Ok. Just in case anyone at Fox still cares and since I'm 'borrowing' some of their dialogue I make the following disclaimer. Lie To Me does not belong to me I'm just playing with it because it makes me happy!

P.S. Thanks for the reviews so far. Sash Queen of the Jungle my stories are never complete without a review from you! You're a star!

He'd tried to make it sound light hearted, just a throwaway comment.

"My Mum was bonkers…back in the day. And the thing that scared me the most, was that it would run in the family. That I'd end up like her."

It sounded like he was sympathizing with Amanda, sharing his own story so she would open up. But to Gillian it was so much more. It was a peek into Cal's soul. And it was happening more frequently when he was with her. A rare and true moment of honesty. It was the beginning of a new phase in their relationship.

She watched him on the monitor pour his heart out to a woman who wasn't there. A woman who had abandoned him and her heart ached for him. She wanted to go to him put her arms around him and tell him it would be alright but her psychology training said that wasn't what he needed. He needed to talk. To vent all of the hurt he'd carried all of these years. Then he could finally begin to heal.

She sat and watched over him until she was satisfied he was safe. Returning in the morning she was startled by his appearance. She was also impressed. She was amazed that in the addled state he was in he could still focus on the reason he was here, to help Amanda's Dad. That was one of the things she admired about him. His single minded determination. That was why, even when she didn't agree with his methods, she would help him because she knew he would get the job done. Still, seeing him this way upset her and even more so when she heard Emily's anguished voice on the phone as the burly staff were carting Cal away

She ran to the phone picking it up and reassuring the girl "He's ok Em. I'm coming."

Emily was waiting in the lobby when Gillian arrived at The Lightman Group. She rushed up to Gillian, concern on her pretty features. Emily listened to Gillian explain the situation thankful for the fact that Gillian told her the facts, treating her like an adult instead of trying to sugar coat things as most people would have done.

"Even if he did do this on purpose how could you let him?" she asked Gillian. Now that they were a proper couple Emily had hoped that Gillian would have a calming influence on her father.

"Em. Come on. Sit down…I know it sounds bad but he's safe."

Emily could see how worried Gillian was and at that moment realised just how much Gillian loved her Dad. Suddenly she felt better as she heard Gillian voice her fears about Cal being under more stress than usual. She felt she had someone to talk to in Gillian. Someone who understood what it was like to worry about him. Emily felt better. She knew that no matter what stupid situations her Dad put himself in, he now had one more reason, other than her to come home.

"Next week it's his birthday." The teenager said hoping to explain Cal's fears.

"Yeah but he always stresses out about that. I mean that's why every year we pretend like it's not even happening."

"Yes but My grandma died when she was 46 and he's turning 47."

Gillian sighed. Of course. How had she not put that together? She supposed that they had been so caught up in their new relationship that they hadn't even thought past becoming a couple. She squeezed Emily's hand grateful that she trusted her enough to tell her.

After things had calmed down and the truth had come out, Gillian gave Cal and Emily some time alone to talk things through. The next night Emily invited her over for dinner then not so discreetly left them alone.

"Doctor Grandon gave me the tapes of you in the hospital." Gillian told him setting her wine glass down on the coffee table and snuggling further into his arms.

"Oh yeah?" he replied trying to sound casual.

"I haven't watched them. I just thought you should know."

"Are you going to?" he asked

Gillian shook her head. "I saw some of what happened but how much of the rest you tell me is up to you."

Cal eyed her suspiciously. "Is that psychobabble for tell me or I'll torture you?" he grinned.

Gillian smiled back but said nothing.

For a while they sat in silence, content to be in each others arms. Gillian was just about to reach for her wine glass when Cal spoke.

"I saw my Dad..."

They talked until the early hours Cal opening up more than ever before. Their relationship entering a new phase of honesty and closeness. Lying wrapped around her in bed that night, Cal felt the beginnings of healing. Maybe he wouldn't have to wait much longer…