There were close to 300 slips, making him extremely happy that he'd stopped to check. The staff hadn't even asked about his reasons. He'd been all set to expertly lie and they hadn't asked. Weirdly enough, Cal felt mild disappointment. Oh well. He was directed or more appropriately, distractedly waved over to the end somewhere. Slip #226.

The marina consisted of four floating docks jutting out from the main pier. The fourth dock stretched directly east before making a right angle and forming the illusion of a barrier against the open sea. This was the one he followed.

The Sea Drifter was half way to the end. The cruiser wasn't new but it was lovingly maintained. Obviously a passion. Didn't seem like he had much else in his life…other than stalking Gillian of course. Cal felt himself bunch up inside, the anger settling low in his belly.

"Oi!"

There wasn't any kind of response. Cal wasn't sure of the etiquette of addressing someone on a boat, but he really didn't care.

"Russell Tessler!"

Still nothing.

Without thinking twice, he grabbed the railing and pulled himself up onto the deck. Directly ahead was the entrance to the cabin, to the right was a ladder led up to the salon bridge. He stepped up to the cabin door and gave it a good whack with the side of his fist. "Tessler!"

Obviously the man was otherwise detained. Cal wondered how easy it might be to pick the lock to take a look around. He wasn't even sure what he'd be looking for. Duct tape and knives? The thought made him cold.

"Something I can help you with?"

The sudden voice didn't make Cal jump. He was much too controlled for that but he turned slowly to see Tessler standing on the dock, a heavy frown distorting his features.

"Actually you can."

"And what would that be?"

"Stay the hell away from Gillian." His voice was low, almost threatening.

Russell stared before his frown morphed into a smile. "Wow. Are we a tiny bit territorial?"

"Nothin' to do with me. Everythin' to do with her. She doesn't appreciate your attention. Or do you get off by scarin' women?"

Tessler climbed up onto the boat and drew himself to his full height above Cal, attempting to intimidate by size. His dark blue eyes narrowed.

Having been on the small side his whole life, Cal was less than impressed. He'd earned respect by learning how to fight or at least holding his own. He was never one to back down. There'd been many times when he'd fought and taken down larger men. Maybe he'd bled in the process but that was okay with him.

"I'd never scare her."

"Well, mate, that is completely bollocks. I think you'd do whatever you needed to do to get what you want."

"You don't know me." He remained still although his fists began to ball.

"I know that you fabricated a story to get into my business to what? Check out the competition? Is that what it was?"

"Lightman, you are no competition."

It was Cal's turn to smile. "Oh really? Then why are you gettin' so defensive?"

"I'm not…this is ridiculous. I was up here on business and decided to visit Gillian. She's a lovely woman and…"

"That bit's true. I mean, the fact that she's lovely but the rest is rubbish. You weren't here on business. You have somethin' else in mind." Cal took a step closer, his temper rising, eyes intense. "What is it? What are your plans Tessler? If I took a look in your cabin, what would I find? Huh?" He took another step.

"You're nuts!" The man flushed angrily and turned away. "I think you need to get off my boat."

Cal stopped, having seen something that he wished he hadn't. He was right. There was a plan. "Or what?" His voice dropped. "You gonna call the cops?"

The man hesitated. "I don't need to call the cops. I'll throw you off myself."

Interesting. "Fair enough." He raised his arms, palms outward, fingers splayed. "Go for it."

Russell tensed completely, obviously debating whether he should employ his threat or not. He took a sudden step forward as Cal smirked.

"You boys aren't playing too rough are you?"

Tessler startled and whirled around toward the new voice. A young man with curly dark hair peered up at them quizzically from the dock. "I'd hate to have to send you both to different rooms."

"Who are you?"

Cal was done. He'd found his instincts to be correct and it was time to figure out the next move. Without another glance at Russell, he climbed down and hopped off the boat. He started to move toward the main pier.

"The babysitter." Loker answered, smiling up at the blond man for a moment before turning to catch up with his boss.

Cal didn't look at him but his voice was a hiss. "What the hell you doin' here?"

"Foster called me."

"Why? What happened?" Cal stopped, turning to the younger man.

"Not sure. She couldn't get a hold of you and seemed a little…panicked. Wanted me to…make sure everything was okay. Said that you needed to be really careful." Loker couldn't bring himself to use the phrase 'check on you.' He didn't think it would go over well.

