Two days later, on Friday, whatever buzz the VIP client had brought around the office was gone. Those who had witnessed Tolbert's flirting with Foster had been mildly disappointed by the fact that Lightman hadn't put his hands on the guy, but like the excitement for the famous person that gossip too eventually died down.
Which was why Cal found it odd when, at the end of the day as he was on his way out, some of the female employees were huddled around the waiting area in the lobby, chatting and whispering and, from what he could gather, with updated make-up and perfume. He took his eyes away and scribbled something on the package he needed sent out the morning after and when he looked at the group again, his attention caught but a collective laugh, he saw that Gillian was now among them. She had her jacket over her arm, holding her purse and chatting away with Torres and Sarah and a couple of others, and he figured they were waiting for someone else to join.
One of them was clearly Anna, who was moving her eyes frantically between the group and his hand slowly putting together the address on the brown envelope. Cal caught the hint and sped up, finishing and passing it on to her. He was just putting away his pen and throwing on his coat when he heard Gillian's steps approach and she was next to him when he turned around.
"What's all that ruckus?" He asked her while adjusting the collar of the coat.
"They are going out for some drinks, for Sarah's birthday."
"Wasn't that two days ago?" She nodded. "How long is she going to milk that for?"
Gillian rolled her eyes and absently smoothed out the lapel of his coat.
"Yes but today it's Friday, so…"
"So girls wild night out," he nodded with a knowing smirk. "I reckon they weren't asking for the day off to recover tomorrow then."
"No, they asked if I wanted to join."
"Nice. Have fun then."
He said that with no hesitation and a genuine smile, which stopped when he looked at her and realised that she seemed taken aback by his comment. Gillian was surprised and maybe a little confused, so much so that Cal had to go back and rethink his own words, wondering if he hadn't said something inappropriate without even realising it.
"I-" She looked back at the group of women, now with the addition of Anna. "I said no."
"Why?" Now it was his turn to be confused.
"I don't think it would be appropriate."
Cal didn't know what left him more puzzled, that fact that she said something like or how shy she looked as she did so. He stepped a little closer and put his hand on her hip, patiently waiting until she looked up at him with a small smile.
"C'mon Gill," he whispered softly. "They wouldn't have asked if they didn't mean it."
To his amazement, Dr Gillian Foster blushed at the silly thought going through her head and shrugged, pouting like he had seen Emily do a hundred times when she was a child who struggled to make new friends.
"I think they were just being polite."
"Like that could get past you!" He chuckled, then took up her chin and forced them to look at him, his smile so warm that nearly knocked her off her feet. "Go and have fun. I'll see you tomorrow."
"I probably won't be long, I can come home later-"
"Tomorrow, love." His voice, so soft and stern, told her that she'd better not question him. His eyes on the other hand, made her wish he'd just take her home right there and then. "Now go," he leaned in for a quick kiss on her lips, pulling away with a smirk and a nod to the group of women, "before they think I'm some kind of asshole boyfriend who doesn't let you go out with friends."
In that very moment, with the way he was looking and talking at her, the way he was holding her in striking contrast with his words telling her to go, in full view of some of their female employees, Gillian didn't think that was possible. Then she nodded, returned the kiss and parted from him, joining the group now complete and ready to go out with a spring in her step he hadn't seen in a while.
The bar was packed as expected on the night that kicked off the weekend, but luckily they had a table reserved and the group of six easily found their way. More than one head turned to watch them take their place, a couple of the ladies had brought outfits and accessories to change before leaving the office and they were all dressed to the nines. Gillian was the only exception, but Cal would have argued that even without any touching up she was still the most beautiful woman of the lot. She knew he was bias, but that didn't mean that he didn't believe it nor that she didn't like to hear it.
They sat around the table and exchanged some comments on the place, then after a couple of minutes Gillian stood up and announced that she was going to get a bottle of wine to share. There were a few polite protests but she was having none of it, then took her wallet and headed for the bar. She was fully aware of the fact that some men around were ogling her with looks as she leaned on the counter trying to get the bartender's attention, but she smiled inwardly thinking back at Cal's outburst from a couple of days before. She had loved that little speech of him, and she had made it clear later that day when they had gone home, and she was also grateful that he could declare his possessiveness while also showing how much he trusted her. His insistence in her going out that night had been sweet, in that sweet way Cal showed just to her, and she was more than ready to honour his wishes.
