A/N

Hi guys! So this is a story that I started about a week ago. It takes place the morning after Gail goes crazy and cuts all her hair off. This is my idea of Holly and Gail's relationship as it grows. Originally a one shot, but I ended up continuing the story, so if you're interested, please review and I would be happy to post more! Unfortunately, I do not own Rookie Blue or the characters. Thanks so much!

Chapter 1

"Well, this is weird," Gail muttered, staring at herself in Holly's bathroom mirror. Holly, the woman she had spent the night with, Holly, the woman who had stayed with her and held her hand in the hospital while they waited to hear about Sam and Chloe.

Sweet, sexy, Holly, the one who had been kind enough to help salvage the tragic remains of her once beautiful blonde hair.

"Sweet Jesus," she moaned, fingering her cropped blonde hair. It kinda looked like she had been attacked by a weed whacker, which, sadly, was actually an improvement from the way it looked when she was done with it. The rest of her didn't look much better; she was wearing one of Holly's ratty Beetle's t- shirts and she had huge bags under her eyes. Between her face and the crazy hair she looked like a homeless psycho. To be fair, she did feel like she was going insane. She had had her teeny tiny little freak out, and it had seemed like a good idea at the time to try and fix everything with a pair of scissors.

Granted, her momentary insanity had led to some fairly epic and fantastic shower sex, so it wasn't all bad. The hangover wasn't exactly a barrel of laughs, though.

Moving slowly, hoping to avoid a head rush, she turned on the faucet and waited for the water to get cold. Once it was satisfyingly bone chilling, she bent down, scooped it into her hands and splashed it all over her face.

"Ah, that's the stuff," she let out sigh of relief as the cool water soothed her pounding head.

"You know, it really doesn't look that bad."

Gail shot up in surprise, staggering when the world decided to tilt on its side.

"Woah!" Holly moved forward, grabbing the blonde's shoulders to hold her up, "steady there, Peck! You ok?"

"Just lay me next to the toilet to die," Gail sighed, resting her forehead on Holly's shoulder.

"Ok," the brunette chuckled, running her hand over soft blonde hair, "let's get you back to bed."

"No really, right here's good," Gail insisted, moving to sit down. Luckily, Holly was faster, and blondie wasn't putting up much of a fight.

"You'll be much happier in a fluffy bed."

"You know what would make me really happy?"

Holly raised her eyebrows, reaching over and turning off the sink.

"A drink," Gail finished, wrapping an arm around the taller woman's waist and looking her over; to put it simply, she looked hot; her hair was all teased out from sleep, and she was wearing a tank top and boy shorts that highlighted her curves perfectly. The glasses just added that sexy librarian edge.

"And sex," Gail decided, "And chocolate, but mostly sex. Sex is what we need."

"How about a bed, some aspirin, and coffee?"

Gail frowned at the counter offer but allowed herself to be led out of the bathroom and through the softly carpeted hallway. She had to admit, it was nice, being taken care of by this particular doctor. Gail wasn't exactly the warm and fuzzy type; she hated relying on anyone else, and she didn't generally react well to comfort.

She had to admit, though, as Holly helped her into the bed and pulled the soft cotton sheets over her, it felt really good to have this woman caring for her. She smiled tiredly when soft lips pressed against her forehead.

"See," Holly smiled, peering at the blonde through her glasses, "Isn't this better?"

Gail shrugged, but buried herself deeper into the covers.

"It's not as good as sex and chocolate, but I guess its ok."

The brunette chuckled and this time she leaned forward and pressed their lips together in a sweet, lingering kiss.

"I feel better already," Gail smiled when they separated. Holly shook her head and rolled her eyes, but Gail held her hand up.

"Hey," she insisted, "Never underestimate the healing powers of a good orgasm."

She kept her face serious as Holly threw her had back and let out a peal of laughter, dissolving into adorable snorts. She sat down on the bed, laying a hand on Gail's leg as she tried to recover.

"I'm gonna make you some coffee," with one final pat on the blonde's knee, she stood up and went out the door.

"Huh," Gail muttered when she was gone, thinking about the flutter in her stomach that remained, and the warmth on her knee from where Holly's hand had been, "Weird."

