So glad readers seem to be enjoying this story. A twist is coming in this chapter. Hope you like it! I love this story
Chapter 10:
Calleigh had just walked out into the kitchen, desperately needing that coffee this morning. They had slept late last night and even after she had been exhausted after doing it for the last two hours, Jake her persisted wanting more. She wasn't really complaining even if she had tried to stop it from happening again, but this morning she was soar and low battery having only slept a few hours and today, it was a working day and Calleigh just hoped the day would be good to her and not end up in some case where she needs to run after the criminals with bullets flying everywhere, because she wasn't sure she would be up for it today.
Her eyes caught sight of Jake in the balcony pacing from one side to the other as he talked on the phone. He looked like he was arguing with someone, and Calleigh couldn't help observe what was going on as she sipped her coffee. She had a gut feeling about this that something was off, and she just hoped she was wrong, but she knew she is usually right. She had noticed him lately getting phone calls, where he was always walking out of the room, usually going into the balcony to talk or if they are out while on a case, he was excusing himself and walking away far enough that she wouldn't be able to hear what he was saying. She was starting to have a bad feeling and Calleigh really wasn't in the mood for this shit this morning. Checking the time on her watch, she realized she needed to leave or she was going to be late. Drinking the remainder of her coffee, she grabbed her bag, phone and keys, walked over to the balcony, knocked on the glass and signaled to Jake that she was leaving and with that she was out of the house.
Their eyes had connected for a few seconds and Jake knew that Calleigh was starting to understand that something was up. These phone calls were starting to come more frequent and he wasn't sure how silent he could continue to be. He was starting to wait for the questions to hit him. She was bound to start asking who was calling him. There were times when he managed to talk without having her around but there were other times when she even caught him not taking the call. Jake knows Calleigh enough to know that she was starting to suspect he was up to something but the truth was that he was confused and unsure of what to do in this situation. They were finally back together. She had chosen to be with him but Jake knew that if he fucks up, that would be the end of them. That was why last night, he kept wanting more like he was afraid she wasn't going to be in his arms much longer...
'Oh come on Cal...I mean I know I'm good but...' as he started pressing himself against her back, his hand resting on her hip before it started sliding down to her front, seeking her core.
'Jake it's almost two in the morning. I have to wake up early' she tried to tell him, when he opened her legs and pushed two fingers inside of her. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, and his mouth was suddenly on one of her breasts 'You...weren't exactly...gentle...I'm a bit...soar' she tried to tell him but instead of stopping, Jake shifted so that he was now on his stomach and resting between her legs.
'I can kiss that all better' he told her as he started to suck and flick her bead in an already quick pace. She hadn't lasted long. She had been too sensitive and tired to keep fighting it, so as the next orgasm had hit her, she had let it take over her body, in hope it would satisfy Jake and he would let her be...but no...he had climbed on top of her and pushed himself inside of her and pumped into her until he came again and then it had sort of finally been enough for him...not really but he knew she couldn't do it again, and they did need to work in the morning.
He had hoped he would wake up early enough to have some quiet time with her before they had to start their day, but the phone kept buzzing and when he had seen the number, Jake had to drag himself out of bed and take the damn call. It had taken longer than he hoped and apparently Calleigh had woken up, had a quick shower and darted out of the house before he could so much as say good morning. Groaning, he ran a hand down his face and went to have a quick shower so he could get ready for work.
OooOOOooo
Calleigh was in the breakroom, sitting down with another mug of coffee in front of her, thinking about last night. Thinking about how Jake kept insisting, how he wouldn't take no for an answer, like it hadn't been enough. It had been kind of odd the way he had behaved and it wasn't like he had taken the time to cherish her body or pamper her. Nooo...he had insisted on making her come again and again without so much as easing her body into it. It had started rough, and it wasn't that she minded that or that she minded him initiating things, but there had been something off last night, something she just couldn't pin point exactly what it is...and then the call this morning, something was definitely going on with him and Calleigh wasn't sure she liked it.
He was no longer and ATF agent and now working in Homicide, but that doesn't really mean anything. She knew that deep down, Jake would always be an ATF agent, and she was starting to suspect that maybe he was getting calls for a new assignment, maybe they were trying to persuade him to go back in. After the Crypt Kings case, he had to lay low for a while so he started working in Homicide, but she knew that if something else came up, he wouldn't hesitate to go back undercover, because that is who he was deep down. She wasn't sure she was enough for him to stay in Homicide and not go back to working as an undercover agent. If he does...then it would be over between the two of them. She just couldn't do it...and she won't. She will not be with someone who she couldn't see and be with everyday and just wonder whether he is still alive or not, plus she didn't want to be with someone who wouldn't choose her. For Calleigh it was like he was choosing work over her and Calleigh needed and wanted to be with someone who would always choose her in the end. She needed to know that she was important and mattered enough to that person.
That was when the door opened and Eric walked inside and Calleigh couldn't help but smile at him. She wouldn't wait for Jake...not when she could be with Eric instead, she thought.
'Hey good morning' Eric told her 'Are you okay?' he asked her looking at her with that look that told her he already knew something was up.
'Hey...yeah...just tired' she admitted and she just hoped he wouldn't elaborate on why she was tired because there was no way she was going to tell him because she and Jake had a late night. She couldn't be that cruel to him.
