Complicated

Disclaimer: I have never owned anything, I do not own anything and I will never own anything.

Chapter 3: Sanctuary

By the time Ryan got home it was late in the afternoon. He found Calleigh sitting by the piano which was standing in the living room. She was playing with the keys absentmindedly while staring in front of her.

He stopped in the doorway and looked at her. She was apparently deep in thoughts and it also was evident that something was bothering her. He was concerned. He had never seen Calleigh like that before which was a great indication that whatever had happened to her, it was something serious. It made his blood boil just to think about that Berkeley had something to do with it.

He stepped into the room and walked to the piano.

"Hey, Cal! How are you?"

"Hi, Ryan! Better, thanks." She looked at him and he could see that it was true as, although her smile wasn't the same, she got back her colour and looked less tired.

"I'm glad." He sat down next to her on the bench. "And what did you do all day?"

"I mostly slept. But I've been awake for a while." She gave him another smile, this one was more vivid than the previous one and a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. "I thought I'd make myself useful and clear the apartment but this apartment is awfully clear, Ryan."

"Yeah, you know me…" He was blushing now which didn't escape Calleigh's attention.

"I was just kidding, Ryan!" She smiled at him seeing that he became rather awkward. "I didn't know that you play." She continued indicated to the piano.

"Yeah, my mum thought that it's very appealing for women if a man can play the piano so she made me learn it."

"It was very thoughtful of her."

"True. But as you can see it, there isn't much use of it."

"Oh, don't worry about it. I can assure you that women do like men who can play the piano."

"Really?" The eyes of Ryan brightened up as he looked at Calleigh. "Do you like it?"

Calleigh didn't answer but the smile that she give him made him sure that she liked it. Maybe some day he would play for her.

"Are you hungry?" She broke the silence which settled on them. "I can make something for dinner. What do you say?"

"That would be great. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast."

"Nor have I. Let's see what you've got." With that she got up and went to the kitchen.

Ryan remained sitting and looked after her. Fortunately he had a great view of the kitchen from the piano. He smiled as he watched Calleigh working in there. It seemed so natural, which was strange given that he simply couldn't stand if somebody else used his kitchen. Calleigh was right. His whole apartment was exceptionally clean but his kitchen… Well, it was the perfect definition of cleanness. Seeing Calleigh in there, however, made all of his concern about his kitchen disappear.

After a while he stood up and followed her to help her.

Finally they ended up eating spaghetti.

During dinner Ryan kept on glancing at Calleigh. He wasn't so worried anymore seeing that Calleigh was in a much better shape than in the morning and in the previous day. Nevertheless he was curious what could have happened that made her so sad. More precisely, what that bastard could have done to her. He was sure that all of this was about Jake otherwise she would be with him at that moment. This thought made him said. This whole situation made him said. What the hell Jake had what he didn't?

Calleigh felt Ryan eyes on her during dinner. She knew that he would like to know what had happened. She sighed. He deserved to know the truth. At least a part of it.

"He did it again." She started barely audibly while staring into her plate.

Ryan looked at her questioningly but said nothing. Although Calleigh didn't elaborate what Jake had done again but now it was all too clear for him. It was an open secret in the lab why they broke up years ago. And now that son of a bitch did it again. He cheated on her. He was not just a bastard but a stupid bastard at that. Couldn't he see what he had got?

After a little while Calleigh lifted her gaze from the plate and looked into his eyes.

"When I came back from Dallas I went home and there they were. He didn't know that I'd come one day earlier. He's expecting me for tonight." She stopped here for a moment. She just wanted to surprise him. "Anyway, I heard them giggling in the bathroom… I bet they enjoyed themselves." She added bitterly.

"What did you do?"

"I ran out." She shrugged. "I didn't know what to do."

"Did you talk to Jake?"

"I haven't seen him since then. And to tell the truth I'm not interested in whatever he'd like to say. I've already heard all of it."

"Calleigh…"

"I know, I know. I'll talk to him."

They just sat there in silence for a little while. The dinner was forgotten.

Ryan didn't know what to do or what to say. After a little while Calleigh sighed then stood up and began pacing in the room.

"I guess now I have to find a new place." She laughed up bitterly. "I was so stupid when I sold my old one. How on Earth could I think that Jake had changed? He'd cheated on me before, of course he'd do it again. I feel so pathetic." By that time her tears began to flow. She felt rather embarrassed for Ryan seeing her like that but she couldn't help it. Oh God, I hope I won't cry through my whole pregnancy!

Ryan saw how agitated she was and he so desperately wanted to stop it. So he stood up and put his arms around Calleigh just like as he did in the morning. And just like in the morning Calleigh managed to calm down in Ryan's arms.

"You know, you can always move here till you find a place."

"What?" She looked up at him but didn't leave his embrace.

"Well, I have an empty room and I don't mind having company. So if you feel like staying with me for a while, you are welcome."

A genuine smile appeared on Calleigh's face. That was the one which Ryan liked to see so much because it could light up even a dark room.

"Thank you, Ryan." She said before she buried her face into Ryan's chest once again. She could stay like that forever.

She sighed. Maybe she shouldn't have accepted his offer. The previous day she was ready to forget her feelings towards him and now she had just said that she'd move into his apartment. It was true that Jake wasn't in the picture anymore but his child was there. And even if Ryan had feelings for her, she just couldn't run into his arms while expecting another man's child.

When did her life become so complicated?

TBC