Everyone's so soft, everyone's so sensitive Do I offend you? You're hanging on my sentences

I never signed up for your drama

Up for your drama, up for your drama club – Drama Club by, Melanie Martinez

Perry sat back down at the dinner table, watching Lightman intently. Still standing watching the door Gillian just walked out of.

This whole night has gone to shit. I need to go to her. Talk to her. We never signed up for this. She did not deserve any of what was said to her.

His heart ached; his stomach was sick. Looking down at the table, he saw the manila folders sitting there. Reaching down and grabbing them, he turned his body to walk out.

"Doctor Lightman," Perry addressed him, looking uneasy.

"Marvelous bloody dinner, Perry. Maybe next time you can ask about our most embarrassing high school experiences? Losing our virginity's?... Or better yet, how we felt when a mad man held me at gun point at the Lightman group, huh? That was a good ol time"

"My apologies, Doctor, we have had these kinds of dinners before... They are usually quite the bonding experience. If not a healing one, letting things be discussed that are normally bottled up-"

"I, for one, feel much better now." Zoe interrupted with a smug grin.

"You had no bloody right-" Snapping at Zoe harshly, Cal pointed his hand accusingly to her.

"No right? Am I not entitled to my feelings, darling? We are having an "honest dinner" after all." Her words dripped with condescension, accentuated by the devilish grin that had formed on her lips. He could still see the fire lit up in her eyes. Still wanting a fight and continue her battle.

If she wants a fight, I will give her a bloody war.

"That you are, darling." sitting back down at the dinner table and looking at Zoe.

"Same as I am." He pointed to himself.

"Same as Foster is." he said, tapping the folders in his hand.

"But if you really want honesty, let's do it, luv, let's air it all out." Smiling with a wolfish grin ready for the fight that was about to unfold.

"Since you clearly have so much you want to say and all. I have something to say as well. I tried to talk to you about starting up the Lightman group, and you said, "It would never work." I proposed the idea of you and me becoming partners first; did that bit slip your mind? When you told me that married people shouldn't go into business together. 'Just in case something doesn't work out' …I should have seen that as a bloody warning sign." He was getting angry with each passing word.

Zoe rolled her eyes at him, clearly annoyed by what he had to say.

"Then, when I finally told you I was going for it, I would be starting up my own company. That I found someone who I wanted to go into business with. You said. "Who would be so foolish as to take on that much risk with you?"

"It was risky….But that's who you are: a risk-taker. "Clearly it worked out." giving him a smug grin.

"That it did darling. Its been successful enough to pay for your firm didn't it? Because I had a partner that had faith in me and in our business." Zoe gave him an icy glare as he continued.

"Care to tell our Lil drama club here what you asked me….when you finally met Foster in person?... After I told you I asked her to be my partner?" leaning forward in his seat staring Zoe down.

"do tell!" Elizabeth exclaimed with an amused grin, leaning forward in her chair watching the couple.

Expelling a breath deeply throw her nose, Zoe bit her lip before reaching out her hand to take another sip of her wine.

"I asked if she got the job because of her qualifications and promise in the field..."she nonchalantly said. Staring back at his unwavering piercing gaze. Hesitating to finish the rest of her sentence. "…or…because she can suck a mean d-..."

Loud coughing stopped Zoe from finishing her vulgar sentence as Elizabeth choked on her wine. Everyone at the table turned to look at her in shock as her eyes watered. She reached out and took a sip of her water, trying to calm herself. Waving her hand in front of her to show she was OK. Softly coughing to herself covering her mouth.

"That you did…From the moment you met her, you thought the worst. You judged her before you knew her. You had disdain for her since the moment you met her and that never wavered."

"Oh, please, Cal, like you haven't done the same with the men I have worked with. My old boss? You thought I was sleeping with him and he turned out to be a homosexual?" Zoe defended fighting matching his anger.

