Title: Second Chances
Chapter 1 … Careful What you Wish For
Rated PG-13 (some violent parts)
Series: Original Thriller
Author: Andorian Ice Princess
Contact: jazzy_

Summary: Do you believe in second chances? Would you give one if given the chance? What if it was to the one you loved? What if you ran out of time?

A/N 1: I thought it would be fun to write different stories at different stages of their relationship. This story is near the beginning. They both have different apartments and have only worked a few cases together. Their relationship is starting to grow and both know they are in love but haven't taken the next steps. Hope you all like it just the same.

A/N 2: If you want to be put on the exclusive Sheldon/Caleb mailing list please let me know and include your email address…my alerts work sooner and better than the author alerts!

This is a piece of fiction. It is written for pleasure and not for profit. All characters are my own. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. Yadda yadda yadda…

"Caleb…oh god Caleb…" Sheldon cried as she held Caleb's dying body in her arms, a piece of crushed paper now stained red at her feet. "Caleb!" Sheldon yelled into his lifeless expression, her hands red from trying to stop the flow of blood coming from his battered body.

Suddenly his eye lids started to slowly open and he looked up at her with a haunted look. "Sheldon…" he whispered in a soft hoarse tone. "I lo…I believe…in…us…I lo…"

"Caleb…shhhh…don’t talk," Sheldon cried, her tears falling onto his bloodstained face and causing grisly trails to appear. "You have to hang on okay…you…you can't leave me…Caleb I…I believe…oh god Caleb I do…" Sheldon said trying to shake him to keep him awake. "Caleb…please…" she cried.

"Don't… cry," he whispered as he tried to lift his arm to touch her face one last time.

"Caleb you have to hang on," Sheldon begged in agony. "Caleb…"

"Sheldon…I…I lo… you…" he said with one last breath and then…

"NO!" Sheldon yelled into the cold dark night, drops of rain still blanketing her and the precious life form she held in her arms. "Caleb you can't leave me! I believe…I do…I…" Sheldon yelled in agony. "How could I have been so blind…why didn't I…Caleb…NO!" Sheldon yelled once more… "I love you too!"

Suddenly a light shone on her and she froze in place, Caleb's lifeless body still in her arms. "Sheldon…" a voice called to her as a figure approached. "Sheldon………." Sheldon heard her name but kept her watery eyes fixed firmly on Caleb's dead body.

 "Sheldon…"

"No…" she whispered in vain "I….believe…I do…Caleb…please come back to me…Caleb…I believe…"

"Sheldon…!"

********

"Caleb I have seen cases like his all my life," Sheldon started in a firm tone.

"All your life? Oh that's rich," Caleb snided back. "How about being objective like you usually like to? Is it because I found him first and you didn't?" Caleb asked quickly.

"It has nothing to do with that and you know it. You've been sniding about Dennison behind his back this whole case. Like I'm going to believe the word of a junkie over a…"

"Dirty Agent?" Caleb grinned.

"A respected Agent…" Sheldon corrected him.

"Sheldon did you even hear what he said? He was there," Caleb protested. "He saw it all."

"He's telling you what you want to hear!" Sheldon snapped back.

"He's telling us the truth," Caleb replied.

"I can't believe that you believe him Caleb," Sheldon said in shock. "I mean look at him…he's a bum…a good for nothing…a junkie…a…"

"Sheldon how can you be so cold towards him?" Caleb asked softly, calming down a bit. This case had more than exhausted their leads and their patience. Apparently an undercover FBI and CIA Agent were killed and only one knew the identity of the one's who pulled the trigger. The only solid lead they had was at the word of a junkie that was quickly dispelled by the lead FBI Agent that Caleb didn't trust. Sheldon had drawn the winning number and was given the lead on what was supposed to be a simple case. But by the end of the week, tempers weren't the only thing flaring between Caleb and Sheldon. Their working closely together had given them more than ample opportunities to express at least a little bit of what they were feeling for the other inside – intense passion and attraction. Sadly at this moment all that was found in the heat of the moment, was two angry faces, two rapidly beating hearts and one truth.

"Caleb he's a pusher…I mean he's high now. Do you honestly expect me to take whatever he says seriously?"

"He's telling the truth," Caleb insisted.

"He's on drugs! They are all the same. They never change!"

"How can you judge him so fast? You never gave him a chance," Caleb tried.

"Caleb you know as well as I do that junkies are that way because they chose to be that way. He is getting paid in drugs or something to try to discredit what an FBI Agent says. I can't believe you'd take his word over our top investigator for this case," Sheldon said firmly, her tone a little softer as well.

"Sheldon, Dennison's crooked," Caleb said looking away from the man in the interrogation room, staring at Caleb through the thick dark glass.

"And what gives you that idea? Woman's intuition?" Sheldon snided.

"Why the hell did Nickel leave you in charge," Caleb muttered in frustration as he turned and walked away.

"What? What did you just say? I'm always in charge!" Sheldon snapped as she turned on her heel, away from the interrogation room and rushed after Caleb. "I was here first remember?"

