"Gail….Gail…Gail you need to wake up now. Gail?"

Gail slowly opened her eyes to the blinding light. 'Did I leave the light on….why does it smell like bleach?' she thought to herself. Suddenly she realized that there was a hand on her knee and immediately her sleep filled brain went into high gear.

She opened her eyes fully and her surroundings hit her memory like a ton of bricks. She was sitting in the hospital. Sam was shot. Chloe was shot. Oliver… There was something about Oliver too. She couldn't quite remember it all just yet.

"Gail?"

She suddenly remembered the hand on her knee and followed it up to its owner's eyes. Holly was staring at her with concern but clearly trying to hide her worry.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to doze off…I guess I was just a bit exhausted." She looked around her and realized that no one else occupied the waiting room besides them and an older gentleman.

"Holly? Where is everyone?" she asked with no lack of worry on her own part.

"They all went home, or back to the station, mostly. Celery took Oliver home about 20 minutes ago and Dov is upstairs still begging to see Chloe. Everyone else left about an hour ago."

"Why didn't you wake me?" Gail asked, her question sounding almost imposing. If Holly noticed it, she didn't let on.

"I just thought with everything that happened today, you just kinda needed it. I should really take you home though. It's late and I'm sure your bed would be much more comfortable." Holly could see the details of the day making their way back into Gail's memory as she continued to wake from her nap. It broke her heart to see her have to relive those thoughts but she knew there wasn't much she could do to save her that pain.

Gail didn't respond but just stood from her chair slowly. She walked half way to the exit before turning around. Holly was still sitting in her chair looking at her. She walked back towards Holly, stopping just before her. "Holly, are you coming?"

She got out of her chair and followed Gail outside in silence. Without saying a word, Gail took Holly's hand in her own and Holly could feel her shakily slide her fingers between hers. Holly could tell she was deep in thought. She wasn't even sure if Gail knew that she had taken her hand in her own. It wasn't until they were both in the car that Gail spoke again.

"Holly?"

"Yes." Holly replied with that same worried expression, her eyes now glancing towards Gail.

"Can you take me home?" Gail stared blankly out the side window.

"Of course. "

"Not my place. I…I mean…could I stay with you tonight? I just, I don't think I can talk to Chris yet. I just don't want to go back to that. Can I just stay with you? Please?" Gail chanced a look over at Holly to see her answer. Holly shook her head yes and started the car.

The trip to Holly's apartment was quiet. Gail continued her pensive stare through the window and Holly continued her incessant worrying. She was concerned for the woman beside her. She knew it had been a physically and emotionally exhausting day for her. It was a lot to take in. She could tell Gail needed a friend. The way she had asked so softly and honestly to stay with Holly said enough about her state of mind. Holly wanted more than anything to be able to hold her in her arms and tell her it would be ok.

Holly shut the car off and looked over to Gail. "This is me. Do you want to come up or do you need a minute?"

Gail said nothing in return but got out of the car and waited for Holly to follow. Holly led her up to her apartment and opened the door. It was dark, but Gail could make out bits and pieces of the room from the light of the moon. Holly led her inside and closed the door. Gail felt a weird sense of calm come over as the lights came on. The apartment was so warm. The lighting in the room made everything seem like it had this soft glow as if the room was light by a candle. The apartment had an open floor plan and Gail could see that this warmth spread throughout the apartment. She found herself wandering to the coffee table and glancing at the books and magazines strewn across it. The breakfast bar had a single coffee mug sitting on the edge. She found herself in the kitchen looking at the magnets on the fridge. Nerd stuff of course. The wine rack on the counter, the blanket draped across the sofa, the framed photographs on the walls, everything about this place was so inviting, so lived in, so Holly.

Gail turned back towards the front door and noticed that Holly was standing there patiently letting her take it all in. Holly took off her coat and hung it on a hook by the door still not stepping toward Gail.

"What? Do I smell or something?" Gail shot at her.

Holly couldn't help herself as a slight laugh made its way past her lips. Gail had gotten a bit of bite back. At least for right now, she seemed to be doing better.

"I thought I was the one that smelled?" Holly offered.

"I didn't say you didn't smell too, nerd." Gail replied plopping down on the couch.

Holly smiled slightly and walked towards the kitchen. She opened a cabinet and was glad to see she still had some decent alcohol selections to offer. She pulled two glasses from the rack above the stove and brought them to Gail along with a couple drink choices. "Pick your poison."

Gail glanced at her options and chose the bottle of whiskey. She took off the top and brought the bottle to her lips. Holly, realizing that they were apparently not going to be using glasses after all put them to the side.