What up guys! :) Incredibly late, isn't it? And I don't mean just the time (it's 2:41 in the morning here!) I know its taken me a while to update this and I must apologise for any mistakes that might be in this. I -really- wanted to post it on Valentine's Day so here it is - although I'm a few hours late for my fellow Brits :( sorry about that. Anyhow!

Thanks for all the comments on my last chapter :) I'm so glad you liked it so much. Some mentions:

Denise: Thanks for your reviews! :) Really pleased you found the story and enjoy it. Hope you like what's to come.

sydney563: Wow the whole thing in a day? That's impressive! Hope you enjoyed the second read ;)

resinswhy: Haha! ;) You'll see how that little incident is discovered ;)

jjuma: thank you :)

Jenn: Lol thank you sooooo much! Your review gave me an epic smile :)

rizzi07: You'll see ;)

Okay, so here it comes. Hope you enjoy. As I said please forgive any mistakes and oh, I must issue my usual warning. If you don't like hot women having passionate sex, then maybe don't read on ;) Please let me know what you think if you know, have the time...

Happy Valentine's Day everyone :)

Enjoy.

"All I'm saying is, I like her, but I'm not sure..." Nick trailed off as he looked straight ahead of him, sat on top of a stool at the bar, his hands clasped either side of his glass of bourbon.

Gail eyed him dubiously, her one eyebrow raised as many things shot through her head, not least of all why the hell Nick was unloading all of this on her. Did she care that he thought he'd found his next girlfriend but there was just something about her that he wasn't too sure of?

No, was her answer. She didn't care at all. She came over here to get a breather from her abundance of family members that had miraculously crawled out of the woodwork, thinking a few silent moments with Nick might take her mind off it for a second or two. Well actually it was the liquor that was more of a draw, Nick just happened to be sitting here. Alone, and clearly fretting over something. Gail's only mistake was to ask what was wrong. She rolled her eyes as he continued.

"...very hot, exceptionally, even. She's a great girl but," Nick eyes darted to the side and he swiped his glass up from the bar, holding it to his lips before he drank the remainder. "It could be complicated."

Gail just frowned as she sucked in a breath, the bartender placing a shot of tequila down in front of her. She sighed and then leaned in over Nick's shoulder. "You look like Satan with that goatee." She grabbed the glass and downed the shot, thumping it back down on the bar, gasping loudly as the liquid hit the back of her throat.

Nick smirked, "What, you don't like it?"

Gail turned around and leaned back against the bar, taking in the sight before her. All of her family, more or less, and all of Traci's. Her parents, her sisters, Leo of course, as well as cousins, aunts and uncles and a few close friends. Gail knew them all by now. It was her job to after all. It was down to her to know everyone and to introduce everyone to everyone else at the start of the evening. That was why it was important to be on time. Holly was right, they couldn't be late. Gail knew that of course but having Holly half naked and sprawled across the kitchen island, looking just about ready to eat was an extremely favourable argument for them to show up late.

Gail would never have heard the end of it of course so she was glad Holly made her stop, get dressed and get there as it turned out, twenty minutes early.

She sighed. "Collins if you've found a girl who thinks you look good with it, you should keep her." He threw her a tight lipped smile and then looked back at the bar. Gail took a few steps away and exhaled, deeply. Blowing the air out coolly over her lips.

It was still difficult, though. Gail was really trying here. Like really trying. Her distaste for mixing in large groups of people was coursing thickly through her veins. Closely followed by her hatred of spending any large amount of time with her family, let alone her extended family but so far she was managing to keep it all together. She was smiling, she was talking, she was introducing. She was being a good best man, and that was her aim. She wasn't going to let Steve down, and she wasn't going to give her mother an opportunity to get at her. As if she needed any more.

No. Gail was doing fine. She was coping well, even though she was still ridiculously horny but somehow, she was able to douse her raging desire to drag Holly to her room upstairs and ravage her to within an inch of her life. It didn't help that Holly was wearing the most amazing dress, either. Red, with a plunging neckline. Sleeveless and so long it flowed behind her as she walked, complete with a slit up the side to her mid-thigh. Gail was certain she was wearing it on purpose. To turn her on even more, or something. The dinner was being held in the restaurant of the lavish hotel where the wedding party and anyone else who wanted to, were staying. It was pretty much invaded, and there were still more people to come.

"Hey, Peck, there's a problem."

Gail rolled her eyes and exhaled loudly. She had already put out three fires that evening. Two of which centred around her very annoying cousins. "What problem?" she sighed as she swung around and came face to face with Oliver.

Ollie was twitching, a little bit, his mobile phone in one hand and a bottle of larger in the other. He was looking at his phone rather intently.

