He pulled back, gazed at her for a moment before lacing his hand in her hair and moving in with more purpose. Electricity pulsed through her body as the kiss began to gain momentum. His mouth was firm, almost possessive as she softly acquiesced to him, opening up to his demands and melting into them. Gillian's eyes slid shut as her hands found purchase on his shoulders, gripping tightly, afraid that he'd slip away from her again.

The doorbell rang.

Cal didn't notice. He used his weight to gently push Gillian back into the couch cushions as his lips temporarily left hers to explore the rest of her face, ears, throat, down to her shoulder, collarbone…

The doorbell rang again.

"Cal?"

"Mmmm?" Her skin was sweet and slightly salty, her scent intoxicating.

Gillian was torn between how her body was reacting to his ministrations and the very real chance that his daughter was standing on the other side of the door. When she'd spoken with the girl earlier, she'd mentioned wanting to come by in the evening.

"Cal? Um…"She lost her train of thought for a moment as he moved up and sucked on one earlobe. A shudder ran through her as she felt and heard him chuckle. Focus Gillian! "CAL!"

"Huh?" He moved away slightly, confusion evident.

"I think Emily might be at the door."

A look of complete horror passed over his face and she would have laughed if she weren't feeling so flustered herself. She gave him a little push as he awkwardly sat up, wincing at the pain in his body. They'd both forgotten and he would be more than happy to attempt to forget again. Later this evening if possible, although the odds were probably pretty bleak.

"Hold on!" Gillian called out, hoping her voice wasn't shaking too badly as she straightened her clothing and quickly got to her feet.

Sure enough, Emily stood on the stoop, one large department store bag in one hand and a bag of burgers in the other hand. "I figured you guys probably didn't have a chance to eat anything."

Gillian gave her a big smile. "Thank you! Come on in. Your dad's…" She looked over her shoulder and cringed as she watched him slowly pull himself up. He seemed a tiny bit pale.

"Hey Em."

"I should be made at you."

"What'd I do?"

Gill took the burgers and headed into the kitchen to grab some drinks as Emily approached her father, face stern. "Leaving the hospital early? Disappearing? Ring any bells?"

Cal glowered. "Who's the parent here?"

"Sometimes I wonder." Emily gave him a gentle hug and kiss before handing him the large bag."

"What's this?"

Her eyes passed over his face before shifting to the dressing on his arm. "Um, I did a little shopping for you. I figured you needed more than just the couple changes of clothes you had in your office."

He let out a sigh, his insides feeling a little heavy. "Thanks darlin'."

"Rick went with me, so he kind of helped pick things out. You know, a male perspective."

Wonderful. His daughter's boyfriend helped pick out his underwear.

"I'm not gonna find…any surprises am I?" He smiled, lightly teasing.

"Yeah dad, we made sure to find jeans with rhinestones and big swirly designs on the back pockets. Oh, and Hawaiian shirts. Lots of colorful Hawaiian shirts."

"How'd you get so funny? I know you didn't get it from me and I'm pretty damned sure you didn't get it from your mum."

"Spontaneous mutation." The tone was flippant but her eyes held more worry and fear than a kid her age should. He felt his heart shrivel in his chest.

Cal placed the bag on the floor and pulled his daughter into a close embrace again, kissing the side of her head. "S'okay Em. We're both okay," he muttered against her hair.

The girl's body began to shake as sobs wracked through her. She didn't make a sound. Coming to visit her father at Gill's was a reminder, all over again, that his house, their house, was unlivable. That someone had callously decided that he shouldn't be allowed to live any longer and by extension, her as well. It was surreal and horrifying at the same time.

"Shhh." He stood and rocked her gently, allowing everything that was pent up within to escape in a cathartic flow. Her tears soaked into the front of his shirt and he just continued to hug her tightly, ignoring the pain in his arm, ignoring all other discomfort, just wanting to be there for his little girl.

Gillian watched quietly from the other side of the room, pinpricks of tears rising in her own eyes. The tenderness Cal showed his daughter never ceased to affect her. It was especially strong tonight as Emily slowly came to terms with what almost happened to them. It appeared as if she'd been keeping everything inside since that first night in the hospital and Gill's heart ached for her.

A few minutes later, Emily pulled away, wiping furiously at her eyes and sniffling. Cal kept one hand on her upper arm, staring at her pointedly. "We'll get past this darlin'. The house is just a house. Things are just things. We're okay and that's what matters."

"I know." Her voice was so quiet he could barely hear her. "I just keep having these horrible images – I can't seem to get them out of my head."

He didn't say anything, just squeezed her arm gently.

"And the images aren't even of what happened. They're of what could have happened." Her brown eyes met his and he inwardly recoiled at the pain he saw. "I can still see you on fire, but in my mind's eye, you're not able to put out the flames…"

Gillian observed and listened in shock and horror before breaking out of her temporary paralysis and moving toward them. "Honey, here, have a seat." She guided the girl to the comfy armchair perpendicular to the sofa as Cal looked on, deep sadness etched into his face.

"Thanks." Emily sat, hugging herself and watched as both adults took places on either side of her. Her dad perched on the coffee table directly in front and Gillian sat at the corner of the couch, angling her body toward them.

"Your reaction is normal." Gill reached out and took the girl's hand. "It was a very traumatic experience for both of you and it's going to take some time."

"I see it every time I close my eyes. I see…" She couldn't quite form the words.

"Nightmares?"

She wiped at her eyes again and gave a bitter snort. "Nightmares, daymares, anytimemares." Her eyes found her father's again. "I don't think I've ever been so scared in my life. I know you've had lots of scrapes and stuff happen but this…" Tears were close once again but the teenager stubbornly refused to allow them to fall. She unconsciously tightened her hand in Gill's before loosening her grip. "Did you go back to the house today? Is that where you went when you left the hospital?" She looked from Cal to Gillian. "Is that where you found him?"

"Yes."

"I guess part of me was still in denial." Cal offered.

Emily nodded, squeezed her eyes shut for a moment before focusing somewhere beyond Cal's shoulder. "Are you going to rebuild?"

He blinked, finding the question odd. "Yeah. Gonna start calling some contractors this week."

She was quiet for several more moments, obviously rolling something around in her head. "I…I don't think… I'll be able to live there again dad."