A few words in advance:

I started this story in early May after three episodes of 7B had aired, obviously impatient to incorporate certain events into the story that hadn't occured up until that point. In the meantime, PLL had caught up on some things and this story is now only partially canon with 7B. I hope you enjoy this gap-filler anyway.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I only borrowed them for fun.

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Chapter 1 – WEDNESDAY, morning

Hanna sat in the passenger's seat of Caleb's car, trembling heavily. She just wanted to go home, cuddle up in her bed and try to forget what happened.

She'd been through a lot of scares and terrors in the years since A and A.D. had started to torment her and her friends. But seeing a decapitated skull roll sideways across the wooden floor at the blind school – that was a whole new level of horror. She couldn't prevent the image from creeping back into her mind.

And now – on top of it all – her close friend had been shot at and taken to the hospital in a critical condition. It was all a never-ending nightmare.

When Spencer had been taken care of properly, the doctors had sent them all home, each provided with business cards of people they could talk to about the traumatic events of the past hours, should the need arise.

There were cards from psychiatrists, pastors, other church community members. Hanna had thrown her stack in the next trash can, right outside the hospital. There was only one person in the world she wanted to see, let alone talk to right now. So she had called Caleb from the hospital, asking him if he could come and take her home. Her own car was still parked outside the blind school.

She felt slightly uncomfortable in her seat, knowing that she still hadn't told Caleb the truth behind everything. Rushing to meet the girls to make a confession about her whereabouts and what she had done to Noel Kahn, she had basically left Caleb alone without an explanation after they'd had great sex the night before, celebrating their reconciliation. Like it had been nothing more than a one-night stand.

God, she hoped he hadn't gotten the wrong impression.

She made a mental note to address the issue as soon as possible. Just to clear up the situation. No more unresolved issues between them, she swore to herself.

He had come to pick her up without accusations, without any questions. As they were driving back to Lucas' apartment, none of them dared to speak. Hanna didn't know how to broach the subject, and Caleb had gained his experience over the years never to push things with Hanna. She would talk to him when she was ready for it.

So they had driven in silence all the way up to the curb in front of Lucas' apartment, where Hanna was currently living. Caleb stopped the car and pulled the key from the ignition.

"Can I take you-"

"Would you mind taking me-", they both began simultaneously. For the first time in hours, Hanna's mouth formed a little smile as she acknowledged that after all this time, he could still read her so well.

"Of course. I wouldn't have let you be all by yourself after what happened last night anyway," he continued. "Come on, it's late. We should get you tucked in so you can catch some sleep."

Hanna checked her watch. It was past 3 AM. Her body was still so tense, she couldn't imagine she'd be able to sleep for the rest of the night. But Caleb was right. Maybe sleep would help her feel better in the morning.

They climbed out of the jeep and walked quietly up to her apartment where Hanna unlocked the door and closed it shut after Caleb had stepped inside, too. They both stood looking at each other.

A strange kind of awkwardness filled the room. The last time they'd been here together, they had ended up all over each other on the cozy shag right in front of Lucas' electric fireplace. It had felt unreal to be kissed and touched by Caleb again after she had been wanting it for so long. And now she wanted more than anything for him to hold her again so she could feel real in this horror movie that her life had turned into. But where were they now? Were they back together? Friends? Friends with benefits?

Caleb sensed the tension in the room, noticing how forlorn Hanna looked right this moment.

She had her arms crossed in front of her chest, trying to preserve her body temperature. She seemed insecure, smiling tentatively. He didn't know why she didn't just go about getting ready for bed. And most notably he couldn't tell if she expected him to stay or leave.

"So, where's Emily?" he asked and moved one step closer to her, deciding to test the waters.

"She's staying with Alison for now. She said something about helping her with a personal problem."

She looked so vulnerable right now. He just wanted to take her into his arms and comfort her for as long as she needed. Putting another foot forward, Caleb said: "Come here!" He held out his hand for her, and she willingly moved in his direction, thankful that he had taken the lead. She put her arms around his neck and sank into his embrace, breathing a sigh of relief.

