Robert was right, the days had passed quickly - for both of them, mainly because he was filming from dawn to dusk and the cast of Ally had been working 13-14 hour days. And, true to his word, he had called Calista an average of four times a day, the last usually being around 10:30 to say goodnight - he liked to talk sexy to her right before she went to sleep. Each time he called, he always sounded happy and relaxed, and she knew he was definitely excited about the film. She'd read the script and realized that not only should he be happy - but delirious - because this role was a definite Oscar nomination.

Originally, he'd been scheduled to fly in on Tuesday morning, but filming had wrapped early and he'd been able to book a Monday night flight, and was due in about 11:00. She'd wanted to pick him up at the airport, but he'd insisted on taking a cab. She was aching to see him and kept looking at the clock. She groaned when she saw it was only 9:30 (five minutes later than the last time she'd checked.) To get her mind on something else, she curled up on the couch to watch TV.

"Hey, funny face," he whispered softly, as he kissed her cheek.

Opening her eyes, she realized she'd dozed off. She grinned and threw her arms around him, kissing him hard. "What time is it?"

"12:45, there was a fender-bender on the freeway and it took awhile from the airport." He looked at her longingly, "Did you miss me?"

"Oh, were you gone?" she asked innocently.

He smirked sexily, "Why don't we go to bed, then you can tell me."

"I don't wanna let you go," she said tightening her grip.

Lifting her in his arms, he kissed her and, as he carried her to the bedroom, said huskily, "Then, don't. Don't ever let me go."

They made love several times before falling into an exhausted sleep wrapped up together in a tight ball..

Robert left Friday morning to return to Maine. About 10:00 that night Calista crawled into bed and looked longingly at Robert's side of the bed. She buried her face in his pillow and took a deep breath and allowed herself to float with the scent of him. As she turned out the light, the phone rang. "Hey," he said in a hushed tone.

"Hey," she whispered.

"You in bed?" he asked sexily.

"Mmm." she murmured, "I miss you."

"Me, too. You tired?"

"Yeah," she sighed, "but it's hard to sleep without you."

"Well, then, close your eyes," he directed softly.

She did as told.

"Closed?"

"Mm hmm."

"Picture us in bed together," he said so quietly it was like he was breathing in her ear, "and feel my arms around you, with your head on my chest."

She smiled and, with her eyes closed, laid her head on his pillow.

"Can you feel it?"

Still smiling, she made a kittenish sound.

"Now, if you listen real hard," he murmured, "you'll hear my heart talking to you."

Calista ran her hand up and down Robert's pillow lovingly.

"Can you hear it?" Robert asked, his voice low and seductive.

"Mmmm." she answered.

"Then listen, baby, and .... know."

"I love you, too," she sighed contentedly.

"Nite, sweetheart," he whispered.

"Nite." She rolled over and hugged his pillow. The gentle ticking of the clock on the nightstand quickly lulled her into a deep, dreamless, sleep.

On Sunday morning, Robert surprised her when he opened the door carrying a suit bag over his shoulder. She laughed in delight when she saw him. "Hey, you. You made it after all."

He came over and kissed her on the top of her head. "I told you I'd be walkin' you down the red carpet, didn't I?" he grinned.

"I wanna see what you're wearing," she said suspiciously. "It doesn't have neon does it, or blinking lights?"

"I'm hurt."

"Mm, right. Don't get me wrong ... I like that guy," she said playfully curling her lips into a sneer, "it's just that he's a tad flashy."

"Now, I'm doubly hurt," he pouted. "Hey, did you get that dress we picked out?"

"Yep."

"Good," he said, walking to the hallway closet to hang up his clothes. Smiling sweetly, he looked around. "Where's my fella?"

"My cousin's got him for the day ... and night," she said, raising one eyebrow seductively.

It wasn't lost on Robert. Tapping his fingers on the table, he wrinkled his nose, "So, what'ya wanna do for the next five hours till we have to get dressed?"

"We ... could play chess," she suggested primly.

"Yeah," he answered slowly pulling her to her feet, "or .... we could dance."

She purred and moved up against him playfully, "Um hm. We could, I guess. But, who gets to lead?"

"We ... could take turns," he said with a sexy grin.

"Well, then," she murmured softly, "let the music begin."

Calista had arranged for her hairdresser to be there at 3:00 and Cheryl was almost done with the finishing touches. Calista's dress was sleek. Beautiful sequined midnight blue, slit up to the thigh on one side. She admired herself in the mirror and marveled at Robert's taste because he had chosen it. It set off her coloring magnificently and her makeup was flawless. In short, she looked stunning. "Robert, what's taking you so long," she yelled into the dressing room, "the limo's gonna be here in less than 30 minutes."

He opened the door and she could only stare open-mouthed.

"God, you look beautiful," he said.

