AN/ Not sure what this is, it should have been a romantic Valentine's Day fic, but Gail just wouldn't play ball.
So, umm, enjoy?
Girls Night Out
Gail scowled at the giggling she could hear coming from the woman's changing room. She could tell Andy's girly squealing right off and guessed the second voice was Traci's which was confirmed as she entered and headed for her locker to change out of her uniform.
The fact that the two women clamed up the moment they spotted Gail didn't bother the blonde half as much as it usually would, in fact she was grateful the screeching had stopped. Silence was a wonderful thing especially after the day riding with Chloe.
"So, Gail," Traci spoke up as she left Andy on the bench and came over to lean on the locker beside Gail. "Up to anything tonight?" She asked with the hint of a smile.
Gail gave her friend a look just as she pulled off her shirt and threw it unceremoniously into her bag.
"No." She replied as the other woman crossed her arms and waited.
Traci glanced over at Andy who just shrugged back at her and continued to tie up her boots ready to get out of the station.
"You sure?" Traci tried again. "Steve and I are heading-"
Gail slammed her locker closed and glared at her friend. "Why on earth would you think I want to know anything about what you and my brother plan to get up to tonight?" She demanded to know.
Traci sighed but Gail's attitude wasn't that intimidating, especially after how long she'd known the blonde. She never took it personally.
Andy glanced over at Traci, "I'll catch you at the car." She told her friend before leaving the pair to it. She knew Gail was still annoyed at her after finding her and Nick kissing in the parking lot that morning.
Gail glared at Andy's back but quickly went back to changing as she wondered why Traci hadn't left her alone as well. She really wasn't in the mood for this. Not only had Dov told her to get lost tonight, she couldn't even hit the Penny with Chris because he was working a double tonight.
She was almost tempted to pick up a shift as well, it would at least give her something to do.
Sad as it was to admit, she'd probably end up at her parent's house tonight.
Traci pursed her lips, trying to psych herself up to broach something with the blonde she knew could get her yelled at if she didn't handle it right. Actually, she waited until Gail put her dress boots away and slipped on her high tops before trying, just to make sure there wasn't any weapon like projectiles within the blonde's reach.
"You and Holly not up to anything?" She asked quietly, watching her friend closely.
Gail just kept lacing her shoes. "Nope." She replied with her head down. She hadn't spoken to Holly for a few days, the pathologist had been caught up with presenting some of her work in court and had been hiding in her office preparing for the case.
"Oh." Traci bit her lip as Gail went into her locker and pulled out her jacket. She knew she was running out of time for this conversation, but maybe she did have it wrong and Gail and Holly were just friends. "You know it is okay to be happy Gail."
Gail frowned as she slipped her leather jacket on. "Uh huh." She had no idea what the hell was going on with Traci right now but she blamed the fact that the other woman was a mother for these weird, impromptu little chats they sometimes had that usually confused the hell out of her.
Case in point.
"What are you going on about?" Gail had to ask, when what she knew she should have done was just pick up her bag and leave.
Traci shrugged and moved across the floor to pick up her own bag. She walked back over to the blonde and they both started for the parking lot.
"Just you and Holly, she's nice, I like her." Traci said quietly as they made their way through the station.
Gail frowned, she had no idea why her friend kept bringing Holly into the conversation.
"Maybe you should bring her by the Penny sometime, introduce us all properly." Traci continued.
Gail shrugged. It wasn't like she hadn't thought about doing just that, but maybe she didn't want her friends meeting Holly so soon. She liked spending time with the other woman, the last thing she wanted was to have Andy or someone else start asking Holly to do things with them.
She wasn't ready to share.
"Maybe." She answered although she didn't plan on following through on it anytime soon.
They were quiet for the rest of the walk and separated as they each went to their respective cars, Andy already stood by the passenger side of Traci's.
"Have fun tonight anyway." Traci called over to her before getting into her car beside Andy and driving off leaving a still confused Gail behind.
Shaking her head Gail got in and quickly switched on the heating to combat the chill of the car.
