Welcome to the inner workings of my mind...

So better late than never right?  Especially if I write an extra long fic as a form of penance?  Warning, an excessive amount of fluff and words below….

An entire day partnered with Chloe Price and Gail was contemplating the merits of throwing herself from the moving squad car.  

While she was the one driving it.

If she actually believed in Gods, she would’ve thanked them when the radio suddenly crackled to life and finally cut off Chloe’s incessant chatter before Gail could make good on her thoughts.  

“Burglary in progress.  One-six-seven Balsam Avenue.  Suspect is still on scene.”

Gail snatched the radio out of Chloe’s hand before her chipper partner could respond.  She couldn’t help it.  Chloe just brought out the mean girl in her.  

“Car 1504 responding.  En route.”

“Ooo swanky.”  Were the first words out of Chloe’s mouth as they pulled up to the large home.  “I bet they have gorgeous hardwood floors.”

“Are you even capable of keeping your mouth shut, Price?”

Hands on their weapons Gail and Chloe made their way to the front of the house.  Before they could reach the porch, the door opened and a person started heading towards them.  

Both Gail and Chloe had their weapons drawn in a flash and aimed at the woman who had just exited the house.  

“Police! Freeze!”

A small cushion, something that looked like a feather attached to a stick, and what appeared to be a red lunchbox went clattering to the floor as the woman’s hands shot into the air.

“This isn’t what it looks like, officers.”

That much was true.  The woman certainly didn’t look like a burglar.  Puffy green jacket, plain grey t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of combat boots.  The dark-rimmed glasses that were perched on the woman’s tan face honestly made her look more like a librarian than a thief.  

“We had reports of a burglary.”

“I’m not burglarizing anything, I’m just here to get my cat.”

As if on cue, a purring, white feline with tan and gray patches appeared and started doing figure eights around the woman’s ankles.

Gail holstered her gun, and nodded towards Chloe who lowered her weapon but kept it out.

“We need to see your ID.”

“Okay it’s in my pocket.”

“Do you have any weapons on you?”

“No.”

Gail did a quick pat down and produced a wallet from the woman’s pocket. Chloe finally holstered her gun as well when they realized that the “suspect” didn’t appear to be a threat.

“Holly Stewart.”  Gail read aloud.  She skimmed the license before handing it to Chloe who went to check it in their system,  “This isn’t your address, Ms. Stewart.”

“Doctor.”

“Excuse me?”

“Sorry,  I didn’t mean to sound rude but it’s Dr. Stewart.  After four years of medical school and four years of residency plus fellowship and being called a nurse the entire time, it’s just habit at this point to say it.  So i’m sorry…”  The woman adjusted her glasses, then glanced at Gail’s name tag.  “Officer Peck. I’m Dr. Stewart and I’m a forensic pathologist. I was just hired by the city, but I left my work badge in my car.”

“Oh.”  Gail said simply as she processed the information.”Okay, Dr. Stewart.  Did you break into this house and attempt to steal a cat?”

“Technically, I didn’t break in.  I used a key that the owner gave me.  And M.M. is my cat.”

“If that’s true why didn’t you come get it when the owner was actually home?”

The woman fidgeted, hands coming up to adjust her glasses.  “Yeah, so about that…”

As if on cue, an irate blonde came storming out of a car that had just sped onto the driveway.  “Seriously, Holly?”

“What? I told you I would come back for her.”

“You waited until I was at work.”

“Well excuse me for not really wanting to see you.  What are you doing here anyway?”

“The police contacted me because someone was breaking into my house.”

“Rachel said that she was going to let you know that I was coming today.  Did she?”

The blonde ignored her question, “So you’re really here for the cat and not to see me.”

“Yeah, what part of me coming here while you were at work gave it away?”

Chloe coughed to hide her chuckle, but Gail just outright laughed at the woman’s snark.  It was impressive to say the least, especially when having two officers standing by waiting to arrest her.  Clearly, whatever nervousness she had been feeling was replaced by anger at the sight of whoever owned the house.

The blonde woman glared at Gail before turning back to the would-be burglar, “Will you just talk to me?”

“There’s nothing to talk about.  We’re over and I really don’t want to see you ever again.  I just want M.M. and that’s the only reason I’m here right now.”

“Should we interrupt?” Chloe mumbled to Gail who had somehow gotten just as caught up in the drama unfolding in front of her as her partner.

Gail cleared her throat.  “Okay, clearly you two have more issues than Time magazine but unless there is an actual crime taking place we need to go.”

Both women turned their glares onto her, but she merely cocked an eyebrow and the would-be-thief, Holly’s, features immediately softened and became contrite.

If anything, the homeowner’s hardened further, “There is a crime, she broke into my house and attempted to steal my cat.  It’s a good thing you got here when you did officers or she might have gotten away with it.”

“Are you going to call her a meddling kid next?”  Holly snorted, but Gail’s impassive face didn’t give any acknowledgment away this time.

“You asked if there was a crime and I’m reporting a crime.”

“You can’t be serious!” Holly protested.

“I am, officers, I would like to press charges.”

