I really am wrapping this up in a chapter or two. About time right? It's been pretty quiet over in in Lie To Me world so I thought I'd put this latest chapter out for you all to enjoy!

CHAPTER 37

Gillian woke up to the smell of cooking bacon. Glancing down at her body, she smiled when she realized she was completely unclothed. The events of last night had done more to heal her than anything else could. She ran her hands over her body, retracing the path that Cal's mouth had taken. He had been so kind and tender. She had never experienced sex like she had last night. She and Alec had been passionate early on in their marriage, but as drugs had taken control of him and ruined their relationship, their infrequent lovemaking had been routine and almost boring. Cal, on the other hand, was exciting and giving. The look in his eyes as their bodies had finally joined had brought her to tears. It was a look of pure, unconditional love. Cal took her breath away, in more ways than one.

Climbing slowly out of bed, she gingerly made her way to the shower, noting to her displeasure that her body was terribly sore. Frowning, she reached for the bathrobe hanging on her closet door. She and Cal had taken things slowly, in an effort to protect her still healing body. Her heart warmed as she remembered how gentle and careful he had been, always making sure that he wasn't being too rough. Despite the pain, Gillian wouldn't have given last night back for anything. As she stood under the hot spray she looked down at her wounds. They didn't seem so glaring now. Cal loved her, with her scars. He had proven as much last night. They were just scars...and though they would always remind her of her ordeal, they would also forever more remind her of this, their first glorious night together.

Toweling off her hair, she slipped into her robe just as Cal burst into the room, a dopey grin on his face and breakfast in his arms. Gillian laughed out loud. "Someone looks happy."

Cal set the tray on the bed and marched over to her. His smile vanishing as he studied her face. "You hurting darling?"

"Just a little sore." She reached up and cupped his chin, expertly wiping any signs of pain from her features. "Don't worry, you didn't break me." She grinned at him and gave him a wink, but she didn't miss the look of worry and even regret that passed over his face. "Don't do that Cal," she ordered. "Last night was beautiful and perfect and I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Cal's expression softened. "You sure you're all right? Last thing I wanted was to hurt you."

When Gillian stopped his worrying with a kiss, Cal slipped his hands under her robe, resting them on the small of her back and drawing her in close. In between desperate kisses he muttered, "because I've got to tell you Gil, last night was bloody amazing!"

Gillian hummed as he began to kiss her neck. "I couldn't agree more."

"Cal, can I ask you something?" Gillian was sitting in between Cal's legs, her head pressed against his heart as he leaned up against the backboard of the bed. Cal tightened his arms around her, his hands somehow finding their way underneath her robe again, caressing her creamy skin. "Anything love."

Gillian wasn't sure where to begin. "I was watching you at work the other day. You were questioning someone in the cube."

Cal nodded his head. "That wanker sold valuable information to a rival company. He was a terrible liar though...caved in less than twenty."

Gillian ran her fingers over his chest. "I saw something in you that worried me." She could feel Cal tense. "You were positively bored."

Cal laughed. "Yeah, well...it was a boring case. Seen it a hundred times."

Gillian lifted her body up to look at him. "Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Cal signaled towards her and grinned.

Gillian smiled back and gave him a playful swat on the arm. "I'm not talking about you and me. Because believe me...we're a-okay. I'm talking about with work. You just seem 'off'."

Cal stared at the ceiling, aware that Gillian was waiting for an answer but unsure if now was the right time to let it all out. Sighing, he started to play with her earlobe as he felt her relax against him again.

"I need a break, I think."

"What kind of break?"

Cal ran his hand over his face. "Bloody hell, I don't know what's wrong with me Gil. I just don't care about it anymore."

Gillian's eyes widened in surprise but she didn't sit up to look at him, choosing instead to listen. "About our business?" Gillian got the distinct impression that he had been stewing over this for quite some time. How had she missed it?

"Do you ever wonder what you'd be doin' with your life had we never started a business together?"

"No, absolutely not." Gillian did not like where this conversation was heading.

"I do. All the time...and more so now. I have always been a selfish, reckless, adrenaline junkie. I pulled you into my world because you tempered me. You kept me sane. Plus, you're bloody brilliant but that's obvious."

"I was a willing participant, don't forget that Cal. I knew what you were before we started the Lightman Group."

