"It's been three days Traci" Holly sighed as she sat in a cafe having coffee with the Detective "I know she needs her space but I ain't take this, I need to know what she's thinking"
Traci sighed " Steve and I have been getting the silent treatment too, it's not just you".
Traci took a sip of her coffee "so you've heard nothing at all"?
Holly tilted her head " well I've texted her a few times and she's replied but " the Doctor bowed her head "it's kinda one worded answers, I'll ask if she's ok?,she replies "yes" .. I said I was missing her and she said "I know" with another heavy sigh Holly tapped the side of her mug " it's killing me "
"Well at least she isn't ignoring you,which is something" Traci smiled trying to reassure her new friend "You know what? These Pecks aren't built like us Holly, they weren't raised on love, hugs and happy times "
Holly frowned urging Traci to continue ..
"Those two were raised by Elaine Peck and that means it was all about , discipline and rules and warnings of not to make her look bad, keeping up appearances, doing your absolute best at all times"
"All parents encourage their kids to do well" Holly argued..
Traci laughed and shook her head "yeah Ofcoarse, but not like them Holly, they had to be on that honour role every year with out fail, if Gail got an A in a test,Elaine would say "well it's not an A plus.. If Gail won something? Elaine would say it wasn't as good as the last person who win it "
"Wow" Holly gasped ..
"Yup" Traci nodded popping the P " nothing they do is ever good enough for that women Holly.
"Steve didn't have a choice to take the detective rotation either, she wanted him to be the youngest ever in guns and gangs "Traci continued "their whole lives revolve around the Peck name"
Holly couldn't believe what she was hearing " why would this women even have kids"?
Traci laughed " well she needs someone to carry on the legacy, I mean there are other Pecks in the force but Elaine's attitude is that their parents aren't the Super or chief, so they don't have it as hard as our Pecks do, .. Tracy sighed " Gail has it harder then Steve, he admits that, Elaine bugs her about everything from her hair to her clothes to her make up, god the list is endless "
"Well that kinda explains why she comes across cold and bratty" Holly smiled
Traci nodded" Elaine doesn't let her children show anything but professionalism , don't show empathy for people, don't be sucked in by a sad looking face, also look at the hard facts, head over heart Every time "
Holly shook her head" well that sucks and she shouldn't have the right to be called a mother, I mean who does that"?
"Elaine Peck" Traci answered " Gail isn't cold and bratty and uncaring because she wants to be, it's all she knows"
Holly exhaled " well that would explain why she was so angry with me over Cyrus and the job thing, why she couldn't even hear me out about it"
"It's weak Holly, in their world showing emotions is a weakness and it's an embarrassment to their name"
" what a world to live in, what about then they were little? I mean surely she was nurturing"?
Traci frowned " Holly those two were cops before she even gave birth to them, there was plans in place for them as soon as they could walk, we went to fun camps as kids , they went to police academy's , Gail could recite the laws of this country at eight years old " ..
Traci knew she would be in trouble if Gail knew she was talking about her to Holly, telling Holly about the life she's had to endure growing up .. But she knew she didn't want Gail to lose someone as special as Holly
"Ok so the other night Steve and I were taking about growing up and all that kinda stuff, how we didn't have Xbox and cell phones like kids now a days do and what kinda vacations we took, he told me a story about Gail" Traci stopped to clear her throat " if I tell you this.. It does not leave this booth ok? She will kill me and she'll kill Steve for telling me "
Holly crossed her heart " I won't repeat it"
Traci nodded biting her lip " ok so.. When Gail was a kid she was really small, she didn't grow into herself until her teens and people would tease her about it, she had really long blonde hair all the way down to her back and Elaine use to parade her around like some doll, people would comment on how beautiful she was"
"Still is" Holly smiled
Traci smiled "Anyways Steve said he remembers her coming home from school one day telling her mom how this bigger girl kept being mean to her, calling her names, pulling her hair, that kinda stuff, and she wanted her to stop!" Traci caught her breath before continuing "now most parents including myself would have gone into the school to try and resolve the issue,but not Elaine "
"What did she do" Holly asked
"She looked at Gail like she was something she stepped in and told her that crying about it wasn't going to make it stop"
Holly's jaw dropped "that's cruel"
"If you think that's mean you might not want to hear the rest"? Traci asked
Holly nodded "I do"
Traci nodded and continued " Steve said Gail complained to her mom a couple more times, saying she told the girl to stop but she wouldn't. One day Steve had an appointment at the Dentist So he was with his mother when she went to collected Gail up from school, when they arrived the bigger girl was hounding Gail was dragging her to the floor by her hair and Gail landed face down on the pavement"
Holly gasped shaking her head " please tell me her mom did something then ?Stopped the kid"?
