Hey everyone, sorry about the delay between chapters but things got a bit hectic at work over the last two weeks and it's been a little difficult to write. Fortunately I have managed to whip something up for you. :) As we all know, all the characters of Rookie blue belong to Tassie Cameron et al, I'm just borrowing them to tell a little story. As always, thanks for the reviews and PM's, they inspire me to write so keep them coming please. A special thanks to GleeSavedMe for an important heads up. And without further ado... :)

Chapter 4

I

Gail entered the Black Penny and immediately started to scan the room. It was full for a wednesday night. The noise of raucous laughter reaching her ears as she stood just inside the doors. Her eyes skimmed over Chris, Andy and Dov, already nestled into their usual table. She looked down at her watch, it had been a gift from Steve when she made Detective, it made her lips twitch into an almost smile. Her brother knew her well. The clean cut stainless steel trim and the black dial of the Breitling aeromarine colt was a look Gail loved. It was 20h05 and no sign of Holly. Gail felt a small niggle of disappointment settle within her. If she had been anywhere else other than a crowded bar she probably would have started to overanalyse why it bothered her so but Chris had caught sight of her and was now calling her name and waving his hands above his head like a mad man.

She rolled her eyes at his antics and began weaving through the crowed towards her people. A whistle went up as she drew nearer. "Give it up for detective extraordinaire! Gaaiiiil Peck everybody!" Dov shouted as a few whoops emanated from around the table with a smattering of applause. Gail looked around and couldn't help but mirror the grins she saw aimed at her.

"Yeah, yeah. Take it easy losers, we all already know I'm awesome." She said as she swaggered the last few steps toward the table.

Andy sniggered and coughed a "whatever" into her hand while Chris crushed Gail into his side in a one armed hug.

"Watch it McNally I know where you live," Gail said narrowing her eyes at Andy who looked innocently back at her.

In all the frivolity she hadn't seen the brunette pathologist enter the bar and begin to make her way over to their table, the first inkling she had of her presence was when she heard her voice from behind her left shoulder. "Officers," Holly said, a smile evident in her voice, "I hope I'm not interrupting."

It sent a rush through Gail's body, she could feel the goosebumps erupting on her arms as she heard her speak. Gail turned towards her, unable to keep the grin off of her face. "Not at all Dr Stewart, please join us." Gail motioned to the empty stool to her right, which Holly graciously slipped onto. The others around the table greeted her warmly and introduced themselves.

Gail stood quickly, looking around the table, "Alright minions," she paused, "and Dr Stewart. I solemnly declare my first case closed, drinks are on me." A few more whoops filtered into the air as Gail turned toward the bar to buy the first round.

She settled her elbows onto the bar and raised her hand to the bar keep signalling her intent. She noticed that Chloe and Nick had also joined their group at the tables in the corner. Everyone seemed to be including Holly into their conversations which made Gail smile, she like the fact that the woman fit into any group so effortlessly. It was a skill that Gail herself had not mastered.

She turned as Chris settled at her opposite elbow. "Thought you may need a hand carrying the drinks back." He said as he started moving the beers the bartender had begun to set down in front of Gail towards himself. Gail paid for there drinks and started to make her way back to their table when she noticed Chris dawdling.

"Spit it out," she said as she turned back to him, "I can tell you want to say something."

Chris looked back over her shoulder toward their friends, he shuffled his feet a bit before beginning to speak. "Well I was just wondering you know, seeing as you've been around the morgue a lot over the last few days…" He trailed off, finding his shoe laces suddenly fascinating. "I was kinda thinking about asking Dr Stewart to dinner. Seeing as you know her a little better, do you think she'd like something like that? You know, do you think she would like me?" Chris looked up at Gail, not quite sure if he had done the right thing by talking to her about this stuff. He was met by a highly amused look.

Gail was trying hard to suppress the laugh that was threatening to bubble out of her throat as she looked at Chris in all his puppy dog glory. She sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder, "Chris I'm sorry to have to say this but I don't think you are really her type."

She saw the hurt flood his face, "Did she say something about me? Was it something I did at the crime scene?" He asked worriedly.

Gail shook her head, thinking for a minute, "You have certain… appendages, that she doesn't fancy very much."

Chris's face was immediately stricken as he lifted his hands to his ears and groaned, "It's because my ears are too big isn't it. I can't help that the one is higher than the other, I was born that way!" The whine evident in his voice.

