A/N: Caillan Fic. Emily is a little younger in this story. This is just a sample piece. If you would like more, let me know. I usually like to use the episodes and build on what would happen in this world instead. I may take the show you the first episode as a whole as well for a sample.
What if Gillian never got married? What if Zoe wasn't in the picture anymore? Lie to Me the way we all wished it was. Cal and Gillian Lightman running their company together along with Cal's daughter Emily as a full time charge. Lie to Me: Tell Me No More Lies.
It was a tragedy and a miracle. A beautiful lawyer being killed by a drunk driver yet somehow the toddler in the backseat was pulled out without scratch. Cal Lightman was devastated. Yes, he and Zoe were divorced, but he had once loved this woman with his whole heart and it pained him to know that Emily would grow up without a mother.
Then Gillian came along.
Cal really had no intent on ever pursuing a relationship with anyone when she came into his life. It was 2003, three years after the accident and Emily was just turning six. She was supposed to be his therapist. A little while later she became his friend and years after that his colleague. They worked in close proximities and boundaries were starting to get pushed. Gillian tried to create The Line, the line they drew in their professional and personal life. It failed.
With Zoe gone he was more open to his possibilities, the possibilities that gave him a chance to look Gillian in the eye and make the first move. She said no, she wanted to say yes, he could see that. She said no because she feared the ethical balance since he was once her patient. After a lot of convincing, he assured her that they had created a separate bond, a bond that was not based on the information she learned about him during his sessions.
What truly won his heart was her relationship with Emily. She was so naturally maternal, comforting and counseling his daughter without ever being asked or it being suggested. She truly cared about Emily and the bond only grew stronger.
Emily was nine when they were married and Gillian only wanted something small. It was just family and friends. Gillian wanted children, more children, a child of her own, and after trying without success for over a six months, they sought out help. They said it would be difficult, but not to give up on a miracle.
It was six years later and the only child they had to show for it was Emily. Gillian loved Emily as her own and most of her accepted the fact that she may be the only child she will ever have. Cal saw that Gillian wanted more and that's what he wanted to give her more than anything.
"Emily, come on, sweetie. I've to go get you to school," Gillian called for the second time that morning as she snatched the other half of her bagel to give to Emily on their way. Cal left early that morning, a client that she'd catch up on when she got in.
She could hear her coming down the steps and add an extra emphasis on the landing. "Have you seen my book?" Emily called back searching through the stack of books on the stairwell that she still needed to take up to her room.
Gillian grabbed the bagel and Emily's Civics book off the table and tucked it under her arm. "Got it, let's go."
Emily met her at the door and turned around so Gillian could unzip her backpack and shove the textbook in before spinning her back around and handing her the bagel. This was nearly a patent routine by now. She was in eighth grade now and blooming. Her big brown eyes, the eyes that were definitely Zoe's, were beginning to show signs of being an adult, along with her cheek bones starting to define.
"Morning, by the way," Emily told her as she climbed into the car.
Gillian smiled at her. "Good morning."
When she dropped her off at school, Emily leaned into the driver's side window and pecked Gillian's cheek. "Are you picking me up after school?"
Gillian thought for a moment. "Most likely I will," she replied glancing at the group of girls waiting for Emily behind her. "Go one." Gillian gave her a kiss on the cheek. "See you after school, love."
"See ya, Mom," she replied, pulling her backpack better on her shoulder waving as she joined her friends.
Gillian smiled to herself as she pulled out the parking lot. When she first started seeing Cal, as a friend, Emily really latched on to her. When they began dating at first she began to resent her, pulling away, lashing out, anything to make her go away. Gillian recognized the signs and knew it had to do with the fact she was afraid of her mother being replaced. Eventually her trust returned and the bond strengthened. It did take her by surprise when Emily went from calling her Gillian or Gill to Mom over night. Even before Cal and Gillian were married she was already Emily's mom.
As she walked through the doors of the elevator she could already see Cal standing there with Ben seeming to be in some sort of argument. She rolled her eyes and gave Ben a knowing smile as she passed.
"I can't believe you, Cal!" Ben called as Cal fell into step along side his wife.
His arm was around her waist as she shook her head. "What felony has he committed this time?" she tossed over her shoulder as Cal didn't even try and hide his silent pleasure in rattling Ben's cage.
"Oh, you know. Classic B and E. Not even a felony," he told her as they walked into her office and shut the door behind them, leaving Ben to just shake his head in aggravation and defeat.
The separated and Gillian took her seat at her desk while he sat on the corner of it. Her desk was much tidier that his, files stacked in order in two neat stacks. Her office was made of primarily windows, fitting her open personality, and just behind her was the best view the office could offer. Cal didn't even argue about who got what office, there was never a question of who got the view.
"Why can't you behave yourself?" Gillian asked him lightly as she leaned back in her chair and noticed that he was offering his her coffee. "Alright, you're forgiven. Emily was nearly late."
Cal smirked at her. "You two are always almost late," he teased lightly. He checked his watch. It was 8:05 and Emily had to be at school at 7:55 so she probably was cutting it close. "So, what's on the schedule today, luv?"
He was playful this morning, and oddly enough, so was she. She kicked at his leg and let her charming grin. "You could say good morning," she said to him. It was soft and playful and she could tell he enjoyed his curious expression that raised his brows.
Leaning in toward him, he got very close to her face. "Good morning, darling."
He moved in to kiss her but she didn't move in too. Instead she just stayed there, smirking at him because this was the one place where she knew held all the power. "Come on, luv, you're no fun."
She gave him a pointed look before standing up and putting her arms around his neck, their bodies hugging. "No fun?" she asked tilting her head and pretty well daring him to stick his foot in the mouth. His blanket expression irritated her and he saw that. Damn it, he won.
Rolling her eyes he tugged her body closer, if possible. She laughed at his desperation before finally leaning in and kissing him. He pinned her to her desk and make her laugh into his kisses.
There was a knock on the glass and only ended their kisses, and didn't even pull them away from each other. Loker poked his head in through the door. "Hey, if ya'll are done-"
"And if we're not?" Cal shot at him over Gillian's shoulder and she rolled her eyes.
"-I have some clients here to see you," Loker finished, his cheeks pink from Cal's retort.
Cal stared at Loker until he took the hint muttering something that no one really cared about and disappeared. He then looked down at Gillian and threw his lips back down at hers for a quick peck. Stepping backward he moved toward the door in a rushed manor. "Well, duty calls. Care to join me? Not the first time I said that in twelve hours."
Gillian rolled her eyes. "We should really start working on The Line again. At least at work."
Cal just laughed at her and kept moving listening to her grab for pen and paper as he hurried off toward the conference room. Gillian shook her head as she watched her husband keep moving with purpose. She looked down at the file on her desk, and picked it up. Whether Cal liked it or not, they still needed another hand in the game. Ria Torres was going to get a visit from them sooner or later. Hopefully, for the sake of her sanity, sooner.