I suppose this could be considered the denouement at this point (or was that the LAST chapter? Oh well. Close enough). I hope everyone enjoyed this little thriller. Thanks for ALL the comments and reviews. It really makes writing these things even more fun.

Gillian awoke in the early afternoon to a strong arm protectively curled around her. She shifted ever so slightly to peer up into Cal's sleeping face. His jaw was slack and his breathing slow and regular.

Ian, myself, even Cal. Peas in a pod.

She recalled Mason's cruel taunting but knew, without a doubt, that he was wrong. When Cal had pulled that trigger, killing Ian, his face had been calm but beneath the surface there was a storm of fear, doubt and sadness. He was a man doing what needed to be done. Nothing more. Not unlike what she had been forced to do, just with a lot more control.

The night seemed almost surreal now, but she knew, as soon as she stepped out of this bedroom, she'd see the closed door to the guest room and her memory at what happened there would come out and bite her. If she went downstairs, she'd note the overturned coffee table and blood stains, where hours earlier there had been another body. The body of Cal's older brother.

She wondered how Cal would be in the aftermath. Strong probably, at least outwardly so. He always was. He'd toss back some scotch, give her a lazy grin and tell her: "I'm fine darlin'," and that would be it. But how could that be? He'd killed his own brother.

With some careful maneuvering, she wriggled out from under Cal's arm. He mumbled something unintelligible but didn't awaken. Utter exhaustion. Gill's eyes found his face again, wincing at the awful bruising now so obvious in the light of day. A streak of blood soaked through the cotton gauze taped to his face but it didn't look fresh. She felt herself soften as she gazed at him before pulling away. Part of her wanted to go home, get away from this house but felt ambivalent. There were so many happy memories in here as well. She didn't really want to leave him, feeling a strong draw to stay near, even more so now.

"How're you doing darling?" His accent was low and thick, voice gravelly from deep sleep. He gazed at her from half closed eyes.

"I…um…" How was she? Confused? Fearful? How about numb? "I… honestly don't know what to do with myself." She offered a small smile, but her face seemed stricken, eyes a little too bright.

Cal scooted off the bed, went to her and immediately wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry about all this," he whispered into her hair.

She pushed her face into his neck, smelling sweat and lingering aftershave, before closing her eyes, temporarily finding a tiny bit of serenity.

"We can put this behind us. It might take some time, but it'll be okay." His breath tickled her ear, raising gooseflesh along her arms and causing a shiver to run through her. It seemed an odd response to all the horror that had surrounded them and she wasn't completely sure what to make of it.

Pressing his lips against her hairline, he moved down, kissing her forehead, and cheek before leaning in and ever so gently kissing her mouth. His lips were soft and loving and just when she started to return it, he pulled back, eyes surprised. "I guess I shouldn't have done that."

Wordlessly, she shook her head. Her eyes never left his. "It's okay." She finally managed, voice hushed, color rising in her cheeks.

He looked down, feeling an unfamiliar flush cross his own features. "Uh, I guess since you played designated driver last night, we'll be carpooling today. I do need to make some calls – can't have Emily walking in on…" Cal caught her eye again before his gaze flitting past her shoulder to the far wall, his words trailing off. "Well, you know."

"I know." Reaching out, she took his hand. "You can make those calls from my place. I'd like to go."

"I understand. Just let me grab a shower and - "

"No, bring some clothes. You can use mine."

Cal stared at her for several moments before nodding. "Okay, luv."

(BREAK)

After he'd showered and dressed he found Gillian curled on the couch. She hadn't changed, still only in a robe, wet hair hanging down in tendrils, expression distant. Vulnerability radiated out from her in waves and he felt his heart tighten in response.

"You want to take some time darlin'?" Cal approached but didn't sit. After his lapse earlier, he wasn't sure if he could trust himself. The last thing Gillian needed was him behaving like a love sick teenager. "I'll call Loker and have him come get me. I did have that taxi service clause added to his contract for a reason."

A little smile crossed her lips, but it was gone just a quickly. "Mason said you were just like him and Ian."

Anger tightened the muscles in his face. Cal hadn't given Mason a whole lot of thought – was purposely trying not to.

"He apparently thought I was being naïve."

Swallowing, his voice came out raspy and low. His mouth felt dry all of a sudden, fear swelling around him. "And what do you think Gill?"

She was quiet for several moments before meeting his eyes. "I know he was wrong." Her response was measured, thoughtful. "You skirt the edges sometimes but just because you do what you feel needs to be done doesn't make you like them. Your motives are never selfish." A teasing smile played in her eyes. "Unless it's about women of course, then the line gets a little blurry."

He felt frozen as doubt coursed through him. Was she right? He had a tendency to be cruel and hard sometimes. How many times had he hurt her by stomping on her feelings as if they didn't matter? It was never something he means to have happen but it happens nonetheless. He could be such a miserable prick sometimes. Was she purposely sidestepping that fact?

"Cal, sit down."

As he hesitated, she reached up, grabbed his arm and used her leverage to pull him down next to her. She then shifted to face him. "I know you have a lot going on inside. I can only just imagine how you feel right now. What I don't want you to do though is blame yourself for any of this. You are nothing like Ian. He chose his own path and despite your own questionable upbringing, you're not capable of choosing that same path. As much of a pain in the ass as you can be, you are a good man."

"Sometimes I wonder." It came out as more of a sigh than actually words.

"Don't." She lightly touched his cheek with her fingertips, gently coaxing him to meet her eyes. "You are infuriating, stubborn, abrasive, and quite intolerable at times…"

"Well, luv. Don't hold back or anything." He pulled away from her touch, slightly hurt.

She continued as if he hadn't spoken. "You are also loyal, passionate, steadfast in your beliefs, a wonderful father and also a wonderful friend when you're not being incorrigible." Gillian gave him a genuine smile while he watched her bemused.

"Um, that's quite a list."

"You think so? I could go on." The smile hadn't wavered.

"No no, that's okay." He ran a hand through his damp hair. "Seems you've just insulted the hell outta me for the most part, so why is it that I'm not feeling like shit?"

Scooting a little closer, she rested one hand on his leg and cupped the side of his face once again. "Because you're a very complex man and I couldn't imagine you any other way."

He felt warmth rush through him as his face softened and gave her a lopsided grin. "So, you find me interesting." Cal ran his hand down her arm.

"Maybe a little."

"Just a little?" He leaned over, pausing just a moment before he brushed her lips with his ever so softly.

A delicate sigh escaped her as she smiled into the kiss. There was no way to know how long it would last but for now, she found peace within the strength of his embrace.