This time Gail couldn't suppress the laugh that escaped her. She never knew Chris was self conscious about his ears, frankly she couldn't see anything wrong with them. "No Chris, it has nothing to do with your ears. In fact your ears are pretty perfect." Gail said, chuckling as she turned away from him.

"So it's my nose then, or my fingers." He started to randomly list body parts. Gail wondered how long it would take him to come up with the right answer but she'd had enough of his rambling and placed a hand over his mouth to shut him up.

"You know what, on second thought you might be just right for her. You two could ramble on blissfully together, god knows you are both good at it." Chris looked confused but then smiled at Gail's encouragement. She knew she was setting him up for certain failure but she couldn't help herself, this could be moderately entertaining to watch. And she had tried to be a good friend and warn him off, it wasn't her fault that he couldn't take a hint.

II

Holly had stealthily been watching the blonde out of the corner of her eye and half heartedly listening to Chloe's chirpy rendition of how her day had been, boy could this woman talk. She watched as Gail and Chris returned to the group, arms laden with beer bottles. Frowning when Gail took the seat across from her at the table instead of the one she had vacated when she went to get the drinks.

Gail smirked as her, eyes flicked between Chris and an unsuspecting Holly. Holly saw the look on Gail's face and narrowed her eyes at her through her glasses, that look made her nervous, she was definitely up to something. Holly gave her a questioning look but all she got in return was a shrug from the blonde and a raised eyebrow.

Chris plopped down into the seat next to Holly and smiled at her sheepishly, a blush creeping onto his cheeks as he tried a little small talk with her. Gail saw the moment when realisation struck Holly, it hadn't taken her long. The brunette turned her attention to Gail who now had a look of absolute glee on her face as Chris began to stumble over his words with nervousness. She gave the blonde a withering look that was answered with the most innocent expression Gail could muster.

Gail's people watching was interrupted by Dov asking some nonsensical question about a trivia game. She turned and gave him the evil eye which effectively shut him up quickly enough for her to turn back towards Chris and Holly just in time to hear him stutter out his feeble attempt at asking her to dinner.

Holly reached out and placed her hand on his arm, "Chris, you seem like a lovely guy and I'm extremely flattered that you would like to have dinner with me but I'm going to have to decline." He looked at her bewilderedly, as she pushed her glasses back up her nose. "You see if I said yes it may give you the wrong idea and I'd really like for us to be friends." She said, patting his arm gently.

"Is it because of my ears?" Chris blurted out, looking intently at Holly who seemed very confused by the question.

Gail was holding her breath trying not to laugh as the scene unfolded in front of her.

"No Chris, I'm gay," Holly said, smiling at him and giving his arm another reassuring pat. She watched his face as something seemed to slot into place in his mind.

He let out a breath and narrowed his eyes at Gail, "You are a dick."

By this time the whole table was watching the scene in front of them. Not quite sure what was going on.

Gail burst out laughing at his poor choice of words.

"You knew didn't you?" Chris said. "You knew she was gay and you still let me ask her out."

Gail was still laughing when she shrugged, "I tried to warn you but you wouldn't listen."

Holly was trying hard to keep the mirth off her face as she turned to Chris, "You are right, she is a dick". She said, "And if I weren't gay I would totally date you Chris, because you are a hottie. It's my loss that I'm not into your hotness but I'm sure that there are plenty of girls out there who are. Give me a call if you ever need a wing man." She winked at Chris as he blushed and puffed out his chest at her words.

Gail smiled at how effortlessly Holly had turned the situation around and made Chris feel good about himself. She watched as Holly stood and excused herself, making her way towards the bathrooms. Chris, it seemed had made a full recovery from his somewhat embarrassing public moment and was now playing a game of darts with Dov and Nick. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and removed it to see a message lighting up her screen. Nerd: "You are evil" was all it said. She smirked as she typed out her reply.

Holly was standing in front of the mirror fixing her hair when Gail's reply came through, it simply read, "You know you love it". She couldn't stop the lop sided smile that crept onto her face. Was Gail actually flirting with her? She'd have to test the waters because it sure felt like it.

