Previous part of The Building Blocks of Love.
A/n, This chapter containes spoilers and dialogue from season 1 ep 18 "Dispo Day"
"So what's on tap for today?" Calleigh asked brightly as she met up with the rest of the team one March morning.
"It's dispo day, I'm transporting the evidence in the truck," Speed said.
"Ah I see," Calleigh commented.
"Be careful," Eric pleaded.
"It's dispo day and the route is clasified there's nothing to worry about, Eric. Don't borrow trouble," Speed admonished.
"I know it's clasified, but I can't help but worry. Just be careful, okay?" Walking over Speed placed a small kiss on Eric's lips.
"I promise I'll be careful," Eric said softly. Tim looked at his watch, noting the time. "I have to go, I love you," he said against Eric's mouth as he placed another kiss on his lips before turning and hurrying out of the room. Eric stared sullenly after his lover. He couldn't seem to shake the bad feeling that had taken up residence in his stomach.
"He'll be fine," Calleigh assured him placing a hand on his shoulder. Just then the baby kicked causing her to wince and smile at the same time.
"You okay?" Eric asked shifting his gaze to her.
"Yeah, the babie's kicking, you wanna feel?" she questioned. Nodding Eric held out his hand. Taking it Calleigh placed it on her stomach and held it still. After a moment or two the baby gave a good kick. A broad smile crossed Eric's face.
"Hey there, baby, stop kicking your mommy so hard," he whispered as he gently rubbed Calleigh's stomach. As if the baby could understand what he was saying it settled down.
"The baby knows your voice," Calleigh told him.
"MMM hmm, I just hope it cooperates at the next exam so we can find out what it is," Eric lamented.
"Yeah, me to," Calleigh agreed.
"Well I have to get to work but I'll see you later," Eric said as he walked to the fingerprint lab ready to continue scanning the prints from their current case.
The truck carrying the drugs was moving smoothly along the dispo route when he heard dispatch call to Horatio who was behind him that they had a funeral procession coming their way. He also heard Horatio telling them to let the procession pass. When he saw the hearse Speed could feel his insides twist slightly. He was beginning to wonder if Eric's bad feeling had some merrit to it. Stop freaking out over nothing, Speed scolded himself. Just as he was doing that a station wagon came out of no where and crashed into the hearse. It was then that all hell broke loose. The evidence truck was caught somewhere in the middle of the mess. The supposed officers climbed off their bikes and got out of their car and began firing. The guys from the hearse fired as well. He could see Horatio take cover. Just as Tim climbed out of the truck he saw Officer Hollis go down. Tim swore creatively. He hated to see anyone die but he hated it even more when it was one of their own. Just then the gunman walked up to Speed getting in his face. He raised his weapon to fire. He pulled the trigger but all he heard was a clicking sound. He lookd down at his gun to see why it had misfired. That was a crucial mistake, though, because that was the exact moment the gunman pulled the trigger. The bullet slammed into his chest at full impact knocking him to the ground. He laid on the road trying to block out the pain, but damn it all to hell it hurt like a bitch.
Meanwhile Horatio was firing while trying to protect the woman and the baby in the station wagon. The gunman jumped into the evidence truck and sped away. Horatio fired one more shot and it hit one of the trucks tires. When the smoke cleared he nearly stopped breathing when he saw Speed lying on the road. Running over he called Speed's name.
"Speed, let me se, let me see!"
"It h-h-hurts!" Speed ground out through his teeth.
"I know, take it easy, let me see," Horatio soothed.
"My chest," Speed gasped.
"Hold on," Horatio said opening Speed's shirt.
"My chest," Speed gasped again.
"Hold on, the kevlar held, Speed, the kevlar held," Horatio said in relief. The paramedics walked up to the two of them.
"He's got one hell of a bruise from the impact of the bullet. The kevlar vest saved his life. The impact of the bullet knocked the wind out of him but he'll be fine," the paramedic told Horatio.
"Thank you," Horatio said softly. With Horatio's help Speed climbed slowly to his feet. Slowly they made their way back to the lab to face the firing squad.
"You know IAB will be all over this," Speed said.
"I'll deal with IAB," Horatio said acidly.
"Just don't do anything stupid," Speed pleaded.
"I won't," Horatio promised as he flipped the directional indicating he wanted to turn right on to the highway heading back to the crime lab.
Heaving a sigh Horatio left his interview with IAB and headed for the ballistics lab.
"What can you tell me, Calleigh?" he prompted. (Calleigh is mapping out the intersection and shooting schematics on the
computer, digitizing it. She puts the hearse and cops on the monitor while
Horatio watches.)
CALLEIGH: Bad guys. (She adds the others.) Good guys. I recovered a hundred
and twenty-two pieces of firearms evidence.
HORATIO: Good work.
(Calleigh turns and glances behind her at Horatio.)
CALLEIGH: Thank you. Well, you know what they say. You don't really know who
you are until ...
HORATIO: All hell breaks loose.
(Calleigh turns back to the computer.)
CALLEIGH: Mm-hmm. So our round count on our two swat officers was fifty-four.
Of that, I got forty-five casings. Those are shown in blue.
HORATIO: Talk about bullets.
CALLEIGH: There were twelve. We dug them out of the hearse, trees, buildings,
several cars. It was the usual yield. Three-fourths of the casings, one-fourth
of the bullets.
HORATIO: The ex-cons used tec-9s, didn't they?
CALLEIGH: That's correct- death talons. And those are shown here in red.
Now, of that, I got forty casings and eighteen projectiles. One of which
fatally killed Officer Hollis.
HORATIO: Anything else?
CALLEIGH: Yes. The green triangles are actually rounds that I matched to your
weapon. Seven total, not including the round that you pulled out of Laskey's
head or the one that came out of the doctor's office. So, it turns out you're a
good shot.
HORATIO: What about Speedle's 9?
CALLEIGH: (hesitates, but covers) That is ongoing. I haven't matched any
projectiles or casings to his weapon yet, but I'm not finished with the report.
HORATIO: Okay. Anything else?
CALLEIGH: Well, I've saved the best for last. You know the bullet you pulled
out of Lynn Martell's car?
HORATIO: Mm-hmm.
CALLEIGH: Trajectory from the final position turns out is from across the
street. We have a mystery shooter. So, our crime scene just got a lot bigger.
HORATIO: Okay, you know what? Get Tripp and go back over there. Nice work.
CALLEIGH: Thanks. Horatio nodded as he left the room. His heart was heavy and he didn't know how to handle the problem he had just been presented with.
Picking up his pace when he saw Eric in the hall Horatio reached his youngest lover in a few strides.
"Hey," he greeted softly.
"Hey how are things going?"
"About as good as can be expected. I have to run an errand when we're off shift so you and Speed head on home and I'll be there as soon as I can, okay?" the redhead said.
"Sure, no problem, H. Any idea what happened out their? Speed won't talk," Eric complained.
"All hell broke loose, Eric, that's what happened." Eric sighed he knew there was more to it than that but he wasn't sure what his lovers were keeping from him.
Finally the long grueling day was over and Eric and Speed found themselves at Home. Eric was fussing around his lover trying to make sure he was comfortable.
"I'm fine, will you stop fussing Eric?" Speed complained. Eric sighed as he settled next to his lover on the couch.
"I'm sorry I just hate being left in the dark. I went to ask Cal about her report from the shooting and all she'd say to me is that she'd already told Horatio and that was that," Eric said.
