Chapter 12: From Eden

Thank you all again for sticking with the story! Back to fun and drama filled episodes. I hope you all injoy!

I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door. - From Eden by Hozier

Waking up from the best night of sleep he had in a long time; Surprising for the traumatic turn of events the night revealed He looked down at Gillians' sleeping form, pressed tightly against his.

I probably slept so well because of who I slept with…. Slept next to not slept with…. No matter how you say it or think about it, it doesn't sound good. But having her in my arms puts my overthinking mind at ease.

Stirring slightly and waking up. Gillians' eyes cracked open as she looked at him.

"Good morning, luv," he whispered warmly.

"What time is it?" She asked groggily, raising her head from his chest and squinting, trying to wake up.

God, she is just so beautiful, even sleepy-eyed and messy-haired.

"Quarter past seven," her eyes bulging as she tried to get up quickly, his arms pulling her back down.

"No, you are not rushing to work; you have had a night… We have both had a night. Take the day off."

"I'm not taking the day off, Cal; we have so much going on."

"If you won't take the day off, then take your time coming in. You don't need to rush in."

"I need a shower," she said hesitantly, looking away from him.

"Of course, darling," he said. He could see embarrassment and regret on her face, causing his stomach to form a knot.

Shit, no Gil. Please don't look at me like that.

Gillian got out of bed and made her way to the adjoining bathroom, stopping in the door frame and looking back at Cal as he got out of bed.

"Thank you… for last night…for listening," she said, biting her lower lip and giving him a warm, small smile.

"Anytime luv, any time," he said as she closed the door partially to the bathroom as she started the shower.

He heard his phone ring and pulled it out of his pocket. Zoe—of course it's Zoe. "Good morning"

"You didn't come home last night; do I even want to know?" She sounded irritated and impatient.

"Where not married any more, darling, you don't get to know all my dirty little secrets," he said, watching the door to the bathroom as he watched as Gillian walked by, seeing her pajamas being tossed to the ground. Trying hard not to think of a fully naked Gillian in the shower and failing miserably. Remembering his hands on her hips, her thighs, and her soft lips

"You're supposed to meet me and your daughter for breakfast at eight; did that slip your mind, Cal?" Shit, why yes it did.

"IL be there in ten" hanging up his phone. Debating whether to tell Gillian he needed to leave.

She won't be able to hear with the shower going, and I don't trust myself with her naked inches away. Not after that kiss, not after the look she was giving me last night, even if she was drunk.

Choosing the safer option. Leaving with out a word, he called a cab and rushed out of her house.

Walking into The Lightman Group at nine with Zoe and Emily by his side. Needing a ride after leaving his car at the office after the events of the night.

He walked past Gillian's office as he made his way to his own, seeing that she was already in.

So much for taking her time coming in.

Walking into his office and turning to Emily.

"Thanks for the ride, luv." He hugged and kissed his daughter.

"I'm going to say hi to Gil real quick. I'm sure mom wants to pressure you and find out where you were last night," she teased before leaving.

Zoe turned to him, giving him a knowing look. "Sooo, care to tell me who you were with?"

"not really"

"You know, I thought us sleeping with each other again might be enough to keep your attention."

"Bloody hell, Zoe, nothing happened like what you are thinking. That's all I'm going to say about it," he snapped.

Looking at him curiously and hesitantly. "Cal. I want to try again."

"excuse me?!" He could not keep the shock from his face or voice.

"I want to give us a try again. I have missed you; the time we have spent together has made me realize that." Seeing something else in her eyes—something green—she was jealous and was acting on that. Peeing on her territory.

"Just the time we have spent together has made you realize that?" Giving her a knowing look as he moved closer to her face.

"Well, the thought of you being with someone else last night also brought some strong feelings. It kept me up all night. I don't want you with anyone else."

"We have already done this, Zoe. Time and time again, luv. What makes you think this time will be any different?"

Hearing his words caused her to pause. Looking at him deeply before closing in on the short distance that remained between them. Kissing him on the mouth. "Just think about it, ok?"

Hearing a soft knock at the door and seeing Gillian and Emily standing next to each other. Both with looks of shock and disappointment. Emily shook her head before huffing.

"Ready mom?" she asked, sounding very irritated. Looking over to Gillian, giving her a sad smile that went unnoticed. Gillian looked down and away, not wanting to look at either Cal or Zoe.