As she waited her cell phone pinged and she pulled it out of her jeans.
Just got finished. I'm off all weekend, want to celebrate?
So the court case must have finished, or at least Holly's part of it.
Yes? No? I could really do with a drink, I'll even buy? Came the next message. It made Gail frown because there was a definite sound of impatience coming across that puzzled Gail, how did Holly even know she was done working?
While going out with Holly for a few drinks sounded great it made Gail think about what Traci had said about taking Holly to the Penny and Gail wasn't ready for that, even tonight when it sounded like the Penny would be the last place any of her colleagues would be.
She unlocked the screen on her phone and called Holly instead of texting her. It picked up after the first ring. "How about dinner?" She asked as her stomach reminded her that she hadn't got to finish her lunch due to an urgent callout.
"Dinner, tonight? Just the two of us?" Holly replied slowly.
"Well I just finished a twelve hour shift and I'm hungry so yes, dinner." Gail replied somewhat irritably.
Holly hesitated. "You want to go to dinner, with me, tonight?" She asked again just to be sure.
"Yes." Gail snapped back at her friend as she wondered why everyone decided to be weird tonight, was it a full moon or something? Unable to stop herself she glanced out her window but there was too much cloud cover to spot any sign of the moon. "Look, if you don't want to just say." She said into her phone as she began to feel uncomfortable. She didn't get the big deal, Holly had wanted to go for drinks, Gail just offered to have them eat beforehand.
"No, I'd love to, if you're sure." Holly quickly replied.
Finally. "Good, fine. I'll pick you up in an hour." Gail closed the call and put her car into gear and left the car lot.
Now she just had to figure out where to go and what she was going to wear. She couldn't go back to the apartment because Dov wanted to have some romantic night in with Chloe so she'd have to see what was still in her old room.
She frowned as something Chloe had said to her during shift niggled at her, but she couldn't remember because she always tuned the perky redhead out when she opened her mouth.
xxxxx
As usual her parents were out so Gail wandered up to her room without any harassment. Searching through her wardrobe as she tried to decide on what to wear Gail realised most of her more casual clothes had all made their way over to her apartment. She really had nothing here but a range of dresses and a few pant suits.
The last time she had come over here for clothes was the call girl case she'd gone undercover for, but she frowned at herself for bringing that up and quickly shook her head to banish those thoughts.
She just wanted to have a nice evening with Holly and forget about everything, including her ex sucking face with McNally this morning.
But if she wore anything in front of her she was going to have to put a bit of effort into where she took Holly. Dressing up was fun but it was better when you had somewhere to go where it would be appreciated.
Definitely not the Penny going by the choices Gail had to work with.
She took her phone out and quickly sent a text to Holly, no jeans.
Heels and a dress? Came the reply.
Gail scowled at the message. Holly was already an inch or two taller than her, if the other woman wore heels tonight Gail would have to as well. She replied no to the heels but yes to the dress.
With that sorted Gail still had to find them somewhere to go. She sighed and looked through her contact list, knowing this far into the evening would mean she was unlikely to get a table in most decent restaurants which meant she'd have to pull out the Peck card to get them in.
On the plus side that also meant going to a very nice place where she knew they'd both enjoy the food. She quickly sent off a few text messages and she'd decide where she was taking Holly once she got some responses.
Anything else? Holly asked her via another text.
Gail grinned and picked out her dress and shoes, placing them on her bed before going over to find a suitable clutch and some jewellery that would work well together.
This was fun, she hadn't put this much effort into a night out in a long time, and it was nice that there was no pressure with Holly, they could both just have a really fun dressed up night out together.
One of her contacts got back that he could fit her in if she arrived within the next thirty minutes.
"Nice." She'd last eaten there with her parents but she didn't let that put her off, as she responded with a thank you and a promise to return the favour if the guy ever made good on his threats to kill his wife by looking the other way.
And then Holly texted her again. Gail?