"MMM," Speed replied noncommittally.
"Thank god for kevlar," Eric murmured.
"You can say that again," Horatio said as he walked in closing the door behind him. In his hand he held a wrapped package.
"What's that H?" Tim asked.
"It's something for you," Horatio answered.
"Okay," Speed said in bewilderment as he took the package in his hands and began unwrapping it. Once it was unwrapped Speed glanced down at the box he held in his hand. Across the front of it in large black letters were the words gun cleaning kit. Eric looked from the box in Speed's lap to first Horatio's face then Speed's then back to the box. He could feel the air leaving his lungs as the realization that what had really gone down on the dispo route was confirmed as fact not suspicion any more.
"Um, thanks I needed one of these," Speed said quietly as he looked down. He couldn't meet either man's eyes.
"I thought you might," Horatio said with a slight edge in his voice.
"Explain now," Eric said coldly. Taking a deep breath Speed prepared to come clean.
"I may have had to look at my gun during the shoot out," he admitted.
"So what your saying is that your gun misfired due to the fact that you didn't clean your gun?" Eric spat. Speed just nodded he couldn't bear to look at the Cuban-Russian. If he'd realized the backlash that would result from his next question Speed would have never asked it but as it was he did.
"How did Cal explain it in her report?"
"She told me it was on-going but when she handed me the final report she said it was a gun malfunction," Horatio answered hesitantly. At that Eric lost it.
"A gun malfunction what the hell? Why the hell don't we call a spade a spade? Your fuckin gun didn't fire because you were to damn lazy to clean it. Why the hell didn't you ever clean it?" Eric snarled.
"I just didn't," Speed answered sullenly.
"What you didn't feel the need to take the time?" Eric spat. Speed just shrugged which was answer enough.
"It's not just about you anymore! Your in a relationship with two other people. We have a child on the way for fuck sake. What the hell kind of father doesn't clean their gun just cause they don't feel like it! Huh what kind of father does that?" Eric shouted as he lunged at Speed and began punching him.
"Eric! Stop it that's enough," Horatio called.
"No, it's no where near enough. He needs to pay for his consequences!" Eric snarled as he landed another punch square on Tim's jaw. Tim didn't fight back he just sat their and took it. He knew he deserved it.
"Damn it! Fight back c'mon what's wrong with you? Why won't you fight back?" Eric growled.
"Cause I deserve it," Tim said lowly.
"Your damn right you do. I don't know how I can ever trust you again!" Eric yelled. How the hell can I trust you to have my back and be able to kill someone if it comes to that when you don't always clean your gun? Huh, how in the hell can I ever trust you again?" Eric asked getting right in Tim's face. His voice broke at the end of the sentence and he furiously pushed back the hot tears that burned at the back of his eyes. In one fluid movement he grabbed his keys and was out the door slamming it behind him. Horatio and Tim sat in silence until they heard Eric's car tear out of the driveway faster then either of them had ever seen him drive before.
"Do you agree with him?" Speed asked lowly.
"I'm hurt and upset just like he is that you chose not to take the time to clean your gun anytime recently. I can understand why he has trust issues. It's going to take a lot to get that back. I'm going to try and give you the benefit of the doubt, but I'll be honest with you, it's not going to be easy. I'm having a hard time trusting you as well."
"How can I get yours and Eric's trust back?" Speed asked softly.
"Well for starters, clean your gun once a week. Let us see that you clean it. Clean it in front of us for the first few times. Then maybe after a while you can just show it to us when we get to work. Someday we'll stop asking or expecting you to show it to us and just expect you to clean it on your own, but that's a long way off. I'll admit I'm not reacting like Eric, but I'm just as angry, I'm just better at being calm, cool, and collected," Horatio said. Speed nodded in agreement. Then he winced in pain as his face muscles reminded him that he'd just had the tar beaten out of him.
"I'm s-s-sorry, I'll clean it from now on I swear," Speed promised as he started to shake as the first of many sobs escaped his mouth. Seeing the tough New Yorker break down nearly killed Horatio. Moving next to him he gathered his broken lover into his arms and held him as he cried it all out.
"I'd like to say I believe you when you say you'll clean it, but unfortunately, I can't. All you can do now is prove it to me, to us," Horatio said. Speed nodded against his chest.
"The moment Calleigh gives it back to me I'll c-c-clean it," Tim vowed as he continued to cry. He knew he'd fucked up and he had a lot to do to fix it. He just hoped he could.
"The reason we're so hurt and angry is because we don't want to lose you. You mean too much to us to even think about the fact of you dieing. Besides this baby needs to know all three of it's father's not just the two of us and the memory of you," Horatio explained as his own pent up tears from the day began falling down his face. Seeing Horatio break down and cry was Tim's undoing and he began to cry even harder clinging to Horatio for dear life and wishing Eric was there as well so he could start fixing this awful mess.
The sound of squealing tires and a car appearing in front of her house at a high speed instantly caught Calleigh's attention. As quickly as she could manage in her six-month pregnant state which admittedly wasn't very quickly she got off the couch and headed for the door ready to see who had appeared at her house driving like a bat out of hell. She was stunned when she opened the door to see a livid Eric delko. His face was a mix of red and purple and as she watched the anger turned to grief and sadness as he began to cry. He looked like someone had just ran over his favorite dog.
"Eric honey what's wrong?"
"Speed that's what's wrong. He fuckin didn't clean his gun and he would have died if it weren't for the kevlar vest. Then you refuse to tell me what was going on when I asked you to at the lab. Why Calleigh? Why did you keep this from me?" Eric asked as his voice left him and the tears took over. Reaching out she pulled him into her arms. He resisted at first but after a moment he melted into her and continued to cry.
"I kept it from you because it was Speed's mistake to admit to. I had to tell Horatio because he's the boss. However, Speed needed to tell you in order for him to realize the magnitude of his mistake."
"I understand that but why did you put it down as a gun malfunction? You could tell it was because he didn't clean it."
"Think about it, Eric. If I had said it was because of improper gun maintenance the entire lab would be under screutony. Do you know who would get most of the flack?" Calleigh asked.
"Horatio," Eric answered suddenly realizing what Calleigh had done and why she'd done it.
"Exactly," Calleigh said.
"Regardless he should have cleaned his gun. It's not just about him anymore. He's in a relationship with H and I and we're expecting a child. What kind of father doesn't clean his gun?" Eric asked.
"Oh, Eric, you didn't say that to him, did you?" Calleigh asked incredulously. Eric's face said enough. "That was a low blow and you know it," she scolded.
"I know but I was angry, hurt, upset, and scared. I still am," Eric said quietly. "Can I have something to drink?"
"Sure, I'll be right back," Calleigh said as she got to her feet and headed into the kitchen. She was back a minute later with a glass of water. He stared at it wishing it were a beer.
"I know you wanted a beer, but I won't let you drown your sorrows," she told him sternly.
"Okay, thanks," Eric said as he reached for the glass. He winced as his split nuckles on the hand that had punched Speed protested. Calleigh took his injured hand into hers.
"Is this from what I think it is?" she asked. Eric nodded as he stared down at his bloody nuckles. "Man you really did a number on him, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I did. I mean I know I crossed the line today, but so did he. I know we need to talk, but I can't do it right now. If he was in front of me right now I'd probably hit him again. I know we need to fix this, but I can't face him right now. Can I stay here for a day or two, please?" he pleaded. Sighing Calleigh took a long hard look at the man sitting in front of her.
