Gail took a deep breath. She was very nervous. She wanted to know all about Holly but had no idea what are things you don't ask that early in…relationship?
''Before anything, I want you to know I love my parents very much and they love me too. They supported almost everything I did and I am very grateful for that. Our conflict happened when I choose pathology over general surgery. You met my father. He is one of two best surgeons in the country. Other one is my mother, aka the chief of surgery. It's like you said for your family. You are Peck and all the members are in law enforcement. That's the same for us…''
''Why did you choose pathology?''
''I wanted to make my own name. I was surrounded with people believing I get it all from my parents. But it was not true. I studied tri times harder just to prove I am doing my own work. My parents are grate teachers and I learned a lot from them. One of the reasons I am good in what I'm doing is the fact I have general surgery and surgery in general in my blood.''
''I can imagine that. I think I understand the need to run away from the last name and all it brings. You are far from them now and now people know you for your work.''
''I did all of my rotations in time and all of my teachers gave me very high recommendations. My father is in general surgery and mother is in heart surgery, so they expected me to choose between two of them as my mentors. They were in shock when I choose Dr. Hamilton. He was amazing and I learned a lot from her, but pathology was often something that was chosen by people who hadn't made it to their wanted fields or by idiots who loved it. I was one of the idiots. Dr. Hamilton couldn't believe what I did. I was the first to pick and I believe all of them were running a bet who will I choose out of my parents. When I said pathology, there was a very long silence. My fraternal grandparents died and dad sold the house to buy me this apartment. Since I was now in my specialization, they knew I would get paid and I had some scholarship money coming, so I could support myself. I knew they felt like I betrayed them but I wanted this so much…''
''I get it… And now? Do you see them?''
''Not that often. Sometimes I go out with them for lunch or some family thing. We are friendly but on distance since then.''
''Do you regret that choice?''
''No, I never did. I love my work.''
''You are morbid…''
''Maybe, but it's not much different from surgery. On both jobs I would be in person till my elboes and surrounded by blood and interior organs.''
''I'm eating Stewart! Now I'm going to be sick…''
''You will not. I know you. You will not miss a chance to eat.''
''You're right…''
They ate some time in silence and then Gail got up and took Holly's hand. She kissed it and then kissed her.
''Thank you for telling me all this. I'm very grateful for it.''
''I… I just don't like talking about personal things.''
''Me to, that is why I said thank you… Want to go to the hospital? We could see Oli and Sam…''
''Sure, give me few minutes to change.''
During the time Holly took to get ready, Gail cleaned the kitchen and put their plates and all in the dish washer. Holly came back in jeans and gray turtleneck. Her hair was up in tight pony and her glasses were on.
''Want to take my car?''
''Sure…''
They got to the hospital and found entire squad sitting in Sam's room. He was awake and talking to them. Oliver was also there sitting in the wheelchair. That was the only way they let him out of bed.
''Ooo, look who is here?! Peck and Doctor Stewart. Nice to see you. How are you?''
''I believed we should ask that …''
''You should, but Peck has no manners…''
''Oh, I didn't notice…''
''Give her some time dock…''
''I hope you feel well…''
''I do… I just feel tired and I was told I'm on some awesome drugs. I feel like a kite…''
''High?''
''Yes Peck, high…''
''Enjoy… It will not last long…''
''I know…''
Gail and Holly noticed that Andy and Nick were not there. They kept their conclusion to themselves.
''I am very grateful you came doctor. I didn't expect you here.''
''She was here the same night of the shooting. She was there for almost entire night with Peck.''
''You see Swarek, you're the man. All the ladies you work with were there the minute you got shot.''
''I could have lived without that…''
''Cruz is not here. McNally did' let her near you…''
''OH, well… I will talk to Andy.''
Holly left the room to take a call and all the guys started convincing Sam to ask her out on a date. That idea started with some rookie called McFadden.
''Man, you should ask her out. She is hot and she is here. She has a thing for you, otherwise why would she be here? Do it man! She can't say no to the man in hospital bed….''
Other officers high fived and Oliver looked at Gail who was getting angry… He knew Gail is not ready to say anything, but he also knew her very fragile confidence couldn't take someone flirting with Holly or even Holly saying yes to the date just not to make Sam look bad in the eyes of the others.
''Did any of you idiots think about asking if Dr. Stewart is dating someone? And it wouldn't be bad if our playboy Sammy took some time OFF girls to sort out all of his complicated relationships….He created mess with two, and I think that Holly doesn't need to be third in that mess..''
There was silence in the room.
''But, Oliver! Have you seen her? That is one good looking woman and she seams single. We only saw her with Peck, so no boyfriend…''
Gail got off the chair and left the room. Holly finished the conversation and came to her.
''Is everything OK?''
''Sam wants to ask you out… Actually all the men want him to ask you out… You are hot and don't have boyfriend…''
''That is correct. I'm hot and I don't have boyfriend..''
''Holly, I had to listen about how hot you are…. I had to sit with men slobbering over my girlfriend…I wanted to smack them on the head…''
Holly smirked…
''Girlfriend, ha?''
''Yes… I guess… Is that ok?''
''It's fine with me…''
''Let's go back. I might have some fun with being hot and wanted…''
Gail went back in with her and man waited for Sam's big question.
''Holly, would you like to go for a drink?''
''Sure…''
Gail Hung her head. She knew Holly would say yes just to make Sam feel better. She didn't see coming what she heard after that.