"That was a bad read on my part! It happens on a rare occasion and I did apologize. But you were unrelenting about Gillian. You said earlier that I should have been talking to you and not her? How many nights did I try to talk to you about cases and you showed no interest, only being impatient for me to be done? How many times did you tell me that the Lightman Group was going to fail and I should close it down before we went bankrupt?" The words spewed from his lips were volatile and biting. Zoe's once smug and confident expression transformed into hurt and anger as he continued speaking.

"How many times did I come home from a grueling day only to come home to a fight with you? Your trying to blame my and Foster's closeness for our marriage failing. We had problems long before, many that you have been extremely vocal about. You wanted out, you were unhappy for a long time. The second we started the Lightman group it was finally an excuse for you to put up walls between us. You wouldn't talk to me, and when I tried, you didn't care-"

"bullshit-"

"No, this conversation is bullshit. You trying to blame the demise of our marriage even partially on her is complete and utter bullshit. You couldn't give a damn about what I had to say at the end of the day, so I stopped trying. Maybe I should have kept trying, kept making an attempt, but I kept seeing the absolute lack of shits you cared. And it broke me to see how little my wife really cared about me. I talked to Foster because she has always been supportive, always cared-"

"Always perfect?"

"You better knock that off. She's my best friend-"

"Who you want to fu -"

"Zoe-"

"No, let's be honest, Cal, you forgot how long we were together. You don't think some of your science rubbed off on me? Didn't think I learned from you. That I didn't see things? I'm sure Alec saw it as well. The dilated pupils, The longing glances-"

"Enough!"

A laugh erupted from Elizabeth as she covered her mouth.

"I'm sorry… This is just so fucking awkward," she continued, laughing through her hands.

"That's enough out of you! You are just a shit stirrer, aren't you? You get some sort of sick enjoyment out of this?" snapping at Elizabeth, looking at him with wide eyes and a sly smirk on her lips.

"Why are we only talking about us any way? How about some honesty from you two?" Cap pointed accusingly between both Elizabeth and Perry.

"We are completely honest with one another, Doctor Lightman." Elizabeth responded unshaken by his outburst.

"No one is completely honest with someone else. No one. No matter how close you may think you are... You've got nuffin to hide? Nuffin you are keeping a secret from ya partner ova here?" Pointing to Perry but not venturing his eyes away from her. Her face returned to the controlled stoicism she showed during her interview. Her shoulder raised slightly, betraying her icy façade.

There we are; we have something to hide, don't we?

"You are good, darling, but that little shrug you just showed is betraying you. You have something to hide, don't you? That wine loosening you up a little? Warm up your frosty demeanor?"

"I don't know what you are talking about, Doctor. I've never hidden anything from my partner." Her voice remained calm and flat, but her features showed more. Much more. As much as she was trying to fight it, the wine let her guard down, and she was showing more expressions than Cal had ever seen from the woman.

Lie, she's a good liar. I'll give her that. She's very controlled.

"That's a lie darling. So what is it? Are you in love with yer partner after all these years?" Resting his elbow on the table ,resting his chin on his palm.

"Could ask you the same about your partner?" a quick, sharp strike. Her eye brow raising sharply in defiance.

This bitch, she is really trying to get to me but that was still a deflection

"Nah, that's not it; you do love him, yes, but not like that. Ya fancy more of the ladies anyway."

"I do have a preferred appetite... and I do love to eat…" reaching for her wine taking a sip but keeping the glass close to her mouth.

"If only Gillian would allow me the pleasure." A predatory gleam in her eyes.

"LIZ." Perry snapped at Elizabeth, giving her a warning look.

"It has something to do with Perry, though, judging by the look of things. I can see it on your face. How you have reacted and, of course, your countless deflections."

"Something from y'all's past?"

Damn not it either.

He spoke quickly before she could deflect again, reading her intently.

"Something current, then, is it?"

"I don't know what you are trying to see, Doctor Lightman, but I have nothing to hide. Maybe you're not as good as we thought you were…This case is certainly taking much longer than expected. Maybe you're losing your touch in your old age." toying with him with a biting and sharp tone.

