Chapter 14 Eat your Young

Happy Saturday everyone! I might have to switch to posting once a week again. My chapters are getting longer and longer , I want to make sure the story still works like I want. So I might hold off on posting more just so I have more time to review. Thank you all for tuning in again, I had a lot of fun with this chapter. So I hope you like it as much as I do.

Honey, I'm making sure the tables made. We can celebrate the good that we've done. I won't lie, if there's something still to take. There is ground to break, whatever still to come. – Eat your young by Hozier

Making their way into the penthouse, Perry's team showed everyone their suites. It didn't go unnoticed by Cal that and Zoe where next door to each other. As well as Gillians being next to Perrys.

"Will you be requiring anything, Doctor Lightman? We do hope everything is to your liking?" A young male staff member asked sitting his luggage down in the suite.

The suite was emasculate , surrounded by windows with a stunning view of New York below.

"All of this from sellin clothes?" Cal was aw struck taking in the suite and the view.

"You should see Mr. Lavignes' place." The young man chuckled.

"If you should need anything, please let us know. It does not matter what time we are at your call. Mr. Lavigne would like for you all to join him for an early dinner at 5 p.m. to discuss tomorrow's events." Nodding to Cal before leaving.

Leaving his suite Cal knocked on Gillian's door. Hearing her heels clicking from afar before opening the door.

"Hey," she said, smiling warmly at him as she rested her body against the door, watching him.

"Hey," he smiled warmly back at her.

"Do you want to come in?"

"Obviously," he said as he walked past her, causing them both to chuckle.

"Need to see how much nicer your place is than mine. If that's even possible." Gillian closed the door, walking to the sofa, as Cal walked around the room, taking in the lavish surroundings.

"Considering how much of an affinity the man has for you an all"

His words causing her eyebrow to arch while watching him. Taking a seat on the sofa, she reached down, tugging her heels off before tucking them under herself.

"He's an… interesting man." Reaching forward and grabbing the file folders off the coffee table in front of her. Opening them to take a look at the documents.

Walking to the sofa, flopping down into the seat next to her.

"I can tell just how 'interesting' you think he is." He toyed.

Pulling her eyes from the documents in her hand to throw him a frustrated glare.

"What! I'm just saying you both looked very chummy on the plane." Teasing her again. Trying his best to conceal the jealousy from betraying his features.

Gillian didn't respond with words, only a look as she studded his face, watching him questioningly.

"What do you think about our designer?" he asked quickly before she could read him any further. Receiving another glare from her as she huffed at him.

"eh eh not what I was referring to, luv. I can see on your face what you think." Drawing out the word "you" as he pointed at her face.

" From a psychologist's perspective, what do you think of the man?" he defended, looking at her curiously. Leaning back in his seat, he placed his arms around the back of the sofa.

Her eyes fluttered as she looked at the ground, deep in thought. Pausing before answering.

"He seems to be a man…dominated by lust." Sighing before reclining back in her chair.

"You don't say," mocking her slightly with a dramatic tone of cartoonish amusement.

"Not what I mean, not fully atleast. Look around us, look at where we are staying. The jet. Lavi itself. Everything is an extravagant show of wealth. A desire for more, a lust for more. But he doesn't seem to love any of this—proud yes, but love?"

Cal watched her as she spoke, watching the gears turn in her head. In aw as she spoke so passionately and so calculatedly in her profiling of Perry.

"In his relationship with his partner, Elizabeth, they had sex not out of love… but out of curiosity and desire." Cutting her eyes from his gaze, looking uneasy at the mention of sex with his partner. Seeing a hint of embarrassment pecking through her features

I'm not the only one thinking about the other night, it seems. I can't stop thinking about it, either.

Hearing her clear her throat lightly before continuing.

"He slept with Robert's ex-girlfriend, even though it clearly affected his relationship with his employee. And of course how he has been… with me." Her words were slightly trailing off.

Cal leaned forward from his seat , turning his body to better watch her face. His legs brushing against hers as he turned his body in toward her.

