CSI:M FIC :: "Aftermath" [Calleigh/Natalia, PG13]
Title: Aftermath
Author: A. Magiluna Stormwriter
Email: stormwriter@shatterstorm.net
Rating: PG13
Pairings: Calleigh/Natalia
Date: 4-5 February 2008
Word Count: 1003
Summary: A possible aftermath to "Stand Your Ground".
Spoilers: 6th season episode "Stand Your Ground"
Website: ShatterStorm Productions - Frisked & Conquered
Link to: http://f-n-c.shatterstorm.net/
Archive: ShatterStorm Productions only…all others ask for permission & we'll see…
Author’s Disclaimer: "CSI: Miami," the characters, and situations depicted are the property of Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Alliance Atlantis, Touchstone Television, The American Travelers, and CBS Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes. Previously unrecognized characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. This site is in no way affiliated with "CSI: Miami," CBS, or any representatives of the actors.
Author’s Notes: This was originally written for the third week challenge over at lastficstanding, which was to write in first person POV. I kind of liked how this ended up working out…and it was nice to revisit one of my favorite pairings…
Dedication: My muses, for always sticking around…
Beta: shatterpath, as usual
"Aftermath"
by A. Magiluna Stormwriter
"What am I doing here?"
I glance up at the soft question, heavily laced with exhaustion and embarrassment. Her normally bright eyes are dull and red-rimmed, bleakly staring at her nervously twisting fingers. It hurts just to see her this defeated; this isn't the strength I've come to respect over the past two years. She struggles to her feet with a dizzying sway; I'm at her side instantly, steadying her petite frame.
"Easy, Calleigh." Deliberately keeping my tone gentle, I maneuver her back onto the couch. "No sense wrenching your back even more. Alexx said you need to take it easy."
"I'm fine, Nat!" It's amazing how her accent thickens when she gets worked up. "I don't need to take it easy. I need to do some" -- her breath hitches in her throat -- "thing. I'm not some hothouse flower that needs to be coddled."
"Of course, you're not," I reply smoothly. "But you're not invincible, either, missy. You had the crap kicked out of you today, physically and emotionally. Take a rest. Stetler's not letting you back out for field work until you're cleared, so get used to relaxing for a while."
Stetler's name brings a sudden growl to her lips, and I regret mentioning him. Alexx will have my hide for making Calleigh more upset. Without thought, I push her back down onto the couch, trying to ignore her grunt of pain. And I know better than to look at her; her tears will be my undoing. I need to be the strong one tonight; Calleigh needs to know she can trust me to take care of her.
"Damn it, Nat!" So the tears aren't just in her eyes now. Great…
"Have you taken any of the pain meds Alexx gave you?"
"Besides that elephant tranq she shot into my ass?" Is that a note of sarcasm in her voice? Maybe she is feeling a little better. "And considering I don't remember leaving her office or coming here, I'd say it's a safe no."
Heading into the kitchen, I fill two mugs with the chamomile tea I'd been brewing while she slept. Just a hint of powdered honey to sweeten it, and hopefully that will help disguise the taste of her painkillers. I know their acrid flavor far too well, thanks to Nick. She's staring at the bottle when I come back into the room, still hiding behind the armor of Detective Duquesne. I really should have taken off her jacket and shoes before. But her eyes are haunted, looking inward, and she's not really seeing anything in the real world. There's a sense of hopelessness, of defeat, that's not normal for Calleigh Duquesne. To be honest? It's freaking me out to see her so distant.
"Calleigh?"
"I think Jake has a drinking problem," she finally says in a soft voice.
Okay… I wasn't expecting that. "What do you mean?" I settle on the couch next to her, holding out one mug in her direction. I don't want to talk about Jake Berkeley, damn it. I want to take care of Calleigh, make her feel better.
"The extra mimosas Rick was hounding me about? They were Jake's. He'd started drinking before I ever got there. I just didn't want to rat him out."
"Why not?" The words are out before I can stop them. "Sorry, I just… I don't like him, Cal, you know that."