Deflection again; she's definitely hiding something current then.

"It wouldn't be the first time he's wrongfully accused someone of lying." Zoe countered, turning to look at Cal.

"That's enough." Perry interjected, standing at the table. "I think this has been more than enough honesty for the night."

"I was just leaving." Cal stood up, grabbing the files once again. "Foster forgot her files, if you'll excuse me."

"She doesn't want you." Perry said it flatly.

"Beg your fuckin' pardon?"

"English is so difficult some times, I meant she wants to be alone." The large man leaned his body forward showing an expression of concern and care mentioning Gillian.

"And you know what she really wants, is that right, Perra?" Cal asked, getting into the large man's face displeased in what he was seeing in his face.

You don't know her, don't act like you know her.

"Give her time. Let's have a nightcap... just us men." looking at Elizabeth and Zoe. Elizabeth stood quickly with a nod.

"I was just leaving anyway." Elizabeth stated before walking over to Perry, placing a quick kiss on his cheek, and turning to leave.

Zoe glanced at the two men, locking eyes with Cal, before getting up to leave, following Elizabeth's lead.

Cal watched the women exit before looking at Perry.

"As fun as tonight has been, mate.. I don't know if I feel up for more." Feeling defeated by the sheer emotional beating of the night.

I don't think I could deal with much more tonight. I want a stiff drink and a bed to pass out in. But first I want to make sure Gillian is okay.

"Please… Doctor Lightman…I think it's needed after tonight," he said, chuckling softly. "You can give Gillian the files, then come back and have a drink with me... There is something I wanted to discuss with you… in private."

What could he possibly want to talk about after tonight? Either I'm a sadist or have a morbid curiosity.

"Fine. Give me fifteen."

"Make it ten... And if you don't come back by then, I'll come knockn on Gillians door." He smiled devilishly.

You bloody French bastard

Rolling his eyes at the man before turning to walk out the door.

Cal stood outside Gillian's door, hesitating to knock.

Maybe she just wants to be alone. Maybe I'll just slide the folders under her door. You wanted to bring the folders to her because you wanted to see her, make sure she was okay. Don't lie to yourself. Just knock, you wanker.

Knocking softly at the door and hearing no answer, he knocked again, harder this time, and paused.

Come on, Gil, answer. I just need to see your face…I need to see that you're okay.

Hearing the door slowly unlock and open. Gillian cracked it open slowly. Her arm rested on the door, keeping it open. Gone, the makeup and outfit from earlier. There stood Gillian, fresh-faced, her hair pulled back in a messy bun, her curls framing her face. Standing in front of him wearing light pink pajama shorts and a white t-shirt. No bra again underneath; he took immediate notice, trying not to stare and failing.

Perky, Stop staring at your best friend's tits. Stop staring at your best friend's tits.

She must have noticed his not-too-subtle gaze as she quickly folded her arms over her chest. Shielding herself from his gaze.

Aaaaand she noticed, you idiot.

Forcing his eyes to her face, he saw how beat down she looked—still beautiful but exhausted and sad.

"You forgot your folders, luv." Holding the files up and giving them to her, she reached out, holding them to her chest.

"thank you." She said it softly and morosely.

"Look…I'm so sorry about tonight, I-"

Leaning into the wall, she inhaled deeply before speaking. "How big of a shitshow did the rest of dinner go after I left?"

Smiling softly at her swearing, sounding foreign but somehow still sweet coming from her lips.

"Total cluster fuck luv." He saw a small smile creep onto her face before it quickly disappeared.

"I'm sorry for leaving you to fend for yourself."

"Don't be; you had every right to leave when you did." giving her a soft, reassuring smile.

Her mouth opened and closed quickly, inhaling again. She looked down at the ground, then back up at him as he spoke.

"Zoe was out of line."

"Yes, she was... But that doesn't mean that's not how she really feels."

Stepping closer to her personal space, she opened the door more for him as he stood right in front of her.