"Yes you can stay here. You can stay in my guest room as long as you need to, but, Eric?"
"Yeah?"
"Don't wait too long to talk to him and sort this all out, okay? If anything today should have taught you that life's too short to stay mad at someone forever."
"Yeah I know your right."
"Oh, and one more thing."
"What's that?"
"This," Calleigh said as she smacked him on the cheek.
"Hey what was that for?" Eric cried indignantly.
"For driving like a bat out of hell! You talk about Speed trying to kill himself by not cleaning his gun; when you do the same thing by driving like that. Driving like a maniac is just as liable to get you killed if not more so then not cleaning your gun."
"Okay, your right, sorry," he apologized.
"I forgive you, now come on, it's time for dinner and I've got some spaghetti on the stove," Calleigh said. Eric was about to say he wasn't hungry but he knew it was a lost cause so he pulled himself from the couch and headed into the kitchen to eat some Spaghetti.
Rubbing her temples Calleigh took one last look at her sleeping house guest before gently closing the door to the spare room and heading into her own bedroom to prepare for bed. After dinner she'd held him while he cried out all of his anger, hurt, and fear until he'd calmed down enough for her to suggest he go to bed. He'd agreed but it was just a matter of time before he woke from a nightmare. It had taken Calleigh half an hour to calm him enough for him to fall back asleep. She could feel her heart breaking for the pain her friends were going through. Easing herself down on to the bed she grabbed her cell phone and pressed and held the number 2 until it connected. While she was waiting on it to ring she eased her feet out of her shoes.
"Hello?" came Horatio's soft voice. Calleigh could clearly tell he'd been crying.
"Hey Horatio," Calleigh greeted.
"Hey Cal, is Eric with you? Speed and he got into a huge fight then he stormed out and we haven't seen him since and we're both worried.
"Yeah, he's safe and sound in my guest room. He showed up here about three hours ago driving like a bat out of hell. I fed him and got him to tell me what happened and finally convinced him to sleep. He had a nightmare but I sat with him and he just fell back to sleep."
"Any idea what the nightmare was about?"
"Losing Speed in the dream he wasn't wearing kevlar," Calleigh explained. Horatio drew in a sharp breath as he pulled Speed tighter against him. He'd never been so thankful for kevlar vests in his life.
"He with her?" Speed asked hoarsely.
"Yes he is, Tim," Horatio told him.
"Can I talk to her?" he requested.
"Sure hold on a sec."
"Hey Calleigh?"
"Yeah?"
"Speed wants to talk to you," Horatio told her.
"Okay, put him on," she answered. Nodding Horatio handed the phone to his lover.
"Cal," Speed said brokenly.
"Hey there, Tim," she said softly.
"When will you be done processing my gun? I want it back so I can clean it. I want to show Eric and Horatio that I really mean it when I say I'll clean it," he explained.
"Probably sometime on Friday I have another day or two worth of tests to do on the evidence from the shoot out."
"God, I'm so sorry, Calleigh. I'm so sorry I don't know why I stopped cleaning it, just got lazy I guess," Speed reflected.
"I know you used to clean it because if you hadn't you wouldn't have been able to kill that guy who pushed me down the stairs during that case on Thanksgiving Day, remember?"
"Yeah I do." He could clearly remember the panic he felt when he saw her tumble down those stairs. He hadn't even thought twice when he shot and killed the suspect. He had a gun and was pointing it at Calleigh. He didn't have any other choice if he hadn't killed him he would have killed Calleigh and their unborn child.
"Will you do something for me, Speed?" Calleigh requested.
"Sure, name it," he said.
"The next time you think about not cleaning your gun, remember that day. Think about the fact that if you hadn't shot and killed the husband he could have come after me and killed me and your child. You could have lost both of us if you hadn't cleaned it. Will you do that for me?" she pleaded.
"Yes I will, I promise. How's Eric doing? Does he hate me?" Calleigh heaved a deep sigh. She knew Eric didn't hate Speed that he was just angry beyond measure but she could see how Speed thought he hated him.
"He's upset and angry, but he doesn't hate you. He knows you guys need to talk this out and fix it, but he can't do it right now. His emotions are to close to the surface for him to think clearly right now."
"I know it was irresponsible of me not to clean my gun especially since I'm going to be a father soon, but I swear I won't do that anymore. Just please don't keep the baby from Horatio and Eric because of my stupid mistake. Please don't," he said as he began to cry.
"Oh Tim, I won't do that," Calleigh told him.
"No, I need you to promise me Calleigh, please, promise me."
"Tim I promise you I won't keep your child from the three of you. I'm this child's mother but he or she has three wonderful father's who are going to give him or her a warm loving environment."
"Your not going to keep the baby from me? Are you sure that's such a good idea? I don't want to set a bad example for him or her," Speed argued.
"No I won't keep the baby from you. All of us are going to screw up from time to time and not always give him or her the best example but that's part of parenting," she said.
"Okay," Tim said softly. Just then Calleigh yawned widely.
"I'm sorry," she apologized.
"It's fine, I'll let you get some sleep, but Cal?" he asked.
"Yeah what is it?"
"Will you tell Eric I love him and that as soon as you give me my gun back I'll clean it and will do it from then on. I'd tell him but I don't think he'll talk to me in the first place."
"I will, but Tim?"
"MMM?" he mumbled.
"When Eric does finally decide to actually talk this out, listen to him. Listen to what he has to say without yelling back. I'm sure he'll do the same for you, but you've got to understand where he's coming from," she told him.
"I know and I'll do my best to listen. Well I'll let you get some sleep, thanks for keeping him safe tonight and looking after him."
"It's no problem. I'd rather him be here with me than out drinking himself into oblivian," Calleigh responded.
"MMM hmm, night, Cal."
"Night Tim, see you tomorrow." Hanging up the phone Tim rolled over towards Horatio and snuggled into his arms trying to shut his mind off enough so he could get at least a little sleep. Wrapping his arms around him Horatio kissed the top of his dark head.
"Get some sleep, babe. This will all work out in the end," he soothed.
"Yeah I know, I just wish it was sooner rather than later," Speed said softly.
"I know, me to," Horatio agreed as he settled against his pillow trying to drift off to sleep as well.
The next couple of days at the crime lab were very tense. Deciding it would be a bad idea to pair Eric and Speed together considering the current situation he'd paired himself with Speed and had Eric either solo or breaking his own rule let Calleigh go out into the field with him. Friday morning came and Eric dragged himself into the lab. He looked like hell and felt like it to. Horatio had packed some of his clothes and brought them to work on Tuesday morning.
"So you have clothes and such while you stay with Calleigh," he'd explained.
"Thanks, H," Eric replied.
"Your welcome. Hey, Eric?"
"Yeah?" Eric answered.
"I know your angry and hurt and so am I and for that matter so is Tim, but don't stay at Calleigh's forever. Come home soon so we can talk about this," he pleaded.
"I won't stay there to long. Probably until the end of the week. I just need sometime to calm down and wrap my head around nearly losing him, you know?"
"I understand that, but I wish you could come home sooner than that," Horatio lamented. Unknown to both of them Speed was standing in the doorway of the locker room.
"It's alright I understand why he can't be around me right now, but just answer this one question for me, will you Eric?" Eric nodded silently.
"Did Calleigh pass on my message and did she tell you that as soon as she gives me my gun back on Friday I'll clean it? I'm telling you so you can watch me do it. You can watch me do it as long as you need to," Speed promised.
