General Notes: You guys rock! Thank you, everyone who reviewed and encouraged. I really, so, appreciate it.

Chapter Notes: This chapter is short, VERY short. Its a bit of Holly figuring out for herself why she ran. And a little about how much Gail really has grown.

Editing Notes: all mistakes are mine. Rookie Blue and these ladies are NOT.

Chapter 2: Your Eyes Will Adjust

but often it happens you know
that the things you don't trust are the ones you need most
so it's cautiously into the dark
but you see before long that your eyes will adjust
and under the night you can hear
the full moon rise like a psalm in the air
and the air goes into your lungs
and around in your heart and on through your blood
it goes cautiously into the dark
and you see before long that we all have a part
and under your skin you can feel
that the fear that you feel is what will set you free

Hey Rosetta!

The carpet was berber, good choice, Holly mused. She was pacing her hotel room like a lunatic. Berber wore well, it was meant for constant wear. It was cushy, comfy, solid. Stopping briefly in front of the mirror, she noted, that running her hands through her hair for the last few hours, just heightened the lunatic look, and muttering to herself, simply completed the ensemble.

Holly was a bit of a self-proclaimed control freak. It felt like Gail was in control of her plan. HER plan! Not Gail's! The time apart had been FOR Holly, at Holly's request. Instead, the time had completely cemented Gail's truth while it had done her, the absolute opposite. Her truth felt blurred, with a side of haze. How the fuck did this happen? Her frustration was mounting with each pass of the room. Wasn't pacing suppose to produce revelations, epiphanies? Or was it drinking?

She sat down heavily on the bed, shaking her head in frustration. And briefly glanced at the mini-bar. She thought that she would feel something when she got on the plane, but when that didn't happen, she rationalized, maybe once she was on Canadian soil, but again, no. And her last hope had been, when she saw Gail. Surely THAT would suddenly make the answers materialize! Instead, she got slapped with Gail's rock-solid declaration. Her unwavering words, and those eyes. Those damn eyes. There wasn't a shred of doubt.

She looked away, she ran. She couldn't bare to look back at Gail, with so much uncertainly in her own eyes. She wasn't capable of crushing Gail…twice. She had expected indifference for their first meeting. She had expected a bit of a cold shoulder. Flip answers and deflections. Not, 'mature, let's make a life together, I'm game.' Gail. Was this the Gail she had even loved before?

Her eyes shot open. Ding ding ding! Epiphany! That's it! Gail seemed changed. Centered. Steady. NOT the Gail she had left. What if she didn't love this Gail?

Okay, this was good. Progress. Time for some more pacing. Holly needed to break things down. She fell for snarky, complicated, challenging Gail. The Gail who had trouble with feelings and commitment. She kind of fell for temporary Gail. Hmmm, that was a rather unsettling thought. What did that mean? She had fled from that Gail. She didn't feel safe with that Gail. But she was willing to come back to that Gail. Rock solid Gail, seemed to be scaring the shit out of her.

She was going to drive herself insane! She flopped unceremoniously on the bed and stared at the institutional ceiling. At the nothing. Stark white ceiling. Absolutely no character. Smooth and flawless, every room the same...

Someone was knocking. Fuck, how long had that been going on? How long had she been lying there?

Ow, long enough that my body is asleep. 'I'm coming!'

'Hi' Gail said simply, then taking in her appearance, she smirked, 'You do crazy quite nicely lunchbox.'

She sighed 'Gail, I'm sorry, I know it's been a year and I know I am acting like a completed jackass, but I really can't –'

'Look, we can't figure this all out in one night. I get that.' She produced a 6 pack of Mill St Tankhouse, oh how I have missed Toronto beer, a video, and held up her phone with the pizza app opened.

Olive branch. Tears sprang to Holly's eyes. 'You are so –'

'Awesome? Yeah, I know. Come on nerd, lets drink, eat and watch a campy movie.'

Holly was stunned. 'Thank you' she whispered, hoping somehow, those two words were enough to convey how absolutely grateful she was for this moment.

'Veggie extravaganza ok?' Gail inquired, while tapping on her phone.

'yeah' she smiled for the first time since the maple sugar candy, 'that sounds brilliant.'

'Thin crust?'

'Nailed it.'

'Get the vid ready will you?'

'On it'

Olive branches were great things. For tonight, things were going to be okay.

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End Notes: that wasn't so bad right? They've got somewhere to go from here right? Thanks for reading everyone. All reviews, comments, questions, concerns welcome.