"I know." She pauses to pull one of the horse pills from the bottle, and needs several swallows of tea to get it down. "Ugh! Couldn't she give me something smaller?" She squints at the bottle, and I can't help but wonder if I can actually get her out of that jacket, peel off that armor of hers. "Am I supposed to eat with these? Do you remember if Alexx said so or not?"
"No, but you probably should eat anyway. I made some salad while you were pass -- sleeping." Her eyes flash dangerously at me, but I can't tell if it's anger or amusement. "How's this sound? I grab you a salad, then I'll get you something more comfortable to sleep in. That way, when the meds kick in, I help you into my guest bedroom and you can sleep more comfortably. Sound good?"
Her answering nod is slow, and not just because she's drinking more of the tea. "This is good."
With a warm smile, I get the food before going to prepare the guest room. When I come back, Calleigh's huddled over her mug, shoulders shaking. "Cal? Honey, you okay?" I ask, gently stroking her back as I sit next to her again.
"I could have been killed out there," she whispers raggedly, "and he still won't admit those four mimosas were his. If I matter so much to him, why can't he admit he's got a problem? Why couldn't he just be a fucking man and tell Rick Stetler they were his? Why is the burden of proof on me?"
"I don't know." I pull her closer, wanting to take away all of this shit. She feels impossibly small and vulnerable in my arms. "Don't think about it now. Finish up your salad and get some rest. We can talk about it in the morning, okay?"
She clings more tightly to me, hissing softly in pain. "I don't want to be alone, Nat, but I can't stay with Jake if he's got a drinking problem. It's different with my dad. I can't handle someone else in my life with that same damned addiction."
"Shh, let it go, Calleigh, we'll deal with it tomorrow." I'm not surprised that she's crying. I just wish there's something I can do to fix this for her. I keep murmuring similar words until she starts to slump more heavily against me. "Come on, honey, let's get you to bed." She meekly lets me lead her into the bedroom. Without hesitation, I crawl into the bed with her, holding her close. "Rest now, honey. You're safe."
Author: A. Magiluna Stormwriter
Email: stormwriter@shatterstorm.net
Rating: PG13
Pairings: Calleigh/Natalia
Date: 4-5 February 2008
Word Count: 1003
Summary: A possible aftermath to "Stand Your Ground".
Spoilers: 6th season episode "Stand Your Ground"
Website: ShatterStorm Productions - Frisked & Conquered
Link to: http://f-n-c.shatterstorm.net/
Archive: ShatterStorm Productions only…all others ask for permission & we'll see…
Author’s Disclaimer: "CSI: Miami," the characters, and situations depicted are the property of Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Alliance Atlantis, Touchstone Television, The American Travelers, and CBS Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes. Previously unrecognized characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. This site is in no way affiliated with "CSI: Miami," CBS, or any representatives of the actors.
Author’s Notes: This was originally written for the third week challenge over at lastficstanding, which was to write in first person POV. I kind of liked how this ended up working out…and it was nice to revisit one of my favorite pairings…
Dedication: My muses, for always sticking around…
Beta: shatterpath, as usual
"Aftermath"
by A. Magiluna Stormwriter
"What am I doing here?"
I glance up at the soft question, heavily laced with exhaustion and embarrassment. Her normally bright eyes are dull and red-rimmed, bleakly staring at her nervously twisting fingers. It hurts just to see her this defeated; this isn't the strength I've come to respect over the past two years. She struggles to her feet with a dizzying sway; I'm at her side instantly, steadying her petite frame.
"Easy, Calleigh." Deliberately keeping my tone gentle, I maneuver her back onto the couch. "No sense wrenching your back even more. Alexx said you need to take it easy."
"I'm fine, Nat!" It's amazing how her accent thickens when she gets worked up. "I don't need to take it easy. I need to do some" -- her breath hitches in her throat -- "thing. I'm not some hothouse flower that needs to be coddled."