Gail didn’t want to, but she had little choice.  She exchanged a look with Chloe, before she pulled her handcuffs from her belt.

“I’m sorry, Dr. Stewart.”  Even Gail was surprised at home much she meant the words and she started to maneuver the woman’s hands behind her back.  Sometimes her job really sucked, but if there was one thing the Pecks had managed to ingrain in her were the rules.  And if the person wanted to press charges she had little choice.

“Oh you don’t need to apologize.  A blonde and handcuffs, she’ll enjoy it a lot more than you realize,” The homeowner said.

Holly, Gail, and Chloe all shot the smug woman the same disgusted look before Gail started to pull Holly towards their cruiser.  

Holly continued to shoot her ex a withering look that had even Gail impressed.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this, Ash.  I could lose my job.”

“You could just talk to me and then I wouldn’t have to do this.”

“You do have the right to remain silent, Dr. Stewart.” Gail reminded her but Holly was only focused on the woman responsible for her predicament.

“You really think I want anything to do with you after today?”

“Well maybe a night in jail and unemployment will change your mind.”

Gail stopped just as she was about to reach the squad door.  “Really?  Right in front of us?”  She couldn’t believe that the woman had the gall to actually try to blackmail the doctor into talking to her.  Gail didn’t make it a habit to get in the middle of a lovers’ quarrel but fuck it.  

“You know what, Dr. Stewart?”  Gail unlocked the metal bracelets. “You’re free to go.”

“You can’t just let her go if I want to press charges?”

“Considering I just heard you try to blackmail her in order to get her to talk to you while using police resources, you’re going to be lucky that I don’t ticket you instead with a disorderly conduct charge.”

The woman, Ash, took a step towards Gail.  “Did you just threaten me, Officer Peck?”

But Gail was unfazed, “Of course not.  Did you hear a threat, Officer Price?”

Chloe shook her head, “No, I heard a warning.  Sounded like you’re being extra nice today, Officer Peck.”

Realizing she was outnumbered the blonde woman huffed before she grabbed the cat and headed towards the house.

“Hey!”  Holly protested.

But Gail placed a gentle hand on the woman’s arm.  “You’re going to have to let her go tonight.”

“But…”

“Listen we’ll get her back to you but not right now.  You are technically trespassing if she owns the home and doesn’t want you here.”

“Right.” Holly looked back at the house and blinked back the tears.  She cleared her throat.  “Right.  Well thank you, officers.  Now that I’ve been properly humiliated I am going to head home before this day gets any worse.”

Gail found herself watching the morose woman as she headed to her car, an uncomfortable feeling in her chest.  Some people (*cough* Chloe) would have called it sympathy.  Gail blamed it on the burrito she had for lunch and listening to Chloe all day.  And yet she didn’t look away until the car turned the corner.  

Standing on the edge of the ravine, Gail had been assigned the perimeter while Marlo flirted with her boyfriend and Traci looked over the body of bones a couple of teenagers found while being idiots in the woods.  She was zoning out until a blur of brown hair, puffy green jacket, and a familiar red lunchbox flew by her.

“Hey, Lunchbox.  You’re not allowed down there.”

“Thanks appreciate it.”

“No, I said you’re not allowed down there.”

When the woman turned around, Gail kept a straight face as she glared at the part-time thief, Dr. Holly Stewart.

Recognizing the police officer, confusion overtook Holly’s features.  “Oh no.  I am.  I need to get some samples.  I’m the forensic pathologist.” She held up the red forensic kit and reminded the officer.  She probably shouldn’t have been surprised, or maybe she should’ve been relieved that the gorgeous blonde police officer didn’t recognize her after she almost arrested her.  Though truth be told she was also a little disappointed.

“Unless you actually brought your ID this time, I’m still not convinced you are.  For all I know, you just like to make it a habit out of trespassing.”  

One corner of Holly’s lips quirked up into a smile.  She pulled out her work badge and showed it to Gail.  “I’m not trespassing.”

Checking the ID, Gail nodded, but kept her hands on her hips.  “Didn’t realize the city made a habit out of hiring cat burglars.”

“Luckily I am a much better scientist than I am a criminal.”

“So what are you doing here?”

“You’re not up on your medical jurisprudence?  We need to determine cause of death.  I test the water for diatoms, and if we find diatoms in the bone marrow Oh, did you notice if the femur is still intact?” Gail simply shrugged, but the woman seemed undeterred,  “I’ll check later.  If the diatoms match, we know the person drowned.  If there aren’t any diatoms, then we know the cause of death was something else.  I’ll need to consult with the forensic anthropologist, I’ll grab some leaves, bugs, dirt so they don’t have to come back.  It helps in identifying the postmortem interval.”  

Gail hated the fact that she actually enjoyed the mini science lesson, even if she only understood half of it.  But she would never admit that.  Instead she glared, “Why are you saying all these words?”

But Holly simply smiled wider at her. “You asked?”

“And I’m regretting that decision.”  Gail was surprised when Holly’s smile didn’t falter.

“All right. Uh.  I need someone to stay here and someone to go to the morgue.” Sam’s annoying voice broke up the conversation.

