The following three and a half weeks were hectic as they prepared to leave on location. During that time, Robert was scheduled for two in-studio recording stints, a photo layout with Vanity Fair, a lengthy interview with ET, and he had already appeared at two celebrity charity benefits. Larry King's production assistant had called twice trying to talk Calista into appearing with Robert for his appearance on the show, but she really just wanted to stay home before they left to film the movie and, therefore, had advised her agent to turn down any offers. However, the assistant had been so insistent and persuasive that Calista had finally agreed to do the interview with Robert and it had gone very well. Larry King seemed to like Robert - a lot.

Deborah also called during this period to say her band was going on tour again and asked if they'd mind if Indio accompanied them on location. They said of course they wouldn't and Calista immediately checked with one of the film's producers to find out if a tutor would be available on the set so that Indio wouldn't miss any school. She was informed there was, and they told Debbie to pack up his things.

On Thursday preceding their scheduled departure on Sunday, Calista came home from an early morning shopping trip to find Robert and both kids in the kitchen.

Robert was reading the paper with Cally cradled in his arm fast asleep. Liam was next to him eating lunch in his high chair. With his hands raised, palms up, Liam asked Robert, "wemfypanedemmeninnypay?"

Absorbed in his newspaper, Robert nodded, and said distractedly, but gently, "Hm mm, yes, sweetie. When we fly on the plane, Indio will play with you."

Calista laughed at their verbal exchange.

Robert looked up and smiled, "Hey, baby."

She leaned across the table and kissed him. "Hmm. You taste good."

"You find tuna fish sexy, do ya?" he grinned.

"No. I'm just hungry," she smirked and began making herself a sandwich. She poured a glass of iced tea and sat down opposite him, intensely preoccupied.

"Cal?" he said waving his hand in front of her face, "Tuning in. Hello...".

He startled her. "What?" she asked.

Raising his eyebrows, Robert looked at her gravely. "What? You haven't heard a word I've said for the past two minutes. What's goin' on?"

"Oh ..," she shrugged, " .. it's .. probably nothing."

"Obviously, it's something," he replied, "so, I ask again, what's up?" She played with the ice in her glass. "Well ... maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I had the strangest feeling all morning that I was being followed."

"Sweetheart," he laughed, "it was probably just a nosy reporter following you hoping to see you meet up with Garry Shandling - OH MY GOD, maybe it WAS Garry!"

Robert waited for a response and knew she must really be worried if she wasn't even gonna bother chastising him for his stupid joke.

She shook her head slowly, "Mmm. No. This was a creepy feeling .. I can't explain it ... it was like ... someone was watching everything I did." She hugged herself and shivered.

"Okay," he said, "that's it. We're gonna see that detective today."

She gazed up at him for a long time, very solemnly, and finally nodded. Heaving a big sigh, she said, "We have to be done early enough so I can make my 3:00 with Dr. Larson." Then, looking at their daughter still fast asleep in her daddy's arm, she conceded, "When Cally wakes up, I'll feed and change her and then we'll go, okay?"

An hour later they were at the Palm Springs Police Station. "May I help you?" asked the desk sergeant.

"We'd like to see Detective Don Craiger," Robert said, "or Officer Brian Anderson."

The officer looked at him intently, "Don't I know you?" he asked suspiciously. Then, glancing at Calista, he said, "And, you?"

Robert leaned in toward him and said in a low whisper, "I think my picture's on your bulletin board." The officer's alarmed expression made Robert regret his attempt at humor. "Um .. just kidding," he said holding up his hands, "promise." The sergeant gave them both the once over and told them to have a seat.

They waited anxiously for about 20 minutes before Det. Craiger came out to greet them. He couldn't hide his surprise at seeing Robert. "Mr. Downey," he uttered, offering his hand, "how can I help you?"

Robert shook his hand, "It's something of a private nature," he replied, glancing around him. "Can we maybe go into your office?"

The detective laughed. "I don't rate an office of my own, but we can go into one of the interrogation rooms." He gestured for Robert and Calista to follow him down the hall.

Once they were seated, Robert explained everything that had happened in London and the events that had taken place since they'd been home.

Det. Craiger exchanged looks with both of them. "You were in possession of cocaine in London?"

"Oh, for God's sake," Calista remarked, agitated. "It wasn't his. Didn't you hear anything he just said!"

"Yes, Ms. Flockhart .. um, I mean Mrs. Downey..."

