A/N: Very overwhelmed by your comments. Thanks so much. We are nearing the end of this story. I wasn't sure if I should say that, but you can always tell when you are almost at the end of a book. Probably a few more chapters. Some of you have been following since my first chapter – I really appreciate that.
There can be a deep feeling of resolve and peace when you finally make up your mind about something. Even if you are afraid, just taking that step and being willing to accept the consequences can be a relief. It's better than being stuck somewhere in the middle. Gail has this exact feeling wash over her as she enters the morgue on her way to see Holly. She needs to talk to her about her decision regarding her mother. Whether it's the right wrong decision, Gail doesn't care. It's a decision, and it's hers. It's the first thing she has felt she has control over in weeks. And she is at peace with it. She is no longer worried. The only thing on her mind right now is Holly. What if she doesn't approve? They had talked about it, but if it comes down to it, would Holly really be okay? Gail knows she can't completely make this choice without Holly being 100% on board. In a repeating-a-mantra- type way, Gail says to herself, "I am Holly's partner, and partners make decisions together." She smiles before adding "You're finally getting it, Peck."
Gail watches Holly from the doorway of her lab for a minute. It's hard for Gail to fathom now what life would be like without her. She can barely remember what life was like before. The only reason she is interested in recalling those days at all is so she will always remember to be grateful for the person in front of her. The person with her back turned staring at a bunch of numbers on a screen. Mindlessly scratching her neck with a pencil. Carefully adjusting her glasses. Gingerly taking a sip of tea. In Gail's mind, everything Holly does is designed to woo her. She swears it's intentional. And not for the first time, Gail is caught staring.
H: "Hey. How long have you been standing there? You know it's impolite to stare." Holly smiles at Gail. Not bothered at all by Gail's gawking.
G: "I was just admiring the view. I need to talk to your for a few minutes, if that's okay?"
Gail is halfway smiling, but Holly can tell that there is something serious about her visit. Besides, with the way they have been working lately Gail's visits to the lab have been far and few between unless it is work related.
H: "Um, sure. Why don't we go to my office instead of sitting in this lab?"
Gail and Holly walk to her office in silence. Holly can tell that Gail has something big on her mind. She is just hoping it's not big and bad.
H: "So what's up?"
G: "I think I have made a decision about what I am going to do about my mom. When I came into the station this morning, Andy told me that she and Chloe had been tested for alcohol on Friday. Can you believe it? They didn't have enough alcohol in their system to really get in trouble, but they got chewed out and an informal warning by Best. He even sent them home. People are scared, Holly. I think I need to take some control back, here. But, I don't know if you are going to like what I suggest. If you don't, then I won't do it."
Holly was intrigued. After all these weeks, she is surprised that Gail has come up with a plan. Frankly, she really doesn't care what Gail does at this point, as long as it's something.
H: "Okay. What are you planning on doing?"
G: "I think I'll try my hand at being a stir-fry chef." Gail says with a dreamy look on her face.
Holly can't help it and erupts in laughter. "God, Gail. I thought you were being serious. Goof." Gail smiles.
G: "Well, I kinda am. Maybe I won't choose cooking as a career, mostly because I don't cook, but I may need a back-up plan. Tomorrow I am going to talk to my mother and it may not be pretty. I am not even totally certain that both of us will walk away from it. And I was thinking that this is what I would tell her. She needs to back off, otherwise she will have one child who is a detective, and the other one a stir-fry chef. She'll love that."
Holly can tell that Gail is nervous, hence her attempts to make light of the very serious thing they both know she plans on doing.
H: "Gail, are you sure you want to do this?" Holly looks at her with pure concern.
G: "Yes. I am sure. The thing is .. I don't know what the outcome will be. It may work out, or she may end up firing me. I may quit. She may turn up the heat. I really don't know. But, I know that this can't continue. And I am going to let her know that. I am also going to let her know that the only thing she has managed to do to our relationship is bring us closer together. Maybe she will continue to harass 15, but it is more likely to happen if I am still there. So, that may change tomorrow. My biggest concern is you. I know you have had a lot added to you, and after this it may get even worse."