Unfortunately Marlo was faster at raising her hand.  Left with no choice,

“I’ll go to the morgue.”  When Holly looked up at her, Gail added, “It’s never too late to learn about medical jurisprudence.”

“So at what point did a woman with a doctorate and who writes about arteriosclerosis decide that it would be a good idea to break into her ex-girlfriend’s house?”

After spending an entire day in Holly’s lab, learning about diatoms, and what a person could tell just by looking at a table filled with bones, Gail realized at the end of her shift that she didn’t hate the doctor.  In fact, she kind of liked her.  It was what prompted Gail to suggest they grab a drink when they were about to part ways.  

Which was how she was now at a booth at the Penny at least three shots in.

“Ex-fiancé’s”

“Rough.”

“Tell me about it.  Caught her with the wedding planner on the couch I bought her when she moved into that house.”

“Damn and I thought being left at the altar sucked. That is definitely worse.”  They clinked glasses, the tequila making the words come easily if a bit slurred.

The way Holly nearly lost her glasses as she startled at the revelation was annoyingly adorable, “Who would leave you at the altar?  I mean, God, look at you.  Did he lose his mind or his vision?”

“It was Vegas. Pretty sure the booze wore off and he realized I wasn’t girlfriend material let alone wife material.”

“He’s an idiot.  You’re amazing.  Gorgeous, funny, sarcastic as hell, you’re exactly…”  When her brain slowly caught up to the words tumbling out of her mouth, Holly froze.

“I’m exactly what?”

“Girlfriend material.”

“That’s not what you were going to say.”

“How do you know?  Are you a mind-reader too?”

“Come on Nerd, what were you going to say?”  Gail poked at her with her boot, but Holly swatted at her.

“I don’t know if I need more or less tequila for this conversation.”

“The answer is always more.”  Gail waved to the bartender for more shots.  “Now tell me.”

“Fine.  I was going to say you’re exactly my type.  Happy?”

“Kinda.” Honestly, Gail was flattered.  It wasn’t the first time a lesbian was attracted to her.  And when she thought about it Holly was pretty sexy…in a nerdy librarian kind of way.  Which, hey, maybe that was her thing.  It could be.  Maybe.  

But then a thought occurred to her. “Oh ewww.  If I’m your type, then how the hell did you end up with your ex? Are you saying I’m anything like her?”

“I don’t know. Would you cheat on me and then keep my cat just to try to get me to talk to you?”

“No.”

“Well then you’re already leagues above her.” Holly and Gail clinked their glasses again.  But even after taking the shot, Holly’s mood had shifted.  

“I just can’t believe she is holding M.M. hostage like this.”

“So I’ve been meaning to ask, is the thing named after the candy or the rapper?”

“Neither.  She’s named after Maud Menten.”

“Who?”

“Maud Menton?  Canadian physician-scientist who is half of like the most famous equation in enzyme kinetics and histochemistry ever: the Michaelis-Menten equation where the rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction is proportional to the amount of the enzyme-substrate complex. She then went on to write “The Alkalinity of the Blood in Malignancy and Other Pathological Conditions” and she was the head of pathology in Pittsburgh.”

Gail sighed, even the babbling was kind of cute.  “I liked you better when I thought she was named after the candy.”   When the corner of Holly’s lips quirked up into a smile at Gail’s joke, she felt a pull in her stomach.

Instead of acknowledging her suddenly growing attraction, she knocked back her last shot and stood up.   “Alright let’s go.”

Gail tossed a few bills onto the table and grabbed her leather jacket.

Holly finished her last drink and stood as well.  “Where are we going?”

“A lesbian should never be denied access to her pussy.  It’s criminal.”

“What?”

But by the time Holly managed to wrap her head around what the blonde had just said she was already out the door.

“Have you two been drinking?”  Oliver asked as he towered over the two women now seated on the curb with cuffs around their wrists.

“Ummm…Don’t we have the right to remain silent?” It was more of a plea than a question when Gail asked.

Oliver shook his head.  He dealt with enough of these shenanigans with his daughters.  Let alone his co-workers.  “Okay so let me get this straight.  While under the influence of alcohol an officer of the law and one of our forensic pathologists decided it would be a good idea to break into Dr. Stewart’s ex-girlfriend’s…”

“Ex-fiancé’s” Both Holly and Gail corrected him.

“Rough.”

Gail perked up, pointing adamantly at Oliver, “That’s what I said!”

But Oliver shot her a look that had her sinking back down onto the curb.  “Well I did,” she mumbled under her breath.

Oliver continued, “Ex-fiancé’s residence in an attempt to steal a cat.”

“Maud belongs to Holly, Oliver.  We were just getting her back.”

“Do you have any proof, Dr. Stewart, that the cat belongs to you.”

“Well…no…I found her outside and after trying to locate her owners and not succeeding I just kept her.  But she was only here because I had moved in when I moved back to Toronto.  It didn’t make sense to get my own place when we were still planning the wedding.”

“And have you asked for it back?”

“Her.”  Gail corrected him, and received another dad look from the veteran officer.

“And have you asked for her back?”

Gail nodded her satisfaction which caused Oliver to roll his eyes and Holly’s smile to light up again.

