It's a small world...
(Chapter 4)
Rookie Blue Inspired Fiction
Author's Note - Well folks, here is the next installment. I know it has been noted in reviews about the length of my chapters and I would just like to say that each of my chapters vary in length as a result of the pacing of the story. I end a chapter where I feel comfortable setting up the next part of the story. Also, I'd just like to remind folks that I am Scottish; therefore all spelling will be the British spellings and my knowledge of Canada, the armed forces etc. is mainly googled. Thank you once again for all of the support. It is as overwhelming now if not more so knowing all of you are reading this. I hope this lives up to expectations and that you all had a wonderful Christmas (or insert appropriate holiday in here or not). Also, if I don't post again before then have a lovely New Year. Although it is possible I may post again before then as I am already writing the next chapter. Anyways, that's enough from me. Thank you all x
It was obvious to Gail from the glint in Holly's eyes as they shook hands that she was a competitive person, and that she would be in for an interesting play off. Less obvious however was the shiver that ran up Holly's spine at the husk in the blonde's voice as she whispered those two words into her ear. The shiver did not go unnoticed by her best friends, both now paying closer attention to the blonde who had gained their friends attention and affections. It was Leo's exclamation of excitement which brought the pair out of their flirtatious haze and focusing them on the bet at hand.
After talking with the manager of the batting cages, it had been agreed that Gail, Leo and Lisa (not trusting the blonde to play fair in the bet) would be in one batting cage while Rachel and Holly occupied the neighbouring cage. The manager had also folded open part of the partitioning between the cages so that the two women could see each other; both claiming that it would allow them to see the other's performance, but the smirk on Gail's face told Holly it was not the only reason the blonde would be favouring the view. As Lisa once again reminded the two ladies of the bet, the stakes and indeed what was required of them, they each placed their helmets on their heads, gripped their bats in one hand, the other shaking with their adversary in good sportsmanship before getting into their stances for the bet to begin.
As Gail waited for Leo's countdown, which would ultimately lead to Lisa and Rachel hitting the ball machine buttons in each of the cages respectively, she snuck a glance to the brunette and smirked noticing Holly's gaze obviously occupied by her glorious behind. Gail's smirk only grew wicked as Holly noticed Gail's glance and blushed furiously, before shaking her head and trying to refocus on the ball which would momentarily be hurtling toward her.
"3, 2, 1...Go!" Leo shouted animatedly commencing the bet. Gail's focus was then trained on the ball flying towards her, putting all of her efforts into ensuring a hit to the ball, and then the next and the next and so it began. Both Holly and Gail were focused and consistent, neither one letting up on the power behind their strikes. Leo was egging Holly on in the background while Lisa watched nonchalantly and Rachel smiled and cheered with Leo. Gail wasn't keeping track of how long they had been at it, or of how many balls had been hit, she was used to not knowing the time; her job had helped her out in that respect. However, as they continued on she could feel the fatigue starting in her arms as they felt heavier and maintaining consistency in her strikes became more difficult. She knew that if this was how she was feeling, Holly too would be in a similar state. Between pitches she sneaked a glance at the beautiful brunette and her suspicions were confirmed; Holly's strikes were far less powerful than when she started out and Gail noticed the way she shook her arms to loosen them before preparing for the next pitch. After a couple more strikes, Gail chanced a look again and this time was confronted with the look of disappointment on Leo's face as Holly barely managed to retake her stance again after trying desperately to loosen some of the weight of fatigue from her muscles. It was then that Gail made her decision. Turning once again to the pitch flying towards her, she started to rapidly lose power in her swings; each hit became weaker and weaker until she stumbled and the ball swung by her hitting the back of the cage.
