'It's a small world...'
Rookie Blue Inspired Fiction
Chapter 21
Two weeks had passed since Harry's funeral and as much as Gail and the rest of the Military Misfits tried to return to normal, they understood that things would never be what they once were. They tried to focus on building their new normal and Gail really hoped that a certain brunette pathologist would be a part of it.
It had been weeks since Gail and Holly had spent any real time together. Occasionally, they would bump into each other when Gail was meeting Steve at the station or in 15 divisions' group gatherings but the two had still yet to have their rematch.
Gail stared at her phone. She had been working on a message to Holly for the past half hour and was embarrassed that the best she could come up with was a solid, "Hey." Sighing, Gail fumbled trying to type a message which not only apologized for her absence of late but that still held the flirtatious and playful nature of their usual banter. Gail sat for another ten minutes berating herself for acting like a hormone-enraged teenager who had a crush on a pretty girl before finally taking action. She dialled Holly's number without another thought and as she heard the continued drone of the ringing, began to panic about what she would do if Holly did in fact answer the phone or worse she had to leave a voicemail.
"Hello?" Holly's voice queried, sounding slightly distracted.
"Eh hi, this is eh, this is Gail. You know your brother's friend." Gail replied immediately slapping herself on the forehead for her bumbling nervousness.
Gail could hear Holly laughing at the other end of the phone, "It may have been a couple of weeks Gail but I do usually remember the names, faces and believe it or not voices of the people I've slept with."
Shaking her head at herself, Gail joined in with Holly's laughter, "Yeah, sorry. I guess I just didn't know how to go about this given I've been off the radar for a while".
Holly sighed, "Gail."
"I know, I know, I just… Look, I know you understand what has been going on given how close I am to Aaron but I still need to apologize. Regardless of what we are it wasn't fair of me to just disappear like that. You didn't deserve that and I totally understand if you want to stop this no-strings thing we have going cause I mean…." Gail continue to ramble her apology.
"Gail."
"Hell, any other person wouldn't even have answered the phone so you've already given me way more than I deserve and I would understand if…"
"GAIL!"
"I just… I'm sorry. I'll shut up now." Gail mumbled, her voice becoming shy and Holly could picture her downward gaze as if she had just been reprimanded.
"Gail, it's 100%, totally okay that you've taken some time for yourself. You lost a friend, a bandmate, and a brother all in one fell swoop. It's more than okay and acceptable for you to take some time to grieve. I have seen what Harry's passing has been doing to Aaron. I can only imagine what it has been doing to you and the rest of the guys and I know I have said it before but I am truly, truly sorry for your loss." Holly consoled.
"Thank you."
"I'm just glad you have decided to get in touch again. I have been missing your special brand of snark." Holly admitted and Gail could imagine her crooked smile as she said it.
"I missed you too Holly." Gail admitted shyly.
"You still owe me that rematch by the way!" Holly reminded.
"What rematch?" Gail replied coyly.
"You know exactly what rematch Gail! You threw our last bet at the batting cages. If I win, I want to win fair and square, not because you let me."
"I never said anything about letting you win."
"Enough coyness Gail, you already admitted you threw the bet to met that night at the Penny."
"Fine, fine, so I threw the bet. Can't sue a gal for wanting to please her nephew."
"Oh don't give me that, you and I both know you had ulterior motives to throwing that bet."
"It is your word against mine Holly. Who do you think they will believe? A decorated Lieutenant Colonel of the Canadian Armed Forces or a highly intelligent, sexy pathologist?"
"I think they'd be smart enough to believe the person who could dispose of their bodies without anyone every finding them or figuring out what happened."
"Touché."
"Mmm, I do like your touché." Holly replied, her voice low and sultry.
"Oh I remember that you do" Gail laughed in response.
"So", Holly refocused breaking out of her momentary lustful haze, "when can I expect this rematch?"
"You free Saturday? Batting Cages, noon? We can rehash new stakes then?" Gail asked, her voice hopeful.
"See you then Colonel. Prepare to lose." Holly stated confidently.
"Depending on the stakes, I doubt either of us would really be losing." Gail responded, smirk firmly on her face.
"Touché Colonel."
"Night Holly." Gail laughed, smiling.
"Goodnight Gail."