"Nah, I know that. I have been thinkin' a lot lately about what this business has cost us though. We both lost our marriages for one."

Gillian could hear so much in his voice; pain, regret, and sadness. She sighed as she started to rub his chest with her hand. "You can't blame the business for that Cal."

Cal pushed ahead as if he didn't hear her. "We work late hours, have virtually no social life, and our lives have been in danger more times than I an count."

Gillian couldn't disagree with this assessment, except for the fact that her social life had suddenly dramatically improved.

"And now, this has happened." Gillian felt Cal absentmindedly touch her left scar, his finger rubbing soft circles over the new skin, causing her to shiver. "The fact is Gil, the work that we do put you and Em in danger. It almost cost you your life."

Gillian wanted to cry but forced herself to stay calm. "None of this is your fault Cal. None of it. It just happened."

She felt him shudder and tighten his grip on her. She waited for him to go on, practically hearing the wheels turning in his head as he obviously wrestled with how to continue. "I have been talking to a buddy of mine in California. He has offered me a teaching position at USC for one semester. I think I want to take it Gil. The job starts in two weeks."

Gillian gasped and pushed away from him, determined to this time, study his face. "Are you serious?" She didn't even have to ask the question. The resolute and heartbroken expression on his face told him all she needed to know. At the same time, she felt her own heart breaking. "You can't leave. Please don't leave." The damned tears were starting up again but this time she couldn't hold them back. This was not what she had expected and not what she wanted; not now, not after all of the lines they had crossed and barriers they had broken down.

"Gil, I need to do this."

Gillian couldn't talk, she just stared. "Cal, we've come so far..." she choked on her words. "Please don't leave me behind." Gillian dropped her head, no longer able to look at him.

Cal grasped her chin and lifted her eyes to face his. "I wouldn't dream of leaving you behind love. Let me go back and re-phrase what I just said." He gave her a gentle kiss on the side of her mouth before continuing. "We need to do this love."

"We?"

"They don't want me without you and I don't want to do it without you." Cal took both of her hands in his, trying like hell to not stare at her beautiful breasts as her robe began to fall open. "Gillian, would you take this next adventure with me? You don't have to, and if you'd prefer you can stay behind and run the group. You know I trust you implicitly. But, I'd prefer you be by my side." Cal was watching her intently, cursing inwardly that he had such trouble reading her face. He continued. "Plus, think of the perks. You and me, teaching during the day while spending our nights together making love and drinking martinis on the beach. We can rent one of those swanky beachside condos. I've already looked into a few."

Gillian was reeling. She now knew what Cal had been doing during all of those lonely hours at her bedside. The hurt she felt for him was overwhelming. What this man had been through! And now, this. Deep down she understood why he was making this change, even if only a temporary one. It was more for her than for him. "Cal, be honest with me. Do you blame yourself for what happened?"

Cal ducked his head and cleared his throat. "I didn't keep you safe. I tried like hell for the last ten years to keep you out of my world...to protect you and keep you as pure as you were when we met. But I failed."

Gillian nestled back in against him, wrapping her arms around his torso. "Bad things happen Cal. You and I, we see a lot of things that others can't but we can't predict the future."

"I know love...and I keep telling myself that. But I can protect you and Emily this way. I can protect our family." Cal could feel the wetness of her tears on his bare skin. He continued. "Truth be told, there is another motive here too. I want us to start fresh...away from all of this." His hands were once again on her abdomen.

"And having Emily only a day's drive away is an added perk?" Gillian gave him a playful squeeze. Gillian was not one for quick decisions. She liked to weigh the pros and cons, give herself a week or two to see if the choice seemed less appealing with the passage of time. Not today though. Something inside of her told her that they both needed this reprieve. "What the hell are we doing?" She blindly reached up and touched his stubbly chin. "It's crazy and reckless and totally unlike me but of course I'll go with you."

Cal let out a loud sigh in relief. Decision made, the details were going to have to be worked out in a fast and furious way. Who would take over for them in their absence? What pending cases would he have to turn over to Jack Rader's firm? What kind of financial hit would the Group take if its two stars left it? Once gone, would Cal and Gillian ever want to return? So many questions raced through Cal's head. He bent down and buried his face in Gillian's hair, breathing in deep to calm his nerves, knowing that as long as she was beside him, they could do anything.