Gail glared at him. "It better not be my dumbass cousins."

"No, no," Oliver hurried. He grinned as he pocketed his phone and then scratched his brow with the side of his thumb. "I think they err, got the message when you kneed Marcus in the balls and clipped James round the ear with your purse."

"They were being inappropriate toward the bridesmaids," she leaned in toward her friend. "Who are your friends, Oliver. My girlfriend and Traci's sisters."

Oliver nodded. "I know, they deserved it."

"All their lives," Gail mumbled under her breath.

"But we have a bigger problem."

Gail raised her eyebrows.

"A Steve shaped problem."

Gail glared at him. "There's a problem with Steve?"

"Affirmative. In that he's disappeared."

Gail stared at Oliver for a few moments and then she laughed, running her hand through her short hair as she did. "He's not disappeared."

Oliver sucked in a breath. "Well, he's nowhere to be seen." He checked his watch. "And the speeches will start in half hour."

Gail straightened, and fidgeted a little on the spot. She knew about the speeches, the techy sound guy told her three times he needed them to start at 9pm sharp as soon as she got there. Apparently it was important, for some reason Gail wasn't interested in. "Well..I mean.." She shook her head. "..When did he...?" She took a look around the room just to be sure.

"-We don't know," Oliver interrupted. "Your cousin Marc said he saw Steve walking into the gents when he came out, but was too scared to come over and tell you."

Her eyebrows shot up. That sounded weird. "What?"

Oliver thought about it, and then he frowned. "Marc was scared to come tell you." He thought further still. "..After we realised Steve was missing."

"Oh." That made more sense. She gestured in the air with her hands. "So go get him."

Oliver was again a bit lost. "Marc?"

Gail rolled her eyes. "Steve!"

Oliver nodded. "Oh." He scratched at his chin. "If he was in there he's not anymore."

Gail quickly got frustrated. She smiled though, despite it. "Well have you tried calling him?"

"Repeatedly."

Gail automatically touched the tops of her thighs for her phone but quickly remembered she was wearing a dress, and her phone was in her purse which she'd left with Holly at their table. "How about his room?"

"Swarek just came down from there. Nothing."

Gail knew what was going on. She sucked in a breath, relieved. "He's up there."

Oliver frowned, again. "How do you-"

"-Trust me," Gail said was she took a step to walk off. "He's up there," and then she headed for the exit.

"Well, tell him to hurry up," Oliver shouted after her. "The sound guy will go nuts!"

Gail straightened her dress as she walked down the corridor. She was seriously regretting her heels and therefore, her entire outfit. Four inch heels and a little black dress which was off the shoulder and to her mid-thigh was definitely not appropriate to be running around and sorting out various issues. By the amount her feet were aching Gail was certain she must've walked miles.

She stopped at the door to the room she would be sharing with Steve that night, knowing he was more than likely hiding inside. Gail knew if she were to check her phone she'd probably have ten missed calls from him. She rolled her eyes as she knocked on the door.

There was nothing.

Gail smiled as she leaned in at the door. "Hey Goose. Open up."

Gail heard a shuffle of footsteps from inside and then the door swung open, Steve standing to attention against the wall as he glared at Gail, for just a moment. Gail held his look with equal venom before she took a step inside, edging past him as she entered the room.

Steve closed the door. "You're Goose," he said as he caught up with her, grabbing her attention once more. "You're always Goose." Gail rolled her eyes and carried on walking so he frowned at her. "Or Iceman," he smirked, happy with his afterthought.

Gail just shrugged, a perfect look of tepidness on her face. She sighed. "And you can be my wingman any time."

It caught Steve off guard but he laughed anyway, dipping his head as he put his hands on his hips.

Gail looked at the floor as she couldn't contain her smirk. "Too quick for you, big brother?" She knew she was and she loved it.

Steve took in a deep breath and then folded his arms across his chest. "Whatever, smartass. Why didn't you answer your phone?"

Gail grinned at her victory, holding her hands out to her sides at his question. "Do you see any pockets?"

Steve raised an eyebrow, at that. "Well you should have pockets. You're my best man, how can you solve any problems if you're none contactable?"

Gail scoffed. "Uuhhh, gee, well I've managed all night. You locking yourself in the bedroom has not been my first issue."

Steve was surprised. He hadn't heard a thing. "Really?"

Gail's palms flopped down to her sides. "Whatever." She pushed her fingertips to her temple and then trailed them a little down the side of her face. "What have you done to your eye?"

Steve became a little bashful, then. He had to look away. "I uhh, messed it up."

"You washed your face, didn't you?"