"You don't have to try so hard, you know?"
Caught out of guard, Gillian turned to Torres who had just joined her at the bar, leaning with her back on the counter and looking at their table.
"To do what, get the bartender's attention?" She replied with a chuckle, waving her credit card to someone behind the counter.
"To blend in," Torres explained, then turned around. "We invited you because we wanted you to come."
"I know," Gillian nodded, finally able to place her order. "And I'm buying the first round because I want to."
Torres chuckled and rolled her eyes, then helped her bring the bottle and glasses back to the table. Once there, she poured the wine and then Gillian proposed a toast for the birthday girl and everybody pitched in with clinking glasses and cheers.
"So Sarah," Anna asked. "Any big birthday plans for the weekend?"
Their table was in a private booth so the noise wasn't too bad, and Sarah easily managed to communicate with them.
"My boyfriend is coming from New York. He has a few things planned but he insists on keeping it a surprise."
"Oh that sounds nice. And romantic!" Anna squirmed, then sighed. "For my birthday my husband gave me a voucher for a massage. A single's massage."
The ladies chuckled together, offering her the glass for another toast in consolation.
"What does your boyfriend do, Sarah?" Gillian asked then.
"He's a preschool teacher. He got a job as a sub for the year, that's why he's been living in New York."
"It must be difficult, with the distance."
"It is, but I do get to go to New York a lot," the young woman cheered in response and they all smiled.
With the wine easily flowing and someone already thinking about the next drink, the conversation kept focusing on random topics, with words going around the table. Gillian felt part of it, mostly, but she was aware of the natural psychological block of having the boss around.
"What about you Dr Foster?" Natalie asked then, her voice already a bit slurred after a couple of glasses. "Any plans for the weekend? I mean- Oh, my God I'm so sorry! I shouldn't ask-"
She might have been the one asking and then regretting it, but the sudden personal question seemed to remind everybody who she was, their boss, and that more likely her weekend plans prominently featured none other than the other boss.
"It's ok, Natalie," Gillian urged to reassure her, but between the gaffe and the alcohol the young woman was already panicking.
"No, I mean…that's none of my business. I'm so sorry Dr Foster, I-"
"Alright everybody, calm down now." She took the reins, of that conversation and of the entire table with just a few words, a reassuring smile and a steady voice. "I'm not the boss tonight, I'm not Dr Foster. I'm just Gillian."
They looked at each other, realising that she was right and that it would have been best for all of them to relax.
"You're right Dr Fo- Gillian," Natalie said, and they all nodded. "I'm sorry-"
"And every time one of you says 'I'm sorry' to me, you take a shot."
There was a stunned silence around the table, not only for what had just come out of the boss' mouth but mostly because she looked like she meant every single word of it. To make herself even more clear, Gillian called up one of the waiters and asked for six shots of tequila.
"Now, to answer your question," she picked up the conversation again once they all had a small glass in front of them. "Emily is in town, and she somehow convinced Cal to go to the funfair in Anacostia Park tomorrow."
"And you're going too?" Anna asked, then bit at her bottom lip. "Uh, of course you're going. Sorry, that was-"
"Ah!"
Gillian interrupted her with a grin that to all of them looked a lot like one of Lightman's, then pointed at the shot glass in front of her. Anna sighed and took the glass, downing the liquid in one go.
"How did she do it?" Torres asked, saving most of them from further awkwardness and honestly enjoying seeing Foster play along. "He doesn't look like the kind of guy who would enjoy something like that."
"You mean crowds, long queues, junk food, overpriced everything and authorised scams at the carny games?" She laughed and they all joined in, picturing Lightman grumbling his way through all of that with a pink cotton candy in his hand. "No, he hates all of that but it's for Emily, so…"
"He's such a good father," Paula sighed while sipping the last of her wine. "He's rough around the edges but that's something you can't take away from him. He's just- Well, I apologise, I guess that's none of my business."