Yes, we're taking your car and I'm driving!
xxxxxx
As they pulled up at the front of the restaurant where there was a valet service, Holly couldn't help but stare. It made Gail chuckle as she exited the car and handed the keys over to a guy that looked far too young to be driving. "Don't scratch it." She warned him.
"No ma'am." He replied before hopping in as another teenager gave her a ticket for her keys.
She shook her head and then moved over to where Holly was waiting for her.
"Not what you expected?" Gail asked her friend as they walk through doors that were held open for them and into the large foyer area where they could see the maître d' waiting a few feet away.
They moved over to the cloakroom just off to the side and they both took theirs off and handed them over, receiving yet another round of tickets.
"Considering I was offering drinks at the nearest bar? No, but in a very nice way." Holly replied as she walked with Gail up to the front of house staff who were lingering by the entrance. Gail took a few steps closer and had a quiet conversation that Holly couldn't hear.
And then the blonde was back at her side.
Gail took Holly by the elbow and started guiding her towards the bar area off to the right. "Our table will be another few minutes, why don't we get that drink in?" She tried not to eye her friend too much but the brunette looked stunning in her mini black dress, it was very elegant and with her hair twisted up the way it was, she was looking very... yeah.
Gail was feeling a little nervous right now and a few drinks were definitely in order before she said or did something stupid and embarrassed the both of them.
She also had to remind herself that this was actually her idea, Holly had just gone along with it.
Gail saw Holly smirk out of the corner of her eye and glanced around the rest of the place to try and distract herself from staring at her friend too much. Although she thought this tactic was a bit late in coming on her part, she was pretty sure she'd just been busted.
It was only then that she realised just how busy the place was. It made her hands feel sweaty and her mouth go dry, there was people, couples and groups of people, everywhere.
She needed to get out of the place as she felt the room closing in. She mumbled what she hoped was an explanation and took off to the left where she could see the sign for the restrooms.
Gail glared at everyone she passed on her way. The restaurant was crowed and from the looks of people someone had released some type of laughing gas into the room. There was absolutely no good reason for all the smiling faces surrounding her.
It was worse than Frank and Noelle's wedding.
She really hoped Holly got her a double. Maybe she'd even have a few shots when she got to the bar just to combat her annoyance at having to be around so many happy people.
Just as she moved passed yet another toasting couple she heard it, in fact it made her stop and turn her head back in their direction.
"Happy Valentine's day sweetheart."
Gail's eyes widened to their fullest. There was no way she had just heard that. But then she watched the woman blush as the guy who'd spoken leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
PDAs yuck.
Then the words replayed in her mind again. Shit.
Gail shook her head and continued on to the restroom with shaky, hesitant steps. Now it was all starting to make sense, Traci's weirdness, Holly's attempts to clarify going to dinner together, and the debate over how to dress…
As she entered the restroom Gail marched over to the sinks and splashed some water on her face before drying off and staring at her reflection in the mirror. For all intents and purposes she was on a date with Holly tonight, not a friend's night out but a couple's night out.
On the most couple centred night of the freaking year.
And to cap it all off she had brought Holly to one of the nicest restaurants in the city, one that she had had to pull strings to get a table for.
"Great, just great." She muttered to herself as she went and used the facilities then hesitated once more as she washed her hands. She glanced at her dress, it was one of the best she owned and Holly had dressed just as nicely. And while her instincts were telling her to run for it, she really wasn't that much of a bitch that she would ever do that to Holly.
That didn't mean this wasn't going to be the most awkward dinner she'd ever experienced when she went back out there.
She sighed, took a deep breath and slowly started making her way back over to the bar where she'd left Holly to order their drinks.
Alcohol sounded so good right now. Maybe they could even skip the dinner and just stick with drinking for the rest of the night?
Gail scowled as she spotted a man standing very close to Holly at the bar. She really didn't like that, and what made it worse was that even from this far away she could tell Holly was uncomfortable by the guys presence.
With a nervous swallow Gail steeled herself and made her way over as quickly as she could.