"Ms. Flockhart's fine," Calista interrupted, "that's still my name. But, it's hardly relevant to what we're talking about."

"Ah...Ms. Flockhart," the detective nodded. "Yes, I heard what your husband said," he answered patiently. "I'm just trying to get the facts straight."

Calista looked down at the floor, embarrassed. "Sorry if I was rude. It's just that this whole thing has my nerves on edge."

"No need to apologize," Det. Craiger said, "From what you've told me, I'd be surprised if you weren't upset. Do you have any idea why these men are following you?"

"None," Robert offered. Then he gave the detective the pictures and information garnered by the private investigator. "This is all we know about the two we saw in London ... and the man whose name was on the photographer's camera."

Det. Craiger tapped the photos of Boyett and Gunderson with his finger, "Oh, yeah, I'm acquainted with these two, they're pretty bad characters." He took a deep breath and said, "Never heard of this Goldblum fellow, though. Did you do something to piss him off? Ah," he looked at Calista embarrassed, "sorry."

"Thank you, but no apology's necessary," she said, motioning her head toward Robert, "I live with him."

Robert gave her a sarcastic sideways glance.

"Have they made any attempt to harm you, physically, since you've been back? Any threats?" Craiger asked.

"Nope," Robert replied, "there was just the cocaine incident in London."

"Unfortunately, you understand, I can't make an arrest ... I can't do anything .. unless there's an overt threat."

"Yes, we know," Calista answered, "it's just .... just that we need to know that in case something happens, that you ... someone ... won't rush to judgment without considering ... other things."

"I think what I'm afraid of is that it might not happen on home turf," Robert explained. "Especially, if they followed us from here to London. We're leaving on Sunday to go out of the country on location for three or four months. So, what happens if these guys finally connect and I find myself locked away in a foreign hoosegow - in a town without pity - and a cell with no key?"

The detective thought about it and nodded. "A legitimate concern. Clearly, if what you're telling me is true, then someone seems to be going to a lot of trouble to make sure that's just where you end up."

"If what we say is true?" Calista asked incredulously. "You think we'd make the whole thing up?"

Craiger looked at her patiently. "I'm a police officer, Ms. ..um .. Mrs. Downey. I have to weigh all the options, here. For all I know, both of you could be using me .. for insurance," he paused and looked directly at Robert, "in the event ... you ... voluntarily fall from grace. Don't get me wrong, this isn't personal, it's just that in my job I have to leave the door open for any possibility."

Robert stood, took a deep breath and exhaled. "Fair enough. In fact," he added, smiling wryly, "that'd be a pretty intelligent strategy on someone's part. So much so I'm surprised I didn't think of it myself a couple of years ago." Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the look Calista gave him and laughed feebly. He smiled apologetically at Det. Craiger, "Sorry," he said, making a stupid face, ".. little joke ..." and, then seeing Calista's frown, he nodded and said under his breath, " .. damn little."

To the detective, he said contritely, "But, um, assuming we are telling the truth, what do we do if ...."

Det. Craiger held out his hand to Robert, "Here's my card. And, one for you, too, Mrs. Downey. If anything happens, get in touch with me. I'll keep an open mind and see what I can do. Just pray that if there's trouble while you're away, you're in a country that has an American Embassy and where we have an extradition treaty."

That thought hadn't even dawned on Robert. "Det. Craiger," he said, pausing to think about what he wanted to say, "I really hope you'll give me the benefit of the doubt, here. If it was just me, it'd be different. But, I have a wife and three children, whose safety may be in jeopardy."

Det. Craiger rose and shook Robert's hand, "Understood. As ironic as this may sound Mr. Downey after what you and I went through together, by all accounts you're said to be a very forthright, honorable, man. So, you've got my word that I won't pass judgment before I have all the facts."

"I'm grateful," Robert said. "Oh, one more thing, detective. This ... uh ... Goldblum guy. I'd sure as hell like to know anything you can find out about him. He seems to be the catalyst in all this."

"I'll check into it."

"Thanks," Robert replied graciously.

Calista withdrew a folded piece of paper from her purse and offered it to the detective. "This is our itinerary for the next three and a half months. And, ah, our cell numbers just in case you need to get in touch with us."

Robert gave her an admiring look because he never would've thought to provide the police with this information.

They shook hands again and prepared to leave.

"Uh .. Mr. Downey?" Det. Craiger said.

Robert turned, "Yes?"

"I promise to put out some feelers, okay?" he said kindly, "see if anybody knows anything."

"I'll be forever indebted, detective. Thanks again."

