Cal automatically wrapped his arms more securely around the soft figure nestled next to him before opening his eyes, slightly confused.

Gillian.

Even though he'd had a decent amount to drink last night he was fairly certain that they'd still retired to separate rooms.

His eyes flitted around only to determine that he was, in fact, still where he started. She'd come into the guest room, the guest bed, to be with him. Sleepwalking maybe? After her experience it wouldn't be completely outside the realm of possibility.

Very gently he attempted to disentangle himself but she held on, one leg crooked over his, one hand crossing his chest and holding securely to his opposite shoulder. Even in sleep, she had no intention of letting go of him. He wondered what the catalyst might have been.

Cal didn't even try to escape again. Knowing that he might very well be playing with fire, he decided to enjoy the moment, enjoy the feeling of her body against his. He could smell her hair as it lay spread across him. Her lips were partially open and he could feel her slow, warm breath against his chest through the thin fabric of his t-shirt. She looked so young and vulnerable in her sleep. A huge part of him wanted to kiss those pale pink lips but knew better. If he started, he may not stop.

Letting out a sigh, Gillian stretched, her knee brushing against the inside of his thigh making him blink hard and clench his teeth. She pressed herself against him once again as she resettled. He let his breath out slowly and went back to gazing at her.

A moment later, her eyes cracked open and blearily met his.

"Hey there." His greeting was soft.

She blinked at him as embarrassment flickered and she pushed up into a sitting position. "Sorry. I know it's a small bed."

"S'okay darlin'. Nice way to awaken." He smirked for a moment before it fell away. "Somethin' happen?"

A tiny fragment of fear had followed on the tail of her embarrassment and despite the early hour, it may as well have flashed at him in neon.

"No, not really. It's just…"

"Nightmares?"

Gillian nodded, her heart accelerating as her mind maliciously recalled all the details of the dream. "It seems silly now that it's daylight but the feelings were a bit overwhelming earlier."

He just watched, absently bringing a hand up to lightly rub her upper arm. She'd talk to him or she wouldn't. He wasn't going to press.

"My subconscious twisted everything around." Her eyes dropped to his t-shirt, marginally amused to find Johnny Rotten sneering at her but wishing she could completely eradicate the despair she'd felt in the early hours of the morning. The dream had brought one of her greatest fears relentlessly to the forefront. "I…" She chewed on the inside of her cheek. "I think I'm going to make some calls today."

Cal continued to rub her arm before moving to the side of her neck so his thumb could gently stroke the underside of her jaw. A tremble passed through her and he immediately stopped, suddenly uncertain. "I'm glad luv. Important to talk with someone other than me." His voice was a little strained and he started to allow his hand to drop but she caught it in hers and held it in place. Gillian met his eyes yet again.

He felt his blood pressure begin to creep upward, very aware of her proximity, very aware that they were sharing the same bed yet again. Sweat began to bead along his hairline as his breath shallowed out.

Their eye contact continued to hold as every muscle in his body tensed. This is not a good idea. She'd been through so much and didn't need to the pressure of a new relationship being thrown into the mix.

He watched as her pupils swelled and a flush began to spread across the freckles on her cheeks.

No, no, no. He'd be taking advantage. She wasn't ready.

Gillian's eyes flitted over Cal's face, seeing his indecision and struggle and feeling sorry for him. She understood as she struggled herself. It was really early. They had a lot to work through. Right now, sex was an inherently bad idea. But, oh my God, how she wanted him. It was as if the very admission of romantic love had opened the floodgate, making all their previous relationship part of the foreplay to this very moment. They'd actually been together for years. They just hadn't admitted it to themselves or one another. The fingers of her other hand sifted through his hair, nails scraping lightly as they continued to hold one another's eyes. "You're such a good man."

Muscles in his face twitched. "If that were the case I wouldn't be having the thoughts that I am."

A smile played upon her lips. "And what thoughts would those be?"

He didn't answer as the hand just below her jaw gently crept around to the back of her neck, fingers massaging the muscles there. Her head automatically fell forward, eyes closing as he worked to remove some of her nightmare tension. "That feels good."

"Mmm." Sitting up, he shifted himself behind her and concentrated on the muscles of her neck, before moving to her shoulders and back. If she wasn't facing him, she wouldn't be able to read the lust that he was having one hell of a time disguising. He alternated between firm pressure, circular motions and gentle kneading, knowing that it would relax her and possibly make her temporarily forget all that had occurred. Massage was something he was really good at. Often led to things that he was equally good at. No, that was not the point this time. It was hard not to be disgusted with himself at the moment. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't keep his mind from digressing. The soft skin of her neck, the firm muscles of her shoulders, her obvious lack of a bra. Jesus.

A tiny groan escaped her. "Wow. You've got talented hands."

She had no idea.

Cal cleared his throat. "Is it workin'?"

"Hmmm?"

"Relaxed?"

"You keep it up and I'm going to fall back to sleep."

He smirked. Brushing the hair back from her neck, he leaned forward and impulsively kissed the soft skin there. "Why don't you lay down before you fall down?" Once again, he was playing with fire. But it was okay. He could do this. The massage was relaxing her. She deserved it, in fact, she needed it.

Without a word, she moved to lie down on her belly and cuddled the pillow in her arms. "Do your worst." Her eyes were slipping closed again.

"You got it luv." Attempting a more businesslike approach and ignoring the stirrings below the waist, he again went to work, isolating and kneading. His hands were going to be cramping any time now but it was fine.

Another low groan escaped her making him wince and grit his teeth. No, no, no. This was fine. He was a mature man, well, he was grown up at the very least. He had loads of control.

"Am I torturing you?" Her voice was slightly muffled against the pillow.

"No darlin'. 'Course not."

"Liar."

He chuckled, despite the tension. "Okay. You got me. Maybe a little."

"I'm sorry." She really sounded it.

"No luv, don't be sorry. It's fine. I'm a big boy."

"Thank you Cal." She was sounding drowsy as he smiled to himself.

"No worries."

A moment later, her breathing was soft and regular once again.

Slowly, he crawled off his side of the bed, pausing to allow his eyes to soak her in before heading out of the room and down the hallway.