"Doesn't give her a right to say those things to you."

"It's not like what she said wasn't the truth, Cal. Not all of it atleast—we bonded quickly. We got very close, very fast. We spent so much time together…Our spouses had a right to feel insecure… threatened… jealous." Her words drifted off as she looked down at the ground. Looking back up at him, he stepped even closer, inches away.

"I'm sorry if I created problems in your marriage, Cal; if it wasn't for me, maybe you two-"

"Would still be divorced... Miserable... and a lot less sane." Smiling down at her, she tried and failed to keep the sweet smile from her lips, nodding her head softly as she looked down.

"Thank you…" moving the folders from herself and slapping him in the chest with them playfully. "for bringing these back to me." Biting back her lip, he saw her eyes darken slightly.

"I was thinking you might be going a little batty, not being able to work and all for a whole night." teasing her, softly laughing together. He tentatively continued.

"And…I wanted to see if you were ok."

"I'm ok….you?" raising her brow softly at him and watching him curiously.

"I am as long as you are luv." He leaned closer to her. Watching as her eyes darkened even further.

"Do you… want to come inside?" She softly asked, the words low and husky.

Is she flirting with me? Sober? Maybe I'm just being hopeful and presumptuous. Maybe she just means come inside her room so we can talk about dinner more or ask me about how I feel... look over files...

He watched her face carefully, noticing the soft arch of her brow. Her tongue softly wetting her lips subconsciously. Her prior sadness was replaced by desire and lust. His blood instantly rushed through his body, traveling south, as a familiar tingle possessed him.

Holy shit, she is flirting... Yes, I would love nothing more than to come inside. Why does it sound sexy when she says it and filthy when I think about it?

Cal's mouth dropped open and closed quickly as his mouth went dry. Forcing himself to swallow the dry lump that formed in his throat with a silent gulp. It was only a few seconds, but it felt like minutes of him trying to think of what to say.

God, I want to; she bloody well wants to, by the looks of it. You could finally finish what you started the other night. Come into her room. Shove her against the door, kiss her with all of the passion and desire that has been pent up after all of these years. Tug off that soft white t shirt of hers, slowly letting my fingers touch the soft skin underneath. Let your hands finally roam over places of her body you wouldn't allow yourself the pleasures of. Finally do the things you only allowed yourself to dream of doing. But then what happens…what happens after? You know what happens. You hurt her again like you always do, except this time it's going to be far worse because you crossed the line from friendship to lovers. Because it wouldn't just be sex, it never would be just that with her. Because you want her more then just physically, you want her in every way body and soul. Both of your feelings will get too involved too quickly so when inevitability of you hurting her happens. And it bloody will happen…You will hurt her so badly that she won't be able to look at you. She will leave you. It's better to want her from afar than to have her and risk losing her. You're a fucking coward.

Taking a half step back, he looked at her face, seeing the instant rejection on her features, followed by a well-hidden hurt.

"I… actually told Perry… I'd join him for a night cap." defeated by his own cowardice.

She gave him a soft smile, looking away then back at him. She was about to speak before a very loud Perry Lavigne walked down the hall.

"Oooh, doctor," he sung out loudly. "I have been patiently waiting for you and was kind enough to give you your full fifteen minutes. Time's up ami - friend, let's have a drink." He spoke while walking up to Gillian's door. Licking his lips as he took her in, a smile formed on his lips.

"Gillian," he nodded as he saddled next to Cal, resting against the door frame.

Gillian quickly brought the folders back to her chest covering herself once again.

"Perry," Gillian nodded with a small, returning smile. "I'll leave you boys to it." She spoke low and husky again, watching both men.

Perry let out a low hum as Cal and he stepped out of the doorway.

"Goodnight…Try and stay out of trouble." She teased before shutting the door.