After their goodbyes, Robert and Calista emerged from the police station looking very somber. Glancing around them, they breathed a big sigh when they saw no reporters or photographers in sight. They walked silently to the parking lot and neither spoke until they were about a mile from Calista's doctor's office.

Robert reached over and took her hand, "Hey, funny face. It'll be all right. We've got lots of security at home and we'll have lots around us on location. Everything's gonna be okay."

She tried to smile, "Umm. Sorry, baby, but you've become a very bad liar."

"Oh my God," Robert grimaced, "when did that happen?"

Calista caressed the back of his hand with her finger and, then, guiding his hand to her mouth, she licked the back of it seductively - and then bit his finger.

"Ouch!"

"Be serious, then," she cautioned him.

When they reached her doctor's office, Robert, looking wounded, held up his finger and asked, "Think he'll have a bandaid?"

"Oh, you big baby," she said, "I didn't even break the skin."

After Calista finished dressing, Dr. Larson came back into the examining room and smiled, "You're looking great. No reason you shouldn't resume all your regular activities."

Robert cleared his throat several times, and then looked up guiltily as Calista and the doctor turned to face him. Standing with his hands in his pockets, he screwed up his face, smirked sheepishly, and shrugged.

Dr. Larson said, "Yes, Robert. That includes sex."

Calista rolled her eyes as Robert wiggled his eyebrows at her.

On the drive home, he faked a yawn. "Man, I'm really beat. Wanna turn in early?"

"It's only 4:15, Robert," Calista reminded him.

"Well," he said dryly, "it's gotta be bedtime somewhere in the world."

Liam heard Robert's voice as they entered the house and he came running toward him laughing and yelling "daddy, daddy, daddy," and grabbed hold of his legs. Robert knelt down and hugged him.

"Hi, sweetie," he said kissing him sweetly on the cheek, "did you miss us?"

Liam jumped up and down, "wannapamenredfuckenemoerfucks?"

"Hmm, how ‘bout we play with the red one and the others after dinner, okay?"

Robert answered, smiling up at Calista.

"wempaykinmommahavdebigfuck?" Liam asked.

Robert's eyes burned into Calista, "Oh, yeah ..." he grinned suggestively, "Momma's gonna get the biggest one of all."

Calista couldn't help but laugh. Liam couldn't pronounce certain consonants and replaced all of his "tr's" with an "f." Since his favorite toys were trucks, they'd had more than a few embarrassing moments in front of friends, and more than a few in front of strangers.

"Liam," she asked, "where are your shoes?" He had a habit of taking his shoes and socks off immediately after he was dressed.

He raised his shoulders and lifted his hands palms up. Shaking his head slowly from side to side, he said, "no no."

"Oh, I bet you do."

He shook his head sadly and said, "distappeared."

"Liam, go find mommy your shoes."

"Me no no!" he yelled.

"Hey, hey," Robert gently scolded him, "we don't yell at mommy. We don't yell at anyone, okay? Give mommy some love, she needs a kiss. Tell mommy you're sorry."

"Sore," Liam said, wrapping his arms around her leg and kissing her knee with a loud smack.

"And I love you too," she told him adoringly, "now bring me your shoes."

Liam gave her a scowl and, unhappily, bounced off toward his bedroom, walking on his toes.

"Think he's gonna be a dancer," Robert ventured.

"Hmm," she shrugged, "guess it could be worse."

Maria came down the hallway carrying a very wide awake, hungry Cally in her arms.

"Oh, my God," Robert exclaimed, "she's grown two inches since we've been gone." He took his daughter from Maria and began dancing with her around the room. "Maria, tell me she's not the most beautiful baby in the world. Look at those gorgeous eyes, and that sensual mouth."

"Sound like anyone else we know?" Calista asked, smiling at him.

Cally's face was screwed into a silly contortion and her eyes followed Robert intently as if she understood every word he was saying. She began chewing anxiously on her hands. "When does she go back to the doctor?" he asked.

"Tomorrow," Calista answered. "God, she's one month, tomorrow, can you believe it?"

He smiled tenderly at the beauty in his arms and then got a little misty. "Princess, I'm not gonna make the same mistakes with you as I did before," he promised her softly. "There's not one day of your life that I'm gonna miss." He nuzzled her hair and kissed her gently. Looking over at Calista, he said, "I hope to hell Indio forgives me for all the time I missed with him."

