A/N: For the general setting of the story see the A/N of the prologue.

Six months, that's how long I've kept you waiting for an update. I have no excuse other than that it never has never been my intention to make you wait such a long time. But the first months of this year were difficult, and afterwards, I lost the motivation and ability to write for a while. Frankly speaking? I don't expect anyone to still be around, but I want to give this story a proper ending.

As to what happened before - a lot, seriously, too much to sum it up in a few words. Therefore, this has to suffice: Cal and Gillian have gone through a lot and are about to start a new life together. This chapter starts right after Cal has published his first book.

It is one of the longest chapters that I've ever written. So if by chance some of you are still reading this, I hope you enjoy it.

The usual disclaimer applies (see prologue).

- A New Life, Part Two: The Company -

Cal is in a good mood. The book is doing well. There will be several more readings over the next weeks and months. Too many if you ask him, but the concept of his publisher proves to be successful. The buzz marketing, based on his readings, increases the sales. Plus, various scientific magazines have picked up on his findings regarding micro expressions, including interview requests. Cal doesn't like to shake hands and do small talk. He loves to talk about his science though. Therefore he will get through all of this somehow because it is the only way he will be able to build up a reputation. Actually, he is half way there. Time to make the next step.

He wants to set up a company. It is the logical consequence if he intends to continue his studies regarding micro expressions and earn money at the same time. The business plan is merely a basic concept at the moment. Cal relies on his partner to help him fill in the blanks. Save that this certain partner doesn't know about it yet. That's why he is in such a good mood. Cal will ask Gillian today whether she wants to become his affiliate. He doesn't think the or not part of the sentence even if he knows there is the possibility that she will decline. Since that would spoil his good mood, though, he prefers to not think about it. In a perfect world there is no way she is going to say no. Cal's world has not nearly been perfect. Never. But the last weeks and months he and Gillian have spent together seem to have sounded the bell for a new era.

Things developed faster than he expected in every way. Much faster. Job-wise it is too early to think about premises but when he read the advertisement, a tingling set in whispering to him that Gillian would adore the place. And when he met the realtor there this afternoon, his assumption was confirmed. Rather small rooms, a decent size to begin with, but flooded with light. Cal imagined Gillian sitting behind her desk in one of the rooms and hasn't been able to stop grinning ever since. It is the perfect place for them to start over. He hasn't signed the lease and won't do it without her approval. Obviously, Gillian's sense of responsibility has rubbed off on him. Cal convinced the realtor to leave the key to him until tomorrow so that he can show her around in private, meaning that their little familiarization tour will be accompanied by a bottle of champagne and two glasses.

As he opens the front door, Cal balances said bottle and his mail in his hands. Gillian is not there yet. She called him earlier to tell him that she would go grocery shopping on her way home. That buys him some time to hide the champagne and prepare everything. All the same, he hopes that it won't take too long until Gillian arrives. Cal can't wait. He is not exactly the epitome of patience. His thoughts are already fast forwarding to the moment when they clink glasses and kiss. It will be a memorable moment of their relationship.

Just when Cal ponders on wrapping the key to the office premises like a gift, the mail slips out of his hands, at least falling on the table instead of the floor due to his quick hop sideways. One envelope separates itself from the rest in the process as if on purpose.

"Oi! Look at you. You pert, little thing," Cal says out loud, realizing how much he wants Gillian to be with him so that he does not have to banter with some piece of paper as a substitute.

He receives a lot of mail these days. Most of it through his publisher, but some people manage to find out his private address. Thank God, there are no crazy groupies camping in his front yard since he is a scientist and not a rock star. Cal rips the envelope open while he is fumbling around with his bag to put the bottle of champagne in. As much as he wants Gillian to arrive soon, he doesn't want her to discover the surprise beforehand. Just as a business card drops out of the envelope, Cal notices that it is not addressed to him but to Gillian. That's weird. Gillian still has her apartment and her mail is sent there. They intend to move in together as soon as the chaos that the book publication brings along will be over. Gillian will move in with him. Contrary to her apartment, his house has enough space for both of them and she already feels at home there. Yet, she would like to make some changes regarding colors and decoration. Therefore they postponed the officially moving in together part.