'Oh yeah?' he asked her, looking at her. He knew. Damn it he knew...but didn't say anything 'You need another one?' he asked her as he watched the empty mug in front of her.
'Actually I do' she replied so Eric grabbed the empty mug and refilled it and then poured one for himself.
'Thanks' she told him as he placed the fresh mug of coffee in front of her. She let the scent of fresh coffee assault her senses as she placed her hands around the warm mug.
'You wanna...talk about it?' he asked her and Calleigh opened her eyes. She hadn't even realized she had closed them.
'Talk about what?' she asked him surprised.
'What's bothering you' he told her giving her that look before he took a sip from his own mug.
'Oh...it's nothing' she replied. She wasn't sure he was the best person to talk about this issue and besides, she wasn't sure it was what she was thinking. It was just a hunch at the moment.
Eric looked at her 'Okay...well if you need to talk...' he told her. She looked tired this morning, the kind that not even two mugs of coffee could wake her up and Eric was a bit worried about her, because she wasn't the type to look this tired. She was usually upbeat and sunny and full of bright smiles, but this morning, that bright light seemed to be dimmed and Eric didn't like that.
'Thanks Eric' she replied softly 'How emm...how have you been?' she asked him 'Have the episodes stopped?' she asked and Eric knew to what she was referring.
'Yeah...I haven't had them in a while. I guess the medication has helped and well, there was nothing else messing with me I guess' Eric told her.
'Well I'm glad that you're better' she told him smiling at him.
'Cal, are you sure you don't want to talk? You look and sound sad' he pointed out. Even her smile was off today, like she had no energy to smile.
'I'm fine Eric...but thank you. Don't worry about me' she told him as she drank her coffee, got up and pushed the chair back with the back of her knees and walked away to wash the mug and leave it to air dry. She could see him looking at her, could feel his eyes on her, and she could see the worry in those brown eyes 'I will be in firearms if you need me' she told him before she walked over to him, kissed his cheek and then stopped to look at him 'Don't worry' she told him placing her hand on his shoulder and with that she walked out of the room. The thing was that the more she insisted that he shouldn't worry, the more he worried about her.
OooOOOooo
They had gotten the call. Another murder. A nanny this time inside the house she was helping the parents raise two kids. She was found dead by the youngest daughter. Poor girl, what a trauma to deal with and to make things worse it was her favourite nanny. The nanny she had replaced her mother with in a family picture she had drawn. He own mother had become the suspect, jealousy being the motive but then it was even suspected that she killed the nanny because she thought something was going on with the husband, but it turned out it wasn't her and nothing was happening with the husband. They were once again at the Lambert's villa, in search of the weapon that had killed Vanessa and Calleigh and Eric where searching Jonah's bedroom since he didn't like Vanessa and it had been her fault that his favourite nanny, Craig had been fired after she had told his father that Craig was gay and his father had thought that Craig had something to do with it so he had gotten him fired.
Eric was crouched looking under the bed while Calleigh was looking into the wardrobe 'Can you believe...two nannies?' she asked him.
'Did you have a nanny when you were young?' he asked her.
'Huh I wish...it would have been nice to have a voice of reason in that house' she muttered.
'Sorry' he apologized. He knew her childhood was a bit tough and she didn't like talking about it or about anything related to her family.
'Can you imagine having kids with the amount of hours we work?' she asked him at one point.
'Yeah' he replied dreamily.
'Really?' she asked him surprised. She knew he always wanted a family but between wanting and actually having it was something else.
'Sure' he told her 'Well that is when the woman I want will be ready for it' he told her looking at her and Calleigh stopped moving at those words. They came hitting her unexpectedly and make her whole body react to his words, as she bit her lip and smiled without looking at him. He knew that his words had made an impact and that was all he wanted at this point. He knew she knew he was talking about her 'Why you don't want kids?' he asked her.
She started going through the stuff in the wardrobe again 'I do' she admitted 'But you know that topic is a very complex one for me. It kind of scares me a bit. I'm scared I won't be a good mum or that my career would interfere...it's complicated I guess' she finally said.
'Calleigh...you'll be an amazing mum' he assured her.
And that's when she finally turned to look at him 'Are you sure? I mean with the background I have' she said.
'That's exactly why I know you will be a good mum Cal, because you will not repeat their mistakes' he replied.
She smiled adoringly at him at that 'Thanks Eric' she replied and he smiled back at her. He knew what she was thanking him for. It was the vote of confidence and belief...the trust that he had in her that he would want to have children with someone who had such a background and have faith in her that would do her best for her children no matter what.
'You're welcome' he replied 'Now...we better check this out. It's Jonah's scuba gear' he told her as he opened the luggage and found the knife with the point chipped.
'I say we need to have a word with Jonah' she said with a pointed look.
OooOOOooo
She was finally back home, but today she wasn't exactly relaxed. While they had been out working the case, her mind had stopped thinking about Jake's phone calls, but now that she was back home and had made up her mind to talk to Jake about it, she just couldn't wait for him to get home so she could get this over and done with. She had decided that she needed to know what was going on.