"She told me," Eric said as he turned on his heal and pushed past Speed he couldn't deal with everything just yet.
The sound of footsteps pulled Eric from his thoughts.
"Hey Eric, glad it's Friday?" Alexx asked walking up to him.
"MMM, yeah I guess," he mumbled.
"You going home tonight, baby?" She didn't have to elaborate on what exactly she meant by that he knew. He'd heard that she'd read Speed her own version of the riot act earlier this week regarding his gun cleaning habits.
"Yeah we need to fix this and being apart is killing me just as much as it's killing them," he answered. Alexx nodded as she ran her hand over Eric's scruffy cheek.
"Your starting to look a lot like Timmy with your scruffy face," she commented. A small smile crossed Eric's face at the comparison.
"Yeah I guess I am," he agreed.
"Well hang in there, it'll all work out in the end, just make sure you listen to him just like I know he'll do for you, okay?" she reminded him gently.
"I'll listen to him," Eric assured her. Looking at his watch he realized he needed to get to work.
"Well I'll see you later," Alexx said noticing his glance.
"Okay, see you then, Alexx," he replied as he headed for the layout room where he was processing evidence from his current case.
"You paged me?" Tim asked as he walked into ballistics later that afternoon.
"Yes I did, I have something that belongs to you," Calleigh said holding out his gun. Hesitantly he took it in both of his hands.
"Thanks," he said softly.
"Your welcome," she replied.
"I'll clean it tonight. I'll let you see it when we get to work on Monday," Speed told her.
"You don't have to, but if it will make you feel better," Calleigh soothed.
"It will," he answered quickly.
"Well then, by all means," Calleigh replied. Nodding his head Tim made his way out of ballistics slipping his gun into it's holster and going in search of his lovers. He found the two of them in Horatio's office. He stopped just outside the door and knocked. Up until this week he wouldn't have knocked but with the current circumstances he figured it would be best if he did so.
"Come in," Horatio called through the door. Taking a deep breath Tim opened the door and walked in. He closed it softly behind himself.
"What can I do for you, Speed?" Horatio questioned.
"Cal just gave me my gun back and I wanted to let you know that I'm going to clean it when we get home," Speed informed them. Neither man missed the fact that the trace expert's eyes flickered briefly on Eric when he said the word "we" before moving back to Horatio.
"We can all clean our guns when we get home tonight," Eric said as he stood and made his way tentatively over to Tim. Slowly Tim held out his arms and Eric walked into them. They clung to each other for a moment soaking up the love from each other. After a moment Horatio joined them.
"I tell you what it's only about fifteen minutes until the end of shift, what do you say we get out of here?" Horatio suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Eric agreed.
"Me to," Speed added.
"I need to talk to Cal for a second but I'll be right behind you," Eric told them.
"Okay, see you at home," Tim said as he placed a tentative kiss on Eric's lips before beginning to pull back. Eric wouldn't let him go, though.
"What is it?" Speed questioned.
"I just wanted you to know that I love you, you know that, don't you?" Eric asked in a choked voice.
"Yes, and I love you to," Speed responded through a clogged throat. Returning the kiss Speed had given him Eric pulled away and headed for the door leaving a hopeful Speed and a thankful Horatio behind.
"Knock knock," Eric said as he knocked on the door to Calleigh's lab.
"Hey Eric, what can I do for you?" she asked brightly.
"I just wanted to tell you I'm going home. I'll be by to pick up my stuff later this weekend."
"Don't worry about it, I can bring it to work on Monday," the ballistics expert offered.
"Thanks, I appreciate that," he said.
"It's no problem," she assured him.
"Thank you for everything, Calleigh," he said as he pulled her in for a tight hug or at least as tight of one as her growing belly would allow.
"Your welcome, that's what friends are for. Now go home and enjoy a night with your lovers," Calleigh said with a gleam in her eye.
"Don't worry I will," Eric said a ghost of his smile returning.
"MMM, see you Monday," Calleigh said as she turned and began putting her lab in order for the weekend.
"Yeah, hey when's the ultrasound next week?" he asked just as he reached the door.
"It's Wednesday at 4:30," she answered with a smile.
"Here's hoping the baby will cooperate so we can know what it is," Eric said with a broad smile.
"Yeah I know," Calleigh said as she waved him down the hall. Taking the hint Eric hurried off to his car so he could head home and sort things out with his lover.
"I'm sorry for all the hurtful things I said. I know you would never cause any harm to come to our child," Eric apologized. "I was just scared and angry so I dealt with it the only way I knew how, by saying hurtful things to the man I love."
"I'll admit it hurt for you to say that, but I can understand where the anger was coming from."
"Are you going to tell him how much his words hurt you and what you made Calleigh promise?" Horatio prompted.
"What's he talking about?" Eric asked. Speed sat in thought for a moment debating if he wanted to admit what he'd said to Calleigh. Finally he decided he should so he explained what he'd made Calleigh promise.
"You know you don't deserve to be kept from our child, don't you?" Eric wanted to know.
"I do now, but it was just I felt like no one would trust me around him or her. I know better now. I told Horatio and I'm telling you now I'll clean my gun once a week. You can watch me. If you don't want to watch me but want me to show it to you when we get to work I will. I've already told Calleigh and Alexx I'll show it to them. I just want to do whatever I can to get your trust back," Speed said shakily as his voice cracked.
"It's going to take time for everyones wounds to heal but lets start now. All three of us will make it a routine to clean our guns at least every Friday and more often if necessary. After a while we can go to just doing it on our own and each of us showing the others when we get to work, how does that sound?" Eric suggested.
"That's fine with me, but why should you two have to show me your guns after you clean them? I know you do it," Speed wondered.
"We're in this together and if we all have to show each other that we clean our gun none of us will get complacent about it. It will serve as a reminder of how much we'd have to lose if any of us chose not to clean them," Horatio explained. Eric nodded in agreement.
"So we're okay?" Speed questioned.
"We will be," Eric said softly as he leaned in for a sweet kiss.
"Okay, lets get cleaning then we can order in some dinner," Tim said. The others nodded as they began to clean their guns. After that they ordered dinner then cuddled on the couch watching TV. The rest of the night was spent with the three of them holding one another and watching TV just thankful they still had each other.
***
"Are you ready to find out what your having?" Dr. Johnston inquired.
"Yes we deffinitly are," Horatio said as he gave a lop-sided grin. Karen smiled as she wheeled the ultrasound machine over to the table Calleigh was lying on.
"This will be cold," she warned as she squirted some of the gel on Calleigh's exposed stomach. Calleigh shivered as it touched her skin.
"You'd think they'd find a way to make this warmer," she complained.
"Nope, I'm afraid not," Dr. Johnston replied.
"Maybe you can invent warm ultrasound gel and market it. I bet you'd make a pretty penny," Eric said.
"He's right, just think of how many doctor's offices and hospitals would pay to get their hands on that," Speed commented.
"You two are crazy," Calleigh laughed as she watched the doctor grab the probe and begin moving it across her stomach.
"Yeah, but you love us and wouldn't have it any other way," Eric challenged.
"Yeah your right, now let's see what the baby has to tell us," Calleigh said as she turned her attention to the ultrasound machine screen watching it intently.
"Ah, yes, here's your baby," the doctor said. She shifted the screen so everyone in the room could see the grainy image. After pressing a few buttonns the sound of a steady heartbeat could clearly be heard. Smiles came to the faces of the three men and the expectant mother lying on the table.
