Thank you everyone for the reviews, it means a lot! Sorry for the late post, just got back from vacation I will be posting twice a week going forward Thursdays and Saturdays. What do we all think? Let me know! Longer chapters ahead, review! Thank you all!

Chapter 9: Dirty Laundry

People love it when you lose; they love dirty laundry.

Come and whisper in my ear; give us dirty laundry.

After putting her key in and unlocking the front door, Emily sat her luggage down beside the entrance. Deciding to come home on Saturday night for spring break to surprise her father.

"Dad!" Yelling cheerfully, she made her way to the kitchen to search for the cookies. Placing one in her mouth before yelling again. "DAD!!!" hearing a loud commotion in his bedroom and the door opening.

"Emily!" He ran to his daughter, picking her up in his arms and twirling her around in his arms.

"You're out of breath. You're getting old, Dad, that little run do you in?" she teased. Watching her father with a large smile on her face. Hearing a load thud in the other room, she looked quizzically at her father. Furrowing her brows.

"Someone here with you?" watching his face. Trying his best to hide his expression but failing to do so from his daughter's prying eyes. "Oh, my God… there is!" Her smile growing bigger and bigger, she whispered, "Is it Gil?"

He closed his eyes, a pained expression present with a hint of regret.

"What was that?... What was that look?... Dad, who is in your bedroom?" Worry and panic ran rampant as the words fired out of her.

"Emily! We didn't expect to see you!" Zoe walked out of the hall, reaching for Emily and bringing her into a tight embrace. Emily's wide eyes stared daggers at her father.

"I guess we are all full of surprises tonight," she said, backing out of her mother's arms. Looking at them both with a shake of her head, she returned back to the kitchen, grabbing another cookie. She walked to the window, looking outside as she chewed.

"Emily, it—" Zoe tried to talk to her daughter, but Emily was not having any of it, looking at her mother as she tried to talk to her.

"That car has been parked across the street since I got here…. Are you under surveillance? …Or piss off the wrong client?" she questioned as she looked out the window questioningly.

Walking quickly to the window, Cal watched as a black Cadillac sat idling across the street. "So this is what that French bastard meant by vetting us, huh?" his anger ragging through him.

Going to the front door grabbing the cricket bat from the closest and opening the front door walking to the car, holding it out.

"Oi! Prick!" The car pulled out quickly, rushing from the neighborhood.

Shit, Gillian. I need to call her and let her know: how long was that car following us? What are they watching for?

He walked back into his home, pointing the cricket bat at Zoe as he spoke.

"Is this that prick's way of vetting us?" throwing the bat on the table in a fit of pure anger.

Zoe walked to Emily, placing his arm around her daughter in a show of comfort.

"Well… It is a bit extreme, but you did give him permission." Zoe countered. "more of Gillian gave permission …and you relented" hearing the snide way she said Gillians name, rolling his eyes at her.

"That I did, didn't I?" he stated in a condescending voice, his anger getting the best of him. Grabbing his phone from his pocket, he dialed with determination.

"Who are you calling?" Zoe questioned him, looking at him puzzled.

"Fosta, she should know our friend the designer is having us watched."

Emily watched, curious about what she had missed out on watching, as her father paced back and forth, waiting for Gillian to answer. Turning to her mother. "Is he talking about your client, that Pierce guy?"

"Perry Lavigne, yes" Zoe smiled softly at her daughter before turning to look at Cals pacing figure.

"That man is fiiiiine," she said, a full grin spreading across the young girl's face.

"EH!" Snapping his fingers at his daughter, he had a look of annoyance on his face. No answer. I have tried to call three times now. Gil always answers.

"no answer"

Ending the attempted fourth call in a roll and getting impatient and worried, he texted her.

'Foster, if you don't pick up in the next 5 minutes, I'm coming over.'

"Dad, she could just be in bed, it's like 10 p.m….or better yet, on a date- it is a Saturday night after all" she offered, widening her eyes to mark her point. Pointing at him as he processed her statement. She's not dating anyone right now; she's shown no signs. Could be a first date...

A loud ringing broke his train of thought, and he looked down to see Gillians' name lit up. Thank God.

"I have called going on four times now, Fosta; why haven't you answered? Are you home?" could have said that nicer, start off with pissing her off brilliant you wanker.

"Good evening to you too, Cal. Yes, I'm home. What's going on?" Her voice sounded out of breath. Maybe from rushing to get her phone? She always answers. Why didn't she answer the first ring? …and Is she deflecting?

"Evenin fosta…care to go take a look outside for me?"