Gillian honestly would have to agree, on both points truly, but she also really wanted that whole self-imposed taboo to stop. So she smiled amused at the young woman and eyed the small glass in front of her, waiting for her to drink.
"I think he's not that rough, not anymore." Sarah objected then, almost talking to herself.
"Yeah, he's certainly changed recently," Torres agreed, then she stopped a waiter to order some snacks and another round of drinks for everybody. "That guy flirting with you two days ago…I have to say, I'm still shocked he didn't deck him right there in the lobby."
"I think we all were," Anna agreed, then immediately came the regret as she looked at Gillian. "Sorry, I- Damni!"
This time Gillian didn't even need to enforce the rule and the assistant just grabbed the closest glass and downed shot number two. They all got a good laugh out of it, Anna included, but then she quickly recovered and carried on.
"You know him better of course, but based on past behaviour I expected him to explode in an outburst of jealousy."
"Well, turns out Cal has a theory about it. He-"
She had all the intention to continue but she had to pause for a moment when a waiter came over to leave a big sharing platter with assorted snacks on the table. She'd only had one glass of wine so far but some food was more than welcomed since she planned to at least double it, and after a few seconds she spent picking a few samples to savour later, Gillian realised all eyes were on her. She smiled at them, somewhat amused, then proceeded to relay Cal's take on jealousy - minus some personal parts - and once she was done the level of astonishment around her was incredibly high.
"That…actually makes a lot of sense…" Natalie mumbled, almost shocked, then something else came to her mind. "I've got to say though, I wouldn't mind my boyfriend being a little possessive every now and then. We were out for dinner last month, nice fancy place and all, and the waiter flirts with me all the way through dinner. And you know what Scott did? Nothing!" They chuckled at her frustration and she went along with it. "Not even a peep, he was too worried about his steak being overcooked to even notice!"
This time there was a round of laughter, along with more drinks coming.
"You know what, Lightman might not be jealous in the traditional sense but he sure is possessive. And protective," Torres chuckled, then took a long sip of beer. "I've seen him react when something happened to you before, God forbid what he would do now!"
Gillian bit at her bottom lip, thinking back at their case in Sedley and many other times she had been on the receiving end of troubles. Yes, Cal had a short fuse when it came to her but aside from rare occasions more than his raging reactions she could remember his comfort and sweet way of being there for her.
"I've got to say though, you two make a nice couple," Anna commented absently, and Gillian smiled with a touch of shyness.
"I'm sure Cal would be happy to know that."
"Oh God please don't tell him I said that!" The assistant begged, terror in her eyes, and Gillian chuckled.
"Don't worry Anna, you're in good company. Emily thinks we are adorable."
"I wouldn't know about adorable but you sure do look kind of hot together. What?" Paula responded to the collective gasp with a shrug, probably not realising she was already way too drunk to be making that kind of comment out loud. "It's true! I mean, respectfully, Gillian."
Foster did feel a little flush to her cheeks for the first time, but it was too dark and the others were all too tipsy to notice. Fact was, they were also too tipsy to know when it was best to change the subject.
"He is kind of hot," Natalie sighed, almost talking to himself. "I don't know what is it, the accent maybe? Sometimes he just looks so-" She stopped, realising what she was saying and that they were all staring at her, Gillian included. "That- Oh my God, I am so sorry! I don't know where that came from!"
Then she sighed, resigned to the punishment and the embarrassment, gulping down another shot.
"He's just…so intense sometimes, isn't he?" Anna added absently, then frowned. "He could dress up a little better every now then I guess. Oops, sorry I didn't mean- Oh crap!"
"I don't think he should, it's part of his charm after all," Paula piled on that while Anna proceeded to down another shot. "You know, rugged and all that and-" She stopped, like others before her shocked by her own words, then she sighed and took the nearest shot glass knowing she had something to apologise for even without needing to say the word.
"Has he ever thought about growing a beard?" Sarah asked then, as if the curious thought had just popped into her mind. "I think it would suit him."