Traci sadly shook her head "Steve opened the car door to got get and help her but... Well Elaine stopped him, she told him Gail had to learn to stand up for herself "
Traci felt a knot in her stomach, her mind raced to her son Leo how she would feel if it had been him
"Hols,that bigger girl hit Gail so hard as she tried to get up,she sent her flying back to the ground, the other kids were laughing at her, cheering the bigger girl on to hit Gail more,once Gail got to her feet she walked away, ... That was until she saw her mother looking at her, she could see the disappointment on her moms face,she dropped her school bag turned back to the girl and showed her that she was a Peck .. And Pecks are to be feared and respected "
"Gail beat the girl back"?Holly asked slightly shocked and a little proud of little Gail
Traci nodded "yeah she kicked her ass, needless to say the girl didn't bother Gail again "
"Well I'm glad she did" Holly said proudly, at least she did something right in her mothers eyes for once huh?"
Traci shook her head "Steve said as Gail walked towards the car he could see her nose and lip were bleeding and her jeans were torn at the knee, she got into the back of the car and Elaine just pulled off.. A block or so down the road she looked in her rear view mirror and told Gail to wipe her face "
Holly's eyes widened her insides began to boil " that's it? Her kid gets beaten up, she stands up for herself and all she gets is " wipe your nose"? I hate this women"
Traci felt the same, Elaine Peck was certainly a bitch who wasn't afraid to show it..." When they got home she sent Gail to clean herself up, Steve followed her up and asked if she was ok?, Gail was in the bathroom crying trying to wipe the blood away, she had a black eye, her lip was split and her nose bloody, both her knees grazed"
Holly felt a tear leave her eye " I can't begin to imagine how upset and lonely she was right in that moment "
"Steve said they didn't talk about it he just help clean her up .. Then at dinner her dad squeezed her hand and smiled so they gathered their mom told him what happened "
"Wait? How old was she"? Holly asked
"11-12" ...
...
Later on that day Holly was back in the lab working on a case for Traci when she appeared at the door " how's it's going"?
Holly sighed "it's not! I can't stop thinking about what you told me this morning"
"I know it's hard to hear huh"? Traci agreed ..
"I just hate it" Holly whispered " I just want to hold her you know, be there for her so she never has to feel lonely ever again"
"You just gotta let her get it out her system Hols" Traci smiled when her phone ran .. "I'll be back"
Holly looked out of the window at the heavy rain falling wondering if the sun was ever going to show up again,the winter made everything seem so much more gloomy " Gail" she whispered ..
"Ok so that was Swarek" Traci said startling the pathologist a little "there's been a body found in a dumpster down town and he wants us down there"
" Todays just getting better and better " Holly moaned grabbing her forensic kit " shell I ride with you"?
"Sure" Traci smiled holding the door open for Holly "let's go"
As they drove towards the crime scene Traci's car radio broke through the silence " all units please provide your twenty"
"Andy McNally's voice rang through explaining her and Chloe were ten minutes out and then the voice she'd been praying to hear for days came over "dispatch this is fifteen 0 four, Peck and Shaw are at the scene"
Traci looked over at Holly "looks like you're going to be seeing Gail sooner then we thought "
Holly's smile was bitter sweet, she knew she wanted to see Gail but wondered what kind of reception she was going to get "Traci pull over here a sec please"?
...
Gail stood at the entrance to the alley stopping nosy people from getting a look, "hey?" She called out " stop that" she warned pushing a mans camera away " have some respect will you"?
"We're on vacation officer, we just don't see this kinda thing where we live " the man explained trying to take Gail's photo ..
"Ok cut it out, this isn't one for the photo album you idiot, now move along before I arrest you"
"For what"? the mans companion asked
"For annoying a police officer.. now move it"
Gail shook her head as she watched The tourist hurry off "who does that"?
"Tourist" Oliver jokes "I'll be back,"
Gail stood alone watching the street when Traci pulled up at the side of her .. "What do we have"? She asked knowing Gail was professional and wouldn't bring their personal problems to work ..
Gail shrugged a little pulling her jacket a little closer to her body so shield herself from the rain "middle age Caucasian male ,from the stench I would say he was drunk, and from what's down there I would say he's homeless and living in the dumpster.. Swarek knows more then I do"
Traci nodded as Gail lifted the tap to allow her entrance .. "Hold this"? Holly asked handing over a Starbucks coffee cup while she collected her things from the trunk of the car .. " it's cold huh"?