Without a doubt. Had Tessler stopped to visit her? Probably. Cal felt a little sick. He pulled out his phone. Crap. He had turned it off for his last meeting and had forgotten to turn it back on. He immediately direct dialed Gillian and waited impatiently for her to pick up.

"Cal?"

"Yeah luv."

He heard a whoosh of relief, almost as if she'd been holding her breath the whole time she waited to hear from him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You went to see him." A statement, not a question.

"Yeah, I did." He started walking again toward the parking lot with Loker trailing behind. "He wasn't here initially. Did he come by your place?" His voice tightened.

"He was here."

"Fuck."

"I guess I don't need to ask your thoughts."

Cal didn't initially respond as he unlocked his car. He gave Loker a nod, who responded in like before walking to his own vehicle. "No. You don't. What do you say I swing by, pick you up and you stay with Em and me for a bit?"

"I'm not going to be driven from my own home." There was anger in her tone and Cal was secretly proud but he allowed a sigh despite himself.

"I'm gonna call the cops and give them a heads up but you know as well as I do, that there's not much they can do at this point. It would make sense for you not to be alone right now."

"I don't plan on living in fear Cal."

"You are a stubborn one."

"Well, there's the pot calling the kettle black."

Shit.

"Do you remember all those times at the range when you patiently taught me how to shoot?"

"Patient? Me?"

"Yeah you. I did absorb and I do remember."

"So, you're sayin' you can take care of yourself." Cal could hear her resignation.

"That's what I'm saying."

"You're not licensed to carry though."

Gillian bit her lip. That was true.

"You want to have dinner with us at least?" There was hope in his voice, making him sound almost boyish.

Gillian couldn't help but smile. She was so happy he was okay and really wanted to see him. Actually, she needed to see him. "Sure."

(BREAK)

Cal immediately drove to her place hoping that he'd convince her to stay with him but not holding out a lot of hope. It wouldn't stop him from trying though. Of course he didn't have anything in the spare bedroom yet, but that would be just a minor problem. He'd be more than willing to crash on the couch and give her his bed…without sheets and pillows. Crap. Another stop to make tonight.

Pulling into her driveway behind her Volvo, he wondered briefly why she hadn't parked in her garage but shrugged it off. He was currently blocking the sidewalk but didn't intend to stay there, so he didn't really care.

Brief moments brought him to her front door, key in hand. Hesitating, he decided it would be better to knock. She'd been spooked enough for one day. He lightly rapped the door with his knuckles. "Gillian?"

He listened to all the locks disengage before she was before him. He barely opened his mouth to greet her before she was in his arms, warm breath against his neck. "I was…worried." Her voice almost choked.

Holding her, one hand was at her back, firmly holding her close, while the other gently brushed through her hair. "It's fine. I'm fine."

"You shouldn't have gone looking for him."

"Come on darlin'. You knew I would." Moving away slightly, he held his hand against her face, his thumb lightly stroking her cheek. "At least I think we all might be on the same page." His eyes were very serious.

"You agree he might be dangerous."

"Possibly. If he feels cornered…or desperate…he may lash out."

"So what do we do?"

"I am currently working on that, but in the meantime." Cal's smile broke through the heaviness. "I want you to try to push it to the back of your mind."

"Not easy."

"I know, but I have confidence in you."

Gillian slowly returned his smile, before reaching over and trailing her fingers down his jaw. "Love you, you know."

"I know. Haven't the foggiest why." His smile broadened as his eyes warmed. He leaned forward and gave her a gentle kiss before tilting his head to look at her closely. "You mean so much to me. I don't know if I could ever even put it into words." The words were so soft she would never have heard him if she weren't standing close. He pressed his lips to her ear as she inadvertently shivered. "Now, are you ready for food and my precocious daughter?" He moved back, now smirking playfully.

"That would be nice." She still looked a little frightened but her tough exterior was quickly settling in. Good girl. "Why don't I follow you to your place?"

He wanted her with him. "I can drop you off later tonight." Or not.

Gillian almost said no, but his expression was so earnest that she couldn't bring herself to deny him. "Fine. Let me just put my car in the garage."

"You bet luv."