What she meant, as Gillian easily read in the subtext, was that she thought Cal would look sexier with a beard. On a deeper level, Sarah probably knew it too and scrambled to find a shot to pay her due.
"Oh boy! This is getting interesting!"
Torres mumbled then, realising that aside from herself and Foster the others were all already on the third shot at least, on top of whatever else they had been drinking. Not only that: the 'shot for apology' rule seemed to have morphed into something different, where even an unexpressed thought worthy of apology would do, especially if it was some kind of appreciation for the male boss. Then, instead of thinking she and Foster, as the more sober ones, should put an end to it, she went to the bar to order another round of shots. After all, if Gillian didn't have a problem with them somewhat thirsting over her boyfriend, who was she to stop the game?
Eventually, the conversation did move away from Cal. Gillian was fine with it either way: she understood that there was some level of curiosity about him around the table, it was understandable, and she trusted herself not to divulge too much; besides, that kind of conversation was clearly helping her to be 'one of the girls', and she was confident Cal would have tolerated that for her benefit. Of course, she had no intention to tell him he had been a major topic of conversation, he probably wouldn't have believed it anyway, but she was happy to know that among some superficial comments the women around the table were also seeing through Cal's rough exteriors.
Cal didn't know what time it was, and considering he was deep asleep he was more than entitled not to care either. He heard her first, not her copy of the keys in the lock but the noise of her steps didn't hear her coming in, she was far too silent especially after removing her shoes, but even when disconnected his brain would respond to her scent hitting his nostrils. Slowly coming back to a more vigil state, Cal had just about the time to focus on the presence of Gillian's perfume in the air and realise he had dozed off on the couch, then he felt her hands coming down on his shoulders.
He shifted slightly and looked at Gillian standing behind the couch, leaning down on him as her hands moved down from his shoulders to his chest. She looked a bit flushed, probably from a bit too much alcohol, but she was smiling widely at him, almost surprised to see him there, on his own couch.
"You weren't waiting up for me, were you?" She asked.
"Pretty sure I was sleeping," Cal quipped, then cracked his neck that had been stuck in an awkward position. "What time is it?"
"Something past midnight." Gillian answered softly, her hands absently massaging his shoulders and neck.
"You could have stayed out longer," Cal observed, closing his eyes and moaning softly at the soothing action of her hands on his sore muscles.
"I know," she chuckled, then leaned closer to whisper in his ear. "Turns out the wild girls bunch are a bit light weight when it comes to hard liquor."
Cal stifled a laugh and shook his head, then watched as she first sat on the back on the couch and then slowly slid over to his side, laying down on and resting her naked feet on his lap. His hands immediately went there, absently touching and caressing up her calves, marvelling as he always did at how she wasn't at all ticklish.
"Did everyone make it home safe or should we expect surprises from our staff?"
"I put two on a cab, and Torres drove home the other two." She chuckled at the way he raised his eyebrow at her. "She learned her lesson the last time."
"Good to know." He smirked, thinking his office stash was safe, then he nodded at her. "Did you have fun?"
Gillian didn't respond, not right away. Instead she smiled back, a smile that reminded Cal of the very same one she had had on her face the night Torres had learned not to mess with the boss' booze. Then she pulled up a little and leaned towards him, silently guiding him to lay down so that she could lay on top of him. The smile was still there, no longer sultry and suggestive but more intimate, serene and innocent, and Cal thought that either looked mesmerising to him.
He smiled back, not bothered or worried in the least that she was taking such a long time to answer. Instead, he brought his hands up to her face and gently pulled her hair back, taking in the view, then slid them down her back and absently caressed her up and down for a bit. At that point he didn't really need her to answer, not anymore, not when she hummed softly and snuck closer resting her face on his chest.
"I love you, Cal," she said then.
It was a whisper, low and soft, yet steady and confident. It wasn't the first time she had said that to him or the other way around, and certainly wasn't going to be the last one either; but as she finally drifted off to sleep in his arms Cal felt more than entitled to believe that for some reasons that one time was all the more special.