“I’ve left messages and had my friends contact Ash.  I don’t want to speak with her if I don’t have to.  But I don’t know why she won’t give her back.  She hates her, Officer Shaw, and the feeling is mutual.”

“Alright.  Let me see if I can speak to her.”

When Oliver walked away, Gail nudged Holly with her shoulder. “Don’t worry if anyone can convince her it’s Oliver.”

“I hope so.”

Gail decided that Holly’s ex had to have been a fucking moron to cheat on the woman.  She was interesting, smart, and weird.  And Gail liked her.  Shit, Gail liked her.  

Stuck sitting on the curb, Gail couldn’t help but appreciate Holly’s profile.  Her skin was lit up with the red and blues of the nearby squad car but they didn’t take away from how beautiful she was in the slightest.  Maybe it was the tequila but Gail found herself staring at Holly’s lips and wondering if they were as soft as they looked.  

They heard a couple of voices shouting and then a flash of white was streaking across the yard and up a tree.

Oliver and Holly’s ex followed the cat.

“Maud.  Get your ass down here.” Ash shouted.

But the cat didn’t even look in her supposed owner’s direction.

“Oh, great.”

“Guess we’re going to have to call the hose monkeys.” Oliver grumbled as he reached for his radio.

Holly spoke up before he could place the call, “May I try?” After Oliver nodded, she looked up at the tree and cocked her head to the side, “Maud.”  

The cat’s ears twitched and her tail started moving at the sound of her owner. “Come on down, sweetheart.  You’re wasting the nice officers’ time and if you don’t, poor Officer Shaw is going to have to go get you.”

Everyone was amazed when the cat stood up and started making its way back down.  

But Gail was even more surprised when on its final jump the cat landed on her shoulder.  Gail tried not to flinch as she heard purring in her ear, not wanting Holly’s ex to see her squirm.

Oliver turned back to the woman who had filed the complaint.  “You still want to tell me that you’re her owner?”

“Well there goes my career.”

Gail complained as the cell door shut behind her.  She rubbed at her wrists as she plopped down on one of the benches.  Holly dropped down on the other.  Gail was even more annoyed when Maud hopped into her lap.

“Mine too.  Probably lose my license.  I appreciate everything you’ve done, Gail, but you didn’t have to get yourself into trouble for me.”

Gail looked at the cat and then back at its owner, she was surprised again by how beautiful Holly could look even in the dim lighting of the cell, with cinderblock and bars for a backdrop, and it being the middle of the night.  

She sighed, “I’m loyal, Holly.  I’m not a lot of things.  I’m not really friendly.  I’m not easy-going.  I’m not down-to-earth.  But I am very very loyal.  To this division and to my friends.”

“Are you saying I’m your friend?”

“Gross, no.”

“I’m pretty sure you just did, Officer Peck.”

“That’s former Officer Peck to you.”

Holly snorted.  An easy silence fell between them as they both settled further onto their respective seats.  Whether she wanted to or not, Gail found herself petting the now purring cat that had settled in her lap.  Her mother would probably personally strip Gail of her badge but she couldn’t really find it in her to care.  She’d do it all again. Especially if it meant getting Holly to look at her again the way she was now.

(Well, maybe not the getting caught part)

“You’re staring, Nerd.”

“Sorry, I just…” Holly started to say.

“Just what?” Gail asked, but before she could get an answer, Oliver reappeared, this time with his phone out and flash on.

“You did not just take a picture, you asshole.” Gail growled, but Oliver snapped another one on his phone.  When she tried to reach through the bars, he stayed just out of reach.

“Oh come on, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.”

“I hate you.”

“Really? That’s how you treat your freer?” Oliver asked as he unlocked the cell door.

“Wait we’re free to go?”

“Yeah, apparently a woman named Lisa convinced Dr. Stewart’s ex to drop the charges.”

“God, I knew I kept that woman around for a reason.” Holly said as she shot out of her seat.  “Come on, Maud.”

The cat followed its owner and Gail out of the cell.  After retrieving their belongings and making sure nothing would be going on their records, they headed out to Holly’s car.

“I owe you, Officer Peck, for being my hero tonight.”

“I got you arrested.”

“You got me Maud back.  And if I’m being honest, tonight was a lot of fun.  But now I owe you.”

“You’re right.  You do.  And you can start with breakfast.  I could murder a stack of pancakes.  Oooo and bacon.  Definitely need bacon.  Come on, Nerd, there’s a diner nearby.”

As they approached Holly’s car, Gail had one more question to ask.

“So I was wondering, Dr. Stewart.  Do you really have a thing for blondes and handcuffs?”

The color in Holly’s cheeks was answer enough as she ducked her head and held the passenger door open for the blonde.  

When Gail passed her, she was genuinely surprised and intrigued by the reply she received.

@witkneec asked for Holly’s POV.  You have her to thank and me to blame for this one…

The first time she ever lied to her was on the day they met.  She should’ve known then that they were doomed, but standing in the lab where the most beautiful, desolate woman she had ever met was swinging around on a stool lamenting about being a cat and the lie just slipped out.  She claimed that she “used to be that way” but then realized that she just didn’t like men. She had told the blonde that becoming a lesbian had fixed her.  But it hadn’t.  Because when it came to relationships she was a runner.  And god, had she run.  