"Oh yeah please remind me again," Caleb said in sarcasm. "Did you even hear what he said?" Caleb asked in anger as he turned to face her.

"Caleb he's a drug addict!"

"Did you even listen? Did you ever stop to think he might be telling the truth?" Caleb snapped back, his anger getting control of his emotions. "He's telling the truth."

"He's high!" Sheldon half yelled.

Both took a step back and just stared at one another in heated anger.

"Sheldon I know you have a heart inside of you…right now you need to use it and…"

"Caleb I know you have a brain inside of you…right now you need to use it!" Sheldon replied easily.

"I just can't believe you'd write him off so easily. I mean yeah so he had a bad upbringing and made a few bad choices and…" Caleb tried to plead.

"Caleb just because he had a bad upbringing doesn't mean he had to make those choices. He didn't have to turn to drugs."
"Maybe he had no choice!" Caleb retorted.

"Yeah like he was forced them?" Sheldon asked with a half laugh. "Please Caleb how can you be so blind?"

"And how can you be so cold? I mean I believe him," Caleb said in earnest. "I believe he saw Stewart kill that undercover CIA Agent and I think the second killing, the killing of the FBI Agent was done by Dennison."

"Are you even listening to what you're saying?" Sheldon asked in disbelief. "Killed his own? His record is…"

"Sheldon why aren't you looking at this thing from all angles? I can't believe you are letting protocol dictate this case to you."

"And I can't believe you are letting emotions dictate this case for you," Sheldon said crossing her arms. "As always."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Caleb asked crossly.

"It means you always side with the victims! This time you are wrong. This time I'm right."

"Sometimes you have to let your emotions guide you," Caleb insisted. "And I know I'm right! You just can't accept the fact that you are wrong."

"Caleb I'm not going to argue with you," Sheldon said turning around. "I'm in charge of this and I make the final call."

"Fine. So now what? You'll turn him loose and let him take care of himself?" Caleb asked in a softer tone. "Let him go when Stewart and Dennison knows he's told us the truth!"

"He's not telling the truth so he won't be in danger," Sheldon said firmly. "The evidence points to Dennison. His snitch Boomer fingered Charlie and I believe him. You know Charlie Buchan the hired hitman!"

"Charlie is missing…how convenient," Caleb replied in sarcasm.

"That isn't my fault," Sheldon protested.

"Dennison is lying," Caleb said weakly. "He's framing…"

"Caleb he's an FBI Agent – top FBI Agent. I think I take his word a little more seriously over that of a junkie."

"Sheldon he's dirty and you know it!" Caleb hissed. "Even Milt suspects him."

"Stewart is guilty; that much we both agree on. Dennison's man is an undercover cop and Dennison is FBI. Milton left him on the case. Who do you think I should believe? That Dennison would kill his own man? Or that a hit man for the mob would!"

"Dennison killed his own undercover man just like Stewart did to ours. Dennison knew Adams or whatever his name is was on to them and had him killed. Stewart killed his partner. The three of them were hand picked by Dennison. Kinda convenient. Oh and Charlie? Charlie is the fall guy who's probably wearing a cement kimono by now," Caleb said angrily.

"Caleb this discussion is over," Sheldon said firmly.

They both took a few minutes time out and turned their stony attention back into the interrogation room, where Investigative FBI Agent Dennison was enjoying what he knew was a heated debate going on outside. Finally he turned his attention to the man before him and smiled. "Want to go home Billy?"

"No," Billy mumbled.

"Too bad loser," Dennison smiled sarcastically. "Sell your lies someplace else."

"I'm not lying," Billy protested.

"Well it's either jail or the street. Your pick Billy," Dennison said smugly.

After a few seconds Billy Chan turned his sordid look back to the sinister man before him and huffed. "I'll go home I guess."

"Good choice," Dennison snided and then turned back to the black glass and winked.

"Sheldon you can't let him go," Caleb protested. "He…"

"Well that's what he wants. You just heard it for yourself," Sheldon said firmly. "Only you believe this junkie and that's not good enough," she said firmly, not realizing that she just crushed him to pieces.

"So what I think is not good enough?" Caleb asked softly. "It doesn’t count for anything in this case?"

"Caleb he want's to go now!" Sheldon said firmly.

"Well he wouldn't if you made him a good deal…we need to protect him."

"Caleb he told you what you wanted to hear. Now he wants to go because he knows I can see through his lies. He…"

"Billy…his name is Billy…Billy Chan…" Caleb mumbled.

"Billy is lying!" Sheldon said firmly.

"He's high," Caleb shouted out in haste.

Sheldon turned to him with a smug look and Caleb knew he had just lost his case. "Like I was saying…he's lying…he's saying whatever he thinks we want to hear to cover his own ass. To get a nice warm stay in the holding cell before he has to go back to the hell hole he normally shoots up in," Sheldon said firmly. "Sorry Caleb but I'm in charge on this one and I say we keep looking. We'll find Charlie. He's outta here," she said turning her back to him once more and walking up to the interrogation room door. She opened it, took one last look at Caleb's fallen expression and headed inside.

