Calleigh stepped off the elevator to the lab and took a deep breath before surveying the lobby. The usual hustle and bustle of scurrying lab techs returned a sense of normalcy for her. She always knew she had, but it had really hit her how hard she had missed this place for sure. While she was able to stop by with Michael Rayaz yesterday during the shift change, she still felt emotional seeing everyone mulling about. The chemical smell of a pristine environment, the glass that felt intrusive now. It had been a long two months completely isolated from everyone and she hoped she could keep her emotions in check. Out of the corner of her eye she makes out O'Shay coming her way.
"Calleigh" he says with a show of hand and the two of them walk towards her lab. She makes sure to smile and wave at techs and officers alike as the pair spoke.
"What can I do you for O'Shay?" he smiles at her but it doesn't reach his eyes, he waits until they enter the ballistics lab.
"Just reminding you the Chief wants your company for lunch. And to make sure that you settle in fine." his plastic smile is off putting, he was trying way too hard. It seems her recent change of stature really has him on edge.
"Rayaz brought me here last night to make sure I would have a smooth transition back. No need for this. Do you want me to let him and Abuela know how serious you're taking this new assignment?" she couldn't help but tease the man. It's been a while since anyone has had a leg up on him. Especially after the answering machine debacle, he must be walking on a thin edge.
He glares at her before going back to professional "I didn't know that. You're enjoying this way too much, I'm glad one of us is, I'd rather be anywhere but where I am right now, trust me. But my offer still stands either way. We're on the same team now, no need for the animosity."
"Thanks, I'll take that into consideration." he smiles and leaves without so much a look back. As he turns to leave, Calleigh feels back at home. The lab stayed the same externally at least, and she entered her gun vault with a heavy breath. Each gun had it's own place upon the wall and in their drawers. The same gun smell, metallic and with a hint of spice. The equipment was all in the same place thankfully. Hopefully her temp had been regaled with tales of her wrath if things didn't stay how she left them. Her sanctuary remained just that and she's internally grateful.
Fingering a glock, she preps for a couple of rounds in the alley for stress relief. It feels good to finally be back in her element. She can't control what happens to her anymore but at least she still had her lab. No one could tell her what to do or how to do something, this was her domain. It's been way too long since she's last held a gun. It's understandable they didn't trust her around any but it's not like she's brash enough to make any rash decisions.
With every pull of the trigger, she felt a lot of stress leave her. Each shot let out the true frustration she felt at the situation she found herself in. Each time the bullet hit the target(perfectly so she must add) the anger she repressed was released.
It's strange really, how in just a moment her entire world could be shattered and changed. But if it keeps everyone safe, she doesn't mind at all. Maybe it's her time to walk on the dark side afterall. It's not like she has a choice but to do so. With the Chief and O'Shay watching even harder, there isn't much wiggle room. I might have to keep a secret diary. Esteban doesn't bother my clothes, I could hide it in a shoe box. Locations, names and times. It should be easier to hand Horatio a notebook than to just explain what I've witnessed. It'll be better to have evidence to back it up.
"Settling back in" comes a deep rumbling voice and Calleigh feels her tears well. They might not be anywhere near as close as they were before but the emotions well anyway. This time away from Horatio made her realize just how far away they've drifted from one another. Before she'd have no issue going to him about anything. Situation aside, she probably wouldn't go to him about a paper cut let alone dropping this bomb on him.
I've got to be smart about this. "I really am. It's been too long since I've played around. They wouldn't let me play with the evidence. I was only there to consult." she says with a pout. She hopes that Horatio won't question her too much. It's been a while since they've had a one on one.
He smiles at her softly. "They've been treating you terribly it seems. Shame on them." he jokes and she chuckles alongside him.
"You've come to welcome me back? I'm flattered, really."
"I- I came by but O'Shay seemed to have gotten to you first. She rolls her eyes at this. Of course he wants to know about this. And here I was dumb enough to think he was worried about me.
"Yea, he came to ask if I've been stolen by the big wigs. I love this lab too much to leave it" she gives Horatio a determined look because she meant it. No matter what happens, she's siding with the lab.
"Glad to hear that. We've missed you here, your absence was surely missed by everyone. It seems the big wigs of other sorts are more than interested in you. Especially since the Taunter case closed, O'Shay and the Chief have been walking around here and making it known how the investigation was botched. How do you feel about it? We haven't had the time to speak about it." it seems to her he was fishing for information while keeping a friendly demeanor. Turning to him, she couldn't hide the curiosity.
Sighing she makes sure to convey the discomfort she has been feeling since getting in the car with Papi. "Well, Galliver's DNA and confession are enough for the public. But those working behind the scenes know better. Esteban is definitely involved but until we can get the evidence, I think we'd end up going in circles. Public reception means a lot to the higher ups unfortunately. It sounds like they're projecting their stress and anger onto you. Has anything happened while I was gone? Eight weeks is quite a long time"
"How did you manage to get back so early? Not that I'm complaining of course."
"The evidence I needed to overlook was overlooked. They gave me a projected timeline and I, being me of course, surpassed that. No reason to keep me around." Horatio nods at her, pleased for the moment it seems. Before she could get another word in, Eric walks in right behind Horatio. "Cal! It's been way too long." he doesn't let her get a word in before he embraces her in a hug. She squeezes back, tight. She had missed his smell, the way his arms felt wrapped around her. She felt safe, for the first time in two months.
"Ugh, I missed you too babe. I've been cooped up for way too long." They separate and Eric can see right through her. His eyebrows furrow and he tilts her chin up to look at him.