She wished she could say she was a better person but it didn’t stop at just one lie.  A stupid setup that meant nothing to her but the words slipped out anyway. 

The woman was lovely, really, she was but she wasn’t a someone someone.  

Because the someone that she couldn’t stop thinking about had already offered to buy her a drink.  And Holly just wanted to be at the bar with Gail, but Gail was just her friend.  Or at least that’s what she kept telling herself.  

Until she heard.  

Shots fired at officers.  One was at the hospital.  And then she lied again.  The courier was sick…or something.  It wasn’t one of her bests, but it gave her an excuse to pull Gail into an empty room.  It gave her an excuse to tell the blonde how she had lied.  

And when she felt Gail’s lips on her own, she had never been more happy to have lied in her life.  

Sitting in the bar claiming that her and Gail were having fun hadn’t felt like a lie.  

It was fun and relationships were not so she lied.  Yes, she lied to Lisa, but truth be told she was also lying to herself.  

Fun wouldn’t get her hurt.  

Fun wouldn’t send Gail crashing out of a tree.  

Fun would keep things where they were and things were good until she turned to see Gail’s face and damn did Fun hurt.  

So she lied to herself and said that San Francisco was about a job, an opportunity to boost her career, and had absolutely nothing to do with the pain that felt like it would never end unless she ran.  

She wasn’t running away, she was running towards.  

At least that’s what she told herself.

The next lie she told though would be the end of them.  

She lied about seeing someone.  

Because there was a beautiful, charming woman standing in front of her, reaching out to her, but she was still hurting, so she lied.  And when Gail finally said all the things she wanted to hear.  She panicked and shut down and she choked back the tears long enough to say “Goodnight Gail” and then she ran.  

Ran as fast as the tears streamed down her face.  

By the time she came to her senses everything was too little and it was far too late.  

San Francisco was calling and Gail was staying so she lied again, promised that she understood, and that it was for the best.  

None of it could be the best if Gail wasn’t in her life.  But lying had become so natural so she got on a plane and the last thing she saw was the most beautiful, desolate woman she had ever seen and she lied that it would be okay.

San Francisco was about a job.  

A new opportunity.  A fresh start.  It had absolutely nothing to do with alcohol or unanswered phone calls or the replyless texts she sent.  

Absolutely.  Nothing.  

It was the belief that got her on the plane.  It was the mantra that got her out of bed in the morning.  It was the hope that got her through each day on the West Coast of a country she didn’t even like.  

It was the lie that came to light every time she closed her eyes and saw blue eyes looking back at her.

Toronto was about a woman.  

It just happened to come with a job attached.  A convenient excuse to give to any and everyone who asked.  Homesickness.  Her friends and family were in Toronto.  But it was her heart that she needed back.  And that only belonged to one person.  

She would tell her the truth.  This time it would be different.  The folder she held was the paperwork that would get her reinstated.  It would make it all permanent again.  

Walking into 15 Division, she had never expected that the one person she wanted to see the most would blindside her so badly.  But when she looked up from her strewn papers, her heart actually stopped.  Gail was just as beautiful, maybe even more so, than the last time she had seen her.  But also more guarded.

Holly just needed to tell her the truth.  

That she was back.  

That she was back for her.  

They just needed to talk.  

“Yeah, ummm… I know this is surprising and I didn’t really think that I would bump into you like this and so quickly but umm now that I have maybe we could talk.  Can we talk?  Somewhere?  Tonight, maybe?”

“Talk? Ummm….I…um…”

Gail’s phone rang and Holly tried not to listen but she still heard the  “Yeah, I’ll come get her.”  

Gail was running off to pick someone else up.  It was Gail’s turn to run and Holly was left with words unsaid and a very messy folder.

“It’s my fault.  She’s moved on.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do!” The whiskey made Holly’s voice much louder than she realized. “ She moved on.  Of course she moved on.  Why would Gail sit around pining for someone who left her?  She could have anyone she wants and that isn’t me.”

“You don’t know that.”  Rachel repeated.  It was probably the tenth time that night she had said those exact words.

But there was no convincing Holly.  She couldn’t lie to herself.  She knew that she wasn’t good enough to get Gail back.   That she didn’t deserve her.

“I’ve tried to talk to her.  I’ve tried, Rachel.  Every time I see her. But she just keeps on running.”

“Maybe you need to try harder.”

‘I’ve tried, Rach.”

“For some reason, I don’t quite believe you.”

It wasn’t the first time she’d wake up with a throbbing between her legs, a cold sweat clinging to her shirt, the sheets tangled around her as memories took over her dreams.  She had been back for weeks and the dreams only seemed to get worse.  During the day she could distract herself.  She could focus on work and her friends and her family.  

She could ignore the ache in her chest every time she saw Gail laughing with someone else, or punching one of the guys, or mocking Chloe.  She swore it didn’t hurt to see her back, every time Holly tried to talk to her.  

