CHAPTER 13

HOW IT SHOULD HAVE ENDED

Alec and Gillian's marriage never quite got back on track after the loss of Sophie.

Gillian tried everything she could to please him then realized they had just drifted too far apart to bridge the chasm between them. When she discovered Alec had gone back to using drugs again, she made the ultimate decision to leave him and moved out of their house and into her own apartment.

Cal had been secretly following Alec for weeks and had suspected he was cheating on Gillian. He was shocked to find out he was back to using drugs again and relieved that Gillian had the strength to walk away from the explosive situation. It wasn't long before her divorce was final and Cal watched from afar as she began to date.

Over the next few months, their flirting began to rise and both of them danced back and forth across "the line."

One particular night, Cal had gone to bed chuckling about their latest volley of suggestive remarks. His dreams took him back a few weeks ago when he and Gillian were in a middle of an investigation.

They were pretending to be a married couple making an adult video for their anniversary. Gillian looked at him and he knew instantly that she wanted him to kiss her. Wanting to make it believable, she reached up and held Cal's cheek as she deepened their kisses. Their kisses escalated further and when Cal leaned back they had been transported to the couch in her living room.

Gillian suddenly stood and slipped off her slinky negligee to stand completely naked in front of Cal.

.

Cal took a deep breath when she reached for his hand and tugged on it. "Bedroom," she ordered as Cal shot to his feet to comply.

Gillian quickly stepped forward and slipped his shirt over his head then leaned against him so he could feel her breasts against his naked chest.

Cal groaned and held her tightly as he caressed his hands down her back.

Gillian shot him a coy smile and knowing he would follow turned and walked to the bedroom.

A few minutes later, he was buried within her and bringing them racing to the end.

Upon completion, Cal shot up in bed. "Bloody hell!" he gasped as he rubbed his hand roughly down his face. He looked down in disgust at the front of his soiled underwear. "Great! What am I, a bloody thirteen year old?!"

Cal walked into his bathroom and quickly showered and as he was drying off he looked up at his reflection in the mirror. "What the hell just happened?" he mumbled. His mind was clouded as he tried to come to terms with the feelings he had for Gillian.

He walked back to the bed and sat on the edge then glanced at the clock. He still had time for two more hours of sleep but knowing he would never settle down, he got dressed and headed into the office.

He was surprised to see Gillian's car in the parking lot and he headed in and straight to her office.

"Good morning, Darling."

"Hi, Cal."

"You're here early…"

Gillian smiled weakly then shrugged as she blinked back tears. "Claire's funeral is today…"

Cal frowned as he stepped forward at the reminder. "Yeah, I know, that's why I came early. I thought maybe you'd like it if I went with you…"

Gillian knew he was lying and rolled her eyes to show him she knew he was lying. "You don't have to…"

"I know…" Cal interrupted but looked at her knowingly. "But I want to…"

Gillian took a deep breath and nodded. "Honestly, Cal, that would be great, I could use your support."

"You'll always have it."

"I know."

Cal turned to walk to his office when Gillian stopped him. "Why are you really here so early?"

Cal thought about his dream and grinned as he wagged his eyebrows suggestively. "Dreamt about you, Luv and woke up with a…"

Gillian held up hand up to stop him. "Nevermind, I shouldn't have asked!"

She looked back at her ledger but Cal could see her hiding a smile.

He grinned as he walked to his office.

Later that day, he and Gillian were standing in a small crowd of people paying their respects to Claire. Gillian was especially quiet and Cal reached for her hand and squeezed it lightly.

As the priest began to speak, Gillian started to cry and Cal put his hand on the small of her back. Gillian leaned against him and Cal slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

With tear filled eyes, Gillian smiled weakly at him. "Thanks for being here."

"You're welcome." Cal whispered as he kissed her temple.

After the service, Cal held Gillian's hand as they made their way to his car.

"Back to work?" Cal asked after Gillian was seated.

"Where's Emily tonight?"

Cal blinked in surprise at the question then frowned as he thought. "With her Mum at some Mother/daughter painting class then they're heading to Zoe's parent's house tomorrow."

"Can you take me home?"

"Sure, Darling."

Cal parked in Gillian's spot at her apartment complex. He walked her to the door and smiled.

"You all right then?"

"Yeah but I was wondering if you wanted to come in for awhile?"

Cal shrugged indifferently. "Sure."

Gillian led the way and Cal locked up and followed her.

"Wine? Scotch? Beer?"

"Scotch is good."

Gillian walked into the kitchen and grabbed the bottle and two glasses then headed into her living room. Cal was seated on the couch and had already turned on the television.

Gillian handed him a glass and they watched the news together in silence then the next few comedy shows.

They had finished their third glass of scotch when Cal wondered if her continued silence meant he was overstaying his welcome.

"I should probably get going, yeah?"

"Can you stay here?"

Cal nodded as he saw fear click briefly on her face. "Sure, Luv, I'll stay as long as you like."

His heart skipped a beat when she took a deep breath and looked over at him. "I meant with me…stay here with me."

"Well, I wouldn't stay here without you…" Cal chuckled.

Gillian couldn't tell if he was deliberately misunderstanding her or if she wasn't making herself clear. "I mean with me…with me…"

Cal blinked in surprise. "Foster are you asking me to…"

"Yes!"

"Darling…are you sure?"

"Yes!"

Cal groaned and ran his hand over his face and Gillian cringed at his apparent reluctance. "Look, the past couple months have been…and I thought we…I mean…I guess I thought that….Cal…I'm sorry if I read more into this than there is…"

Gillian got up and started to head to her bathroom when Cal shot to his feet and grabbed for her arm. He spun her around and gathered her in his arms and kissed her with all the passion he had pent up inside of him.

Gillian melted in his arms. Realizing he had felt the same way about her, she started to unbutton the front of his shirt. Cal ripped it off and buttons flew everywhere. In seconds he had his t-shirt off over his head. Gillian pushed him against the wall and he slipped his hands around her back and slipped her zipper down her back. Gillian quickly let the dress slip from her arms to pool at her feet.

Cal suddenly stopped and pulled away. "Gill, should we be talking about this?"

Gillian rolled her eyes and gently pushed him towards her bedroom door. "No talking…more kissing…"

"Gill!"

Gillian stopped and looked him squarely in the eye. "Cal, we've been dancing back and forth across the line for months and we both want this to happen!"

"Yeah but…"

"Cal! We can make this work…we're best friends and if we've "read" each other correctly we're clearly in love…"

Cal kissed her then backed up and sighed as he kept his forehead pressed to hers. "I do love you, Gillian…"

"And I you…so can we please stop pretending?"