"I have to say Cal that I'm quite impressed."

He frowned and cast a quick glance at her before turning his attention back to his driving. "Why's that?"

"It's been twenty-two minutes since my session and you haven't asked me a single question about it." Her smile was soft, teasing.

She'd been able to contact an old professor from grad school who had been very willing to help her and true to his word, Cal had driven her and waited patiently. Or at least she thought he was patient. She hadn't caught any annoyance off the receptionist to tell her otherwise.

"I figure if you wanna tell me, you'll tell me."

Huh. Gillian wasn't sure if she should be concerned or not. He'd been a little distracted the last couple of days but hadn't offered any kind of explanation.

"Is everything okay Cal?" Dumb question. He was still dealing with the whole abduction as well. "I mean, is there anything else going on?"

His jaw throbbed as he clenched his teeth. He hadn't told her that Bainbridge had called him, figuring that she had enough on her plate. Bringing up the old man's name could just make things worse for her. "No, darlin'. I'm good." He offered a quick smile. "Really good actually, considering…" He gave a quick wave of his hand, intimating their fledgling relationship.

Studying him, her instincts told her that he was holding out but she really had no reason to talk. She had yet to be forthright about her own feeling and nightmares, at least not completely. The dream was so vivid, so biting, that the prospect of sharing it with him scared the hell out of her. Almost like if she voiced it to him, something could happen to make it come true. Which was completely ridiculous, but she couldn't help it. Almost like a child worrying that being disrespectful to the monsters under the bed and in the closet would give them more power, make them more real.

"Where are we going anyway?" She looked out the window before casting him a questioning look.

"Thought maybe I should feed you."

"I see. Well, you thought correctly then." Gillian smiled, eyes roaming his profile. "You have something in mind?"

"Yup."

"Going to share?"

"Nope."

"Is there some kind of occasion?"

They'd stopped at a light, so he was able to shift his penetrating gaze onto her as she blinked in surprise. "Do you think there's somethin' to celebrate?"

Quiet filled the interior of the car as they regarded one another. She swallowed as her heart accelerated. "I believe so." Her voice was soft as his eyes shifted to a smile.

"Same here darlin'."

The light changed and he guided the car expertly through the D.C. traffic before finding his turn off and lucking into a close parking space. He cut the engine and turned to her. "Bored with Chinese food. Though somethin' different might be in order considerin' that we are kind of celebratin'." He hopped out and moved around her side to open the door for her before taking her hand with flourish.

"Wow. What a gentleman." Her smile was bright as she attempted to push away the recent past and try to concentrate on the future.

"Once in a while. Don't let it get out though. It might tarnish my rep." One hand found the small of her back as he propelled her toward the front of the restaurant.

"Oh! I haven't had Cuban food in ages!" She whirled toward him, her lips brushing his cheek. "You think they have Tres Leches?"

"Would I dare take you somewhere where they didn't?" The hand skimmed over her back and hooked around her waist, bringing her closer. "Not only do they have traditional Tres Leches here but I do believe they may very well have one with chocolate too."

Cal watched her eyes brighten even more and quickly decided he could easily watch her expressions forever. Maybe they really did have a shot at a future together.

(BREAK)

"That was wonderful. Thank you."

He was walking her up the path to her front door as the night pressed in around them. It had become warmer as spring firmly settled in but neither looked forward to the humidity that the season would bring.

"Quite welcome."

They stopped at the front step as Gillian swung around to face him. "Would you like to come in for a few minutes?" The question was almost shy.

God yes. I want to spend the night again and make love to you until the sun begins to peak up over the horizon. Instead he hung back. "I really should get back to Em before she forgets what I look like."

Guilt quickly washed over her beautiful features but he was quick to step forward and wrap his arms around her. "No darlin'. Don't feel bad. Believe me, I've got a great, understanding kid. If I conferred with her, she'd probably tell me to move in with you-" He stopped himself, suddenly awkward. "Um, it's just that she'll be staying with Zoë for the next week and I wanted to spend some time before she goes."

"I'm sorry, I should have thought. My mind's been mush these last few days."

"You have nothing to apologize for luv. In fact…" He tilted his head speculatively. "Why don't you head back to the house with me? Emily would love to hang out with you. You two could watch one of the chick flicks you both like so much and I'll do my best to point out all the ridiculous plot points. What do ya say?"

It was tempting. She really didn't want to be alone but at some point she was going to have to be. Gillian couldn't continue to lean on him so heavily. Cal was up to the task, he always was, but she needed to regain some of her own self-reliance. "I think I'll take a rain check just for tonight. The whole thing's been hard on Emily too and I think she could use some one on one time with her dad." She nodded as she spoke.

Cal's expression was slightly pained. She was right but at the same time, he didn't want to leave her like this. "Are you sure?" He wasn't but she might be.

"No, not really but I need to go back to some kind of normalcy. Do you know what I mean? I'm not going to continue to live with this specter over my shoulder. I'm a strong person and I can get beyond this."

"I know you are but I want to be there for you anyway."

"I appreciate that." She'd moved away but reached over to touch his face. "But you shouldn't have to be. I'm taking steps to sort this all out. I appreciate the support but I need to work at it on my own too."

He nodded, eyes still concerned. "Okay."

"I'm not pushing you away."

"I know."

"You'd better go if Emily's waiting for you."

"Yeah." Cal didn't move, his gaze slowly touching every part of her face.

With a like mind, they stepped forward into one another's arms for a tight embrace before moving back just enough to see the other's eyes. He was suddenly very conscious of all points of contact as his mind noted his hands on her waist, the soft fabric of her dress beneath his palms, the feel of her torso pressed firmly against his, the fingers of one hand clinging to his shoulder while the other absently played with the hair at the nape of his neck. With barely a moment to contemplate his actions, his mouth quickly and hungrily found hers as his passion overwhelmed him. How I love this woman. How I want her now and forever.

Gillian saw the shift but was unprepared for the sudden desperation or the passion. It took her no time to get up to speed however as she sunk into the kiss and returned it with equal fervor. She really didn't want him to leave. She wanted him to come inside and stay. She wanted to envelope him in a full body hug to be as close as two people could possibly get but she also knew that that would be selfish. But she would be damned if she wouldn't enjoy the delicious feeling that he was eliciting within her at this precise moment in time as his tongue and lips caressed, taunted and told her almost everything.

He broke away as they both gasped to fill neglected lungs before moving to her ear and down the side of her neck. "I love you so much Gillian."

Tightening her embrace, she could feel the vibration as his words found their way to softly murmur in her ear. She pressed her own lips against his hairline, gasping as he found a sensitive spot on her throat. "I love you Cal but we're…ahhh…starting to put on a show…oh God…for my…neighbors."

"Maybe they'll learn somethin'." His words still teased against her flesh and she shivered despite the warm night. Regardless of the taunt, he straightened, kissed her lips softly again before leaning his forehead against hers. "Best be goin'."

She could feel his rushed breath warm against her face as she struggled to control her own respiration. "Okay. Be careful."

"Will do." He didn't move and kissed her again instead. "I'll talk to you a little later."

Nodding, she just stared at him, hands now holding onto the front of his shirt.

He finally stepped away and she was forced to let go, immediately feeling the void but reminding herself that she was being silly. She'd see him tomorrow. "Say hello to Emily for me."

"Course." He ran his fingers down her cheek. "Inside with ya."

Blinking hard, she absently fumbled for her keys before inserting the correct one into the lock and letting herself in. "Goodnight Cal."

"Goodnight luv."