"We can catch up later, drinks?" she nods her head before the two get to work. Out of the corner of her eye she sees Horatio excuse himself silently. Grateful for his departure.
"It must've been fun though, to show up the FBI? They must've been clueless, no? Eric asks with a hint of a smile. She smiles back brightly "Of course they were. Shame on them really. It was good for relations to see them humbly accept my help. Though a few have made their feelings known. I couldn't be bothered though, I walk my talk, unlike them. We got more evidence to prosecute the bad guys."
He looks down at her, pride shining bright in his eyes. "You aren't thinking of leaving us are you?" Eric asks suddenly, his eyebrow raised.
She throws her head back and laughs "Never Eric, I couldn't imagine. Though the pay raise was tempting." he laughs along with her before they get into the case at hand.
Later that day, Calleigh is sat in the office with Rayaz, he gave an update to Horatio about a case she missed being away. Something about an officer smuggling drugs. It was that moment that question came to her.
"Michael, were you guys aware of Stetler's… shenanigans?" he looks to her for a second before nodding his head solemnly.
"Well, we knew about his smuggling of drugs, money and cars. He operated a small operation as you found out. But he never got in our way and any bigger scores were kept away from his greedy little hands. We didn't think he'd be capable of murder though it is something we should have expected."
She takes in his admittance, wondering what else he knows. "Horatio brought up you guys putting pressure on him. Do you guys know about…" she hesitates to speak up about Horatio's actions out in the field. Michael smiles slowly and a chuckle could be heard.
"His transgressions? Si Bebe, we know about him. It's been very hard keeping his doings under wraps. Hopefully he calms down. With the Taunter investigation, it has made some aware that the Lieutenant is taking the law in his own hands.
Calleigh looked at him for a second before shaking her head. She goes back to her lunch as he goes back to business. She's grateful for the small break and not having to pretend, but unfortunately lunch only lasted an hour.
It wasn't until later in the day that she was able to let loose. And that was when she was sat at a table with the team getting drinks. On her(actually Esteban) of course, because she's been gone so long and "they pay big bucks to have a consultant" reasoned Ryan. It was great to see everyone together like this. Ryan and Walter were engaged in a battle of wits over whether or not Horatio had a tracking device in his glasses. Though she was sure he did. Natalia and Sam seemed to have gotten over their animosity towards one another and were chatting about where the other went to get their nails done. She really had missed them. By the end of the night, she was fighting the urge to stick to them like glue to avoid going back to the Navarros.
She and Eric made their way to the parking lot, hands brushing up against one another as they walked, simply enjoying the presence of one another. It's been a while since she's felt this safe, but did feel guilt creeping back in every time they made eye contact. "What's going on Querida? You seem distant?" she turned to him sad again.
"Well O'Shay, the Chief and Horatio asked if I got any offers. And I did. I just- I…" she couldn't even finish her sentence without choking up. Eric's eyebrows furrowed in worry as he stopped by his car, he leaned in close and blocked everyone else out.
"You're thinking about taking it?" his deep brown eyes shone bright in worry. She shrugged her shoulders and blinked a few tears away. "Where is it?" he prompts her.
Turning her body fully towards him in return, she could only let her fears shine as much without alerting him of their true meaning. "It's in Plantation, or I could go to the West Palm Beach location" he breathes out relieved.
"So you'd still be close at least. You should if you feel stuck. It's not like H will retire any time soon" he assuages what he assumes was her fear. "I'm still close" he steps into her personal space and Calleigh couldn't deny the spark she felt. It was then that he palmed her cheek and rubbed his thumb on her cheekbone. As much as she wanted to, she couldn't pull away.
"I-I'm not leaving but I considered it." she breathes out in a whisper. He doesn't look upset or disappointed, in fact he kept leaning closer. She could feel the air growing thicker.
"We all have, hell I even left myself. Do what you need to, I'll always be here for you." it was when she felt his breath blow across her face that she got her wits about her. Jerking back as if he were hot, she shook her head clear.
"I'm sorry, I told you about…" his hands fall at her admittance.
"Yea, I'm sorry. You did. Are you considering the career change because of him?" he adds dejectedly. She could only give a sheepish look back. He nods and takes his keys out his pockets. "I haven't given up on us yet Cal. Don't forget." he winks at her ass she herself pulls out her keys. Smiling back softly, she waves him goodbye and heads home.
What neither of them saw was O'Shay spying in the corner of the parking lot, having watched the entire scene unfold. His Cheshire grin calculating as he pulls his phone out to make a call.
"Esteban hey, it's me. Yeah, you're not going to like what I just saw."...
Back at Esteban's townhouse, Calleigh lays down alone. She wasn't sure where Esteban was and he hadn't said anything about staying late. Either way, she was happy for this space so she could let out some emotion. She had almost kissed Eric, she wanted to do it. But there was already too much on her shoulders. Turning into the pillows, Calleigh lets the tears and sobs flow. It was relieving to do so without having someone hovering over her. She could feel the stress leave her body but a migraine started to form. Staggering out of bed, she heads to the bathroom for an Advil. She looked weary. Bags heavy under her eyes which were a dull green. Her cheeks and chest were flushed and the tears had even wet her nightgown.
Choosing to ignore her looks, she shuffles back into bed before heading into a restless night.
She wasn't sure what time it was when he returned, but she felt the bed dip. "Bunny?" came her hoarse voice. He soothingly rubbed her back before laying down and covering her body with his. "I love you Leigh" came his voice distorted by her alcohol riddled mind. "MM you too" she mumbles back before turning into his neck and finally finding sleep.
She was so engrossed in chasing her dreams, she didn't catch his "Do you?".