Caleb slowly walked to the room and watched the scene unfold before him. Sheldon…his mind said inside. How can you do this? You know I'm right, he insisted inside. Why are you listening to Dennison, he asked looking at the Senior FBI Agent's smug smile. Damn it! Caleb cursed inwardly as he turned his gaze back to the junkie on the chair. He studied his features and if he was cleaned up looked like he'd be a descent guy. Then he looked at Sheldon and found himself slightly blushing inspite of the fact that she just told him that she didn't care what he thought. Damn you Caleb, he cursed himself once more, she just shot you down. Probably for good. Why do you still look at her that way? He knew they had drawn closer than they had before in the past week with the rest of the team, save Garth, out of the country on another high profile case. He had worked up the nerve to ask her out for dinner but this incident had ended the evening even before it had began. Now it looked like he would never get his chance. Why are you so blind Sheldon, Caleb wondered to himself?

"But I'm telling the truth…" the junkie sputtered as he was hoisted from his chair and escorted out of the room. "Y-you can't put me back out there," he insisted.

"Get lost ya bum," Dennison said loudly as he looked at Caleb and winked. "We don’t need your two bit testimony."

"Sorry but we don’t buy your load of crap," Sheldon said frankly. "Try selling it somewhere else."

The young man stopped in front of Caleb and looked at him in anger. "You said you could help me."

"I trie…" Caleb started.

"You said you knew I was telling the truth and that they'd b-believe me," he said taking a large gulp, panic filling his slightly watery eyes.

Caleb studied the young Asian-American man before him with a frown, not saying a word.

"What?" The junkie yelled at Caleb.

"Nothing," Caleb said sadly. "Sorry. I'm sorry I failed."

"Aww how sweet," Dennison taunted.

"Shut it Dennison," Caleb said angrily. "He is telling the truth."

Sheldon found herself wincing at Caleb's words but inside she felt she was right and as team lead on this case she had to stick to her guns. She turned her attention to the junkie and found herself staring at him in surprise before muttering to herself. "I wonder…" she muttered to herself.

"What!" Billy demanded of Sheldon.

"I am just wondering what you would have become if you had turned out differently. What could you have become if given a different life?"

"Him," the junkie whispered to her, making Sheldon look at him in surprise. "I would have b-become him," he said again referring to Caleb. "Given the right choices…"

Caleb watched, with his mouth slightly agape, as the young man was hauled away and taken back outside.

"Nice try Kwan we'll have another chance at this. And next time you'll lose more than a witness," Dennison whispered smugly as he hauled the junkie through the front door. "Don’t worry kid, I'll take you someplace safe."

Caleb turned to Sheldon and just looked at her with a slight frown.

"One chance," Caleb said softly. "That's all I asked for."

"Caleb he's just another junkie," Sheldon said trying to push past him. "Well find the evidence with the help of someone on the level. We'll find Charlie and then this case will thankfully be over."

"He's right," Caleb said making her stop in her tracks. "I believe him."

"Caleb we've been over this already. The evidence points us…"

"He's right," Caleb said loudly. "Given the right choice…the one chance…he could have been me…or vice versa. You didn't even listen, didn’t give him that chance. What if it was me! And if we lose this case…" he said turning on his heel and walking the other way, leaving Sheldon standing in the middle of the hallway to contemplate what he just told her.

'What if it was me…' were the morbid words that played over and over again in Sheldon's mind as she headed back to the lab in a cloud of gloom, even Garth's chipper voice didn't perk her up or make her smile in the least. "Only two more days," she said to herself as she plopped down on her lab stool. "Then dad and Milton will be back and I'll be out of this mess," she said firmly. She heard a small bang from behind her and turned to see Caleb slamming his locker door shut and then storming for the entrance. He paused briefly to look at her and then just kept going.

"Caleb…" Sheldon's voice trailed off as she jumped off the stool and ran after him. She reached the hallway only to see the front door slam shut and the then listened as Caleb's BMW started off and sped away.

"Great Sheldon," she muttered to herself in anger. "This just shot down any chance you had with Caleb. The man you know you are falling in love with inside."

Sheldon quickly finished up her paperwork and then headed home. After eating another luke-warm microwave TV dinner she quickly showered and got ready for bed. She lay down under the covers and looked at a small picture of her and Caleb on her bedside table, a recent picture of them at a CIA awards dinner. "No way Caleb," she whispered towards his smiling face. "Given anything and a junkie is always going to be a junkie…I wish you could see that…given one chance and he'd still be who he is…I wish you could see that I'm right…I wish I could show you I'm right…sorry but I just don’t believe…"

Caleb lay in his bed, staring at a small picture of he and Sheldon on his bedside table. "Why the hell are you so stubborn?" Caleb asked softly to her smiling face. "Why can't you see…given the chance he would be different…not all are the same…not all are bad….I wish there was some way I could make you see that I am right…I wish you could experience that for yourself…I wish you would come to believe me…"