Steve sighed as he turned around and walked to the other side of the room. "I forgot. I just splashed some water-"

"-Why?"

"I don't know," Steve replied rather quickly. He gestured in the empty space in front of him. "It's what we do."

Gail shook her head, her eyes wide and her brow furrowed. "We as in?"

Steve shrugged. "Men." He had no idea where he was going with this.

Gail just couldn't be bothered. "Whatever-"

"-Hey it's your fault I have to wear makeup in the first place."

Gail exhaled, loudly. "Yeah, yeah." She walked to the side table where her vanity case was and flipped it open.

"So, you know," Steve continued in a much milder tone. "Fix it."

Gail turned and approached him, powder and concealer in hand. "Fix it, please," she instructed, with a sly smile tugging at her lips.

Steve just glared at her, and Gail glared right back.

"Fine," Steve sighed. "Please."

Gail grinned as she pushed him down onto the edge of the bed. "That's better." She tilted his head up and went to work on his eye. "You know," she started after a moment or two, her brow crinkling in concentration and her back a little bent so she was at the right level. "Shouldn't you be all, I don't know, happy and excited seeing as you're getting married tomorrow?"

Steve didn't answer. His eyes were closed and he took the opportunity to relax a little, contemplate the next few hours and the day to come. Not that he hadn't been already.

When he didn't answer Gail paused for a second, raising an eyebrow as she tried to gauge his mood. She quickly carried on, though. "Instead of being, you know... You?"

"Very funny, Gail," Steve said quietly. "I am excited."

"Oh really?"

A smile spread over his face, his shoulders suddenly lifting a little. "Of course. Traci is the love of my life. I'm just annoyed at you, and how long it took you to get up here."

Gail sighed and rolled her eyes. "I will have you know, brother, I've been putting out fires all over tonight."

Steve scoffed.

Gail held her palms up. "The very fact you know nothing about any of it just proves what a good best man I am."

Steve straightened up where he sat and it caused Gail to flinch as she was just going back to his eye. "Yeah whatever, Gail. I have evidence on my face that you shirked your duties."

Gail gestured in the space between them. "Will you stop moving?" she asked, starting to get irritated. She went back to his eye, sucking in a breath as she kept her tone light. "Well if you'd like me to quit I'd be perfectly okay with that-"

"-What?" Steve immediately frowned, his head jerking to the side a little. "No."

Gail flashed her eyes as she pulled the concealer back from his eye. "Seriously, do you want this stick in your eye? 'Cuz honestly, it's going to happen."

Steve sighed. "Well don't threaten to quit."

Gail put her free hand on Steve's forehead to hold him still, the bite in her tone punctuating each syllable. "So let it go."

Steve actually grumbled. "Fine," he said, quietly.

"Just think about your blushing bride and that this time tomorrow, she will be your wife."

Steve's entire demeanor seemed to lift and the smile was back. His face almost glowing with affection and something else Gail couldn't quite place. It honestly made her feel a bit sick.

"She will be my wife," Steve said soppily.

Gail scrunched up her brow as she went to work in the corner of his eye. The place that was most discoloured. "Uh-huh."

"Forever. She's going to be my wife forever."

Gail didn't know if she preferred it when he was mad at her. "Mmm," was all she could muster in response.

In what seemed like no time at all Steve was almost in a trancelike state. His smile spreading from ear to ear. "She's great isn't she?" he sighed. "Trace?"

"Yeah, well," Gail murmured with a twitch of her brow. "I like her."

Steve carried on talking like he wasn't listening to her. "She's amazing."

It made Gail smile. Steve's eyes were closed so she was safe. She was so happy for him, completely and utterly happy that he and Traci were together and taking this step together.

"And Leo is the best kid."

Gil smirked. Even though he was older than her, thinking about him as a dad was still a little weird. "You ready for being a permanent step-dad?"

Steve started to nod but managed to catch himself before Gail said anything. "Totally. Maybe I should have chosen him as my best man."

"Ha!" Gail retorted. "That because he's more on your level?"

Steve started laughing. "You're on fire tonight, little sister."

Gail sighed. "Hmm. Maybe the occasion is putting you off. Too full of thoughts of rose petals and puppy dogs."

"Yeah, maybe." Steve said slowly, the grin once more overtaking his face. "She's it for me, you know? For the rest of my life. I just want it to be me and her, and I'll do whatever it takes to make it work."

Gail smiled too as she put the finishing touches to his eye. She did know. She knew that feeling all too well and it made her insides light up a little bit at the thought of it.

"I don't want to go through this again-"

"-Thank God," Gail muttered, cutting in.