"You're not… you're not outside are you?" Her voice sounded slightly panicky, and her breathing became slightly more labored. She wouldn't still be out of breath if she were rushing to get her phone. What is she doing?

"Would it be a problem if I were darling" hearing a pause and a muffled, soft moan escape her mouth before a shake and exhale. She couldn't be… Is she having some private time? The cheeky thought entered his mind as he smiled after hearing her.

"Interrupting something, luv?"

The heated thought of Gillian playing with herself rushed through his mind. Teasing him before the logical side of his brain stepped in. That's possibility one; possibility two is that she has someone over. Someone who isn't stopping even though she's talking on the phon…. The first option is incredibly hot; the second option is… His stomach dropped, feeling the familiar green giant grasping his heart and stomach as he thought about the second option.

"Do you….still need me to look outside Cal?" she questioned voice still out of breath.

"If you can free yourself for a moment, yes." He could hear her getting up and the sound of the blinds cracking open. "See a black Cadillac outside, darling?"

"that…I do… and a white firebird."

"I'm coming over," he stated matter-of-factly, in anger over taking him.

"Cal, we told him he could vet us; we gave permission…In hindsight, maybe we should have asked what that would all intel."

"He's having our houses watched; this is crossing the line."

"Says the man who followed my ex-husband."

"I was protecting you!" Yelling, he looked up to see Emily and Zoe watching him intently. Emily was biting back a knowing smile. Zoe gave a look of utter annoyance.

"And he's protecting himself… if this is what it takes for him to trust us, we just have to get through it," she said, hearing him exhale deeply. "The cars just left."

"They could come back."

"I'll be fine, Cal, He's just taking extra steps to make sure he is in the right hands, and I don't blame him for his concerns. And what he is doing isn't anything different than what you would do"

"Are you comparing me to the French?"

"hot-tempered, trust issues…. passionate, charming, brilliant, loyal, and protective…Yes I think you have similarities."

"You… just called me sexy again," he said, a large smile spreading across his face as he felt his face flush.

"Good niiiiight, Cal."

"Good night, darling, I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing," he said, teasing her with a flirty tone.

"….good night Cal" hanging up with a chuckle.

"how's Gil?" Emily asked cheerfully, eating another cookie.

"She seemed to be enjoying her evening, darling," he smiled to his daughter.

"Well good! She should be able to have some fun after working with you all week," she said, teasing her poor father, not knowing the true nature of what he meant by Gillian enjoying her evening. Cringing internally at his daughter's chosen words.

"I'm going to hang out with her tomorrow morning; she has some clothing from back in the day she is getting rid of and asked if I might want it. She's so sweet isn't she? Don't you just love her?" giving her father a wide, knowing smile. Zoe gave her a curious look.

Little stinker, that daughter of mine.

"I should be getting to bed early morning. Good night, mom," she said, kissing her on the cheek before walking to her dad and kissing him on the cheek before going to her room.

"Happy now that you know your perfect little partner is safe?"

"Really Zo-"

"Yes, really, Cal! What are you going to do? Drive to her house in the middle of the night, brandishing your cricket bat, and rescue her from the big bad-"

"ENOUGH!" getting into her face to yell

"Maybe then she will see you as more than a friend, huh, Cal?" She spit the world's harsh and volatile sounds to her own ears. "That's what you want, right?What have you wanted for some time now? You were practically giddy when you found out about her divorce. Finally, your chance with your perfect little Gillian. But you just can't seem to get out of the friend zone."

"You have no idea what you are talking about."

"don't I? Your longing looks at her. You have been barely able to control your anger lately. You look like you want to rip Perry's head off when he looks at her-"

Grabbing her roughly and kissing her, he was angry. She was angry. These fights usually turn out this way. Fighting and fucking are always just a step away. She kissed him back aggressively; she was jealous, and he could see it clear as day. He could see the pain and hurt as she spoke.

They laid on the couch together, tired and out of breath. Placing his hand on Zoe's cheek, he could still see the hurt on her features.

She has no right to feel so hurt; me and Gillian aren't together. It can never be. And Zoe and I aren't even together, for God's sake.

She was staring back at him, waiting for him to talk. Just tell her the truth, mate, she deserves that. You have used her over and over.

"We are just friends, Zo, never to be anything more… She deserves better than me."

"Because she's just so perfect?" saying with the utmost amount of condescension and annoyance.

"Because I'm broken," and yes, because she is perfect…Because I don't deserve her.