********

Sheldon woke from her sleep with loud crack of thunder and lighting. "Damn it," she lightly cursed as she rolled over onto her other side and tried to get back to sleep. "Will this night ever end?" She moaned as she finally drifted back to sleep. Another loud crash woke her once again. She flipped on the light and looked at the picture of her and Caleb. "I should call him. I owe him an apology…at least for hurting his feelings. I don’t have to believe him but…I should call…" she whispered into the now silent room. "I…" she said reaching for the phone as the lights went out. "Damn it!" She cursed as she put the phone down, her number connecting with his just before the power went out. "Maybe I'll just wait till morning…but…oh hell…"

********

"What time is it?" Sheldon groaned as she rolled over and looked at the blinking clock. "Damn it!" She cursed as she pushed herself out of bed and rushed into the kitchen. "Storm must have knocked out the power. Now I'm late!" She said rushing back into her bedroom to get ready and head into the office. She quickly dressed and headed for the lab. "I wonder what Caleb will say this morning?" She pondered miserably. "Why can't he see truth," she continued her one-person audible tirade. "No matter. Today we'll just go back over the file and…" she said pulling into the parking lot. "He's not even here yet," she said stonily as she pulled up beside a brand new red Porche. "I wonder who's the perp that belongs to this?" She smirked as she slowly got out of her truck and headed inside.

"Late as usual huh Alexander," came a snide remark from behind.

"I uh…what?" Sheldon asked in shock as she turned around to face a very angry looking Nickel. "Yeah I guess. When did you and Milton get back?"

"Don’t try to change the subject," Nickel growled.

"Sorry dad," Sheldon replied in disbelief.

"Don’t use that term here!" Nickel's angry voice boomed. "What the hell do I have to do to make it clear that you are only allowed to be late once a week!" He snapped angrily.

"I said I was sorry," she said firmly.

"Yeah I heard," he said walking closer. "If it happens again I'll dock you pay."

"What?" Sheldon asked in shock.

"Don’t screw with me Sheldon," he said turning on his heel and walking away in a huff.

"What is his problem?" Sheldon muttered to herself.

"Just the usual," came a tired voice said from behind her.

"Cecil? When did you two get back?"

"Back from where?"  Cecil asked with an frown as he neared a very bewildered Sheldon.

"You and Nickel were out of the country to track down a clue in the Sanchez case. You know political aid Sanchez? Columbia?"

"What drugs are you on?" Cecil snapped. "We've been here the whole week. But nice try. As if Nickel would want to work solo on such a high profile case with me. He hates me and I can't stand his…well you know."

"What? But you and he and…I mean the two of you are… "

"What about me and Nickel?" Cecil asked with his arms crossed. "What did you hear?" He snapped.

"Friends? Wrong rumour I guess," Sheldon said backing a step up. "Sorry."

"As if he'd let anyone share the limelight with him."

"Limelight? You're NSA."

"So."

"But you two said long ago that you'd never let the case get that competitive between the two of you," Sheldon sputtered. "You said you'd never let anything come between the two of you."

"I ask again what drugs are you on?"  Cecil asked walking closer. "Look I know you probably had another rough night but don’t let your side job interfere with this one."

"Side job?"

"Everyone knows," Cecil said walking away. "Can't hide anything from us Intel guys…" he laughed.

"What the hell is going on here? I don’t have a side job." Sheldon asked turning and heading for the locker room. She neared the entrance and noticed Milton's back to her, looking like he was leaning in on someone. Obviously making out, Sheldon said inside. "At least something's are still normal," she smirked to herself.

"Oh sorry," Milton said pulling away from his lover.

"It's…o…kay…" Sheldon said slowly as she gazed upon another man, a white, male but shorter than Milton. "I uh…right…carry on," she said turning away and rushing out of the locker room. "Okay I'm in the Twilight Zone," she said rushing for her lab. "Where the hell is Caleb!"

"Morning Sheldon," Garth said from his corner.

Sheldon gazed upon a very different looking Garth and then did a double take. "Garth?" She asked in surprise.

"Hello," he said softly. "What? What's wrong?"

"It's uh…I've uh…your hair…it's so…short…and…your clothes are…are so normal…when did you get glasses?"

"Since like grade three," Garth snided softly. "And I dress like this all the time."

"Right. What did Marcy do? Sell your clothes?" Sheldon smirked.

"Who's Marcy?" Garth asked with a frown.

"Yeah right…your wife?"

"Uh I'm not married. Who'd want to marry me?" He asked sheepishly.

"This can't be happening."

"Want to listen to some music? It looks like you could use something to calm your nerves. Rough night again huh."

"What exactly do I do at night that everyone knows about?" Sheldon practically blurted out.

"Well you uh…" Garth said looking down. "Sheldon you're a dancer," he said with a large smile.

"A what!" Sheldon shouted.

"A dancer," Garth said with a small smile.

"Ballet right?"

"Exotic," Garth reminded her.

"I uh…no…that's…that's what Cecil's ex did…not me," Sheldon insisted.

"His ex? Hardly. He's happily married remember?" Garth snorted.

"What?" Sheldon asked in surprise. "No he's…and I would never…" Sheldon started in protest.

"You needed the money to put yourself through school remember?"

"No! It's not…it was…" Sheldon tried again.