"You know, eventually we need to get back to the hospital," Holly called as she entered the bedroom, tray in hand. When she got no response, she looked up, assuming that Gail had fallen asleep.

She was met with a wary glare from the blonde in question.

"What's wrong?" she demanded.

"What. Is. That." Gail asked, her voice a low growl as she slowly raised herself up from the pillows.

"What's what?"

"That," the blonde huffed again, crossing her legs and gesturing toward the tray, "green monstrosity in the glass. That better not be a substitute for delicious black coffee."

"Oh," Holly sighed, looking down at the drink. It was a celery, kale, banana and sour cream smoothie. She had hoped that Gail's exhaustion and headache would help her to let go of her ridiculous "screw fruit and vegetables" policy just this once. Yeah, even she had to admit that the shake tasted like utter, complete, shit, but it was the most effective hangover cure she'd ever had.

"It'll help your head."

"So would aspirin and coffee," the woman on the bed crossed her arms and shook her head, "No way is that coming anywhere near me."

"Trust me, I'm a doctor."

"Ha," Gail snorted, "All your patients are already dead."

"Based on the way you look, you still fall into my area of expertise."

Gail narrowed her eyes, but nodded in respect of the quick, bitchy insult.

"Touché nerd, touché. It's still not happening."

"Drink it, wimp!" Holly set the tray down on the bedside table and put her hands on her hips, "Don't make me force you."

"I'd like to see you try," Gail shot back half heartedly, but her attention was on something far more important; sitting next to the green crap was, sweet baby Jesus, a Hershey's chocolate bar. She reached for it, letting out a frustrated whimper when Holly snatched it away.

"First, you deny me alcohol, then sex, then coffee, and now," the blonde shook her head in disbelief, "Now you deny me chocolate. This is hell on earth. You are the devil."

"Stop being so dramatic," setting the chocolate bar out of her patient's reach and picking up the smoothie, "Drink this, and you get chocolate."

"I have a gun and I will use it."

"Really?" Holly did her best to keep her face serious, "Homicide? That's the only solution at this point?"

Gail raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms; there was nothing she wouldn't do when there was chocolate involved. She looked like an obstinate little girl, well, a sexy delicious one, but yes, definitely obstinate.

"Fine!" Holly gave up, setting the glass down and picking up the chocolate bar. Gail snickered at her victory.

"I will give you one piece as long as you swear to drink the smoothie, deal?"

"Uh-huh," Gail nodded eagerly, watching with excitement as the treat was unwrapped. She snatched the piece that was extended to her and quickly shoved it in her mouth, moaning as she chewed.

"Good to know there's more than one way to get you to make that noise," Holly smirked, cocking an eyebrow at the blonde, who just shrugged.

"Simple girl, simple pleasures."

"Fair enough," grinning, Holly picked up the green stuff and held it out to Gail, whose lower lip drooped into a pout, "A deal's a deal."

"Fine," Holly watched in awe as the blonde grabbed the smoothie and shot it back, chugging the whole thing and slamming the glass on the table.

"Whooh," the blonde shook her head quickly, blue eyes widening, "brain freeze, ow."

"How did you do that?" Holly gaped, "Even I have to admit that thing tastes like shit."

"Ask Oliver to make you one of his Roaring Nancy's," Gail grinned, "Once you've had three or four of those, nothing tasted like crap, now gimme the chocolate."

Holly did as she was told, recovering from her shock with a shake of her head. Gail snatched the chocolate bar and ripped the rest of the wrapping off, tossing it in the small trashcan with expert aim. She ate piece after piece while Holly watched her, a small smile on her face. After a moment, Gail looked up sheepishly; she had only two pieces of chocolate left.

"Do you want one," she asked quietly, holding out one of the pieces. Holly's heart jumped; she knew that it was a huge deal, Gail offering her something as precious as one of her pieces of chocolate.

"Why thank you," the ME grinned, taking the piece and holding back a laugh as Gail's face fell just slightly as Holly chomped down.

"We really should be going to the hospital to check on Sam and Chloe," planting a kiss on the blonde's smooth cheek, Holly stood up and went over to her mahogany dresser. She pulled open the second drawer and started rummaging through, "I should have something that fits you."

