Characters are not mine. Property of Fox. Gotta love them though! =)

Story starts after Episode "Love Always"


Work was over and time ticked by slowly. The soft glow of the television illuminated the fairly large room casting shadows off the furniture. Dr. Cal Lightman layed there watching the pictures flash by the screen. He was tired but glad to have the house peaceful for once. His daughter had decided to sleep over at a friend's house that night. No lies had presented this time. Dr. Lightman's eyes were closed when he heard a faint knock at the door. His eyes fluttered open and he leaned over to glance at the clock. 11:45 The knock sounded again a little louder this time. Dr. Lightman climbed off the couch and walked through the hall, turning on a light as he went. He opened the door to reveal the tired looking and tear stained face of Dr. Gillian Foster.

"Gillian, are you okay?" asked Dr. Lightman in a concerned note. He had never seen Gillian this way before and was in shock.

"To be honest, not really. It's been a hard night. Alec wanted me to leave, so I left."

The tears trickled down her thin cheeks. Cal noticed how her mascara was slightly smeared and her whole disposition was off. He guided her inside the house and bolted the door shut.

"Here, here. Take a seat," he said with a sigh.

Turning on the light in the kitchen, Dr. Lightman started to heat some water on the stove. Gillian sat at the table, her head in her hands. Dr. Lightman knew that this was going to happen. Earlier that day at the wedding of the Ambassador's son, he had overheard Alec on the phone with a so called worker. He could read the lies a mile away when Gillian and Alec were together. He wondered whether Gillian had known before too and had been pretending the whole time. She had said that night that she wasn't doing it for Alec but for marriage. At the thought, Dr. Lightman felt angry. He pushed it aside, however, to comfort Gillian. He sat down across from her, handing her a mug of tea and some tissues. She started talking before he had a chance to ask.

"Stupid of me right. Not to think he wasn't up to something. I should have known better. I was just blinded by everything. We came home and he told me that it was over. He said he couldn't lie to me anymore and that people were starting to figure him out." Gillian looked up at Cal through watery eyes. Those eyes showed complete misery. "He didn't kick me out though. I just needed someone with me and you are that one right now," Gillian said as she cried.

"Oh, Gillian." Dr. Lightman walked over to her and pulled her into a tight hug. He could feel her tears through his t-shirt. Gillian clung to him and sobbed. He didn't know what to do. He just knew she needed someone more than anything.

"You don't have to say anymore Gillian. I know." Dr. Lightman said wrapping his arms tighter around her. Her short brown hair tickled the side of his neck.

"C'mon. You'll stay the night here. You can sleep in my room and tomorrow we can hopefully figure everything out."

Gillian easily accepted the invitation. She was too tired and upset to refuse. They walked toward the bedroom, his arm around her shoulder. Dr. Lightman turned on the light and went to his dresser to get her some overnight clothes. A t-shirt of his would do hopefully. He had no idea.

"Gillian, if you need anything at all I will be right in the living room. These clothes should be sufficient enough for tonight."

Gillian looked as if she had no idea what was going on. She looked up at him and burst into another episode of sobbing. Cal walked over and sat next to her on the bed.

"Gillian, I can't say it will be okay because you know that's a lie but I hope that being here will make you feel better."

"Cal, I don't know what I would do without you." She managed a weak smile.

Dr. Lightman smiled too. He patted her thigh and got up as if to leave.

"No, don't go. I don't want to force you out of your own bed. It's bad enough I brought you my problems."

"It's okay. I really don't mind at all. You need me and I understand," Cal said.

"Then please just stay with me," Gillian pleaded.

"I don't think that is such a good idea. I will be right out here. Don't worry," he responded quickly.

Her lower lip quivered but she bit it to control herself. "Okay, thank you so much Cal."

"Goodnight, Gillian." Dr. Lightman gave her one last hug and faintly touched her hand. Her skin was soft and sparked a reaction in him that he wasn't quite sure of. Cal walked out of the room and shut the door. Turning out all the lights, he made his way back to the couch. Laying in the now dark living room he could hear her crying. It hurt him but he knew holding her while she slept was to far. He began to think maybe he already did too much. The thought passed and he closed his eyes drifting off to sleep.