Cal takes a look at the sender and snorts. Of course. The mail was delivered to his address on purpose so that he would see it. Perhaps the sender even hoped for a scenario like this – he opening the envelope by mistake because he didn't see that it is addressed to Gillian. Cal hesitates. He would never open her mail deliberately. But the business card already fell out. He only has to get his glasses to be able to read the small writing on it. Cal's hand feels for his glasses of its own accord. Suspicion gains the upper hand. Even if the man saved his life, his name causes an uneasy feeling when it comes to Gillian. Whatever Jack Rader has in mind, it means trouble.

Two weeks ago

Lie. Noun. A false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.

But what if you don't make a statement at all? What is that? Is it a lie of omission by default? Or does that require at least some kind of a statement?

Either way, Gillian knows that what she is doing is wrong. It feels wrong. So how can it possibly be right? And yet, she's here. Fiddling with her cup of coffee, ignoring the people in the café around her, as she obsesses about lies and truths and secrets in general. He is late. A chance to leave before she will get caught in her own trap even more. But she doesn't. It all comes down to this – she wants a change in her life. And she needs to figure out what it is that she wants before she talks it over with Cal.

Cal and she share everything. Their relationship is so close, so intense. It's a tightrope walk. On some days it feels perfect, on other days almost smothering. On those days she is not able to fight the feeling that Cal's personality fills up the whole room and leaves her no space to breathe or even exist. She loves him, deeply, but it takes a lot of strength to be with a man like Cal and not let his personality take the lead. That is the reason why she has to do this on her own, hoping that he will understand when she tells him at last.

The idea had been there long before Cal told her that he quit his job and wanted to write a book. Actually, it was born the day they had their first breakfast together and Cal hinted at the fact that he would stop working undercover if they were in a relationship. It made Gillian question what she wanted or rather not wanted anymore. She doesn't like the concept of hidden agendas that her job brings along, but being able to help traumatized people had made her stay. Realizing that she was one of the traumatized people she had been treating for all these years, and how fast things you always took for granted can change, unsettled her. What now? The question popped up in her mind and has remained there ever since.

Gillian knows that Cal will support her idea. Unconditionally. He likes change, challenges. Another reason why she doesn't want to tell him until she has made up her mind. He is the only person in the world who is able to talk her into ideas that she would have rejected out of hand otherwise, and as things are, she is the one of them with a steady income. So whatever it is that she will decide on, it has to come with a firm financial basis. Gillian would love to start her own practice as a psychotherapist, but she hasn't enough savings to do it without running into debts and that's something she doesn't want to do. Especially not now.

Maybe today she will be offered the chance she is looking for. Jack is about to start his own business. He comes from a rich family so there are no risks, at least not financially. When it comes to personality... well, let's say she has her doubts that they will get along. On the other hand, they have been friends for so long that it doesn't seem to be impossible. Not that he offered her a job yet. But she heard it between the lines when they talked on the phone. And when he asked her to meet him because he wanted to tell her more about his company, she agreed. His new job, his future, might be hers, too. It makes her dizzy with excitement, but at the same time a knot of guilt forms in her stomach. Of all the potential ideas to start something new job-wise, this is the one option she knows Cal will hate. With a vengeance. However, there is no time left to chicken out.

"Hi, Gillian."

He is out of breath and enthusiastic. A perfect example for his personality. Jack always chases life, can't wait to face new challenges. He holds his coffee in his hand, picked it up on his way to the table. Always efficient, wasting no time.

"Hey, Jack," she greets him reserved.

"Someone feels guilty to meet another man," he jokes as he sits down. "Is Cal Lightman so jealous that you had to sneak out behind his back?"

"I did not..."