Making her way to the bathroom, she took a quick shower and changed into something more comfortable which was not attractive or her nightwear. Something told her she might need to get out of the house later. If it was what she was thinking, there was a big chance that things could go south. She didn't have long to find out as Jake opened the door just as she had finished pouring wine into her glass.
'Hey you started drinking without me?' he asked her.
'You wanna tell me what's going on Jake?' she asked him.
'Not even hello Jake, how was your day?' he asked sarcastically.
'Cut the crap Jake. What are all the phone calls about?' she asked him point blank.
He didn't say anything but instead he walked over to the kitchen, opened the fridge and took out a bottle of beer, opened it and drank it at one go, which earned him a look that if eyes could kill, he would be dead right now.
'It's an ATF agent...they're calling me to work a case' he informed her.
'I thought so' she muttered 'And...what did you tell them? She asked him not sure if she was ready to hear the answer.
'At first I said no but this morning I told them I'd think about it' he replied.
'And what are you going to do?' she asked, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
'I don't know yet' Jake told her honestly.
She nodded, her face serious 'But you want to go' she told him, knowing full well he wanted to go.
'I don't know yet' he replied 'They are insisting though. They said they are working on a case and I'm the best guy to infiltrate' he told her.
'Of course you are' she replied and then she got even dead serious 'Jake...it's either me or ATF...you can't have both' she told him.
'Why?' he asked her.
'What do you mean why? Because I won't...I won't do this. I will not be the one to wait for God knows how long for you to maybe come back or to receive that phone call...I won't do it. If you want to go undercover...fine. Go. But you and I are over' she told him.
And then he nodded, getting pissed that she was giving him an ultimatum 'Of course it will be over...so you can go running to Delko' Jake told her sourly.
'Jake...Eric is not a substitute. If I followed my heart I would not be having this conversation right now' she told him.
'Then why did you choose to be with me?' he asked her, voices starting to raise.
'Because I didn't want to look back and say what if? I wanted to give us a chance, but obviously I was mistaken' she told him.
'This is ridiculous! You're just looking for a way out and I just gave you the perfect excuse' he told her.
'Jake I don't need an excuse. If I didn't want to be with you I would have just told you but I wanted to see if this could work' she told him signaling between them with her hand 'But clearly you want to go back to working undercover...and that is fine. I will not stop you. I'm just telling you now that I won't be waiting for you...that's it' she told him.
He ran his hand through his hair not saying anything and well Calleigh didn't have anything to say either at this point.
'Now I think it's better you leave and think about what you want' she told him and with that she walked out onto the back porch and sat on the steps facing the ocean. She didn't bother looking back to check what he was doing. She had hardly sat down when she heard the door slamming shut behind him.
Getting back up, she drank the rest of the wine she had in her glass, grabbed her phone and keys and walked out to what had become her favorite spot to go and think.
OooOOOooo
She was sitting in her usual spot where she had come here first with Eric, with her knees pulled up to her chest. Somehow being here, she felt close to him but she couldn't exactly go to him not for something that included Jake. She just needed some comfort and a place where she felt close to him and somehow that made things a little bit better plus watching the waves roll to shore and the sound of the ocean always helped her to clear her mind and think.
She was lost in thought thinking about what Jake just told her. Here they go again! The thing is that she isn't even surprised! She was almost expecting it but she thought that maybe for once he would choose her and not the job. She knew...deep down she knew but like this at least it wasn't her fault. She couldn't say that she didn't try. She broke Eric's heart to try and work this out. She wondered what he would think when he finds out about this because she knows that Jake is going to choose his job again, so she was just preparing herself for when he breaks the news to her...if he does at all...or maybe he'll just disappear and then she ends up arresting him once again, just like it happened this time.
She sighed heavily feeling...empty and lonely on this massive beach. She just wished Eric would show up and she can sit here between his legs and let him envelope her with his warmth. She wished she could call him so she would at least hear his voice or text him at least they would be chatting...but it wasn't fair on him. She had made her choice so now she had to live with it...at least for the time being.
She was about to enter the gallery on her phone to stare at the photo they had taken here, when a text came in...it was Eric. But how does he always seem to know when she needs him? Even this morning, he had noticed and saw past her tiredness that it wasn't just the fact that she seemed tired, but something was upsetting her.
She opened the text and smiled 'Still thinking about this morning...are you okay?' he asked her.
So she started texting him back 'I was just thinking about you...I'm at the beach, at our usual spot' she told him.
'Do you need a friend?' he asked her. It didn't take him long to reply at all, like he was still with the phone in his hand waiting for her to reply to his message.
She stared at the message for what felt like forever until she replied 'I do'.
'I'm on my way' he replied, and Calleigh couldn't help the sigh that escaped her, the relief that he was coming to her.
She smiled at his response. He was always so ready to be there for her, but why was she that stupid to choose to be with Jake instead of just listen to her heart and be with him? She could be happy right now, in the arms of a man who adores her, who always has, instead she is about to have her heart broken...again.
