I don't own Lie to Me or it's characters. They belong to Fox and those affiliated with the company.

The Hard Truths

Chapter One: Good Morning

"What?" shouted a teenage girl rushing down the stairs.

"You heard me!" came the shouted reply from her father.

"Can you please just trust me?" she shouted while stuffing a sweatshirt in her backpack.

"No. I can't." replied her father, standing right behind her. She jumped and turned around to face Cal. She recognized the look on his face.

"Stop reading me Dad."

"Why? Got something to hide Luv?"

"Why can't you trust me?"

"'Cause you're my daughter. You act to much like me to be trustworthy."

"Funny. So, you're telling me it's your fault then?"

"Your Mum's too. She isn't exactly honest either."

"I thought we'd already talked about this Dad. I've told you that I'm not-"

"I know. Don't say it. My decision will stand whether you want it to or not. I don't care how mature you think you are. I don't know the boy and until I do this will not be happening. Understood?"

"Sure." she said quietly.

"Emily. Look at me."

She looked up.

"Understood?" he asked again.

"Yes. Can he come by today then?"

"Maybe. Now get moving or you'll be late."

"So will you."

"I'm my own boss. I can be as late as I want."

"Uh huh. And deal with Foster?"

"Downside but...I can handle it. She doesn't scare me."

"Bye Dad." she gave a hug and grabbing her back, headed out the door. It opened again within seconds and she grabbed her car keys off the table with a wave to her father. He shook his head and patted his pockets to make sure he had what he needed. Then he headed out the door himself, just in time to see her car turning the corner. He got in his car, started it, and backed out of the driveway heading toward work.

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Pulling in, he saw a young woman getting out of her car in a hurry.

"Late Torres?" he shouted at her.

"Oh! No. Left something in my car. Just coming back out to get it."

"You're a terrible liar Torres."

"Yeah. Only to you. Why are you out here? What a minute...You're late too aren't you?"

"Nope. Left something in my car. Came back to get it."

"Sure. You'd better hope Foster doesn't see you."

"And why is that?" he asked searching her face. She walked up close to him so their faces were inches apart. She had a triumphant smile on her face.

"You have an important meeting today. Don't you remember?"

He took a second to reply, only just realizing that he'd forgotten about it.

"Of course I do. I'm arriving fashionably late. As are you."

"Are we playing vice versa blackmail?"

"As long as your help pulls this off sucessfully."

"Great. So what's the plan Lightman?"

"Well...I thought that we could come in through the back stairwell and pretend that we were in the basement searching for some old files that Loker hasn't put in the computers."

"Are we pretending we have a new case then?" she asked.

He stepped even closer so that they were nearly touching.

"Yes. Now let's go." He backed up and they began walking toward the back stairwell.

"What was the meeting about again?" she asked him as they reached the doors.

"Staff meeting or something for the new kids. One of them that's deaf girl. Then I'm sure there was something else that I've neglected."

"Not surprising."

"You're supposed to be in the staff meeting as well you know."

"Yeah but...I'm not the boss. Less people notice if I'm late." She replied with a smile. He gave her a mock smile in return and she laughed at him as they reached the door to the main offices.