Story: Vegas Redux

Author: Raindanser2002

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Lie to Me and am making no money from this.

Chapter 2: Embrace

This was her last night in Vegas. She would be returning to her ordinary life and not so ordinary work after tonight. Despite Vegas' absurd tagline, Gillian knew that at some point she was going to have to face what happened with Cal. But right now, right now she was feeling a little reckless. Going toe to toe with Cal was never easy. And he had called her on things that she was not even willing to admit. Bottom line, she did need to let go and have fun. Hence the beautiful dress; flashy, slightly showier then her normal tastes, but that's part of embracing, right?

When Reynolds did not let her sit down and insisted they see the town, Gillian was grateful. One that she did not have to watch the poker match. As she had told Reynolds, she had no interest in gambling, even less in watching people gamble. She was also grateful that he was taking her Vegas embracing to a new level. Beyond dressing up, she did not know what to do. Not gamble. Drinking alone was depressing, as was eating alone; she defiantly did not want to run into Cal. The poker match was the best option she had. Reynolds was willing to give her better options.

"Are you going to tell me where we are going or is it a surprise?" Gillian leaned closer to Ben so that he could hear her over the noise of the casino.

Ben chuckled. "Hmm, I think it will be a surprise. I do need to get the car though. Why don't you wait for me at the entrance? I will be right there." Ben stopped walking and was looking toward the exit for the parking garage.

"Sure." Gillian nodded. Ben smiled at her and quickly walked off toward the exit.

She smiled softly as she watched him walk away, relief and gratitude flashing in her eyes.

Truthfully, she was glad to be going anywhere out of this casino. Too many memories now. Looking forward to being out, she started toward the entrance. As she got closer to the roulette table, she noticed people gathering around. In a casino this could mean one of two things: one, someone was doing very well or two, someone was doing something very stupid. In either case, most people didn't care if the outcome was good or bad; it was entertaining. When she saw Cal standing at the side of the table she knew it was the latter.

Gillian sighed inwardly and stepped up next to Cal. He glanced at her with a huge grin, one she had not seen in awhile, and then turned away quickly to continue grinning at his audience. She couldn't help flash a tolerant amused smile back, but it quickly turned to worry when she saw the tower of chips placed over the double zero space on the table. Knowing that Cal was deliberately not looking at her hurt. 'Doesn't want to see if I am smothering him. Hell, he probably didn't even see my dress. Too caught up in his own enjoyment.'

There was nothing she could do. With sick amusement she watched the wheel spin, the pinging of the ball loud in her ears. The crowd went silent for a few seconds.

Twelve. It landed on twelve. Gillian closed her eyes and counted backwards. Next to her Cal laughed.

"God I love this place." Her eyes flew open at that. Shaking her head, she glanced at the crowd.

People around the table slowly went about their own business. They seemed greatly entertained by Cal's loss. 'Only in Vegas.' Gillian thought. 'Where else can someone lose that much on a single bet and carry on as nothing is different?'

'God.' Gillian sighed. She had to close her eyes again for a second. When she opened her eyes, Cal was staring at her.

"Well?" Cal asked. He seemed to be waiting for something from her, like always reading her face.

"Well what?" Gillian tilted her head but kept her expression neutral.

"No lecture?" He continued to stare into her face, looking for her thoughts on what he had just done.

"Why? Do you want one?" she teased him. Cal's eyes narrowed.

"Why are you here then?" He asked. Gillian resisted the urge to sigh again. She was tired of his double standards. He was the one that wanted her to relax.

"I was just on my way out."

"Out where?" It was then that Cal noticed what Gillian was wearing. For the first time since Gillian had walked up to him, Cal was no longer looking at Gill's face. He ran his eyes down her body and slowly back up to her face. He swallowed.

"Ben is taking me out. He said I needed to embrace this town so I am following his advice." She glanced down and smiled at her vague statement, part of her hoping that Cal was even slightly jealous.

Cal leaned in toward Gillian. "Reynolds is talking you out? What like a bloody date?"

Gillian smirked; it was not every day that someone could best Cal Lightmen.

"Careful Cal, you're smothering. There's no smothering in Vegas." With that Gillian sauntered toward the entrance where Ben was waiting for her. She did not look back.

Shocked, Cal could only gap after Gill.

Author's notes:

Thank you all for the wonderful reviews. They have really encouraged me to continue writing. Also, sorry for the short chapter, I will try to make the next one longer.