"Yes, let's get going, honey," she said, walking to the door. "Gillian" giving her a short curt nod.

Leaving a dumbfounded Cal and disappointed Gillian in her wakes.

"Not what it looks like; she kissed me."

"You don't have to explain yourself to me, Cal… I actually came in to apologize for last night. I was upset after visiting the ghosts of my past. I was hurting, and you were so supportive and just…a really good friend….A true gentleman." He could see embarrassment and a hint of shame.

'I don't want you to be a gentleman,' the memory of her words from the night before replaying in his mind. Remembering her body pressing against him, causing a familiar tingle to run through his body.

"You have nothing to apologize for, darling," he said, avoiding her gaze so she did not see the effect her words had on him. Making his way to his desk.

"Yes, I do…I was drunk and kissed you, and it was over the line." Walking to his desk and taking a seat.

No, no, no, we are done with the Goddamn line.

"You have nothing to apologize for," he said, keeping his eyes down and looking at the files on his desk.

"Yes, I do... I kissed you and forced myself on you." His head snapped up at her.

Forced herself on me? If only she knew how bloody hard it was to turn her down. How it nearly killed me to stop what we were doing. How much I wanted so much more. How many nights I dream of her.

"For god's sake, Cal, I groped you and tried to perform oral sex on you… I have a lot to apologize for." The words fell out of her mouth quickly, rushed, and uncontrollably. Her features revealed embarrassment and shame as she avoided eye contact with him.

He was dumbfounded and shocked. Feeling as though he must have misheard his best friend use the words "oral sex" and "him" in the same sentence.

"It was over the line, and I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

'It won't happen again.' Stabbing him like a knife.

It's safer to not let it happen, as upsetting as it is and as much as I desire more. Much more. But you will hurt her; you can't do that. You have to keep her safe, even from yourself. No matter the cost to your own desires… But I'll be damned if she puts the line between us again. We have come too far. It needs to be burned to the ground, never to come back from the dead. I won't stand for it.

His sadness quickly washed away, replaced by anger at the dreaded line.

Walking close to her, getting in her face. His words fell from him without thought or control.

"That bloody well won't be happening. Screw the line!" harsh and uncontrolled, he couldn't stop. Causing Gillian to startle backwards.

"I hate that bloody line. I have always hated it. You're not drawing it between us again."

Gillians' mouth gapped open in shock, her brows furrowing startled from his bought of anger.

"Am I interrupting something?" Perry appeared in the doorway.

"Yes," Cal stated firmly.

"No," Gillian said in unison with him.

"Sorry, the door was open." Perry stepped into the office, looking between the two partners curiously.

"That's ok, Perry; we were just getting ready for the day. Come with me to the cube; we can get started," she said, forcing a warm smile that did not reach her eyes. Nodding at Cal before walking out the door with Perry behind her.

'How would you know what I feel like?' well know I bloody well do…

Gillian made her way to the cube, with Perry sitting down at the desk. The large man came to sit next to her, joining her side.

"Before we get started, I just wanted to say that… I'm sorry again for the surveillance team; it was extreme, intrusive, and… over the line." Searching his face as he spoke, Gillian could see the guilt and how truly sorry he felt.

"Thank you for apologizing… I honestly don't think the surveillance was the worst of it though," she said, looking down and away from his gaze.

"Summarizing my life and my past down to a troubling, heartbreaking manila folder however was worse," she said, her voice trying to remain strong even though she felt truly defeated and overwhelmed by the man's knowledge of her past. Something she never shared with anyone besides Cal, and not even fully until last night.

"Gillian I am truly sorry." She could see the sorrow and sympathy in his eyes. But not pity; she could see appreciation. Turning her body to fully meet his gaze.

"My mother had a lot of mental issues. She would… become quite violent." Rolling up the sleeves of his shirt, showing a long scar up his forearm. "We all have our scars…My mother saw things. She tried to stab me one night; she thought I was an intruder. Not her son coming home. Even after I told her over and over that it was me, she didn't see me as me. I may not know the full story of you, Gillian, but what I do know and what I do see is something truly beautiful."

Looking at the long scar on his forearm and back at his face. Feeling her eyes well up with tears. He placed his hand on her cheek. "None of that now. You know what I thought when I met you?"

Shaking her head softly, she said no, searching his eyes.

