I stumbled upon this song while searching for "Emily Proctor" video clips. Obviously you can see why. Read the lyrics or listen to the song before reading the fiction. It will make more sense that way.
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: Miami or the song "Me and Emily". I do own Richard (I wish I didn't), Steph March, and Emily.
Note: I know the abused wife with young daughter thing was used in CSI with Cath, but I just had to write a fiction with this song and the little girl in this song already has the name of Emily.
I took some liberties in this fiction, such as making up Calleigh's supervisor (speaking of which, can you figure who I named her after?). Calleigh isn't as weak as she looks. You'll see.
Warning: There is character spousal abuse in this story. Physical and sexual. I tried not to be too graphic. Just a warning.
This fiction takes place just before Calleigh goes to Miami to work for Horatio.
Me and Emily
Rachel Proctor
Floorboard's filled with baby toys,
An' empty coke bottles an' coffee cups.
Drivin' through the rain with no radio,
Tryin' not to wake her up.
Cell phone says "low battery",
God, what if I break down?
I'm just lookin' for an exit with a lotta lights,
A safe little interstate town.
Just a cheap hotel,
With a single bed,
And cable TV
Is good enough for me an' Emily.
Some day, when she's old enough,
She's gonna start askin' questions about him.
Some kid at school brings his Dad for show an' tell,
An' gets her little mind a-wonderin'
"Where's my Daddy? Do I have one?
"Does he not love me like you do?"
Oh, maybe I'll find someone to love the both of us,
An' I'll tell her when she's old enough to know the truth.
Will it break her heart?
Will she understand,
That I had to leave?
That's what was best for me an' Emily.
That house was never clean enough
His dinner never warm enough.
Nothing I did was ever good enough to make him happy.
So, I guess, he gave me what he thought I deserved,
But it would kill me if he ever raised his hand to her.
Big rigs are throwin' rain on my windshield,
An' I feel like they're laughin' at me.
Fin'lly the storm is lettin' up,
An' the mornin' is breakin' free.
It's a brand new day,
It's a second chance.
Yesterday is just a memory,
For me an' Emily.
Floorboard is filled with baby toys,
An' empty coke bottles an' coffee cups.
Least there's one good thing that he gave me,
An' she's startin' to wake up.
That house was never clean enough
His dinner never warm enough.
Nothing I did was ever good enough to make him happy.
So, I guess, he gave me what he thought I deserved,
But it would kill me if he ever raised his hand to her
A small house in New Orleans
"CALLEIGH!"
"Yes Richard?"
"Git yourself down here this instant."
"Just a minute!" Putting down the laundry basket, Calleigh walked from the laundry room to the kitchen mentally bracing herself for the inevitable outburst.
"What is it, dear?" Calleigh put on what she hoped was her best smile.
"My dinner is COLD. That's three nights in a row. Can't you git food warm enough woman?" Richard pointed at the plate of food before.
"Sorry. I'll just put in the microwave and it'll be fine." Maybe it wouldn't be so cold if you came home on time for once.
"I noticed the living room was a mess today. Have you done ANYTHING worthwhile today?" Richard voice was starting to rise. Calleigh seethed.
"Yes as a matter of fact. I caught two murderers and one serial rapist. You?"
"Don't you go smart-mouthing me, Calleigh. I'll have you know I do very important business."
Yeah, like screwing your secretary. That's right. Don't think I don't know. It doesn't take a genius to figure out the meaning of condoms in your freaking briefcase. Calleigh spun around holding the hot plate. "You think you're so good? Trying working hours without a break and then coming home to care for our daughter, who by the way, you never seem to have time for, AND cooking and cleaning and see if you can keep everything in tip top shape!" she spoke vehemently. "You!"
Richard had by now gone red in the face. Before Calleigh had time to go on, His hand connected solidly with the side of her face.
"YOU WILL NOT TALK BACK TO ME YOU HEAR?"
Calleigh stumbled, dropping the plate, but recovered quickly and looked at Richard evenly, as if daring him to try again. Richard struck again, this time on the other side of the face. Calleigh stumbled, this time falling against the counter. Richard proceed to hit her repeatedly around the ribs until finally Calleigh was curled in the fetal position on the floor, crying in pain. Straightening up, Richard gave her a final kick in ribs and said, "Clean yourself and this floor. I hope you learnt this lesson well."
Calleigh remained curled up until she heard Richard's footsteps on the stairs. Slowly, she uncurled herself and stood up; wincing as she gingerly felt her ribs. She thanked the Lord that none of her ribs were broken; although she was sure she'd be black and blue tomorrow. Getting the broom, she swept the broken plate and ruined dinner into the trash. Mercifully Richard did not bother for the next two hours, and she was able to give Emily, who slept through the commotion, a bottle of formula and a bath. Calleigh took comfort in Emily's smiles and giggles as she bathed her, and later in singing her one year-old to sleep.
