I have the best kid, hands down.

Cal didn't want to leave Gillian just yet. He'd watched her waver between elation and despondency all evening and wasn't comfortable going home. Only problem was he didn't have any clothes at her place to mean anything and he'd had a bit too much to drink to fetch some himself.

Emily handed him the duffle bag in the entry. "How's she doing?" Her voice was low, dark eyes heavy with worry.

Cal gave a tiny sigh as he guided her further into Gillian's little house. "As well as can be expected luv. It was…difficult."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

She gave him a look, not unlike her mother. It basically read, 'don't bullshit me.'

Catching her in a one-armed hug, he whispered. "I'm okay darlin'. Honestly don't remember a whole lot. Mostly feel awful that Gill had to go through it basically on her own."

Emily embraced her father, something in his voice making her hug him even harder. He clearly took all of the blame. "Dad, you can't put this all on yourself."

He was quiet for a moment before pulling away. She caught the sadness before he managed to tuck it away. "Maybe not all of it but I have to take a fair amount of the responsibility."

"You couldn't have known…"

"No, but I should have. I knew what I was dealin' with but decided to choose arrogance over caution. And look what happened."

"That might be true to some degree but you had no control over that family. They did what they did of their own free will. That guy was evil, his father just as much in his own way. It was inevitable that they'd eventually get theirs." She managed a tiny smile. "Karma, right?"

Cal didn't respond, just appraised the amazing amount of wisdom in someone so young. She certainly put him to shame most of the time.

"Beside, there's no guarantee that they wouldn't have gotten to you anyway." That was true. There most likely wouldn't have been 24-hour security due to the usual police budget constraints.

Emily suddenly looked beyond him. "Hi Gillian."

Cal pivoted on his heels. Gill had decided to take a shower and change into a different set of warm pajamas after they'd eaten. She still held onto the lines of fatigue but she seemed to feel better in the way that only a hot shower can accomplish.

The girl immediately went to her and wrapped her arms around her. "I'm so glad you're okay."

Gillian returned the hug, looking over Emily's head and into Cal's eyes. "Thank you honey. I'm fine." She rubbed the girl's back briefly before pulling away slightly. "Have you eaten? Would you like something?"

"No, no. I'm okay. Thanks. I just wanted to drop by and check in on my way to my mom's. I'm actually running a little late." Em's eyes dropped to her watch.

Her dad had requested that she go stay with her mom and although she had been tempted to balk, she decided to do him the favor, considering how the last couple of days had been for him.

Emily gave Gill another quick hug. "Guess I'd better head out. Take care and if you need anything, give me a call, okay?" Her dark eyes met Gillian's blue ones. "I'm serious. Dad had no trouble calling when he needed clothes and was too plastered to get them himself."

"Oi!" Cal frowned in annoyance. It was slightly feigned but not completely. He was probably just tired.

"I want you to feel just as free, okay? I'd like to help wherever I can."

As always, Gillian was sincerely touched by Cal's daughter. She really was an amazing girl. "Thank you Emily. I appreciate it."

She nodded. "I am serious you know."

"I know honey."

Emily gave her another quick hug, wished her good night and headed for the door. She slipped out into the night with Cal following closely behind.

"Is she really okay? I mean, is she going to be okay?" They were leaning against the driver's side of the car as Emily looked up into her father's face, searching.

"I…" His mouth twisted slightly to the side. "I think so, yeah. It just might take a bit. She did what she needed to do, but that doesn't it mean it was easy."

Emily shuddered as a chill swept through her. God. The idea of killing someone, even someone as foul as Finn Bainbridge, had to take its toll. "It's just so hard to wrap your head around it. Gillian's such a gentle person."

"She is luv, but she was pushed into a corner. She was afraid for herself, afraid for me. Calvary was comin' but we had no way of knowin' that. They may not have arrived in time anyway." He paused, his eyes shifting beyond his daughter to a place she had no idea and never would have any idea about. "I'm just sorry it had to be her."

Emily studied him, instinctively knowing the depth of his feelings for Gill. He would have sacrificed himself for her, of that the girl had little doubt. The realization was a little overwhelming. As it was, Gillian was the one to forfeit a piece of herself for both of them.

She went up on her toes to give Cal a quick pick. "I should go. Mom's waiting. Just remember to give me a call."

"You bet luv."

"Take care dad." Her eyes went above and beyond and told him to take care of Gill as well.

"Will do darlin'. You be careful drivin'. No texting."

Her eye roll was followed by a smile. "Love you."

"Love you too."

(BREAK)

"You have an amazing daughter."

"Yeah, don't I know it?" He locked the door behind him and looked at her closely. "She's concerned for you."

"She doesn't have to be. I'm okay." Gillian stepped close and right into a hug, loving the solid, comforting feel of him. His arms were firmly around her as he pressed a kiss into her hairline.