Calista's heart ached with love for him. She wrapped her arms around both him and Cally and kissed him. "He already has, Bobby." She said sweetly, "He worships you. All he knows is that you love him, and that you'd be there for him in a second. That's all he needs."

Cally started squirming and jamming her hands in her mouth urgently. "Okay, okay, I hear ya," Robert whispered and handed her to Calista. "I'm gonna start the grill, baby. Steak sound good for dinner?"

"Yeah. Better make it two for me. I'm starving."

After dinner, Robert tenderly bathed Cally while Calista cleaned up water around the tub that Liam had splashed while playing submarine. They got the kids ready for bed and then Robert played trucks with Liam while Calista put Cally down for the night.

When Robert saw Liam start yawning, he looked at his watch and discovered it was already 8:00. "Hey, buddy, let's put these toys away. It's past your bedtime."

"nowannabed," Liam pouted.

"Yeah, right," Robert grinned, tossling his hair. "You can't even keep your eyes open. Mommy and daddy are going to bed, too. So, come on, lets tuck ya in."

"leemhavfreepigs?"

Robert gave him a loving frown, "You really wanna hear that one again?"

Liam yawned wide and nodded.

"Okay," Robert said chuckling. Settling Liam in, he began, "Once upon a time there were three little pigs. ..." just then the doorbell rang.

Liam sat up and yelled, "whobodydare?"

Robert tweaked his nose and grinned, "Guess daddy'll have to go see who's there, huh?" Liam nodded, yawned, and laid back down. Robert squatted down and kissed him, "Sleep tight, little man, and don't let the bedbugs bite."

Liam didn't hear him because he was already fast asleep.

As Robert approached the foyer, he heard Calista talking to someone and was genuinely delighted when he saw it was David Kelley. "Hey, David. God, you're a sight for sore eyes. Come on in. What brings you?"

David grinned and said, "Well, you'll probably wanna throw me out on my ass when you hear what I have to say."

"Sure glad you haven't peaked MY curiousity," Robert said drolly.

They went into the living room. "Anyone want something to drink?" Calista asked.

"Sure, honey, I'll take a soda," Robert said, "David?"

"I'll have what Robert's having," David told Calista.

Robert looked at David suspiciously, "I'm dying to hear, but she'd kill us if we didn't wait for her." He winced and rubbed his chest, remembering back many months ago. "And, believe me, she's gotta wicked punch."

Calista came back into the room carrying a tray with drinks and snacks and sat down on the floor by Robert's feet. "Okay," she said to David, "spill."

"Well," he began, "it seems like the world is still in love with Ally and Larry - and they want more. Fans everywhere have waged a write-in campaign for a full-length feature film about our couple."

Robert and Calista looked at each other in surprise. "Really?" they said in unison.

David nodded. "Well, it's no secret that the world went crazy when Ally met Larry. And, they're hungry to know what's going on in their lives ... kids, etc." He smiled and handed them each a bound notebook. "I was truly inspired when I wrote this storyline. So, give it a read on the plane, see what you think, and let me know."

Robert said, "Incredible."

"Yeah, well. It's undeniable that the two of you together on screen are pure magic." He got up. "I should be going. Sorry, I dropped in so late, but I just got away from the studio and knew you were leaving in a couple of days. If you think you might be interested, I'll contact your agents and see if we can get negotiations underway."

They saw David to the door and hugged goodbye.

"Well," Robert said turning to her in amazement, "I'll be damned."

"Would you consider it?"

Robert shrugged. "Why not? If the world loves Ally and Larry, why shouldn't we?"

Calista went into her Ally act. She began pulling at her eyebrow and nervously fingering her mouth.

Pointing his finger at her, Robert said, "Al-ly.... ...?"

Pulling on the front of his teeshirt, Calista smiled and countered, "Larry?"

He grinned, "Hmmm?"

"Shut up and kiss me."

"Done."

Laughing, they kissed. But, their Ally and Larry kiss quickly turned very passionate. Robert grabbed her butt and pressed her up against him. He put his hand down the front of her pants and rubbed her stomach, which was almost flat again. Moving his hand downward, his fingers began working magic. His tongue found her ear, "You've done it now Ms. McBeal," he whispered, "I need you, right now."

Calista moved back and forth urgently against his hand and moaned, "God, it's been a long time between drinks."

"And, I'm a thirsty man," Robert said breathlessly.

She pulled back and looked at him, her eyes full of desire.

"Okay," he groaned, "am I gonna nail you right here or do we go to bed?"

"Whatever," she purred as she kissed him again.