The corners of Steve's mouth quirked up in recognition. "I mean I don't want there to be a reason to. I love her, Gail. Everything about her, she's amazing, honestly the best woman I have ever met and there's no way I'll ever let her go."

Gail took a few moments to take it in. She had never heard her brother talk like this and it was touching, really, and she was filled with a warmth from both his words and because what he described was exactly how she felt about Holly. The fact that Steve was expressing it to her just made it all the more special. All the more emotional, honestly, and all the more personal.

She licked her lips and took a step back. "You're all set," she said, her tone a little low. Her heart a little full of something like happiness but she tried to push it down. She walked back over to her vanity and dropped the makeup inside.

Steve cleared his throat and went over to the mirror. "Will it do?"

Gail rubbed her palms over her hips a few times, the feelings just for a moment getting caught in her chest. "Yeah," she sighed. "You'll pass."

Steve inspected his eye and then nodded, impressed with his sister's handy work. "I can't believe mom hasn't noticed." He took in his whole reflection then and straightened his tie.

Gail sucked in a breath. "Well it's a party. You know Elaine."

Steve smiled. That he did. "The last time I saw her she was explaining all about your commendation to Traci's family."

"Oh God," Gail rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry," Steve said as he turned around from the mirror. "Holly cut in and changed the subject."

Gail breathed a sigh of relief. God bless that woman.

"She's your wingman," Steve started as he put his hands in his pockets, a casual smile touching his lips. "If you're mine?"

Gail took a step toward him, trying to ignore his suggestive look. She licked her lips. "She's always my wingman."

Steve just continued to stare at her as she met his eyes in return. She could see what they were asking. What they were implying. It's what everyone implied.

"We should go," Gail said quickly as she looked away, her thumb catching her earlobe against the knuckle of her forefinger. "The sound guy was getting antsy about starting the speeches."

After a moment Steve raised his eyebrows, knowing when he was shot down. "Shit, yeah," he breathed, and then he grinned as he squared his shoulders thinking about something else. "You'll struggle to beat mine tomorrow, little sister."

Gail rolled her eyes as she walked past him toward the door. "Yeah whatever, wingman."

Steve smiled as he followed her out. "Bullshit! You can be mine."

"Chloe?"

Chloe turned to face Holly and leaned her elbow on the table between them, leaning into her ever so slightly. She was still giggling from the comment Dov just made about Nick's goatee. She grinned jovially and bit on her lower lip. "Oh, Holly. Hey. What's up?"

Holly grinned too, at whatever it was Chloe was so happy about. She placed her champagne glass down on the table and leaned into her friend, too. "What touching were you referring to?"

Chloe's world suddenly turned on its head, a little bit. She assumed Gail would read the note first and then bin it, or at least have explained the situation to Holly if she had indeed read it. She felt awkward, and caught. She looked down to the table and cleared her throat. "Uhm," she struggled. "Touching?"

"Mmm," Holly reaffirmed, finding it exceptionally interesting how bashful her chirpy friend had just gone. She tilted her head to regard Chloe as Chloe did everything she could not to look Holly in the eye. "What I assume prompted you to clean the house so impeccably this morning."

Chloe fidgeted. Where was Andy when she needed her?

"Oh that." Chloe clasped both of her hands around her champagne glass that was sitting half full on the table in front of her. She grinned as she let out a few sharp breaths. "That was just us cleaning the house." She chanced a glance at Holly but her eyes soon returned to her glass. "Because we're friendly, like that."

Holly raised her eyebrows. "Oh I see," she said, not believing her for a second. "So what was the point of the note?"

Chloe's hand quickly came up to her neck and she rubbed at it nervously, her mind racing as to what she should say. She was embarrassed about the night before, as was Andy and Traci. In fact they had made a pact never to mention the whole thing again.

"Chloe?"

Chloe swallowed, nervously. "That," she sort of gasped. "That was just a joke."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah," and then Chloe turned directly to Holly, favouring her with her best smile. "Just winding Gail up, you know? We cleaned the house as a thank you, for everything you did, organising the party.. and all that." She looked back to her drink, her mouth moving a million miles per hour. "Traci thought it'd be a great idea, and me and Andy, well, we love Gail- you guys. We love both you guys and we thought you might be a little hung over, you know? So we thought we'd clean up. I mean it was the least we could do, really. It was a really great party."

Holly frowned, having no idea where Chloe was going with this speech. She went to say something but-

"And the wedding!" Chloe gestured to the banquet room. "I mean look at all this. You did this, Holly."

"Well I-"

"-Most of it. You did most of it. All of it, really and Traci is so thankful. We all are and your house is lovely. It was so amazing of you to host the party there and you've done such an amazing job, we couldn't leave the house in such a mess when it was us who caused it. Really, Holly we're all so thankful, it was a thank you. From us to you and-"

"-Chloe," Holly interrupted, placing a hand on Chloe's shoulder, a smile gently pulling on her lips. "Breathe."