It didn't take long for Eric to arrive at the beach. He saw her all alone in their usual spot, hugging her knees. He knew this morning something was off with her. She looked too tired and apart from that, she looked like something was bothering her, like something had happened...probably something that had to do with Jake. He tried to stay away, to mind his own business but he couldn't. He had to at least check on her, so after debating for quite a while, he decided to just text her. He needed to know if he could help her. It wasn't always easy and there was a time when he had to pull away for a while but lately, they had seemed to be falling into the old rhythm again, and Eric knew that he was like a moth to the flame...he could only stay away for so long. At the end, he always returned to her, it didn't matter what the issue was about. If she needed him, he was going to be there for her.
'Hey' he said as he approached her, a smile on his face.
'Hey' she replied as she looked up and smiled at him.
'Do you want me to sit down next to you or the usual?' he asked her.
'Usual...please' she said smiling at him almost blushing and Eric smiled at her. He sat down behind her, her now sitting between his legs, his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her to him. She placed her hands on his arms, the back of her head against his chest and then sighed as she felt the side of his face rest against hers.
'Why didn't you let me know that you needed me?' he asked her.
'Because this is not fair to you' she told him.
'Calleigh...I told you I will always be here for you and I meant it. It doesn't matter if it's because of Jake' he told her and she closed her eyes 'What happened?' he asked her, careful how to place his words, because his first instinct was to ask her, what he had done this time.
'An ATF agent called him...they need him back for a case' she started telling him but Eric didn't say anything. He just waited for her to continue because obviously there was more to the story 'He said he isn't sure if he is going to accept or not...but I know he is. He loves that job too much...it always comes first' she told him. What she meant was, it always comes first before her, but Eric knew that, understood that, she didn't need to say the words, because saying them make it harder 'I told him that if he goes back, it's over between us' she told him and she felt Eric take in a deep breath.
'Are you sure that is what you want Cal?' he asked her, and she turned to look at him.
'Yes' she replied 'I will not wait for him. It is either me or his job' she told him.
'And what did he say to that?' he asked her. He was sure tempers flared.
'He accused me that I am giving him this ultimatum because of you' she replied.
'Are you?' he asked her after a quiet moment. His arms were resting on his bended knees, his eyes looking straight into hers. He needed to know. She could have been offended but she knew why he was asking. He needed to know that he wasn't just a rebound, because if she and Jake call the whole thing off, then it was obvious that it was going to be a matter of time until they become an item.
'No' she replied immediately 'I told him you are not a substitute...and you're not Eric. I told him clearly that if I followed my heart, I would have chosen you, but I needed to be sure that I tried everything when it comes to me and Jake. I didn't want to keep wondering what if' she explained.
'So now?' he asked her after he had thought about what she said. It felt good to hear her say that he is not a substitute and he knew that even if she had chosen to be with Jake, but he knew that her heart was not in it...not fully. He could see it in the way she looked at him every single time, their eyes would lock on each other.
'Now...I asked him to leave and think about what he wants to do, so I guess...I just have to wait' she told him, shifting back to her previous position of resting her back against his chest.
'Is that why you were upset this morning?' Eric asked her.
'Yes...I wasn't sure this morning. I was only suspecting because he was getting phone calls and he would excuse himself and be secretive about them, so when he came over tonight, I just confronted him' Calleigh replied.
'So now you just wait?' he asked her.
'I guess so. I don't think I will have to wait for long though. They seem to need him pretty urgent' she said 'Anyway...enough about him. I just want to enjoy this view here with you' she told him and Eric tightened his hold on her instinctively.
OooOOOooo
The next day she didn't hear from him. Nothing...and didn't even see him at work, and Calleigh was already beginning to wonder if he had just picked up and left without saying a word. She and Eric were walking back to the elevator as they needed to go and pull out the box of an old case that had resurfaced, when the elevator opened and there was Jake with a woman that was clearly being arrested, her hands in cuffs and Calleigh couldn't have had a bigger shock than she did. She stopped and Eric stopped next to her, watching it all unfold in front of his own eyes. The look of shock and horror on her face, a flash of anger and hurt passed across her face.
'What the...?' she started asking as Jake and the woman approached her 'What the hell is going on?' she asked Jake directly, not even looking at the woman, which Eric thought she knew. The look on her face was not just from seeing Jake, definitely not. He knew that she hadn't heard from him, but her reaction went beyond that.
'She was caught doing vulgar actions on the beach' Jake explained.
'What kind?' she asked and Eric could see that her face was starting to change colour and not in a good way.
'She was having sex on the beach Cal...and she was giving quite a display' he informed her. It was obvious Jake knew who the woman was, and Eric thought he had seen her face somewhere but he couldn't remember where exactly, so he just stood there, ready to be of support for Calleigh which she was obviously going to need from the looks of it.
Calleigh turned her attention on the woman who was still standing quietly next to Jake. It was only then that Eric took note of what she was wearing. She was only wearing a bright red bikini with just a light see through skirt around her.
'I'm sorr...' the woman started saying but as soon as she so much as tried to open her mouth, Calleigh slapped her across her face, making both Eric and Jake open their mouths in silent shock as they looked at each other without saying a word.
'You disgust me' Calleigh told her furious and with that she walked past her and into the elevator, Eric following her.