"Winner, Holly Stewart!" Leo shouted smugly. Painting a look of disappointment on her face, Gail turned to see the look of relief on Holly's face as she dropped the bat in time for Leo to throw himself at her, grabbing her into a big hug before then jumping up and down and chanting to Gail, "Loser! Loser! Loser!" Gail shook her head and removing her helmet, rested it in the crook of her arm, using the same arm to hold her bat and made her way into the neighbouring cage. Turning to Holly's smug lopsided smirk she held out her hand, "Well played Stewart."
"Thank you. You know, I'm not entirely sure whether or not to be worried about my victory?" she questioned the blonde deviously.
Noting that she was walking in to whatever snarky comment the brunette was setting up, the blonde shook her head and played along anyways, "Oh yeah? Why is that?"
"If this is the level of endurance they teach our armed forces then I think we all should be concerned for our nations' soldiers." The brunette taunted raising her eyebrows in challenge.
"Well I think it's unfair to rest the judgement of an entire army's' endurance levels on one example. Surely a doctor of your calibre would recognise that the only way to be sure of the accuracy of such a sweeping statement would be through a series of experiments before taking an average? Wouldn't you agree, Doctor?" Gail smiled.
Holly smirked and winking replied, "Turnabout is fair play Colonel". Sharing a conspiratorially devious smile the two were interrupted by Leo, "Oh my! This is going to be so awesome!"
"That it is little man that it is..." Gail replied sarcastically as Holly looked at her with a lopsided grin.
"Oh come on Aunt Gail, you lost suck it up. You better get used to it because I am going to school you at the shooting games after all you can't use your normal shooting hand!" Leo cheered.
"Yeah well we shall see about that Leo, I think you'll find us army vets are very adaptable." Gail smirked at the challenge.
"Then I guess we'd better find out" Holly interrupted concluding their banter.
"Okay, well if we are doing this. I suggest we regroup once you and I have had a chance to shower, plus Leo's overnight stuff is still in my boot and should probably be offloaded at home as well." Gail suggested.
"Are you saying I'm dirty, Colonel?" Holly countered raising her eyebrows as her pupils dilated a little.
"I can only imagine the depths of you dirtiness nerd, but I think for the sake of the little man it's best you clean up alone...", Gail started whispering deeply into Holly's ear as she passed, "for now". She brushed her lips gently against the brunette's ear as she slipped a business card with her contact details on it into her back pocket. Holly's eyes closed and she bit back a whimper as she felt the blonde's hands on her behind. Sauntering out of the cage, calling for Leo to follow, Gail turned to glance back at the brunette noting this time the shiver her words exuded. Smirking she raised a hand in wave to Lisa and Rachel, steered Leo towards the desk to hand in the equipment before heading to her car to get changed at home.
Emerging from the shower, Gail could hear the sound of Leo gaming and began pulling out clothes to wear for the evening. Which of course brought about a whole host of questions about what would unfold this evening, the answers to which Gail was unsure of. Was this a date? Would Holly really be asking her out on a date when Leo was part of the equation? If this is a date should she be talking to Aaron about this? Is it cool to date your army buddy's sister? All of these questions however seemed to pale in comparison to the one in focus in Gail's mind as she stared at the piles of clothes on her bed; what on earth do I wear? Focusing first on drying her hair Gail set about towel drying it as much as possible before plugging in her hairdryer to finish the job. It was just as she was unplugging the device that her phone vibrated on the dresser. Picking it up, Gail smiled:
"Ready yet? Or are you purposefully going to take an age to avoid confronting the consequences of your failure?"
"You know Nerd I've been called many things; coward is not one of them. Where will we get you?" Gail did not have to wait long for the brunette's reply.
"Meet me at the diner two streets over from the morgue in 30?"
"See you there Nerd"
"Looking forward to it Colonel ;)" Gail turned to the pile of clothes on her bed with a new energy. She was Gail Peck after all. If she could handle an entire regiment of service men and women, this should be a walk in the park. Grabbing a pair of form fitting blue jeans, a black t-shirt, her trusty black leather jacket as well as the essentials, Gail quickly got ready before pulling on her combat boots and heading to ready Leo.