She could go to the bar with Rachel and Lisa and act like everything was fine.

“Now that you’re back I could set you up with….”

Holly tuned Lisa out.  She didn’t really want to see her.  But Rachel had insisted and Lisa had been contrite.  At least as contrite as she could possibly be.

“Are you still in love with her?”

Holly startled.  “Who?”

“You know who?”

“I’m not doing this.  We’re not doing this.”

“Are you?”

“I’m not talking to you about Gail.”

“I didn’t make you say those words.  You weren’t ready then and you’re not ready now.  Just admit it, Stewart.  You are the smartest woman I know, graduated top of our class, but you still can’t admit that you’re in love with her.”

“That isn’t what this is about.”

“Liar.”

“I didn’t come back here for you.”

Holly didn’t know why she said it.  But Gail was leaning against the frame of the door to her lab.  One foot in.  One foot out.  And the words just came out.  She ignored the ache in her chest and kept talking.  

“I mean, I came back here for the job.  Promotion, really.  I didn’t-don’t expect anything from you but it would be nice if you didn’t feel like you had to avoid me.”

‘I wasn’t avoiding you.”

“Well, that’s what it seemed like.”

“Well, I wasn’t.”

Holly didn’t believe her.  She opened her mouth, ready to ask Gail that if that was true, why did she keep running away from her every chance she had.  Why had they still not sat down and talked? But she swallowed the words back down.

“Ok, good, I just wanted you to know that you didn’t have to if you were.”

“Thanks for clearing that up.”

Holly wasn’t sure but for a moment she thought she heard a trace of hurt in Gail’s voice.  She didn’t want to hurt Gail.  She just wanted her back in her life.

“I just-”

“No. It’s cool, Holly, I get it.  Is that the file Traci needs?”

Holly handed it over and Gail was gone before Holly could say another word.  She didn’t even get the chance to ask if they could be friends again.

“You need to stop lying to yourself.”  Rachel warned.

Holly knew what she had seen.  Her friend had witnessed her bringing coffee to Gail on her way out of the station.  The blonde was working nights and Holly knew how much she hated them.  So it was just a friendly gesture.  An act of solidarity even.  

So were the random snacks or lunches that Holly sometimes dropped at her desk, and the files that she now hand-delivered, and the pieces of evidence that most definitely need her to make the trek to 15 rather than the courier who was getting paid to do so.

At least that’s what Holly told herself.

But what Rachel saw was the way Holly looked at Gail like a lovesick puppy as the blonde got pulled away by some detective-looking person.

“I’m not lying.  I just want Gail to be happy.  Even if it’s not with me.  At least not in that way.  I can handle it.  I just want us to be friends again.”

“Right.  Because friends worked out so well for you to the first time.”

“Just shut up and drive.”

It had been Holly’s suggestion for everyone to go to the Penny after they closed a big case.  The entire lab deserved to celebrate that night, but when it was time to decide where, it had been Holly who had argued against the bar that was just down the street from the lab in favor of the cop bar a few blocks away.

It had nothing to do with the blonde woman she spotted at the bar the moment she stepped into the crowded pub.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”  The look of surprise before shifting to an actual smile made Holly’s heart race.  “Hi.  What are you doing here?”

“The Penny is still the closest place to the lab with the best prices.”

“Right.”

“I guess some things don’t change, huh?”  Holly asked as she motioned to the bartender for two whiskeys. It was easy almost. “So are you here alone or…?”

As an arm slid around Gail’s waist and a familiar face appeared over her shoulder, Holly felt her stomach drop.  Frankie Anderson.  Gail had moved on with the loudmouthed, cynical, detective who loved to hit on anyone with a vagina and a pulse.  Holly wasn’t sure  what was worse.  Having this new knowledge or being forced to make small talk with her.  

She excused herself as quickly as she could and headed back to her own group of tables.  She started talking to Rodney and kept her eyes fixed anywhere but on the new couple.  It was why she definitely didn’t notice when they left the bar only a few minutes later.

No definitely not.

“She’s not dating Frankie.”

“What?”

“Not anymore at least.  I mean Gail and Frankie used to do the do but it’s been over for months now.  Honestly, I doubt it lasted long after you came back.”

“Gail is free to see whoever she wants.”

“She wants you.  I don’t know how the two of you are the only people on the planet who can’t seem to figure that out.  And I know you want her too.”

“I…”  Holly wasn’t sure what to say.  “I need to get the body back to the lab.”

She dragged her feet as she followed Chloe to the scene of the crime.  It might have been a shadow, but she could’ve sworn there was a hickey on the redhead’s neck.

Holly knew that she needed to find a better way.  But Chloe, and Rachel and Lisa had been right.  She had been lying to herself and to Gail and needed to tell Gail the truth.  She just needed to not lose her courage in the process.  Cutting through the halls of 15 Division, she made a beeline straight for her target and practically tackled her into an empty interrogation room.

“What the hell? Holly?”

“I lied.”  It felt good to finally get the words out.

“What?”