They entered the elevator and Calleigh pressed the level button but didn't say anything, while Eric just stood next to her, not looking at her and not saying anything...just waiting. He knew she was not going to say anything while they were in the elevator where they could get interrupted. No if she talked, they needed to be alone. They exited the elevator and headed to the evidence room, got the box they needed and signed for it and walked out to one of the available rooms so they could place all the items on the large desk in front of them. He was opening the box, and taking evidence out, bit his eyes were on her and she could feel them. She knew he was just concerned and waiting for her. She was trying not to think about it, but then her hands started shaking bottling up all the anger and the words up, and Eric was next to her, directing her to a chair as he helped her sit down and he grabbed another chair and sat in front of her.
'Calleigh talk to me' Eric told her, as he took her hands in his and squeezed them a bit for her in comfort 'Who is she?' I know I've seen her face somewhere, I just can't place it' he told her.
She looked at him, her green eyes blank like they were turning cold and he knew that was not a good sign. He could feel the walls climbing up to protect herself 'She's my mother' she told him and he almost gasped. Instead, he squeezed her hands in his.
'I'm sorry Cal' he told her.
'How can she embarrass me like that?' she asked him 'I know she always thought of herself, could never care less about her own daughter...but this...this is extreme...she has crossed a different line and I don't know what is worse, from what I am most embarrassed' she told him 'I don't know if I'm more embarrassed with what she is accused of or the fact that Jake arrested her and you witnessed it all' she told him 'That is not to mention the rumours that are going to spread like a wild fire in here' she told him as she pulled her hands out of his and buried her face in her hands. She honestly wanted to cry but she was so angry, that even if she wanted to cry, she was not going to be able to.
'Calleigh listen to me...when it comes to me, my only concern is only you, nothing else matters. It is not going to make me think less of you and I am sure it will not matter to Jake either' he told her.
'I am so embarrassed' she admitted to him 'I wish she wasn't my mother' she said and Eric thought that was just so sad. It broke his heart to hear her say that 'And you know what the best part is? She was here in Miami and didn't even bother to look me up, to let me know she was here' she told him. Eric was just speechless. He really didn't know what to say to her at this point. All he could offer was his support and comfort 'Come on let's just...work this case' she told him as she got up from the chair she was in, when Eric got up at the same time, leaving no space between them and Calleigh stopped and looked up in his eyes. She sighed feeling more than just sad, and Eric wrapped his arms around her and she let him hold her. She needed his hug right now. She wrapped her arms around his waist and let the side of her face rest against his chest, drawing out as much strength from him as she possibly could. She felt him kiss the top of her head and Calleigh closed her eyes, thanking the heavens that she at least had him in her life, because she honestly didn't know what she would do without him.
'Thank you Eric for being here for me' she told him as she pulled out of his embrace.
'Always' he replied letting his knuckles slide down the side of her face.
She smiled softly at him then 'Come on...let's work the case' she told him. What Calleigh didn't know, was that Jake had come looking for her, and walked in on her and Eric in each other's arms. He knew that nothing was happening and Eric was just being there for her as a friend, but at that moment, he felt hurt and didn't interrupt them. She clearly had a shoulder to lean on, she didn't need him, so instead he just went back from where he came from without saying a word.
OooOOOooo
She was at home after what felt like this day would simply not end. She had taken a shower and put on something comfortable, just a shorts and tank top and poured a glass of wine. God knows she needed it today. She drank it at one go like she was drinking water and then poured another one, when a knock on the door startled her, making her almost knock the glass of wine she had just poured. She didn't even realize she had been thinking. She sighed not really in the mood to talk and went to open the door.
'Jake...what are you doing here?' she asked him. Honestly she was not in the mood to chat with him. She was embarrassed and still pissed off with him about the whole ATF thing.
'Can I come in?' he asked her. He knew she was pissed at him for both the ATF thing and arresting her mother. He couldn't exactly blame her! She stepped aside and let him in, closing the door a little harder than she intended 'I'm sorry about what happened with your mother' he started.
'Whatever' she muttered.
'Calleigh come on...it's not like I knew who I was going to arrest. I had no choice. She was having sex on the beach where there were kids and families. Other parents reported her. I had to arrest her' he tried to explain.
'Why you?' she asked him 'You're on homicide' she told him.
'I was close by' he explained.
'What were you doing at the beach?' she asked him.
'I was out thinking' he admitted 'When I got the call, I just informed them that I was close by and that I could go. It was only after I saw her that I realized she was your mother' he told her.
'And yet you didn't have the decency to call me and let me know/ You had to get her to MDPD in cuffs and I had to find out by coincidence' she told him.
'I was going to call you' he told her.
'You should have called me immediately...not that she deserves it but anyway' she said 'Where is she now?' Calleigh asked him.
'She's out on bail' he informed her.
'Bail? Who posted bail for her?' she asked. She certainly hasn't.
'She called your father to come bail her out' Jake informed her.
'She did what?' Calleigh asked him wide eyed 'Oh my God...Are you serious?' she asked him and Jake nodded 'This is not going to end good. I know that much' she said.
'She didn't call you?' Jake asked her. To him, the relationship between Calleigh and her parents was strange. He couldn't understand how their dynamics worked.
'Clearly not' she muttered 'Anyway...why are you really here?' she asked him. Sure he came to let her know about her mother, but he did mention in passing that he had gone to the beach to think, and there was only one thing that he could be thinking about that much that he needed to step away.