Cal arrived at the office early Monday morning. Sitting at his desk, reviewing the files of the interviews from last week. Waiting for Gillian to arrive. He heard the elevator ding.

7:30, that has to be Foster. He grinned wide, jetting from his desk. Grabbing two cups of coffee from the lunch room before making his way to the lobby, he watched as Gillian walked in. Making her way to her office looking stunning as ever in a deep blue form-fitting dress.

"You're late," he called out, watching her face as she realized he was already in for the day. Slowly shaking her head showing a hint of amusement. He offered her a cup before taking a sip of his own.

"Just because you got here before me doesn't mean I'm late. What are you doing here so early, any way?" taking a sip from her cup sitting on her desk. Before sitting in her chair.

"Can't a man come to his own company early, darling? Did you have a good night, Saturday, luv?" giving her a knowing grin as he watched her.

Bitting her lip, she tried to hide her embarrassment as her cheeks flushed lightly. Giving him a sheepish look and not saying anything.

"Emily came over quite early Sunday, so I have a couple guesses if you want to hear them." Smiling wider.

"I'd rather not, but I'm sure you're going to ask regaurd-"

"option one!" interrupting her by making his way to her chair and getting close to her. "I called when you were enjoying some… shall we say, time to yourself…. Which you didn't stop doing while on the phone with me." Opening her mouth in shock, then Looking away from his eyes, he saw arousal reflecting in them. That's not it, but is she getting turned on by the thought of that? Saving that thought for later.

"You've done a lot of thinking about this, havent you?" She was trying to deflect.

"All Saturday and Sunday night darling" giving her a cocky grin.

"Think about me a lot at night, Cal?" She flirted, trying to change the subject.

"constantly" he watched as her eyes grew darker hearing his response. I never thought I'd see the day Doctor Foster looked so turned on. This is getting into a dangerous territory if she keeps looking at me like that.

"But your deflection isn't working this time, love. So not option one then, huh? Damn, that was my favorite... Option two: You're seeing someone new, and you have managed to hide your dirty little secret from me again. It must be new if he didn't stay the night." Looking back at him, her face was guarded, but he could still see a hint of shame. Shame is interesting; I didn't even think about option three.

"Not it either. That leaves option three, someone just came over and left. After you… enjoyed yourself," she let out a breath of air, looking away from him. She was holding her breath, slightly shaking; she was nervous. Bingo.

Leaning closer into her personal space, he pointed a finger at her face. "Option three it is. Slight hint of shame, darling; it wasn't Alec, was it?" It better not have been Alec; that bastard doesn't deserve her, didn't deserve to be married to her or come over for casual relations.

Showing clear anger and disgust. "Not all of us have sex with our ex-spouse, Cal," she said, cocking an eyebrow at him. "You had your fun; we have work to do," she said, turning her head to her door and hearing the bing of the elevator's foot steps following.

"far from letting this go, darling."

Perry stood at the door, catching their attention as he pulled his focus away from Gillian.

"Doctor Lightman, good to see you," Perry said with much bravado, smiling at Cal. Turning his attention to Gillian, who was taking a drink of her coffee, "Doctor Foster, I love the dress. You look like a beautiful doll. I do hope you had yourself a pleasurable weekend," he said, licking his lips and grinning at her wickedly. His mind went a mile a minute as he understood Perry's true meaning behind his words.

The coffee cup dropped from Gillians hands, shattering on the floor. Thankfully empty of its contents, broken porcelain lay strewn on the ground below her. She never startles, Could Perry have been the man?

Quickly bending down to pick up the pieces, Cal joined in to help as he locked eyes with her. Her face was guarded, but she shook her head softly, letting him know it was definitely not Perry who was over on Saturday. Breathing a sigh of relief.

It wasn't him, huh? Thank God for that ray of light. But she was with someone that night. And this wanker knows. He knows because his surveillance crew is watching. Was his knowledge of what she was up to what caused her to drop her cup? Angered more as he recalled the other night.

Getting up from the ground, Perry reached down, picking up a piece of porcelain that had made its way over to him.

Chuckling lightly, "my apologies for the startle-

Walking up to the large man and getting into his face. "You didn't tell us you would be watching our bloody houses, you twat," his ferocity spewing out. "Is that your way of vetting us, huh? Patrolling our goddamn houses?!"

Perry remained calm, listening, waiting for him to finish. "My apologies, Doctor Lightman. It was never my intention to offend or overstep. I told my crew that I wanted an evaluation of you and Doctor Foster. They called me when you, as they said, "chased them with a bat."

Gillian turned to Cal and mouthed, "A bat?" giving him a questioning look. He merely shrugged as they both returned their attention to Perry.