Caleb held her in his arms and ran his hand soothingly over the small of her back. They stood like this for some time, and Hanna felt the tension slowly leave her body. He smelled fresh, like he had recently showered, which led Hanna to believe he must have had a cold shower to help him wake up when she had called him in the middle of the night and asked if he could pick her up from the hospital. She smiled inwardly and enjoyed being held by him.

All too soon, Caleb let her go. "You should go to sleep now."

Hanna's eyes locked with his, "Will you stay with me? I don't want to be alone right now."

How could he not when she looked at him with those big blue eyes and her long waves of hair all ruffled… so imperfect… yet so beautiful.

"I'll stay as long as you want me to." He took her hand and she followed him to the bedroom. Hanna undressed herself standing next to the bed, having no inhibitions to show herself almost naked in front of Caleb. Then put on a pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt. She was fully aware of his presence and set the boundaries by putting on her comfortable, not-sexy-at-all pajamas. She knew exactly what she wanted - even that he might want it just the same - but she realized that this wasn't the right time. She wouldn't be able to enjoy it the right way.

Caleb went to the bathroom, and Hanna lied down in the middle of the queen-size bed, leaving it to Caleb to decide which side of the bed he preferred. She pulled the covers up to her chin and came to rest lying on her side, hoping Caleb would get the notion. He returned a couple of minutes later, wearing nothing but a t-shirt and boxers.

She looked so tiny in that big bed. Like a little girl, put on bedrest with a fever.

Taking in the sight in front of him, he instantly knew where she wanted him to lie down. He surrounded the bed and got under the cover. Then he shuffled his body all the way to where she was lying and spooned her. When he had found the right angle closest to her body, he looped his right arm through the space between her pillow and shoulder, so she could put her head on it instead, and began stroking the length of her arm with his other hand. When he had reached her hand, he gave it a slight squeeze, then moved back up along her arm all the way to her shoulder. He repeated his ministrations and noticed how her body started to feel less stiff.

A sudden surge of warmth flooded Hanna's body. She no longer felt cold and finally allowed all of her bones and muscles to relax.

Hanna realized she never wanted to spend another night without him, for the rest of her life. In his arms, the world always seemed lighter and brighter. In his arms, she could finally forget her fears. The horrific images of Noel Kahn's head rolling down the stairs seemed to blur in her mind, pushed to the farthest corner of her memory and replaced by other images that resurfaced in her mind, stirred by Caleb's touches… soft hands roaming her naked body, pulling on her hair in a frenzy… his mouth exploring her body thoroughly… the heat emanating from the fireplace right next to them, jumping over to their united bodies… It had felt like their very first time all over again.

Hanna smiled and closed her eyes, feeling hopeful that now that Noel Kahn was dead, everything would go back to normal again. Tomorrow morning she would wake up next to Caleb; she was off to a good start. Thinking she could finally sleep now, she let the tiredness take over at last.

Suddenly she gasped for breath when Caleb's hand left her arm, moved lower and wound its way underneath her shirt, gently stroking the newly-discovered patches of naked skin on her stomach, all the way across to the underside of her breasts. He tucked his hand in between the mattress and her rib-cage and slowly moved it up along, stopping only when he could cup her breast entirely. When she didn't shake it off, he boldly decided to leave it there for the rest of the night, knowing she had always loved cuddling like this when they were dating.

Hanna opened her eyes, thinking hard whether she should turn around and give into his approaches. She held her breath and stirred slightly. When Caleb noticed her reaction, he broke the silence, "Shhhh, baby. Go to sleep now." He lifted his head and placed a gentle kiss on her temple. "Good night." His voice sounded sleepy, and so she let a new kind of contentment caused by his tight embrace sink in, surrendering to sleep at long last.

Hanna woke up at half-past nine the next morning. Even though she could hardly have slept more than 4 hours, she felt refreshed and ready to face the new day. She turned around, expecting to find Caleb still sound asleep next to her. But the other half of her bed was empty.

She flinched at the idea that Caleb pulled off the same smooth move like she had two days ago. Not being able to hide her disappointment, Hanna threw her head on the pillow, groaned loudly, and pulled the blanket up over her head.

