Choices 8C/?, CSI Miami, Calleigh/Natalia, NC-17

[sinjenkai]

Title: Choices 8C/?
Pairing: Calleigh/Natalia
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I don't own them, but I spend a lot of time with them. This is gonna get really dark folks, so consider yourselves forewarned.
Archiving: P & P, DuVista, women_in_kevlar, all others please ask. Next in my series. Many thanks to Soul_Caged aka Complete_Machine for being my new writing partner. This is not beta’d so all mistakes are ours.


Grayson got off the stool to kneel next to her cousin, wanting to offer her comfort, but unsure exactly what to do. She had just assumed that Calleigh was fed up with the stress of having to watch out for Eric and of him showing up at the scene. Shaking her head, she admitted to herself that she was mainly concerned with what had happened with Jordan, and hadn’t bothered with anyone else.

“What exactly is going on?”

Grayson and Natalia’s head snapped up at Jordan’s voice.

“What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at Cedars.” Grayson stood, meeting her brother half way across the room.

Brushing her aside, Jordan went straight over to his cousin to gather her into his embrace, gently picking her up to carry over to the sofa.

“Talk to me Natty... What’s wrong? Where is Calleigh?” The gentle giant, held her close, rubbing Natalia’s back, and stroking her hair.

Sniffling, Natalia muttered against his chest. “Calleigh made a deal with your sister that if she will help her track down Eric and kill him, that she will be Gray’s apprentice.”

Jordan glared over at his twin, shaking his head. “You accepted it. Didn’t give it a second thought. Did you ask her what had happened, or were you so pleased that you finally have a true disciple that you didn’t care.”

His sister recoiled as if slapped; she had never fully intended to let it go that far, hoping deep down it would be just too far out of reach for either Natalia or Calleigh to follow through, in fact, she had counted on it. His words were the kind someone else would say to her, careless hateful remarks and he’d never spoken to her this way, even when it was deserved, it made her cheeks sting with shame. And that’s what made her such a good assassin; she covered all the bases before she made any move. She’d become lax in her duties, after this engagement, she would have to cut all contact with the family. It was becoming too dangerous now.

Abruptly something that Jordan had said earlier caught her attention. “What do you mean, where is Calleigh? She’s downstairs moping.”

“No she’s not, and her Crossfire is missing.”

Natalia struggled to get out of Jordan’s grip, even in his weakened condition she was no match for his bear like strength and he held her fast. “Oh my GOD! She’s gone after him on her own. Where would she go?”

All three said at the same time. “Eric’s house.”

Grayson pushed on her sunglasses. “Jordan… Natalia, you’re coming with me. Neither one of you can protect yourselves.” Grayson waved them both to follow her as she flew down the stairs to the Mercedes, holding the door open for them. It was the only car with more than two seats and the horsepower to maybe catch Calleigh before she did something all of them would regret.

Pulling out his phone, Jordan turned to his sister. “Who do you have watching the house?”

Grayson ignored her brother, pulling out her own phone and making her own phone calls. She was serious when she had meant no more games, family included, this was her job, her engagement, and it was time to stop taking prisoners. “Jacinto, if you see Eric, shoot on sight. Watch out for the blonde... She’s already there!” Grayson cursed, and punched the dash, shattering the center display. “If you see Delko, take the fucking shot. ENGAGE HIM!” She screamed into the phone, ending the phone call and pushing the car harder and faster than it was safer to with Jordan and Natalia with her.

“Slow down Grayson, there’s more than just you in the car, and don’t even start thinking that you are going to start doing everything all on your own. We are a team.” Jordan growled.

Grayson ignored him; let him say what he wanted. They were a team. Sometimes. She slowed down, tears stinging in her eyes at the rage she felt consuming her. This was all Eric’s fault and he was going to pay, heavily. When it came to the job, she was alone and she liked it that way. Finally seeing the street to Eric’s condo, she jerked the wheel hard, sending the car sliding in protest of rubber and smoke.

