In a perfect world
Summary: Set after the events of 4x13, Gail and Holly's journey. Life passes you by, don't be wasting your time on your own.
After the events of that day, Gail was drained. She was drained physically and emotionally. As soon as Andy had gone to visit Sam, everyone was advised to go home as they would all be needed back at work in the morning.
Gail's head was resting on Holly's shoulder, their fingers entwined resting in Gail's lap.
"Gail, you want a lift home? I'm heading back to get Dov some things before I call it a night." Chris asked as he noticed how vulnerable Gail looked in that moment.
"No, you go. I'll be fine." Replied Gail, too exhausted to give any other reason than she just didn't want to.
Holly looked up to Chris. "I'll make sure she gets home okay."
"Okay, just be safe." Chris responded before heading towards the exit.
Gail tilted her head, which was still placed on Holly's shoulder, to look at her. "Thank you. I just don't feel like being around people right now." Gail said.
"Oh, okay. Come on, let's get you home." Holly responded, a little hurt. She didn't mean to be self centred, she knew Gail had been through a lot today, however she couldn't help how unreasonable her feelings were when it came to Gail.
Holly led Gail out of the hospital and to her car, fingers still entwined. Gail was too tired to care, and Holly's hand in hers felt too comforting to let go.
Holly drove Gail back to her place in silence. They were both too tired to make idle conversation, and neither wanted to talk about the day's events. When Holly turned the engine off outside of Gail's apartment, Gail hadn't even realised they had stopped, let alone that they were outside her place. She sighed, not wanting to move.
After several moments of silence Gail spoke. "I don't want to go inside. It's too quiet in there without Dov and Chris. It's even quieter without Chloe's sing song Disney voice. It travels through the walls you know. Her voice."
Gail's words tugged at Holly's heart strings. She was so fragile, who would have known.
"I could come up with you if you like… but I thought you wanted to be alone." Holly replied.
"Why would you think that?" Gail said, turning to face Holly with bloodshot eyes, trying not to cry.
"Well, at the hospital you said you didn't feel like being around people right now."
There was a moment of silence before Gail responded. "You're not people. Could I stay at yours tonight?"
Holly realised the kind of admission Gail was making right now. However knowing Gail, she chose not to make a big deal about it, or even comment on it at all. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth though, an involuntary action. "Of course."
Holly drove Gail back to her place, a luxury apartment on the other side of town. In ordinary circumstances Gail would have had a line of snide comments and light hearted insults lined up, however the day had got the best of her, so she just rolled her eyes. They were both ready to sleep for a week, and so Holly led Gail to her bedroom and gave her shorts and a t-shirt to wear. Gail disappeared into the bathroom to get ready, before climbing into bed next to Holly. They both drifted off to sleep straight away in each other's arms.
The next day, they were both still exhausted, however they had a busy day ahead of them. Holly dropped Gail off at her place on the way to work. They said goodbye with a chaste kiss and promised to see each other later. However with work being so busy, they never actually got a chance to see each other. They text and spoke to each other, however it was a few days before they happened to see each other again. Sam and Chloe were both out of the woods and were doing fine, meaning tension at the station was much better and work load was returning to normal.
Gail had been working with Chris as Oliver was still on leave. They were called out first thing regarding a suspicious smell coming from a third floor apartment. When they investigated however, they found an elderly woman dead in her sitting room chair. They suspected no foul play was involved, however the body was to be sent to the lab for an autopsy just to rule out anything suspicious. This was the perfect excuse for Gail to drop in and see Holly. She had a stupid spring in her step as she rounded the corner and into Holly's lab. If it was anybody else, she probably would have slapped them and told them to get a grip. However she just couldn't help herself. Holly had offered to drop by and see her a few times since that night but Gail was always working or making her rounds on visiting her friends. Holly understood though, she never held it against Gail or stopped trying. That's one of the things that drew her to Holly, her great compassion. God knows Gail could use a little extra compassion in her life.
As she rounded the corner to Holly's lab, Gail stopped in her tracks. Holly was in there with another woman. Gail didn't know who this other woman was and she didn't want to know frankly. They weren't doing anything, but they were laughing and joking together. There was no reason for Gail to be jealous at all. Though the fire in her stomach said otherwise. Just then, this woman, whoever she was, put her hand on Holly's shoulder and Gail lost her temper just a little.
"What is this, nerds day off?" Gail snarled at the two women in the unfriendliest manner she could muster.
Holly spun around at the sound of Gail's voice, unfaltered her tone. The smile that spread across her face as she saw Gail standing there could not be helped.
"Gail. What are you doing here?" She said with a beaming smile.
"Well Holly, some of us actually do our jobs around here."
"I'll just go and run this test for you Holly." Said the random girl, who Gail knew nothing about. She then disappeared into another room.
Holly began walking towards Gail when Gail put her hand up to stop her.
"I can't stay, I have to get back to work. You know, my job."
"Gail… don't be like that. I know what your job is. What's the matter with you."
Gail sighed, knowing she was probably being unreasonable. "Nothing, I'm sorry." She said as she turned to leave.
Holly was having none of that. She quickly stepped towards Gail and took hold of her wrist, spinning her around.
"Hey, don't go just yet." Holly said, her eyes pleading with Gail to stay.
"Why, you looked so busy just now, I don't want to keep you."
Holly laughed a little under her breath. She knew this was probably not the best way to reason with Gail Peck, but she just couldn't help herself. "Are you a little jealous Peck?"
Gail's face changed, trying her best to hide the hurt she felt. "Don't be ridiculous. Like I'd be jealous of a nerd."
Holly smirked. "Oh you are so jealous. I would tell you how adorable that is if I didn't know how hard you'd kick me if I called you adorable."
Gail didn't say anything, just put a scowl on her face in an attempt to put Holly in her place. It worked with everyone else but Gail did not intimidate Holly in the slightest.
"She's my intern. Like I'd be interested when I have my eyes on somebody else." Holly explained.
Gail just shrugged her shoulders. "So who else are you interested in then?" She asked, doing her best impression of someone who didn't care.
"Oh I don't think you know her. Rookie. Blonde. Hot. Snarky. Was thinking of asking her out on a date tomorrow night."
"Good luck with that." Gail dismissed.
Holly's face suddenly changed, serious and intense, looking straight at Gail. "You want to go out with me tomorrow? I miss you."
Gail couldn't hold up her walls anymore and she couldn't stop the small that crept onto her lips. "Yes." Was all she said, before she leaned in pressed a kiss to Holly's lips.
The kiss wasn't hurried and surprised like the one before. It was slow and thoughtful. As Holly kissed her back, Gail's hand came up to rest on the nape of her neck. Holly placed her hand on Gail's hip in return, resting on the top of her belt. Gail's heart was beating out of her chest. She realised this was the effect that kissing Holly had on her. Their breathing became heavier. It was at this point that Gail slowly pulled away, realising she had to put a stop to this. It was the middle of the day in a busy lab, anyone could walk in. As she pulled away, Gail rested her forehead against Holly's. "Until tomorrow" She said, before she stepped back.
"You're killing me." Holly said, her breathing laboured.
Gail gave a smile before she disappeared the way she came, leaving Holly with the biggest smile spread across her face.