"Clearly lusting after you." Cal watched her closely as he spoke.

"I mean, who wouldn't." giving her a cheesy grin. Seeing a flash of desire in her eyes as she watched him. Opening her mouth in slight shock and closing it quickly. Shaking her head.

"He has desires, yes, that is apparent" she laughed with another shake of her head. Looking away, parting her mouth, then closing quickly and biting her lips back.

"What was that?" pointing at her face.

"You wanted to say something, but you stopped yourself."

Biting her lips back and closing her eyes before opening them both.

"I have known of Perry Lavigne for years. I knew of his work and of his art, and I have loved it all. When I have seen him in interviews, something has always… sparked my curiosity." Receiving a rather dramatic eyebrow arch from Cal.

"not like what you are thinking" she chuckled lightly.

"He came from no money. A single mother. He made a name for himself from nothing. He was able to make something remarkable out of his life. Reminded me of someone else I know." Tilting her head and smiling softly at him. Returning his own soft smile in return.

"But I saw something else also…something I can't quite put my finger on, and it's been puzzling me….He never talks about his past or his upbringing in interviews. He has no children. No long term relationships…" she paused before continuing. He could see the wheels turning in her. Her face showing slight worry before she spoke.

What could she be worried about?

"When we met him, I wanted nothing more than to pick his brain and figure out what I had seen... I could see what kind of women he seemed interested in the moment we met… and I have been emulating those characteristics to get closer to him."

What?! The whole bloody time? She has been-

"You've been playing him?" He was shocked, he had not seen it because he was too busy being distracted by her and Perry's flirting. His normally reserved professional partner was openly flirtatious with a client.

You didn't question it because you were to jealous to see past it.

"From the start…for scientific reasons-"Looking at him with apprehension and worry for her admission.

"Naturally," he interrupted, unable to keep the smile of pure joy from his face.

She's been playing this man since the start. Every word is a well calculated attempt at getting into this man's mind. I don't know if I should be impressed or terrified by how good she is.

"I have just been curious about the man behind the name for some time. How fortuitous that he became our client. He was already interested before I really started playing into it. Plus it's been a little fun, he is certainly a good looking man." She smirked at him, shrugging her shoulders.

"You have been loving this. You can't hide your feelings from me, darling I can see it on your face."

"Like I said, he is certainly good looking, hasn't been a chore by any means. And it's not like I'm acting that different than I normally would, just more…coy, flirtatious, more his type." She grinned wider.

"Ei ei," Cal said, leaning into her shoulder playfully.

"I wasn't prepared for his little vetting processes, however. Him finding out about my past. I thought the jig was up and I would have to stop. I thought it might… scare him away...But it's actually made him open up even more surprisingly."

Pausing to think, he couldn't help but ask.

"What did you see that caused this little science project of yours?"

"I'm not sure, I really can't even formulate it into words. Just something…maybe I'm just reading too much into it. I'll let you know when I figure it out. In the time being it has been…fun." She smiled warmly at him before looking back down at the folder in her hands.

"You have a strange definition of fun luv" They both chuckled.

A silence filled the room as he watched her read.

She has been having more then some fun with him. I can tell she has enjoyed Perry's attention and desire for her. I'm not sure if all of that was just for her research on the man or not. She's good and I mean good but I see the way her eyes dilate when she looks at him.

Lifting her eyes from the folder and looking to the ground. Blinking multiple times as he watched, she was deep in thought.

"You find something luv?" leaning forward and peering over her shoulder at the folder.

"Not here" tapping the folder with her hand. "Earlier…that reporter….he called me doll."

"It's a typical nomenclature for men to call beautiful women darli-"

"He was watching my face when he said it. Watching how I would react."

"He knew-" His eye brows shot up, looking at her questioningly.

"I think those reports were tipped off by someone at Lavi… Someone who was able to get their hands on our files."