Chloe looked at her and then dropped her eyes, taking in a few breaths as she returned the smile. "Sorry, I get carried away sometimes." She frowned, and then shook her head. "I can't remember my point."

Holly's smile turned into a smirk. "The touching."

Chloe's stomach plummeted as her eyebrows shot up. She walked right into that one.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for a few moments."

Both Holly and Chloe's attention turned to the front of the room where Bill stood, microphone in hand as he looked at a prompt card in the other.

"Ooo," Chloe whispered, a smile overtaking her face. "Speeches."

Holly sat back in her chair and sighed. Talk about saved at the crucial minute. She would just have to ask Gail later. At least she wouldn't ramble.

"...So I want to make a toast," Steve said, looking down at his future wife as he raised his champagne glass. He waited for everyone to raise theirs, too. "To my soul mate, to the woman who is prepared to put up with me from here on out. Honey, I love you. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife. I honestly can't wait till tomorrow." He paused. "To Traci."

The crowed 'Awwwed' as a resounding, "To Traci," echoed around the room and then broke out in applause. The sound guy clearly relieved as he faded up some background music to play out against the rest of the evening and endless polite conversation.

Gail clapped from her position back at the back of the room near the bar. If she was honest she hadn't heard most of her dad's speech, nor most of Steve's. She was lost in her pondering about what Steve said upstairs. About how she felt about Holly, about their life together and how'd far they'd come. She thought back to that moment they first met, out in the woods at Robbie Robbins' crime scene. If anyone would have told her that meeting would turn into this she would've laughed right in their face. That Gail Peck had stumbled across the love of her life? The woman she wanted to spend her life with? The woman she had bought a shiny new house with?

Gail looked at her feet and smiled, shaking her head. She moved her champagne glass to her lips and took another sip. There was no way she would have thought this was possible, back then. Not after what had happened with Nick. Not after another failure like that but then if she was honest she did know there was something with Holly. There was a spark right from the get go. That she knew. The fact that they were complete opposites yet they loved each other's company. That they could sit and talk and laugh and it was never awkward. It was always easy, and Holly just got her. Completely, and Gail got Holly in return.

Gail took in a deep breath. She was getting carried away, she could feel it. The occasion. The irritating itches of happiness that were seeping into her veins. Taking over her whole body, even with her extended family there. Gail peered into her champagne glass and giggled at herself. There was no way she was this person all that time ago when she met Holly. Or maybe she was but she just suppressed it more; she was definitely this person now, though. This person Holly had helped her to become. She licked her lips and looked out across the crowd; she had been thinking about something a lot recently and she wandered if it was the right time. The right place. She wandered what Hol-

"You're doing really well."

Gail felt the breath hot in her ear and it sent a jolt right down her side, making her judder just a little. Holly wrapped her arms around Gail's middle and clasped her hands over her stomach, pulling her back ever so slightly into her body.

Holly felt Gail's hand squeeze her arm and she smiled, leaning forward into her neck to place a chaste kiss just below her ear. "I'm impressed," she whispered, into her skin.

Gail closed her eyes, momentarily. "Oh yeah?"

"Mmm," Holly hummed. "Yeah."

Gail can feel the smile on Holly's lips as she pressed them to her neck once more and it made her smile, too. "I know how to play nice."

"Mm I know you can," Holly chuckled. "When you're in the mood."

Gail opened her eyes as her one eyebrow quirked up, at that. She turned in Holly's arms and kept their bodies just as close. So Holly could feel her breath against her lips as she spoke. "I know what I'm in the mood for."

Holly was a little surprised at how Gail kept her body so close; she wasn't even one for holding hands in public sometimes, let alone be up close and personal like this in a room full of her family and friends. Not that she was complaining, or anything. Holly quirked a brow as her smirk stretched across the side of her face. "And what's that?" she asked, tilting her head as she bit on her bottom lip. She knew Gail would still be turned on from earlier, even with all the responsibility and pressure of the evening. There was only one way to cure a horny Gail Peck. Nothing else would do.

As if remembering where she was Gail took a small step back, creating some space between them as she shamelessly raked her eyes down Holly's body. She let her eyes linger on the plunging neckline of Holly's dress before she touched her index finger to the centre of Holly's chest, tracing it down ever so slowly to her stomach. "You know what," Gail responded quietly, her eyes taking their time in finding out Holly's once more.