"That's our baby," Calleigh whispered.
"Yes it is, and the heart rate looks good," Karen told them.
"Can we find out what we're having now?" Horatio requested.
"Anxious much?" Eric teased.
"Oh and your not?" Speed added in.
"Boys, that's enough," Calleigh lightly scolded. Karen laughed at the group she loved their closeness.
"Well how about we see if this little one will cooperate with us and tell us what he or she is, shal we?" After a bit more moving of the probe a slow smile came to the doctor's face.
"What is it, can you tell what the babies sex is?" Calleigh asked happily.
"Yes I can," she answered with a beaming smile.
"Well?" Eric prompted. None of them were good at dealing with suspense.
"In a little less than three months you'll be welcoming a baby girl into your lives," the doctor revealed.
"A girl?" Speed confirmed.
"A girl," the doctor answered.
"Oh dear lord, god help us when she's old enough to date," Eric lamented.
"She's not dating until she's 30," Horatio and Speed said in unison. Both Calleigh and Karen rolled their eyes at the guys.
"She'll date way before then and you know that," Calleigh told them. The disgruntaled looks she got in return just made her laugh. Pushing a button on the machine the doctor printed out sonogram pictures for the excited family.
"Here are your pictures. Calleigh, if you'll clean off the gel we'll continue with the rest of the exam," she said handing the blond a paper towel. Once she'd cleaned herself up she sat up preparing for the rest of the exam.
"Your blood pressure looks good and it appears that the baby is growing right on schedule. You seem to be healthy over all is that correct? Any concerns I need to know about?"
"No I'm doing good. I'm tired more often but that's to be expected," Calleigh answered. Just then Mindy knocked on the exam room door.
"Come in," Karen called.
"Hey, the blood work looks good," Mindy informed the group.
"That's good, I didn't expect to hear anything different," the doctor said.
"What about my maternity leave? When do I have to take it?" Calleigh asked. Most women would love the idea of maternity leave but not Calleigh, she loved her job way too much.
"Because your so healthy and there haven't been any complications up to this point I'd say you can work up until your eighth month. Then I want you on maternity leave," the doctor told her. Calleigh nodded she could agree with that.
"Well then we're done here for today. I want you to make another appointment in a month. After that one I want to see you every two weeks," Dr. Johnston said as she stood up from her seat and walked towards the door.
"See you then," Calleigh called.
"Bye, see all of you then," she said. Reaching out a hand Eric helped Calleigh down from the table and they all headed for the reception desk to make the next months appointment.
"Now we can start figuring out a name for our little girl," Speed said.
"Yeah, just nothing strange or that will get her beat up on the playground," Calleigh promised.
"Don't worry between the four of us I'm sure we can come up with a suitable name for our daughter," Horatio assured her.
"Oh, and no strange fruit names like Apple like those celeberties name their kids," Eric interjected. Everyone laughed at the crazy names people came up with for their children.
Lying in bed that Night Eric had a startling realization. He didn't realize he'd gasped until his lover's turned to him in concern.
"Everything okay, Eric?" Tim asked.
"No, what will we do about her last name? We're all her fathers and I want to make sure that's legally binding so no one can ever dispute it," he explained.
"Because your her biological father she will have your last name," Horatio explained.
"I know that, but what can we do to ensure you two are legally her fathers to?" he asked.
"We'll adopt her we talked about this when we talked with Calleigh that night, remember?" Speed reminded him.
"Oh yeah, I do, sorry just freaking out a bit."
"Don't worry about it. I've talked to my lawyer and he's drawn up the papers. All we're waiting on is her to be born. Once she's born Speed and I will sign the adoption papers legally making her ours," Horatio told him. Eric breathed a sigh of relief he was glad his lover had been thinking ahead it made him feel better.
"MM, I love you," he said pressing a kiss to the redheads mouth.
"MMM, love you to," Horatio replied returning the kiss.
"What about me?" Speed pouted.
"We love you to," Eric said giving Speed a kiss as well.
"Well just as long as you love me to then we're good," Speed teased.
"I'll show you how much I love you," Eric growled as his mouth traveled across Speed's face to his jaw and down to his neck where he licked then bit down on the pulse point causing Speed to moan in pleasure. Eric's hands and mouth continued to travel across Speed's heated flesh causing the other man to arch into the touch and make happy sounds of pleasure.
"You two are so fun to watch. Do you have any idea how much you arouse me when you make out with each other like this?" Horatio breathed as his hands traveled up and down his own body stopping as they reached his cock and he teased the tip of it with a finger.
"That's the plan," Speed said as he tugged on Eric's hair urging him upward. Eric happily complied and moved up Speed's body and fell into the kiss Speed was requesting. Eric deepened the kiss as he threaded his fingers through Speed's hair. Horatio smiled as he shifted to kiss the back of Eric's neck. The sensation caused the man in the middle to moan into Speed's mouth. Sweeping his tongue along Eric's Speed hummed in contentment. They continued to make out like teenagers for a bit longer before Horatio who was kissing Speed yawned causing them to laugh.
"Well I guess it's time for bed," Speed said.
"MMM hmm," Horatio agreed sleepily. Eric nodded as he slid down and made himself more comfortable drifting off almost instantly.
"What about Rachel?"
"No, how about Natalie?" Eric and Tim shook their heads.
"You got any ideas, Cal?"
"How about Carolyn Joy?"
"I like that one," Eric commented. Speed and Horatio nodded.
"What others can we come up with?" Speed asked.
"What about Danielle?" Horatio suggested. The others nodded in agreement.
"What about Marie for a middle name Danielle Marie?" Calleigh suggested.
"MMM, like that one. Maybe Evelyn Grace?" Eric offered. The others nodded and Horatio jotted it down on the list they were making.
"What do you guys think of Cassie Jane?" Horatio wondered. The others said they liked that one as well.
"So we have Carolyn Joy, Danielle Marie, Evelyn Grace, and Cassie Jane is that all?" Speed asked, reading the list.
"What names do you like Tim?" Calleigh asked the New Yorker.
"What about Casey Lynn?" Speed said.
"Write that one down to," Eric told him.
"So we have five names, now how do we narrow it down to just one?" Calleigh asked.
"Put them all in a hat and draw one of them out?" Eric offered.
"That could work, we all like the names that were suggested, don't we?" Horatio confirmed.
"Yep," Eric answered.
"I think we should get an impartial person to draw it, though. Maybe Alexx?" Calleigh said.
"Yeah, let's go ask her," Horatio said as they made their way down the hall. They'd been sitting in Horatio's office. Shift had ended ten minutes before and he knew Alexx would still be cleaning up and putting the morgue back just like she wanted it.
"Hi, Alexx, we need your help," he said greeting her.
"Hello, sugar, what can I do for you?" Alexx asked cheerfully.
"We've narrowed the list of baby girl names down to five but we can't decide from their," Speed said.
"We've decided to put them in a hat and draw one out of it, but we want someone who's impartial so we were wondering if you'd do it?" Calleigh asked.
"I'd be honored to. What names have you picked?" the M.E wondered.
"Carolyn Joy, Danielle Marie, Evelyn Grace, Cassie Jane, and Casey Lynn," Eric read from the list.
"Those are all beautiful names. Any of them would suit this baby," Alexx complimented.