"Of course, you're not," I reply smoothly. "But you're not invincible, either, missy. You had the crap kicked out of you today, physically and emotionally. Take a rest. Stetler's not letting you back out for field work until you're cleared, so get used to relaxing for a while."
Stetler's name brings a sudden growl to her lips, and I regret mentioning him. Alexx will have my hide for making Calleigh more upset. Without thought, I push her back down onto the couch, trying to ignore her grunt of pain. And I know better than to look at her; her tears will be my undoing. I need to be the strong one tonight; Calleigh needs to know she can trust me to take care of her.
"Damn it, Nat!" So the tears aren't just in her eyes now. Great…
"Have you taken any of the pain meds Alexx gave you?"
"Besides that elephant tranq she shot into my ass?" Is that a note of sarcasm in her voice? Maybe she is feeling a little better. "And considering I don't remember leaving her office or coming here, I'd say it's a safe no."
Heading into the kitchen, I fill two mugs with the chamomile tea I'd been brewing while she slept. Just a hint of powdered honey to sweeten it, and hopefully that will help disguise the taste of her painkillers. I know their acrid flavor far too well, thanks to Nick. She's staring at the bottle when I come back into the room, still hiding behind the armor of Detective Duquesne. I really should have taken off her jacket and shoes before. But her eyes are haunted, looking inward, and she's not really seeing anything in the real world. There's a sense of hopelessness, of defeat, that's not normal for Calleigh Duquesne. To be honest? It's freaking me out to see her so distant.
"Calleigh?"
"I think Jake has a drinking problem," she finally says in a soft voice.
Okay… I wasn't expecting that. "What do you mean?" I settle on the couch next to her, holding out one mug in her direction. I don't want to talk about Jake Berkeley, damn it. I want to take care of Calleigh, make her feel better.
"The extra mimosas Rick was hounding me about? They were Jake's. He'd started drinking before I ever got there. I just didn't want to rat him out."
"Why not?" The words are out before I can stop them. "Sorry, I just… I don't like him, Cal, you know that."
"I know." She pauses to pull one of the horse pills from the bottle, and needs several swallows of tea to get it down. "Ugh! Couldn't she give me something smaller?" She squints at the bottle, and I can't help but wonder if I can actually get her out of that jacket, peel off that armor of hers. "Am I supposed to eat with these? Do you remember if Alexx said so or not?"
"No, but you probably should eat anyway. I made some salad while you were pass -- sleeping." Her eyes flash dangerously at me, but I can't tell if it's anger or amusement. "How's this sound? I grab you a salad, then I'll get you something more comfortable to sleep in. That way, when the meds kick in, I help you into my guest bedroom and you can sleep more comfortably. Sound good?"
Her answering nod is slow, and not just because she's drinking more of the tea. "This is good."
With a warm smile, I get the food before going to prepare the guest room. When I come back, Calleigh's huddled over her mug, shoulders shaking. "Cal? Honey, you okay?" I ask, gently stroking her back as I sit next to her again.
"I could have been killed out there," she whispers raggedly, "and he still won't admit those four mimosas were his. If I matter so much to him, why can't he admit he's got a problem? Why couldn't he just be a fucking man and tell Rick Stetler they were his? Why is the burden of proof on me?"
"I don't know." I pull her closer, wanting to take away all of this shit. She feels impossibly small and vulnerable in my arms. "Don't think about it now. Finish up your salad and get some rest. We can talk about it in the morning, okay?"
She clings more tightly to me, hissing softly in pain. "I don't want to be alone, Nat, but I can't stay with Jake if he's got a drinking problem. It's different with my dad. I can't handle someone else in my life with that same damned addiction."
"Shh, let it go, Calleigh, we'll deal with it tomorrow." I'm not surprised that she's crying. I just wish there's something I can do to fix this for her. I keep murmuring similar words until she starts to slump more heavily against me. "Come on, honey, let's get you to bed." She meekly lets me lead her into the bedroom. Without hesitation, I crawl into the bed with her, holding her close. "Rest now, honey. You're safe."