It's a small world...
Rookie Blue Inspired Fiction – Gail and Holly
(Chapter 12)
A/N - So I know it has been an age and I can only apologise for that. I have been working a crazy amount and have been struggling a bit with writer's block this chapter. I found writing the dialogue between Aaron and Gail to be tricky this time around. Also I had planned for this chapter to be longer and then realised that that was an insane idea considering the setting, characters and dialogue involved. Therefore you have this messily written chapter to build up to the next chapter. As always I am 100% grateful for the support and the reviews are fantastic motivators. Also I'm still looking for a Beta which would help updates be produced more quickly, if anyone is interested? Review and enjoy. Thank you. A x
It took another two days before Gail was accepted as the base's new military band leader, and an extra day for her to negotiate some wiggle room in terms of the musical arrangements for the band. With that in mind, Gail set out to ensure that any brethren she knew that had musical capabilities were involved; determined to bring the band back to life...that included Aaron.
Having authorised another week's leave for Aaron to spend with Lucy, Gail was resigned to phoning her friend to convince him to dust off his trumpet (no, not a euphemism Gail would remind him) and join the band. So after taking a long lunch; checking in with her other brothers and sisters who returned home, seeing how they were settling in to base life; Gail dialled the familiar number.
"Hey Colonel, what's up?" Aaron asked cheerfully, the sound of metal clanging and slopping could be heard in the background.
"Aaron, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Gail when it's just us? Besides you're not even on base yet!" Gail responded with a chuckle.
"I may not be Colonel, but you are." Aaron replied sharing Gail's laughter and Gail knew that although she couldn't see him, Aaron would have the signature Stewart lopsided smirk on his face.
"Forget it, that's not why I called anyways..." Gail continued however she was cut off.
"Aww Colonel, did you miss me?" Aaron teased.
"Focus Aaron, I wondered if you still had your trumpet?" Gail started.
"Well I'm not one for blowing my own horn..." Aaron joked.
"That's very good to know. With all the dirt in the desert I'm not sure it would have been hygienic..." Gail returned smugly.
"Really, Gail? You went there?" Aaron asked as he shook his head in disbelief.
"Well, I wasn't the one who said sarcastically that they didn't blow their own horn, so face it Stewart you walked into that one." Gail reminded him.
"Yeah I guess. So why were you calling, not that I don't love our catch ups but we could have done that over a couple of beers?" Aaron questioned trying to shake the image Gail had summoned out of his brain.
"Your trumpet, Aaron? Do you still have it and can you still remember how to play it?" Gail asked returning their conversation to its purpose.
"Yes I still have it somewhere, and I don't think I could forget how to play the damn thing if I tried. Years stuck in school bands will do that to a person. Though I don't think I'd be that great or anything; not like I'd be playing the solo for Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez." Aaron conceded.
"No, no; although it's a fantastic piece of music, especially when arranged for brass; I think we'd need to work up to that kind of standard." Gail agreed.
"Sorry, you've lost me..."we"?" Aaron asked confused.
"Well... let's just say I'm now the new band leader and am looking for new recruits." Gail replied hesitantly.
"You want me in the band? Wait, you're band leader?" Aaron asked the confusion growing.
"Look it's a long story which I will gladly share over a beer sometime but right now I could just really use some good players in the band and I know you are good enough purely by knowing the solo for Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. So please?" Gail asked hopefully.
"I don't know Gail. I have to say though if it's going to be all marching music, you can count me and lots of others out though Colonel. As much as we are patriotic and love to hear and play marching music, that stuff can get old quickly if you know what I mean." Aaron stated hesitantly, he knew how rigid the superiors could be on rule, particularly when it came to the image of the military.
"Yeah there will be some marches, because it's a military band Aaron. It's not like we won't be asked for official purposes. However, I was able to wrangle some lee-way with music and arrangements that should keep everyone happy or at least it's a compromise of sorts." Gail conceded.
"How long would rehearsals be though Gail? How often too? I'm not the only musician on base who has responsibilities at home or would want to spend more time at home." Aaron admitted.
"I know, that's why I've convinced our superiors to give me the reigns with all this. Rehearsals will be once a week, twice max. for roughly two hours and I'm looking into rehearsals spaces away from base so that if rehearsals do fall on time when the majority are not on base working then our brethren can bring their families with them. I want this to work Aaron." Gail persuaded.
"Why the band Gail, seriously? It's not like you don't have any other military commitments or musical commitments for that matter too. You've got Leo's lessons, and you've promised Lucy lessons too, not to mention your..." Aaron went on.
"Look I know", Gail interrupted cutting him off, "I know I have other commitments, but people here on base and you too, seem to be forgetting the biggest event for the military band and just how important it is that we have a band to be there for it."