'I'm not sure tonight is the right night to talk about it...but...I don't have much time really' Jake started telling her and she knew exactly what he was about to say, but she let him say it. She wanted to hear him say it. She needed it.
'Go on' she told him, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
'I'm going undercover' he told her and Calleigh didn't even blink. Her face was hard as stone. He knew this was probably going to be her reaction 'And I need to disappear tonight' he told her.
'Great' she replied and Calleigh went to walk past him to go and open the door for him but Jake caught her 'Calleigh wait please' he pleaded.
'Why?' she asked him 'You don't need to try and soften it. I knew you were going to choose going undercover. You always do. It always came before me so why was it going to be any different now? Just go Jake' she told him.
'Can we not leave like this?' he asked her.
'What do you expect Jake? I chose to give us a chance instead of choosing to start something with Eric. I hurt him in the process of this. The only person who has been constant in my life, who is always there for me no matter what, and for what? For you to choose your job before me? I should have known' she said again.
'Calleigh I'm sorry' he apologized.
'What are you apologizing for? This is what you want' she said and then she took a deep long breath and pinched the bridge of her nose 'Look...this is just a bad day okay. Yes obviously I'm pissed off but it's fine. I know what it means to love your job so much. I know you love undercover...I just cannot do this with you...so...' Calleigh told him and Jake nodded.
'I guess I'll emm...just pack the things I have here and I'll be out of your life' he told her as he walked past her this time and went to grab the few things and clothes he had at her apartment. She stood where she was, just waiting for him to get ready and Jake showed up just minutes after he had disappeared into the other room. He stopped in front of her, looked in her eyes and then grabbed her face and kissed her one last time on her lips. She kissed him back briefly and then ended the kiss 'I'm sorry' he told her again as he grabbed his stuff and started making his way out.
'Jake' she called out and he turned to look at her 'Take care of yourself. Don't get killed' she told him and he smiled at her.
'Don't worry about me' he replied and with that he opened the door and walked out of her life for good this time.
She didn't even have time to breakdown or think about what just happened, when her phone started ringing and Eric's name appeared on the screen 'Hey' she said, trying to sound as okay as she possibly could.
'We have a situation' he told her, immediately alarming her.
'What happened? Are you okay?' she asked him urgently.
'I'm fine Cal, it's not me' he told her.
'Then who?' she asked.
'Your father' Eric replied and Calleigh pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes 'What has he done this time?' she asked him.
'He's drunk Cal, in a bar. I can drive him to his house if you just send me the address but I wanted to let you know first. I don't think he can tell me' Eric told her.
'That's just great. This is exactly what I needed tonight' she muttered 'You sure you don't want me to come there for him myself?' she asked Eric.
'No Cal it's fine. You can meet me at his house and I'll drive him there. If I have any issues, I'll call you' he told her.
'Thanks Eric' she told him and with that they hung up and she texted him her father's address.
OooOOOooo
Calleigh and Eric were standing next to her car and she looked utterly exhausted tonight. It had been a long day and Eric knew how sometimes, these kind of days can drain the life out of you, but he rarely saw Calleigh like that. He didn't like seeing her like that. To him, Calleigh was the bright, energetic with the most gorgeous smile ever, but today she had been anything but that. He had managed to get her father out of the bar and into his car and when he arrived at the address Calleigh had texted him, he found her already there, clearly pissed off and to be honest he couldn't exactly blame her. First her mother and now her father.
'I'm so sorry about this' she told him as she helped him take her father out of the car.
'It's fine Cal' he replied looking almost apologetic himself. They helped her father make it to the house, half asleep already, barely acknowledging Calleigh, and once they were inside they helped him out of his clothes so he could sleep comfortable and Calleigh started walking back towards the door 'Are you sure it is okay to leave him?' he asked her concerned.
'He's not a baby' she replied sounding more pissed off then he had anticipated and with that she opened the door and walked out. Eric wasn't exactly sure what to do but in the end he followed her and closed the door behind him.
Calleigh was already out and next to her car, resting against it, her arms against the frame of the car above the driver's window, her head resting against her arms. He sighed, his heart breaking seeing her like this, so he slowly approached her and very carefully, he placed his hands on her upper arm, close to her shoulder.
'Let me take care of you tonight' he told her and Calleigh turned to look at him. She was looking straight in his eyes, and Eric could see how exhausted and defeated she was feeling.
'Take care of me?' she asked.
'Yeah...let me be there for you' he told her as he reached out and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
'Okay' she whispered. God knows she needed him tonight. If there was anyone she wanted to be with, it was Eric. She just wanted to be in his arms, her head against his chest, surrounded by him. She just needed him.
'You wanna go back to your house, my house or the beach?' he asked her.
'Actually tonight...I prefer your house' she told him.
'My house it is then' he told her and she nodded. They got in their cars and agreed to meet over at his place even if they were parked close to each other, so the probability was that they would be driving after each other.