“About why I came back. I lied.  I did come back for the job but I wanted to be here.  I missed everyone.  But I missed you most of all.  So I did come back for you.  And I know it might be too late and you’ve moved on and that’s okay.  I’d rather have you in my life as a friend then not-”

Holly was rambling but she couldn’t stop herself.  She needed Gail to know the truth, but then Gail cut off the rambling the best way she knew how.  The kiss was everything.  Everything she had wanted and hoped for and missed.

“Sorry, you had to stop talking.”

Holly’s heart was already hammering in her chest, but at the sight of Gail’s smile, she swore that it was trying to leave her ribcage behind altogether.  She could feel her own smile growing.

“I won’t say another word.”

For @gail-shark ’s birthday.

“I’ll have a large drink with 1/5 of it being green tea, a quarter macchiato, one-third cappuccino, half decaf, with three shots of espresso, exactly half a tablespoon cinnamon, low cal whipped cream, and no less than 15 chocolate sprinkles and no more than 18. Do you have that? I don’t see you writing it down.” A overly caffinated woman wearing a team USA uniform scolded as Gail rubbed her temple as she grabbed a large cup; she was debating telling the woman that 1/5, ¼, 1/3 and ½ didn’t add up correctly to one whole but she wasn’t in the mood to argue with her. 

I don’t know. I used some of my tax refund to get Bayonetta for the Switch (because the rest is all going to bills, food, and vet visits) and it came yesterday and I played some of it when I couldn’t sleep. And naturally, everything goes to Gail and Holly in my head.

Gail knew she had a problem with jealousy. She’d learned to accept this about herself and she tried to work on it all the time. However, she was used to being jealous of her favorite people getting attention from other people. What was happening in front of her was something completely foreign to her.

“Holly.”

“Mmhm?”

“Holly,” said Gail again, this time more sternly.

Holly pressed a button then looked up at Gail from her Switch. It was the first time she’d really looked up at Gail in the past few hours. Granted Gail had been more than happy to play her own game for the first hour, Holly was normally all over at this point kissing her and telling her how cute she was. Gail always pushed her away but now she realized how much she actually liked the interruptions.

“Hi,” said Gail.

“Hi?”

Holly tilted her head as she furrowed her brow.

“How’s the game?”

“Oh,” said Holly as she looked down at her game before looking back up at Gail. “Good. It’s really cool being able to play this on a handheld system.”

Gail nodded while pursing her lips. Holly smirked when it dawned on her what was happening. She put the Switch down on the charger she had sitting on a side table before she crawled across the couch and straddled Gail’s lap. Gail just crossed her arms and continued to stare at Holly in a way she hoped conveyed disappointment though really she just looked like she was pouting.

“Awww are you jealous of Bayonetta, sweetie?”

“No,” lied Gail. “That would be childish.”

Holly put her arms on either side of Gail’s head and leaned in stopping just short of her lips. Gail hated this game. She always lost. Gail didn’t like losing. Even if it was to Holly.

“No?”

“Nope.”

“Okay good I’m in the middle of a boss fight,” said Holly as she hopped off Gail and plopped down next to her on the couch before reaching over for her Switch.

“Hey!” shouted Gail as she wrapped her hands around Holly’s waist and pulled her back.

Now Holly was sitting in Gail’s lap facing away from her but Gail could still see the giant smile on Holly’s face from the side. Holly started laughing as she reached one hand back and ran her fingers through Gail’s hair.

“I lied,” said Gail to Holly’s shoulder.

“I know.” Holly turned enough to kiss Gail on the forehead. “Cutie.”

Gail stuck her tongue out.

Holly turned back around in Gail’s lap and kissed her jealous girlfriend. When she pulled back she kissed her cheek then near her ear.

“Let’s dance,” said Holly in a low playful tone that made Gail smirk and roll her eyes as she pushed Holly away.

“Don’t use lines from video games to get into my pants,” said Gail.

For @gail-shark ’s birthday.

“I’ll have a large drink with 1/5 of it being green tea, a quarter macchiato, one-third cappuccino, half decaf, with three shots of espresso, exactly half a tablespoon cinnamon, low cal whipped cream, and no less than 15 chocolate sprinkles and no more than 18. Do you have that? I don’t see you writing it down.” A overly caffinated woman wearing a team USA uniform scolded as Gail rubbed her temple as she grabbed a large cup; she was debating telling the woman that 1/5, ¼, 1/3 and ½ didn’t add up correctly to one whole but she wasn’t in the mood to argue with her. 

You’d think Gail would be used to waking up from blacking out on the ground by now but she wasn’t. Her head was pounding as she slowly opened her eyes,  memories of Holly speeding towards the ground causing panic to erupt through her foggy mind. “Holly!” She screamed as she bolted upright. The thought of losing the one person that she cared for was more painful than crash landing. 

“I’m okay… I’m fine.” Holly soothed as Gail realized that the young doctor was straddling her lap. Gail reached out to touch Holly to be sure that she was real; her fingers traced to curve of Holly’s cheek and down her neck to grasp her by the shoulder. 

“How are you alive? I watched you fall…I stood here and watched you plummet to the ground…"Gail choked out as her eyes started to water. 

