Gillian awoke comfortable, warm and more than a little confused. Gradually she began aware that she had fallen asleep next to Cal. Her hand was against his bare chest and his good arm was around her shoulders, holding her close.

It should have been awkward but oddly enough, it didn't feel that way.

Early morning light was peeking through carelessly pulled curtains but Cal was still in deep slumber, his breathing slow and even. His skin didn't feel overly warm for the moment and she could only hope that the fever would stay away.

Very gently, she attempted to wriggle out from under his arm but his hold tightened. Not that it was a particularly bad place to be in but she was starving and granola bars on the table were beckoning but she really didn't want to awaken him. He needed the rest.

She waited a few more minutes, taking the opportunity to study him with his barriers down. Sleep took years off him and she found it sad that he always felt compelled to protect himself when awake. Not that it was surprising, considering his past, not to mention, the present.

He began to stir under her gentle perusal as if he sensed her eyes upon him.

"Hey." Cal's lids had cracked open and his voice was a little raspy but he gave her a smirk.
"Hey yourself." She smiled back at him but took the opportunity to move out from underneath his arm.

Disappointment flickered but slipped away before it took hold. "Should get some stuff."

"Yup."

Cal's gaze followed her as she approached the table, grabbed a snack and plopped down in one of the chairs. Granola bar, but he'd made sure to get the ones with chocolate chips just for her. "Wonderin' how you felt about changin' your appearance a little."

She took a delicate nibble. "You think that's necessary?"

"Dunno." He pulled himself up to sit on the edge of the bed before getting to his feet and crossing toward her. Gillian was happy to see that he didn't seem unsteady. Maybe the worst was behind him.

"I figure it can't hurt."

"What about you?" She looked at him intently and he felt vaguely like a rabbit staring down a fox.

"What do you mean?"

"If I'm going to go incognito, you should too." She finished her granola bar and immediately grabbed another.

"Wouldn't anythin' I do would look…I dunno…obvious?"

"Not necessarily." Once again, that look was all over her face, like he was one of those toy Barbie heads like Em had had when she was little. It had come with make-up and curlers and all kinds of crap. Emily had loved it, Zoe had been amused by it and he'd absolutely abhorred the creepy thing. He was starting to regret bringing up the whole appearance change to begin with.

Gillian waved her snack at him. "We do need to get some more clothes and a few other things." She took another bite, chewed slowly as she took measure of him. "No offense Cal but you're not smelling so good."

He pouted at her and she fought a smile. "I showered."

"Did you actually use soap?"

Nope. Too busy trying not to pass out. He didn't respond to the mild insult. "Fine. Let's see if there's a…mall…or somethin' around."

She noticed the word "mall" stick in his throat but decided not to tease him about it.

The only place to go was the big box store that seemed ubiquitous with small town America. Cal did little to hide his derision as Gillian found a parking space.

"Are you being a snob?" She flicked an eyebrow at him, teasing.

"Absolutely not! Just thinkin' from a humanitarian perspective."

"Uh huh."

As soon as they were out of the car, Gillian began to question the wisdom of bringing him here. He was starting to feel better and with that, came boredom. The fact that they were running for their lives didn't currently enter the equation.

"Good grief."

Gillian had stopped at the salon just inside the store to see about getting her hair cut but now turned to Cal. "What?"

"She looks like a sausage comin' out of its casin'."

"Huh?" Just then she caught a glimpse of the woman in question, horror rising in her over Cal's inability to self-edit. "Cal!"

"What? It's true luv. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes but some people need a mirror and need to be honest about their reflections."

The problem was that he wasn't completely wrong. The woman was too big for tights and a mini skirt. "Cal. Shut up."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "How come you're tryin' not to laugh?"

"It's nervous laughter." She was instantly defensive.

"Sure it is."

Gillian was saved when the stylist called her back. "Be good Cal. Please?"

"Course." He watched as she was seated and fitted with a cape. Part of him thought he should go wandering but the other part wanted to stay close. He decided to stay and observe.

Gillian was very aware of his scrutiny and felt an equal mix of annoyance and flattery.

"He your boyfriend?" The stylist was just making conversation but Gillian's stomach flipped.

"No, no. Just a friend."

Just a friend? That in no way described their relationship now. It was in the process of…evolving.

"Oh. He's kind of cute. Intense but cute."

Gillian almost started laughing. Intense but cute? "That he is."

Cal saw amusement of both women's faces but couldn't hear the discussion. They'd glanced his way and he couldn't help but feel he was a subject of conversation. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

Her locks were starting to hit the floor and he hoped to hell she wouldn't get it cut too short. He wanted to feel how soft it would be sifting through his fingers.

Jumping the gun aren't you? Maybe, maybe not. Something was definitely shifting though.

Cal turned away to continue people watching. Overalls. Lots of overalls. Mullets. Lots of those too. One guy was dressed like Grizzly Adams. There was a woman with leggings that matched her skin color. That one gave him quite a start until he realized she was, in fact, wearing something on her lower half. He decided to look back toward Gill. Much better.

It looked like she was almost ready to go. Thank God.

And her hair wasn't overly short. Chin length and kind of bouncy. What did they call it again? A bob or pageboy of something like that. It was cute. She was cute.

She looked up and caught him staring. Well?

