[Just something that popped into my head while watching the 3rd season. I intended for Gill to be slightly tipsy in this fic, by the way. Enjoy :)]

"Just tell me we're OK.", he said as she looked away. He willed her to say something, to even look at him. It seemed like an eternity, waiting there for her response. But he knew what it would be.

She turned towards him, tears glistening in her eyes, and he knew he was right. They were not OK, as much as he wished they were.

A tear overflowed and rolled down her cheek. Damn it. How many times had he managed to make her cry, in all the time they've known each other? He can think of a few; but there were probably more.

More tears that she hid from him, that she didn't let him see.

God, what was wrong with him?

"Gill, I know I've been a jerk lately but you know how much I appreciate you, right?", he said, fighting the urge to wipe her tears away.

"No, I don't. Maybe that's the problem." Anger flashed in her eyes. Oh god, this was bad. The last time he'd seen genuine anger on Gillian's face was... he couldn't even remember.

"I don't know what your problem's been lately but it's been Lightman this and Lightman that and stay out of my business Gillian!", she raised her voice. It was just below shouting now.

"In case you forgot Cal, I own exactly as much of this company as you, I contribute exactly as much. Being an asshole to me is one thing but disrespecting me and what I do is another. Yeah, your Dr. Lightman, you're the lie expert, but this company would've gone up in flames without me!", she was shouting now, her voice traveling down the deserted hallway.

"So no Cal, we're not OK. Because besides being arrogant and stupid and disrespectful like your usual self, which I deal with, you've now added being a dick to the list. And TO ME. I have to be the only person in the world who understands you, who totally and completely puts up with all your bullshit.", she said, turning on her heels and walking away.

God, WHAT was wrong with him?

She was right. She was the only person in his life who understood him, who took all his crap.

He ran up to catch up to her. He wouldn't let her leave like this. If he did, they most likely wouldn't speak for days, and then just settle back into their old routines, ignoring what happened, their relationship just becoming more tense.

But that wasn't what he wanted. Sure, most of the time it would be. But not this time, not with Gillian. He needed to work this out with her, he needed to apologize, because he wanted them to be OK, for them to be normal. Not this new angst and bitterness there'd been the past few months. He wanted the old them back.

"Love, I'm sorry.", he said, catching her shoulder.

She looked at him, her blue eyes sad.

So he pulled her into a hug, feeling her slight sobs on his shoulder, running his fingers through her hair.

"This is my fault, alright? But I want you to know how important you are. So, so important. To the company, and to me. Alright love?", he said, pulling her away, looking into her eyes, trying to read her.

But he'd never been very good at that. Anyone else was no problem. But her, he'd always had trouble reading her. And maybe that was a good thing.

"Cal?", she said.

"Yes darlin'?", he responded, wiping a tear away from her cheek with his finger. God, he hated making her cry.

"Can we go back to the way we were?", she said, her voice hopeful, like a child's.

"Of course love, of course.", he said kissing her forehead and pulling her into a hug again as he let out a content sigh. Finally, they were OK. Their universe was normal again.

[I really love reviews :D]