Holly was certain Gail's finger was on fire as she felt it leave a hot trail on its journey downward. It made her suck in a breath and then she watched as Gail's piercing blues traveled their way up, pausing at her chest before they flicked back up completely. The spark in them undeniable.

Holly was never too sure how Gail was able to do it but sometimes, all it took was one flash of her eyes, one suggestive gesture and that was it. She would be gone. The desire tugging hard at her chest. Pounding through her veins. Her pulse rate quickening for that first time Gail would kiss her. The first time she would touch her. The idea of where she would touch her being all the anticipation she could possibly need.

Gail's eyes fell to the slit in Holly's dress and she deliberately licked her lips, her tongue lagging along her bottom one more than usual. Holly couldn't help her arousal, her mind running away with the image of Gail on top of her on the kitchen island in nothing other than her underwear, Gail fully clothed and fucking her mercilessly until she came over, and over again.

Gail saw the desire laden in Holly's eyes and that was all she needed. She grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the back of the room. "Let's go upstairs," she whispered, close in at Holly's neck.

Holly looked out at the crowd for a second before her attention came back to her girlfriend. "Upstairs?" she asked, her voice a little breathy. The excitement suddenly shooting up through her stomach and gathering in her chest, threatening to somehow rupture her heart.

Gail grinned, taking yet another step into Holly's personal space. "Yeah," she breathed, her fingers finding Holly's as she laced them together. "The dinners done, so are the speeches." She tilted her head against the line of Holly's jaw and placed a soft kiss there, right at the edge. "No one will miss us."

Holly gasped as she felt Gail press against her. As she felt her lips dance over her skin, her fingers moving delicately in her hands. Her mind was made up ten minutes ago. She licked her lips. "I'll grab my purse," she said quickly, her lips turning up at the ends. She leaned into Gail. "You grab some champagne."

Gail's grin became even wider, the craving for the woman in front of her pulling at her every corner. "I'll meet you there in ten minutes."

Holly giggled and leaned in, placing a chaste kiss to Gail's lips. "Don't be late." She dropped Gail's hands and strode back into the room toward their table.

Gail sighed. Finally, she thought. She stopped for a moment as she took in a deep breath. She was through the rehearsal dinner. All these people, all her family and she was pretty much the host yet she had pulled it off. She wasn't sure how, but she had. She smiled and it was genuine. It felt weird, honestly. She was a Peck and she was succeeding, more or less. Alright Steve had a black eye but still. So far it was all going to plan.

She coughed a few times and then she headed for the bar.

"Gail."

Gail spun on her heel as she was half way across the banquet hall, bottle of champagne and two glasses in hand. She came face to face with Frank and it surprised her. Hey eyebrows shot up. "Sir."

Frank smiled. "We're not at work, Gail."

Gail just smiled uncomfortably. She was a Peck after all, and Peck's respected the chain of command. Hence why he was at the rehearsal dinner in the first place. "Uhmmm..." she trailed off. There was no way she was ever calling him anything other than Sir.

Frank sensed her apprehension. "You've done great tonight," he gestured to her with his glass of champagne. "You should be proud-"

"-Oh I am, Sir," she interrupted. She was very proud of her brother.

"...of yourself."

That surprised her even more. Or was it shock? Possibly both and more besides. She had no idea what to say so she just fidgeted.

Frank surveyed his surroundings. "It's a big undertaking. Putting something like this together."

"Well it wasn't just me," Gail was quick to point out. "Holly and Traci did most of it, and my mother..."

"Maybe," Frank acknowledged. He looked around. "Where is Holly?"

Gail swallowed her initial words. Waiting for me upstairs and I should be on top of her right now, Sir... "Uhmm," Gail swallowed. She frowned. "You know I'm not sure." She looked around herself and then smiled. "She's somewhere."

Frank scratched the side of his jaw. "Well I just wanted to mention I received your application."

That caught her attention. "Oh," she said.

He pinned her with his gaze. "Is it what you want?"

"Yes, Sir," she nodded, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "It is."

Frank nodded and it was a moment before he spoke. "Well I'll be sad to see you go. The whole team will miss you."

Gail smiled widely, at that. "I'm not sure about that," she tried to deflect, and then she became coy. "It's only the first stage. I've still got time to think about it but thank you, Sir," she said quietly.

"I understand," Frank replied. "You're a fantastic Police Officer, Gail. You're a valued member of my team."

Gail just nodded and she licked her lips, not being able to look Frank in the eye anymore. "Thank you."

"Come and see me Tuesday morning. We'll talk about it further."

"Yes, Sir," Gail breathed, and then Frank smiled at her and walked away.

Gail blew out a breath. She wasn't expecting that conversation tonight, but she knew it would come sooner or later. It was something she still needed to talk over with Holly.