She bites her tongue. He set the trap and she walked right into it. Albeit they just met, he has managed to turn their conversation into a testosterone match regarding which man she is more loyal to – him or Cal. The invisible third person at their table.

"Tell me about your new company," Gillian changes the subject.

"You mean The Jack Rader Group?"

Of course he would name the company after himself and only himself. Despite his arrogance, she is impressed. Jack is relentless and determined when he has an aim. Just like someone else she knows.

He tries to appear relaxed, but his body language gives away his tension. When Jack leans forward, right into her personal space until it gets inappropriate, Gillian knows he will ask her.

"I want you to come on board."

He is much too close, but she doesn't move. Not because she likes it, actually she doesn't, but because he would follow her like a bloodhound. They played that game before. Jack will only back off eventually if she stands her ground. Another reason why she shouldn't work with him. Her days would be filled with innuendos and unwanted intrusions into her personal space. The irony is not lost on her that Jack and Cal are similar in this respect. Save that she never minds Cal's advances, no matter how peculiar.

"Gillian? Did you hear what I said?"

Jack snaps his fingers in front of her face. He doesn't appreciate to not be the focus of her attention. Especially not when he just offered her something that he must consider the holy grail. She expected this. All of it. The arrogance. The job offer. To some extent even the intrusion into her personal space although Jack is even more presumptuous than usual today. Gillian wonders whether the possibility that she declines his offer even occurred to him or not. However, beneath his arrogance and overbearing manner exists a person she appreciates and trusts. Therefore she wants to find out what his job offer is about. This is what she came here for, after all. Gillian takes a deep breath and straightens herself. They are still so close that it must look as if they were about to kiss from the outside.

"So what does your group do?"

He never told her what he did in his former job. Perhaps does to this day since his new company is only in the foundation phase. All she knows is that it is classified, more often than not dangerous, but within the realms of legality. Secret agendas again. She seems to be surrounded by them. It really is time for a change. Even if the skills that Jack's classified job required helped to keep her and Cal alive, Gillian hopes that his future business direction will have nothing to do with things like that.

Jack leans back. "Security concepts for companies," he explains, staying true to his strategy of not revealing more than absolutely necessary. Yet, Gillian heard the touch of insecurity in his voice. He wants to impress her.

The business idea is not new; the market fiercely contested. Nevertheless, and although Gillian hoped for a direction that would have been a little further away from classified actions, she has no doubt that Jack's company will break into the market and be successful in these days of world-wide endangerment. She has no idea, though, what her role could be in a company like that.

"Where would I fit in?"

He grins. Jack expected that question. Basically provoked it.

"Companies prefer to have one single point of contact regarding certain aspects. Especially confidential aspects. One contact taking care of everything. Security is the main task. But times have changed. Companies have realized that it's not enough to keep their goods safe. They also need to keep their employees sane. Employees with high-risk jobs are valuable and need enhanced care that includes psychological support, say before they depart to work in a dangerous area or after they are back."

That makes sense. Jack's business concept is thought-out. Gillian is all the more convinced that his company will be a well-known firm on the market in a couple of years or even months. But... as thought-out as his business concept is, her part in it would be what she does already. For a moment, the guilt that Cal doesn't know that she is here, talking to Jack, is forgotten as well as the fact that she has strong doubts when it comes to working with, let alone for, Jack. Disappointment takes over. No change. This is not the chance she was hoping for to start over job-wise.

"You are not intrigued," Jack states.

He takes out a piece of paper, scribbles some numbers on it, folds it and pushes it toward her as if they were in the middle of a top-secret negotiation and in danger of being spied on. In a way, he is already living his concept. Gillian shakes her head but nonetheless picks the piece of paper up and unfolds it.

"Your entry wage," Jack says with a smug grin.

In his world, money is the key to a lot of things. It's twice as much as what she earns now. Gillian is impressed against her better judgement. Money does not mean nearly as much to her as it does to Jack. She needs money to make a living, to be independent, but that's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Plus your package includes the guarantee to become my partner within the next two years."

