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What is it I'm supposed to tell you?

Don't worry about it, love. I think you've got enough on your plate as it is.

And you always have too much on your plate. Spill it.

I could be persuaded, as long as you lay off on the old psychobabble. [He's teasing. Mostly.]

Is it something to do with Emily? Boyfriend troubles again?

[Cal scratches the back of his neck, perfectly aware that he's giving something away.]

Nah, it's not Em. For once. [He laughs, nervously. If only it was Em - divulging all the details of his daughter's private life was always a piece of cake.] Although, we did have an interesting discussion...

[That's a nervous gesture and not something she usually sees Cal make. She knew this was serious]

Cal, now you're making me nervous.

Oh, it's nothing to worry about, love.[He flops onto the office couch, and almost immediately considers getting up again for a drink.] Just a heart-to-heart moment between father and daughter.

Actually, [He pauses, raising his eyebrows matter of factly.]We were, uh, having a little chat about you....

[She settles in beside him on the office couch, curling her legs up behind her to make herself more comfortable. Her eyes are trained on his face, listening and watching for clues]

About me? Well, don't keep me in suspense here.

[Cal rests his arm around her shoulder - almost a force of habit, these days.] Well, uh, we've all been worried about you since Claire was killed. For starters...

[Gillian seems to melt in against him, as if this were the most natural position in the world for them to be in. She always felt that comfortable around him]

We've been over this before, Cal. Just because I live on my own now, doesn't mean I can't handle myself.

I know, love. I know. [Cal rests his cheek against her hair.] But we care about you.I care about you, Gill.

And I care just as much about you and Emily.

[She can almost feel the scratch of his stubble against her forehead and oddly, it was a comforting gesture]

"The thing is, love, I..." [He swore it wasn't this difficult when he was sixteen...] "I care about you."

I know that, Cal.

[They shared an intense bond between the two of them. She cared for Cal, loved him more then she'd ever loved any other man before, even her ex-husband]

[He half shifts around to face her, looking vaguely defeated.]

You're gonna make me say it, aren't you?

Yes, I am.

[She's grinning now, her eyes lighting up. Happiness. Excitement. A touch of the nerves too]

... Just why did I hire you, again?

[Cal's joking. Mostly. He covers Gillian's hands with one of his, idly running his thumb across her knuckles. Finally, though, he looks up to meet her gaze.]

Alright, you win. [pause] I love you, Gillian Foster. Always have.

[His confession both pleases and frightens her. Because there's a line they're not meant to cross and right now....they're tiptoeing over it. She loves Cal, she feels comfortable around him and knows him better then he knows himself, but could their friendship survive this?]

Cal, I love you too and you know I think the world of Emily. I've known ever since Alec and I split up. Maybe even before that. You bully any man I date and you nearly got my last boyfriend killed.

[Oh, why did she have to bring that up? He's not entirely sure how to respond.]

I know I've... behaved inappropriately in the past, love, and I'm sorry. Well, Mostly.