Holly reached up and placed her own hand over Gail’s. “You saved me. One second I’m up the tree and the next I was falling. I thought for sure that it was all over for me but then I just stopped midair, I floated for a bit just above you.  You had your hand up and you were staring right into my eyes and…you held me up. Gail you used the force and saved me. It must have taken everything you had because you passed out and I dropped the last few feet onto you. I guess it makes sense I do weigh slightly more than a rolled up sock.” Holly explained. 

“Since she finished her popcorn so I shared mine and our fingers kept brushing against each other…”

Lisa groaned, “Oh for fucks sake would you fuck or at least kiss the cop already! If I wanted to hear teenage pining I’d pay attention to my twelve year old niece. Holly you’re 32 years old… woman up or shut up.”

Rachel took a long sip of her wine, “Harsh…” she murmered; honestly she didn’t mind Holly gushing about her “friend” Gail, she thought it was nice to see her best friend so happy.

Holly frowned, “I’m not pining for Gail, she’s a good friend…”

“No no no, we’re your good friends…” Lisa gestured to her and Rachel, “the way you talk about her, the expression on your face when you talk about her…That’s not a good friend that you’re talking about; you want that woman. I don’t know if you’re in serious denial about lusting after her or if it’s more but come on Hols you are reminiscing about sharing popcorn. You don’t even like popcorn that much.”

Holly looked down as the room fell silent. She knew that her feelings for Gail weren’t exactly platonic and she’d be lying if she said that she didn’t want more but it was one thing to let her fingers play with Gail’s while eating popcorn in a dark theater it’s something else to tell her.

Lisa poked her side, “Just tell her. You’re basically dating already, you go everywhere together… hell you even have sleepovers. All that’s missing is the hot dirty sex. Don’t you want the hot dirty sex?”

Holly nodded, she really did want the hot dirty sex… and the slow passionate sex… and the quick hard fucking on her desk… not that she thought about things like that. “How do I tell her? It’s not like I can go over there and tell her that I love being her friend but I also want to see her naked.”

Rachel laughed, “Why not? Gail strikes me as the type that would appreciate blunt honesty.”

Holly rolled her eyes, “Is that how you got Dave to go out with you.”

“If you must know after I spent two weeks trying to get him to notice me I showed up drunk at his dorm room and flashed him. Worked like a charm. As you know we celebrated our tenth anniversary this year.” Rachel declared.

Lisa chuckled, “How did we not know this? You told us that he asked you put after you got locked out of our room.”

“I was locked out, that part was true I just left out the flashing part.” Rachel explained.

“I’m not flashing Gail.”

“I bet Gail would like it, you have awesome boobs. I’m the resident boob expert I’ve seen thousands of them and yours are top notch.” Lisa smirked.

“Be as that may be true I’m not going to scare her off that way.” Holly said as she finished the last of her wine.

Lisa stood up and grabbed Holly’s hand and pulled her up. “Enough of this, you’re going to tell the girl how you feel. No excuses, no putting it off. One way or another the pining ends tonight.”

Rachel handed Holly her coat and keys and shoved her out the door, locking it behind her. “Are you sure that this is the right thing to do?” She asked as Lisa say back down and poured herself some more wine.

“Who knows, either Holly gets the girl or not. Either way we’re going to hear about it, I just want her to move forward.”

“Do you think she’ll flash her?”

“Maybe if she can’t think of a plan A.”

~ Twenty minutes later~

Holly sat in her car across the street from Gail’s apartment, she didn’t have a plan; perhaps flashing Gail and shocking her wasn’t such a bad idea. No that was probably a surefire way of scaring Gail up a tree. She was pulled from her thoughts by someone knocking on her window.

“Lunchbox? What are you doing here?” Gail asked, her arms holding a grocery bag. “I thought you were having a girl’s night.”

Holly gathered her courage, unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of her car. “It ended early and I thought I’d take you up on your movie night offer.”

Gail smiled brightly, “Awesome I just went out for snacks. I hope you like scary movies.”

The lights were dimmed as Holly sat next to Gail, a bowl of popcorn sitting on Holly’s lap. Once again their fingers would brush up against each other as they snacked, little sparks sending shivers up Holly’s arm each time. Sadly the bowl soon was empty and Holly still didn’t know how to tell Gail. The blonde took the empty bowl and set it on the coffee table, for a moment they watched the movie but then Gail surprised Holly by taking her hand with her own. Holly didn’t dare look down but instead felt Gail’s fingers interlace with hers, a blush creeping up Holly’s face as Gail’s thumb rubbed a soft pattern on her hand.

“Gail?”

“Yes Nerd?”

Holly was having trouble coming up with the right words so she lifted their joined hands slightly. Gail turned her body towards Holly, “Do you not like it?” She went to let go when Holly tightened her grip.

“I like it. I like it a lot.”

In the low light Holly watched Gail’s lips twitch before she brought their joined hands to her. She adjusted her grip to bring Holly’s fingers to her mouth where she gently sucked Holly’s finger. “You taste good.” Holly felt her entire body tense as she watched Gail. “You should probably kiss me now.” Gail said as she looked at Holly.

“You think so?”

Gail nodded as she leaned in, “I think you talk too much.”