A/N: Thanks to everyone for the great reviews! Please keep them coming.
Chapter 3
Gillian sat at Cal's desk. In his chair. She had walked into his office more than an hour ago to find it empty. She was ready to confront him but now was not so sure. Her relationship with Cal was delicate. Gillian knew him well. Understood that he couldn't be pushed. And as much as she wanted to resolve the Does he/Doesn't he dilemma, she decided to play the waiting game. It was the safe decision – or the cowardly one – depending on how you looked at it. But too much hung in the balance.
Gillian lowered her cellphone from her ear. She had decided to clear things up with Christian. Whether it was the right thing to do would be seen as soon as she spoke to Cal. And as if the universe had heard her thoughts, the man himself sauntered into his office. She didn't see him immediately because her gaze was fixed on a nick in the wood next to her phone. A gaze that hadn't stopped there but had, instead, travelled to a myriad of worlds in which each possible scenario of her relationship with Cal was playing out.
"Allo, Love," he started, bringing her out of her daze. Gillian looked up at him and a smile softened her thoughtful expression. Cal returned the gesture as he made his way around the desk, leaning against it right next to her. She swung out on his chair to angle herself better and her leg lightly brushed against his. The act was consciously ignored by both parties while beneath the masks, white heat rose up in both of them.
"You okay?" she asked, giving him the once over.
"Peachy." He was looking at her like it was the first time he'd ever seen her. She worked hard not to react to the tangible electricity between them.
"Where were you?"
"Late lunch with Em. She says hi."
Silence pulled its cloak over the two friends but it wasn't awkward. Just quiet. And then
"I'm having dinner with Christian," Gillian said, trying not to look at him but not winning at her own game. Cal's eyebrows shot up in surprise and he struggled with how to respond. "Just catching up," she continued, in an attempt to draw him out.
"Doesn't that qualify as a conflict of interest type thing?" Cal eventually found words while reverting to his distanced self. It wasn't easy but he didn't want to feel too much. He wasn't ready.
"I'm not involved with the case anymore so…"
"Says who?" he interjected.
"Me," Gillian smiled but her eyes didn't wrinkle. Cal noticed. "You'll do fine with Loker and Torres." Cal nodded slowly as he considered the situation.
Could he have been wrong in his assumption that Gillian would still be around when he was finally ready? He had a plan, he was working on being the kind of man that she deserved. A man that wouldn't let her down, hurt her. Had she noticed? Did she think about the fact that he hadn't been dating for the past few months? Not even one-night-stand-ing. Especially not that. He was keeping his temper in check. And his affinity for bumping into trouble at the most inappropriate times? Well, he'd been keeping that to a minimum. He had a plan. But was it the right thing to do? Or was he just wasting time?
"Must be some guy to take you away from your work," he finally said.
"Cal," Gillian warned. He raised his hands as a sign of backing off and she stood up. The action brought them within inches of each other. Cal made no effort to move. He could smell her honey almond shampoo and fought to maintain his nonchalant air. Their eyes locked.
"Funny thing," Gillian decided to work it in slowly. Like it was no big deal.
"What is?"
"He, Christian, was under the impression that you and I –" her tone was light and conversational but even so, she couldn't finish the sentence. Cal wore a self-satisfied smirk.
"He tell you that?"
"Yes, he did," she could see he was enjoying this little revelation. "And according to a trusted source," she'd slip it in there, "… apparently," give him an opportunity, see how he reacted, "… everyone we work with is of the same opinion."
"That you and I –" Cal said.
"That you and I –" Gillian nodded, watching his face.
Cal let out a light chuckle. "Your source, is he on crack?"
"Well, apparently your territorial behavior leads people to assume – "
"Oh yeah?" Cal stepped in closer to her, their bodies brushing together so lightly they almost didn't.
"Apparently," Gillian lowered her voice in an effort not to give anything away. She tried hard not to react to Cal's breath on her lips.
"Apparently," he urged her to continue.
"Cal," it was barely a whisper.
"Yes?"
"What are you doing?" It was not what she wanted to say but she realized she wanted to know his response. They stood like that, looking into each others eyes, searching, barely breathing and Cal couldn't. He wasn't ready.
He stepped back and gathered himself. Gillian was sorry once the tension broke but relieved at the same time. She wasn't sure how much longer she could stand that close to him and not do anything about it.
"Cal?" she asked softly.
"I don't know, Love. I don't know." His voice was raw with emotion that he could no longer hide. He wasn't looking at her anymore. Instead, his carpet became the most interesting thing in the office.
"Okay, that's okay," she rested her hand on his shoulder and it made him look up. As soon as he did though, she let her hand fall to her side again.
"There's a plan," Cal started. And stopped.
"Oh?" she waited for him to elaborate but he didn't. "Does it have anything to do with me?"
"I just need time," his gaze had dropped to the really interesting carpet again and Gillian decided that that had been enough pushing for now.
"Okay. Take all the time you need," she said and she meant it. She would wait.
Cal listened to her heels as she made her way out of the office. The biggest battle you have to fight is against yourself, he thought. He turned to watch her go.
"You know," he finally said just as she reached the door. Gillian turned to face him. "He's not good enough for you."
A sad smile crossed her face and this time, Cal noticed, it was real.
"Is anyone, Cal?" She asked the question, knowing full well what his answer would be.
