Hospital waiting room
Gail stares down at the laces of her boots. With her right hand, she rubs her temple, trying to ease the tension headache she realises has been intensifying since the beginning of the day's shift. She wonders fleetingly if her left hand is gripping Holly's long, slender fingers too hard but the stress of the day has her so tightly wound she doesn't dare to release anything in case she loses all control of her senses and dissolves into a messy puddle on the floor right in front of everyone.
She looks up to find Andy gazing quizzically at her and wonders how it must look – her holding Holly's hand - but decides she doesn't care right now. She thinks about offering Andy some comfort, but then Nick sits down and rests a hand on Andy's shoulder. Gail turns back to her laces. Holly notices and, with her left hand reaches over to gently rub Gail's arm.
"Hey...are you OK?" She enquires softly.
Gail looks gratefully at her and nods by way of reply, offering up a weak smile.
They are interrupted as the Doctor arrives and they all surge forward, eager to learn about Sam's condition. The news is not terribly encouraging and the Doctor is not keen for anyone to visit him, but relents. Andy is nominated by Nick as the sole visitor and they all watch her go before slowly sitting back down and resigning themselves to the wait.
When Andy returns, everyone crowds around her. "How is he?" Asks Steve.
Andy can barely talk. "I don't know... he's just... so many machines...I can't..." She turns and walks away, her head in her hands, clearly too upset to face everyone. Nick looks after her but doesn't move.
"You should go after her." Says Gail gently to Nick. Chris and Steve nod in agreement. Nick raises an eyebrow but shrugs and heads off in the direction Andy took.
They all sit in the same seats they have occupied for the last three hours. Holly looks at her watch. She frowns and puts her hand on Gail's knee.
"Listen. I hate to have to do this, but I have to run an errand, but I will come straight back I promise." She says looking into Gail's eyes.
Gail looks back at her friend in alarm. "Really? An errand?" She wonders what could be so important, when the lives of two of her friends and colleagues are hanging by a thread.
Holly looks mortified. "I know, I'm sorry, but I'm looking after a cat... well more of a kitten actually, for a friend, and well I should have fed him about six hours ago and I'm worried the neighbours will call the ASPCA or something..."
"A kitten?" Whispers Gail. "Can I come too?"
Holly can't resist smiling at Gail's childish excitement over the thought of seeing a kitten. She nods. "Yeah, sure... and then we'll come right back OK?"
Gail nods and turns to Chris. "Listen, we're just gonna go feed Holly's cat. Will you call me if anything happens? Anything at all?"
Chris nods. "Of course." He smiles encouragingly at the two of them.
Holly puts her arm through Gail's and they make their way towards the exit.
When they arrive at Holly's, Gail gets out of the car, takes in her surroundings and makes a face. "Are you, like, rich or something?" She asks gesturing at the luxury apartment block they have pulled up in front of. Holly smiles and shrugs, slightly relieved to see Gail almost back to her usual snarky self.
As they step into the elevator, Holly can't help herself and leans in to give Gail a light peck on the lips as she presses the button for the 7th floor. Gail decides she wants more and pulls Holly's head down for a fuller kiss. By the time the elevator pings and the doors open, they part reluctantly, flushed and breathless. Holly leads the way, fumbling in her purse looking for her keys. When she opens the door a small furry creature rushes at them, wailing with displeasure. Holly giggles as Gail melts down and coos gently over the mewling kitten. She picks him up and cuddles him to her chest as Holly leads her into the apartment.
"Wow! Look at this place!" Exclaims Gail.
They have stepped into a spacious living/dining room with a kitchen off to one-side. Holly smiles her knowing smile as she drops her keys onto the kitchen counter and takes off her coat. She sniffs and wrinkles her nose. "Maybe you could feed him, whilst I deal with that." She says pointing to a litter box in the corner.
"Oh, I thought that was you..." Says Gail.
"Good one!" Replies Holly. "The food is in the fridge."
