I got tired of Torres/Loker fics ('cause I really can't stand her) and decided to write something a little bit different.
Disclaimer: Lie to Me is only mine in my dreams...
A game of Truth or Dare with the new intern changes everything for Eli Loker.
"Hey, Dad?"
Dr. Cal Lightman looked up from the newspaper he was reading. "Yeah, love?"
His daughter, Emily, sat down in the chair opposite his with a sigh. "People like Torres… what do you call 'em?"
"Naturals." Cal looked at his daughter curiously. She didn't normally show interest in his work. "Why do you ask?"
Emily's brow furrowed a little, like she was thinking hard about something. "There's this girl at school… Riley Yung. Well, actually she just graduated. She works at the coffee shop on the corner. And I was just thinking about it… I think she's a Natural."
Cal couldn't help but chuckle. "Really? And since when are you the authority on Naturals?"
"Well, for one, I've lived around you my whole life!" Emily laughed, rolling her eyes. "Seriously, Dad, I think you should talk to her."
Cal sighed in defeat. Emily was giving him her puppy eyes, and he knew it was useless to fight. "You know her well?"
Emily shrugged. "Yeah. We took psychology together, and she was on yearbook with me."
"Okay, then," Cal said, picking the newspaper back up. "Invite her over for dinner, and I'll talk to her."
"What? Dad, you don't cook."
"Don't worry about. Just invite her."
***
On his way out of his office, Cal paused, and turned to look at Gillian. "Oy, Foster. You got plans tonight?"
Gillian laughed. Only if going home to an empty apartment counted. "No, why?"
"I want you to come to my house for dinner. I'm making spaghetti and meatballs. Emily has a friend coming over."
Gillian looked at him suspiciously. "That's it? Nothing work oriented at all?"
"All right," Cal admitted. "She thinks this girl is a Natural, and I'm checking it out to appease her. But incase this turns out to be a let down, I'd love to have someone there for stimulating conversation."
"Glad to know that stimulating conversation is all you get from this friendship," Gillian laughed. "And yes, I'd love to come."
***
Dinner went fairly well. Riley was a young looking girl of 18, with shoulder length black hair and olive skin. They made light conversation ranging from school to movies. As planned, Cal dropped many white lies, and also as planned, neither Emily or Gillian said anything about them. Riley made no visible signs that she noticed.
But when Emily when to start washing dishes, she decided to speak up. "Dr. Lightman, Emily's told me about what you do. So why was everything you just told me a lie?"
"Ah, see, she is good," Cal said lightly, glancing over at Gillian, who nodded in agreement. "You see, Em wanted me to talk to you. She thought you noticed when people were lying to you."
"And she was right." Gillian added. "That's quite a skill, Riley. We'd love it if you came and interned with us."
Riley sighed. "Look, I don't want to sound ungrateful because that is an amazing opportunity. I just… I can't do unpaid work."
"Why? Mum and Dad not paying for college?" Cal asked. Gillian gave him a frown.
"Actually, no." Riley said, clearing her throat. "My mom died when I was five, never knew my dad. I got booted out of the foster care group home four months ago when I turned 18. I'm barely making enough to pay for rent and food." She sighed. "Not to mention putting some of it into savings. I do plan on going to college one of these days."
The two partners were silent for a moment, taking it all in. Then Gillian spoke. "Tell you what. We've got an associate who's taking a leave of absence, and we really could use the help. I'm sure we can work out a paid internship."
"How much you getting now?" Cal inquired, ever the blunt one.
"About 8 an hour, plus tips," Riley said with a grimace.
Cal slapped his leg. "Well, I can assure you we can offer you more than that. What do you say?"
Riley opened her mouth, but was unable to come up with the words. Which was fine, because her face said it all.
So? What'd you think? All the other chapters are already written... I just need the motivation to post them. So review? :)