Grayson made sure Eric’s car wasn’t there and saw Calleigh’s Crossfire in the driveway, the front door wide open. She cursed violently, kicking the driver’s door open, and pulling out a gun, holding it by her hip. She gave the signal for Jacinto to follow her into the house along with Jordan and Natalia.

“No, get out Grayson.” Natalia demanded. “You and your lackey, get the fuck out.”

Grayson stopped, even though she wanted to kill everyone in sight just to stop the rage she felt consuming her entire body. She grabbed Jacinto by the front of the shirt for the second time that day, shoving him out the front door, leaving Jordan with his beloved cousins. Grayson had never felt so helpless in all her life. She stomped over to the Mercedes, ripping open the door and, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one up, she exhaled a long stream of smoke while Jacinto stared at the house, grumbling to himself.

“Shut the fuck up, or I’ll kill you just for fun.” She hissed, and he instantly slinked back to his own car, leaving her to stew in her own rage.

“Stay behind me just a little bit, but stay where I can see you please.” Natalia asked her cousin. “She’s may need to see you.”

“I’ll be right behind you...”

Making her way inside, Natalia squinted in the dark rooms, trying to find her wife. She wasn’t in the living room, nor the kitchen or Eric’s bedroom, so that left the one room that she really didn’t want to go into. Walking down the dark, back hallway, she came to the picture room to find the door open. Peering inside, Natalia’s eyes searched the room, finally finding her wife standing in the furthest corner.

Natalia moved into the room, trying not to spook her wife. “Cal?” Her voice was soft, pleading. They had to leave, if Eric showed up, she was afraid he’d bring his silent partner and Grayson would be out matched for sure.

“Go away Talia. It’s not safe for you here.” Calleigh’s voice was void of emotion.

“Calleigh, I love you. If this has to happen, then it happens to the both of us. I will not leave you to him.” She ground out, furious that Calleigh would just leave her like this.

Swallowing the lump in her throat while closing her eyes, Calleigh muttered the only thing she swore she would never speak. "I don't love you... I will never love you... I just wanted to fuck you like everyone else.”

Natalia felt her rage boil over. “That’s bullshit, you know that there was no one after Eric. DAMN IT CALLEIGH! Stop lying and trying to protect me from this shit... I know what he did! It doesn't matter, I love you still. DON"T PUSH ME AWAY!" Natalia screamed, flinging a tripod past Calleigh, watching it embed itself in the wall.

Ripping her shirt open wide, exposing her chest, revealing the marks that Eric had left. “HE FUCKING TOUCHED ME...HE PUT HIS HANDS ALL OVER ME, TALIA.... HE SPREAD MY LEGS AND PUSHED HIMSELF AGAINST ME... I CAN’T TAKE THAT HE DID THAT... I CAN’T STAND THAT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT.” Calleigh screamed.

“LOOK AT WHAT HE DID TO ME.” Calleigh took a step closer to the brunette, making sure that she could see the bruises on her neck, shoulders, and chest, before pushing down the waist of her pants to show her the bruises that were forming on her hips. “DO YOU WANT TO FOLLOW THAT?”

Natalia answered without hesitation, stepping up to the blonde. “Yes, there is nothing he, nor anyone else could ever do to you that would make me walk away. Don't you get it? You are my wife and I am yours.” She whispered in Calleigh’s ear without touching her.

Tears streaming down her face, Calleigh stared at her before falling to her knees amongst the pictures of all of the stolen moments; moments that had been some of the happiest times of her life, times that had been violated by someone who used to be her friend. Someone who had protected her, and whom she had trusted.

Natalia gathered the blonde into her arms, protecting her, shielding her, loving her for all time. She shielded her from the outside, from anything that could touch them in this moment. She started to cry as well, her tears mingling with Calleigh’s hair as she kissed it over and over again, sobbing out of relief Calleigh hadn’t left her.

