Again, regardless of how much I love CSI: Miami and most of its characters, I, sml-essie, sadly do not and probably will never own it.

This is just a continuation of last chapter, because I felt I needed to elaborate on their relationship. Also because it came to me while driving home from dinner.

Happy Reading!

Nothing was said as Eric drove Calleigh home. He wondered what she was thinking. She was usually a quiet, stubborn girl, but this kind of quiet scared him a little. Eric had always tried his hardest to protect her, ever since he realized how much he loved her. The only thing holding him back was the uncertainty if she had loved him back.

He knew they could be something more- much more.

As Eric slowed the Hummer to a stop, he looked over at Calleigh, who sat motionless next to him. "Calleigh?" He asked softly. He reached over to her lap and rubbed the back of her hand. "Cal," He said again, this time even gentler. "It's okay, I'm here for you."

Suddenly, Calleigh broke down, as if a sudden wave of emotion had washed over her. Uncontrollable tears washed down her face as she shook violently with her sobs. Eric had never seen her like this before; she had only cried in front of him once, in the back of the ambulance after she had almost been ran over by a car coming back to kill her.

The silence between them was deafening. It pained him so much to see her like this. He wanted to hold her and kiss her so badly.

"It's alright, Calleigh. You don't need to worry anymore. I'm here." Leaning over, Eric wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled her close- something he had been yearning to do again, ever since they were in the back of the ambulance. He could feel her tremble with tears as he rested his head atop of hers.. He gently whispered comforting words as her sobs slowly subsided.

"Calleigh, look at me," Eric begged. He ran his hand along her cheek and tilted her face up so he met her watery, red eyes. Brushing her tears away, he had suddenly realized how close they were. Then out of instinct, Eric leaned forward and kissed her forehead, nose, and finally closed the gap between their lips.

Surprisingly, Calleigh kissed him back. She wanted him just as bad has he wanted her. Eric first kissed her gently, then quicker with more urgency. "Calleigh, Calleigh, Calleigh," he whispered throatily in between kisses. His heart was beating like mad, and his stomach did endless somersaults as he held her face ever so close to his. "Come on, Cal, please don't cry."

Finally, they broke apart and gazed into each others eyes. Calleigh returned Eric's lasting gaze with a sad, watery smile. Eric smiled softly with relief as he once again ran his thumb over her cheeks to wipe away her remaining tears.

"Eric," Calleigh whispered, "Thank you… for being there for me for such a long time, even though it took me so long to realize how much you cared about me." She reached up to stroke his face. He traced her fingers over his jawbone, chin, and then lips.

As if she were a drug, Eric leaned in once more to kiss her. He couldn't get enough Calleigh. Her eyes, face, her voice, everything about her. He ran his hands through her hair and held her tighter than ever before.

Once again, Calleigh returned the kiss with much more meaning than last time. She wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him even closer.

"Calleigh, I love you so much, Cal." Eric whispered in a hoarse voice, but clear enough for both of them to hear. "Please don't ever leave me again."

Although she did not reply, she let out a whimper as she rested her head against Eric's firm chest. Even without words, he knew that she had loved him back, and that was all he needed to know.

Wow. Cheese galore. I hope you like cheese, because I certainly don't.

Comments are appreciated!