''… call Andy or Marlowe, I don't know which of them you are dating, and we can make it double date…Tell Gail when is the good time for you and she'll tell me… See you guys…Gail, you coming?''
''Yes I am. See you all…''
They left the room and Gail was still in shock.
''I can't believe you said that…''
''Apparently I am not single so I had to decline in a nice way…''
''Is that so?''
''Yes, I just heard I have a girlfriend and apparently she is very jealous. Be careful.''
Gail put her hands around Holly's waist and walked behind her until Holly stopped walking. Gail looked around trying to figure out why she stopped and realized Holly's father stood in front of them with a woman that looked a lot like Holly. That was Mama Stewart.
''Mom… Dad…You remember Gail, and Gail this is my mother, Dr. Helen Stewart. She is chief of surgery in this hospital.''
Holly's father nodded and greeted Gail and Holly's mother offered her hand.
''Pleased to meet you. We were headed for lunch. Do you want to join us?''
Holly looked at Gail and since Gail didn't object, Holly said yes to them. They ate at the hospital cafeteria. Gail spent some time observing Holly's parents. They were amazing team. He was getting food and she was getting them salads and drinks.
''They are amazing.''
''They are together for almost forty years Gail.''
''Really?''
''Yes, they met very young.''
''That is nice.''
''It is. They are so in love.''
They joined them with food and some clumsy conversation started. Holly's dad told his wife that Sam is their friend and that he worked on him. After they finished talking about Sam, Helen turned to Gail.
''And how did you and Holly meet?''
''We worked a case together….''
''She tried to get me off the crime scene. She is not really up with her medical jurisprudence. ''
''Oh, you work with Holly?''
''In a way. I'm a police officer…''
''Oh… That is interesting… She never dated anyone form your branch.''
''Mom…''
''I'm just saying that this girl can understand your weird…work preference…''
''I don't mind her work… I think it suits her. You should see her at work. She is so serious and detailed. She works way more than she should. And people love her. She is not working in 15th for a long time , but she has a pretty big fan club. I can understand that some people think her work is less important than it's someone's who works with alive patients. I thought the same, but what I saw spending time with her is that her work is also important. After your surgeries, you give people comfort and strength to go on regardless of the outcome. She gives them closure. She gives them answer to their ''WHY?'' Sometimes it is all they need. Sometimes her answers are more than enough. She is important link in solving cases. She tells us what to pay attention to or look for. Your daughter's work is something very important.''
Her parents were surprised and so was Holly. She never thought Gail saw her work like that.
''Wow, that is very convincing speech officer.''
''Thank you Dr. Stewart….''
After saying that she started laughing. They looked at her in surprise.
''I just realized that if someone called for Dr. Stewart all three of you would turn. Imagine how crazy that would be if she stayed in the hospital working with you?''
Now, all of them were laughing. A tall good looking man entered the cafeteria. Holly's mom pointed at him.
''His name is Josh Peterson. He is one of the kids I would love to get my hands on. He is amazing and very talented. He will be great asset to my team one day when the time comes.''
Holly's dad nodded.
''Helen is obsessed with that kid. I might start being jealous.''
''Stop, that! It's not like that… You know I have no interest in him…''
They all laughed at their conversation. Young man approached the table and looked at all of us.
''Dr. Stewart, I read your paper on mass graves found in the field in Quebec. I enjoyed reading. I was wondering if you were looking for an intern?''
Holly and her parents were shocked… No one saw this coming and Gail felt so proud of her girlfriend.
''I… I have no idea… I have to ask. I can give you my card so you can call me next week. Then I might be able to tell you if there is place to work with me…''
''Thank you Dr. Stewart. It has been an honor…''
''Than you…''
Holly's dad broke the silence.
''Honey, I think you boyfriend is cheating on you with Holly….''
''Stop it Peter!''
Gail looked at Holly who was still recovering from the moment.
''Will you take him?''
''I must ask. I never had anyone showing interest in working with me…''
''Oh, that would be so grate… You would have a sidekick… He would also have his lunch box and two of you would fight crime… Perfect plot for comic book.''
''And I am a nerd?''
''Shut up!''
Gail stuck out her tongue at Holly and her parents were laughing. Gail blushed and excused herself to the restroom.
''We must do this again sometime soon… I had so much fun with your girlfriend. She seams interesting.''
''You have no idea mom…''
When Gail came back, they said good bye to her parents and went back to Holly's. Gail had to work tomorrow so she couldn't stay long. They spent some time making out on the sofa and making planes for the next day. Holly still had to work on these bodies she exhumed and it was freaking her out. She feared she will find nothing that could help bring justice to these girls.
''I will bring you some food when I get the brake.''
''I will be very happy if you do that.''
''I know… You forget to eat when you work.''
''You do the same sometimes.''
''On very rare occasions.''
''Maybe one of these days I could bring you lunch when you get the desk duty?''
''That would be nice…''
''Then, see you tomorrow officer…''
''It's a date doctor…''
Holly kissed her and Gail really had to give her best to end the kiss. She wanted to stay with her and spend another night close to her. She was falling for the girl and there was no doubt about that. Gail left the apartment and got into Chris's car. He came to pick her up from Holly's . He teased her in the car that he is not her personal chuffer and that next time her bootie call could bring her home.
''Whatever Chris…''
''You should find some nice dude Gail…''
''Mhm…''
And that is where their conversation died. She didn't want to share how her day went. When they got home, she went to her room and spent time chatting with Holly over Skype. They were becoming hopeless.
