When a young detective, Rachel Bailey, walked into the Major Incident Team over a year ago, Gill Murray did not think this dopey, slack, unprofessional woman would last. But now, twelve months on, the Chief Inspector couldn't imagine life without her; she described it as 'I'd be bored out of my tree without you to look forward to everyday'. She kept Gill on her toes if nothing else; there was always a drama where Rachel Bailey was concerned, but she was one of the best young detectives she had ever come across. She saw Rachel as bright, young, beautiful, and reminded Gill of herself fifteen years previously.
Janet Scott was one of Gill's best friends, had been ever since their training days twenty years ago. She paired the up-and-coming detective with her; Gill knew Janet was a fantastic detective and with the support and guidance of both Janet and Gill, Rachel could be something very special.
But as the days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Rachel was proving to be a liability. Firstly, she had compromised a court case that was 'in the bag' by disclosing confidential information to her boyfriend, that turned out to be the defending lawyer in the court case, and then to top it off, she had PNC'd a car for no legitimate reason. Gill could have sacked Rachel over that, it was data protection, abusing her powers as a police officer, but she couldn't; it wasn't Janet trying to defend her, she just couldn't bear the thought of losing her now. Furthermore, Gill knew exactly how it felt to be humiliated by a man, and wasn't about to punish Rachel for falling in love and getting hurt.
Then Rachel told Gill she was pregnant and wanted to keep the baby. She had booked a day off for an abortion but couldn't go through with it. She got home from the clinic in a state, not knowing what to do for the best. She wanted to ring Janet, but she knew she had a lot on. Instead she texted Gill. 'Give us a ring when you've got five mins. R x' When Gill hadn't answered her phone, she decided to ring her boss instead.
"I'm just in a meeting" Gill said quietly, jumping up from the table in the briefing room.
"I'm sorry…" it went quiet as Rachel cried.
"What?" Gill asked concerned.
"I can't do this"
"I'm coming" Gill said, hanging up and running for the door, shouting orders at her team.
-X—
Rachel was half asleep when a knock came at the door. She rolled over rubbing her eyes. The visitor knocked again, louder this time. Rachel made it to the door and smiled, letting out a sigh as she saw Gill standing on the other side.
"Can I come in?" Gill asked. Rachel stepped to the side and let her past, shutting the door behind her. The pair walked side by side into the living room. "Are you alright?" she asked, already knowing she wasn't. Rachel just shook her head.
"Come here kid" Gill said, standing up and walking toward Rachel without arms outstretched. She held her head with her hands, Rachel's head pressed against Gill's chest.
"What would you do, if you were me?" Rachel asked, looking up at her boss, thinking the whole situation was a bit surreal, but at this particular moment in time, she couldn't think of anyone else's arms she would rather be in.
"I'd get rid of it" Gill answered, placing a kiss on Rachel's forehead. As Rachel's sobs become shallower, Gill helped her into her bedroom and lay her down on her bed. She pulled her boots off and the covers over her body. She stroked the hair from Rachel's face and smiled at her, realising what she really felt for this woman.
Rachel's eyes began to close and it finally hit Gill what she really felt. Realising she was in love with this woman was like realising Father Christmas doesn't exist. Her heart sank, knowing how far out of her league she was, her chest grew heavier and she wanted to cry. Rachel sat up at that moment and said "Thank you Gill".
"Rachel" Gill began.
"Yeah"
"I…I think….Oh God…" Gill's words failed.
"I'm sorry" Rachel answered.
"I'll understand if you hate me, but I'm falling for you Rachel" Gill confessed.
Rachel sat up and felt as though she had been hit by a truck. "You're what…" Rachel said astonished.
"I'm so sorry Rachel…God I'm such an idiot….If I had just kept my mouth shut" Gill shouted at herself.
"You really mean that don't you?" Gill only nodded. Rachel stared at Gill for a few moments longer.
"What?" Gill smiled nervously. Rachel lent forward, closing her eyes and opening her mouth slightly. It was as if a force pulled their mouths together, both of them with their eyes shut. The world came to a standstill as their lips locked around each other's. It was warm, soft, loving, everything Gill could have only dreamt of. Their mouths met and parted over and over again. Not once did their eyes open, they took every moment in, not wanting it to end. Gill pulled back first.
"You alright?" Gill asked.
"Yeah" Rachel replied slightly bewildered, trying to make sense of the past ten minutes.
"You lie down kid, it's been a long day, get some sleep eh?" she said, helping her back into her bed, covering her back up.
"Thanks Boss"