Now that comes as a surprise. Gillian didn't expect that, not from a man as self-absorbed as Jack Rader. She thought he would tolerate no other gods next to himself. His smug grin is gone though. He almost seems to be anxious about her reaction. The fact that he is willing to give up his monocracy speaks volumes regarding how much he wants her to say yes.

Jack's hand brushes hers. He has always had a soft spot for her. Gillian remembers a time several years ago when his advances were unambiguous. She rejected him back then, but that doesn't stop a man like him. Jack will always go after what he wants and this is where Cal comes into play again. Working with Jack, seeing him every day, could prove to be difficult. She could handle Jack. It would be a challenge, though, to handle the fallout concerning her and Cal. Cal won't doubt her. However, she would be lying to herself if she pretended that working with Jack won't influence her relationship with Cal. He is jealous. His fear of losing loved ones is borderline pathological due to the suicide of his mother. Not to mention that he knows things just by looking at her face for a split second. She would never be able to hide from him if Jack continued his innuendos or even stepped up his game. Not that she would want to hide it from Cal. All things considered, it wouldn't be a joyride and she couldn't even hold it against Cal. She would be affected as well if he worked with a woman who was after him that offensively. Gillian would consider to take the job, anyway, and talk it over with Cal if it was what she wanted. But it isn't. The generous salary and the additional offer to become business partner don't change the fact that her new job would basically be the same job she has now.

"I'm flattered," Gillian says. "About the amount of money and even more about the offer of partnership."

"So that's a yes?"

"It's not the kind of job I want, Jack. I don't want to give up working as a psychologist, but I want a change. I need...," she stops when his smug grin is back all of a sudden. "What?"

"I knew you would say that. That's why I have an ace up my sleeve that will make it impossible for you to refuse. You. Could. Pick. Pro bono cases," he stresses each word. "A certain number per month, let's say two or three. Like lawyers, only that it would be about psychological help. We could co-operate with a school, a kindergarten, hell, even a women's shelter if that's what you want. You will never have to worry about finances again, will be equal partner and will be able to do good. Now that's something, isn't it?"

It is. Gillian is speechless. This is what she always wanted, the reason why she became a psychologist. She wants to help people, not only a selected group but all kinds of people, without someone else making a preselection.

Jack brushes her fingers again but accepts the line, doesn't take her hand. Then he continues in a hushed tone, "You know me, Gillian. When I want something, I go for it by all available means. I thought about who I wanted to do this with. There were some names on my list, but I crossed them off one by one until there was only one name left – yours. You know that I would like us to be more than friends. That's not the reason for my offer. The reason is that you are the most qualified for the job. You have a way with people and you have a way with me. That's why I need you by my side. And that's why my offer includes the one thing I know you want most," he pauses. "If you're afraid of advances, there will be none. I respect that you are in a relationship."

The last two sentences are a flat out lie. The rest of it, though, is true. All of it. And for the first time, Gillian can imagine to work with Jack.

"So what do you say?"

Cal puts the envelope down. It's a displacement activity. He doesn't consciously register what he is doing because his eyes and thoughts are focused on the business card. In the end, curiosity and mistrust of Jack Rader won the upper hand, and now, after he read the card, Cal's shame that he breached Gillian's privacy by doing so is replaced by anger. Red, hot, and uncontrollable. The Jack Rader Group – Chief Executive Officer Jack Rader, the card reads. So far, not so bad, but right below is the trigger for Cal's anger. Deputy General Manager Gillian Foster. And a handwritten addendum. Welcome on board, Gillian. It was the right choice. Cal is standing there stock-still. On a rational basis, he is aware that he is overreacting. It has to be a sick joke. Gillian would never do that without telling him, wouldn't she? If she even considered quitting her job and taking another one, she would talk to him about it, right? But it's his weak point – losing people he loves, being betrayed by people he loves. He just can't help it. Especially since this happens today of all days. At the very moment he is about to ask Gillian exactly the same. As if life, once again, knew something he doesn't that will wreak havoc with him. No matter how hard he tries to calm himself, Cal can't stop to seethe with rage. How can this Rader guy dare to provoke him like that?

