Title: Do You See What I See?

Pairing: Alec/Gillian, Slight Cal/Ria

Summary: Alec is visiting Gillian at the office and in order to avoid getting in trouble, Cal decides to stay in his office all day. When Ria stops by to check on him he puts her to the test. "Tell me Ria, why am I sitting here alone?" A highly amusing Ria brightens Cal's day helping him forget all about the troubles of the office. Once again, don't expect it to be great. This pairing really is hard to do.

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Do You See What I See?

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Cal Lightman sat inside his office staring a blank spot on the wall. He wasn't really staring at it but it was something to do besides stare out the tiny window of his office door. Today Gillian was getting a visit from her husband though Cal would hardly call him a husband – at least by Webster's standards. Even biblically Alec failed at being a husband but it wasn't his business. Gillian had made that quite clear on more than one occasion and so he thought it best to stay in his office until after the old unfaithful, bloak was long gone. But the idea of staying in his office when he could be investigating him irritated him. However he cared enough for Gillian to respect her wishes which is why he was forcing himself to find something interesting about a spot on the wall.

He heard the door close, faint but he heard it all the same. He needn't bother to look up because he was sure Loker was somewhere studying. Cal whipped around in his chair putting on his best annoyed look.

"What can I do for you?"

"I…was just coming by to check on you."

"Did Gillian tell you to do that?" She hesitated. It was but a millisecond but he caught it.

"No," she answered.

"Right." He scoffed. "Liar." Ria frowned.

"What makes you think— He raised his finger cutting her off.

"First rule of lying around me. If I ever call you out on it, it's best to just own up to it."

"But I…" She let out a frustrated sigh and stomped her foot. "Alright. Fine. She did tell me check on you but just so you know, I was way ahead of her." Cal raised his eye brows mockingly.

"Oh were you now?"

"Yes," she huffed. "Yes, I was. I…I haven't seen you since this morning and I thought I'd see if you needed anything." Cal studied her for a moment. Since he couldn't detect any signs of lying he finally motioned for her to sit. She did, taking one in the chair right across from him. He waited for he knew she was just bursting to speak. "Are you planning on coming out anytime soon?"

"Nope."

"Why not?" He rolled his eyes.

"You work here. Why don't you tell me?" Her jaw dropped at this and for a brief moment her eyes flashed with frustration. All of this amused him and for a second he feared he just might laugh. He continued to stare at her waiting for her to answer but when she didn't, he only shrugged and leaned back in his chair. "Suit yourself."

"You don't like Alec," she stated accusingly. Cal cut his eyes towards her lazily, not wanting to give it all away just yet. He smirked.

"You think so?" She looked over at him, her eyes searching him like a child. He always found it so fascinating how she studied him so. No one else, including Gillian, studied him as intensely as his protégé. He closed his eyes chuckling. "What do you see?" he asked.

"Nothing," she mumbled.

"That's right. You see nothing because there's nothing to see. I'm sitting in my office because I have nothing remotely better to do since we don't have any impending assignments today. Furthermore, I can do without the bustle of the office noise and traffic. Does that satisfy your curiosity?"

"Yeah. I guess." Cal frowned. Keeping secrets in this line of work was one thing but to make them blatantly obvious was another.

"Are you sure?" he pressed.

"Yeah," she answered quickly. Too quickly. He pushed back his chair and moved from behind his desk. He moved next to Ria leaning back against the desk. Her face showed signs of shock and confusion – probably at the closeness but she was giving him something to do and he needed to be close to do it.

"So you've met him right?" he asked.

"Who? Alec?" He nodded. "Of course. Talked to him before I came in here actually."

"How do you like him?"

"I think he's pretty cool."

"Pretty cool?"

"Well…I mean, I don't know him all that well so—

"You don't care for him too much do you?"

"I never said that!"

"Oh but you did and now I want to know why."

"Cal…Dr. Lightman—

"Call me Cal…except when we're in public," he replied waving a finger.

"I hate when you do that!"

"I wouldn't do that if you'd tell the truth," he laughed. "What is it about him that you don't like?"

"I…I can't. I won't. You told me to let it alone remember?"

"I did but I know you're incapable of closing your eyes so just tell me what you saw. I told you a while back to never be sorry for something you see. I meant it." She stared down at her hands, which were now clasped together, before nodding her head.

"I'm sorry. I just can't understand why she can't see that every word coming out of his mouth is a lie."

"And then some."

"Excuse me?" she frowned.

"He's a terrible liar," Cal added. Ria's face lit up, her eyes now wide with surprise and confusion.

"You know," she accused.

"Of course I know," he scoffed. "How could I train anybody else if I can't catch the world's worst liar?"

"But you're not telling her…again." There was a hint of anger and disappointment in her voice but he ignored it.

"That's right. Not my business and for the last time, it isn't yours either."

"Fine. I'll just be going now." She stood to her feet and started towards the door.

"Hey luv, have you had lunch yet?" She turned to him, a slight frown on her face.

"No. Not yet." Cal hopped down from the desk and made his way towards her stopping only a mere inch or two from her. Her eyes betrayed her, wandering from his all knowing gaze to his lips. Then came the hair thing. She was nervous, her hand casually lifting to comb back a piece of hair. He knew it was wrong to enjoy this kind of thing but he couldn't help it. He'd had several days to muse upon it and he'd come to the conclusion that he liked making her nervous. He also liked seeing the way she reacted to him and most of all, he liked seeing those beautiful almonds searching him for pieces of info he'd never just blatantly reveal to her. One of these days…But I best not test the waters just yet…at least not until I figure everything out. He smirked.

"I'm hungry. Would you mind eating lunch with me?" She blinked, drawing her head back in surprise. It always amazed him at how something so little could get her so worked up or flustered. He was sure that brain of hers was working in overtime trying to decide whether or not to accompany him and so…he decided to make it easier for her. "Un…less you wanna eat here with Alec running around. I'm sure you won't be able to resist telling Gillian how much you adore her perfect husband." She scowled.

"Sure. I'm starving anyway, but your treat Cal."

"Of course. Now get moving." He gave her a playful nudge and out the door they went. With his hand on her lower back, he guided them out of the office pausing only to take note of the look on Gillian and Loker's faces as they walked by. He was sure he'd be questioned for it later but for now he was going to enjoy a fun lunch with his favorite student.