Gail and Holly spent the rest of the day in their room. Gail didn't want to be near her brother and Holly felt the same. She never really liked Steve. She believed he was a coward and spineless creature too tied to the mommy dearest. She was not surprised when she realized she has been right all along. But at some point, Gail was hungry and they had to go down to the kitchen and see their friends and Steve. Steve was sitting in the kitchen waiting for his water to boil. He was making pasta for everyone.
''It's alive…''
''Shut up Steven!''
''What now?''
''Why are you here?''
''I missed my little sister?''
''Oh, that's crap… What do you really need?''
''I got offer to get promoted…''
''And?''
''I have to make sure that…it's in the past…''
''I knew it! Saving Steve's ass… Always your ass…''
''I can help you get better cases and work undercover… I can even get you off the tranny murders…''
Gail saw the expression on Holly's face and she wanted to kill Steve for it.
''What did you just say? How did you call them?''
''I…''
''Hold it Steven! I am not interested… And don't you dare use that word ever again… It's not nice thing to say… You are such a lowlife.. But your secret is safe with me… I will not tell… ''
She could see some relief on his face… She really hated him for being so spineless and unable to take responsibility for his acts. She made some food for her and Holly and put it on the plate. Steve was looking at Holly trying to figure out who she was and what is her connection to Gail.
''What do you think Dr. Stewart? Should she get better cases and make progress in her career?''
''I think Gail knows what she is doing and respect she has for the victims is more important than any promotion…''
''Oh, you agree with her?''
''I believe she has her own path and way of doing her job. Apparently, you picked different ones…detective…''
''You are a weird one…''
''I'm sorry?''
''You are weird person doctor, but on the other hand… she always had thing for weird…''
''Steven!''
''She dated pretty weird boy next door. Turned out, he was gay… Died of AIDS…''
Holly couldn't believe what she was hearing. Gail was giving Steve angry looks but he didn't notice it.
''I knew something was wrong with him… I said it to our parents, but Gail was mad about him... Turned out I was right…''
''Steven!''
''Spent years with fagg…''
She noticed how uncomfortable Holly felt with Steve in the same room.
''STEVEN, ONE MORE WORD AND I WILL FORGET ABOUT THE PROMISE I MADE! JUST ONE WORD!''
Steve was silent and Gail took Holly's hand and their food to the room. She hated Steve and his behavior…
''Your brother is still such an ass..''
''Tell me about it…''
They ate their food and spent the rest of the evening wrapped up in each other's arms making love. Holly gave her best to make Gail forget about Steve and things that happened downstairs. Gail was cuddled up to Holly's back and very silent. She would occasionally pull Holly closer to her, trying to melt into her. Holly knew something was bothering her.
''What is it?''
''I was thinking about would we ever be able to tell everyone the truth…''
''What truth? About me being transgender?''
''About the James not being dead…''
Holly turned towards her…
''But he is dead…''
''I know… But… I know you said he died and Holly got to live… I was thinking about telling that the story of HIV and AIDS are false….''
''Gail…''
''I get it… You are done with it and with the past. You got the chance to live the life as…someone who you really are. And I respect it… I really do. I think it's so brave that you did all you did and managed to get the education, position and build the name for yourself. You are not in the streets or dead. You have good life and I am so happy it worked out for you babe… But…''
''You are attached to James?''
Gail got up and sat by Holly…
''I hate it! I hate that story… I hate how everyone trashes memories of James… He didn't deserve it. He was a boy who never did anyone wrong…''
''He did you wrong…I never told you…''
''And I forgave it to two of you. I know now you had to do it…and I get it now…I get it why… I do…''
''Why does it mean to you so much for the world to know that my parents are not telling the truth?''
''Because maybe James died, but the person who got to live is amazing…just as he was and maybe even more because now you are free… You are able to be honest of who you are…''
''I love you Gail Peck…''
''I love you too Holly James Stewart…''
Holly pulled Gail into kiss that turned into very hot make out session. Gail fell asleep on Holly's chest . They woke up very early and went out to the beach for a long walk. Holly got Gail to walk with her and they talked about a lot of things. They finally managed to start conversation about something that would have to come out in the end.
''Holly, with this case… We must tell…''
''I know. My name will be on many lists. I have to come clean…and get off the case…''
''That too…''
''Ugh… I hate this Gail! I have to be off the big case like that. Some of the people I know might be next…''
''I know…And I am sorry babe for that…''
''Gail, you must be off the case too…''
''I know… I will do it as soon as you come clean…''
''I'm sorry…''
''Hey, don't worry. We will have new case soon…''
''I know, but I really wanted this one solved…''
''Me too… We'll see what we can do. I think Oliver should know. We must tell him first and then…''
''And then…''
Holly went silent… They walked for some more time and returned to the house. Oliver was at the table cutting something his wife asked him.
''Hey girls… How was the walk?''
''It was nice Oliver, thank you….''
He looked at them and noticed something was wrong…
''What happened? Is it your idiot brother?''
''It's always him… But I don't pay that much attention to it…''
''Is it something serious?''
''Yes, can we talk? Outside of the house?''
He looked at Gail. She never asked things like that… Then he noticed how Holly was trying to hide her anxiety.
''Ok, let's talk…''
He took to the kitchen what he had cut and Celery just nodded. She knew what the talk would be about. He expected from her some sort of scolding but she just smiled at him and them too. They went out to the beach and Gail started talking.
''It's about this case…''
''The one you are working on? Ok…''
''Holly and I are sort of involved…''
''I know that you are dating…''
''No, involved with the case…''
''Ok, how?''
''We are dating… and Holly's name is on the Dr. Bell's list.''
''Ok… So she is one of the patients. Many women go to endocrinologysts. It's not a reason to end your time on the case…''
Holly spoke now…
''Oliver, she works ONLY with the patients in transition… ''
''I don't understand…''
Oliver was confused…
''I was born a male…''
Oliver stopped and just looked at two girls…
''Ok, let's see if I got this right… You are a woman now, but you were born as a boy?''
''Yes, you got it right…''
''And Bell was your doctor and I am guessing you had the same surgeon as other victims?''
''Yes…''
''Shit!''
Gail nodded…
''I agree…''
Holly felt weird… exposed in the way.
''Who knows?''
''Just Sam, because of the doctor's list of patients.''
''And you want to tell people?''
''I don't like going back to the boy story and things… I am a woman now…''
''I get it, but how will you explain why you left the case?''
''I can tell I know the doctor, that she is my friend and I have to be off the case.''
''Do you know her?''
''Yes, we became very close friends.''
''You girls are killing me…''
''Sorry Olly…''
''And when will you get off the case?''
''As soon as we get back…''
''Ok…''
''And what about Gail?''
''If you are off, she might stay. And I am afraid we will have to address it to someone more senior than me… It might get to your mom Gail. I can't get you off the case just like that… Holly can do what she wants, but when it comes to you, your mom might find out…''
''Amazing!''
''I believe you are pissed about this, but I can't do anything when it comes to procedures. She wants my cute ass and I don't want to hand it to her.''
''I get it… Maybe we should tell her…''
Holly's eyes were wide…
''What?''
''That I am dating a woman…''
''And that would help?''
''She would be pissed and she wouldn't care what happens to me. I failed as a daughter.''
''I am afraid it's not that easy love…''
She smiled at Oliver…
''One can hope…''
''That, you can…''