Alright here is the conclusion of the story! I hope you enjoyed it! Please Review! While this portion of the story is complete, there are a few "loose ends" I would like to wrap up with Eric's family, so watch for part 2… Oh and 'liphuggers' you are a mind reader! =]
Calleigh awoke to the sun in her eyes, she sighed glancing at her phone next to her, just after seven. Calleigh stretched her arms above her head and moved to sit up. She was glad Eric had a comfortable couch. She folded the blanket and paced it back in the hall closet where she'd found it. While in the hallway she padded toward his bedroom. She peered into the dark room and found him in restless sleep. She leaned against the door way, and sighed. Calleigh knew that opting for the couch and added insult to injury last night, but as sad as she was for Eric, she was unable to forget what he had done.
She made her way back to the kitchen and brewed coffee for him, she knew he would be up soon. Digging through a drawer she pulled out a pad of paper and a thick sharpie marker, scrawling across, she left a note.
Eric, I went into CSI early, I'll speak to Horatio for you. Call if you need me. Calleigh
Calleigh made her way into the lab and found a few of the night sifters on their way out. She smiled at them and made her way to Horatio's office.
"Do you ever sleep?" She called from his door way.
"I could say the same to you." He told her looking up from his desk. "Is everything okay?" He asked taking in her makeup-less face and mussed hair.
"Eric's mom passed away last night, I stayed with him." She told him, moving to sit in the chair across from his desk. Horatio massaged his forehead slightly, not responding. "When you talk to him, tell him to take all the time he needs okay?" He said after a minute.
"Sure thing," she agreed. "Anything going on?" She asked, hoping for an early case to get started on.
"I just got a call out from the marina," he stated, pausing, "up to it?"
"I do love an early start," She told him with a small smile.
The day was a difficult one. Both Calleigh and Horatio were certain they had the killer in custody, but unfortunately didn't have the evidence to prove it. Horatio and Calleigh stood in the lobby watching as she walked out of holding. As the elevator emptied the tall red head turned to them and smiled. After the elevator doors closed behind her, Calleigh turned to face her boss.
"Rough day," She quipped.
"It was," he responded. "Do me a favor and sign off on these?" He asked her, handing her a small stack of papers.
"Sure thing," She responded taking them toward the reception desk. Calleigh flipped through the pages affixing her signature on multiple of them. She couldn't help but over hear the conversation the receptionist was having.
"I was told he would be here today," the dark haired Arabian woman stated to the receptionist. Calleigh glanced up to see the same woman she'd shared an elevator ride with yesterday.
"Hi, you were here yesterday right?" Calleigh asked gesturing with her pen. The young lady nodded to Calleigh. "Is there something I can help you with?" She asked passing her papers over the counter to the receptionist.
"I'm looking for Eric Delko," the young lady stated.
"He's on personal leave for a while. My name is Calleigh Duquesne, can I pass a message on to him?" She asked sweetly.
"So you're Eric's Calleigh." The young lady acknowledged. "I'm Abi." She concluded extending her hand to Calleigh. Calleigh's breath caught in her chest, her eyes widening. She's tried to picture this woman many times, she's pictured her older, less clothing, and more makeup. Calleigh hosted a quick argument in her head, she wanted to yell at the woman for ruining her relationship with Eric, but she knew it wouldn't do any good. When Calleigh didn't grasp her hand Abi continued, "So he told you then."
"Come with me," Calleigh stated turning and walking down the hallway. She waited while a uniform officer passed. "What are you doing here?" Calleigh asked harshly once they were alone.
"I wanted to return his wallet," she stated shuffling through her purse for a second and pulling out a faded leather wallet. Calleigh held out her hand for it, and waited. Abi awkwardly set it in Calleigh's open palm. "I found it under …my bed." She stammered, realizing what she was saying.
"You need to leave," Calleigh told her harshly, keeping her voice low but stern.
"Listen, I realize you're angry, but I just thought you should know that I only wish I could find a man as loyal as he is to you." Abi said fidgeting a little.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Calleigh questioned.
"All he talked about was you and how much he loved you. Calleigh this and Calleigh that. The more he drank the more he talked about how much he cares for you."
"That's great except he slept with you that night not me." Calleigh sneered.