It didn't take very long to arrive at Eric's house, and all the while Calleigh's mind was all over the place. She would have told him to go to the beach but after Jake told her that he had arrested her mother because she had been having sex there, she didn't want to be close to any beach. She didn't have time to process any of the situations that she had to face today. First her mother, then Jake and then her father, although she would bet her life that her mother had something to do with her father's situation. How could she even think of calling her dad to bail her out after the way she treated him all these years? How could she just stand there and tell him in his face that she had been arrested for having sex on the beach? Who does that?
They arrived at Eric's house, and he waited for her to reach him, opened the door and welcomed her in 'Wine or coffee?' he asked her as he hung his keys and removed his shoes.
'Coffee' she replied. She needed something warm and comforting opposed to the cold alcohol.
'Okay' Eric replied as he started the kettle 'Do you mind if I go and change quickly?' he asked her.
'No it's fine Eric, even if you want to take a shower' she told him having noticed that he was still in his work clothes.
He smiled at her and nodded 'Okay I'll be quick' Eric told her.
'It's fine Eric, take as long as you need' she told him.
He hurried into the bathroom and started the water while Calleigh just walked over to the balcony and just sat on one of the chairs he had there, just staring outside, trying to clear her head but at the same time, she couldn't because she needed to think about what happened. She just didn't know from where to start. With everything that has happened with her parents, the Jake situation seemed almost irrelevant. She knew this was going to happen, she knew he was going to choose working undercover instead of being with her. He wanted both really, but Calleigh just couldn't be with him if he wanted to work undercover. She had practically spent her entire life on her own, and now she wanted someone who could be in her life, who wanted to be in her life. How could she choose to stay with Jake when he won't even be around, when she knew that Eric wanted her, and God knows she wants him too...and then it dawned on her. Now she could. She was free to be with him, but she knew she couldn't just jump into a relationship with him for a lot of reasons. For one thing it was not right for Eric, it would be like he was a rebound, which he definitely wasn't. Not to mention that some people knew about her and Jake and it would not look nice, but apart from all of this, she probably needed some time to process all of this herself.
'Hey' she heard Eric say and Calleigh snapped her head in his direction 'Here's your coffee' he told her.
'Thanks' she replied smiling at him 'I didn't hear you coming' she admitted.
'I noticed' he replied with a smile as he sat down on the opposite chair 'Talk to me' he told her.
Calleigh sighed heavily 'I don't even know from where to start Eric. So many things happened today...it's just a lot to process all at once. I don't even know with whom I'm angry the most' she told him 'If my mum, Jake or my dad' she told him.
At the mention of Jake, he remembered what she told him earlier 'Did you and Jake talk after you saw him at work?' Eric asked her.
Calleigh looked at him and shook her head and Eric thought that she didn't 'You don't need to sit here and hear me talk about Jake, Eric' she told him.
'Come on Calleigh...I told you I want to be there for you and that includes talking about Jake. I know you were waiting for him to tell you what he wants to do...did he?' he asked her, and Calleigh realized that he needed to know as well. It wasn't just about helping her and being there for her, but he also needed to know what was going to happen.
She sighed and gave him a sad smile 'It's over between me and Jake' she told him.
'It is?' he asked her not sure how to feel about that 'He's going back undercover' he stated more than a question.
'He is' she confirmed as she briefly looked at him and then back at the coffee, both her hands around the mug.
'How do you feel about that?' he asked her.
'I didn't really have time to process it but...I knew that was going to happen. I knew he was going to choose his job' she told him 'I don't really blame him all that much, I mean if I was with someone who couldn't handle my job, I guess then that person is not good for me' she said and as she said the words, she realized that that was the first time that it crossed her mind in that way 'And this is the first time I'm realizing it' she said out loud, admitting it and Eric smiled softly at her and she smiled back 'I guess I never realized I wasn't good for him' she said and Eric was about to correct that but she realized how it sounded 'What I mean is...we are just not good for each other. He is not what I need. I can't be with someone who is not with me. Maybe another woman can accept that...me...I can't. Not after the hell of a childhood I had. That is not the relationship I want...and it's okay...I understand that now' she said and Eric placed his hand in on top of hers and she smiled at him, squeezing his hand back 'I guess it took talking to you about it after being dumped' she said 'At least I have closure now' she told him and then she looked sad again 'I'm sorry you had to get hurt in the process Eric' she apologized.
Eric shrugged at that 'Sometimes...some things have to happen' he told her.
'Maybe...still I'm very sorry' she repeated.
'Well...you didn't need to apologize but apology accepted' he told her 'I appreciate it' he told her and Calleigh smiled at him.
They picked up their coffees then and started drinking the now warm liquid. She could feel Eric's eyes on her as he watched her, waiting for her to continue. The Jake chapter seems to be closed at this point but she still needed to talk about her parents especially her mother. She had embarrassed her and that does not go well with Calleigh. She had exposed part of Calleigh's life at work and that was something that Calleigh would not be happy about.
'What are you thinking?' he asked her. She had been staring at nothing and Eric knew that she was probably thinking about her parents.
She looked at him then and shrugged 'What else? My so called mother' she told him. She drank the rest of the coffee and then put her mug down 'I think I might need something stronger for this one' she told him.
'How about my arms?' he asked her and Calleigh smiled.
She actually chuckled softly at that 'That wasn't what I had in mind but it's a good idea' she told him 'You wanna go on the couch?' she asked him.
