The past four months had gone by incredibly fast. Holly and Gail had found that living together was surprising a lot easier than they had imagined. Work kept them fairly busy but they always found time for each other. So far it had been easy sailing. Until this morning. They had woken up naked, wrapped up in each other's arms, sunlight drifting in through the window. Gail had made French toast while Holly finished a report that was due before work. They had arrived at work slightly late, partially due to Gail forgetting her keys, and partially due to the rather heated make out session in the parking lot.
Holly's day had started out fairly normal. With her report in she was able to focus on a double homicide that had just rolled into her morgue. She had her favorite lab assistant back from vacation and her friend Remy had finally cheered up for the first time since she left her boyfriend. It was all in all a good morning so far. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and smiled seeing Gail's name pop up on her caller ID. Yes, the morning was fantastic, and now she got to have just a little extra Gail time.
"Holly…?" She immediately knew something wasn't right.
"Gail, what happened, are you okay?"
"Yes, well no. I mean physically yes I'm fine. I just have some bad news. Can you meet me for lunch today?" Gail sounded nervous. Holly allowed herself to calm down slightly knowing that Gail was not hurt at least.
"Yeah babe, of course. Just text me when you are able to go and I'll come pick you up at the station okay?"
"Okay. I will." Gail sounded so small, almost like a child. It made Holly feel really uneasy.
"Okay, I will see you soon then." They hung up the phone and Holly knew that whatever her day had been, it had just turned.
Gail text Holly again at noon. She sat upstairs with Steve, neither of them talking much. Ever since Steve had spilled the beans about his engagement to Traci, they had been spending more time together, but today was strictly business. When she felt her phone buzz in her pocket she pulled herself off the desk and made her way down to the parking lot. Holly was standing to the side of her car. Gail could see her fidgeting, looking around her, almost as if she expected to find the answer to a nagging question just floating in the air.
"Hey." Gail placed a small kiss on her girlfriend's cheek and nodded towards the car. Holly greeted her back and slid back into the driver's seat. As soon as both the doors had closed an eerie silence fell around them. Gail found herself at a loss for words.
Holly however did not. She had a nagging sensation that she knew exactly what Gail's bad news was.
"How long?" Her steering wheel had become oddly fascinating all of a sudden.
Gail took a deep breath in and took Holly's hand in hers. "Not as bad as I thought it might be when they explained the op. It is only a couple months. They had originally intended it to be longer, but I guess they got someone to put in a good word so we kinda hit a fast track."
Holly knew it could be longer but she still didn't like the idea. "When are you leaving?"
"Three days, maybe four. We are waiting for a couple of things, so we have a bit of notice." Gail couldn't stand not to see Holly's face any longer and turned her head towards her. "Holly, I know this sucks, like really fucking sucks, but it's not a really dangerous op, it's not too long and I have the best partner I could ask for. I promise I will be safe. I promise I will come home to you."
Holly gave in to her emotions as tears found their way down her cheeks. She gingerly placed a hand on each side of Gail's face and kissed her. Both of their emotions were running high and it was difficult to regain control of the moment. Holly finally pulled herself together slightly. "Who is your partner?"
"Oliver. He leaves tonight and then I join him in a few days."
Holly smiled genuinely. She knew Oliver would do whatever it took to keep Gail safe. She was like a daughter to him. She really couldn't have asked for a better partner. "Good. At least there is some good news out of this then." Gail laughed quietly and pulled Holly into a deep hug.
"You know I love you right? And I would never do anything to jeopardize that. And neither would Ollie. He is going to make sure we both come home safe. And you will have Celery to keep you company. Plus I have a couple days off to get situated. I have to be back by Thursday in case I leave then though." Holly smiled knowing Gail had a point. She was not in this alone at least. She had Celery, Gail would have Oliver, and they had a little bit of time. "Well I guess I better call my boss and tell him I am sick."
"What, why? It's already afternoon Holly. Go finish your day and I will go get my errands done. But you better be home on time. We have some memories to make. I got to make sure I have something to think about late at night." With that Gail gave Holly a wink and stepped out of the car. Holly couldn't help but feel a little better already.