"Sheldon we all make choices we regret, but now I guess you'll have to just live with it," Garth said sadly.

"This can't be…Caleb! Caleb did this right? Where is he?" Sheldon demanded in an angry tone.

"Who?" Garth asked with a frown.

"Caleb. You know Caleb Kwan. The other member of the Looney Toons team!" Sheldon snapped.

"Sheldon there is just five of you. Well for now. But I guess you're partner would probably like another woman on the team. That Billy is quite the guy huh."

"Billy who?"

"Billy Chan."

"What? Who's name did you just say? Did you just say Billy Chan?"

"Yeah why?"

"Billy Chan is a druggie…he is…was Caleb's main…his…main…" she said looking at Garth with a blank stare.

"Billy a druggie?" Garth laughed. "With his dad in an Asian Ambassador and his mother a regal lady from Texas? He looks too clean cut to be…well look at him," Garth said pointing out his lab window.

Sheldon turned and stared at a man who had a small resemblance to Caleb. "Oh my god…this…this is not possible!"

"What?"

"Billy…he did this…he did this to get back at Caleb," Sheldon said angrily.

"What are you talking about? Billy is your partner," Garth said calmly.

"What the hell!" Sheldon said madly.

"What is wrong?" Garth asked in confusion.

"Wrong?" Sheldon glared. "Billy Chan has reversed roles with Caleb…Nickel is a hard ass,  Cecil is a wimp, Milton is gay, I'm a stripper at night and you are well… not married! What makes you think something is wrong!"

"What is going on in here?"  Milton asked walking up to them.

"Everything," Sheldon said pushing past her. "Where the hell is Caleb!" Sheldon raced to get a hold of Billy, but just as she was about to call his name, Nickel whisked him into his office and closed the door. "Damn it!" Sheldon lightly cursed as she headed back into the lab with Garth and Catherine.

"Caleb who?" Milton asked with a frown.

"That's what I asked," Garth piped up.

"Did I ask you nerd?" Milton retorted.

"No," Garth said sheepishly.

"Now are you going to be able to do your job today?" Milton asked in a condescending tone. "You know help us finish this up? Remember Nick borrowed you two for the week?"

"Yeah sure," Sheldon said, biting back her tongue, not wanting to provoke another fight.

"Good. But since Billy has to brief the mayor on something you're with me," Milton said slapping a file into her hands. "10th and Parker. Girl in the dumpster…same old thing," he said turning to leave.

"Same old thing?" Sheldon asked softly.

"Yeah some chick who couldn't take care of herself. We see it all the time," Milton sighed as she left them. "Although we have to handle it when they think one of the most wanted list members is involved."

"Why so insensitive?" Sheldon asked softly.

"Different from when?" Milton countered as Cecil walked back into the room.

"Hey Cecil, Susie called and said she'd pick up the kids and meet you at her mothers at 6pm," someone called out to her.

"Thanks Mike," Cecil called back. "Well duty calls I guess…"

"Susie? Kids?"

"Yeah Susie my wife," Cecil said walking out of the room with a file in his hands.

"This so can't be happening," Sheldon said in a numb tone.

"Bye Milton," the white male called out as he walked past Milton and headed for the outside.

"Later Kyle," Milton said with a large smile.

"Later Kyle," Cecil snided as he walked down the hallway.

"Shut it Barrows!" Milton called out to Cecil. "Oh Kyle…Careful of the leather."

Sheldon looked in shock at how Milton addressed Cecil and then looked at him in wonder. "Leather?" Sheldon asked with a frown.

"Don’t tell me I forgot to tell you I got leather in her," Milton said walking up to them. "We're up. Seems like Billy gets the press interview once again as I said."

"Right," Sheldon mumbled in a numb tone.

"Did you bring the file on the Parker case?" Milton asked.

"Yeah, got it with me," Sheldon said showing him the file. "Leather in what?"

"Leather in what?" Milton repeated and then started to laugh. "In that 911Turbo sittin' outside the front door."

"That Porsche is yours?" Sheldon asked in shock. "How did you afford…I mean I know the FBI is good and all but…"

"I'm not telling you again," Milton smiled.

"Right," Sheldon said with a shake of her head.

"Rough night?"

"Obviously," Sheldon said in sarcasm as she headed back to her desk.

"Look I know this FBI stuff is beneath you but this is the last case. So are you coming or what?" Milton asked impatiently. "You know Nickel's temper."

"I do now," she said softly. She quickly scanned her desk, looking for the picture of her and Caleb at a company function the year before. "It's not here. I have to talk to Caleb," she said looking back up at Milton.

"Who's Caleb?"

"Okay this isn't funny anymore," Sheldon said crossing her arms. "Where is Caleb and how much did he pay you all for this elaborate set-up? It's all very ha ha funny but now it's starting to piss me off!"

"Don’t know Caleb, but if he's hot and wants to pay me for anything I'm all for it," Milton said with a wink.

"Okay so when did Billy Chan start here?" Sheldon questioned.

"Transferred in from Beijing a few months after you started in this office," Milton said firmly. "Now let's get our asses in gear or Nickel we'll give us hell."