Gail nodded still holding the police tap up " it will warm you up" the Doctor smiled nodding towards the coffee in Gail's hand as she headed into the alley to join the team ..
Gail frowned looking at the cup "extra cream, two sugars,Carmel whirl"
Holly had asked Traci to pull over so she could get Gail a hot drinking knowing how much she hated the rain. ... Gail couldn't help but smile at the sweet gesture especially because Holly ordered it just how the blonde liked it... Usually when Holly brought Gail coffee she left out the caramel and only allowed her to have one sugar arguing that it was for Gail's own good!.
"Where did that come from"?Oliver asked
Gail taking a small sip of the warm liquid, enjoying the heat run into her stomach " Holly brought it for me" she stated
Oliver smiled bouncing on his feet, blowing into his hands "she's a keeper"
Gail didn't answer she knew he knew about what had happened, the the beautiful thing about Oliver Shaw was that he didn't push, he allows Gail to open up as and when it suits her .. " I really like her Gail "
Gail nodded handing over the coffee so he could warm up too much to his delight ..
Half an hour later Gail is soaked and in the best bad mood ever .. " Ok we're done here " Swarek said ducking under the tap " can you guys wait for forensics to pick the body up"?
"Do we have a choice"? Gail grumbled sarcastically
"Nope"? The detective laughed with a wink..
"Asshole" Gail bitched causing Oliver to laugh ..
"Oh look lively" he said "ladies" he grinned holding the tap up for Traci and Holly .. "Are we done?"
Traci opened the car door pulling out an umbrella handing it to Gail .." Couldn't have gave this to me an hour ago?
Traci shrugged getting into the car "I'm going to drop Holly off, I'll meet you both back at the station for your statements ok"?
Oliver saluted her but Gail was to busy looking at Holly who was talking to her lab intern how had just arrived to escort the body ..
"Hey Lunchbox? She called out causing Holly to look over "thanks ... For the coffee "
Holly smiled getting into the car .. " that wasn't as bad as I thought" she said to herself rather then Traci ..
Traci squeezed her arm and smiled " it will come" ..
...
Gail had been in a mood all day, she hated the rain and worse then that she hated being stuck out in it,everything was soaked and even after putting a fresh uniform on she was still cold, sat at her desk going over her statement before she handed it over to Traci , she took a moment to check her phone, finding a message from Holly ...
Nerd- please drink plenty of warm fluids today, I hate seeing you so cold and wet xx
Holly was always worrying about Gail and weirdly it wasn't annoying, she debated to text her back for a split second before Dov came running over to her desk "Gail your moms here"
"What?" Gail jumped off her seat ..
"Yup! you have like zero point two seconds to hide."
"Abigail"?
"To late"Dov whispered "sorry"
Gail rolled her eyes "Mother"?
"Have you been avoiding me"?
Gail frowned with a shrugged "not really"?
"Franks office please?
Gail followed her mother into Best's office taking a seat ..
"Gail? Please don't slouch, it's not good for your posture"
Gail sighed "I have a statement to write up and I don't have long so"?
"You've missed two family dinners" Elaine began "and your father and I are starting to worry "
Gail laughed under her breath "when have you ever worried about me"?
Elaine was taken back by Gail's snarky comment " don't be smart Gail, is there a reason why you've been ignoring your family"?
Gail slouched into the chair some more knowing it was annoying her mother " I've been busy"
Elaine folded her arms across her chest " yes so I've heard "
Gail looked a little confused " heard"?
"Oh come on Gail "the red head snapped" did you really think I wouldn't find out your dating? And a women at that"?
Gail rolled her eyes with a shrug, she knew it was going to happen sooner or later " mom"
"Don't you roll your eyes at me young lady, do you have any idea how embarrassing it was for me to be informed how lovely and talent the women my daughter is dating is"? How stupid I looked when my mouth fall open"?
Gail screwed her face up" who told you"?
"That is irrelevant Abigail, why did you think it was a good idea to keep this from your father and I "?
Gail stretched out her legs and folded her arms " keep what from you, the fact I'm seeing someone or the fact it's a women"?
"Don't you dare pull that one of me Gail" Elaine warned " I am not a homophobe and you know it, I think I have a right to be upset at the fact I'm daughter has joint the LGBT community and I'm the last to know"
Gail sat up in her chair " well I'm sorry "
"No you're not, you thrive on doing things to disappoint me"
Gail stood up "oh so the fact dating a women disappoints you"? She laughed " wow"
"I don't mean the fact you're are dating a women Gail, my problem is the ignorance and disrespect you show me and your father, you don't think my daughter being gay is any of my business? Don't you think I should have been the first to know"?