He doesn't even notice that Gillian came in until she is standing in front of him.

"Cal? What's wrong? Oh my God, did something happen to Emily?"

He watches her face change from confusion over concern to tension as she is looking at him, reacting to what she sees. Cal has started to teach Gillian how to read micro expressions recently and she is a good learner. Then again, it quite likely doesn't take an expert to detect the anger in his face.

"What happened?" she asks, cautious this time. Her tone of voice implies that she, rightly, assumes that she is somehow involved but has no idea how. He heard it; Gillian has started to teach him some things, too.

"Your friend," Cal eventually says with a snarl, pointing at the envelope and the business card on the table.

Gillian picks the card up and reads it, aware that Cal is keeping a wary eye on her. It gives her no time to think through what could be the best way to tell him because he traces every consideration and emotion. Or at least that's what it feels like. In moments like these, she curses Cal's professional skills that reach into their private lives. She is aware that it is hypocritical because she uses her skills as well when it comes to him, but his abilities make her feel outgunned. Gillian hears things in voices. As long as someone doesn't talk, though, she is stuck whereas Cal simply looks at people and sees it all, all the time. And he will be angry at what he sees, what he probably already saw.

"He sent you that? I don't believe it," she stalls him. "You don't believe it, do you? I don't work for Jack."

It's true. Cal sees so much although it is difficult for him to read Gillian in situations like these when his emotions run high. There is a lot of anger in her face that matches his own, but beneath that anger he caught something else. It flashed over her face only for a split second, almost, and deliberately, covered by her anger. For once, Cal wishes he wasn't so versed in reading micro expressions. It lets him see even the things he rather wouldn't have seen. Like her guilt. If the card is Jack Rader's sick joke, then why does Gillian feel guilty? It messes his theory up that it's all, and solely, Jack's fault.

Cal loves Gillian. Nevertheless, he isn't prepared for the feelings caused by the mere idea that she went behind his back. Vivid pictures of his mother pop up in his mind. That hasn't happened since forever. The way she smiled at him, embraced him, and only minutes later decided to kill herself. People are not reliable, not trustworthy. It's what he learned back then and what is his eternal struggle till this day. There were exceptions (Zoe). Are (Emily, Terry, and of course Gillian). It has taken him years to get there and she has the power to destroy it in the blink of an eye. Calming down has become a vague idea that is no option anymore. Cal takes a step forward, toward Gillian, and looks straight in her face, searching for a truth he senses but doesn't understand save for the fact that he is about to get hurt.

"If you don't work for him, then why the guilt?" he hisses – his head tilted, his teeth clenched, poised to attack.

Cal watches Gillian inner conflict until she gives up and closes her eyes in a futile effort to shut him out.

"I don't work for him," she repeats, opening her eyes again. "Can we please talk about the rest later? Not here and now in passing. Let me cook us dinner first and then we'll sit down and talk."

"Why? The guilt?" Cal takes another step forward, right into her personal space like he always does. Save that he is not touching her. There is only an angry electricity between them that is waiting for one wrong word to spark off.

Gillian takes a deep breath and steps back. She is aware of the reasons why Cal is overreacting, why they can't have a normal conversation about this. But she also fears that telling him straight away will be counterproductive considering the mood he is in. Every reason will be sufficient to pick a fight. And what she has to tell him will be for sure sufficient. Strictly speaking, they are right in the middle of a fight already. It could get much worse, though, and she wants to prevent that.

"I'm not doing this, Cal. You are blowing things out of proportion. You want a fight for fight's sake, to get rid of your anger. I get that, but I won't give it to you."

She turns around and carries the groceries she bought in the kitchen, hearing him follow. Even his footsteps sound angry.

"Oi! What you're walking away from? That's not right. Don't do that."

"Never mind."

"I'm not going anywhere, Gill. So let's have it."

