Title: You are the best thing
Summary: Because Christmas had always been a time for happiness.
Pairing: Cal/Gillian
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I started this fic because after my one-shot Dance & Ecstasy , there were scenes itching to be written but I also wanted my one-shot to stay a one-shot. By the way, thank you so much to all those who reviewed D&E! That was so sweet! Erm... I feel like this fic is pretty much alike to a lot of Callian multi-chapters fic but I thought I'd give it a shot anyway. Tell me what you think. ;) Once again, English is not my first language, I apologize for any remaining mistakes.
The title of the fic is a song by Ray LaMontagne. Which I think is perfect for Cal and Gillian! You'll also find that each chapter gets its title from the lyrics of a song. The title of this chapter is from Colbie Caillat's Bubbly.
I evidently don't own Lie To Me or Fold Equity would have ended quite differently. :)
Chapter 1: You've got me feeling like a child now
The Christmas party was delightful. She had always loved this time of year. Christmas was a time of happiness. That was something she had decided very early on.
When she was a kid, her dad would fully enjoy the right to drink out in the open for once. Her mother would try to save the appearances by plastering a smile on her face and laughing at her husband's drunk eccentricities. Her older brother would usually complain about the whole thing until he simply went to his room, slamming the door and yelling that he hated this freakin' family. Well, freakin' was not exactly the word usually used…
When she was six, and the pain of watching the chaos that was her family had been too much, she had gone and sat under the Christmas tree, closed her eyes and felt the lights twinkle while tears ran down her face. She had whispered to Santa, or God, or whoever was listening, her wish for a happy family. Soon she had had to face the fact that her wish would not be granted.
That's when she had taken matters into her own hands. She'd be happy no matter what. Every year she would smile while decorating the tree to be perfect, while frosting the cake and while setting up the train across the living room. She would smile at the tons of presents for her, not caring that her wealthy parents were just buying her love. Then she would just sit under the tree, watch the lights twinkle and smile. And she had discovered that keeping her spirits up eased things. So, Christmas night was never one of those nights when she would cry herself to sleep, after her father had crept into her room, apologizing for missing her dance pageant while getting the booze hidden in her toy box or after her mother had broke down in tears in front of her.
Christmas was a time for happiness.
And it was definitely easier to be happy when people around you were. As she watched the Lightman Group employees dancing and drinking and laughing, she didn't have to force herself to smile. She drank eggnog, chatted with Emily and Rick, exchanged Secret Santas, danced with Loker and with Reynolds.
She also danced with Cal.
Cal was back. He was alive and okay.
« Christmas really does make you sickeningly happy, yeah, Foster? »
And an ass. As always. But he brought her closer to him and under the pretence of dancing, they hugged, long and tight.
Until something caught Cal's eye and he suddenly let go of her. He marched towards the elevator where Emily and Rick were. She shook her head with an amused smile. She walked towards them, intending on saving Emily from her father's claws if need be.
« Where do you think you're going? »
« Rick is leaving dad, I was just walking with him to his car. »
« Why don't you just tell him goodbye here, eh? »
« Cal. »
He turned to her, arms open as to prove his innocence. She tilted her head and he turned back to Rick.
« Dick, right? »
« Rick! Dad! Don't pretend you don't know. Just ignore him, Rick. He's the dick. »
« Ok ok. »
Gillian came to stand between father and daughter and smiled to each of them.
« Now let's all calm down. It's Christmas, remember. There is no fighting at Christmas. Cal. A moment please? Just wait here, Em. »
She grabbed his arm and all but dragged him away.
« Be decent to him. You know, I talked to him and he is a nice boy. »
« Still, he's a boy. »
« Cal. You're going to alienate her. »
He sighed and she smiled in triumph.
« Now why don't you let them have a little moment by themselves while she walks with him to his car? »
« A little moment by themselves? You're kidding me right? »
« Five minutes, Cal. Tell Emily to be back in five or you go and drag her up here by yourself. »
He sighed again and eventually left to tell his daughter about their arrangement. Then he made his way to his office, Gillian on his heels.
« She's a big girl Cal. You need to trust her. »
« I do trust her! It's him I don't trust. »
« Well, trust her to handle him. »
He stopped abruptly at her words and turned to her. Getting the innuendo, she placed a hand on her hips and flashed him a small smile of embarrassment.
« You know what I mean Cal. »
He smiled back and went into his office, sat in front of the computer, and accessed the security system.
« Fine! But I'm warning you Foster. If she gets pregnant, I'll be blaming you. »
After a second of astonishment, she started laughing.
« Pregnant? Please Cal. A) your daughter is a lot smarter than that. And B), five minutes minus the elevator rides because Emily knows you'll be watching, it leaves them with barely enough time to cop a feel in the shadows of the parking lot. »
He looked at her, his mouth opened in shock. Then he jumped out of his chair and all but ran out of the room. She caught up with him at the elevator and went into it with him.
« Cal. »
« How could you let me do that? »
She chuckled, not at all startled by his furious glare. She pressed the stop button and faced him.
« What's this about? You're being even more over-protective than usual. »
He tried to reach the button behind her. She backed away against the board with a smile on her face. But when he stepped closer to her, almost pressing himself against her, she dropped her head, not wanting him to see the arousal she knew was in her eyes.
« Cal? Is it about Afghanistan? »
This was a low blow but it did the trick. He turned away from her. She saw his shoulders rise when he breathed deeply. Then he faced her again.
« I felt so alive. I knew I could die, but I felt so alive. But when I saw Em on the screen… I try so hard to shield her from pain, from evil. And then I just run into a war zone and not even think about what that could to to her. »
« Don't say that, Cal. You asked me not to tell her to protect her. »
« But she's my daughter for Christ's sakes. I knew she would never just accept I was in Florida for three days and not call or anything. I was selfish, wasn't I, love? »
His voice softened at the end. She walked to him, hugged him and whispered.
« A little. But you're a thrill-seeker. We all know that. That is part of who you are. That is part of why we love you. »
He held her tighter before she broke away from the embrace. She rubbed his arm.
« Just don't take this out too hard on Rick, okay? »
« Dear god! You made me forget about him for a second! Now get this lift down the parking lot. I would like to keep my daughter pure for a little while longer. »
« She's almost seventeen, he's seventeen. They should be allowed to cop a feel, Cal. That still makes her a virgin. »
He faced her, mouth hanging open.
« Who are you and what did you do to Gillian Foster? »
She chuckled and pressed the button for the underground parking lot. Side by side, they faced the doors. He glanced at the elevator board and saw that they were almost down.
« When did you lose your virginity? »
He grinned as she froze.
TBC...
I already have a few chapters written so it shouldn't take too long to update. As always, reviews are love. ;)