"I'm speechless," she replied, "so do you!" Standing before her, Robert had on a magnificent Versace midnight blue tuxedo, with velvet lapels, a light gray silk shirt with a matching light gray on gray striped tie, and dark blue patent leather shoes. He was undoubtedly the handsomest man she'd ever seen.

"Wow," she exclaimed, "Lucy Lui better not try to climb your flagpole tonight, or, I promise, she won't live to see tomorrow."

Robert laughed. His eyes shone with love and desire. He crossed over and came up so close to her his nose touched her hair. He put his hand out in front of her and it held a small jewelry box.

She turned and faced him. Running her tongue along her upper lip, she asked sweetly, "What did you do?"

"Open it," he urged.

A pair of dainty pearl and diamond earrings looked back at her from the box. Her mouth opened in delight. "Oh, God, their beautiful," she exclaimed, kissing him, and then kissing him again. "I love them ... and you. Thank you, baby." She kissed him once, and then again as she put the posts in her ears.

He reveled in her beauty. "Anytime, Ms. Flockhart. Um ... could we maybe just stay home tonight?" he asked as he kissed her ear.

She smiled, "That'd be my choice."

Just then they heard the limo in the drive. "Oh well," he said, "so much for dreamin'."

They gathered their things and each took several deep breaths. "You ready to face the hungry crowd?" she asked him.

"Nope," he answered honestly, "but I will anyway."

The flashbulbs were non-stop the minute they stepped onto the red carpet. Fans lining the bleachers screamed, "Calista/Robert," repeatedly, and they smiled and waved to everyone. The media was tripping all over itself since learning that Robert was back on the set of Ally McBeal and that he and Calista were, indeed, a couple. In fact, they were the hottest and most talked about couple there. They did at least seven or eight interviews and were stopped about every two feet for publicity photos. It seemed like an eternity before they were finally inside.

"Jesus," Robert sighed, "I'm glad the circus only comes to town a couple times a year."

"Yeah, right," Calista chided, hitting him on the arm, "the spotlight, glitter, reporters, and Downey. They can't live without each other."

He gave her a furtive sideways glance but knew better than to deny it.

The awards ceremony got under way, and they applauded enthusiastically for all the winners. Robert's stomach started churning as the presenters for the Best Actress in a Comedy Series approached the podium. Calista should've won it last year, he thought, and he was more nervous for her than he'd ever been for himself. He reached for her hand.

He held his breath for her as the presenter opened the envelope. Smiling, she looked up and said, "And the winner is ... Calista Flockhart ...Ally McBeal." Calista turned and looked at Robert, grinning widely. He pulled her up and kissed her, whispering, "Go get ‘em, sweetheart." He was so proud he couldn't stop smiling as he watched her walk to the stage.

Calista gave a heartfelt and humorous acceptance speech, which had everyone laughing. She thanked all the appropriate people and then ended her speech with, "Although he hasn't been in any episodes yet this season, I've learned so much from the talented, brilliant, and deliciously gorgeous Robert Downey, Jr." She was beaming and had to pause and wait for the applause to die down. "And now it's no secret that he's gonna be around for the rest of the season! So, I just wanna say I love working with you, Robert. Ally missed you, I missed you, and we're both so glad you're back." Then, holding up her Golden Globe, she said, "This is very special, I'll treasure it."

Cameras were focused on Robert's face throughout Calista's speech, and a clip of him, his eyes glistening with love and pride, was flashed on every entertainment media show for weeks.

Robert and Calista made an obligatory appearance at the after awards party and stayed only long enough to greet old friends and congratulate some of the winners. Then, as soon as it was fashionably cool to do so, they slipped out and headed home.

On the drive home, Robert was so happy for her that he couldn't stop beaming. "I knew you'd do it," he claimed. "It would've been rigged if you hadn't won. You've been brilliant this year, just as you were last year." His face was filled with tenderness, "I love you, Ms. Flockhart, are you happy."

She nodded, her eyes sparkling, "It's all coming together, isn't it? We're gonna make it, aren't we?" she asked hopefully.

He smiled, "Yes, baby, I think we're gonna make it." He kissed her and she returned it, passionately. "Did I tell you that I love you?" he asked softly.

"Yep. And, you damn well better, because I couldn't live without you in my life."

"Good, ‘cause I'm not goin' anywhere. ... Er..," he grimaced, "except back to Maine in the morning."

She gave him a very sexy look, "Yeah? Well, we've still got tonight."

Upon arriving home, they both kicked off their shoes and went into the den where they placed Calista's award alongside the others. Robert announced, "I'm hungry." They walked to the kitchen hand in hand and, together, created an awesome omelet and laughed while they stupidly took turns feeding each other.

As they cleaned up the dishes, Robert saw Calista smiling.