"We like them to," Eric said. Alexx took the paper and cut the names apart before folding them. Then she took them and mixed them up in her hands before placing them in a hat of her son's he'd left in her office. She shook them up again making sure they were thoroughly mixed.
"Are you ready to see what your daughter will be named?"
"Yes," they answered together.
"Drum roll, please," she teased. Eric and Speed tapped their hands on the counter.
"And the baby name goes to…" Alexx paused for affect.
"Alexx," Speed whimed.
"Don't whine, Timmy, it's not attractive," she told him. Tim had a mock afronted look on his face.
"She's right, babe. Whining isn't attractive," Eric teased.
"Oh shut up, Eric," Speed responded lightly shoving him.
"Do yall wanna know the name of your daughter or not?" Alexx questioned them. Instantly both men were standing still and stairing excitedly at her.
"And the baby name goes to, Ms. Carolyn Joy Delko!" she announced.
"We can't wait to see you Carolyn Joy," Speed crooned as he placed a hand on Calleigh's stomach. Just then Carolyn kicked in response.
"I think someone likes her name," Calleigh said.
"I do to," Speed agreed.
"Thanks for helping us, Alexx," Eric told her.
"It was my pleasure I'm just as excited about this baby as you are. It'll be nice to have another baby in the lab family. My two and Shelly are growing so fast," she said wistfully.
"I can't believe she's so close to being here," Horatio said happily.
"Neither can I," Eric added.
"It'll be here before you know it and the three of you will be begging for just one night of good sleep," Alexx warned.
"Oh but it will be worth it in the end," Speed answered.
"Yes it will," Calleigh murmured.
"How goes the preparations in the nursery?" Alexx asked.
"Very slowly we were actually going to ask you if you'd like to come over this weekend and help us? We need to paint and put the furniture together, and Cal can't be around the paint fumes," Eric said.
"The doctor said as long as the windows were open I could be," she protested.
"No, we aren't letting you anywhere near them," Horatio told her as he removed his sunglasses and let them dangle from his fingers as he placed both hands firmly on his hips.
"Give it up, Cal, when he has his hands on his hips and the sunglasses off, it's a lost cause," Speed said.
"Yeah I know your right," Calleigh said in resignation.
"Am I that predictable?" the redhead complained.
"Only to those of us who know you," Calleigh told him.
"I'd be happy to help. Have you asked Val and the others?" Alexx wondered.
"Yeah, everyone's promised to come help in some way or another," Horatio answered her.
"I'll be there Saturday morning ready to work," she promised. "What theme are you doing?" she asked.
"We've decided to do a teddy bear theme. We figured that would be a good theme for either a boy or a girl. Now that we know it's a girl we know the color we're painting the walls. We're planning on painting the walls a pale pink with the teddy bear border across the top of the wall," Eric described.
"It sounds lovely," Alexx complimented.
"Thank you," Horatio thanked her.
"Yourwelcome," she replied. "Now, go on and get out of here. I don't want to see any of you four until tomorrow," she gently scolded them.
"Yes ma'am," Speed said giving her a mock salute as he turned and walked out of the morgue.
"That boy..." Alexx said in exasperation.
"Yeah, but you love all of him including his sarcastic personality," Horatio told her.
"That I do," she agreed. "Now, get out of here," she ordered. Nodding the remaining members of the team headed out the same direction Speed had taken just moments before.
***
"Do you think she suspects anything?" Valera asked as she, Yelina, Adel, and Alexx decorated for Calleigh and the boys baby shower.
"No, I know the guys are in the dark as well. Frank took them on a guy's day out," Adel told the group.
"Yeah, I told Calleigh I'd be at her place to pick her up in an hour. I figured it would be good for them to have baby stuff at her place as well so if she ever wants to keep the baby there," Alexx commented. The others nodded as they continued decorating. An hour later both Alexx and Frank pulled up to the picnic shelter they'd rented for the day. The four of them had puzzled looks on their faces as they climbed from the cars.
"What's all this?" Calleigh asked.
"It's a baby shower for you and the guys," Valera answered her. The guys and Calleigh smiled in appreciation.
The baby shower went well and the expectant parents got a lot of gifts. An eight-month-pregnant Calleigh was sitting in a chair Alexx had set up for her.
"Hey, Cal, can we talk to you about something?" Horatio questioned as he, Speed, and Eric walked up.
"Sure, what is it?"
"We've been thinking and it would probably be a good idea if you move in with us until the baby's born," Eric explained.
"I think that's a great idea," Calleigh agreed.
"I'm surprised you agreed so easily," Speed commented.
"I know, but, it's what's best for Carolyn," the expectant mother explained.
"We've worked it out so that once you take your maternity leave in two weeks one of us will always be off so when you go into labor," Horatio told her.
"You're going to spread the team to thin, you can't do that," Calleigh protested.
"H already took care of it, don't worry about it, Cal," Eric replied. Sighing in defeat, Calleigh flashed a sweet smile as she rubbed her stomach. The baby was very active today.
"I'll agree to that last part, but only on one condition," the ballistics expert stated.
"What's that?" Horatio wondered.
"If the case load gets really heavy all of you will work, and I'll call you at work if I go into labor."
"You've got yourself a deal," Horatio said.
"Pleasure doing business with you," Calleigh teased as she held out her hands to have the guys help her to her feet.
"I wish I didn't have to go on maternity leave," Calleigh lamented as she walked into the locker room after shift two weeks later.
"You're the only person who I know who is annoyed because you have to take time off work for maternity leave," Eric teased as he went to his locker.
"Yeah, well I love my job. Besides, I hate when other people are in my lab," she whined.
"Don't worry, we'll make sure the temp puts everything back like he found it."
"Thank you," she said yawning.
"Tired?" the Cuban-Russian CSI asked putting an arm around his best friend.
"Yeah, this little girl is wearing me out."
"Hey there, Carolyn, stop being so hard on your Mommy. That's not nice." As he was talking he was rubbing circles on her swollen stomach. They could both feel the baby calming down.
"C'mon, let's go home. H and Speed headed home to fix dinner a few minutes ago."
"That sounds wonderful," Calleigh replied grabbing her purse and closing her locker before following Eric out of the crime lab and to his car.
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Dinner had been eaten and now the four of them were gathered in the nursery. Everyone had helped put it together. Calleigh and Alexx had put all the clothes and toys away. Everyone else put the furniture together and the guys painted the walls a pale green once they were sure Calleigh was far enough way that the fumes wouldn't harm her or Carrie. Calleigh laughed as she remembered the paint fight the guys had gotten into.
"What's so funny?" Speed wondered.
"I was just remembering the paint fight you guys got in," the blonde answered.
"That was such a mess, but so fun," Eric said.
"I'll never forget the look on Frank's face when the two of you threw the paint brush at him covering his face in green paint," Horatio said pointing to Eric and Speed.
"It was payback for him putting whipped cream on us at Alexx's barbeque," Speed said.
"With you three as her father's Carrie will never truly grow up, will she?" Calleigh teased fondly. The three men shook their heads. They continued talking and looking at the nursery for a bit longer until Calleigh began to fade.
"Well I think I'm heading to bed, night yall." The guys nodded in agreement, they were worn out as well.
8888888888888888888888
Calleigh sat up in bed unsure what had woken her. A moment later she realized what had. Pain went through her stomach causing her to cry out. Speed who was on the way back from getting a drink in the kitchen hurried into the guest room.
"You okay, Cal?"
"No, I think I'm in labor." Jumping into action Speed woke the others and within five minutes they were heading off to the hospital.