"Correction. You're gonna be okay and I'm gonna do whatever I can to make sure of it, even if it means swiping your little black book to look up the numbers for all your shrink friends." His tone was light, but the undercurrent was very serious.

She was quiet for a moment as she nestled into his shoulder. "You just need to let me determine when it's time though, okay?"

Cal pulled back, scrutinizing her face before nodding. "Okay, luv. When you're ready." He kissed her softly as her eyes closed.

(BREAK)

She could hear him calling her through the fog and mist but his voice seemed to grow weaker and change direction constantly. All she knew was that he needed her and she had absolutely no idea how to find him. Moving through the trees, she caught her ankles in the thick undergrowth more than once but managed not to fall. But as soon as she thought she was heading the right way, his voice would suddenly appear to come from the opposite direction. Each shift, it seemed to grow dimmer. She was losing him. If she didn't find him soon, she would lose him forever. As she stumbled forward, she became aware of moisture on her hands. Stopping, she frowned down at them. The bright moonlight above reflected through the ground mist and as she stared, she realized that her hands were red. The moisture became sticky and with horror, she realized that it was blood. But she knew it wasn't her own. With a gasp, she stumbled backward, colliding with an evergreen, feeling the bark scratch at her palms.

A dark figure moved from behind another thick copse of trees. She couldn't see who it was but when it spoke, a sharp chill ran through her. Her heart threatened to burst from her chest as she turned in an attempt to get away.

"Where are you going Gillian? The deed's already been done. You don't need to run anymore."

She backed away, hands out, trying to keep her balance. "Why wouldn't I run? You want to kill us both."

"No no no." His tone was sympathetic. "I don't want to kill you Gillian. Why would I? You did me such a great favor."

"Favor?" It occurred to her that she couldn't hear his voice any longer. It seemed to have faded away. Terror caused her to momentarily freeze. "What are you talking about?"

Finn stepped closer, the mist shifting away from him, as if in reverence. He was smiling in that shark like way of his. "You don't remember? What a shame."

The terror was coupling with anger now. "Tell me! What are you talking about?"

"Oh Gillian. It was beautiful. The knife went in so easily didn't it? Like you were just born to do it. But go figure, you don't remember so the punch line is lost. That sure is a shame." He stepped closer and she could only stare. Every muscle in her body seemed to be frozen.

Finn was now before her, his teeth white and glowing. He reached toward her and she suddenly felt him remove something from her right hand. She didn't remember holding anything but her eyes fell to it nonetheless as he held it out as an offering.

A mother of pearl pocketknife lay loosely in his hand. The slender blade was coated in dark red, turning brown as she watched. "Do you remember now Gillian?"

"No." Her voice had no strength.

"Hmmm…maybe you should come take a look then." His other hand took hers as he led her through the woods. "He should be…right around…"

"WHO?" Her sharp voice scared a few birds from the trees. She stopped abruptly, stepping back and pulling away. This time her feet did catch in something but it wasn't undergrowth. As she fell, she became aware that she'd fallen over someone. Someone familiar. As she lay crumpled on the forest floor, her anguished screams began to echo through the trees and the fog.

Gillian sat up quickly, her breath rasping, her face coated in slick sweat. Her heart was beating so wildly that she immediately felt nausea rise within. Kicking the covers back, she stumbled and made it to the bathroom just in time. She threw up the previous night's dinner and whatever alcohol hadn't been absorbed. She threw up until all that was left were repetitive and cruel dry heaves. Resting her head against the cool porcelain, she had a distinct sense of déjà vu. Didn't this happen yesterday too? At this rate, she was never going to keep anything down. With a groan, she flushed and climbed to her feet to stumble to the sink. Avoiding her own eyes, she rinsed her mouth before just hanging her head forward in an attempt to quiet her heartbeat and breathing.

Cal was right. She couldn't drag her feet with this. Some calls needed to be made whether she thought she was ready or not.

Straightening, she washed her face before turning the light back off and walking out of the bathroom and back toward her bed. The clock on the nightstand blinked 2:34 at her. Hours to go before dawn. She hesitated for only a moment before changing direction and leaving her bedroom.

She made a right down the hallway before stopping at the closed door to the guestroom and listening. It was quiet. Grasping the knob, she turned it slowly and quietly stepped inside. Cal was asleep, on his side, facing her. She could now hear his soft breathing and immediately took comfort from it. Without further hesitation, she slipped under the covers to nestle close to him. A tiny little sigh escaped her as her heart rate slowly returned to normal.

Even in slumber, he instinctively curled himself protectively around her.

A/N: As of this month, I've been writing "Lie to Me" fanfiction for a year now. I just wanted to thank all of you for your readership, reviews and support. It wouldn't have been as much fun without you!