“I’m sorry... I thought that I was doing what was right. Leaving you, making sure that you would be safe... I couldn’t stand it if you were hurt... Especially if it was because of me.” Calleigh sobbed.

“I love you Calleigh...” Natalia’s voice broke along with her wife’s. “I would die without you, waste away to nothingness. If we die, we die together. Just as we live, we live together.” Natalia made Calleigh look at her, wiping tears away from jade eyes.

Bringing up her hands, Calleigh whispered. “I love you Tal....”

Suddenly the window shattered through as Eric threw in a lawn chair, bellowing. “Keep your filthy hands off my wife.”

Pulling out her gun, Calleigh sighted on the man that was threatening her family as Grayson was came through the door with Jordan on her heels. The assassin’s eyes were narrowed slits as she sighted Eric through the window and pushed Calleigh’s gun away from her target. She turned to Jordan, tossing him her gun. “Get them the fuck out of here!” Diving through the window, Grayson tackled Eric mid run, both of them going down in a tumble of limbs, curses, and glass.

Calleigh once again tried to draw a bead on Eric, but Grayson was in the way. “Move out of the way, Gray.” She shouted.

Jordan put his hand over the gun, yanking it from the blonde’s hand. “Get your wife out of here. Jacinto is covering the front. Get into the Mercedes.”

Reaching, Natalia grabbed the arms of both Calleigh and Jordan. “Both of you move it. We need to get into the Mercedes, NOW!”

Jordan tried to pull away, but Natalia wasn’t having any of that. “JORDAN! You have to protect us, I’m not armed and Calleigh is wounded...you have to help us?”

Jordan was torn, he knew he had to protect Calleigh and Natalia, but he was loathing leaving Grayson, no matter how angry he was with her at the moment. He watched in dismay as Eric had her pinned to the ground, landing vicious punches to her mid section before she brought up guard and held him down on top of her, not allowing him to move at all. He heard her smart comments even now in the heat of the fight. “What’s wrong Delko? Mad that Calleigh found someone that could satisfy her needs? You’re just a boy, Natalia is all woman!” Eric punched her hard in the face as she laughed at him through a bloody mouth. Jordan screamed in rage, shoving the women towards the door, and the Mercedes parked out front.

Grayson kicked Eric hard in the chest, shoving him off her; he stumbled and fell back several feet, landing on his back stunned. Grayson scrambled to her feet, making sure the knife in her pocket was still there, she laughed circling him, taunting him. “Get up you sorry piece of shit! GET UP!” She kicked at him in the face, unprepared however when he caught her leg throwing her several feet into a tree. Grayson laid there stunned, watching as Eric approached with a victorious smirk on his face. ‘Oh you sorry fuck... you have no idea who your messing with!’ Grayson though vehemently. She pushed herself off the ground, backing away from him, making him come to her.

Natalia stared at the scene in the front yard; Jacinto was staring at them in horror, screaming for them to get in the vehicle, Grayson couldn’t hold him off forever. She searched for Jordan, and found him right behind them, his hands full of steel, pointing both guns at Eric, not caring that his sister was in the way. Grayson for her part, was backing away from Eric with blood pouring like a fountain from her mouth, she looked pissed, though not really hurt. Even though she was retreating like a wounded animal, she seemed in control. Eric was stalking her in true fashion, following her closely and smiling psychotically. “Grayson!” The bloody brunette never even looked up, dodging Eric’s swipes at getting his hands on her.

Pulling her wife behind her, Calleigh snarled as she headed towards Eric, determined to get his attention so that Jordan could toss Grayson a gun. “Eric... you don’t want her... I’m the one that you want...The one that you lust after... You want me...” Ripping off her shirt, she threw it at him, offering herself to him; standing there in her bra and pants. “Here I am... Come and get me. If you can get to me, I’m all yours.”

Grayson realized what was happened and stopped trying to draw Eric closer; instead, she reached out and backhanded him hard across the face. “Doesn’t matter who you chase Eric because you can never please her... She belongs to Talia. In order to get Calleigh and Natalia, you have to kill me.” Grayson then punched Eric hard in the ribs, watching him drop to his knees. “JORDAN, COVER HER UP AND GET THEM OUT OF HERE OR I’LL KILL YOU MYSELF!”

