the last victim. Which meant the other two murders took place in the other states.

Placing the last bit of evidence in the box Ryan looked up to Natalia. He was worried about her. She'd been shook up ever since watching the video. Not to say she was much better before then. He had to be honest with himself he wasn't much better. What if he was in Eric's shoes, how would he handle it? He put the evidence in the box and walked over to her. He encircled her waist with his arm and placed his chin on her shoulder.

"I love you." He spoke softly placing a kiss on her neck. He felt her shake as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I love you too."

"I don't know what I would have done if that had been you?"

"I'm just worried Ryan."

"She'll be okay Nat, she has us 'her family' to help her."

"I know I just, I can't imagine how she's dealing after what she went through. I would have lost my mind if I thought you were dead and that I was the cause of it."

"Eric will help her with that. I promise you once the drug is out of her system she'll be quick to return to the Calleigh we all love." She nodded. He was right. Everyone would need time and maybe even therapy.

Finishing up with the remainder of the evidence they stored it and left for the hospital.

"How is she?" Natalia asked Horatio. He stepped away from the window looking into Calleigh's room.

"The drug's still in her system. So she's woken up screaming several times. Its taken as long as an hour to reassure her Eric is alive and well and that the one standing in front of her wasn't a figment of her imagination."

"Can we see her?"

"She'd like that." He watched as his two CSI's walked into the room carefully and quietly. He was blessed with a great team, they worked well together and cared for each other.

At hearing the door both Eric and Calleigh turned their attention to it. "Hey girl how are you feeling?" Natalia asked voice light and happy.

"Tired." She answered truthfully. Lying wouldn't do much in this case, the bags and dark circles under her eyes screamed tired.

"We're just happy you're okay Cal." Ryan stood next to Natalia on the other side of the bed. At his comment Eric squeezed her hand letting her know he was just as glad.

"I'm glad to be back." She yawned and her eyes began to droop. "We're gonna let you get some sleep. We'll be back to visit okay?" At her nod they both placed a kiss on her forehead and walked out.

"Get some rest sweetheart I'll be here when you wake up." Eric adjusted the blanket around her. He was thankful the fever from the infection had gone down. The drug was still in her system but there was little of it left. The doctors were amazed at the progress she was already making. Things looked promising.

"Eric." She was hesitant. Her eyes barely open.

"Will you lay down with me? I want to feel you next to me." She felt weak for asking but knew that she would sleep better with him by her side.

"I don't want to hurt you Cal." He wanted nothing more then to lay beside her and hold her and never let her go.

"You wont. Please." That sealed the deal. He had never been able to say no when she'd used that pleading tone. She scooted over, she hurt but she wasn't about to let him know. She lay on her left side facing him. Eric took his shoes off and slowly and carefully slid in next to her. She moved her head to lay it on his chest. She could hear his heart beat. Perfect.

Eric wrapped his right arm around her and took her right arm in his left placing it near his heart. He felt her relax and her breathing evened.

Outside the room stood their teammates, all with smiles gracing their faces. This was definitely progress, a sure sign that everything would be okay.

AN: I lied I may be able to do one more chapter this week before flying out. Hopefully we'll have Calleigh discharged in the next chapter. I hate hospitals.