Snow Storm

Author's Note: This is actually a chapter from one of my other Lie to Me fics so if you've read Gillian's Shadow you won't need to read it again. I just realized reading through it again that this works perfectly as a one shot as well as a chapter in that fic, so I thought I'd use it. Please r and r.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. I don't even own the computer I'm currently typing this on, so please don't try to sue me.

Summary: Oh come on that's no fun. I can't let everyone know what's going to happen before it does.

As Gillian opened her eyes she was almost blinded. For a moment she couldn't figure out how it was suddenly so bright in her room, until she looked to the window and saw that she'd forgotten to put the binds down the night before. As she lay there, trying to get her eyes to adjust to the light, she realized that although most of her body was nice and warm due to the blankets that were wrapped around her like a cocoon, her face was freezing. It was if she'd slept outside.

Finally summoning the strength to get up, she got out of bed starting to shiver the second she threw the blankets from her body. Making her way into the hall, her eyes automatically sought out the thermostat. It read that it was set at 72, but the real temp was 50!

She didn't quite know what to do at first, thinking as she went back to her bed and snuggled down trying to warm back up. She decided to go with the first thought that went through her head, reaching for her cell phone on the table next to her bed she dialed the first number on her speed-dial. Hearing the familiar voice on the other end made her smile, "Morning Love,"he said groggily.

"Cal... I know it's early but do you think you could come over before work?"

"Work? Have you looked outside this morning, darlin'?"

She was confused, but moved to the window and saw nothing but white. Everything was covered in snow at least a foot deep. "SNOW! But this is March! It's not supposed to snow now!"

He chuckled, "Well you yell at Mother Nature and see where that gets ya."

"So I take it we're taking the day off."

"That we are Love. Would you still like me to come over? I'll put the chains on and pull out my snow shoes."

She smiled again, imagining him doing just that, "Well I don't want you to put yourself in danger, but I really would appreciate it. I'll call everyone and tell them know."

"You do that. I'll be there in a little while. I don't know how long it will take with this weather."

"Thanks Cal. I'll see you soon. Be careful out there."

…

A few hours later Cal was sitting on her couch with a cup of hot tea in his hands, trying to keep warm. He'd finally fixed the heater, but it was still cold in her house. Gillian was curled up on the other side of the couch with a cup of hot cocoa wrapped in her hands. They sat in relative silence except for the sound of the TV which was showing a movie that Gillian had thrown in earlier. Cal was only half watching as it was one of her favorite romantic comedies. Her eyes were glued to the TV, but she kept shifting trying to find a comfortable position and failing miserably.

He finally took her arm and pulled her to him. She snuggled into his side and threw the blanket around them from the back of the couch. Now content she rested her head on his chest and relaxed as they watched the movie.

Cal grimaced and sighed disgustedly as the music swelled and the characters on screen kissed. Gillian looked up and laughed seeing the disgust on his face. "What's the matter Cal, not enjoying the movie?"

"Not really Love. I mean what is it with these movies that women obsess over? Story's always the same, boy gets girl, they have a fight, and then get back together." He said taking a sip from his cup.

She eyed him cautiously, "Don't you believe in love?"

"Love I believe in, it's an emotion, it's honest. But this..." he gestured to the tv, grimacing once more, "soft, soppy, mushy crap, that's not love. It's some nonsense movie producers want you to believe in that will never happen. You're not going to have Mr. Right show up on your doorstep some day, saying 'Hi I'm here, kiss me' Love doesn't operate like that. It takes work."

"I don't agree Cal," she said removing herself from his side to see him better. "Don't get me wrong, I can't see someone knocking on my door one day saying 'Hi I'm here, kiss me.' But I do believe that romance is a good thing. Think about it most songs are about love. Why would that be if on some level everyone didn't want it? Yes love can be hard work, but it doesn't have to be it just has to be the right person. I believe that the world would be a much happier place if everyone could just have a little romance in their lives.

It was Cal's turn to look at her cautiously, "So you're saying you want," he gestured to the tv, "that?"

"No I'm not saying I want that exactly, I'm saying I wish life was a little more like that. I want my own happy ending. Now before you say it I know, a happy ending doesn't exist, but… I want one." She said looking down into her cup slightly embarrassed.

He put a finger under her chin; looking into her eyes he saw the fear and embarrassment in them. He wasn't sure where it came from, but he decided to test his theory, "So you're tellin' me if I just decided to kiss you out of the blue and said that I loved you and wanted to be with you forever, you would wrap your arms around me and never let go?"

She looked down again a deep blush painting her cheeks, "Maybe."

"Gill," He said cupping her cheek, "look at me."

She looked up once more and wasn't sure whether to run away or throw her arms around him as she watched him leaning in. Her eyes fluttered closed as she felt his lips gently brush hers. A million voices rang out in her mind as their lips met again, 'I can't believe this is happening! I can't believe he's doing this! Does he really want to be with me, or is this just out of loneliness? Is this the starting of something?' She decided to ignore those voices for the time being, deciding to just enjoy the moment. She melted into his kiss, feeling a slight rush go through her as his lips gently pressed hers.

Finally he stopped and looked into her eyes. She smiled up at him, still not knowing what to say. He brushed a stray piece of hair back behind her ear and placed a kiss to her neck, whispering, "Would it be the wrong time to say that I love you?"

Her breath caught, she wasn't expecting that, but couldn't help her pulse from increasing. She pulled back to look him in the eyes again. She could tell he was telling the truth and smiled the brightest smile he'd ever seen on her face, "I think this would be the perfect time."

He smiled and pressed his lips to hers once again, pausing for a moment to say, "Good, I love you Gill."

In between kisses, she whispered back, "I love you too Cal.