Cal and Perry sat across from each other. They gathered around a large fire pit on the balcony of Perry's condo. The city lights in the foreground providing a distant light. They sat in silence as they watched the city below. Three scotches in, and Cal felt solidly buzzed off of Perry's thirty-year-old Macallan. Looking at the large man in front of him, he spread his legs wide in his chair as he balanced a glass in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He looked relaxed and peaceful. The gleam in his eyes showed he was just as buzzed as Cal happened to be.

"I owe you an apology for my partner's behavior... She was in a playful mood." Perry broke the silence by looking at Cal.

"You call that playful?"

"For her, yes," he laughed softly. "Still, it was not my intention for the night, and for that, I am sorry. I meant what I said earlier. I do wish we could all become friends….We don't have many in this line of work… everyone wants something."

"You're paying us mate. Already off to a bad start with that one." Countering Perry's wishes for friendship with the reality of why they were really there

"That is true! But you don't treat me like a typical client…You don't bullshit me or suck up to me; you have both just been... honest. I respect that…I need more of that in my life."

Partially true. We have been very upfront with you and are not sucking up like the gaggle of people he is used to. Gillian, on the other hand, hasn't told you that you're her little science project... But yeah, we've been honest, to say the least.

"Let's see how the rest of the case goes, Pera."

"See what I told you? No bullshit!" he laughed again, dragging a puff from his cigarette.

Cal chuckled softly while watching the man sip his drink.

I've got to say he does have his moments; if he wasn't trying so hard to get into Gillian's pants, I would actually like the guy quite a bit.

"Hopefully, Ms. Landau is not mad at me about tonight. She is a hell of a lawyer, and I'd hate to lose her because of... Liz's prodding… my prodding." Perry looked at his cigarette, looking quite solemn at the possibility of losing his lawyer.

"She's a tough one, always down for a challenge. I wouldn't be too concerned. She was far more angry with me than you tonight."

"That she was! There's some real fire between you all. I didn't think Gillian had it in her to fight back as she did. I love to see it, I have to say." He chuckled, shaking his head, leaning forward and looking curiously at Cal.

"So you and Ms. Landau? I thought you two were on very good terms, to say the least. What happened? Bad loven gone bad? ...foreplay?" He arched an eyebrow with a smirk on his lips.

"This is not our first fight, mate, and it won't be our last."

"Definitely foreplay then," Perry chuckled, putting out his cigarette.

"What did you want to talk about, by the way? Now that we are in private and all,"

"Done with the small talk, Doctor?" He chuckled again. Looking down at the bottle beside him, Perry grabbed it and poured himself another. Tipping the bottle to Cal, silently asking if he wanted another. Cal thrusted his chin forward, signaling yes. Perry reached across and filled his glass before sitting back down in his chair.

"Before I begin, you have to swear to me not to say anything… to Gillian." taking on a very serious tone.

Oh Jesus Christ, is this a love confession? Pour his heart out to me and hope I help him in his attempt to get her in bed?

"Depends on what you have to say, mate," he said, sipping his drink and watching Perry intently.

"Swear it, Doctor." His words were firm, to the point, and unquestioning.

Cal raised his hand in the air. "I swear."

A long, ugly pause hung in the air before Perry spoke again. Cal watched as he looked rather nervous and anxious before finally speaking.

"It seems Mr. Miloy..." Cals eyes widened hearing the name man's name. Locking eyes in anticipation for the next words to flow from the Frenchman's mouth.

"Gillian's old ballet teacher... is to be honored and receive a lifetime achievement award at the most acclaimed ballet school here in New York, this fall."

Cal's hands gripped his glass tightly before hearing the glass give into his tension, cracking slightly under his grip.

Perry leaned forward in his chair, letting his body hang over his legs. His glass held low in his hands almost to the ground. Looking down at his glass and taking a large swig before looking back at Cal.

"We can't have that now…. Can we, Doctor?" His voice was low and guttural, dripping with anger and disgust for the teacher. His eyes searching for Cals response.

"What… do you have in mind, mate?" leaning forward in his chair getting closer to Perry.

"...care to join me tonight on a little field trip?"