III

By the time Holly made it back from the bathroom Gail had migrated back to the seat she had occupied earlier in the evening, her hand was resting possessively over the back of Holly's stool, as if to discourage anyone from claiming it. Gail turned toward her as Holly slipped back into her seat, a slow smile creeping onto her face. She opened her mouth to say something when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind causing Gail to stiffen at first until she caught the unmistakable scent of her brother's cologne.

Holly watched as Gail seemed to relax into the handsome, grinning man behind her. Her stomach twisted and a frown started to appear without her permission before she caught herself. Wait, was that a pang of jealousy? Holly groaned internally. She was in so much trouble. She studied Gail as she swatted at the arms that were now wrapped around her waist.

"Steven! What have I told you about my personal space? If it wasn't for your vile cologne you'd be on the floor right now whimpering like a baby." Gail said with mock loathing. Gail would adamantly deny it but she truly loved the man behind her and she knew that he loved her. She also knew, even if she only admitted it to herself, that he was the only person in the world that she had ever loved and loved her back unconditionally. She often wondered if that was just sad.

Steve chuckled behind her and Gail felt the timber of his voice through her back when he spoke, "So what are you going to do about it? Tell mom on me?"

Holly's frown deepened as her eyes flicked between the two, taking in their appearances. Pale skin, bright blue eyes and the smirk on Steve's face looked exactly like the one she'd seen earlier as Gail watched Chris embarrass himself. She let out a small laugh as it dawned on her, siblings. She chastised herself for jumping to conclusions earlier as both Gail and Steve's attention now fell to her.

Gail narrowed her eyes, "Don't encourage him Stewart, if we are going to be friends you should know I expect 100 percent back up with all things Peck related. Trust me on this."

Gail heard Steve snort as he stepped out behind her, his full attention now on the brunette in front of him. He appraised her carefully before thrusting out his hand toward her, "Steve Peck," he said with a grin that Holly suspected had melted many a female heart, "the older, much cooler, and definitely better looking Detective Peck."

Holly returned his smile as she shook his hand. "Older, definitely. You can see it around the eyes. Cooler, I'm not so sure about." She said as she watched a look of confusion cross Steve's face. She pointed down to his foot that was resting on one of the lower treads on her barstool waiting for his eyes to follow, "I believe you are wearing two different coloured socks detective."

Holly smiled innocently up at him as Chris gave Steve a pat on the shoulder. "Come on man, you don't have a chance anyway. Let me buy you a drink."

As Chris led Steve away to the bar Holly was met by a positively beaming smile from Gail. "I knew I liked you for a reason."

Holly laughed, she was pretty sure she was now blushing. Thank God for her olive complexion and poor lighting in this place.

IV

The rest of the evening was filled with laughter and pleasant conversation, if nothing else, Holly was sure that she had made at least one or two new friends tonight. Gail had been attentive, she had included her in all their conversations and made sure she had a drink in front of her at all times. Her hand had even made its way onto Holly's back or elbow on several occasions, making her breath hitch at every small touch. She was starting to wonder if she had been reading the signals Gail had been giving her properly or if her brain was being tainted by the alcohol in her system.

She shook her head as she filled a glass with water from the pitcher in the middle of the table and took a few big swallows. She looked down at her watch to see that it had gotten rather late without her even noticing. She had to be in to work early tomorrow, she sighed and turned to Gail who was in deep conversation with Andy about something or other. Her hand still resting on the back of Holly's stool. Holly smiled and watched her for a moment before placing her hand on Gail's forearm to get her attention.

"I have to go Detective," She said as she began to stand and gather her bag and jacket. "I have an early day tomorrow."

Gail stood, "Did you drive?" She asked as she picked up her own jacket and keys.

Holly shook her head no, "Good thing too," she said, "I think I'm a little over the limit."

"I'll drive you," Gail said taking one last sip from her glass.

Holly raised an eyebrow and looked from Gail to the drink that now sat on the table. Gail rolled her eyes and passed the glass to Holly who sniffed it skeptically and then took a tentative sip. "Water?" She said surprised.

"Yip" Gail said, popping the P loudly. "I drew the short straw, I'm the designated driver tonight for those three losers," she said pointing to where Chris, Dov and Chloe we trying very hard to play a game of pool. All were failing miserably as it seemed their depth perception had been vastly diminished by the alcohol in their systems. "I'll come back for them once I've dropped you off."

With that said, Holly found Gail's warm hand once again on the small of her back directing her toward the exit.