"Well, first I thought, oh my God, I'm in trouble. She's perfection." causing a sad, brief smile to creep its way onto her face.

"Then, as I have grown to know you more and more, Even if not that much in our brief time together, I could see there was something. I asked my surveillance team for more in-depth information on you because I could see something familiar…something tragic… something magical about you." The tears freely fell from her eyes as he held her cheek in place. Looking at her with adoration.

"I saw you and could see how lonesome you are just like me, how wholesome you are… very much unlike me." He laughed softly, causing her to smile through her tears.

"Reading about what happened in your past… I knew I was right when I saw something familiar because it's the same thing I see when I look in the mirror—someone who has survived and thrived after so much." His eyes watered while he spoke.

"That man shouldn't be allowed to breathe… I'd gladly take a rope to that man's neck and hang him from a tree for what he did to you." His voice seeped with utter hatred and anger for the monster that hurt her. Inhaling deeply, he controlled his rage before expelling his breath. Washing his face of the anger and looking into her eyes.

"For you to become so glorious after all of that… loving, warm, and kind. I truly think we meet people at the right times, Gillian. I slithered here from my Eden just to meet you."

"So you're the devil?" She softly chuckled, sniffling, as the tears stopped.

"Your partner seems to think so." Returning her laughter with his soft chuckle.

"He doesn't seem to care for me very much…I care more about what you think of me than him, however." Removing his hand from her face and wiping her tears away.

"He doesn't like a lot of people."

"Maybe he doesn't like a lot of people because he is trying to protect you from the monsters of the world. I can't fault him for that."

"He's a good friend."

"I don't think it's just that, Gillian."

"We aren't… It's not like that. Just close friends. That's all we will ever be. And I'm not his type… I'm too familiar. Why do you care what I think of you?" hoping her deflection would distract him from talking about her and Cal's relationship.

"Because you are exactly my type." Looking heatedly at her.

"Even though I hate your ethics, I respect them, but I hate them…Not letting you date a client and all" chuckling softly as she smiled in return. "We could just have feral animalistic sex while we wait for me to no longer be a client. Then have a real first date, of course." Staring at her wantonly.

Her mouth opened wide and closed quickly in shock, a blush forming on her cheeks.

"You did say you didn't date clients, not that you don't f--."

"same thing-"

"It doesn't have to be."

She closed her eyes, struggling to find the right words.

"You're really making this hard for me, aren't you?"

"I could say the same thing," he said, leaning in and leering at her with deep desire. His innuendo filled the air as they both looked at each other.

The door opening snapped both of their attention to it as Cal walked in with a Lavi employee in tow.

He looked between the two questioningly as he caught the sight of Gillian's faint blush and Perry's darkened eyes.

"Robert, this is Doctor Foster; myself and her will be conducting your interview today," he said, introducing the younger man with brown hair and dark eyes to Gillian. She got up from the desk to shake the man's hand.

"And your boss, of course, Mr. Lavigne, is here making sure we don't screw anything up… and flirt with Foster."

Pulling her hand from the young man and rolling her eyes at Cal. Gillian bit her lips, unable to think of an appropriate response. Especially after Perry's comment.

"Just observing Doctor Lightman, I have the utmost faith in Doctor Foster… and yourself." Giving Cal a cocky smile as he nodded to Robert, who returned a nod to the large man.

"Lovely to meet you, Robert, if you will follow me." Gillian waved him into the cube, walking up with Cal behind her. Taking a seat across from him.

"Will Mr. Lavigne be observing the entire interview?" Robert nervously asked.

"Is there a problem if he is?" Gillian questioned.

"No, no problem," he stated, his voice cracking from nerves.

"It just depends on what we ask you, doesn't it?" Cal chimed in.

The man just looked at him, holding his mouth tightly shut. Shushing himself, he shakes his leg nervously.

This guy is a nervous wreck; a child could read him.

"How long have you worked for Lavi Robert?" Gillian questioned him warmly, trying to soothe the man's nerves.

"Five years now," he exhaled with a nervous breath, trying to only look at Gillian and not Cal, who was standing to the side.

"Do you like your job at Lavi?"

"I do yes," his leg stopped shaking as he answered.

Truth, this guy has such an easy tell.

"Have you ever taken money from the company?" Gillian asked softly, trying to keep her tone warm and assuring.

"No ,what? I never… I would never." His leg stopped shaking again.