"Hey, honey, is that for me?" Gail say's stepping between the man and Holly while resting her hand on Holly's shoulder and taking the drink out of Holly's hand to sip it.
Annoyed that the guy was still stood there Gail turns and frowns at him. "Can we help you?" She asks with a pointed glare.
The guy smiled then put his hands up before walking away to the other end of the bar.
Gail huffed and went back to the drink, moving her hand discreetly from Holly to the back of Holly's seat as she continued drinking whatever it was Holly had ordered. It was a little bland but she could taste the alcohol so she was more than happy to drink it down.
She then picked up the second glass sat in front of Holly which she gathered was actually for her.
"You don't mind, do you?" She asked before drinking that down as well before signalling for another round.
Holly grinned at her friend, noting how pale she was and how her eyes followed the barman eager for the next drink. "Finally figured it out?" She asked softly. She had to give Gail credit because the blonde was still stood inches from her and had one hand on the back of her chair and the other drumming its fingers on the bar top as she waited for the barman to get back with more drinks.
Gail glared at Holly, unimpressed by the smirk on her friends face. "Figured what out Hol? Why Traci was so weird earlier, or why I can't go home tonight, or maybe I've worked out why you wanted drinks and not dinner, or why you asked about what you should wear so much?" She offered then as the barman placed her drink in front of her she grabbed it and threw it back quickly before asking for another.
"Yeah, that." Holly replied although she didn't understand half of what Gail had just said. She watched the blonde scowl as she looked off into the dining area. She took the moment to order mineral water to replace her cocktail given she had just watched Gail down several drinks and didn't plan on letting the blonde drive them back after this.
"It's all a crock anyway," Gail muttered, her eyes flitting from table to table, taking in all the smiles and laughter. "It's so fake, like you should need to put aside one day a year to show your partner how much you love them. They should know that because you show them every day, even when you're both having shit days and are mad at each other, you should still know they love you."
That little tirade left Holly slightly taken aback, it was the first time Gail had said something like that to her without mentioning her asshole ex's. But she agreed with the blonde's sentiment, your partner shouldn't need a day specifically set out to remember how much you mean to them.
But before she could express that a waiter approached them a told them their table was ready.
They both picked up the drinks the barman just sat down and followed after the waiter. Once they were seated and had been given menus they were left alone at their table.
Gail cleared her throat as she eyed her friend again, now that Holly was sat in front of her she was less likely to be teased about it. "You look beautiful by the way." Gail said as she sipped at her drink and looked across at Holly who quirked an eyebrow up. "I wanted to say that before but I thought it might have sounded creepy."
Holly grinned as she looked down at her menu. "And it's not creepy now?"
Gail shrugged. "Not any more so than asking you out for dinner on Valentine's Day."
Holly smiled and chewed her bottom lip as she eyed her friend.
"But you do, look nice." Gail repeated before looking through her own menu for something to order. She sighed and glanced over again. "Is this weird?" She asked, if she drowned out the crowded room around them she was just having dinner with Holly, whom she liked and well, enjoyed spending time with, any time, even batting cages time.
Yep, that was a little weird.
"It doesn't have to be." Holly replied quietly, fiddling with the cutlery as she wondered how tonight was going to affect her relationship with the blonde police officer. They hadn't known each other for more than a few weeks, maybe tonight was a bridge too far given that Gail had to feel a little strange being here tonight with her knowing she was a lesbian and might think more of this than Gail had intended.
"It's just dinner Gail, that's all." Holly offered, wanting Gail to understand she wasn't expecting anything more than that.
Gail smirked at her friend but was interrupted by the return of the waiter. They both gave their orders over and when he asked if they wanted tonight's special for dessert it was all Gail could do not to laugh. She smiled at Holly and told the waiter that they'd take dessert to go at the end of the dinner.
Holly shook her head at her friend.
"So, how would I be doing if this was a date? Hypothetically speaking." Gail asked as she was finally able to relax. It may have been the alcohol she'd consumed on a pretty much empty stomach or maybe it was just that she was over caring. Holly was the most amazing, smart, beautiful person she had ever known, Gail would be lucky if Holly ever saw her as more than a friend.