Gail led her toward a new looking silver SUV, opening the passenger side door for her. Holly smiled, Gail was chivalrous, who would have guessed. She thanked her and hopped up into the plush leather seat and waited for Gail to round the vehicle and hop in. Holly reached for the radio as Gail began to back out of the lot only to have her hand swatted away.

Gail smirked at Holly, "No one fiddles with the radio in this car unless they have explicit permission."

Gail threw her phone into Holly's lap, "Go on then, pick a song."

Holly smiled sheepishly at Gail as she scrolled through her music library, hitting play when she found the MS MR album, Secondhand Rapture. She hummed in appreciation as Dark Doo Wop began to play. She closed her eyes and set her head back against the headrest as she began to hum along, a smile on her face.

She opened her eyes when she realised the vehicle had come to a stop a while ago and had not moved since. She looked over at Gail who had been watching her with a look that she couldn't place. She looked away and blushed, focusing on what was outside the passenger side window. she frowned, they were sat outside her apartment building. She thought for a minute but couldn't remember giving Gail her address. She turned back to the blonde who was still watching her. "How did you…" She trailed off.

"Detective remember." Gail said with a smirk.

Holly chuckled, opening the door. The cool air that rushed in immediately sobered her. "You are insane, you know that right?" Gail just shrugged, still looking intently at Holly.

Holly's brown eyes locked onto the cobalt blues across from her at that moment and it felt as if all the air had been sucked from her lungs. Before she even knew what she was doing her hand reached out, her thumb tracing over Gail's warm cheek. The next thing she knew her lips were on the blonde's. Just a soft brush before she pulled back and got out of the car. "Thanks for the ride Detective," she said softly before closing the door and turning away, making her way towards her building.

Gail felt Holly's thumb trace across her cheek, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. Her world was moving in slow motion as the brunette's lips made contact with her own. The goose bumps were back, she felt them stand to attention over her entire body as those delicious lips brushed against her own. The next thing she knew Holly was out of the car, walking away from her. She frowned and sat for another split second before her body caught up with her mind and she reached to open the door.

She jogged up behind Holly, reaching for her arm as she began to open the door to her building. The brunette had been in such a daze that she hadn't heard Gail approaching. She jumped when she felt fingers wrap around her wrist, forcing her to turn. The look in Gail's eyes making her heart pound so loudly she swore the blonde could hear it.

Gail's free hand found its way underneath her jacket and came to rest on Holly's hip, pulling their bodies together. The electricity was back, Holly felt it rushing through her body from everywhere that she was touching Gail.

Gail dropped Holly's wrist and replaced the hand on her cheek, searching Holly's eyes for something, something that she obviously found as her lips came to rest against Holly's. Tentatively at first but gaining confidence when the involuntary moan left Holly's throat and reverberated against her lips. She pushed into Holly with her hips and pulled her closer with the hand that had now moved from her cheek and into her hair.

Holly's world spun as she felt Gail's tongue trace over her bottom lip, begging for entry. She opened her lips and sucked Gail in. She tasted a little of spearmint and cherry, it was the most intoxicating thing Holly had ever tasted.

When they pulled apart they were both breathing heavily and Holly felt a little wobbly on her feet, moderately unsure if her legs would continue to hold her up. Gail smirked at her as she took a step back, back tracking slowly away from her as she shoved her hands into her pockets. "Good night Dr Stewart," she finally said as she turned and jogged back to the SUV which was still running with its driver side door standing open.

Holly didn't hear the "wow" that Gail uttered as she got into the car or see the smile on her lips as she drove away, she was far to busy trying to get her legs to listen to her brain and move into the door of her building beside her.

Once she was sure her legs would carry her she pushed through the door into her building, she looked up to see a lascivious grin on the concierge's face as he looked her over. She blushed as she realised that there was a camera at the front door and he had probably witnessed what had just happened with Gail outside just a moment ago. She began to blush, "Bobby," she greeted softly as she ducked her head in embarrassment and walked passed him to the elevators.

"Dr Stewart," He greeted with an overly large grin gracing his pudgy face.

Holly blew out the breath she was holding as the doors closed, blocking Bobby and his grin from her view. She lent back against the wall of the elevator and touched her lips which were still tingling from her encounter with Gail. She groaned, bloody hell that woman could kiss.