Gail watched her mom intensely "Steve"?
"Excuse me" Elaine asked
"It was Steve wasn't it? He told you"?
Elaine straightened her shirt " oh so Steven has taken up to lying to me also? I asked him and he denied any knowledge"
Gail curled her lip " makes a change" she muttered. "Ok so now you know can I go?"
Elaine's patience was wearing thin with her daughter " are you serious? You think that's it? You're gay and jab a girlfriend I don't know nothing about and you think that's it"?
"Oh please" Gail sighed " there is no way you don't know who she is?.. You back ground checked mine and Steve's teachers all through out school,"
"Why don't you tell me who she is"?
Gail's face became very serious " I'm not telling you anything about her, stay out of my business where she's concerned Mom, I mean it"!
"What has gotten into you"? Elaine asked appearing hurt..
"You" Gail snapped pointing her finger "you've gotten into me , you have my whole life, interfering,bitching, putting me down, you thrive on it, you go out of your way for it.. You want me to fail at everything so you have a reason to drag me down."
"Gail" Elaine gasped ..
"Don't Gail me! You know exactly what you do, the disappointed look in your eyes, the shake of the head, the constant digs about me just being a "beat cop" well need flash Mom, I like being a beat cop and I have no intensions of being anything more for a very long time" ..
"You need to calm down" Elaine warned noticing people staring ..
"No I won't" Gail argued .. "You get into every part of Mine and Steve's life, well not this time, you don't get to put her Pennines worth in when it comes to my relationship with Hol..." Gail stopped herself although she wasn't sure why because it was obvious her mother knew everything about Holly from the kind of Doctor she was, to the grades she got in junior high.. Shit she probably even knew the strength of her lens prescription " we're done " she said turning to walk out on the super...
"And she's happy with you only ever wanting to be a best cop"?
Gail turned back to her Mother " why wouldn't she"?
Elaine tilted her head " well she's a very accomplished young lady, highest pass in the county, a PHD at such a young age, highly sort after pathologist? That girl had a bright future ahead of her, why would she want to settle with a beat cop"?
Gail laughed "My Mother, ladies and Gentlemen " she clapped " you really are a bitch"
Elaine was stunned at Gail's outburst she had never been spoken to by anyone like that before and the fact it was her own flesh and blood to do it was hard to swallow , Gail returned to her desk and picked up her statement to finish it off .. " I expect you at the next dinner Gail, invite Doctor Stewart or I will " Elaine said sternly as she hurried out of the station.
Gail couldn't believe it, she had finally stood up to her mother and it seemed to have no effect on the red head.
"For what it's worth I think you're one of the best beat cops I've even known" Dov spoke from across the desk not looking at his friend of fear she may just kill him ...
Gail swallowed the lump in her throat " thank you"
Dov raised his brows a little surprised at Gail's reaction .. " and you totally kicked ass just then"
Gail flipped her writing pad over placing it in her pocket " yeah not that it made one ounce of difference, that women is in capable of giving a shit"
...
Day 5 and still nothing from Gail, she had replied to her message About being wet and cold with just a " I will and Thanks"..
Holly was beginning to wonder if Gail was ever going to be willing to talk about what was happening between them ..
"Holly"?
"Dov? Hi" she looked worried " is everything ok"?
Dov took a seat next to the pathologist " ok don't panic but..
"Wooah! when someone starts a sentence with that it means something bad has happened, is Gail ok? Had something happened to her"?
"Gail's fine" Dov tried to reassure her " she was hurt today though...not badly" he said quickly holding his hand up to stop Holly freaking out ..
"She just got pushed into a wall and hit her head, she said she's fine but Oliver sent her home.. I'm staying at Chloe's tonight and Chris is on the grave yard shift so she's gonna be alone " he pulled a set of keys from his vest " I thought that maybe if you had these you would be able to check in on her"?
Holly shook her head "Dov? I can't, Gail and I we uh.. Well we.. "
" I know" Dov smiled " I also know that Gail is very stubborn and sometimes needs a little push, and I was witness to her giving "superintendent Mom" a good old fashion dressing down in your honour"
"What? Her Mother knows about us? .. Me".
"Yep! And I think Gail could use someone right now"?
Holly took the keys looking down at them " thanks Dov"
Dov nodded " I hope things work out for you both, I really do" ...