"When I heard they were at your house and going to Doctor Foster's next, I drove down myself to ask them to halt. It is not your present that I was curious about, but nearly your past. I am truly sorry," he said, putting his hand on his chest, showing remorse for his actions.

Cal took a deep breath before exhaling loudly and backing away.

"You're forgiven," Gillian chimed in, looking at Perry with a nod. Cal gave her a shocked and frustrated look. "It's not like you haven't done similar things, Cal." Following Alec and Burns was keeping her safe…I was protecting you.

"And he apologized," unlike you, the words unsaid but felt by them both.

Perry nodded, smiling warmly at her.

"We should get started; your employees should already be on their way for interviews." Gillian informed Perry as they began there day.

Gillian sat at the desk with her headphones on, conducting the telephone interviews, as Cal sat watching the vocal stress analysis. Perry sat across the way, listening while sewing a blouse. Looking up and occasionally listening in.

Cal was doing his best to pay attention to the vocal stress question, his eyes kept drifting to the designer. Gillian may have forgiven him, but he could not forget the fact the man had them followed; he had been to his house; he went to her house. The thought angered him beyond comparison. He wanted this case to be finished, but they needed to find out who the thief was.

A man in a black-on-black suit walked into the office, handing Perry two Manila folders. Those must be our evaluations. Cal thought bitterly.

Perry accepted the folders greedily. Sitting the blouse down on the table, thumbing through the documents. Cal watched as his once greedy grin took on a look of absolute surprise, then sadness. Looking up from the pages in his hand to look at Gillian. Why does he look so upset?

Perry got up from the desk, holding the envelopes, and nodded to Cal before walking out of the office.

What could he have found? I need to see what he finds. I need to get my hands on the bloody folders. Turning his attention back to the vocal analysis, waiting for his chance.

"Coffee, darling?"

"Yes, please. I get a feeling this is going to be a long day," she laughed softly, taking off her headphones before rubbing the back of her neck with her hands.

Excusing himself while Gillian was sitting up for the next interview. Glancing down the halls of the office, he tried to find where Perry went. Where the hell could that bastard have gone?

The last office he didn't check was his own. Walking in, he found Perry sitting on his couch. His fingers rubbed the bridge of his nose. The folders were laid out in front of him. Looking the true picture of a distressed man. He glanced up as Lightman walked in, placing his hand on his chin. His breath shaky.

"Doctor Lightman, my apologies. I was looking for a private place, and your office fit best," he said, grabbing the contents of the folder and placing them back inside before standing.

"Those our 'evaluations'?" waving his finger at the folders. Looking at him with an irritated look. "Did we pass your trust test, mate?"

"That you did, Doctor Lightman." Perry gave him a reassuring nod and a soft smile. "If you'll excuse me, I think I need a smoke break," he said, exhaling with a shaken breath.

"Reading about our dirty laundry scaring you off? Swear I'm a changed man. That was a long time ago." He tried joking, but the man's eyes were miles away. "I didn't think I was all that shocking, mate." Looking at Cal, then away.

Studding the man and getting in his face, pointing at him "It's not my folder that has you needing a smoke break now, is it mate?" He watched as Perry nodded his head softly. Before walking out of his office and making his way to the balcony.

Turning to follow him outside. Perry lit a cigarette, taking a large inhale.

"Alright, out with it."

"What do you mean, Doctor Lightman?"

"What's got you in your feelings?"

"Nothing more than what you already know , I'd wagger. I just didn't expect…all of that."

"All of what?" he interrupted harshly.

"Gillian is so warm and caring. Perfect really. I just never would have guessed…" taking another drag of his cigarette before finishing his thought.

Perfect—there's that word again. She really is. But what could he have found out?

"Mind if I take a look at what your sources unearthed about us?"

Giving him a questioning look as he inhaled another pull of his cigarette. Looking at the folders in his hand, then back at Lightman.

"Under one condition? We agree to total and complete honesty, Dr. Lightman. No secrets. Loyalty for loyalty"

Cal weighted his options as he thought about his proposal. "Seems like a fair trade," he said, holding his hand out to shake the large man's hand. His lit cigarette was still between his fingers as they shook firmly.

"Yours was a pretty entertaining read, I must say. Never would have guessed you and Ms. Landau getting arrested for public –"

"That was a long time ago," interrupting Perry defending his younger self's actions.

"Seems like you and Ms. Landau still have something by the looks of it," he said, handing Cal the folders before putting out the butt of his smoke and walking back inside.