"Transferred from Beijing? Give us hell? You're a Director like…"

"Director? Honey what have you been smoking?" Milton laughed as he turned for the door.  "We wish we were both Director's. Director's! Ha! That's a good one."

"What? Not a Director?" Sheldon asked in shock.  "This can't be real."

"Bye," Garth said timidly.

"Later geek," Milton laughed as he left the room

Sheldon noticed the crushed look on Garth's face but when he offered no snide comeback she knew something was definitely up. I can't believe this, she said inside. Caleb is so going to pay for all this! But why would he go to such lengths? Just for a druggie?

"So who is Caleb?" Milton asked as they headed for the outside.

"A friend," Sheldon mumbled. "At least I thought so."

"Meet him at the club? How come I haven't seen him hanging around you?"

"Y-you've been to the club?" Sheldon asked in surprise.

"Well some fine boys hang out at that club," Milton smiled as they neared the Crown Victoria . "Some that want a little more action if you know what I mean."

"This uh…" Sheldon said looking the interior of the Crown Victoria. "How did you afford leather and…and the rest of this?" She said fingering a leather hand-cuff.

"Oops…" Milton said snatching the toy from her. "Can't let Nick see that. Not like you haven't before right?"

Sheldon offered no reply only got in the car and kept her eyes fixed on the empty parking spot where Caleb's BMW was usually parked. "Where are you Caleb?" She whispered sadly.

"So the Parker case," Sheldon said opening the file.

"Yeah another bitch in the garbage," Milton muttered as he started to drive away.

"Why do you say that?" Sheldon asked looking at the profile of the woman before her. "She was a single parent that was working nights at the hospital. Probably hooked up with our most wanted out of desperation. What makes her a bitch?"

"Probably some freeloader," Milton mumbled.

"Milton you never come down on single moms like that before," Sheldon commented. "Are you okay?"

"Ask yourself that. I haven't changed," Milton snapped angrily.

"I haven't changed either…I…I am just tired."

"You didn't stand up to NW."

"NW?" Sheldon asked in wonder.

"Nickel Washington. You know your hard-ass boss," Cecil offered. "You are usually swearing at the top of your lungs. Like I said…you changed."

"I…I guess I have," Sheldon offered weakly. "Change of heart I guess."

"Over this guy Caleb? Must be a good influence for you to just walk away from a fight of any kind. Is he straight?"

"Yeah he's uh…what happened to Garth? I mean he looks so…so nerdy."

"Well prep school will do that."

"But he chose not to go to prep school," Sheldon insisted. "He wanted plain…old…university and…"

"In which lifetime?"

"Yeah which lifetime?" Sheldon pondered as they pulled up to their new case crime scene. Sheldon watched Milton  get out of the car and head for the two FBI Agents that had marked it off with yellow tape. "If this is an alternate universe where's Caleb? Is he dead? Is that my punishment for not believing in him?" Sheldon asked herself miserably. "Hell couldn't be much worse. Especially if I dance and…I dance? I thought Cecil's ex did? Shesh," she said slowly getting out of the car and walking up to the small gathering of men.

The rest of the morning and early part of the afternoon past by with depressing slowness as she worked on the scene. Milton didn't seem to care and spent most of his wasted hours trying to arrange a date with one of the cute police officers. Finally it was time to head back and Sheldon couldn't be happier.

"Well it looks like she was strangled," Sheldon said as they got into the truck. "But Doc Hardy, the ME, can verify that for sure."

"Yeah when the old geezer gets around to it," Milton snided.

"Yeah when," Sheldon added, not wanting to add to her already growing feeling of paranoia.

"So you dancing tonight?" Milton asked casually as if discussing her second life as a stripper was nothing.

"I uh…no…not tonight," Sheldon said with a frown. "Have to get caught up on a few things I let go astray."

"I hear ya. But if you change your mind I'll be at Caesar's," Milton said firmly.

"New boyfriend?" Sheldon asked with a small hint of sarcasm.

"Nice try," Milton said with a smile. "Caesar's Palace."

"But you…I thought you gave that up. What if Nickel finds out?"

"Gave up gambling?" Milton laughed. "In which lifetime. Honey I'd never give up my real love. Nickel understands and joins me from time to time. Hell even Cecil will join in if the payoff for him is good enough."

"Cecil? Payoff?" Sheldon asked silently.

"Nothing like the rush you get from a fresh set of dice," Milton said almost happily. "I'm sure you get the same high everytime you walk onto that stage…"

"More when I get the money," Sheldon offered in sad resignation.

"That's what I thought," Milton laughed.

They drove the rest of the way in silence until they reached the lab parking lot. "Ah ma man is back," he said looking at the bright red Porsche parked where it was in the morning. "And whoever this Caleb is, if he didn't call…he ain't worth worrying about."

Sheldon listened to his words quickly followed by the slamming shut of his driver's side door. She watched him walk up to his friend and give him a warm hug and then went inside. "This is just to strange," she mumbled to herself as she too got out of the truck and headed inside. She walked past Nickel's office only to hear him yelling at someone. She noticed it was Garth and quickly walked past, not wanting to provoke anything more. She headed into her office and straight for the phone. "Number for Caleb Kwan," she told directory assistance.

