Disclaimer: I do not own Lie to Me or any of the characters in this story.
Gill's character confuses me. She refers to herself as a psychologist, but interviews with Kelli Williams, in addition to some of her knowledge, is more reflective of her being a psychiatrist. I don't know if it's just a label she uses because it's a bit more 'friendly' or... Yeah, I don't know. Anyway, on with the chapter.....
The next morning Cal and Gill drove to work together, something they rarely did. Too often one or the other of them would need their cars to go and interview someone and it had become a hassle. Gill, however, knew what she had ahead of her for the day, and there was no way she was going to need to drive anywhere to get the budgets done. They stopped for coffee on the way into the office and were just walking through the front door when Gill spotted Ria Torres.
"Morning," she smiled. "Ria, have you got a minute?" she requested, glancing at Cal.
"Gillian, don't you do what I think you're going to do," he warned her.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Gill lied, the fake innocence in her tone a dead giveaway. She gestured for a very confused-looking Torres to follow her into her office. "You can shut the door," she told her, setting her coffee on her desk before she hung up her coat and put her handbag away.
"Is everything alright?" the younger woman asked, looking a little apprehensive.
"It's fine," Gill assured her with a warm smile. "Take a seat," she said, gesturing to one of the couches before she picked up her coffee and walked over to sit in the armchair next to it. "Sorry, did you want to get a coffee or something?" she asked, feeling guilty now and setting her own aside.
"No, I'm good... thanks," Torres told her. She really just wanted to know what this was about.
"You don't have to look nervous, you're not in trouble," Gill promised. "I just... I believe there was an 'incident' yesterday with Loker."
Torres shifted uncomfortably, blushing slightly.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to embarrass you," Gill apologised.
"I just... I want you to know that I had nothing to do with what Loker said. I told him it was none of his business, and I was about to tell him off when Lightman walked in and pounced."
"Well, I'm inclined to agree," Gill said, nodding. She still had no idea what was going on, but she was trying to play like she did.
"So Dr. Lightman told you what he said?" Torres asked, surprised.
"We're married," Gill replied.
Torres was so used to hearing the truth from Gill the deflection didn't even register. "I'm so sorry," she apologised.
"Really, it's not your fault. Please don't feel responsible for him. I've tried to tell him before that it's alright if he wants to be honest, but that doesn't mean it's acceptable to say everything that comes to mind. He says it's the only way to be truly honest, but when you start making comments of sexual nature in front of a co-worker..."
"I don't think it was so much the fact that it was in front of me... I think what really got Lightman's back up was that it was about you." Ria didn't miss the surprise on Gill's face. "Whoah..." she said, looking slightly taken-aback. "What was that? You didn't know, did you? He didn't tell you."
"He may have omitted some details," Gill conceded.
"Like what details?" Ria asked cautiously.
"I don't know... all of them?"
"Oh god... He's going to kill me for saying anything to you," Ria replied. "You tricked me."
"I didn't trick you," Gill argued. "I never told you he told me. I said we were married. I deflected. You know what that means and you chose to ignore it."
"Dr. Foster?" Ria replied, looking at her almost like she'd just told her Santa wasn't real. "I'd expect this from Lightman, but you?"
"I don't like being protected, Ria," Gill told her. "I have a right to know. Wouldn't you want to, if it was you?"
"Well, yeah, but..."
"No buts," Gill argued. "Cal has always been protective of me, and I'm not saying that's always a bad thing, but he forgets that I'm a grown woman and I can take care of myself. Add the fact that now I'm his wife, and he's like...." Gill gestured big with her hands. "Borderline psychotic!"
"Is that your professional opinion?"
"No, I save that for work," Gill replied dryly. "Ria, I'm sorry you felt like I tried to trick you, but I was trying to be as honest as I could. I have a right to know what was said," she implored her.
"Lightman would kill me," Ria told her. "And how do I know this isn't another one of your little tests?" She stood up, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, Dr. Foster. You'll have to ask Loker or Dr. Lightman."
Gill was incredibly frustrated, but kept her composure. "Okay," she agreed calmly and gently. "I'm sorry you felt like I tried to trick you and that I put you in an awkward position."
Ria nodded in understanding. "Can I go now?" she requested.
Gill nodded and waited for Torres to leave before crossing to her desk and picking up the phone. She dialled Cal's extension and then waited. "Cal? You and I need to have a little word in my office," she told him.
