Author's note: This is my entry to CommonFlower's challenge - Title 'For Now' given by Solveariddle.
This takes place shortly after 'Killer App'. Spoilers for season 3.
Summary: Cal tries to work out the answer to Emily's question.

Cal leant back with his feet propped up on his desk in his office as he thought long and hard about Em's question, trying to work out why he hadn't done anything about the fact that he was in love with Gillian?
Of course, for a very long time he'd been in denial, convincing himself that he just loved her as a friend, which looking back was hilarious really. Gillian was utterly gorgeous and there was no shortage of body chemistry between them so for him to only think of her as a friend was about as believable as a politician's election promises.
He'd been forced out of denial by the brain scan he'd had done a few months ago, which had shown his brain lighting up like a Christmas tree when he saw a picture of Gillian. His automatic response had been flight. Not literally, since that would have entailed abandoning their business too, but he had pushed Gillian away as hard as he could and embarked on a series of tawdry sexual encounters in an attempt to drive her out of his mind.
When even his thick skull had realised that that wasn't going to work, he had managed to stop behaving like a three year-old and had repaired their friendship.
Then Claire had been murdered and Gillian had needed her best friend. He had helped solve the case and had held her when she cried and then Emily had asked her question.

Cal squirmed restlessly in his seat as he thought about it.
He couldn't take advantage of her whilst she was vulnerable, so for now he comforted her when she needed it and ignored the temptation to kiss her better.
He didn't deserve her, though he was trying to be less of an arsehole, so for now he told silly jokes to cheer her up and didn't tell her that he loved her.
She didn't feel like dating at the moment, so for now they wandered round the park or museums and he didn't ask her to go to a movie.
She wasn't eating properly, so for now he cooked for her at his place and he didn't ask her out to dinner.
She was touching him more and more but he was sure she wasn't ready for the next step, so for now he thought of the smell of cabbage boiling and was glad that he wore baggy jeans.

Cal pushed his thoughts to one side as Gillian knocked on the doorframe and came in, carrying a folder,

'Hello, darlin'. Please tell me that isn't the accounts?'

Gillian smiled, saying,

'No, it's a new case. Interesting and well paying.'

Gillian held the folder out to him triumphantly and Cal stood to take it from her. He quickly scanned the summary and said,

'Blow me down with a feather! You're right, Foster; interesting and they're bleedin' loaded too. What are we waiting for?'

He started towards the door, automatically slipping his arm around Gillian's waist as she joined him. She put her arm around his waist too and, bodies touching from hip to shoulder, they walked off.

Gillian was smiling as they chatted and Cal knew that soon he would tell her how he felt but for now it was enough to know that she was here with him, waiting impatiently for the lift to arrive so they could start their new case.

The End