Holly is scared, but relieved. She never pushed Gail to talk to Elaine because she always felt that Gail was right – her mother would not settle so what was the point? But now, Gail was ready to fight and she wasn't about to try to stop her.
H: "Gail, go kick ass. I am fine as long as I have you. Frankly, even if she does try to keep pushing my buttons, I can live with that as long as you tell me all the good details about how you told her off."
And that was all Gail Peck needed to hear. Tomorrow will be the day. Come hell or high water there will be some kind of resolution. Preferably it would look something like her mother's rear-end, hanging partially out of her mouth. The anger that is sweeping over Gail now is hard to describe since Holly has unbridled her. Frankly, if not for Holly, it probably would have been on several weeks ago. The time has come now, and all Gail can think is, "Alright Mom, bring it."
G: "Well, okay, dear. Gail says with a smile that masks the inferno inside. I have to finish my shift. Then I want to come home and spend this evening with you. Tomorrow evening our dinner conversation may be a lot different. But, for tonight, let's enjoy ourselves."
They hug. It's a promise. They have sealed their decision that whatever happens, Holly is behind Gail and Gail is behind her. Gail finishes her shift without event and true to her word she spends the entire evening with Holly. They barely talk about what may transpire tomorrow. That's all done. It is as if they don't want to waste another moment on Elaine. Just the same, they both decided to cook stir fry, in case Gail needed the practice. And they laugh about that in the kitchen. For the first time, they find a way to laugh at what was happening and it was at Elaine's expense. And it feels good.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Gail is all business this morning. She gave a warm, loving kiss to Holly at the door of their apartment, but the minute she turned away from her – Gail flipped the switch. She has been such a good girl lately, she thinks, but she believes it's time to let her inner bitch come out to play just a wee bit. Gail is sure she is still in there somewhere. After all, she is still Gail Peck. Her plan is to drop by her mother's office at lunch and let it fly.
Gail was riding high on her newfound courage and resolve, right up until the point she runs in to Staff Sergeant Best…
B: "Gail. I need you to come to my office for a minute." Best is serious and his face hard to describe.
Gail follows him into the office and narrows her eyes on him. Best looks. .. weak? Sick, maybe? Whatever it is, Gail can tell right away that something is off.
G: "What is wrong, Serge?" Gail says, cautiously. Best is standing behind his chair, clearly deep in thought. It's as if he forgot he invited Gail in there. "Sir?"
Best looks up at Gail. 'Wow, he looks tired', she thinks. She has never seen him look quite like this.
B: "Gail, you and I have been asked to go to the Chief's office this morning. I just got a call from your mother's secretary, which means she will probably be there, too."
Gail's mind went totally blank. Her skin prickled and she was lightheaded. She felt hot. All of a sudden she realizes she probably looks exactly like Best. She had met the Chief before, of course, but she had never been called to his office. Usually it was due to some social event with her parents or some police function. Gail thought she was prepared for anything today. But hell, why would that be the case?
G: "Why? And when?" Gail says, not even pretending that she is not nervous about it.
B: "Well, I can't be exactly sure, but it could have something to do with the fact that I told your mom off this morning." Best said, as he looks at the ground.
And again, Gail's mind goes blank. What the hell is going on here today? She feels as if she is in some kind of apocalypse and the world just might come to an end.
G: "You told my mother off? Because I had planned… sergeant, really, I am hopelessly confused."
B: "Well, it's pretty simple, Peck. I got tired of your mom pushing me to bully you guys around." At that, Gail looks snidely at Best, since he has been denying her mother's involvement this whole time. Best notices and puts his hands up at Gail. "Yeah, whatever, Gail, just save the looks. Right now, you and I are due in the Chief's office in a half-hour. I have no idea what will happen, but I wanted you to know that I am sorry. For all of it. And, I don't know why you have to be there. But, I think we should walk together, Gail. You and me."