***
"Are you sure she's not in labor?" Horatio checked. They'd been at the hospital for only a few minutes when Calleigh's doctor showed up and told them that she actually wasn't in labor.
"No, it was just Braxton hicks contractions, also known as false labor. It was just a false alarm," Karen told them.
"But they hurt," Calleigh complained.
"I know they did, but they aren't anything compared to the real thing," the doctor replied.
"You mean those hurt even more?" the ballistics expert asked incredulously. She knew that child birth was painful, but she hadn't been prepared for just how painful.
"I'm afraid so, Cal," Karen answered.
"Are the Braxton hicks contractions normal?" Eric questioned.
"Yes, they're completely normal."
"Is there anything she needs to do or we need to do for her because of them?" Speed wanted to know.
"No, just make sure she takes it easy and rests."
"I'll see you next Monday for your appointment. Now that your eight months along I want to see you weekly," the doctor instructed the expectant mother.
"Okay, see you then," Calleigh said with a yawn.
"C'mon, let's get you two home," Speed said helping the expectant mother to her feet and slinging an arm over her shoulders.
"Sorry for all the trouble," Calleigh apologized.
"It's no trouble at all. Call me if you need me or if it's an emergency head straight here and they'll get a hold of me," Karen told them.
"I still can't believe I was so stupid to think I was in labor," Calleigh said blushing.
"Don't worry about it. It's a natural reaction when you're experiencing Braxton hicks contractions. I had false alarms with all three of my kids," the OBGYN assured. Calleigh smiled she felt less stupid now that she knew even a trained OBGYN thought that Braxton Hicks contractions were the real thing.
"See you next week," Calleigh called out as she headed out of the hospital ready to get some much needed sleep.
"You're going to work, and that's final," the ballistics expert protested hands on her hips a week later.
"But Cal," Eric protested. It was his day to hang with Calleigh and she was fighting him on it.
"Remember our deal, Eric? If the lab was slammed whoever was supposed to hang with me would go into work. I'm fine, I promise." Eric sighed reluctantly. He knew she was right, but it didn't mean he had to like it.
"Okay, fine, I'll go, but call if you need anything," the male CSI demanded.
"I will, now get out of here," Calleigh said waving a hand. Laughing the Cuban-Russian headed out the door leaving the blonde to her own devices. Little did he know what they'd be coming home to?
"I see Calleigh reminded you of the deal we made?" Horatio teased as he saw Eric walk into the break room.
"Yeah, man that's one stubborn woman."
"Don't let her hear you say that. Trust me it's a bad idea, I still have the bruise to prove it," Speed said gently touching his cheek where a hardback book had collided with it the week before after he'd accidentally called his pregnant friend stubborn.
"Don't you guys know better than to call a pregnant woman names?" Alexx demanded. The three guys nodded causing the M.E to laugh.
"I was just about to do the autopsy on your case, Timmy," she told the New Yorker.
"I'll be right down, just have to get a couple things first."
"Okay, see you then," the mother of the team said exiting the room.
"No rest for the weary," Eric commented.
"Or the wicked," Valera teased as she walked by.
"Hey," Eric protested throwing a paper towel at her. The others just laughed at the pair.
Meanwhile back at the house. Calleigh was furiously cleaning the kitchen. She'd decided shortly after Eric left that the house needed to be cleaned from top to bottom. She was currently scrubbing the counters to within an inch of their life. She'd been cleaning ever since Eric had left and that was four hours ago. Calleigh knew she was experiencing what all the pregnancy books called the nesting instinct. Women felt the need to clean or do other tasks to ensure the baby was coming into the safest and most healthy environment they could be born into. Logically she knew she didn't need to do these things, but she couldn't seem to stop. Once she was done in the kitchen she walked into the nursery and began feverishly cleaning it. She took each outfit out one-by-one and unfolded it then refolded it. Once she was satisfied that each outfit was perfect she placed them back into the dresser. Moving on to the closet she proceeded to take every outfit off its hanger and iron it to within an inch of its life before hanging it meticulously back on the hanger and placing it in the closet. She'd just finished ironing the nursery curtains when she decided to reorganize the kitchen cabinets. Having just rearranged which cabinets held which dishes according to their purpose in the kitchen, Calleigh decided the spice rack should be organized by size rather than alphabetically like it currently was.
The expectant mother was trying to determine which container was bigger, season salt or cinnamon when she heard the front door open and the three guys walk in.
"What the?" Speed exclaimed when they walked into the house to find every surface gleaming and some of the things rearranged. They continued to take in the sparkling clean house admiring the changes that had taken place.
"Calleigh, where are you?" Horatio called out.
"Kitchen," replied the southern bell. The three male criminalists wandered into the kitchen and stopped in their tracks at the sight of the blonde holding the cinnamon and the season salt apparently studying them intently. Walking over to the cabinet where the glasses were kept Eric opened it wanting to get a nice cold drink of water. He frowned when he looked into the cabinet and found plates not the glasses he was expecting to find.
"They're in the cabinet above the sink," Calleigh explained.
"Uh... okay?" Eric answered in a bewildered tone.
"Which ones bigger, cinnamon or season salt?" the ballistics expert demanded shoving the two items in her lieutenant's face.
"Uh, I'm not sure," the redhead answered hesitantly.
"No problem, that's what this is for," Calleigh said grabbing a ruler sitting on the counter and measuring both containers. "The cinnamon is 14 inches and the season salt is 13 inches, so the cinnamon goes here and the season salt goes here," she said placing the containers in the correct spots. "There, now the spice racks organized properly," the Louisiana native declared with a broad smile.
"Uh, Cal, are you feeling okay, sweetheart?" Horatio asked carefully.
"Of course I am, what do you mean?"
"Uh, well..." the redhead broke off not sure how to finish his sentence.
"What he means is how long have you been at this and why?" Eric tried to explain.
"Since you left this morning, and as for the why, the house just needed to be cleaned.
"Cleaned, I understand, but why in the world are you ordering the spice rack according to size? Have you gone absolutely bonkers?" Speed asked. The trace expert's words hung in the air. The other two men could see the colossal mistake their lover had just made, but apparently he didn't. . Everyone could see the change in Calleigh and the tension in the kitchen began to build. Both Horatio and Eric drew in a sharp breath and glared at Speed.
"What did I do?" Tim wondered holding his hands up.
"I. have. Not. Gone. Absolutely. Bonkers.," Calleigh growled each word measured and clipped. "I just want to make sure the house my baby girl is living in is clean. What's wrong with that?" the blonde demanded her green eyes flashing.
"N-n-nothing, I'm sorry," Tim stuttered.
"You should be. I'm just trying to make this house safe for Carolyn, and all you can do is stand their and make fun of me. Well I don't have to listen to it anymore." With that her anger vanished and was replaced with big fat tears. Bursting into tears, Calleigh fled from the kitchen as quickly as her heavily pregnant body would allow.
"Fuck," Speed groaned thumping his head on the wall.
"You can say that again," Horatio said. They all winced as the door to the guest room slammed.
"What do I do?" Speed asked worriedly.
"You fix this, you idiot," Eric told him.
"Yeah, I know that, but how?"
"First of all, make her a cup of tea and go get that box of Caramel Delights that we've been hiding from her. Then take it to her with a sincere apology," Horatio suggested.
"Make sure to tell her that you know what an idiot you are," Eric added helpfully.
"Yeah, yeah, I will, there's just one problem with that," Speed said.
