Maybe it was time to have a little faith. They'd been doing a passionately charged Tango for years, both making lots of mistakes, but somehow sticking together despite everything. That had to mean something. No more games.

He was looking at her wide eyed and startled. It wasn't because she loved him, she was quite certain he was aware of that. The fact that she actually admitted it was what floored him. To be truthful, she was a bit surprised herself when she heard the admission pass her lips.

They seemed to be locked in time, unflinchingly meeting one another's gaze. The shock in his eyes gradually morphed into an uneasy mixture of love, tenderness, fear and uncertainty. Gillian could feel his hands at her waist, drawing her closer to him.

She broke eye contact and allowed her own hands to lightly trail down his chest, gently taking tactile note of his lean muscles and all his present and future scars. An involuntarily tremor ran through him but he remained still, permitting her not so subtle inspection. A moment later she cradled both sides of his face and leaned toward him. Cal met her half way and their lips connected in a sweet almost chaste kiss. He pulled back and leaned his forehead against hers. "I love you Gill." She smiled, closed her eyes and their lips met again. A long closed door began to swing open as the kiss deepened. Tongues danced and darted, warmth spread through them both. Cal planted kisses upon her jaw line and worked his way down her neck while her fingers entwined in his hair. She tilted her head back to allow him greater access, heart pounding deafeningly in her ears. He continued to nibble and found his way back up to one ear. Gillian broke out in gooseflesh as she heard and felt him chuckle in response. He arrived back at her lips with unfettered passion, hands moving from her waist, up to her ribs and proceeding to pull her top out of the confines of her skirt. She could feel his calloused hands spreading across the flatness of her belly before moving around her back, securely trapping her against him.

They both were breathing hard with excitement when he began to wheeze and cough. Cal immediately pulled away from her, eyes beginning to stream as he struggled to catch his breath. Gill reached out to him but he waved her way. Give me a second.

Apprehension shone in her eyes as she went to get her phone.

The coughing spell started to abate. He grabbed her by the wrist and shook his head. Don't call. I'm okay. Took in a long ragged breath followed by another. Not to be outdone, a familiar ache started behind his eyes as well. Bloody hell.

He wandered dizzily to the couch and plopped down with a groan, eyes closed, head in hands.

Gillian was immediately next to him, one hand on his thigh. "Are you alright?" She felt horrible. They were so caught up in the moment that neither one considered the ramifications of too much, too soon.

Cal opened one eye, and gave her a half grin. "I'll be fine luv. Think that might be enough exercise for one day though." The grin faltered. Muscles in his jaw clenched and unclenched in pain.

"Is there anything I can get you?'

"Uh," he paused, debating intense head pain vs. loopy feeling of narcotics. "Yeah, bottle on kitchen table."

"While I'm at it, I'll grab you a shirt too."

"Thanks darlin'."

(BREAK)

An hour later, Cal was pleasantly glassy eyed and comfortable. He was stretched out, feet propped up on the coffee table casually crossed at the ankle. He also had one arm looped around Gillian as they relaxed in one another's company. A movie was playing but neither paid much attention to it.

"Why now darlin'?"

"Why what Cal?"

He cocked his head to look down and catch her eye, not bothering to answer.

She let out a sigh. "I guess I had a lot of time to think. Couldn't get certain things out of my mind."

"Like what?"

Gillian felt the sting of tears again. God. Seems like she was always crying these days. "After the bomb went off, I really thought…you were dead. You were so still. When they finally got to us, they actually pulled me out first. I can't even tell you how angry I was."

"Does make sense luv," he responded gently, brushing her hair with his fingertips and kissing her temple.

"It didn't make sense to me, not then." She sniffled and palmed away a stray tear. "I felt every second was running through my fingers and I couldn't do a damn thing about it!"

Cal had very few memories of these particular events. He remembered heading into the warehouse like an idiot, knocking Gillian down and then everything was smoke and shadows until he was almost out of ICU. Listening to Gill's point of view seemed almost surreal.

"All I could think about was all the time we've wasted. All the bullshit that really meant nothing."

He raised his eyebrows at her rare profanity but said nothing.

She pulled away and sat up straight to face him. "I can't say that I don't have any doubts. It would be unfair of you to expect otherwise." Gillian bit her lower lip and peered up at him, eyes bright. "I just love you too damned much not to be willing to try."

Cal leaned forward, caught the back of her head with one hand and propelled her toward him. His kiss was gentle and undemanding but still managed to take her breath away. He backed away slightly so she could see his eyes crinkle in a genuine smile. "Fair enough, darlin'. Fair enough."

(BREAK)

She let herself into the house, almost called out a greeting before stopping and closing her mouth instead. There was the low sound of the television but what caught her attention were the voices emanating from the living room. Particularly the tone of those voices. Dad and Gillian.

Emily stepped noiselessly into the hallway and caught sight of them conversing on the couch. Something had changed. They had always been comfortable with one another but she could sense a different energy about them now. As she watched, her dad pulled Gill toward him and kissed her tenderly. They proceeded to wrap their arms around one another and melt together. There was such a pure glow of love and happiness about them that Emily felt her jaw drop. Her shock was fleeting before the huge grin took over. About time.

THE END…? What do you think?