Holly.

Gail pulled herself out of it and headed for the exit.

"Gail!"

Gail stopped walking and looking to the ceiling, exasperated. Her hands flopping to her sides with champagne and glasses still in hand. Her eyes squeezed shut. "What?!" she spat, her level of horny only getting more intense the longer she was detained. She knew Holly would kill her.

"What time are the cars arranged for tomorrow?"

It was Steve. She turned and looked at him quizzically. "You know what time they're booked."

Steve raised his eyebrows. "I'm just making sure. Traci's mom just asked me to check."

Gail sighed heavily and rolled her eyes. She had already been over this with Traci's family. She saw the circle of people Steve walked over from, made up of Traci, Oliver and Sam, Andy and Chloe. Gail practically growled.

She walked over to the group and then looked at Steve. "Our car is at eleven. We should be at the venue by half past." Then she turned to Traci, the harrying look clear in her eyes. "Your car is due at one fifteen."

"So what time's the wedding?" Sam asked, nonchalantly.

Gail turned to him. "Seriously?" One of the ushers didn't know what time the wedding was? The rest of the circle gawped at him too. Oliver stifled a laugh.

Sam shrugged. "It's two, right?"

Gail sighed. "Yes, the wedding is at two."

Steve touched Gail on the arm and was about to ask something when Gail spoke over him, completely annoyed. "The photographer will be there before us. Guests will be arriving from one. Mom is going to arrive with the rest of the family about half twelve. After the wedding we have about two hours for photos before we move into the hall for dinner. The band will be set up from six and will perform after the speeches."

Steve just stared at her, his jaw hanging open a little bit.

Gail glared at him. "Anything else?" The rest of the circle were silent. Chloe and Andy exchanging amused looks.

"Uhmmm," Steve said as his forehead furrowed. "The cars to bring us back here?"

"They're on standby," Gail forced with a smile. "We just have to call."

Everyone just nodded and then stood there awkwardly. It wasn't lost on Gail so she sighed, again and softened her demeanor as she looked at Traci. "Holly knows the schedule. It'll all go to plan." She smiled and it was genuine this time. "Trust me."

"Hey where is Holly?" Oliver asked, taking a brief glance around him. "I've not seen her for a while.

Gail met Oliver's eyes and she honestly couldn't think of a thing to say.

He looked down at what she was holding. "Where you going with those?"

She shook her head, her eyes getting a little wider. She tapped the pads of her fingers against the side of the bottle. "Nowhere."

The rest of the circle were talking amongst themselves so weren't particularly listening to Oliver and Gail's exchange.

"Do people even still do that nowadays?" Chloe asked, her nose scrunching up a bit, her glass of champagne clasped in her hands in front of her chest.

"It's traditional," Andy cut in, nodding her head. "But it depends on what the couple want."

"Our mom loves tradition," Steve added, his eyes moving to Gail. "She enforces it."

"It's the right, right?" Sam piped up, his forehead furrowed in contemplation.

"But what if you're a friend of both the bride and the groom?" Chloe wondered, her attention darting around the circle.

"Then you sit with who you know best." Oliver offered.

"What if you know them equally as well?" Chloe continued, her one hand gesturing in the air. "What if you know them only as a couple?"

Traci sighed and tilted her head at her friend. "You're a bridesmaid, Chloe. You'll be up the front with me."

Chloe grinned widely. Her expression full of cheer. "I know that," she said. "But I'm just wondering for everyone else."

"Right," Andy agreed. "Like where will Chris and Dov sit?" She looked at Gail. "And Frank?"

"Or is it the left?" Sam asked, totally disregarding the rest of the conversation.

"Maybe it's a toss up," Oliver added.

"Does it really matter?" Steve wondered aloud.

Chloe ignored him. She turned to Andy. "I think Chris and Dov should sit on Traci's side. They work with her more."

Andy nodded.

Chloe looked at the ceiling. "I mean they know Steve, but they know Traci more."

"You're right," Andy agreed.

"But which side is the bride's side?" Sam asked, tuning in on what was being said.

Gail rolled her eyes. "The bride's side is the left side."

"Huh," Sam grunted in response.

Gail glared at him. "You have one job tomorrow," she paused, then looked at Oliver. "You too. Greet people and direct them to their seats." She lifted her hand and pointed her champagne glasses at them. "You better not mess up."

Oliver mock saluted. "Yes ma'am."

Gail shook her head. She was done with this conversation. Without excusing herself she just turned and left, once again heading for the exit. She came to a screeching halt when she saw her mother chatting with Traci's mother, just to the left of the double doors she needed to get through.