"What's that?" Eric wondered.
"I can't find the mugs."
"Try above the coffee maker. It looks like she's organizing according to purpose," Horatio supplied. Nodding Speed got out the mug and began preparing a cup of camomile tea. Once it was fixed he got the box of girl scout cookies that they'd hidden in the freezer out and placed it on the tray. Calleigh had a non-stop craving for Girl Scout cookies, more specifically Caramel Delights so they'd been forced to hide a few boxes to make them last the entire pregnancy.
"I'm going in, wish me luck," the New Yorker requested.
"Good luck," the other two guys said in unison laughing at Tim's frightened face.
"It's not funny, I'm about to go face off against a hormonal pregnant woman."
"Speed, just do us all a favor and shut up? You're lible to get yourself killed and maybe one of us in the crossfire," Eric said. By this point Speed had reached the door.
"Oh, crap, do you think she has her gun in there with her?" he asked clearly worried.
"For your sake, I hope not," Horatio muttered just as Speed knocked on the door.
***
"What?" Calleigh called through the door. Tim could her still crying softly.
"It's Tim, can I come in please? I brought you some tea and cookies." There was a full minute of silence which made the New Yorker nervous.
"Fine, I guess," she reluctantly answered. Breathing a sigh of relief, he pushed open the door and carefully entered the room. He was thankful to note that the ballistics expert didn't have her gun anywhere in sight.
"Are you checking to see if I'm holding my gun?" Calleigh asked. Blushing, Speed nodded.
"I thought about it, but no, I didn't get it out," she answered. Tim breathed a sigh of relief. Calleigh tried really hard not to smile when she saw his relief, but she wasn't alltogether successful.
"You have something to tell me?" she questioned.
"Yeah, I do. I'm sorry for what I said. I'm a first class idiot. I know you're not bonkers. You just want to make sure Carrie grows up in a safe place," Speed said sweetly as he placed the tray with the tea and cookies on the table beside the expectant mother's bed.
"Apology accepted, just make sure to never say anything like that ever again," Calleigh cautioned.
"I'll remember that for next time. Now, I think Eric's figured out your organization system enough to make spaghetti for dinner. What do you say? Are you up for it?"
"You bet, spaghetti sounds delicious. I'll be in there just as soon as I finish my tea and cookies," the blonde replied shoving a cookie in her mouth and moaning in pleasure. XXXX
"Another piece of garlic bread, Cal?" Horatio asked holding out the basket of bread.
"No, but could you pass the lemonade?"
"Here you go," the redhead said handing it to her. Her glass was about half full when a frown crossed her face and she let the pitcher fall to the table spilling lemonade on to the table.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" she screamed clutching at her stomach.
"Calleigh?" Eric called.
"Oh god, it hurts," Calleigh cried. Just then she felt wetness between her legs. "Oh no, my water just broke," she gasped as another contraction hit. All three guys stared between the growing pool of lemonade on the table to the wet spot forming on the floor. None of them seemed to register the blonde's words. "Hello, did yall here me? I said I think my water just broke! I'm in labor! Owwww!" the expectant mother shouted as another much stronger contraction ripped through her abdomen. Simultaneously they all three jumped to their feet and leapt into action. Eric helped Calleigh to her feet while Horatio cleaned up the mess and Speed grabbed her hospital bag and his keys.
"Okay, let's go, I've got the bag and my keys," he called out. Nodding, Horatio and Eric guided a slightly doubled over Calleigh out of the house and to Speed's car. He still drove his bike, but now that he was going to be a father, he needed a car as well.
"Who do you want in back with you, sweetheart?" Horatio questioned.
"Eric, please," Calleigh replied through gritted teeth. Nodding the Cuban-Russian CSI climbed in back with her and held out a hand for her to squeeze anytime she needed it. The other two men hopped into the front and after making sure everyone was buckled, they headed off for the hospital. XXXX
By the time they got their, Eric was pretty sure he'd lost all feeling in his right hand. He even thought it might be broken, but he wasn't sure. Calleigh had one hell of a grip, he mused. The end result was worth enough for him not to complain about the pain. It was no where near the pain she was going through. Five minutes later they had Calleigh in a wheelchair and they were taking her up to labor and delivery. Horatio had taken over holding her hand so Eric could call her doctor. Speed had been sent for ice chips. Twenty minutes later, the doctor entered the room where the four of them were at. XXXX
"Hi, there, Cal. You're back, I see," she greeted.
"Yeah, and this time, I think it's real. Oh hell, here comes another one," she cried out. Flinging her hand out she reached for whatever she could find. That just happened to be Speed's hand. He opened his mouth about to cry out and protest, but two identical death glares from his lovers silenced him.
"Just shut up and take it," Eric mouthed. Horatio nodded in agreement.
"Okay, let's check you and see how far along you are," the doctor said moving to the foot of the bed.
"Sounds good to me," the expectant mother agreed.
"It looks like you're already 4 CM dilated."
"So what does that mean?" Eric wondered.
"It means she's almost halfway there. Would you like an epidural for the pain?" the doctor asked. Immediately Calleigh nodded her head.
"Yes, please, give me something for the pain."
"I'll have someone come in and give you that here real soon. I'll be back to check on you a little bit later," Karen said leaving the room.
"I'll go call Alexx and everyone else," Horatio said leaving the room.
"Thanks, Horatio," Calleigh said with a small smile.
"It's my pleasure. Thank you for giving us this little miracle," he said patting her hand. XXXX
Three hours later.
"One more good push and she'll be here," the doctor coaxed.
"I can't, I'm too tired," the laboring woman complained collapsing on to the pillows. Her hair was sweaty and stuck to her face and she was exhausted.
"You can do this, Cal. I can't think of anyone else who can," Speed encouraged as he gently wiped her face with a cool cloth.
"Tim's right, I know you can do it to," Eric encouraged.
"Just look at it this way. The sooner you push, the sooner we all get to meet Carolyn," Horatio tried.
"You're right, okay, one more push, but only one," Calleigh replied.
"I want you to push on the next contraction," the doctor instructed.
"Oh god, I have to push! I have to push now!" Calleigh cried.
"Push whenever you feel you need to," Karen coached. Tucking her chin to her chest and clutching Eric and Speed's hands for dear life and staring directly at Horatio she bore down and pushed as hard as she could.
"I can see the head. You're doing great," Eric said choking up as he saw his first glimpse of his daughter.
"Heads out, one more push and we'll have the shoulders."
"You lied, you said that last time, I can't do another push," Calleigh whined.
"Yes you can, you have to," Dr. Johnston argued.
"I c-c-can't," Calleigh whimpered. Her body betrayed her, however, because she could feel another contraction building and the urge to push was to strong. She began pushing automatically. "Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" she screamed. She could feel the doctor guiding the shoulders out then she felt her baby daughter slip from her body. Smiling broadly, Karen held the baby up for all of them to see. After she cleared her mouth and nose she smiled when she heard her give a healthy cry.
"It's a girl, 7 LBS, 7 OZ, 20 inches long, born at 11:54 PM, June 22, 2010," the nurse announced.
"Here you go, Mommy. Here's your baby," she said placing the tiny girl on Calleigh's chest.
"She's absolutely perfect," Calleigh breathed.
"That she is," Eric replied.
"Just like her mama," Speed added.
"Welcome to the world, Carolyn Joy Delko," Horatio whispered as he stared transfixed at his newborn daughter.
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