Entering Perry's penthouse, Cal could not keep his eyes from widening, taking in the scenery before him. Luxury was an understatement; windows surrounded the walls just as his own suite. The two story penthouse was emasculate, a glass staircase to the top floor. The home was sleek, sexy, and modern-looking, as if it belonged in a men's magazine. Making his way to the dinning room seeing Zoe, Perry and Elizabeth seated at the table. Gillian had yet to arrive, leaving her room earlier to change and get ready for dinner.

" Foster not here yet?" Taking a seat at the table.

"I could go next door and get her?" Perry asked, flashing a devilish grin.

I bet you would love to you damn wanker.

"I'm here, sorry, I was reviewing a few more items." Gillian walked in with some folders under her arm.

"Can't keep you away from work, can i?" Cal joked as she smiled at him, taking a seat next to him.

"Tomorrow night we will be joined by all of Lavis' staff. Everyone should be flying in by the end of the day today. Do you two have everything you need?" Elizabeth asked, looking between Cal and Gillian.

"All we need is my- our genius minds darling; not much more needed." Cal cockily answered, causing Gillian to bite back a smile.

"Brilliant!" Elizabeth smiled back, sipping on a glass of wine.

"I really am," Cal responded, causing all of the women at the table to shake their heads at his cockiness.

"Any leads, Doctors?" Perry asked with a hopeful voice.

"a couple staff members that we definitely would like to see in person and speak with again." Gillian answered, nodding her head at him.

"Fantastic, well, that's enough business For the day, I'm starving; let's eat." Perry grinned as members of his home staff walked in with dinner ready to serve.

"So I have to ask , how did you two meet?" Elizabeth asked Cal and Gillian as everyone began to eat dinner.

"You seem to work so very well together, and for some time now, from what I gather." Looking between the two doctors and taking a bite of her salad.

"You two are just a very….interesting mix." She added.

Interesting mix, huh? Her bright positive light and my darkness, always dragging her down to my twisted world. Interesting mix is a way to put it.

"interesting how?" Gillian asked innocently.

"Gillian was his psychologist," Perry chimed in, placing his elbows on the table in front of his plate. Know longer interested in eating but in the conversation about to take place. Knitting his hands together under his chin. Arching an eyebrow at his partner.

"Seriously?" Elizabeth questioned Perry, looking back at Gillian and Cal.

"That is true… Didn't share your little reports on us with your partner, did ya now, Perry?" Cal countered, looking at Perry, still annoyed from his vetting process.

Didn't bother to tell his partner about his screwed up little vetting process? Very interesting. It couldn't have been her who told the reporters.

"Perry, you didn't?-" Elizabeth huffed.

"I needed to know if I could trust them. Especially after the story somehow made its way to the press, Liz." Perry defended himself, taking a bite of his dinner before swallowing and continuing.

" I would also like to know how your partnership and friendship came to be. Your files only gave a brief overview of that part. " watching the pair intently.

"You were twenty nine, already working at the Pentagon for a couple years at that point, isn't that right, Gillian?"

She nodded apprehensively.

"How did a rather young, Pentagon psychologist get assigned to someone like Doctor Lightman who had such a high clearance level?"

"I stonewalled ten other phycologists… Foster here was the only one good enough that was able to get through my rough exterior." looking at Gillian, giving her an appreciative smile, and returning one of her own.

"Now that is interesting. You were married to Ms. Landau at the time; is that correct?" Elizabeth asked, waving her hand towards Zoe as she spoke.

"that we were." Zoe answered flatly, signaling to the staff for another glass of wine.

"Not that we remained married that much longer." Her biting tone cut through the air uncomfortably.

Christ, did you really need to add that bit, Zoe?

"Well, this is getting increasingly more entertaining." Elizabeth announced, looking at Zoe leaning in. "Do you blame their partnership, friendship for your divorce?"

"Now hold on a bloody min-"

"It certainly didn't help things." Zoe looked at Gillians' wide eyes, as she sat her fork down, unable to continue eating. Then directly at Cal, who was staring daggers back at her.