"What event Gail? What are you talking about?" Aaron asked confused by the passion in his Colonel's voice.
"The parade, Aaron. I'm talking about the parade; that one day, where everyone on base and their families and their families' families, all come together to remember the one thing that is important; love. Where children run down the street alongside the floats and the band plays its marching tunes, and families look on in pride to their brethren alive, celebrating and proud. The parade isn't about us military folk showing off our tech or our skills at playing instruments, it's about those we leave behind. It's about the children getting to be publicly proud of their family instead of having to explain each day why they aren't home and are instead fighting in another country. It's about unity; bringing us all together in celebration instead of the harsh reality of war." Gail finished with a sigh, as she remember the year's previous where she too would stand with her brother, hearing the joyous laughter and applause as the floats and band marched by proud to be a solider for their country. The line is quiet for a while and Gail is just considering checking the line for connection problems when Aaron speaks again.
"Yeah... I forgot. Okay. I'm in. Obviously it can't eat into too much of my time with Lucy. Who knows how long before any of us are called for deployment again so I want all the time I can get with my kid before that happens again." Aaron agreed.
Gail beamed, "Yes! Thank you Aaron. I promise I will do my best to fit around everyone's schedules and like I said I want to make it so that some practices are family friendly so you can bring Lucy with you."
"I know and I appreciate it and why you've stepped up to do this. Thank you Gail." Aaron stated sincerely, realising that this band meant more to him and should mean more to military personnel as a whole for the power it held in bringing their family together both in joy and in farewell.
"Of course. On a similar but different note, you coming to the Tin Shed tonight?" Gail asked.
"Don't think so Gail. Holly's friend Rachel has offered to take Lucy tonight so that I can spend some quality time with Holly. You know thank her for all that she does while I'm on tour." Aaron stated, a tinge of an apology in his voice.
"Hey, don't worry about it honestly. There will be plenty more opportunities for you to come and experience the truly awesome atmosphere caused by my presence at the Shed." Gail laughed, hearing Aaron groan as she allowed her ego to rule her mouth.
"I'll see what Holly and I get up to and then maybe we can stop by or something." Aaron mused more to himself than to the blonde.
"Look Aaron, it's okay really. If you swing by, great! If not then there will be plenty of opportunities; okay?" Gail reassured.
"Yeah, I guess." Aaron conceded.
"No guessing about it Aaron. You go enjoy yourself and show that sister of yours how grateful you are for all she does for Lucy and you will you're deployed." Gail said sincerely.
Aaron smiled as he chuckled, "Is that an order, Colonel?"
Gail laughed, "Damn straight, soldier!" she joked.
"Eh, there's not that much straight about you Colonel..." Aaron joked, laughing loudly.
"Very funny Stewart" Gail groaned; "Now off with you, I have very important Colonel business to get back to."
"Yeah okay, I'll speak to you later Gail." Aaron laughed.
"Later Stewart" Gail returned as she hung up the phone.
Putting her phone down on the table, Gail reclined into her chair letting out a deep sigh. She knew she had her work cut out for her convincing others to join the military band but she hoped that using the same logic she did with Aaron she'd be able to convince at least some of the bases' musicians to dust off their instruments and join the melody. Rolling her shoulders back relieving some of the tension, Gail flicked through the rest of the personnel files in front of her. Having identified another brother as a tuba player, she dialled his number and settled in to persuade yet another of her brethren that the band and the morale it brought was worth fighting for.
After having hung up with Gail, Aaron returned himself to the living room of the Stewart household, noting the homely feel it always gave him; pictures of himself, Holly and Lucy painted the walls and the fireplace displaying their memories and achievements. He noted how much they had all changed over the years; how much Lucy had grown, how much his experience on tour and Holly's here at home had matured them. Shaking the thought, Aaron continued towards the voices coming from the kitchen just off their living room. He found Lucy at the island colouring in, her pink 'Frozen' backpack fit to bursting resting at the bottom of her stool. He'd discovered that Lucy was now obsessed with the Disney film and had recently renamed all of her stuffed toys to the names of the characters. Not to mention the six times since being home that he'd had to endure the musical at his daughter's insistence; "Daddy, just once more. You really need to see it more than five times to enjoy it." Holly apparently had seen the film thirty-six times to date and that wasn't counting the times she'd fallen asleep during, which was just another reason to thank her for all she does.
Aaron continued further into the kitchen, brushing a hand over Lucy's shoulder as he passed and settled against the counter where Holly was busy making a fresh pot of coffee. He smiled at the scene in front of him; the two people he loved the most in the same room. He was glad to be home.
"So what's on the agenda for us today then sis?" Aaron asked looking to Holly as Lucy raised her head at their conversation.