"What?"

She looked at him curiously, "For such a tinsel and bright lights animal, you've seemed pretty content on the home front for the last couple of months. Aren't your ‘party-going' chromosomes going crazy?"

"Shit! Don't tell me I've become domesticated!" he joked.

"Really," she said, "I know I'm too much of a homebody for you - don't you miss it?"

He thought for a few seconds and replied, "Since we've stopping hiding from the world, I haven't really thought about it." Wrinkling his nose, he added jokingly, "I don't have to rent hotel rooms anymore for the holidays or go out to strip clubs," he leaned over and kissed her, "‘cause I've got my own incredibly sexy lap dancer at home. So, I guess the answer to your question is, no, I don't miss it. I don't think I've been missing anything."

"Well, if you ever feel the need to party without me, I'll understand - just as long as you stay out of trouble - and away from blondes."

He grinned.

Later in bed, they lay there just holding each other. Robert's fingers played up and down her arm as his lips caressed her hair. "I've been looking for this .. for you .. all my life," he said softly.

Turning her head, Calista rubbed her nose on his shoulder, "Me, too," she whispered.

They made love slowly, deliberately, and passionately.

Robert was back on Thursday to finish some Ally/Larry pre-wedding scenes and then gone again. He seemed to be holding up well under the pressure and Calista was starting to breathe a little easier with each passing day.

Approximately two weeks after the Golden Globe awards, Calista found out she was also nominated for a Screen Actor's Guild Award. Robert called her immediately after hearing the announcement and was bubbling over. "Yeah," she said , "but, shit, now I've gotta walk around with butterflies in my stomach again for six weeks." She couldn't see him grin.

The next month and a half was hectic. And, to go with her busy schedule, Calista now had the added stress of trying to keep up with Liam, who had started walking - and running - and was literally into everything. He was also talking non-stop. Robert was due in on Saturday to go with her to the SAG awards on Sunday. He prayed she'd be recognized by her peers and win this coveted award. And, she did. Her victory was well deserved and their joy was mutual. Afterward, as Robert surveyed all the awards adorning the shelf, he joked, "let's not say to the world this is who we are, cause we're so much more." They grinned at each other remembering Larry's remarks to Elaine in the Chubby Checker dance contest episode in Season 4.

They had all day Monday together because the film's shooting location had been moved to Boston and Robert wasn't due back on the movie set until Wednesday morning. And, the Ally set was dark, with everyone having been given a well-deserved day off.

Sitting in the kitchen, Liam was crawling all over Robert, repeatedly giving him loving kisses, which Robert returned with gusto. Liam finally got bored and climbed down and padded off toward the gate blocking the kitchen door. He sat down hard on the floor with some books and toys that were scattered around. Calista had been watching them and asked, "Does it bother you that he calls you ‘dada.' I mean, you know, he really seems to think you're his daddy."

"Is that bad?" Robert grinned.

"Not for me," she answered, "but I was asking you."

He suddenly became very serious, "Nothing that's part of you could ever be bad for me." He turned to check on Liam and looked at her out of the corner of his eye, "Besides, I was kinda hoping you'd consider letting me adopt him when we get married."

Her face wrinkled into a furtive smile, "There you go again, getting way, way, ahead of ourselves."

"Hey, April's only eight days away," he smirked. "Seriously, you've been thinking about it, right? Our ... us ... moving in together .. and the other?"

Her eyes told him yes.

"I've got some good news," he teased.

"Tell me."

"What'll you give me for it?"

"Come on, Robert, don't do this to me."

"Okay. By mid-April, we're done shooting all the outdoor battle scenes, and Sir Richard has decided to complete the film in LA," he told her, "So, I'll be here to finish out Ally and start rehearsals with you on the play ... my rehab will be over, and I'll be able to bug you every single day - and night." He gave her a sweet half grin.

She squealed in delight and plopped herself in his lap, passionately kissing his face, ears, neck. "That's the best news I've ever had."

"Now, you're really on the hook about April."

"Robert, don't you effectively live here already?" she said laughing. "I mean, your clothes are here, all your awards are in the den, Warren's just about given you a free pass to stay here anytime you want, and if people can't reach you on your cell, they know to call here. I mean, come on, can I say it any plainer than that?"

He kissed her. "I guess I just needed confirmation. Hey, let's pack a lunch and go to the park."

They did and, unfortunately, reporters seemed to spring out from behind every tree. Calista rolled her eyes in frustration, "Oh, this was a great idea, Robert. Remind me to listen to you again sometime."

He grinned, "Cal, we've been in every magazine and tabloid across the country and the world has known we're together for almost two months. But, I guess we can always go back to neither confirming nor denying, if that's what you really want."

She gave him a menacing, but adoring, look, while visions of tabloid pictures danced through her head.