"This is hardly an appropriate conversation to be having in front of clients." Gillian announced calmly and professionally looking to everyone at the table.

"We are more then just clients Gillian, I wish us all to becoming friends. Hell half this table has slept with the other half already." He chuckled, looking at Elizabeth who laughed along with him.

"We can all be honest here, express our true feelings. Get to know one another better. Nothing is more sacred then the dinner table for these kind of talks any way. Let's all be truly honest with one another tonight." Perry looked around the table. Elizabeth raised her glass of wine in a show of cheers.

Gillian looked more and more concerned as he spoke.

"Truth or happiness mate you might not like what you hear" Cal admitted biting back his anger.

If you want honesty mate how about I tell you what I truly think of you. Or that Gillians been playing you for a fool since the moment she met you.

"You know what I actually love this idea darling." Zoe countered to Cal, a devilish smile on her face causing an icy glare from him

"That's the spirit Ms. Landau! See this is why I like you so much." Perry smiled to Zoe, going unnoticed by her. Looking only to Cal.

"It has been bothering me for some time. We have never been able to fully get into it this now have we?" Pointing quickly to Gillian then retracting her hand.

" Why not tonight when we can be oh so honest with one another." Zoe looked to Gillian, who was holding her breath waiting for the storm to come.

Cal watched the wordless interaction. Seeing the fire in Zoe's eyes growing as she looked at Gillian.

"The true answer is yes, yes I do put some blame on our marriage failing because of your friendship."

"Zoe, we never sl-" Cal tried to cut in quickly before she could continue any more.

"Oh, please, I never thought that you would cheat, darling. At least not with Miss Perfect here. Never even had a speeding ticket; no way she would have cheated on her husband."

Never thought I'd cheat with Gillian? Well, that's a goddamn lie. I can see that lie clear as day on your face even now. So much for fucking total honesty here. How many fights did we have when I came home late from the office and you would scream at me for spending all day and night with Gillian. When you asked me if I was really working at my desk or shagging Gillian on it. Yeah, you NEVER thought I would cheat.

"I'm not perfect-" Gillian defended before being cut off.

"That's hardly what Cal thinks, isn't that right?" Glaring harshly between Cal and Gillian.

"Why does it bother you what he thinks? You're not married any more." Gillian said flatly, and was certain she saw sadness flicker over Zoe's face for a fraction of a second; then it was gone, and her icy glare was back in place.

Cal couldn't keep the small sense of pride from his face for Gillian. She was fighting back, not letting Zoe walk on her.

That's my girl.

He could see Gillians' and Zoe's contempt mirrored in each other's eyes.

They are going to bloody well kill each other.

"He's my daughter's father." Zoe nonchalantly stated with a raised shoulder, trying to show she didn't care. Cal could see right through her fiendish actions.

"And need I remind you, I'm also the one who brought you this case." Raising her glass of wine at Gillian, smirking at her.

Cal watched as Gillian bit back her lips, shushing herself.

"And I could not be more grateful for that, Ms. Landau." Perry grinned at Zoe.

"Now can we finish our bloody dinner?" Cal tried to divert the conversation. Looking at Zoe. Knowing she was never one to back down from a fight.

"I must say, Doctor Lightman I'm much more interested in this conversation than dinner," said Elizabeth with a cat like grin.

"I am as well." Perry smiled at Elizabeth before taking a bite and swallowing. "Nothing but honesty tonight friends." He cheerfully added before continuing.

"So patient first, then friends and partners. That didn't go against your… ethics- befriending and becoming partners with a past patient?" turning to Gillian. Letting the word "ethics" float in the air, calling back to their prior conversation about his hate for it and desire for more.

"There is nothing in the American Psychologist Association ethics code of conduct against befriending past patients. I was intrigued by Doctor Lightman's science before I even met him."

"She was also no longer my psychologist…and she wasn't fully my psychologist either. She performed a psychiatric evaluation on me, and that was that. It was several weeks after our last session that we met up again at a conference in Chicago." Cal chimed in, feeling the need to defend her and his relationship. He looked at his partner with a smile and a nod, then back at the group at the table.