'Sure' he replied. They got up and made their way inside. Eric sat down first and then Calleigh sat down between his legs. She just loved sitting like this with him, as his arms enveloped her. She could feel his chest against her back and his breath on her neck 'Are you comfortable?' he asked her.
'Mmhhmmm' she replied. There was just something about staying like this with him. He stayed quiet holding her, his fingers dancing on her skin, until she felt comfortable talking and when she did, he really didn't know what to say to her.
'She was having sex on the beach' Calleigh told him 'And apparently giving quite a display' she said. He gasped silently, feeling his eyes going wide and Eric was just glad she couldn't see his reaction, although he was pretty sure she felt it 'Can you imagine? She was having sex in public where there were kids and families...but who does these things?' she asked and Calleigh was starting to get angry 'And then to make things worse she called my father to bail her out, so she had to tell him why she was arrested...no wonder he got drunk tonight' she told him 'I was mad at Jake for arresting her at first and didn't call me but when he told me what she was doing...I would have arrested her myself' she told him.
'Did Jake know who she was?' he asked her.
'He did. He said he was going to call me as soon as they arrived before interrogating her but we practically bumped into them before he placed her in one of the rooms' she replied and then silence again and Eric knew she needed to say something else so he just waited, his fingers playing with her hair now 'I was so embarrassed' she admitted 'I mean of all people, Jake had to be the one to arrest her and then you saw her not to mention how the news that my mother was arrested and for what will spread like wild fire in there' she told him.
'Listen Calleigh' he told her 'Will you look at me?' he asked her and Calleigh shifted so she could look at him 'When it comes to me and I'm sure even Jake, there is nothing to be embarrassed about, I told you this this morning and I meant it. It doesn't change the way I see you, it doesn't change who you are in my eyes' he told her his hands cupping her face.
'I know Eric but...this thing that I am ashamed of having her as my mother...it hurts. What she did today...she has always been a selfish person but today she reached new heights. Do you know that she didn't even bother to contact me? Not before or after...nothing. I had no idea she was in Miami and I had to find out this way. I mean her daughter is an officer of the law, she came here and had sex on the beach this morning, giving a show, but how doesn't she realize that she is going to get arrested? How doesn't she not think about how I will feel about this? How can she be this selfish?' she asked him, hiding her face in her hands 'How am I her daughter?' she asked herself more than him and that was a question, that Eric had thought about. How was Calleigh, a woman with such good qualities, such an amazing human being be the daughter of such a woman and a drunk of a father? He wished he could answer all her questions but the truth was there was none. None of the questions could be answered by him at least. Only her mother could answer certain questions.
Eric reached out and stroked her head, letting his fingers slide down her gorgeous golden locks 'Come here' he told her and Calleigh moved into his arms, her head resting on his chest as he adjusted sitting on the couch but with his legs up so she was now in his arms, spread over his body 'I wish I had the answers to all those questions. Unfortunately, we do not get to choose in which family we are born, but Calleigh you're probably who you are because of everything you have been through because of them, and I know that this amazing woman that you are have carried a lot of burden and hard ships, but I wouldn't change a single thing...I only wish I can carry some of that weight for you and make life easier for you...give you what you never had' he told her.
At those words, she slowly lifted her head, touched by his words, her eyes immediately finding his, his fingers caressing her hair, her eyes shifted to his lips. She had said she wasn't going to do this tonight, but she needed something good...she needed him. She just needed to kiss him, to feel those lips on hers...that's it. It would hopefully be enough to make her feel slightly better.
Eric was watching her. He could see the shift in those green eyes and then he watched her stare at his lips and knew that she wanted to kiss him, and God knows how much he wanted to kiss her. He was dying to feel those lips on his again, but he didn't want her to think that he is taking advantage of her, but before he could say anything, he felt her lips on his and Eric reacted instinctively, parting his lips and Calleigh slid her tongue in his mouth, capturing his, kissing him slow and sensual at first but soon Calleigh needed more from him as she deepened the kiss, her hand moved to cup his cheek. She could feel his stubble against her palm and for some reason it made her moan in his mouth, bringing Eric to Earth again. He ended the kiss slowly not wanting to make her feel worse and then cupped her face.
'We can't Cal...we can't do this tonight' he told her and Calleigh sighed heavily and let her head drop into his chest 'Calleigh look at me please' he told her and slowly she looked up at him, meeting his eyes, all warm and brown 'It is not because I don't want you Cal...but you just broke up with Jake and you had a very long day...that is not what you need. I'm not going anywhere, I am going to be here for you but you need to process everything first. I don't want to jump into bed with you when you haven't even had time to heal from it and then move on' he told her 'And the last thing that I want is for you to think that I was taking advantage of your position at the moment' and she knew that by position he meant her weakness and pain at the moment.
'I'm sorry Eric' she apologized 'I don't want you to think that you're a rebound or something because God knows you're not. I just...needed to kiss you, needed to remember what it feels like to feel that good' she explained 'But you're right' she told him 'Can you just...hold me?' she asked him after a moment.
'As long as you want me to' he replied so she leaned back in her previous position, the side of her face against his chest and Eric wrapped his arms around her and just stayed liked that enjoying each other's company in silence until Calleigh fell asleep again in his arms.