Carefully opening the bedroom door, Calleigh breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Richard asleep on the bed. Maybe I'll get a reprieve tonight. Calleigh crept stealthily to her dresser and pulled out a large old t-shirt and her favorite pajama pants as well as clean panties. She made her escape to the bathroom and let the hot water and steam wash over her aching body. Calleigh took as long as she possibly could in the bathroom, only getting out of the shower when the water started to get cold. After slowly brushing out her hair and applying raspberry scented body lotion. She swung open the door, feeling rejuvenated and ready to climb into bed. And found Richard sitting up on the bed.
"What took you so long Calleigh?"
Calleigh cringed. So much for a reprieve. Maybe if she was nice he would leave her alone.
"I had to feed Emily and give her a bath and then put her to sleep. You should sleep, you have to work tomorrow."
Richard stood up. "Screw work." He walked up to Calleigh, and, sweeping her hair to one side, started to kiss her neck. "You smell so good…"
Calleigh attempted to move away from him. "Not tonight honey. I really tired." This, unfortunately, only served to infuriate Richard. His grip on her shoulder's tightened. In a low and dangerous voice he said,
"Goddammit woman, you are my wife. It is your responsibility to satisfy me, and I want sex! Do you understand?"
"Richard let go of me. I said I don't want to—Ahhh…You're hurting me! Richard! Please!" Calleigh whispered while trying to get out of his grasp. Richard threw Calleigh down on the bed and climbed on top of her.
"Richard! Please! Get off of me! Please!" Calleigh fought him, hitting him uselessly with her arms and legs. Richard grabbed her flailing arms and pinned them above her head. Roughly pushing her t-shirt up, he sucked on her breasts-hard- and then bit down. Calleigh whimpered in pain. Giving up on fighting, she lay limp as Richard yanked off her pants. Calleigh was dry when he thrust forward into her and she gasped in pain, closing her eyes as the tears flowed. Thankfully, Richard finished fast and collapsed next to her, falling asleep quickly. It was hours before Calleigh could get herself to move. She stepped back into the shower, scrubbing furiously at herself with the loofah, finally simply dissolving into tears as she slid down the wall of the stall. Emerging from the bathroom, she heard Emily's soft cries signaling that she was waking up. She hurried down to the nursery to hold one of the few things she could look forward to every day. Sitting down in the rocking chair still holding Emily, Calleigh pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"I'm not sure how much more of your Daddy's treatment I can take. He was always like this you know. He didn't start hitting me until after you were born. Lord, if you ever lays a finger on you, will murder him. I know I should leave him Emily, but I'd have to leave Louisiana to feel safe again, and I have no where to go. I promise I'll leave as soon as a good opportunity presents itself. "
Looking down, Calleigh saw that Emily was asleep again. Kissing her again, she tucked Emily back into her crib and settled back down in the rocking chair to sleep. The next morning, Calleigh got ready at top speed, leaving bacon and eggs in the table before slipping out to drop off Emily at the babysitter's and going to work long before Richard woke.
Will it break her heart?
Will she understand,
That I had to leave?
That's what was best for me an' Emily.
Louisiana Crime Lab
Thank the Lord I have to be at work earlier than Richard. Calleigh thought as she strode down the hall to her beloved ballistics lab, where she could take refuge from Richard and the rest of the world. Before she could get there, she was stopped by her Supervisor.
"Calleigh, do you remember Horatio Caine?" Steph March asked.
Do I ever. The tall redheaded lieutenant had surprised her in her ballistics lab one day, commenting on her shot. "Thanks, Handsome." she'd sassed back before catching herself. But sweet Lord he was a sight to behold. "Of course, Steph. He came in last week?"
"Yep. He called to extend a job offer to be a CSI and ballistics expert up in the Miami Crime Lab."
Calleigh perked up. This could be my opportunity. "You mean like a transfer?"
"Exactly. I say you should go. We'll all miss you terribly, but it'll give you an excuse to get away from Richard." Steph was the only person Calleigh had confided in about Richard's abusive behavior. Calleigh had been good enough to hide the effects of Richard's attacks, both physically and mentally, from everyone but the sharp eyes and mind of one Steph March.
"I think I will. When do I start?" Calleigh asked.
"On Monday. That gives you two days. Tell you what. You can have today off to get ready and perhaps get a head start."
"Thank you Steph. I'm gonna miss y'all." Calleigh and Steph embraced warmly.
"Keep in touch, Calleigh."
"Sure thing, Steph."
As Calleigh walked back down the hall, she couldn't help grinning. At last, the opportunity she'd been waiting for had literally fallen into her lap. She could finally get away from Richard and she had a chance to work with the well known Lieutenant Horatio Caine. It was turning out to be a good day after all. A vision of Horatio wearing his sunglasses and looking into the distance sprang to mind. My knight in shining armor. Calleigh sighed dreamily. Shaking her head, she reprimanded herself for having inappropriate thoughts about her future supervisor.