"If by slept with you mean he passed out at my house, then yeah. Did he not mention he woke up fully clothed, on top of the covers? Not to say that I didn't try, but every time I touched him he pushed my hands away and stammered something about you." Abi shot back. "I would kill to have a man love me that way."
"You could start by not ruining other people's relationships." Calleigh concluded turning away from Abi and heading down the hallway. She stopped as she rounded the corner and pressed her back to the cool black tile wall. She took a deep breath, and allowed the first real smile to cross her lips for the first time in the last few days.
"Everything okay?" Horatio asked for the second time that day. Calleigh jumped at the sound of his voice. She had thought she was alone.
"You heard that," Calleigh asked motioning around the corner.
"I did," Horatio responded, standing with his shoulder facing Calleigh. "Calleigh, sweetheart," He began, his voice softer than before "we have put in a full days work, if you were to leave early." He concluded. Calleigh searched his face, surprised continuously by the depth there was to her boss. Horatio gave her a gentle smile before walking away. Calleigh watched him leave before slipping Eric's wallet into her back pocket and pulling out her cell phone.
"Delko." His voice came across the line, as she walked into the locker room.
"Hey. How are you holding up?" She asked cheerfully. Eric smiled into the phone, happy to hear her sound like her old self again. Calleigh placed her gun and her badge on her shelf and removed her car keys from the hook.
"I'm doing okay, what's up Cal?" He asked.
"Well, where are you?" She asked before answering him.
"The parking lot. I'm on my way into the lab, I've got some files to wrap up, is everything okay?" He asked.
"Stay there okay?" She told him before shutting her phone and hurrying to the elevator.
Calleigh pushed through the double glass doors and glanced around looking for him. She found him standing to the right of the building, waiting for her. She smiled when they made eye contact. Confusion crossed his face as she literally ran the distance between them. Calleigh didn't slow down as she threw herself into his arms. She pulled her feet up behind her, letting Eric completely support her weight. He took a step backward, so that they didn't tumble to the ground. Eric laughed deeply at her actions, he was unsure what made her so happy to see him, but he was relishing in every minute of it. Eric held her tightly to him, until she returned her feet to the ground. This was the first time they displayed affection openly at work without checking over their shoulders to make sure nobody would see them.
"I love you Eric." She told him, pulling back, placing her hand on either side of his face. He smiled brightly at her before dipping his head to bring their lips together in a quick kiss. Calleigh however wasn't ready to end the kiss and brought her hand to the back of his neck, pressing his lips to hers again. They stayed that way until they both needed air. When the resurfaced Calleigh moved her hands to his hips and smiled up at him
"What is going on?" He asked breathless. Calleigh reached into her back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He gave her a quizzical look before taking it from her and flipping it open. Seeing everything was intact, he glanced back at her.
"Abi dropped it off," Calleigh explained. Eric's eyebrows creased with worry, his mouth opening and closing a few times.
"Calleigh…" He started, but she placed a gentle finger on his lips.
"You didn't sleep with her Eric, she said that every time she touched you pushed her away and told her that you loved me. She said you passed out, and that's why you woke up fully clothed, on top of the quilt." Calleigh all but screeched, not letting go of her grasp on his hips. Eric reached for her shoulders and stared into her green eyes for a minute before wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her into the air. He spun a quick circle before putting her back on the ground.
"I do love you Calleigh! I'm sorry I couldn't say it before but I do. I love you more than anything. My mom was right you do make me very happy and I am so sorry that I put you through all of this." He told her grasping her hands. She smiled up at him, looking into his brown eyes.
"I can't tell you how long I've waited to hear you say that," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. Eric kissed the palm of her hand and then her forehead. "I can't say I'm thrilled you got drunk with another woman, but I can honestly say I will get over it," She told him, laughing a little and wiping at her eyes.
"It won't ever happen again Calleigh, never. I promise!" He told her laughing a little with her.
Calleigh again reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. Eric hugged her close before pulling back and pressing his lips tightly to hers, after a minute he pulled back and hugged her close again, turning his head he placed his lips to her ear. "I love you Calleigh Duquesne, forever and for always, I love you." He whispered, causing her to shiver in his arms despite the warmth of the Miami afternoon sun.