Natalia grabbed Calleigh, and pushed her into the Mercedes, followed by Jordan, she scrambled into the driver’s seat, distraught at leaving Grayson to fend for herself.

“Talia, you can’t leave her with Eric. He’ll kill her... She’ll die because of me.” Calleigh begged.

Natalia agreed, but she couldn’t let Calleigh be anywhere near Eric. “She can take care of herself, baby...” Jordan watched the fighting, everything in him wanting to jump out of the Mercedes, and save Grayson. He cringed as Eric kicked her knees out from underneath her and sat on her chest, punching her viciously.

Flooring the Mercedes out of the driveway, Natalia tried not to watch the bloody scene in the rear view mirror as she roared down the street, followed closely by Jacinto, heading for the Complex.

Punching the side of the car, Jordan bellowed in rage, he was torn by where he wanted to be, and where he should be. Drawing in a deep breath, he attempted to calm his nerves, knowing that they were still not in the clear. Eric had a partner somewhere out there.

Natalia knew that they had to get away quickly, but she also knew that she couldn’t take the chance that Eric’s partner wouldn’t follow them back to the complex so she began to take abrupt turns, making sure that there wasn’t anyone back there other than Jacinto.

“Jordan…Jordan!” Natalia got his attention. “Call Jacinto and tell him to make sure that no one is following us. Tell him to split off in a couple of minutes to see if there is and to meet us at the complex afterwards.”

Doing as asked, Jordan dialed for Jacinto, who when he answered his tone was polite instead of Grayson’s cruel demands. Jacinto of course agreed to anything either one of the Cerano twins asked of him. “Alright Natalia, Jacinto will be breaking off in 3...2...1...” Jordan watched while the Chrysler 300 swung wide and went a different route out of view.

Carefully watching the rearview mirror, Natalia couldn’t see anyone that seemed to be following him nor them so she began to breathe easier. Glancing to the back seat, her heart skipped a beat as she saw that her wife was curled up in the corner of the car, silently crying.

Looking ahead, she saw a spot and quickly pulled over. “Jordan, do you have a blanket or something in the trunk that we can cover Calleigh with and can you drive?”

Nodding, Jordan pushed himself out of the car, popping the trunk, he pulled out a blanket that had been left in the trunk in case of emergencies; it wasn’t anything nice, but it would have to suffice. He walked around to the driver’s side, giving the blanket to Natalia. He was afraid to touch Calleigh, not knowing if she would reject him or not.

Getting into the back seat, Natalia carefully laid the blanket about the blonde’s shoulders. “There you go baby. That should warm you up a bit.”

Calleigh slowly sat up, not looking at Natalia again, staring straight ahead. Reaching up, she drew the blanket closer to her body. “Thank you...”

Natalia looked down at her clenched hands in her lap, then over to Jordan driving. “You’re welcome.” Natalia asked. Her eyes lifted to stare up out the window as the road flitting by them. The images of Grayson’s face, bloodied at the hands of her former boyfriend made her skin crawl.

All of a sudden, Natalia felt a touch on her leg and looked down to find that Calleigh had laid her head down on her thigh, wrapping her arm around her waist. Tears were still slowly falling down her face.

“It will be alright Cal… It has to be because we have too much to live for.” Natalia gingerly lifted her hand to run her fingers through her wife’s golden hair, closing her eyes and offering a prayer to the angels above that they both were safe.

Calleigh buried her face in her wife stomach, closing her eyes and inhaling her scent. This is what she was striving to protect… This woman meant everything to her. What she had tried to do was the right thing; it’s just that she went about it the wrong way.

Jordan pulled the car into the complex and quickly got out to close the garage door, before heading towards the stairs, talking with Jacinto on the phone.

