Hey, guys! I'm aware that they might be a bit out of character but I'm trying my best here, since it's been quite a while since I've actually seen this show! Also I know I'm a tease because I'm giving such short chapters but it's only because I (will try to) post once a week. I guess if I did it monthly I would have quite long chapters but I just don't like not posting for so long so... Here goes another chapter!
"Do you prefer men or women?"
There was a moment of silence and if a look could kill, Cal would drop dead the same moment.
"Oops, sorry, I remember. You're perfectly straight. At least it looked like that to me the last time."
Once again, she shot him a threatening glare.
She took a deep breath and soothed the fabric of her suit. "Let's talk about conditions. Isn't that why you wanted me here? I think we should leave my sex life out of this one."
"Not if it includes me."
"Is this why you called, Cal? Because if it is, I will walk out this door straight away."
"Same old Gil." He smiled sheepishly, leaning back into his chair. It's been a while since he felt this calm. She was sitting across him, in her chair, in her office. He was sitting in one of those chairs that were not made for comfort, which also made him think that, yeah, maybe they should get some new chairs. "You get whatever you want."
It wasn't what she expected, not at all. She assumed he wanted her back, but not that he was so desperate about it.
"Well, not whatever you want. You get to keep the office. And we go back to the original deal, this company being the work of both of us."
It was as if she had never left in a way. Damn, she looked even more beautiful than before in that suit. Her face looked exactly the same, with those deep, blue eyes, beautiful lips and the small nose, now all framed with this new haircut he was already a fan of.
He could see the suspicion on her face. "It can't be that easy."
"There is no catch. It hasn't been the same since you left."
"So why now, Cal? Why after a whole year? Why didn't you think of this a month after I left, or two? Or even half a year? Why did it take you this long?"
There's unpleasant silence for a couple of moments and so much tension you could cut it with a knife. Their eyes are locked on each other and neither wants to look away because it's a matter of self-control, of power.
"It's just the same as always, right? You can't separate personal life and work from each other. You couldn't ask me to come back because you knew at least one of us wasn't over it."
"Neither of us was over it."
"Neither of us is over it, Cal."
And it's like a bomb has exploded. Both of their hearts started beating fast, surprised by the words that just left her lips. Both of them startled, but none letting it show on their faces, on their movements because they both knew it would be a final surrender.
"Emily says hi."
"Oh… Tell her I'd love to see her, but…"
"Then you will. You can start working right away. I guess we just need to sign a few papers later but no worries. It'll take a couple of minutes."
She laughs lightly, shaking her head at his words. "I still didn't tell them I'm leaving."
"Well, you not coming to work might be a good reason for you to get fired, no? It comes down to the same thing."
He pushed himself off the chair, never breaking eye contact. "Good having you here again." And as if nothing changed, he did what he always does – left the thing between them unfinished, words unsaid and things undone. But it was simply the way they were – always something, but never quite a thing. They let themselves have one slip for all this time, but that's it, one slip cost them a whole year, more could cause a damage that could not be fixed easily.
"Good being back." She said, more to herself, her eyes scanning the well known room, finding the office much more comfortable than she remembered it. Maybe it's just the fact that she missed it, but it felt like home; it felt like Cal.