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Disclaimer: see in the first chapter
The title of this chapter is from the so amazing song of Simon & Garfunkel, The Sound of Silence.
Chapter 2: Take my arms that I might reach you
« When did you lose your virginity? »
He grinned as she froze. At that moment, the doors opened on Emily.
« Dad? Gillian? What are you doing here? »
« Just making sure your Rick guy was able to drive off safely. »
« You're an ass. »
She stepped into the elevator, pressed the button of the Lightman Group floor and stood between the two adults, facing the doors.
« And don't worry, dad, we didn't do anything in the back of his car. »
« Well, good. It's bad enough that you're thinking about it. »
« I'm not! »
« Well you considered the possibility that I would think of it. Which means you considered the possibility. »
« I hate it when you do that. »
He smiled at her and glanced at Gillian, who had her composure back.
« Hey, the elevator took hours to get back down. Did you guys stop it or something? »
She looked between her dad and his partner, frowning in confusion. Gillian opened her mouth to answer but Cal spoke before her.
« We were just talking about when Gillian lost her virginity. »
Emily's eyes widened and Gillian turned to a grinning Cal, slapping him on the arm.
« Cal! We were not! »
Then she turned to the young girl.
« We were not. I was merely keeping you father from killing your boyfriend. »
Emily glared at her father before laying curious eyes on Gillian.
« How old were you? »
Gillian shot a furious look at Cal. When the elevator doors open, she was the first out.
« I am so not talking about this. »
« Younger than me? »
« Well by all means, you're right, don't talk about it if you were indeed younger than my daughter. »
« Younger for what? »
They all stopped when Loker joined them and turned to him, Torres and Reynolds. Cal grinned.
« Having sex. »
« God, I can't believe this. »
Gillian rolled her eyes and left for her office. Cal flashed a smile at the group before following her. The rest of the group turned to Emily.
« What was that about? »
« He's just jerking Gillian around because she's supportive of Rick and me. »
« Wait. So he asked her when she lost her virginity? »
She grinned at Ben in approval.
« And what did she say? »
She glared at Loker in disapproval.
« What? I'm just curious. »
« Yeah, well I don't know the answer. »
« Who wants to bet on it? »
« Like she would ever tell us. »
Loker turned to Torres.
« Come on. You know you want to. »
« This is getting really creepy… »
« Emily, you in? »
« No way. »
« Ben? »
« I'm not letting you suck me into you vortex of madness. »
« That just leaves you and me Torres. »
« Okay fine. I'm betting sixteen. »
« I'm betting nineteen. »
« Really? »
« She's gotta be the kind of girl who waits to fall in love. »
« I don't know… »
« You guys are too weird. »
Emily shook her head and went after her Dad. She stopped when she got to Gillian's office. The woman was sitting on the edge of her desk, her coat on her arm, her purse next to her. She was watching Cal talking on the phone. She went in as he hung up.
« Hey, love. That was your mum. Her flight was canceled, she's spending the night in St Louis. She says she'll take you out to dinner tomorrow night and give you your present then. »
« Oh, okay. So it's just you and me tonight? »
« Well, yeah I guess. »
« Gillian? You wanna come? »
« What? Oh no, no. That's really sweet but… »
« Come on, love. It will be great. I promise I won't nag you about your sex life. »
She looked down as her cheeks flushed.
« Come on Gillian. I love it when you're around. Besides, maybe if you're here, he won't nag me about my sex life. »
She turned to her dad.
« Or lack thereof. »
« Better. So, Foster? »
« I really don't want to intrude on your father-daughter evening. »
« You're not intruding! Now, come on! »
She stepped between the two adults and linked her arms with one of their.
« Let's go celebrate Christmas without all the whackos you're working with. »
« Whackos? »
« Totally! I mean who bets on… »
She froze before ending her sentence and bit her lower lip.
« Bet on what? »
« Erm… nothing. Are we going or what? »
« That was an awful lie. »
« Oh my god! Are they betting on when I lost my virginity? »
The young girl crossed her arms on her chest and looked down.
« Oh my god. This is all you fault Cal. And it is not funny! »
She slapped him on the arm again but didn't manage to wipe the amused smirk out of his face. She walked out and he followed, an arm draped on his daughter's shoulders.
« You did good. »
« What? »
She frowned at her dad.
« Inviting her. No one should be alone at Christmas. »
« That's not why I asked her. Well, partly yes but… She makes you happy dad. I wish you could realize that. And seeing you together makes me happy. »
He stopped and faced his daughter, eyeing her with curiosity.
« I'm just saying. I love Gillian! And you do too. »
He walked up to her, pointed a finger at her.
« Don't start meddling okay. Don't play matchmaker. That's none of your business. »
« If Rick is your business then Gillian is mine too. »
She didn't wait for him to respond and caught up with Gillian. He ran to them when the elevator doors were closing.
« Hey! Hold the lift! »
He slid into the elevator and grinned at the two women already in it, acting towards Emily as if nothing had happened.
« You know Cal, in America we say elevator. »
« Would you rather I speak like an American, love? Cos I can do it, you know. »
« I was kidding, Cal. Your British accent is part of your charm. »
He stepped closer to her, a smug grin on his face.
« Is it now, love? »
She smiled and looked away. They both turned at Emily when the young girl cleared her throat.
« Just reminding you I'm here. You know, just in case, you felt the need to rip each other's clothes or something. »
Her father came near her, hiding her from Gillian, stared at her with angry eyes and hissed.
« Watch it! »
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Cal turned and stepped out, followed by Emily and Gillian.
« I'm going to take my car. I'll just meet you at your place. »
Cal nodded without a word and Emily rolled her eyes. She smiled slightly at Gillian and went with her father.
« Just because you're mad at me doesn't mean you have to be an ass to her. »
He stayed silent and no other words were said during the ride.
TBC.
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