"Hey now. What do you think you're doing?" A gruff but friendly voice sounded from behind Cal.

With care, he turned to peer behind him, taking note of the rather large man closing distance between them. Steel gray hair and a matching beard complemented deep blue eyes. A dark maroon tunic signified his status as a volunteer. The nametag simply read 'BJ.'

"Pardon?"

Eyebrows raised, the man made a tsk tsk sound under his breath. "You don't look like you need to be wandering around here on foot. You need a lift?"

Cal debated for only a second. "Actually mate, I'd be indebted." His side shrieked with every step but he hadn't wanted that girl to bring him upstairs. Something seemed off.

"Okay, you stay put and I'll be right back." BJ strolled off, easily covering twice the distance of a smaller man in half the time and was back almost instantly, pushing a wheelchair ahead of him.

(BREAK)

BJ pushed Cal through the entry of Gillian's room with a booming "Knock knock!"

Emily was immediately on her feet. "Dad!"

"Hey Em." He looked past her to where his wife was lying, holding their baby. Her expression was filled with relief, love (he was happy to see) and anger (not so happy to see, but expected nonetheless). At least he had the good sense to appear abashed. "Hi darlin'."

The volunteer set the brakes of the wheelchair. One hand hovered near the other man's elbow, but did not touch him. Cal managed to push himself up and out with a grimace. Emily wanted to give him a hug but was afraid of hurting him. She satisfied herself with taking his hand as he gave her a warm smile. "I'm okay luv."

"You don't look particularly okay."

BJ backed out of the room. "Need anything else Doc?"

"Nah mate, I'm good." He caught Gillian's eye. "I think."

The man chuckled. "Alright then. See ya hero." He then disappeared from the room.

Bemused, and more than a little annoyed, Cal stared after him.

"What did he mean Cal?" Gillian's voice clipped from across the room. Worriedly, she watched as he slowly worked his way toward her. His movements were stiff and measured. Emily still held onto his hand.

"Guess you heard a little bit?" Straight backed, he carefully sat on the edge of her bed, reaching a hand out to automatically stroke his son's cheek before taking his lumps and delicately kissing his son's mother.

"Not a whole lot." Emily had released her hold on him but hovered closely. "Something about a gunman in the cafeteria….and a hospital visitor disarming him and getting shot in the process" Her tone had a little more bite than she intended.

"Well, you lot pretty much have the whole story then, right? And it wasn't exactly a shooting, it was more of a grazing." His attempt to downplay events was met with long moments of steely silence.

"Cal?" Gillian raised an eyebrow, eyes warning, and expression firm. "What exactly happened down there?"

With a sigh, Cal recounted the morning's events, watching as Gillian's worry and anger became ever more pronounced. "I'm sorry darlin'. It was…instinctive."

"You do realize that you could have been killed."

"Yeah."

"You do realize that we have a little boy that deserves to grow up knowing his father?" Gillian's voice began to shake. Picking up upon his mother's state of mind, James began to cry. She immediately attempted to soothe him but he would have none of it.

"Do you want me to take him? I can rock him." Emily volunteered and after a moment, Gill relinquished him to his sister. The teenager paced the small room as the baby gradually quieted.

Cal hung his head. He really didn't know what to say. She was right. He should have never attempted to intervene. He should have called security right away and left it to them. And the girl would very possibly be dead now…

"Do you have any idea how scared we were? All we know is some kind of situation placed the hospital on lockdown and lo and behold, YOU'RE not here!"

He met her eyes again, deciding it was best to just let her get it out. She had reason to be upset, but at the same time he expected that her tirade was also hormone induced, at least to some extent. He'd never dare voice that thought though.

"You can't keep doing this Cal! You're not a kid anymore! Seriously! What the hell is the matter with you?"

A smile flickered across his lips. "You're just askin' that now?"

Gillian had started to cry. Any semblance of a smile fell away from him. He scooted a little closer on the bed, and gathered her awkwardly in his arms, kissing the top of her head. One hand gently stroked her hair as she wept against his chest. "I'm so sorry luv. I really am."

Emily surreptitiously watched them as she rocked James. Part of her felt uncomfortable, like she shouldn't be there, but the other part was awed at the depth of their love for one another and was secretly touched to bear witness to it. She'd never seen that kind of connection between her dad and her mom. Their relationship had been mostly love/hate. She'd actually been glad when they separated.

Cal rocked Gillian but apparently not gently enough as they both let out respective gasps of pain. He chanced a smile again. "We're quite the pair, aren't we, luv? Neither one of us can move now!"

(BREAK)

"Dr. Lightman?"

They'd been home about a week and had hired a mother's helper to bridge the gap until they were both a little more mobile. It had been Gillian's suggestion and although Cal had initially balked, he now figured it was a good one. The girl had been a huge help.

He was in his study working on his book, figuring it was better than bed rest but still impatient to return to 'real' work. Doctor wouldn't allow him though quite yet, so he kept himself busy otherwise when he wasn't on baby duty. "Yeah?"

Candace's voice drifted back to him. "There's someone at the door for you."

Frowning, he pulled his glasses off and dropped them near the keyboard. With some effort he pulled himself out of his office chair. His movements were still stiff but gradually getting better. He figured that he might be able to slouch by the end of next week.

Pausing near the base of the staircase he listened for any movement. None. Gillian and the baby were still asleep. That was a good thing. Even with expressed breast milk in the fridge, Gillian insisted on waking for James' feedings, even if Cal was there to wield the bottle. He smiled as he thought about it. New mommy euphoria.

Moving to the front door, his mask slipped into place as he took note of who was standing there.

"Thank you Candace."

The girl nodded and headed back to the kitchen.

Jenny Young stood on his doorstep. Out of uniform, she'd made obvious attempts to polish her appearance. Nice dress, subtle jewelry, a little too much make up. She held a large flower arrangement in her arms. "Hello Dr. Lightman! I thought I'd drop by to thank you again and to see how you and your family were doing."

He just looked at her. "We're doing well, thanks. How did you get my address?"

She blinked, surprised by his cool demeanor. "I…I'm sorry. I know someone in billing."

Just a bit of a breach of privacy there.

Cal continued to stare at her.

"Okay, maybe this was a bad idea. I just….well, I just thought…"

Allowing himself to appear to soften ever so slightly, his tone attempted reason. 'Look darlin', I'm happy that you're okay. I really am. You're ex won't be able to bug you for a very long time, but this is my home and I really like my privacy. You understand?"

"Cal? Who is it?" Gillian was heading down the stairs; one hand gripping the balustrade while the other cradled James. He was making little cooing sounds. Candace peeped out of the kitchen and immediately went to her. "Let me help you Mrs. Lightman." Gillian smiled at her in gratitude as the girl gently took her arm.

Jenny brazenly moved past Cal into the entry. "So, you must be Gillian!"

Puzzled, Gill's eyes flitted to her husband. And this is…?

The young woman moved forward, offering a hand but Cal gripped her firmly around the arm. "Now's not a good time. We're not really up for visitors." His eyebrows rose, his eyes starting to glint as he looked down at her.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Gillian smiled, looking at the other woman.

"Jenny Young. She's the young lady I helped out at the hospital." Cal's voice was anything but hospitable.

"I didn't mean to intrude," she pulled away from Cal. "I just wanted to thank him again and see how everyone was doing." Her voice and eyes lowered, but not before Cal noted her anger. "I'm sorry. This is a bad time." With that, she leaned over and placed the flower arrangement on the patio before headed back down the path. As she climbed into her aging Civic, she tossed another glance over her shoulder. Hurt and anger.

Cal watched stoically as she pulled away from the curb.