Sitting quietly in the car for a few moments, Natalia finally got the nerve to ask. “Why did you do that Cal? Why did offer yourself to be Grayson’s apprentice?”

Calleigh’s body went stiff before she slowly sat up to stare at the seat in front of her. “I did what I thought was right. I needed to know that you were safe. Your life means more to me that my own.”

Shaking her head, Natalia got out of the car to go around to open Calleigh’s door. “That’s awfully selfish of you Calleigh. Do you think that your life means any less to me?”

Carefully sliding out of the car, making sure that she didn’t touch the brunette, Calleigh wrapped the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “No Talia, I don’t, but I…”

“But nothing Calleigh, you once again you made a decision without taking into account what I would feel about it. I thought that we had a partnership; not a dictatorship?”

Calleigh’s eyes snapped towards her wife. “We do have a partnership and you know it. What about you? You said that you want to kill Eric too. Were you going to talk about that decision before you went through with it or after you came back to me with Eric’s blood on your hands.”

“That’s not fair Calleigh. What did you expect me to want to do when I saw the mark on your neck in the hospital? I saw red and I wanted Eric to pay, he has no right to touch you; not now, not ever.” Natalia stepped forward, her eyes flashing and hands on her hips.

Shaking her head, Calleigh turned towards the stairs. “And here the only thing that I was concerned about is your safety and I thought that Grayson could get you somewhere safe. Oh dopey me.”

Natalia stormed past Calleigh, standing in her way, blocking her assent up the stairs or elevator. They needed to get all of this out in the open.“Grayson can do several things Calleigh, but she can’t be you. She can’t be my entire world Calleigh... And don’t go sarcastic on me.”

Drawing the blanket even closer, Calleigh faced the brunette. “Well, who in the hell is going to be my world if Eric gets to you? Do you think that I’ll just get over you quickly and move on to someone else? Gee, thanks darlin’.”

“Calleigh, Look at me please...?” Natalia pleaded. “This isn’t easy for either one of us. We are too close to all of this to think straight.”

Calleigh took a step back. “You think Talia? No... Answer the question. What am I supposed to do if he gets you? Do you think that I’ll have it any easier knowing that my ‘friend’ killed my wife because he was infatuated with me?”

“Well, how in the hell do you think that I will feel if my former lover kills my wife because I love her more than he ever could?” Natalia finally broke down, tears streaming past bronzed cheeks; she picked up a wrench and threw it hard across the garage, anything to burn off her anger at being so helpless.

Calleigh’s eyes went wide at the dent that the tool left in the toolbox that it hit, while her mouth hung open in she. Slowly she turned her head to look at her wife and they both started laughing. “I am so not going to tell Grayson that you did that. Maybe she won’t notice.”

Natalia looked down at her hands like she couldn’t believe what she had done. “Well, I’m not going to admit it.” Looking up and over to her wife, Natalia’s facial features softened. “What are we arguing about?”

Calleigh walked over to wrap her arms that was still holding the blanket around the brunette’s waist. “On how we’re both terrified that the other is going to get hurt and will do anything and everything to protect them. Even if it means doing something totally out of character.”

Sighing, Natalia gazed down into her wife’s eyes, smiling slightly at their clearness. “We gotta stop doing this Cal… we need to talk to each other and let each other know what we’re feeling.  Why do we have such a hard time with this one thing?”

Smiling back, Calleigh whispered. “Because we are two VERY independent women who each thinks that she knows what’s best for the other and we can’t see how much we are hurting each other. I’m sorry that I didn’t think the whole thing out. I was just going on my gut reaction and wanted you to be safe.”

Tucking the blonde head underneath her chin, Natalia rubbed gentle circles on her back before turning them towards the elevator. “Let’s go take a nice long shower before Grayson gets home because I’m sure that she’s not going to want to go to the doctor and I’m not going to let her fix herself up.”

Leaning her head against her wife’s shoulder, Calleigh gave a silent prayer of thanks that they were both safe and still talking to each other.