Thirty minutes later, Cal had turned in his chips for a certified check. Retrieving his cell phone from his pocket, he pulled up his contacts and tapped Gillian Foster's name. Just as quickly, he hit cancel. 'Can't just call her up. Got to do better than that.' Hell, she probably wouldn't answer when she saw who it was. Cal thought for a moment and then pulled up his contacts again. This time he tapped on Ben Reynolds.

"Yeah?" Ben answered.

"Foster still with you?" Cal asked.

"Yes. Why?" Ben answered with the slightest bit of disdain in his voice.

"Don't let her know it's me. Tell her you need to take this call. Walk away from her." Cal instructed.

"What? You're kidding me right? I'm not going-"

Cal cut Ben off before he could finish "Ben! Just do it!"

Cal could hear Ben telling Gillian he needed to take this call and that he would be right back. He heard Gillian ask "Is everything okay?" "I hope so" Ben replied.

"All right Lightman. What's going on?" Ben said in an admonishing tone.

"I need to see Foster. Where are you?" Cal asked.

"We're about to sit down to dinner. Why? Is something wrong?" 'Oh no' Ben thought 'Here we go.'

"Nothing is wrong. I just need to talk to Foster. It's important. Where are you?" Cal repeated.

"We're at the Venetian. Cheesecake Factory." 'And she's finally feeling good after the hell you've put her through over the past few days.' Ben thought. What was Cal cooking up now?

"I'm on my way. I'll call you when I get there. When you sit down, order the best Merlot on the menu, and don't drink out of my glass!" Cal hung up.

Ben and Gillian sat at the table. Ben did as Cal had asked and ordered the finest Merlot on the menu.

"Ben, I didn't know you liked wine." Gillian was looking at him suspiciously. Something in his demeanor had changed since the phone call. He was irritated.

"I'm full of surprises." 'If you only knew.' Ben shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Cal better hurry up. There is no way he can hide anything from her.

"Are you okay, Ben?" Gillian asked. "We don't have to stay here if you need to go."

'Oh great.' "No way! I promised you a night on the town and I intend to deliver." Ben said. 'And a certain Dr Lightman better not screw it up.'

The waiter returned with the wine. He opened it for them and had Ben sniff the cork to ensure it was to his liking. The waiter filled both their glasses and left the bottle on the table.

Gillian raised her glass. "A toast to you for helping me embrace the Vegas." Ben didn't pickup his glass. 'Ok. Something is up.' She thought. "Ben, what is wrong?"

"Uh. Nothing is wrong. I just-" His phone rang. 'Thank God. Saved by the bell.'

"Let me guess. You need to take that?" Gillian said as she put her wine glass down. She was starting to feel more like a burden than a good time for Ben tonight.

"Yes. I'm sorry. I'll just be a minute." Ben left the table walking past her and out of the restaurant.

"Ben! Over here!" Cal got the Agent's attention as he walked out.

"Ok, Lightman. Spill it." Ben didn't feel like playing games. He had become rather fond of Foster and he wasn't about to let Cal ruin another evening for her.

"What? Nothin' to spill mate. I owe that woman in there an apology." 'Among so many other things.' Cal thought.

"What are you doing Lightman?" Ben wanted to know exactly what this was about before he would let Cal intrude on Gillian's night.

"What's that Ben? Feeling a little protective of Dr. Foster, are you?" Cal studied Ben's face. Concern, skepticism, and a little , Ben was a little sweet on Gillian. Cal couldn't blame him really. Who wouldn't be attracted to her? 'Glad I'm interrupting.'

"Yes, I am. She is a fantastic woman and she deserves much better than what you have been dishing her way this week." Ben responded.

"And you can do that, can you?" Cal grinned. He saw the look on Ben's face. Contempt- aimed at him. 'Good. I'm glad you're watching out for her. God knows I have been a complete sod lately.'

"I definitely couldn't do worse than you have the last few days!" Ben shot back.

"Ok. I deserved that. You're completely right." Cal couldn't argue. He had behaved atrociously. "Ben. I'm here to make it up to her. Honestly."

"What if she doesn't want to spend the evening with you?" 'Yeah, right. Gillian is love with him, even if she can't see that for herself yet. Obviously the lights have come on for him, finally.'

"Oh, she'll be fine." Cal could see the concern for Gillian on Ben's face. "Don't worry, Ben. I will make this a night she will remember fondly. I promise."

Ben looked at him for a few seconds and then, while shaking his head, said "Don't screw this up."

"Trust me. This is too important. She is too important." Cal walked away and headed into the restaurant.

Ben watched him approach the table. He couldn't help but be disappointed. He was looking forward to a night on the town with Gillian Foster, but he also knew that her heart was with Cal. Whether she knew it yet or not.