Gillian unpacks the groceries and puts them away. Perhaps ignoring him for a bit will force him to cool off. But who is she kidding? He is right there, blocking the kitchen cabinet.

"Jack Rader sends you a business card with both of your names on it. Why? Because the wanker was bored?"

That is not what happened. Cal knows it, relentlessly searching her face for clues. For a moment, Gillian thinks she can actually feel it, all the prodding and probing, like stings on her skin as he is trying to get underneath. Cal is wobbling back and forth beside her until he suddenly stops.

"Bloody hell! You talked to him. You talked to that wanker about starting a business together."

Did he see that in her face or did he go over to making wild guesses? Neither, Gillian decides. Cal is preeminent in his field; he is not psychic, though, simply put two and two together. The business card. Her reaction. His logical conclusion hit the mark and her face confirmed it even if she tried to give away nothing. But instead of getting more furious, Cal's rage seems to be gone all of a sudden, as if the last strength left his body. Gillian wishes she couldn't read him so well by now. There is hurt. Needless to say. But his hurt goes way beyond what any other person would feel during an argument like this. Cal looks as if he just lost something. And when Gillian holds his gaze, it sets her teeth on edge. He thinks he lost her.

"Cal...," she reaches out her hand to grasp his arm, but he already backs away from her.

Gillian would take his anger over this empty shell of a broken man any day. He will understand her; she just needs a chance to explain and straighten things out.

"I had my reasons to talk to Jack before talking to you. Just hear me out. You didn't lose me, Cal. I'm not your mother."

Even psychologists make mistakes. Gillian is too involved emotionally. She knows this is the one word she should not have used. Save that she has given voice to her thoughts before sanity kicks in. There is no angry electricity between them anymore that could spark off. Instead the word acts like a barrier. The wall is invisible but unscalable. There is no way she will be able to get through to him now. Cal's sharp features harden as he turns around and walks out.

Cal is staring out of the window. The sun is about to set; the lights of the city awaken bit by bit outside. He is not in the mood to appreciate the view though. His mind is clearer now, not that bundle of thoughts anymore that made him walk out on Gillian. He had no idea where to go when he left until he noticed that his car keys were in the pocket of his pants and that he still held the key to the premises in his hand. Cal can't tell how long he has been standing here, just welcomes the inner calm that has reduced his anger to disappointment he reluctantly tries to accept. What happened is nowhere near the scenario he imagined for today.

When he hears footsteps, Cal is not surprised. He left in a hurry; Gillian must have found the bottle of champagne that he didn't put in the bag properly, forgot about it the moment he saw the calling card with her name on it. His handwritten note with the name of the realtor as well as the address of the premises also were in the bag. She just had to put two and two together to know where to find him, and moreover, to discern another reason why he overreacted. Cal doesn't turn around when she walks into the room. She stops to put something down. Judging from the clinking sound, she brought the champagne and glasses. Only Gillian would do that after the way he tackled her.

"You left the door ajar," she states.

He can see her silhouette in the reflection of the glass. Soft, blurry, merging into the lights outside.

"Knew you'd find me."

"So..." Gillian looks around. There is no furniture; the rooms are empty, but it is obvious that these are business premises and she already put two and two together. "Is this going to be your office?"

Cal clenches his fists briefly when he is reminded another time that this is not how it was supposed to happen but forces himself to relax. He should have shown her around, told her about his business idea, excite her so that it would have been a given that she would have said yes to being co-partner of their new firm.

"Thought this could be your office. You can see the sunset from here. Thought you'd like that."

Gillian freezes and then whips round. Their eyes meet in the window glass before Cal decides to turn and look at her face-to-face.

"Cal..."

Gillian steps forward and takes his hand. It's in her nature to comfort him. She figured out that he had wanted to tell her about his new business idea today, to show her his new business premises, before his plans were thrown over by Jack's letter. She couldn't have known, though, that Cal's business plans include her. Only now, she understands the extent of his hurt during their earlier argument and wants to apologize. It's written all over her face.