Holly sipped at her water, wondering where the frightened cat had gone as she stared across at her friend. Gail had seemed so skittish that Holly had been close to calling the night off and just taking the pair of them back home.
"I'm not sleeping with you if that's what you're asking." Holly replied with a smirk of her own, if Gail was dealing with the situation better now, then Holly was just going to go with.
Gail snorted, "Nice." She commented, glad she hadn't just spat her drink all over the table. She saw the challenging glint in her friend's gaze. Fine, she could do this, it was Holly after all, and they always bantered with each other. She looked her friend over then lifted an eyebrow. "You should be so lucky."
Holly grinned and made a show of looking around. "It's a nice restaurant, good food, and of course you are paying, so I'd say you're doing fairly well." She answered with a teasing grin.
Gail nodded, conceding all of those points. "That is fair considering I did ask you out."
"I did suggest drinks." Holly reminded the blonde.
Gail shrugged, "But this is nicer, don't you agree?"
The tip of Holly's tongue slipped out to lick her lips as she watched her friend closely wondering if it wasn't just the alcohol talking. She picked up her water again, "You're still not getting into my pants tonight." She warned.
Gail sighed as the wait staff, who had to have just heard Holly's comment, arrived and placed their starters down before scurrying off again. She looked up and saw the apologetic look being aimed her way. But really what did she care what anyone thought about them having dinner together.
She shook her head. "I don't know why I put up with you." She muttered to Holly while trying to bite back a grin.
Holly smiled figuring the blonde wasn't mad after all. "Get me drunk enough and I might just show you." She said teasingly as she began to eat.
Gail shook her head but she couldn't ignore the way her stomach flipped that she knew had little to do with the food in front of her and everything to do with the woman seated across from her.
xxxxxx
The drive back to Holly's had been filled mostly by the sounds from the radio station, playing request after request to couples all over Toronto.
And even though Gail wasn't driving and usually couldn't stand the ooey, gooey, mushiness of it all, she left it alone. Especially because next to her Holly was humming along with every song.
Gail's hand itched to reach over to Holly's but instead she clutched tighter to the dessert box in her lap.
Her nervousness only increased the closer they got to arriving back at Holly's. Gail had no idea how she was supposed to act, what was she even meant to say? Would Holly invite her in to share the dessert she was holding in her lap, was she meant to politely decline and say her goodbyes at the door.
Was there supposed to be a kiss? On the cheek or otherwise?
Gail screwed her eyes shut as she felt a headache coming on, this is why she hated dating, at least with a guy you generally knew what they were expecting.
She had no idea what Holly wanted from her, and if Gail did try something would her friend just laugh at her?
So many questions, none of which Gail had any idea how to answer.
And then she realised the car had stopped and a look to her left showed a very amused Holly sitting there staring at her.
"Deep thoughts huh?" Holly asked with a grin.
Gail sighed.
Holly chuckled but didn't want to embarrass her friend any more so she let it go and got out of the car, waiting as Gail followed her lead and brought the boxed up strawberry cheesecake with her.
"You aren't holding that hostage are you, because I'm sure half of it is technically mine?" Holly asked as she started for the front door of her house. She felt a nervous twisting in her gut as she slipped the key into the lock, it wasn't like Gail had never been to her home before, she had, it was just that tonight felt very different.
Or maybe that was wishful thinking on Holly's part.
Gail walked through the front door and peeked into the box, "I suppose I could share it." She muttered as she placed it on the small table in the hallway as she hung up her jacket besides Holly's.
"You suppose?" Holly asked before disappearing off in the direction of the kitchen where she flipped the coffee machine on. It had been a few hours since their night began but she was still conscious of the possibility that Gail might be about to drive herself home.
Hence the coffee.
Holly pulled out two plates as she waited for the coffee to finish and placed them down on the breakfast bar where Gail and the cheesecake had taken up residence. She then got out two forks and sat down across from the blonde.
