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Thanks for reading, sadly real life and working full time while preparing to go back to Uni has got me tied up. Hope you are still enjoying the story. More soon.

Fighting Fire with Fire

"Cal." Ben followed his friend along the corridors of the Lightman Institute. He was worried his friend was finally on the verge of self destruction. Cal Lightman was an insightful and intelligent man, but he had a blind spot. The people he loved. If they were in danger, his daughters, Gillian or anyone at the Lightman Institute his ability to see clearly, to read those around him was affected. "Cal, wait up." Ben tried again as they reached the door to Gillian's office.

"What?" Cal had lost none of the fire that had been evident when he arrived. "He attacked my wife. Ben. He tried to kill Gillian and me. You know I don't give a flying fart if something 'appens to me. But Gillian? My girls? This sick son of a bitch is going to pay for that."

"We said we'd do this right." Ben watched as Cal glared.

"Tell you what." Cal stared at his friend. "I meant what I said. He came after my people. So I fight fire with fire. If he don't like it then there is nothing I can do about that."

"You can't get yourself killed." Ben narrowed his eyes. "The girls, you know? Your daughters that you say mean so much to you. They need you."

"Ben."

"I am telling you the truth." Ben stated calmly. "When Gillian wakes up. When she is having nightmares and flashbacks, because I can guarantee you no one can face what she has and not have some sort of repercussions do you think she's going to be glad you got yourself killed? Or do you think you will be wanted? That she's going to need her husband?"

Ben stared at him as Cal began to process his words. He knew Gillian would never let the children or any of the Lightman Institute know if she was struggling. He took a deep breath, knowing he would have to tell Ben everything.

"He was at the hospital."

"What." Ben stated rather than asked.

"He was at the hospital. He knows Gillian is in there, he knows her room number. Sick sod even sent her flowers. Emily managed to get them before her. Here, the card that was in the lilies and orchids. Em says they mean death. Those flowers symbolise death."

"Yeah, I remember my grandmother telling me that." Ben took the card, frowning. "I can get this analysed. I'll call the bureau and the hospital. They have CCTV footage."

"He had them delivered."

"Ok, but we can trace that. And he's going to know that." Ben pulled his cell phone from his suit jacket. Moments later he was ordering extra security at the hospital. Cal sighed, relieved that his friend was taking him seriously.

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Emily stared at the monitor that was recording Gillian's blood pressure and heart beat. She knew her stepmom was a fighter but she had little idea if the numbers were good or bad. Biting her lip, she wished her mom was there to talk to her. Zoe was still in France, still only sending the occasional email. Taking a deep breath she began talking to Gillian, hoping a familiar voice would get through the barrier keeping Gillian in another world.

"Gillian? Gill?" She looked to see the older woman's eyes flutter open for a moment. Her hand began shaking as she fought the muscle relaxants the doctors had fed into her veins. Emily was on her feet in seconds. "It's ok. You're in the hospital. Dad is on his way. You are ok." She pulled the nurse call with one hand as Gillian seemed to spasm in front of her, the monitors bleeping furiously as she arched her back off the bed before a nurse ushered Emily away from the bedside.

"Emily, stay here." The nurse stated.

"No. What's happening?"

"Gillian is having a seizure. Common after head injuries as nasty as the one she had. Stay here."

"Ok." Emily's eyes widened as the doctor pushed a white milky liquid into her veins. "I'll." He paused. "I'll called my dad."

"Good idea." The nurse's Texan accent seemed to jar against the other american accents in the room. Emily turned and headed out of the room, praying her dad would answer his cell.

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A/N Short chapter. Please review.