"No need, Gill," Cal stops her before she can actually say it.

It's not her fault that Jack Rader tried to set him up and that he overreacted. He doesn't want her to be the one to clean up his mess. Gillian holds his gaze to make sure that he really means it before she nods in approval. Cal doesn't want an apology. What he deserves, though, is an explanation. An explanation he is eager to hear. She can see as much.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Cal continues their former discussion but without venom this time. He wants to understand.

Gillian takes a deep breath.

"I am thinking about some changes business-wise, too, have been for a while now. That's why I met Jack. I wanted to weigh the odds, find out what I want."

It's an explanation why she met Rader, but it's no explanation as to why she didn't tell Cal about it. Not even afterwards. Gillian looks down at their fingers that are intertwined.

"You are a storm, Cal, and I am a light rain. You would have been so determined to help me to make the right decision that I wouldn't have known whether it actually was my decision or yours in the end."

She looks up again, right in his eyes.

"And let's face it. You didn't talk to me either before you decided to quit your job."

It's true. He made a spontaneous decision on his own. Granted, he knew that Gillian wouldn't want him to go on another undercover assignment when Hines offered it to him. However, and even if the obvious transfer to office duty wouldn't have been in his line, there could have been other options; Cal could have postponed his answer and talked to her first. Instead, he decided to quit then and there.

Cal purses his lips; the look in his eyes softens. He doesn't like her explanation, but it would be insincere to disagree because she is right. They are even; things are as they are. There is one more thing that is bothering him though.

"Why did you decide against working with him?"

"It was not what I wanted. Plus..." Gillian steps forward, wiping away some invisible fluffs from Cal's shirt with her free hand as an excuse to touch him before she simply rests her hand on his chest. "I would have been exposed to Jack's innuendo and banter every day and I guess you wouldn't have like that." Her smile is seductive; her expression dares him. "So what would I do in this office?" Gillian changes the subject just when Cal is about to lean forward and kiss her.

For a split second, she made him forget about everything. Their earlier argument, why they are here, what it is that he wants to talk to her about. All he could think of was that he wanted to kiss her. She can do this to him. Wrap him around her little finger with her words and her smile. His mood has changed. There is no more anger or disappointment nagging him. No matter how badly hurt he was, what happened was no more than a blip in their otherwise stable relationship. Cal pulls himself together.

"Solve cases, together with me. If we combine our fields of expertise, no one will be able to hide a lie from us, no matter how hard they try. We can make money and do research at the same time."

Albeit he gives her the factual explanation she asked for, Cal's voice has the familiar, subtle growl it always has when he is aroused. Gillian's pupils dilate in response. Interesting how he can see what she hears. Interesting and essential for his business idea.

"And I would be...?"

"...my equal partner. You and me, Gill." Cal's voice is quieter now, insecure.

"What about finances? How much is the rent?"

Cal expected these question and is prepared to give her a valid answer. He spent his savings when he wrote the book, but new money is coming in and the timing is perfect to start a firm considering the media attention.

"The rent is affordable, I have enough money to finance my half, and you being you means that you must have at least some savings so that you could buy yourself into our new firm. Don't think you can have half of my business for free."

It's a joke. Cal would want to have Gillian as his equal partner even if she had not one cent. They both smile. Cal knew that finances would be an essential part of their talk since Gillian is the reasonable one of them and would never do anything without a safety net – at least a holey one. Well, anything but loving him. Now that he explained and she listened, Cal expects her to say yes any moment, but what follows is an uncomfortable silence.

Gillian feels dizzy. It's too much to take in. She wants to say yes more than anything, feels honored that he asked her. Cal would never do such a thing simply because they are a couple. He did it because he respects her scientific skills as much as she respects his. She already knew that but having proof is nice. The thought that they could do something together business-wise crossed her mind, too, now and then, but it never felt like an actual option. Gillian shied back from the idea because she didn't want to dash private and business life. It figures that it would be Cal, the risk taker, who wouldn't hesitate to bring up the idea.