"Sorry we do not have a listing for that name," came the operator's reply. "Perhaps it's spelt a different way."

"Thanks," Sheldon replied in a numb tone as she hung up the phone and slumped miserably down on her chair.

"I need to talk to Billy," she said reaching for the phone once more.

"Sorry," replied their receptionist. "He should be back later this afternoon."

"Where are you Caleb?" Sheldon asked sadly as she slumped her elbow onto the table and cradled her head in it. She watched Garth walk in with a sullen face and simply nodded to him.

"Forgot to file the test results alphabetically," he said with a sheepish smile.

"That’s why Nickel was yelling at you?" Sheldon asked in surprise.

"Yeah."

"Why…why is Nickel always so angry?" Sheldon asked softly, not wanting anyone to overhear.

"Well you know the story…eight years ago he was up for Director and didn't make it. I mean if it wasn't for Cecil's bribe and…"

"Bribe?" Sheldon asked with an arched brow.

"Right…favor…" Garth continued. "Well every once and a while he regrets the choice and…and lets everyone know…I mean you have been victim and…"

"The wrong choice…" Sheldon pondered. "Like that junkie…"

"What junkie?"

"Oh just this case that Ca…nearly got thrown by the wayside…it doesn't matter," Sheldon said with a heavy sigh. "I think I need to go home and sleep or something."

"I thought you were working tonight?" Garth asked in a soft tone.

"I uh…I can't," she said standing up and grabbing her jacket.

"Sheldon!" Nickel snapped as he walked into the room. "I want these filed and…"

"I'm leaving," Sheldon said firmly.

"Look I…" Nickel started.

"I said I’m leaving!" Sheldon said firmly.

"Defying me now?" Nickel asked with a slight nod of his head.

"Just this once," Sheldon said with a deep frown. "I have to chase down a lead okay? See you tomorrow."

"Well you're at it, try to finish off this one will ya!" Nickel said firmly as he let out a huff and turned on his heel and headed out the door.

"This is…" she said opening the file. "The Dennison case? And they…it's been dismissed?" She shrieked. "What the hell? We still had a lead. I'll kill him."

"Who?" Garth asked.

"Bruce Dennison of course. He's some…"

"Sheldon I don’t think threatening to kill the top investigative FBI Agent is a good idea."

"Top?" Sheldon asked sharply. "He…Caleb thought he was dirty and…who was their lead…a junkie? Well at least this hasn't changed and it…it was thrown out? But Stewart was guilty?"

"Well they found nothing to convict him and you know Nickel and Milton wouldn't take the word of a junkie over their boss. They sided with Dennison," Garth continued.

"I don’t believe this! I need to find Caleb," she said quickly stuffing the case file into her large purse and heading for the door.

"Sheldon?" Garth called out sheepishly.

"Yeah?" Sheldon asked turning around to see him. "Garth I…"

"What?"

"It's just that…well I'm used to you…well different. Spunky and confident, sure of yourself and well…a little cooler than you look."

"Really?" Garth asked in surprise. "You see me like that?"

"In another lifetime I guess. What's up?"

"Well if you need some help finding your friend…uh Caleb…I'd like to help if I can."

"Caleb Kwan. Anything you can find would be great."

"Okay," Garth said as Sheldon left.

Sheldon headed towards the exit, her mood dropping deeper into despair with each step she took. "Caleb where are you?" She asked in a soft whisper.

She past an angry Nickel and a necking Cecil and wondered what kind of hell she had accidentally landed in. "Dennison…top investigative Agent? Cecil on the take? Dad not Director?" She asked, getting into her truck. "What the hell? How can this be?" She drove back to her apartment in stony silence, let herself in and slumped down on a nearby chair. She stared miserably at the clock and watched the second hand tick by with tormented slowness. Finally after the sun had set and she felt her anger starting to get the best of her she knew it was time for a ride.

"I need a drink," she mumbled to herself as she drove numbly into the heart of New York. She reached for her purse and let her hands rest on something small and smooth. She picked up the small matchbook and frowned at the name on the outside.

"Top Drawer…" Sheldon read to herself. "Don’t tell me," she said angrily as she slammed on the breaks and made a sharp right turn. "I'll bet anything Caleb is there having a drink and laughing his ass off at my expense. Time to put an end to this nonsense," Sheldon said angrily. "Damn him!" She cursed as she brought her truck to a screeching halt in the back parking lot of the club. She opened the door and was about to take a step when she was greeted by a rather large gruff looking man.

"What?" Sheldon asked suddenly.

"Calm yourself Alexander," the man said lighting his cigar. "I know you're not workin' tonight. Got your message."

"Right," she said trying to move past the man.

"So when uh…" he said taking her by the arm to stop her. "When are we going to…you know have our own private show?"

"When hell freezes over," she said jerking her arm free.