"So, do I have to fight you for a piece?" Holly asked as she held up her fork as a weapon.
Gail rolled her eyes and fought back a grin. "I need a knife Nerd, not a fork."
Holly's eyebrows jerked up. "How much do you plan on eating?" She asked teasingly only to receive a scowl that made her hold her hands up in defeat and stand up again. "Okay, okay. So much trouble." As she went looking for an appropriate size knife the coffee finished so as she handed the cake knife over to Gail she went and poured them both coffee.
Gail cut down the centre of the heart shaped cheesecake because it was making her feel nauseous having to look at it, then she made a few more cuts before placing a rectangle, completely unromantic, slice down onto Holly's plate, and another onto her own. She then closed over the box so Holly didn't see the destruction job she'd just carried out.
Holly quirked an eyebrow as she brought the coffee over and noticed her plate. It definitely wasn't what she had been expecting. She supposed the pink colouring and the slices of strawberries over the top was a nice touch, she'd just expected something a bit more in keeping with the romance of the night.
"Just eat it." Gail told her friend with a scowl as she watched her look down at her slice with a touch of disappointment.
Chuckling Holly sat down and started doing just that as she picked up her fork and cut a small piece off before tasting it. "Wow, that's really good."
Gail nodded but frowned down at her plate.
Holly noticed but left her friend alone for a few moments before asking, "Everything okay? Too pink for you?" She asked, hoping for a smile but she didn't get one as Gail continued to frown as she lifted her eyes up.
"Why did you have dinner with me tonight?" Gail asked softly.
Puzzled, Holly replied, "Because you asked me?"
"No, that's not," Shaking her head Gail tried again, "I mean, why weren't you out on a real date? You're smart, and funny." And breathtakingly beautiful.
"And a doctor that plays with dead people," Holly answered sardonically. "That tends to put a few women off."
Gail sighed and stabbed at her cheesecake. "That can't be the only reason, I mean tonight was really nice and fun,"
Holly perked up. "I am a good date."
Gail shook her head with a grin. "You are, so why are you still single?"
Holly sighed and took a drink of her coffee before staring at her friend. "Maybe tonight going well had less to do with me and more to do with the company I was with." She confessed, only slightly worried about how the blonde would take her admission.
Gail frowned again, her foot bouncing below the table nervously. "So you, like like me?"
"Yes." Holly answered softly, wondering if now was the moment Gail made her excuse to leave.
Gail swallowed hard, her hands feeling sweaty. "You're not just attracted to me, you actually like me?" She tried to clarify but Holly was giving her a confused look. She looked away in embarrassment. "Guys are always attracted to me, they just kind of put up with me because of that." She said in a soft whisper, even Chris, whom Gail loved to death now, had told her that her looks had made her mood swings worth it. And Nick had flat out told her she wasn't girlfriend material.
Holly knew about the ex-boyfriend, but right now she hated everyone that had ever had a hand in hurting the woman sitting in front of her. She had never seen Gail look so unsure and scared than she did right now.
Needing to be closer Holly got up and came around to Gail's side, she paused in front of the blonde then as she noticed the tears shinning in her friend's eyes, it made her capture Gail's face in her hands and lean in closer. "I like you Gail, I like that you are brash and sarcastic and funny as hell when you want to be. I love that you were willing to make a fool of yourself at the batting cages with me, even though you really sucked at it." She got a laugh from Gail at that and the blue eyes in front of her softened noticeably. Holly sighed and studied her friend closely. "I love that my confession that I was a lesbian didn't scare you away," She grinned as Gail snorted. "That you put your number in my cell phone without asking, that you wanted me to go to that wedding with you, that when I kissed you you didn't freak out on me the next time you saw me."
"I did kiss you back." Gail said and Holly smirked causing Gail to roll her eyes, of course Holly had known that. She shrugged. "I was more annoyed that you just got up and left than the fact that we kissed."
