I found this randomly on my SkyDrive and decided to upload it since Her Eyes is on a brief hiatus. I wrote this when season eight aired and I guess I was exploring Cardoza and Calleigh together. This isn't primarily romance but there are romantic themes. Wolvista implied as well, they are my second favorite coupling.

Calleigh stood worried after applying the balsamic vinegar to Jesse's sting. While she could joke and laugh off the "small" injury, she was deeply concerned. He was a really good friend, and it would hurt her if another one of her friends got hurt on her account. Jesse didn't seem in the sharing mood especially about the girl, but not being one to share either, she let it slide for now.

Throughout the whole day Calleigh watched Jesse carefully. While he put on his front to the rest of the lab, she could see right through as if he was made of glass. The pain was apparent though he hid it well from the prying eyes and lingering questions.

Disappointment met her later that day when she decided to head home. Jesse left earlier than he usually did and only Natalia remained inside the locker room. Natalia had a joyful look on her face, that look spoke of happy times to come; she was going on a date. "You look like your heading out for a night out with a significant other?" Calleigh asks, smile spread across her face. It's been a while since she's had anything new, not gossip, to appear. "Well" Natalia drags "let's just say I have a set of eyes on me" she finally finishes after a groan from Calleigh. "Who's the lucky guy then?" "I will tell you if it goes well." Natalia leaves with the certain promise leaving Calleigh giddy with happy news finally.

3 Days Later

After the quick switch of partners, Calleigh and Jesse faced each other, Calleigh with the widest grin on her face. "What Cal?" Jesse asks. "I have a feeling this happens to you a lot!" laughter coated thick in her words. Yet only a smirk was set on Jesse's face. She is going to be the death of me.

The debacle with Mrs. Olsen left Jesse in a fit of incredulous laughter. Calleigh can only laugh at the situation that happened in front of her. "Were we just compared to the gustapo, we were compared to the gustapo!" Jesse laughs. He looks to Calleigh to see her reaction and she is staring at the door, a ghost of a laugh on her face "I can tell from right now that today is going to be a very trying day for me" she says. "I bet it is." Her face is serious but you can see the glint of playfulness dancing behind her eyes.

"She compared us to the gustapo. Man I'm glad we switched partners Cal. Natalia and I would've been at each other's ends. That date was a mistake." While that last sentenced was said quietly Calleigh was able to pick up on what he was talking about.

"Oh you're the guy?" she connected the dots. They head back to the lab by now, having come up with nothing and no news coming from Natalia and Ryan. "Oh I'm the guy, what?" his confusion caused a laugh to escape and Calleigh feels sorry. "Natalia said she was going out with a guy, and that if it went well she would tell me with who. And I'm going to guess that it didn't go so well." "Well then. I am that guy." He plainly puts. "Well seeing your reaction, it must've gone really bad." "Not exactly" Calleigh gives him that looks at him saying to continue. "I had a previous obligation that I had to fill unexpectedly." He adds lamely. "You didn't even show up! Jesse that's bad, that's really bad. Why didn't you apologize then?" Calleigh rants. "I texted her, and when I tried to explain myself she avoided me completely. We didn't have any cases for the past three days so it's not like I can just apologize then." "OH God Jesse you're better than that. I can't believe. It better have been for a legitimate reason, because I can't see you doing that without one." "Cal, relax, it was a very good reason. I will explain when I know more of what's happening. But for now just accept that for no."

Calleigh accepts this knowing that when she doesn't want to share she won't, and Jesse's the same. "Okay then, was the date serious or just testing the water?" she asks to alleviate the tension growing. "More just like two friends talking. Besides I like another woman." He adds with a tilt of his head. Calleigh was oblivious to any advance he made. Yeah the advances ere small, but he didn't want to rush her into anything. Especially with everything that has happened to her since they first met over a decade ago. His confession was met with a gasp from his current object of affection. "Who is it, is she pretty, do I know her, wait don't tell me I want to figure it out on my own" she badgers, eyes lit up shining like the jewels they were. He was grateful for the fact that he wasn't driving, or else they would've crashed a long time ago.

"Since you said you want to figure it out then no name, she's beautiful, and yes you do know her, and before you ask, no she doesn't know and I don't know when I'm going to tell her." Jesse had to laugh at Calleigh's frustration at him not giving enough detail on his crush. "I'll give her some time before I ask her out, I don't want to rush her into anything." And that was true. All that drama Calleigh had with John, Peter, Jake, and then Eric, she needs some time to herself to catch up with her own time. He wants to be the stability that she needs, but doesn't want to jump in when she's already unstable. Of course she was a strong person, but everyone needs they're space after something drastic happens in her life. He'll ask maybe in two or three months, but definitely when she gives the signal and only then.

(AN: Sorry again about no updates on Her Eyes, but here's a story that is for the most part written out.)