Emily Lightman knew her father thought she couldn't see as well as he did. And true, she couldn't. But that didn't mean she couldn't see at all because she could. She watched as her dad said he was in love with his business partner and best friend. She'd known that for years. She'd watched him, seen him exhibiting the proof of that for years.

What she saw now, and what she hadn't seen before was how much. She watched his face as she asked him,

No, I mean, really love her?

Yeah.

If she could have filmed her dad's face, he'd have been amazed at the expressions he'd see there. He never let his guard down. Even with her it was rare but here he was, effectively bearing his soul. And what broke Emily's heart so much was the expression. He loved Gillian Foster. He loved her so much that it hurt him. There was even the slightest tint of shame there, and she knew what that was about too. He didn't think he was good enough for her. He'd always thought that. But it didn't stop him from loving her. It did contribute to some of the pain attached to his facial expression though.

She pushed his hand up and laid her head on his shoulder.

Then what are you waiting for?

I don't have an answer for that one love.

He was shook, she knew that. He'd just admitted a secret he'd told no one. And she knew he'd told no one because the emotion and realisation had been so raw on his face as he'd said it. She realised that all her boyfriend issues and 'sex before marriage' arguments with Liam were miniscule in comparison to what her dad was going through. There was some large core of him that was completely blacked out because of it and she knew there was only one way he could relight it. She sat quietly under his arm for a moment, a thought occurring to her that for all the grown up acting she did, she was still happy to crawl under her father's arm and feel safe.

"Why don't you tell her Dad?" She didn't look up and neither did he. He just stayed, staring at a spot on the wall.

"I can't, love."

"Why not?"

"I just…I don't know. I just can't." he said stuttering. There were so many reasons why he should tell her and so many reasons why he shouldn't. He didn't know which ones were the right ones anymore. Emily sat up.

"Dad…you've got so many reasons for not being with someone but you haven't got one good reason for being alone." Cal frowned as she spoke, watching her face.

"Is that from a film?" he asked, a smirk crossing his face. She scowled at him.

"Doesn't matter where it's from. It's true," she said crossing her arms across her chest, showing him she meant business. He sighed and looked away from her.

"It's not that simple Em, alright?" She looked at him, eyebrow raised and off her look he held his hands out, "It's not Em! Seriously." Emily sat back into the couch, still watching him where he sat at the end of the couch, his eyes clamped back to the spot on the wall.

"Does she love you?" Emily finally asked quietly. Cal didn't look at her.

"And that is the million dollar question…" he mumbled. She punched his shoulder and he yelped. "Oi! Leave it out, would you?" Emily scowled again.

"Does she love you?" He got that earlier look on his face again.

"I think so," he said quietly, "I hope so," he added. This earned him another punch from Emily.

"Oi? What is with hitting me today?" She stood up, her hands flailing as if she was debating again.

"You love her. She loves you. I know she does by the way. Not only that but you hope she loves you and yet you won't tell her? Quit being a jerk dad. If you don't tell her someone else will." The last statement struck Cal like a bullet. Two bullets. With names on them: Alec and Burns. He looked up at Emily, slow realisation sweeping over him, drowning out the doubts he had, always had and probably always would have.

"When'd you get to be so insightful?" he asked, standing up.

"I don't know. Must have got it from Mom." Cal raised an eyebrow at her, pulling her into a hug.

"Pah! Right, you stay here." He reached and picked up his jacket heading for the door. Emily followed him out.

"I won't wait up," she said pointedly and he smirked back at her. He stopped before opening the door.

"Thanks Em," he said softly. She shrugged.

"For what?"

"For giving your old man a good kick up the arse." Emily smiled and with that, he turned and left.

OXOXOXO

Ok just a wee one shot inspired by Cal's facial expression when he told Emily he was in love with Gillian. To me it was pure emotion, unshielded – FANTASTIC acting.

I may be persuaded to continue…