"What do you say, luv?" he breaks the silence.

Cal's face has darkened. He doesn't know what to expect, almost dreads her answer.

"I want to help people. That's why I became a psychologist," Gillian clothes the first thought that comes to her mind in words. "You know I love your science, but I can't ignore the essence of my motivation. Exposing liars is not helping people, not in the way I want to help them."

It is the same thought she had when she rejected Jack's offer, and judging from the look in Cal's eyes, he interprets her words in the same way – as an introduction to be rejected, believing that she only tries to soften the blow.

"That's a no?"

"That's a yes on one condition. I will be happy to assist whenever a voice expert is needed. But I need to work as a psychologist. Not limited to helping traumatized, undercover agents anymore but helping everyone. As I always wanted." It was what she had in mind when she passed her exam. The offer to work for the Pentagon that followed soon after was a great opportunity at that time but doesn't feel like it anymore.

Jack's offer that included pro bono cases was tempting, but in the end she couldn't imagine to work with him for various reasons, regardless of how intriguing his offer was. Either way, talking to him had made Gillian realize what she wanted. If Cal had made her the same offer before her talk with Jack, she probably would have agreed in an instant, so captivated by his excitement and fascinated by his ideas that she wouldn't have realized that it wasn't what she really wanted until it might have been too late.

Cal's expression has changed from uncertainty to vigorousness. It sends a chill down her spine. Working together will be an extraordinary experience in every way. Perhaps she should think about setting limits, introducing a line. There will be plenty of time to figure that out later. For now, Cal has something in mind.

"Dr. Foster, will you be my equal partner, in good times and in bad, until bankruptcy do us part? Forget about the last part. Won't happen," Cal adds hastily when he sees the nervous flicker in Gillian's eyes.

They are in each others personal space, as they so often are. It's their thing, this closeness. The intensity it creates between them has an energy of its own, surrounding them like a living creature. Gillian observed strangers staring at them as if they were able to see it.

"Yes, I will."

The moment is loaded with emotion. This is a life-changing decision for both of them. Gillian wants to kiss him, but Cal's excitement takes over. Now that she said yes and the burden that weighed several tons has been lifted from his shoulders, Cal can't stand still. He grabs Gillian's hand and strides into the hall.

"There," he says, pointing at the wall opposite to the entrance. "Big neon sign with the name of our firm. And photos of micro expressions underneath. It will blow everyone away who comes here for the first time."

His enthusiasm is as infectious as she knew it would be. She gave him the go-ahed; there is no stopping him.

"Do you already have a name?" Gillian's heartbeat quickens when she asks that.

The wall of micro expressions is all about him. Where will her place be? Her visible place. She doesn't like to be the center of attention, but she has learned that you have to get recognized if you want to run a successful business. Gillian doesn't intend to be the invisible woman in the background who supports Cal.

"'Course, luv." His grin gets even broader, if that is possible, considering how happy he is already. Cal makes a gesture with both hands that includes the entire wall as an indication how huge the neon sign with the name of their firm will be. "Foster & Lightman."

"You put my name first."

She can't believe it. As much as Cal for sure wants her to be his affiliate, he still has an egocentric personality when it comes to his science. Gillian would have expected him to put his name first.

"Thought I'd keep it in alphabetical order."

It's a pretense; she can tell. He would have put her name first either way, a symbolic action to show her how much he appreciates that she is willing to take the plunge with him. Gillian hugs him. Cal always says she gives the best hugs; so it's the least she can do. Thank you.

And that's it. Simple as that. Their names and lives connected forever. If they manage to avoid the bankruptcy thing, that is. Gillian can already see it in her mind's eye. What the rooms will look like furnished. How they will drop by in each other's offices when passing.

It's time to pop a cork and drink the champagne.

Perhaps you recognized some lines from one of my favorite episodes "Dirty Loyal".

The next and final chapter is almost done. I will post it next weekend at the latest.

Thank you for reading.