hmmm, don't own Lie to Me
***
She almost laughed when he said he needed her to help him investigate the case. The whole of the Pentagon already thought he was crazy, why would she risk her job to help him, of all people? So the answer was easy.
'No.'
'But Gillian...'
'No Cal. I don't have the time, nor the energy. And that's just to deal with you, let alone the amount I'll need to use to focus on the case.'
He couldn't help but feel slightly hurt by her comment, though he hid it well.
'Ok fine. I'll just come out and say it. I think he's abusing his daughter. Whether physically, emotionally... or some other way, I strongly believe that's what's happening. And every time I see him I can't help but thinking, what happened if Emily was in that situation? It makes me sick to think it. Will you help me now?'
'Cal...'
'Come on Gillian. Please, love.'
She drew in an audible breath. He hadn't called her love in years. No one had. And just as she was beginning to soften, to think that she might just give in to him, that one little word felt like a slap in the face. How dare he call her that? He couldn't treat her like he did, like he has, and then think it's fine to go back and use terms of endearment with her. Especially that one. She paused for one more second, musing over the fact that all it took was that one simple word to screw up all the ground that Cal Lightman had made today.
'Definitely no. Now get out of my office.'
He saw the change in her demeanour and frowned. What had he done now to get her so angry? He thought he had changed her mind, he saw that she had begun to soften. He turned and walk out of her office replaying the conversation. But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't figure out what had happened. All he knew was it was time to call in the big guns. He needed Gillian's help and there was only one person he knew she would do it for.
***
She heard the giggling sounds and knew who was coming. It didn't happen often but occasionally they would walk past her office and she would get a glimpse of Cal Lightman's daughter, Emily. She thought back to the first time she saw her. She had looked up, hoping it was one of her colleagues bringing her some papers on the latest case she was working. Instead she had seen Zoe walking past, holding the hand of an adorable young child. Zoe hadn't seen her but she had caught the eye of Emily. She supposed she should have looked away straight away, pretended she had never seen them, but she was curious. She had wondered if that could have ever been her. Visiting Cal in the office with their daughter. She had seen a smile form on the little girl's face and Gillian had smiled back. Just before Zoe turned the corner, Emily had turned around and raised her hand to wave at Gillian, before turning back and continuing towards Cal's office. Ever since that first time they had seen each other, Emily had continued with the tradition. She would smile and wave, and on the odd occasion, would cheekily poke her tongue out. Gillian couldn't help but reciprocate.
So as she heard the noise growing closer she knew it was Emily Lightman. She expected Zoe to be at her side, so she pretended to busy herself in her work. She would wait until there was no chance Zoe was looking at her before catching Emily's eye. When the noise stopped she risked a quick glance. What she saw was far from what she expected. Cal was standing at her door, holding Emily's hand. Even though he saw her glance up, he gently knocked on her door.
'I know you're probably busy but I wanted to introduce you to someone. Gillian Foster, this is Emily Lightman.'
***
He couldn't help but smirk when he saw the surprised look on her face. He knew perfectly well that Gillian knew who his daughter was, in fact that was one of the many reasons why he and Zoe would fight so often. He thought back to the conversation they had had earlier this morning. It mirrored so many of the ones they had had recently.
'Cal, you know I don't like taking Emily into your work.'
'So what, you're just going to ban me from her. Is that it?'
'No, you know that's not what I mean. I don't like her...interacting...with some of the people that work there.'
'Oh, so this is about Gillian is it?'
'NO! I never said her name. But trust you to bring her name up.'
'Oh, don't be so immature Zoe. They've never even met before. You don't have to feel so threatened by Gillian all the time.
'Threatened? Don't make me laugh Cal.'
'You've told me before. You don't like the way that Emily smiles and waves at Gillian. And the fact that Gillian smiles and waves back. Sounds like you're threatened to me.'
It had ended like it usually did, with Zoe storming out the door in a huff, exclaiming that she was going to be late for work.
As he refocussed on what was going on around him, he noticed that Emily had left his side and had walked over to Gillian.
'Hi Gillian.'
'Hi Emily.'
As the young girl looked around Gillian's office, Cal noticed the jar of candy on Gillian's desk caught her eye. He smiled. No form of sweets could ever get past his daughter's eye.
Gillian also noticed Emily's sudden interest with the particular spot on her desk that held the lolly jar.
'Would you like a lolly?'
'Yes please.'
Gillian reached in and grabbed a piece, passing it to the young girl.
'These are my favourites, but I'm more than happy to share with you.' She winked at Emily as the young girl shoved the entire thing in her mouth.
Gillian couldn't help but laugh. However, what happened next caught both Cal and Gillian off guard. Emily climbed on to Gillian's lap and wrapped her arms around the woman.
'Thanks Gilly.'
Gillian felt something catch in her throat. She panicked, knowing the last thing she wanted to do was form a connection with Cal's daughter. But she knew it was too late.
***
Cal could see they had a bond and was pleased. It meant that his plan could be executed much more smoothly. But, if he opened up to himself, it was more than that.
'Seeing Gillian with Emily, them both smiling...'Cal thought before stopping himself mid-sentence. He couldn't make this appear anymore than it was, he couldn't afford to.
He glanced over to see Gillian and Emily chatting animatedly about something. Showtime.
'Gillian, do you mind looking after Emily for five minutes? I just remembered this urgent phone call I have to make.'
He knew the answer before it had even left her lips.
'Of course Cal.'
He walked over to Emily, placing a kiss on her forehead and whispered softly in her ear.
'Remember the plan honey.'
***
Gillian knew she should have probably said no to Cal, and she could have if it wasn't for the beautiful girl sitting on her lap. How could she possibly turn down spending time with someone as wonderful as Emily? Once Cal had left, Emily's eyes probed Gillian for a few moments before she started to speak.
'So Gilly, how long have you known my dad?'
Awkward silence.
'Umm, a few years now. We met in college.'
'Ohhhhhh.'
'Ohhh, what?'
'You're that woman he always calls a genius. The one he met in college.'
Gillian blushed, feeling embarrassed.
'I don't know about that, but we were...friends.'
'Are you still friends?'
Good questions. How was she supposed to explain something as complicated as that to a young child when she didn't even know the answer herself? She sighed. Probably best to twist the truth, just slightly.
'Yeah we kind of are. We just don't see each other much anymore, with work and everything.'
'Dad said that you're working on a case together now.'
The warning bells went off in her head. Where the hell was this going? And what had Cal told his daughter? Something wasn't right, she knew that much. But when she looked into Emily's face all she could see was a child's innocence.
'He said what?' she laughed, hoping to lighten the mood, 'Oh sweetie. We're not actually working on a case, he just asked me to. But I'm so busy at the moment I just don't have time.'
Gillian figured it was best to stick to the half truths. Or more like quarter truths.
'But Dad said it was important. That he trusts no one else but you. And that it involves another kid. I think you should help him Gilly.'
She was taken aback by that. How could she possibly say no and justify it?
'I don't know if that's the best idea Em.'
'Why not? My parents always tell me that if I get the chance to help someone that I should do whatever it takes to do that. You have the chance to help someone. Please say yes Gilly.'
She implored Gillian with her big brown eyes.
Gillian knew she was trapped. There was no way she could say no. And she couldn't help but think she knew who was behind this desperate plea.
'Ok Em, for you, and you only, I'll do it.'