She didn't notice that pair of feet which tiptoed into the room.

Caleb snuck to her side of the bed, pulled the blanket from her face, and said: "Good morning, beautiful".

Hanna shrieked the moment he uncovered her head. "You're still here", she said cheerfully, eyes wide open in astonishment.

"Sure, I am. Not everybody leaves without saying goodbye the morning after," he playfully reminded her.

"Yeah, about that –," she started off, but Caleb cut in, "Shh, tell me later, I'm starved. Let's have breakfast first. I got us some croissants and I made you coffee." He set the breakfast tray down and handed her a steaming cup, "Here. Careful, it's still very hot!" She beamed up at him. "Thanks, that's so sweet."

He sat down next to her and put the tray back down on his lap.

They both took their time eating the croissants. Hanna thought it was the right moment for her to come clean about the things she'd done to prove that Noel Kahn was A.D. Caleb listened quietly. He didn't judge her, instead offered words of understanding. Hanna felt a weight was taken off her shoulder. If she were given this second chance to build a relationship with Caleb, she wanted to make things right and for them to always be truthful to one another. There was simply no point in trying to keep him out of her troubles with A.D.

Eventually, Caleb set the tray aside and got up. "I hate to leave you now, but I gotta get to work, you know. I told your mom that I would come in later today, but now I really have to go." He looked at her and ultimately regretted what he'd said. She looked disappointed. Trying to come up with an excuse and then considering to call in sick for the very first time ever since he'd started working at the Radley, he noticed how her face changed. Hanna had put on her brave face. "I'll be fine, you just go ahead. I still have to pick up my car at the blind school. Then there's the police, you know, they still need my statement because I hadn't been able to give them one last night." She also got up from the bed and moved in his direction.

Caleb was torn, seeing her disheveled state, which he found so incredibly sexy, he didn't want to leave. But she assured him that she had a busy day ahead of her and that she could handle all the things on the agenda on her own or with a little support of her friends who were all in the same position.

He stopped short to pull her in for a hug, then kissed her goodbye. "I guess I'll see you later then. Maybe I could come by tonight and bring you dinner?"

"That sounds great." Hanna smiled at him and joined him on his way to the front door. As he opened the lock, she called him back, "Wait!" Then she stepped up to him and pulled his head down for another kiss. She put a little more pressure into the kiss and made it last longer, but didn't dare to take it to a deeper level because she knew that then he wouldn't show up for work at all today. And that just wasn't in Caleb Rivers' nature. She'd always admired his loyalty.

She knew their time would come. But at least for now she had made it clear to him that she was ready to rebuild their relationship. Things were progressing in the right direction, all they needed was just a little more time for themselves.

After Caleb had left her apartment, Hanna turned to go to the bathroom and decided to take a shower. She was really looking forward to her dinner with Caleb, and for the first time in months, she started her day singing loudly in the shower.

She stood under the hot stream of water – Lucas' water – for a long time, rinsing off thoroughly but also daydreaming giddily about the things she and Caleb could do after dinner tonight.

Then she grabbed a towel and started drying herself off. Eventually, Hanna put on her makeup, got dressed and called a cab to take her to the blind school, all the while carrying a silly grin on her face.

to be continued…

So, seriously... On a scale from 1 to 10, how rude was that? Presenting 7B to us with a one-week time jump when Haleb have only just now gotten back together? The show's writers deprived us of catching a glimpse of their giddy "we're-back-in-love-all-over-each-other-all-the-time" phase.

And now, lo and behold, my fantasy went a little overboard trying to come up with a multi-chapter story to fill the gap between the blind school incident in 7x10 and Hanna pinching Caleb at the beginning of 7x11.

Consider yourself warned... Because these two are literally all over each other, like, all the time (well, almost)... Aaaaah, to be young and newly enamored again... I envy you, Haleb! ;-)

Please leave a review when you're finished reading. I'd appreciate it so much! And let me know if you want me to continue.

Thank you for reading! :-) Zip