Truth, but what's got him so nervous?

"What of your boss, huh? What do you think of the great Perry Lavigne?" Cal walked up, standing right next to the young man who was getting in his face.

"He's a great… boss," his leg continued to shake.

That's a lie.

"Well, you don't believe that, mate," getting into the man's face.

"He…uh… Can I have water or something?" He was stammering, looking worried.

Gillian stood up to give the man a drink.

"No, not until we are done here." Looking at Gillian pointing at her, she gave him an exhausted look before sitting back down.

"You paused, saying, boss, it's not on the employer-employee level that you have an issue… Is it Robert?" Gillian asked, looking the man in the eyes.

"No, he slept with my ex-girlfriend. We were on a break, and they slept together," he said, his leg no longer shaking. Looking frustrated and hurt at the mention of his boss's actions.

Truth.

"And you still work for the man that did that to you? Took what was yours?" Cal asked.

This wanker has a habit of going after things that don't belong to him…not that Gillian's yours mate…even if you wish she was.

Gillians' eyes cut over to his sharply before returning to Robert's.

"We weren't together at the time… He said sorry. I forgave him." His leg stopped shaking again.

"No, you didn't mate."

"We talked. We drew a line. We would never go after someone else's girl, current, past, or future."

Angered by the mention of a line Cal sneered at the man.

"Lines don't work." His eyes caught Gillians' as she looked down and then back to Robert. Inhaling through her nose, she controlled her frustration at Cal's remark.

"Lines serve a purpose." Gillian assured him quickly, looking at Robert with a nod.

"Oh bullocks, one of you will want to cross the line, or God forbid actually cross it." Looking at Gillian, trying to remember that Robert was in the room with them. His anger from earlier fueling him.

"The line has worked well for us, Doctor Lightman." Robert tried to defend his stance.

"until it doesn't mate."

"You're blowing it out of proportion; it was a one-time thing."

"You should talk to Dr. Foster here about blowing things… out of proportion, when it comes to lines, that is." He knew what he was doing when he said the words blowing with a pause, calling back to their talk early that day. He could see her anger threatening to come out. Clenching her hands in her lap. Her breathing was becoming more rampant. Seeing as she inhaled through her nose exhaling softly, calming herself.

"I think that's all we need today, Robert." Gillian stood, making her way to the door.

Robert rose up, asking, "That's it? That was quick," he said, relieved for the interview to end.

"Yup, that's it, mate; you didn't take the money, and you're still mad at your boss for shagging your girlfriend. Have a good day." Walking past both Robert and Gillian leaving the cube

Sitting in his chair with his feet on his desk.

Foster's going to bloody well murder me for that. Her fault for doing my head in. Saying the words oral sex so casually, like it wasn't one of the naughtiest things she's said to me. Then to try and back peddle everything last night like nothing bloody well happened. That was your anger getting the best of you again. For the umpteenth time. But she has no right to put that ugly line back up.

Hearing the door open and shut with a loud slam, Gillian stormed in. Fuming mad, "What the hell was that Cal?"

"Oh, good, we can finish our talk from this morning." Saying with fiendish cheer.

"What more is there to talk about, Cal?"

How about I can't get you out of my goddamn mind? How about I spent all of breakfast thinking about how much I want to touch you again? How your lips taste.

Getting up from his desk to stand in front of her.

"We are drawing a Vail over last night… I forced you into doing something you clearly didn't want... I crossed a line in our friendship that you obviously didn't want to cross."

"Enough about bloody lines!" he yelled, getting in her face and causing her to recoil from his anger. Backing into his desk, resting her back side on the edge.

"You were ashamed in the morning! I saw on your face the guilt you felt."

"Oh, you saw guilt and shame in me, did you?" the words condescending and biting. Leaning heavily into her personal space, she placed her hands behind her on the table, stabilizing herself but not backing down.

"Yes," sounding defeated.

Bowing his head down and closing his eyes. "I felt like I took advantage of my best friend after a horrible night, love."

"You didn't Cal… You didn't take advantage; I did….Then left in the morning without saying goodbye, making me feel even worse for what I did." Lowering her head, tears threatening to break free.

"Foster, you didn't… I'm sorry for leaving. I just-"

"Just had to go home to Zoe? The woman who continues to hurt and toy with you And then come into work, kissing her."

"She kissed me." Trying to defend himself.