"Foster here was giving a lecture on vocal stress and speech pattern analysis. Had the entire conference enamored." Smiling warmly, thinking back to the memory.

Overhearing many doctors in the audience discussing ways to get her to join their practices. Wanting her for their own gain. Thinking back about the many men looking at her lustfully. Making comments about wanting her for more than her knowledge. Informing them that she was a happily married woman, even if not, they would not stand a chance. He didn't know her all that well at that point but already feeling the need to protect, defend her honor.

"I bet she did." Perry grinned at Gillian, who looked down shyly.

Zoe rolled her eyes hearing the story and took another sip of her wine while watching Cal, looking more and more irritated.

"We spent several hours together at the bar of the hotel. In our last session, she had been encouraging me to open my own practice. I finally drew enough courage to do so and wanted no one else as my partner than her. I begged for the better part of three hours at that bloody bar."

"four hours." Gillian chimed in, grinning warmly at him.

"three – four hours." He countered .

" I had been considering stepping away from my job at the Pentagon for some time. It really had a hold on me…the science. And something new, something very different from what I was doing. I finally said yes after four hours of his insistent pleading." Gillian teased lightly at the end. Looking at Cal, then back to Perry, who was watching them curiously.

Cal could not help but feel a smile form on his lips as he listened to her speak. The warmth in her eyes recalling the memory. Her pause at the words 'it really had a hold on me' causing him to overthink. Seeing that her story wasn't the full truth, it was a partial truth.

Was it the science or our connection with one another that brought her to me? Just as much as it was for my desire to ask her to be my partner. She truly was brilliant, but I wanted her in my life however I could have her. Being partners seemed like the safest option.

"Very touching, you two must have formed quite the…fascination with one another." Cal watched as a glint of something mischievous sparkled in Elizabeth's eyes as she spoke. Something dangerous.

This one is a shit stirrer, isn't she?

"What are you implying?" Cal asked, trying to keep his tone even.

"It's very interesting. For you to leave such a stable job to take on something so new and risky. With an ex patient of all people…" Elizabeth eyed Gillian curiously, then looked at Cal. "And you asked someone you didn't fully know, to become your business partner. Quite the risk." Signaling with her hand out flippantly.

"No risk, no reward. Going on 8 years no-"

"Tell me, Ms. Landau. You admitted earlier you know Gillian is not one to cheat. So what about there friendship and partnership caused such an effect?" Elizabeth interrupted, looking at Zoe, whose eyes widened at the question.

Perry looked to Gillian seeing worry and apprehension at the question.

"Liz…maybe this is a conversation for another day." Perry gave Elizabeth a warning look.

Working on her third glass of wine, Cal could see the storm brewing behind Zoe's eyes at such a loaded question. Her mouth tightened, along with her hand on the glass of wine.

"As you let on earlier, you feel as though their relationship had an impact on your marriage failing." Elizabeth added on. Another bullet in the chamber of loaded questions.

"Liz" Perry spoke out again, getting incredibly frustrated at his partner's badgering.

"But as you stated you never thought they would have an affair. Since she was what did you say Miss Perfect? Kind of hard to believe you never thought they would have sex... Your husband asks his ex therapist, a very beautiful young woman-" waving her hand to Gillians, who was breathing shallowly and controlled. "to go into business with him, to become his partner….Did he discuss it with you before?" click click click the hammer to the gun of load questions cocked backwards.

"Building a partnership takes a lot of long nights together. We would know. Many many nights so close to one another… I definitely would have concerns if my spouse grew such a quick attachment to someone else. Then worked so closely with them." Elizabeth added it in before taking another bite of her meal.

"Is it that far out of the realm of possibilities that we just hit it off well?" Cal intersected.

"We work well together, we are just business partners-" Gillian tried to defend.

"Bull shit, your hardy JUST his business partner, Gillian. You never were." Zoe interrupted. Bang.

