Ben Reynolds could think of a million places he would rather be going right now. A drugs bust, an armed robbery, hell, even Afghanistan, in no man's land.

But Cal Lightman had called him with some disturbing news and Gillian Foster had called almost immediately after to make sure Cal had called. So right now he was hauling a couple of technicians together to try and help Emily Lightman to make a positive ID on her attacker. It was going to be a hell of a long day.

OXOXOXO

Gillian Foster stepped out of her shower feeling a little more refreshed than she had before stepping into it. She quickly dried and brushed her hair before grabbing a pair of jeans and a sweater to wear under her coat. It was a cold day in comparison to usual.

She'd called Reynolds just before stepping into the shower and found that Cal had already gotten in contact. She'd given Ben a quick rundown of what had happened because she knew Cal wouldn't have had the heart to tell him. Then she told him she'd see him back at the house and hung up.

Now she was grabbing her keys and making sure she had everything she'd need for the day that was about to unfold.

OXOXOXO

Cal had taken a quick shower after making sure Emily was ok. He'd donned a pair of jeans but, finding his black jumper very grimy he'd withdrawn a dark grey one from the wardrobe and remembered, as he pulled it on, that Gillian had given it to him one Christmas a few years ago. Before their gifts for each other became wholly personal.

Emily too had changed into something comfortable, sweat pants, a t-shirt and a heavy jumper. It had been a long time since Cal had seen her so casual.

Cal made more coffee as he waited for the first knock on the door. Emily sat in the kitchen with him, sipping hot chocolate. Cal didn't really know what to say.

"You be sure and tell them everything alright? Any tiny little detail, it might seem stupid to you but tell them, alright?" Emily nodded her head, then sipped her hot chocolate before looking up at him again.

"Everything?" she asked meekly and Cal bit his lip. He knew what was bothering her about that. She didn't want to describe what happened to her in front of strangers but most of all she didn't want to describe it in front of him. He nodded his head.

"Tell them everything. If you don't want me to hear, I'll wait outside. Your mum can stay with you, or if she's not back, Gillian can stay with you. Whatever you want sweetheart." The kettle boiled and he poured the hot water into the mug of coffee. The smell hit him straight away and he took a minute to just breathe it in. The smell of coffee soothed him.

The knock on the door pulled him from his trance and he put his cup down to go and answer it. It was Gillian. He might have known she would be the first person back. She gave him a brief smile as she stepped inside and moved through to the kitchen, him following her. He poured coffee for her as she sat down at the kitchen table. Emily smiled in greeting but said nothing. Gillian didn't push her. Instead she turned to Cal.

"I called Ria, told her you and I would be out of the office all day today, that they were to hold the fort without us."

"She ask why?" Cal aready knew the answer to that question. Gillian nodded.

"I told her there some company issues we were delving through."

"A stone-walling 'mind your own business' then?" Cal grinned at her and she smirked, nodding.

"She knows when to back off." Cal nodded, as the there was another knock on the door. He pushed through the sitting room to answer the door. Emily mumbled under her breath.

"I don't want to do this." Gillian looked at her, reached a hand across the table onto her hand.

"You'll be fine. There'll be someone with you at all times. It'll help the police Emily. They'll catch the guy and make sure he doesn't do the same to someone else…" Gillian withdrew her hand as Cal came back into the room, followed by a distraught looking Zoe. Her eyes bypassed Gillian and fell on her daughter, warming her hands around her mug of hot chocolate and she bit her lips as she sat down next to her, pulling her into a hug. Gillian stood up to give the two some privacy. Zoe was whispering something in her daughter's ear, something indistinguishable but something Gillian appreciated that she wasn't supposed to hear. She slipped past Cal out into the living room. He followed her.

"I'll give them a minute," he said, pulling the door gently behind him. Gillian nodded. She somehow felt so much more uncomfortable now that Zoe was here. Last night she'd felt like she belonged there but today, she felt as though she'd be viewed as a busybody. She knew it was silly. She knew how everyone perceived her relationship with Cal. She was almost willing to believe that after Emily, she was the most important person in his life but she knew she'd be deluding herself. She knew she was up there but the fact was she didn't think Cal held anyone else in any kind of regard other than his daughter. She was the closest person to be nearly in that circle.

"What's going on in that head?" he asked suddenly and she shook her head.

"Nothing." She smiled briefly but he shook his head.

"You don't fool me love. What's up?" Gillian sighed and wrung her hands in together in front of her. She swallowed.

"I think maybe I should go." Cal smirked and shook his head.

"I knew it. I knew from the minute Zoe walked in you were uncomfortable." Gillian shrugged.

"It's kinda understandable Cal, your ex-wife hates me." Cal opened his mouth to speak but thought better of it. He let the statement sit for a minute before crossing the room to her.

"Alright she's not your biggest fan but that doesn't mean you have to go." She searched his eyes for some kind of contradiction to his words but couldn't find any.

"Cal, Emily's going to be fine. She has you, she has her mom now, she doesn't need me here too." Cal lowered his head, glancing at the floor for a moment. Gillian placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it lightly. She was turning to leave when Cal spoke u again.

"What if Emily's not the one who needs you?" Gillian stopped in her tracks and turned to face him slowly. He stood watching her as she tried to leave. She couldn't see a hint of deception or manipulation on his face. And come to think of it, she knew she wouldn't. Cal Lightman never admitted weakness unless he really was in need of help. Gillian smiled briefly before turning and walking back into the room, her hand once again squeezing his arm as she passed him.

OXOXOXO

Ok, so another chapter done and dusted. Next chapter sees Reynolds and Police take Emily's statement. Haven't decided if it's going to be particularly explicit as of yet. Reviews make me happy.