"Why bother going," Gail shrugged, pulling her knees to her chest and leaning back into the plush blue pillows, "they don't want me there."

"What do you mean?" turning to look at her, Holly thought she looked incredibly small, curled up around herself like that.

"I'm a bitch," the blonde answered simply, shrugging, "I'm hostile, self centered, and probably the worst person in the world at comforting people. They're better off without me there."

Holly studied her face, looking for any sign of humor, or exaggeration. She found none.

"You're serious."

"Yup!" Gail launched herself forward onto her stomach and propped herself up on her elbows, "so why don't you come here. I think chugging that concoction as impressively as I did merits at least a few sexual favors, we could-"

"We're going to the hospital," cutting her off, Holly threw a worn flannel at the blonde's face.

"Flannel, really?" Gail snorted, fingering the soft fabric and glancing up at Holly.

"Seems fitting," the brunette smirked, adjusting her glasses, "Now get dressed, we gotta go."

"Hol, seriously" sitting up and crossing her arms, Gail continued, "they won't want me there. Trust me, I make emotional situations worse. I doubt even Steve would want me there if he were in the hospital. All I'm going to do is make unnecessary comments about the smell and the ugly criers. Also, I hate hospitals and I can't be a shoulder to cry on for three ex boyfriends that are there. Trust me, all I will do is make it worse. Nobody wants me there.

"Ok, Peck," Holly huffed, crawling onto the bed to sit across from Gail. She intertwined their hands and stared into those fierce, guarded eyes, "We're going."

She raised her eyebrows to stop any argument before continuing.

"They need you. They need your strength. They need someone to complain about the smell, to make snarky comments, because the alternative is sitting in terrified silence. You give them something else to focus on. Gail, you're great at being the center of attention, and they need that right now. You do not make anything worse. Every single person waiting for Sam and Chloe in that hospital love you for everything you are, and they need that right now. And I know for a fact that beneath your abrasive, sarcastic exterior, you love every one of them. So we are going to the hospital, because you all need each other."

Gail was silent for a moment, looking down and playing with Holly's smooth, tan fingers.

"They're going to laugh at my hair," she sighed finally, surrendering and offering a small smile, which Holly returned, accompanied with a roll of her eyes.

"Woman, you could e bald as a new born baby and still be the most beautiful girl in the room."

With that, she kissed the top of the blonde's head and bounced up and back to her dresser, fishing out a pair of faded jeans. After shimmying them on, she grabbed a deep green v – neck and slipped it on over her black lace braw.

"Thank you."

Holly turned and winked at Gail, who was just sitting there, watching her.

"And here I thought I was the devil," she laughed, whipping her dark hair back in a loose ponytail and straightening her glasses.

"No, Holly, I'm serious," the other woman continued earnestly, sitting up on her knees.

"I'm not good at this. I'm not the sweet, easy girl. I'm the girl who freaks out and hacks her hair off. I'm the girl who says the wrong thing at the wrong time. I'm a hot mess, hot being the important word, but definitely a mess. A total, bat shit crazy, emotionally stunted, handful. I'm not the girl that deserves somebody like you. So thank you. Thank you for being there, for putting up with the weirdness that is me."

Holly said nothing for a moment, just staring at the woman she was starting to fall for, and fall hard.

"So uh, yeah," Gail shrugged, smiling nervously, "thanks for that."

Again, Holly said nothing.

"Uh Hol, Hello?" standing up, the blonde walked over and waved a hand in front of the still woman's face, "Earth to nerd, hel-"

Gail nearly stumbled when Holly smashed into her, pressing their lips together and wrapping her arms around the blonde's waist. Gail was stunned for only a second before she recovered enthusiastically, wrapping her arms tightly around the taller woman's neck and deepening the kiss.

When they came up for air, Holly said nothing, leaning forward and pressing their foreheads together as they got their breath back.

"Well, that was nice."

Holly smiled at Gail's comment, pulling her even closer and smiling as the blonde nuzzled into her neck, breathing her in.

"You know what? Weird is good."

Gail stepped back suspiciously, but Holly had no mockery in her whiskey colored eyes. Smiling, she stood on her tip toes and pressed a kiss to the side of the doctor's mouth.

"You right," she grinned, weird is good."