Holly's grin widened to its fullest and she stroked her thumb across Gail's cheek. "So, you wouldn't be too upset if I kissed you again?" Holly decided that she might as well go for it, the more they talked the less she felt like Gail was going to reject her.
"Actually…" Gail's eyes flicked off to the side causing Holly to pull her hands away from the blonde.
"Oh." Now Holly was really confused. She cleared her throat and stepped back as she adjusted her glasses unnecessarily.
"Please don't be like that." Gail said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Like what?"
Gail looked away again and this time Holly followed her gaze and saw that it landed on the wall clock.
Holly bit her bottom lip, realising that maybe Gail was trying to make her exit. "Should I call you a cab?" She asked trying not to be hurt by her friend's reaction. No matter what she felt for her, she'd never pressure the blonde.
Gail scowled and looked back at Holly. "What? No."
Now Holly was really confused.
Gail rolled her eyes and turned back in her seat. "Let's just finish this yeah?" She said picking her fork back up.
"Okay?" Holly really liked Gail but sometimes she really didn't understand her.
Gail watched as Holly went back to her cheesecake but she could tell the older woman was unsure what was going on between them now. She sighed and picked at her plate. "I don't want our first kiss to be tonight." She muttered feeling like a brat just for thinking that way, saying it out loud made it sound worse.
"What?" Holly wasn't sure she'd heard right, Gail wanted them to kiss, but just not right now?
Gail let out a dramatic sigh, she pointed to the wall and with her head still down but a visible smile peeking out, she told Holly, "Try again in fifteen minutes."
Still confused, Holly looked where Gail had gestured to and only noticed the wall clock. She then noticed the time, it was 11.47pm. Gail had told her to try again in fifteen minutes, which would be after midnight and after Valentine's Day.
"You're serious?" Holly asked, a grin working its way onto her face as she felt butterflies dance in her stomach.
Gail grinned and ate another bit of her cheesecake before shrugging. "I told you, the day is a joke and I don't care what you say, I'm not kissing you until after the clock turns to tomorrow."
Holly laughed and shook her head. "You are insane."
Gail smirked at Holly. "So you've said."
Now that Holly knew she was going to be able to kiss Gail soon she couldn't help but keep stealing glances at the blonde, and at the clock, wishing it would turn faster.
Gail noticed the staring. "Impatient much?" She asked with a smirk on her lips.
Holly chose to ignore the question as she inched closer to the blonde over the counter. "You do know it won't actually be our first kiss, right?" Gail just smiled back at her.
"Dance with me!" Holly said as she leapt up and moved over to the small kitchen radio, flipping it on and trying to find an appropriate station.
"Nooo." Gail replied with a slow but definite shake of her head.
Holly found what sounded like a soft rock station. Satisfied she turned the sound up a little then went over and pulled Gail out of seat, ignoring her protests.
"No, Holly, this is worse than dinner, I'm not dancing with you to some stupid love song." Gail maintained as she tried to free herself from Holly's arms as she moved them over to where there was some space in the kitchen.
"Stop being such fud, and dance with me." Holly said as she held Gail from behind and started swaying them gently. Her movements and humming finally got a chuckle from the blonde and it spurred Holly on all the more.
Gail shook her head having no idea what a 'fud' was, but Holly was being all kinds of cute and if she wasn't mistaken she thought she heard The Boss coming over the radio, which she approved of.
Holly grinned as she felt Gail relax in her hold and cover her hands at Gail's waist. Holly responded by pressing her lips to Gail's neck which earned her a gasp of surprise.
And then the DJ's voice sounded into the room. "And for all you recent singles out there, this one's for you, 'till next year guys!" And on came Dionne Warwick with Heartbreaker.
Gail leaned over as she laughed as the song started.
Holly loved that sound, slowly she eased Gail around to face her and held her close, both of them smiling at each other as the night suddenly felt full of promises for them as they moved together leisurely, hands clasped together, fingers entwined.
After a moment, where Holly watched Gail stare at her with a look of fascination in her eyes, Holly moved their joined hands to rest one of Gail's hand over her own chest and trap it there with her hand.
