AN: I don't own LtM or "Make It Wit Chu" by Queens of the Stone Age
Make It
Gillian groaned as she fumbled to turn off the alarm on her phone. Her head felt fuzzy and achy, her eyes were swollen and they burned. She covered her face with her hands as she recalled Cal coming in and finding her crying the night before. A lump formed in her throat as her mind replayed each caring touch, each word tinged with concern. Embarrassed didn't begin to cover how she was feeling. She had to get up and face him, though. Cringing as she studied the ceiling all she wanted to do was curl up and cocoon herself in the bedclothes. In one lithe movement she rolled and stood before she lost her courage. Today would be like any other day. She would thank Cal for his concern and continue as if nothing had happened. He had only been acting as her best friend, and there was nothing out of the ordinary for friends to comfort and support each other. Gillian nodded to herself as she went into the bathroom to begin her morning routine.
Cal was frowning into his coffee. He was hoping that Foster wouldn't decide to just brush off their moment from last night. It had been a very pivotal thing for him, but perhaps she'd just see it as a friend giving her a shoulder to cry on. His scowl deepened. He'd like to be a lot more than a shoulder. He knew she needed him. They were best friends, they balanced each other out. Cal knew she was probably embarrassed about him seeing her so defenseless but knew she would let him know she'd appreciated him being there for her. Then, in all likelihood, she would put it behind her and everything would be business as usual. He wanted her to be unable to do that. He wanted her to be caught up in him the way he was in her. Cal sighed and went over to the stove to start on breakfast. He flipped the radio on and called up the stairs to Emily.
Gillian walked into the kitchen dressed and looking lovely, aside from some slight puffiness around her eyes. The scent of coffee and bacon made her nose twitch and she sighed in thanks as Cal placed a mug of coffee on the table after flashing a grin at her. Picking it up, she blew on it before carefully taking a sip.
"Oh, this is just what I needed, Cal. Thank you."
"Think nothing of it. Could I interest you in some breakfast, love?"
"Of course! When have I ever turned down food?"
She knew he was smiling and she couldn't help the small laugh from escaping her lips.
"Cal. I just want to thank you again for last night. I just felt so overwhelmed all of a sudden and it really means a lot to me that you were there."
He turned and looked at her, his eyes roaming over her face, seeing her honesty and gratitude and…something he couldn't place his finger on. A soft smile tilted the corners of her mouth and he traced the curve of her lips with his eyes.
"I told you, darling, it was no problem. I'm here when you need me."
"I'm just sorry I worried you so much that it interfered with your date."
She glanced quickly to her right as she said it and he grinned devilishly at her.
"No you're not, Foster. "
Gillian blushed and glared at him.
"I was being polite, Cal. Look, you know I don't like Wallowski, so if you're looking for some sort of approval from me, it's highly unlikely you'll get it anytime soon."
"Now that…was one hundred percent truthful. I guess it's a good thing then that I won't be seeing her on a personal level anymore. I do so crave your approval, love."
His wicked smile made her tummy do little flips. Then his words sank in.
"You're not seeing her? Why?"
"She just couldn't seem to hold my attention."
Gillian incredulously raised one eyebrow. Cal's expression was one of perfect innocence as he flung his arms out.
"What? I'm not as easily impressed as I used to be. "
"Whatever you say, Lightman."
Emily came bounding down the stairs just then, grabbing an apple out of the bowl on the counter. She reached up to place a kiss on Cal's cheek and gave Gillian a quick hug before walking towards the front door.
"Oi! Where are you going? I made breakfast!"
"I have a study group this morning for trigonometry. Rain check on the breakfast? I'll be home after school. Love you!"
She was out the door before Cal could say anything else. Gillian just laughed at the look on his face.
"Let's eat before it gets cold."
He grabbed two plates and two forks. As they began eating, the song that came on the radio made Gillian's breath hitch slightly. All of her feelings from the night before rushed to the surface and she concentrated harder on getting a bite of hash browns onto her fork.
You wanna know if I know why?
I can't say that I do
Don't understand the evil eye
Or how one becomes two
I just can't recall what started it all
Or how to begin in the end
I ain't here to break it
Just see how far it will bend
Again and again, again and again
I wanna make it
I wanna make it wit chu
(Anytime, anywhere)
I wanna make it
I wanna make it wit chu
(again and again and again)
Cal glanced quickly at Gillian and noticed that she was concentrating a little too much on her food. Good. That meant she hadn't seen his reaction to the lyrics. With Gillian, he really did want her anytime, anywhere. If only she knew all she had to do was give him one signal. It could be a word, a gesture, a note or smoke signals. Cal didn't care. He would do everything in his power to keep from breaking her. If he broke her, he'd break himself.
Sometimes the same is different
But mostly it's the same
These mysteries of life
That just ain't my thing
If I told you that I knew about the sun and the moon
I'd be untrue
The only thing I know for sure
Is what I won't do
Anytime, anywhere and I say
I wanna make it
I wanna make it wit chu
(Anytime, Anywhere)
I wanna make it
(Again and again, yeah yeah)
I wanna make it wit chu
She happened to glance up at him while he was still studying her. Foster blinked rapidly, trying to make her face blank. It didn't work quite as well as she hoped. She felt a flutter of panic as she acknowledged that this man could break her heart with a careless word. If he could do that when they were simply great friends, how little would it take to shatter her if they became more?
Cal saw the slight dilation of her pupils. Foster was aroused? She was also scared. By what?
I wanna make it
I wanna make it wit chu
(Again and again)
I wanna make it
I wanna make it wit chu
(You)
They continued to hold each others stare. Cal's breathing was slightly elevated and all he wanted to do was stand up, walk over to her and ravish her mouth with his. He kept his mask on though because he didn't want to scare her. The situation required a bit of finesse. The atmosphere in the kitchen became charged with their unsaid feelings. Surely he knew what she was feeling? Surely she knew what he was feeling?
I wanna make it
(Again and again, yeah yeah)
I wanna make it wit chu
(Anytime, anywhere)
I wanna make it
I wanna make it wit chu
Again and again and again and again and again)
I wanna make it
Gillian was the first to look away. She stood quickly and grabbed her plate, taking it to the sink as she spoke rapidly.
"Well, thanks for breakfast. I should get going, I've got some paperwork to finish up and a few errands to run before I go into the office. I'll see you there?"
She barely waited for his nod as she snagged her coat and purse on the way out the door. At the threshold she paused and looked back at him. He was watching her, his face contemplative. Trying to somehow signal that she recognized what had just passed between them, she smiled softly at him. It was a bit tremulous, that smile, and it tugged at Cal's heartstrings, tying them in knots. He was a goner. His grin reassured her.
"I'll be there in a bit."
She shut the door behind her, leaning on it for a moment. Whatever had just happened, it made her a bit breathless. Had Cal just told her that he wanted her? Had he seen and welcomed the desire in her eyes?
Cal whistled as he changed his clothes for work.
"I think," he mused aloud, "I've just been given the green light."