A/N: Hey everyone! Thank you for the love shown on chapter 9, it's greatly appreciated. Luckily for you kind folks work has been a bit slow lately and my muse has been talking to me so I have a few more chapters (3 more after this one to be exact) ready to go for you.

As always, feedback is greatly appreciated.

Enjoy! :)

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Chapter 10- Friendly Advice

Despite having a heavy caseload on her plate Holly found herself in her office deep in thought instead of typing out her notes from this morning's autopsy. On her computer screen sat a half empty word document, the blinking curser flashing almost tauntingly at her, but she found she just couldn't concentrate. Every time she'd start to playback the tape recorded findings she'd only get a few lines in before her mind began to wonder off topic and she' d cease typing all together.

She couldn't stop thinking of Gail and the disaster that had transpired from her lunch with Elaine the day prior. Holly couldn't comprehend how a mother could willingly turn their back on their child so effortlessly. She'd heard about people like Elaine who'd thrown their kids out of the house for being gay, but never had she witnessed such a cold act firsthand. Then of course there were ignorant people who mistakenly thought being gay was choice and it baffled her that they never stopped to think about how ridiculous that concept truly was.

Who would choose to live a life of scrutiny and ridicule? Who would willingly choose to make their lives more difficult?

Holly shook her head, thinking back to that tear filled night during her first year of medical school when she'd finally come out to her parents. She'd prepared herself for the worst case scenario, even going so far as to put extra money aside in case she needed to get an apartment quickly.

In the end all the anxiety and worry had been for not. After telling her parents they had simply wrapped their arms around her and said it didn't matter who she was with as long as she was happy.

In all honesty Holly shouldn't have been all that surprised by her parent's reaction, they'd always been supportive of her so she had no reason to think that situation would be different, but the fear of it all had still caused her to doubt herself. Knowing the apprehension she had felt back then made it difficult for Holly to fathom what Gail must've been feeling when it became clear she'd have to tell Elaine about their relationship. The poor woman must've been terrified.

Holly wasn't all that surprised by the Superintendent's reaction. After all she was a woman whose seemingly only concern was her superficial appearance and hard-nosed reputation to the department. Having a "controversial" daughter would have almost certainly frightened her into thinking her status was in jeopardy when in reality Gail's sexuality bared no reflection on Elaine or Bill.

"Earth to Holly," a voice called from the door and the doc swiveled around in her chair to find her best friend Rachel halfway across the room. "You ready for lunch?"

'Oh shit,' Holly thought, feeling her face flush for a moment; she'd completely forgotten.

"Yeah just let me save this real quick," Holly replied with a smile to help play it off and turned back to her half empty screen, rolling her eyes at herself. How long had she been working on transcribing these notes?

"Cool, I was thinking we could try the new Italian place over on 3rd," Rachel said enthusiastically as Holly followed her out of the office.

The ride to the restaurant seemed to take no time at all, not that Holly was paying much attention to Rachel's tale of the intern hell she was dealing with over at the hospital. She had managed to supply a few well-timed "huhs" and "yeahs" throughout, but truth be told Holly hadn't caught much of it. Even after they'd taken their seats at the table she'd had a hard time focusing and barely remembered looking at the menu let alone ordering her lunch.

"And then I hid the alien's body in the morgue so I'm going to need you to come pick that up," Rachel said and Holly's head snapped up, looking at her quizzically.

"Huh?"

"Do I have your attention now?" Rachel asked with a chuckle and the doc instantly felt horrible for zoning out on her best friend.

"I'm sorry, I was miles away," Holly apologized sincerely, but luckily hadn't seemed to hurt Rachel's feelings.

"No shit," Rach chuckled, taking a sip of her water. "You better tell that gorgeous blonde of yours she can't keep you up all night cuz all that physical exertion is affecting your ability to focus in the morning."

For the first time that day Holly genuinely laughed and lulled her head forward, trying to hide the blush creeping into her cheeks as flashbacks of the previous night flowed through her head.

"As good as it was I wish I could say it was the sex that has me all out of sorts today, but I'd be lying," Holly replied disappointedly, meeting her friend's gaze.

"What's going on Hol?" Rachel asked, her tone becoming serious.

"Gail told her mom about us yesterday," Holly replied and wasn't surprised when Rachel's eyes went wide in response.

"And? How'd that go?"

"Not good…" Hol answered sadly, "she disowned her."

"Are you serious?" Rachel exclaimed, her hand going to her chest. "That's horrible, how could she do that?"

"I don't know, but she did. I knew Elaine was a piece of work, but for some reason I didn't expected this," Holly said, feeling her distain growing for the elder Peck she'd never met.

"How's Gail taking it?"

"Surprisingly well I think."

"You think?"

"Yeah she almost seems relieved to have her mother out of life, but I'm having a hard time believing that….i don't know. I guess I'm worried that down the line she's going to resent me for her mother's choice…" Holly said, a look of concern flashing across her face.

"Hol she's wild about you, trust me, she's not going to resent you," Rachel attempted to reassure.

"I know, but I can't help but feel responsible for my part in all this," Holly shrugged.

"What part? You fell in love with her and have nothing but her best interests at heart, it's not like you're running around snatching hearts and ruining lives, Holly. Her family should be grateful Gail has a genuine, kindhearted person like you to share her life with," Rachel reasoned.

"I know, but I still can't help but feel guilty," the brunette replied, absently playing with her napkin. "I'm thinking about talking to her."

"Who? Gail?"

"Elaine," Holly said, "maybe I can explain it to her and make her see…"

"No, no, no. Bad idea," Rachel quickly cut in, waving her hands.

"What's the worst that could happen?"

"I learned a long time ago to stop asking that question…Let me give you some friendly advice, let Gail deal with her mother and stay out of it as much as you can. Not everyone has the parents you do, your folks wouldn't care if you shaved your head and moved to Utah to marry six wives," Rach said with a chuckle and Holly joined in.

"That's a lovely picture," the doc remarked with a smile and arched brow.

"You know what I mean Hol, not everyone is as open-minded and accepting as they are and unfortunately I don't think there's anything you can say to Elaine Peck to make her all right with you and Gail being together," Rachel replied.

"Be that as it may, I still feel like I need to at least try though, for Gail," the brunette said. If there was one thing Holly hated the most it was the feeling of being helpless.

Rachel sat in quiet contemplation, she understood Holly's need to try to make things right with the Superintendent since the brunette had played the role of peacemaker in some form since they met. Elaine Peck's reputation of being bullheaded stood supreme and the odds of Holly changing the officer's mind were not in her favor, but by the same token, Rachel understood her the desire to try. If nothing else it proved as another example of how deeply Holly felt for Gail.

"Ok," Rach said with a deep breath, "what are you going to say?"