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Trust

Funny thing trust. You spend your life earning it. It can take years to trust someone or to earn the trust of someone else. Ria mused as she walked through the corridors of the Lightman Institute on her way to her office. Eli was late again but after the explosion the day before she couldn't bring herself to berate him for it. Heidi was sat at reception as she tapped away on the computer. It seemed to be a fairly quiet day.

"Morning" Cal passed her in the corridor as he turned.

"Hi" She pushed her dark hair out of her eyes

"Have you seen Foster this morning?" Cal watched as Ria shook her head. She had only just walked in to work.

"Let me know if you do. I'm used to Eli turning up when he feels like it but its not like Foster to be late" He turned and walked towards his own office as he began to worry about her. He was right Gill was the one who played by the rules. She was never late; he was worried about how she reacted to her confession. He knew she had only kept the truth from him to protect him. He still trusted her. He still needed her around. He decided to see if she had arrived in her office. He couldn't get the image of her crying in front of him from his mind. She had looked scared and guilty all at the same time. He knew he shouldn't read her but it was one of the few occasions she was completely unguarded.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Eli strolled in to work and headed for Ria's office. He was in a really good mood considering that he had been in an explosion less than 24 hours ago. He waved at Heidi as Ria walked out of her office.

"Hey Locker" He smiled as she folded her arms. She looked angry. "Get in here now" He smiled at Heidi and rolled his eyes. He knew Ria hated him being late. He also knew she hated it when he flirted with Heidi. It was too easy to wind up Ria Torres. It had almost stopped being a sport. Ria raised her eyebrows.

"Good morning" He smiled as she stepped back to let him in to the room.

"You checked the mail yet? This was on the desk when I got in. I think Lightman will have got one too. I think we all have" Ria looked more worried than angry as Eli frowned.

"No not yet" He took the letter from her "Who's it from?"

"Foster" Eli's eyes widenened as he read the letter.

'Ria, it has been a pleasure to work with you, Ben, Eli and Heidi. As things stand at the moment I will not be working at the Lightman Institute. I wish you all the best for the future. I'm sure your career with the Lightman Institute will go from strength to strength. All the best for the future. Gill'

Eli's eyes widened. He sat on the edge of the desk as he reread the letter.

"She's gone? Does Lightman know? Why has she gone? It seems a little sudden" Eli didn't understand what had happened.

"Seems it isn't just you that's impulsive" Ria sighed "I don't know if Lightman knows. He didn't seem to earlier, he asked me if I had seen her" Eli shrugged. He didn't like the sound of this. Lightman without Foster just wouldn't work; she was the only person he had ever listened to. She was the one that reigned him in and stopped him going crazy. No one else on the team could do that.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Cal reached Gillian's office. He noticed the lights were off and the blinds drawn. She always had the blinds open, she liked the view. He pushed the unlocked door open to see her keys on the desk and a simple white envelope.

"Foster? Gill?" He stepped in to the office uncertain if he really was there. When there was no reply he walked up to the desk. He was worried. She was never this late. She always called if there was a problem. She didn't behave like this. A million and one possibilities ran through his mind as he picked up the envelope reading his name on the front. He sat in her chair as he turned the envelope over in his hand. He was unsure whether to open it as he began to wonder if it was a letter from Gill or a ransom note. His heart was beating hard in his chest as he ripped the envelope open.

He sat in shock as he read the words. It had really happened. She was gone. He cursed as he read her letter again. They had always been together, since that fateful day at the Pentagon when he had been sent to get a psych screening. Gillian hadn't treated him as if he was insane. She'd actually been interested and had listened to him. He closed his eyes before he reread the letter.

'Dear Cal,

I am so sorry. You have to believe that I am so sorry. I only wanted to protect you. I was scared. You had a wife and a 9 year old daughter. I couldn't let them get hurt. Our whole business is based on trust, our whole friendship is based on the ability to read each other and trust each other. If we can't do that then there is no way I can carry on. As you said I am a good liar. When I have to be. For that I am sorry, the last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you.

Goodbye Cal, I hope one day you really can forgive me. I hope the Lightman Institute goes from strength to strength. All my love, Gill'

Cal threw the letter on the desk and cursed. He glared at the wall as Ben walked in to the office. He looked up to see the FBI agent stood in the doorway of the office holding a white envelope.

"Lightman" He shook his head as Cal glared "You got to find her. You got to get her back here."

"I know that Ben" He stood and crossed the room "How do you suggest I do that though eh?" He glared as Ben refused to look away.

"Lightman for an intelligent man you are a fool" Ben shook his head as he turned and walked back to the office where he had left Eli, Ria and Heidi in shock. Cal glared as he watched the FBI agent walk away.

"Get her back. Easier said than done" He sighed.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Gillian had cried all night. She had no more tears left. She wanted to believe Cal and the others still trusted her. All she had done was lie to protect her friend and his family. She sat on her bed staring at the suitcase open and half filled on the bed in front of her. She knew she had to get away but she didn't have the strength to get back off the bed. In thirty minutes the cab would be there to take her to the airport. It seemed a little extreme but she had a friend in London that she could stay with while she decided what to do next. Her tickets were on her purse in the hallway.

Gill rested her head on her elbows on her arms as her cell phone ran again. The tears she thought had ended began to flow as she closed her eyes.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Cal Lightman stood on the doorstep outside Gill's house. He had been there thousands of times but never had a visit been so important. He ran a hand over his face wondering if he should just respect her wishes and let her go. He shook his head in anger at himself. He knew Emily would go crazy if she found out he'd just let her walk out of his life. He sighed before knocking the door.

Gill sighed as she wiped her eyes. The banging on the front door was becoming incessant and was beginning to get annoying. She dragged herself out of her bed and walked towards the door dragging the suitcase behind her. She cursed the cab driver for being early. She wasn't ready to leave yet. Pulling the door open she felt the nerves well up again as she saw him on the door step. Cal stepped back in shock as he saw her with her suitcase in hand.

"Don't go" Cal was on the verge of tears as Gill just stared. "Please Gill, don't go".

author's note. Should I continue? Will Gill stay? Let me know what you think.