"You got me cryin' like I thought I would never be, love is believing but you let me down; how can I love you when you aint around," Holly sang along in a whisper. She watched the impact of the words register with Gail as tears filled the blue eyed she looked into. "Get to the morning and you never call. Love should be everything or not at all, and it don't matter whatever you do, I'll make a life out of loving you."
Gail laughed at the changed lyric, but tears still fell. She'd been through that, more than once, more than she wanted to. She was always the one left broken hearted, but here she was willing to risk that hurt again with the woman in front of her.
Holly swallowed and bit her lip, wondering if she'd pushed too much. With Gail's hand still pressed to her heart she hoped the blonde understood that she was making a promise to her, to love Gail with everything.
Gail licked her lips as she realised they'd stopped dancing and Holly was just waiting, waiting on her to make a move. Gail's eyes dropped to Holly's mouth as she licked her own lips, her head unconsciously drifting closer to Holly's.
"Just so we're clear," Gail whispered, glancing up into Holly's eyes again. "This has absolutely nothing to do with Valentine's Day."
"Crystal clear." Holly answered back as she dumbly nodded her head in agreement as she held her breath.
They were breathing the same air now, Gail could practically feel Holly's lips on her own. "Good." She got out just before Holly closed the distance and captured her lips in a kiss. Gail wasn't sure who moaned first but when Holly's tongue slipped out to trace her bottom lip she was done caring as she welcomed Holly in as hands threaded into her hair, holding her in place.
Holly wasn't sure how long they kissed for before they separated and she rested her head against Gail. That had been some kiss, she thought with a wild grin, and she couldn't help but ease back. She was pleased to see Gail looking just as happy as she felt. She moved in and pressed their lips together quickly before pulling away and turning to look at the wall.
"Happy non-Valentine's Day." She said to the blonde as she noticed it was ten past the hour now.
Gail rolled her eyes causing Holly to giggle. "Mock all you want but you'll thank me for this later, trust me." She insisted.
Holly grinned, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Gail Peck in her arms. She shook her head almost not believing it was possible. "Stay with me tonight." She whispered softly, her voice full of hope as she bit her lip again, tensing as she waited to see how Gail would respond.
Maybe it was too soon. Maybe she was pushing for too much too quickly.
Gail looked at her hand as she moved it back to the centre of Holly's chest, her fingers trailing lightly down the valley between Holly's breasts. She didn't know what this amazing woman before her saw in her, but she was incredibly grateful that her attitude hadn't frightened her away.
She made a show of checking the time. "Well, seeing as it's Saturday and I don't have to work, maybe a sleep over wouldn't be so bad."
Holly nodded. "Uh huh, well then, I'm glad it's Saturday."
Gail grinned and slipped her arms up and over Holly's shoulders as she felt hands at the small of her back, pressing her into Holly's warm body. It was different, being this intimate with another woman, but it wasn't bad, not at all.
Her breath caught as she felt Holly's hands start to wander over her back and along her sides to tease the swell of her breasts. Damn that was hot. She swallowed and kissed Holly gently, staying close to ask, "Take me to bed."
Holly grinned and kissed Gail back. "Dance with me first?" She asked keeping their bodies close together as she started to sway them to the music still playing.
Gail melted a little, normally getting her into bed was the main goal for her dates, but here was Holly, sexy Holly Stewart, wanting to dance with her in the kitchen of her house some more.
She put her head down on Holly's shoulder and sighed happily.
Holly pressed her lips to Gail's head and started humming again as she moved them gently to the music.
"Hypothetically speaking, best date ever." Gail muttered to herself but Holly still chuckled.
"I am that awesome, thank you." Holly said as she wholeheartedly accepted the praise.
Gail didn't budge from her spot but she smirked and replied, "That remains to be seen, I'll let you know in the morning."
"Burn."
They both looked at each other and chuckled before moving in for a slow, meaningful kiss, full of promises still to come.