Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN ANY CHARACTERS, DIALOGUE, ETC. OF LIE TO ME. THEY BELONG TO FOX.
Chapter 1
Looking at the rain falling heavily through the window, Cal Lightman sighed. What he wouldn't give for another vacation to Mexico. A real vacation this time. One with better company. Well, more adult company. As much as he loved his daughter Emily, she was so much like his lawyer ex-wife, Zoe, at times, it was exhausting.
Cal glanced at the framed pictures on the cabinet behind his desk. Most were of his beloved daughter with the one exception of a bearded ancestor. The others were of Emily running, an older school portrait of her, and a shot of the two of them laughing together. How had she grown up so fast? It seemed like the time had just slipped away from him. And how had she learned to interrogate so well? Last week's conversation about Cal's one-time friend Terry Marsh had made Cal feel like he was on trial. Emily had wanted every detail, and she got most of them, too. Well, between her mother and I, it's no wonder, is it? The thought brought a reluctant smile to his usually stern face.
"Is that a smile?" Gillian Foster teased as she crossed her partner's office, seeming to brighten the dimly lit room. Swiveling around in his chair to face her properly, Cal's smile widened just a fraction. "Hey, Foster," he said nonchalantly. He sat up as he watched Gillian saunter over to him, his insides squirming a bit. It was amazing how she made him feel. Giddy and lightheaded and warm and a million other feelings he couldn't give a name to, but, save the light smile, his face remained otherwise emotionless. Without waiting for an invitation, Gillian sat down in the chair in front of his desk, directly across from Cal.
"So, what are you smiling about?" she asked, returning his smile with a warm one of her own.
Cal sighed once more and leaned back in his chair, "Emily."
Gillian nodded as she let him sink back into his thoughts a little. She let her smile fade a little, as she studied his now pensive face. Waiting expectantly for him to elaborate, Gillian glanced at the folder in her hands, then back at Cal's face.
Raising an eyebrow in question, she started to smile again, "Wanna talk about it?"
Anyone else would have missed it, but she saw the tiniest hint of sadness pass over his face. And also the internal battle he fought, trying to decide if he could lighten his own load without adding weight to hers.
Not wanting to push him too hard, Gillian went on, "It's okay if you don't, Cal. I'm not trying to force you to talk to me, or anyth-"
As soon as he realized what she was saying, Cal began to shake his head. He cut her off, "Nah, no, that's not it."
He turned around in his chair and picked up the picture of Emily and him, then slowly swiveled back to face Gillian. His thumb caressed the picture frame. He couldn't bring himself to talk about watching a child grow up and away to Gillian. Even if she was his best friend and had repeatedly reminded him that she would always be there for him, it didn't mean that he could disregard her feelings.
After a few more moments, Gillian asked, "So, what is it, then?"
Cal thought for a second of a way to change the subject. He made up his mind in an instant. His head snapped up, and he grinned wickedly at Gillian.
"Wanna go to Mexico this weekend?"
He had caught her completely by surprise. "What does this have to do with Emily?"
Not missing a beat, Cal stood. "You're deflecting, love," he said, matter-of-factly, as he replaced the picture.
"I am not. You are," Gillian protested.
Cal turned to face her once more, and cocked an eyebrow, "Am I?"
Deciding to just let this one go, she stood as well.
"Okay, so...why this weekend? What's going on, Cal?"
Answering a bit too quickly, Cal shrugged his shoulder, "Nothin'. I was just feelin' like gettin' away this weekend. The weather here is terrible. I mean, look at all this bloody rain! I'm not as much a fan of the sunshine as you are, but even I've got my limits. We're all caught up with work here. No outstanding cases. I mean, why not? And, anyway, Emily's at her mum's this weekend. I'll be bored out of my mind."
Realizing he'd given himself away several times over, Cal just looked Gillian. She was trying not to laugh, but he could also see the concern in her eyes.
"Cal, what's gotten into you? I haven't seen you this restless in a while. And something about Emily is bothering you. No, don't even try to hide it," she said as Cal opened his mouth to retort. "And Mexico? Really, Cal? I mean, that would be nice, and God knows I need a vacation, but I'd like to spend more time there than just a weekend. How about we go somewhere a little closer to home?"
"Well, what about Vegas, then? That's technically closer than Mexico, isn't it?"
She shot him a warning look, "No, Cal. I'm not just going to Vegas on a whim. Especially with you. I'd probably spend more time bailing you out of jail, or rescuing you from a bar fight, or something else along those lines than actually having any fun myself. Anyway, I was thinking somewhere even closer like Williamsburg. It's really pretty and there's lots to do..."
Gillian's voice trailed off as she caught Cal's eye roll and bored look. "Well, I like it," she said defensively, "Vegas is just a really bad idea, Cal."
Ignoring the jibes at what he considered to be his "fun" side, Cal, hesitating for barely a second, took the couple of steps around his desk to stand rather close to Gillian. He looked intently at her face. He could barely restrain himself. The urge to kiss her was so strong, it made him slightly weak in the knees. The tension was almost tangible.
In a significantly lower tone, Cal queried, "So you would rather go to Mexico with me?"
Gillian blushed very, very slightly and unconsciously raised the folder she had been holding at her side so it was between them. Cal noticed, of course, and took half a step back.
"Sure," she said slowly, "I would rather go to Mexico. Who doesn't want to go to Mexico?"
Cal caught the hesitation and pushed her further. "Are you gonna finish that sentence?" he probed, "Would you go with me?"
Gillian fidgeted a little, making Cal feel triumphant. She sighed resignedly, "Yes, I would rather go to Mexico with you, Cal. Just not this weekend."
The triumphant feeling shrank away in Cal's chest. Looking slightly incredulous, he tilted his head to the left and asked almost argumentatively, "Why not this weekend?"
Gillian blushed deeper, but held his gaze, "Because I have a date, Cal."
Thanks for reading! Another chapter to follow soon!
reeseworth