"You still love her… She's the reason you didn't do anything last night."

"Zoe is not the reason."

"Deflecting Cal… You didn't say you don't still love her."

"I don't," please see it. I don't. There is some love there, but-

"You have a lot of history together," the words came out almost in a whisper.

She doesn't believe me. Fuck, what did my face show? If she saw love it was not for Zoe, it was for her. You can't tell her that; you can't be with her. You don't deserve her. It was good that you stopped yourself. You wouldn't have been able to control yourself.

"Gil…I don't love her." Whispering back, he let his guard down, hoping she would see the truth.

Bowing her head down again, resting his own on her forehead.

"I didn't do anything last night because you weren't in the proper head space. I couldn't be another man who hurt you. It wasn't for lack of wanting to-"

"You wanted to?" she said, backing her head from his searching his face.

Shit shit, you need to back peddle, mate, and fast. She's watching you.

"What man wouldn't?" he asked, giving her a forced, cheesy grin. Hoping his sidestep would be enough. Watching as her eyes lit up as she smiled, a small, airy laugh escaped her.

"I don't want that ugly line back, please luv not after everything," he said, placing his hand on her cheek.

"Everything meaning learning about my past? or …everything else that happened last night?"

"A bit of both….Hard to forget either."

"Ok, no more line," she smiled lightly to him, tilting her head in his hand and kissing his palm lightly. Causing him to smile warmly in return. Pulling her into a tight hug and squeezing him hard in return.

"But that doesn't mean you get to just know everything, Cal." She backed away from the hug, getting up and walking to the door.

He followed her, draping his arm around her waist. "You mean like what Perry and you were talking about that had you blushing so hard when I walked in?"

Biting back a smile as he pulled her closer into him. "exactly"

"Definitely something naughty then… couldn't be as naughty as you saying "preforming oral sex" earlier. Pretty naughty words coming out of the mouth of my little fosta," he teased her, squeezing her side. Arriving at the door of the office door of the cube. Pausing and Turning around to look at him.

"I was censoring myself; I could have said something… far more naughty," she flirted back to him, giving him a coy smile before biting her lower lip.

She's trying to kill me. Maybe I should let her end this purgatory.

"I never thought I'd see the day the naughty dream version of you and the real-life version would have so much in common." Returning her flirting with his own. Stopping in her tracks to look at him. She stepped closer into his space, letting go of the door with her hand.

"Do you have naughty dreams about me, Cal?" watching him intently with a flirtatious, knowing grin.

Busted, you are so screwed, mate. Abort abort.

"We should get in there; we wouldn't want your designa to get bored….Start flirting with Loker or something." Moving past her to open the door quickly as she chuckled following him in.

Laying in bed late that night, he looked over at his phone as it chimed with a text. Gillians' name popping up.

"Good night, Cal, I hope you have… pleasant dreams'

She enjoys screwing with me, doesn't she?

Grinning at his phone before texting back.

"You little minx, get some sleep; it's past your bedtime."

Resting his eyes, sleep overtaking him quickly.

Opening his eyes as he looked around his office, his feet on top of his desk.

"Still here, Cal?" Gillian asked, walking into his office and approaching his desk.

"I guess so, darling. What are you doing here?" watching her intently. Moving his legs from the desk and placing them on the ground.

"Oh, I'm here for you… No more line, Cal, remember?" She tapped his leg with her heel standing between his.

"No more line means no more hiding stuff, luv." She kneeled in front of him, resting her hands on his thighs.

"Not…that," he said, looking down at her as she sat on her heels. Her nails were drawing against his thighs as she looked at him.

"We didn't get to finish what we started the other night," she said, her fingers reaching up his thighs as they landed on his belt, pulling it free.

"which was?"

"You said you were bad at written exams." Undoing the button on his pants and unzipping his fly. "But what was it again?... Phenomenal at the oral?" biting her lip and sliding his pants down his legs.

"I think it's time for your final exam, Mr. Lightman." Trailing her nails back up his thighs, sneaking her hands up inside the legs of his boxers. Her lips brushing against the side of his now bare knee, "Don't you think?"

He heard his alarm blaring as he opened his eyes and looked at his clock. Letting out a frustrated huff.

I would love to have one dream not end before it got to the best part.

Making his way to the shower, turning the water on cold.

Any more cold showers, and I'm going to get frost bite…