"I was thinking we could go for lunch once Rachel has swung by for Lucy and then head somewhere else afterwards. I hadn't really thought that far ahead. I got as far as food." Holly smiled laughing, enjoying watching the smile that spread across his brother's face and hearing her niece's laughter.
"Food sounds good, Hols. We could always head to the museum, or the aquarium, or go shopping..." Aaron laughed, before rattling off suggestions.
"Or you could go ice-skating..." Lucy piped in, interrupting her Dad's list. Both adults turned to Lucy with wide smiles.
"I haven't been ice-skating with you in what? 8 years?" Holly asked, childish delight evident in her voice and on her face.
"Yeah something like that.". He turned to his daughter, "You're a genius kid."
Lucy shrugged going back to her colouring (Olaf was purple), "It's in the genes".
Aaron and Holly burst out into laughter, grinning at the girl.
"Damn straight it is!" Holly delighted, causing Aaron to double over in laughter.
"What?" Holly asked as she and Lucy looked to the male Stewart confused.
"It's just that I had a conversation earlier with Gail and she said the same thing and..." Aaron couldn't continue as he laughed again, tears streaming down his face. He took a few deep breaths before continuing, "I made a crack about her not being straight and it's just funny that I could now be saying the same thing to you after having said it to her, your crush, not even an hour ago." Aaron finished, before cracking up again. Holly giggled, shaking her head at her older brother's antics. She poured herself a cup of coffee before moving to sit next to her niece.
Allowing her brother time to calm himself, Holly allowed her thoughts to wander to the blonde Colonel. The doctor hadn't heard from Gail since Steve's birthday bash at the Penny and while she understood that the blonde would be busy with returning to base and the new promotion, it hurt the brunette that they hadn't yet arranged their rematch. I mean, they were friends right? Friends can hang out. Holly shook her head; her thoughts of late had too often wandered to the blonde bombshell and while she knew her attraction to Gail was undeniable as she looked to her niece beside her and her recently returned brother she was reminded of the very reason she knew she couldn't let herself have a relationship with Gail.
Having allowed him to regain his composure, Holly turned to Aaron, "So why was Gail calling? She doesn't want you at base earlier does she?"
Aaron turned to his sister, a reassuring smile on his face, "No, no Hols nothing like that. Gail was just wondering if I would be up for joining the military band as she's recently taken over as band leader. That and she was seeing if I'd be at the Shed tonight for the gig."
"Okay wait, you're going to play trumpet in the military band? Why? You've told me numerous times that you can only stand playing marches when it is absolutely necessary. How did Gail rope you into this one?" Holly laughed in disbelief as Lucy had now stopped her colouring intrigued by the conversation taking place in front of her.
"Yeah I know I've said that and it is still true. Gail just reminded me of how important the military band is for morale and apparently she's managed to negotiate some wiggle-room with the music." Aaron admitted. Holly nodded, not that she would tell the blonde but she was definitely impressed that she'd not only managed to persuade Aaron but get senior military personnel to bend on the music. Besides, Holly understood what the band meant to some military families, particularly at the parade. She was glad that Gail was so invested in keeping the band alive.
"That is true. So was that all the Colonel was saying or did she need you for something else?" Holly attempted to ask subtly.
"Yeah she told me she had this massive crush on my sister and wanted to know if I was cool with her asking you out." Aaron replied just as casually as he had about the band.
"What? Really?" asked Holly excitedly, her head snapping to look at him, yet not noticing the mischievous glint in her brother's eyes.
Aaron laughed out loud, "Wow, you really do have it bad for Gail huh?"
Holly shook her head at her brother's antics as her niece joined in his laughter before repeating in a singsong, "You have a crush. You have a crush." Of course sending Aaron further into his hilarity.
"I do not have a crush on Colonel Peck." Holly pouted stubbornly.
"Yeah... okay Hols." Aaron replied the sarcasm dripping from his voice.
"Fine. So what did Gail have to say then?" Holly huffed trying to get the conversation back to the original point.
Aaron chuckled at his sister's obvious embarrassment, "She was asking if I'd be at the Tin Shed tonight for the gig, but I said I'd have to wait and see what we got up to as it was our day." The minute he mentioned the offer Aaron knew that his sister would not so subtly try and act like she "wouldn't be bothered" if they went to the Shed to see the gig. He knew his sister was eager to see Gail again, so when she started with the obvious, "You know, if you really want to swing by..." he knew his sister was in deeper with his friend than she would be willing to admit to herself or to anyone else. Either way Aaron was sure, he'd be ending up at the Shed tonight and he could already sense that he would be a third wheel by the end of the night. Who was he kidding? This was Gail and his sister, make that before the end of the night.
