Okay. Well here we go again with another teaser for your speculation… ;-)

"Cal?"

Glasses on, he looked up from his computer as Gillian leaned in his office doorway. She was wearing pink and his eyes roamed over the form fitting material before he could stop himself. Her purse was slung over her shoulder. "Yeah luv?"

"It's getting pretty late and I think I am just about done. Feel like I'm going to go cross-eyed any time now." There was a soft smile playing around her lips just to let him know that he'd been caught looking.

Pretending innocence, his gaze dropped to his watch as his features crinkled into a grimace. It had been an exceptionally long day for all of them, although the rest of the staff had managed to sneak out a couple of hours earlier citing "dates" or "previous commitments" and at least one "family emergency." He couldn't really blame them to be honest. Despite that fact, he still had distinct plans to do some ass chewing in the morning. Two of their current cases made him want to stick a fork in his eye, so he and Foster shouldn't be the only ones to suffer. Apparently Gillian was feeling the same way. He pulled off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "I think you may very well have the right idea darlin'."

Her smile brightened but he could see the fatigue around the edges. "Any plans for you tonight Foster?" He tossed the question out as casually as he could as he turned off the computer and headed around the desk. The walked side by side into the hall, the sound of their footsteps isolating them in the darkness.

"Not really. Quick bite, a little reading and I'll be out for the count."

"No bubble bath?"

She narrowed her eyes in mock reprimand as he grinned. "Can't fault me for askin'."

"I think I'd be in danger of falling asleep in the tub if I tried that tonight."

"Oh. Right. That would be bad." He wiggled an eyebrow. "Need a spotter?"

"Funny. You are just hilarious Cal." She took a swing at his upper arm and he quickly moved out of range as they both chuckled, enjoying the relaxed camaraderie. Things had been tense the last few months but it was gradually easing much to the relief of both of them. A rather expensive bottle of Scotch may have had a bit to do with it. Possibly.

Cal secured the entry while Gillian held the elevator to take them down to the parking garage.

"Emily waiting up for you?"

"Nah, she would have already called and yelled at me if that were the case. She's with Zoë this week."

Nodding, Gillian all of a sudden felt a little awkward. They'd both be going home to empty houses tonight. With the easing of tension had come a lot more flirting and she wasn't sure if that was entirely a good thing.

"Yup, on my own for now. Probably best considering…everythin'." He gave a wave of his hand indicating their caseload. At least that was how she interpreted it.

The elevator doors opened to the first level of the parking garage. There were very few vehicles at this time, his Prius, her Volvo, a BMW and a black Escalade. Cal figured the other two belonged to a couple of lawyers one floor down from the Lightman Group. They would feel inclined to drive something garish, wouldn't be able to help themselves.

He walked her to her car, lingering longer than he needed to. "Well goodnight darlin'. Be safe driving home."

"You too Cal." Gillian smiled warmly as their eyes locked. The smile gradually fell away as they watched one another intently. He reached up and delicately pushed a strand of hair behind her ear and she allowed the motion.

His eyes left hers for a moment and caressed her face. They fell to her lips and jumped back up again. He took a half step back, hand dropping. "I'd better get, uh, goin'."

Nodding, she gave a little sound that might have been in the affirmative but neither was quite sure.

The echo of several car doors slamming startled them both. Cal turned curiously in time to see four men running toward them from the Escalade. His eyes immediately focused in on the weapon each held in a gloved hand, a chill running through him. He stepped in front of Gillian, feeling her grip his arm almost painfully.

"Dr. Lightman?" The first man's voice was surprisingly pleasant. "I presume that's Dr. Foster behind you?" They had spread out around them and Cal wasn't able to keep all of them in sight.

"Who wants to know?" Cal's voice seemed unfazed, not belying the fact that his insides were twisting painfully. Maybe if he distracted them, Gillian could make it to the stairwell…" He could feel movement behind him, presumed she was going for her phone.

There was a soft 'thump' and he felt Gillian jerk slightly. Spinning around, he caught her in his arms, noting a small dart sticking out of the back of her shoulder. What the bloody hell? He pulled it out, allowing it to drop, feeling her clutch at his shirt, her eyes wide.

"Look mate, I don't know what this is all about but I'll do whatever you want, just leave Dr. Foster outta it." His eyes didn't leave her panicked blue ones. He watched helplessly as her eyelids began to flutter.

Gillian was starting to sag as he clutched her more tightly when he felt and heard another 'thump.' It caught him at the base of the neck, just above his right shoulder. He felt himself recoil from the sting.

"No Dr. Lightman. She's coming too." The voice was still pleasant, almost as if inviting them to an afternoon tea.

One of the men came forward and tried to pull Gill from his arms but Cal gave him a powerful shove with one arm, sending him stumbling back. "Don't touch her!" It was a snarl even as he felt himself begin to weaken.

The first man watched patiently, a smile upon his face. "You're going to drop her."

He was right. Cal's grip began to loosen as his limbs gradually turned to water. She was almost completely limp, head lolling against him. When the other man came forward again to swoop Gillian up, he couldn't fight. "What the hell do you want?"

"My employer needs your expertise."

His knees began to buckle as two pairs of hands caught him. A gray haze numbed his normally sharp mind. "Whatsa matta with making an appoint…ment…?"