Gail opens the large, stainless steel refrigerator and looks over the contents quizzically. Fresh vegetables, yoghurts... signs of a healthy eater. But then some beers and some wine and even a bottle of champagne and nods her approval. She spies the can of cat food, neatly sealed in a Tupperware container and pulls it out, still clutching the, now purring, kitten snugly to her chest with her right arm. She sets him down and makes soothing noises as he mews demandingly - hungry for both nourishment and attention. She scoops out a healthy portion onto a dish and sets it down in front of him, cooing some more as he attacks his meal with enthusiasm. She looks up to find Holly gazing down on her with that knowing smile again and pouts.
"You're a big softie!" Accuses Holly.
Gail can't think of a response so instead changes the subject. "Why haven't you invited me to your house before?" She demands looking round at the plush interior. "And...do you cook?"
Holly shrugs. "I don't know... and yes, I cook".
"Is there anything you're not good at?" Asks Gail.
Holly smiles again and makes a face that conveys that she can't think of anything... no. Gail rolls her eyes. "You know, if we're going to be ..." She pauses, not sure where she's going with that sentence. "There has to be something you suck at..." She continues, flustered.
"Well..." Considers Holly. "I'm not sure I'll get any awards for my care of pets..." She says gesturing at the neglected kitten, still ploughing his way through the food that Gail has given him. "And... I'm not great at relationships... the last one ended kinda badly...".
"Oh God...Don't go there!" Interrupts Gail. "I mean something you suck at that I'm good at..."
"Oh well... OK. Um what are you good at?" Holly asks, biting back a smile.
Gail is thrown by the question, then rolls her eyes. "Oh God! Nothing... I'm not good at anything!" She laughs then throws herself down, in mock despair, onto Holly's L-shaped sofa nestled neatly in the far corner of the room. Holly smiles her full smile now and strolls over to join Gail.
"I know something you're pretty good at..." She asserts. She softly brushes her fingers over Gail's cheek and looks into her eyes. They kiss long and slow until Gail is brought back to reality by her cell phone ringing. Holly pulls away as Gail fumbles for the phone.
"Chris... what's up?" Says Gail, her heart thumping.
Holly picks up the kitten who has finished his meal and is now looking for some human contact. She watches Gail with concern.
"Really? OK, that's good I guess..." Says Gail, looking relieved.
"Pizza? Where?... I don't know... you know, if you guys don't mind, I think I'll just hang here with Holly. Is that OK?" Gail looks at Holly as she says this...and Holly nods her approval. "OK, but call me if you hear anything...Of course... I'll catch up with you later." Gail puts her phone away and reaches across to take the kitten from Holly.
"Sam's stable, Chloe's – no change... Oliver's doing better... The Chief sent everyone home. We all have shifts tomorrow. They'll call if anything changes. They're all going for pizza..." She shrugs.
"Are you sure you don't want to go be with your friends?" Asks Holly.
"Nah..." Says Gail. "It's nice here." She says admiring the flat whilst absent-mindedly stroking the kitten. "Do you have any alcohol?" She asks.
Holly frowns in concern. Gail is receding into herself again. The mood has lost its lightness with the stark reminder of the dangerous condition of Gail's friends.
"When did you last eat?" Holly asks Gail.
"Mm, I don't know... I'm not really hungry..."
"Well, I do have a nice Malbec but it's too good to waste on an empty stomach! Sooo... why don't I show you just how good a cook I am?" Gail watches intently as Holly strides over to the kitchen. Gail follows and takes up position on a bar stool on one side of the kitchen counter, placing the sleepy kitten on her lap. Holly busies herself with a bottle and a corkscrew.
"I don't know if I'm a wine/fine dining kind of girl... I'm more of a tequila and 'make out' kinda gal..." Gail jests.
"Well... tastes can change..." Says Holly raising a perfect eyebrow as she pops the cork and pours two glasses.
Gail has to work hard to resist a smile at the double entendre but shrugs it off. "We'll see." She deadpans. She sniffs the glass and sips at the smooth-bodied wine. "Mmm, OK, I could get used to this...What's for dinner?"