The man just let out a hearty laugh as Sheldon quickly brushed past him and rushed for the door and hurried inside. She let her eyes adjust to the dimly lit surroundings before taking a step towards an opening into the main area of the club. The music was loud, the cigarette smoke thick and the only thing louder than the sound of the platform heels on the stage was the lewd calls from the men in the audience, yelling for more. Sheldon peered around the corner and started to slowly scan the audience. She noticed in the corner Nickel, Milton and Dennison sitting at a table discussing what looked like a case file. She watched in utter shock as Nickel pulled out some money and handed a little to Milton and a little to Dennison.

"Not possible," she uttered in shock. But as much as she wanted to confront the deal she knew she had to find Caleb. "Where are you?" She asked in growing panic. She continued to scan the audience when she felt a soft tap on the back of her shoulder.

"Thought you were off honey?" One of the female entertainers asked in a low sultry voice.

"I need to find someone," Sheldon said turning back to the audience.

"Don’t we all," the scantily clad woman laughed as she turned and headed for a door marked stage. Sheldon turned her attention to the stage and cringed as she watched the show. "Cecil's ex Sally used to do this?" She asked in almost disgust.

"I would never…" she started and then stopped. "But if I made the wrong choice and…did we all make the wrong choice? Which world am I in?"

After a few more minutes she turned to see Nickel, Milton and Dennison get up one at a time and leave the club. She waited as long as she could before she knew it would be pointless to linger any further and then turned and headed for the back door.  It was late and she was tired. But should she give up? She would call Garth and see if he found anything. Sadly when she dialled his work number she only got his voice mail and his cell phone came back with the rather annoying infamous "this customer is no longer in service" message.  It was time to leave.

She fumbled for her keys and headed for the back door. She took in a few deep breaths of cool night air, determined to try to calm her ever fraying nerves. But as she took another step she heard angry shouting, followed by some glass breaking and then swearing. She turned to see two men continuing on what looked like a rather heated discussion.

"I said get the hell away from here!" The larger man shouted to the one trying to get up off his knees.

"P-please…just a l-little food…" the smaller man begged sadly.

"Get lost junkie!"

"Not my fight," Sheldon commented to herself as she got into her truck and turned it on. The two men reacted immediately when they saw her headlights come on. The larger man once again shoving the smaller man to the ground and then heading back into the club. Sheldon thought the smaller man had gotten out of the way and so started, very slowly, towards the parking entrance of the club. But as she was about to step on the gas she slammed on the breaks as she noticed the smaller man stand up and connect oddly with the front of her F150.

"Damn it!" She cursed as she put the truck into park and went to get out. "Why don’t you look where you're going you stupid junkie!" Sheldon started into an angry yell. Normally she wouldn't lose her temper so, but after the days events she was forced to endure someone had to bear the brunt.

"S-sorry," the man said softly as he staggered to get up. "I’m not high…I just need fo…"

"Get lost already," Sheldon said in exasperation.

"Okay," the man said turning to face her. He started to straighten up and Sheldon felt her heart starting to beat slightly faster.

"I-I didn't think…you…you'd come…t-that fast…" the man said now facing her square on.

"I uh…" she said feeling her world come to a slamming but dead halt. "I uh…oh my god…" she said staring at the beaten appearance of the once handsome man  before her. "Caleb?"

"I…do you know me?" He asked in a weak but firmer tone as he tried to straighten up. He winced as he wrapped an arm around his chest, tightly holding his bruised ribs.

"I uh…" Sheldon continued her useless struggle with words as her eyes started to water. She started to reach out a hand and then stopped. Her head started to shake no and her hands started to tremble as she whispered, "not possible," into the cold night air. "Caleb?"

"Lady…do you know me?" He asked again in a soft tone.

"I…I do…" she admitted as a single tear escaped the corner of her eyes and  slowly slid down her cheek. "Caleb?"

"Y-you know my name?" Caleb asked in surprise.

"I…what happened?" Sheldon asked in a painful whisper. "Caleb…I…" she said reaching out her hand to touch him. "Why are you doing this?" She hissed sadly.

"I just need something to eat," he said sadly.

"Caleb I…" Sheldon started only to be interrupted by an angry voice.

"HEY!" Shouted a loud angry voice from the doorway of the club. "You no good junkie! Get the hell away from my girl!"

Sheldon watched in horror as Caleb turned on his heel and darted away into a dark, dense wooded area and was gone. She locked eyes with him for a few tormented seconds before he was gone and the haunted image of his expression was forever burned into her memory long after his breath had died in the cold night air.

"Caleb!" Sheldon shouted in fright. "Come…back…" she said as more tears started to stream down her flushed cheeks. "Caleb…" she whispered sadly as she started to slowly sag to her knees and then finally collapsed on the damp cement in a lightly trembling heap, her eyes fixed on the dark wooded area that she feared would forever hold captive the one person in the world she truly loved. Now lost to her…probably forever…

"Caleb…" she whispered in agony. "Where am I? What have I done…"

"Caleb!"

TO BE CONTINUED??

**dear readers…want more? Please review if you liked this story and want me to continue. Thanks! Also please check out my newly posted profiles pages…I added two more profiles for reoccurring characters. Please review if you like whom I've chosen so I know you guys like my characters! Thanks so much**