A smile had settled into his eyes. Apparently, he approved. Not that it mattered of course…

Paying the stylist, she made sure to give a generous tip before meeting Cal at the entrance.

"Ready to do a little shopping?"

"You really want me to answer that darlin'?"

"Used to be blindingly blond when I was a kid."

Gillian stared at him, trying to picture it. He was fair enough but she still had a hard time imagining it.

"Bloody yellow in fact."

She continued to stare. "Guess we'll see." She picked up another box.

"There's no way I'm turnin' ginger." His look was one of warning.

As they stood in the hair dye aisle he was becoming more and more unhappy and she was having a hard time hiding her amusement.

"You could go dark brown. That way you could do your beard as well. Get rid of all that gray."

"Oi!" Maybe he should just shave his head. Of course, like most men, he worried it wouldn't grow back. He decided to relent. "S'pose."

She grabbed a few boxes as he continued to eye them.

"Do you trust me?"

He blinked and thought about it.

"Cal?"

"Well, yeah. You I trust. I just don't trust what's in there." He gestured to the hair coloring specifically for men.

"Grow a pair. It'll be fine."

He bared his teeth as her and she just smiled. Very few people would tease him in that regard. In fact, most would assume tease a 300 lb Grizzly Bear. Only Emily and Gillian could get away with it. "If my hair fries and all falls out, I'll know who to blame."

"Yup. Clairol."

This time he growled at her.

They left right before Cal was ready to snap. She could feel the storm brewing and figured the few articles of clothing, toiletries and non-perishable food items would take them through. They'd stock up more just before they arrived at their destination.

Her brother kept a cabin in upstate New York for hunting purposes and had always given her an open invite. She'd just never taken advantage before but she figured the situation merited it.

They would spend one more night in the motel and head out early morning. She didn't want to be driving through the woods after dark.

"You ready?" The question was more of a preparation than a real inquiry.

"Not really."

"Tough. This was your idea, now you have to deal with the consequences. Now sit!"

"You're bein' bossy again."

"Little boys need a firm hand."

"You're a funny one you are." Cal sat but glowered.

"Mmhm." She had finished mixing the color and turned with gloved hands and bottle. "Stay still."

"Yes, ma'am."

Ignoring the smell of ammonia, he permitted her to start applying the color to his hair, enjoying the feel of her hands on him. She coated his roots first before moving outward and although his eyes watered slightly with the fumes, he kept them on her, watching every single movement.

Unfortunately she was done a little too quickly.

"Now what?"

"Now you sit and be good."

"How long?" It was close to a whine.

Gillian came out of the bathroom toweling off her hair.

He'd found a soccer game on cable but immediately pulled his eyes off it to land on her. It was a little hard to tell but he could see red under the glare of the powder room lights.

And for some reason he couldn't stop looking at her. She'd changed into fresh jeans and a long sleeved tunic and he caught a whiff of her body wash from where he sat.

"You're staring."

She hadn't even glanced his way but could feel his eyes heavy upon her. Her stomach quivered slightly.

"Sorry luv."

"Don't be sorry. Just stop."

"Can't help it." On impulse he got to his feet and crossed the short distance to her. One hand reached out and gently took a lock of her hair between his fingers. It was amazingly soft.

Sudden realization had him backing up a step. "Sorry."

They stared a one another as she flushed. "Um…it's okay."

He allowed a grin to ease the awkwardness. "Was worried you'd get it cut too short."

"You don't like short hair?"

Shrugging, he continued to grin. "Eh."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Not answering, he took a chance and moved back in and touched her hair again, this time letting his fingers run through it.

She watched entranced and immobile .

"Just like how it feels when it's a little longer."

"Is this too short?"

"Nah." He breezed his fingers through it again and she shivered. Cal stopped but didn't move his hand away. His heart was stammering so hard in his chest. He thought maybe he should step away but she didn't look like she wanted him to. Instead of touching her hair again, he lightly ran his hand down her cheek. "So soft." It was barely a murmur.

There it was again. The shift. The evolution. Gillian eyes didn't break with his, feeling pinned beneath his intensity. She thought about that kiss the other night. He'd barely been coherent for it but it had been so soft and promising. Now he was much more coherent and right in front of her. And of course he'd taken his shirt off again when she'd colored his hair and hadn't bothered to put it back on.

Tentatively, she stretched her hand out and whispered her fingers down the center of his chest. It was hairless and lean. He was slight but coiled power ran under his ropey muscles. There was no mistaking the fact that he was a man who could handle himself.

His left hand moved up quickly and caught hers in mid caress. He lifted it and gently touched his lips to the webbing between her thumb and forefinger. She continued to watch as he then kissed each knuckle. He turned her hand inward and pressed his lips to the palm, his eyes not leaving hers.

"Should I stop?" Cal's voice was low, his accent like gravel.

"Probably." So much was going through her head and she didn't want them to push too far too fast. The situation was naturally taking its toll on both of them.

"Okay." He continued to hold her hand and her eyes.

Gillian couldn't pull her gaze away even if it would be for the best. She felt a little like she was drowning but in pleasant and comforting warmth. His eyes were tender. Had they ever looked at her like that before? It was likely, but always with sidelong glances, always very careful. He wasn't holding back any longer. He was now wearing it on his sleeve.