"I'm not talking something romantic, at least while we were married – not necessarily at least—but you two have something, a bond, since the moment you met. Since the moment my husband came home praising you." Her features were full of contempt, and her words were biting. Staring daggers at Gillian, unable to hide her true feelings anymore. The effects of the wine and the continuous questions from Perry and Elizabeth getting to her.

" Maybe it's because of what you do, your shared skills and interests. I don't know," she said again with a small shrug. "It was a threat to our marriage. You always had this connection that I was never able to come close to. ….had a connection that I was never able to break, however much I wanted to. No matter how many fights it caused."

"Zoe," Cal seethed.

"We are not having this conversation… especially in front of present company," Gillian snapped.

"And why not Gillian? We aren't married anymore, as you reminded everyone. This dinner is supposed to be about honesty, lets air it all out. What better time than the present?" Zoes anger finally calming down as sadness betrayed her features before speaking again.

"You always understood him better than I ever could, or would. And he trusts you, always has. He let you see his weaknesses, his secrets, his fears, his guilt, his dreams… he shared a part of himself with you that he never did with me. No matter how hard I tried, I could never break down that wall, never truly access that part of him that he was so desperate to keep locked away. But you did." The last words were dripping with condescension, contempt and sadness.

Gillian looked at Zoe, seeing her features full of contempt and a touch of guilt. Cutting her eyes to Perry, seeing his frustration with his partner as he looked at Elizabeth before returning his gaze to Gillian. Looking her in the eyes, he smiled softly with a nod of his head, no words were needed; she could see how terrible he felt for her inadvertently causing the whole mess. Pulling her eyes then to Elizabeth, who looked entertained by the conversation taking place. The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. Looking at Cal, she saw his anger, and saw he was seconds from blowing his top.

"Maybe it's because I wasn't his wife, Zoe. Perhaps the reason he tried to hide things from you was because he didn't want you to love him any less. Didn't want you to judge his mistakes, to feel differently about him if he confessed something he felt ashamed of or guilty about. I was safe grounds. Someone he could talk to without judgment, without repercussions at home."

"Oh, you were being the sweet, perfect little Gillian. Always there to hear his woes…when he should have been talking to his wife."

"Zoe, I've never tried to turn him against yo-

Ignoring Gillian's interjection, she continued "But no, he would talk to you every night." Turning her gaze from Gillian to Cal.

"isn't that right, darling?"

"You were the one who gave up on our marriage, Zoe. We had problems long before me and Gillian met and you know that. Just because you feel guilty for leaving doesn't mean you get to put that on her." Doing his best to not spew fire but control himself for once.

"Defending your 'friendship' with Miss Perfect again, there's a big surprise," she said, raising her glass at him and giving Cal an icy glare.

"Oi" Cal yelled, his anger rising more and more.

"I'm not perfect!" Gillian snapped.

The room was quiet again. Guns drawn at each other, everyone waiting for someone to fire off again.

"I think we should have a cheers; this is one of the most entertaining dinners I have ever been to." Elizabeth rose her glass in the air smiling. "cheers to honesty!"

Gillian grabbed her glass in front of her, raising it in the air. "Cheers to honesty…. I can honestly say… this was one of the most uncomfortable dinners of my life" Sipping her glass and sitting it down. "If you will excuse me." Gillian got up from her chair.

Perry stood along with her, looking concerned at her possible departure.

"And miss all the fun, Gillian?" Zoe toyed.

"I'm leaving." Stepping away from the table and walking away.

"running away? Just like you did from your marriage?"

Gillian turned around heatedly.

"Just because you feel guilty for leaving your marriage doesn't mean you get to project your failures on to me."

Cal stood quickly, wanting to join her.

"Don't," she pointed at both men who were standing at the dinner table. "I just want to be alone."

Thank you all again! Hopefully Zoe isnt too out of character but in this story she has a lot of resentment and anger at our favorite couple. So I really went for it lol. Please leave a review Have a wonderful weekend!