"Shit," Gail uttered, caught like a deer in headlights. She felt her heart pound and not in a good way. Someone did not want her to get to Holly. She couldn't even text her because her phone was in Holly's purse. Gail looked to the side. "Damn no pockets."

Then she saw her.

"Gail, honey..."

Fuck.

Elaine held her arm out. "Come here."

Reluctantly Gail started moving her feet in her mother's direction.

"I was just telling Denise about how you met Holly."

Gail rolled her eyes. This would be the only reason she would regret sending Holly to their room. To save her from her mother. Now she was completely at her mercy.

"It was at a crime scene. A ten year old case."

Gail sighed. She really hoped she wasn't going to have to stand there through the whole story.

Elaine reached out and took one of the glasses from Gail. "Turned out to be the downfall of a retired detective, thanks to Holly's analysis."

"Uhmm," Gail started as she frowned. "That's not really-"

Elaine took the other glass and then passed one to Denise. Gail just looked on, confused. "-Gail spent the whole day in the lab and they've been inseparable ever since." She leaned in to Denise's ear. "I think Gail fell for her then..."

"Mom!" Gail interjected, somewhat aghast. There were several things she couldn't quite comprehend. One; how her mother seemed to know exactly how she and Holly met. She hadn't told her, at least. Two; How she was being completely open in discussing her relationship with Holly and three; how well, sort of cheery and above condescending her tone was, in talking about her in general. Usually there was always an undercurrent of disapproval but not tonight. It was weird.

"What?" Elaine asked. "Your friends say you were always finding excuses to go to the lab."

Suddenly she became embarrassed. "What friends?" Gail asked after a moment.

"Always volunteering."

Gail had to look away.

"Always sneaking off to spend some time together..."

Gail chose to check out of the conversation. She scratched at the back of her head and took in a nervy breath, refusing to listen to anymore. That was exactly what she had been trying to do for the last God knew how long. She promised herself she would kill whoever her mother had been talking to.

"...Well are you going to pour us that champagne or not?"

Gail blinked a couple of times and licked her lips, catching the tail end of her mother's last sentence. "Hmm?"

Elaine gestured at the bottle in Gail's hands with her empty glass. "The champagne."

Gail looked down at the bottle and then sighed. She felt completely awkward and exceptionally gutted she wasn't in her hotel room yet with Holly, who by the way was going to be totally pissed with her.

"What's going on, kids?" Bill asked as he sided up to his daughter.

Gail rolled her eyes and held the bottle out for him to take. "Knock yourself out, dad."

Bill took the bottle and Gail practically jogged out the exit.

Holly meandered down the corridor a little dejected, if she was honest. Lord knows where Gail was. All she knew is that she wasn't in the hotel room when she was. She assumed there was a good reason. Maybe there was an emergency, or something. She sucked in a breath and felt her chest expand, lifting her up a little and then she blew it out evenly across her lips.

"Holly!"

Holly spun around and saw Chloe come running up to her.

"There you are," she gasped as she caught up to her. "Where have you been?"

"Oh, uhmm," Holly stumbled, her hand coming up to scratch at the back of her neck. "I felt a little faint so," she paused. "I just needed some air."

"Oh," Chloe frowned as she touched the side of Holly's arm. "Are you okay?"

"Yeh," Holly smiled. "I'm fine."

"Well, as long as you're sure." Chloe said, still with a concerned look on her face.

Holly nodded. "What's up?"

"Oh!" and then Chloe became excited. "Can I have the key to your room?"

Holly's forehead furrowed. "Why?"

"Well, Traci is staying with you tonight, right?"

Holly nodded. "Yeah."

"So Andy and I wanted to decorate the room a little bit." The excitement was practically oozing from her. She even jumped up and down a little bit. "You know just some confetti and streamers and things to get her in the mood."

Holly rolled her eyes.

Chloe tugged on her arm. "C'mon Holly, it's not like you to say no. Don't say that part of Gail is rubbing off on you."

Holly grinned. She knew which part of Gail she would like to rub off on her, right then. "I didn't say no." She pulled the key card out of her purse and held it up in front of Chloe.

"Yeesssss!" Chloe exclaimed, taking the card and grinning like a maniac. "This is going to be so amazing!"

"I want that back before the end of the night!" Holly shouted after Chloe as she scampered away in the direction she came.

Holly shook her head. It was impossible not to feel happy after an interaction with Chloe. She was like a hyper excitable fun bomb, or something. Holly sighed as she turned and continued walking down the corridor, turning the corner as she got to the bottom.

Suddenly Holly found herself pressed up against the wall with Gail leaning up against her, her hands gripping onto Holly's waist as her lips began to attack her throat. "Gail," Holly wheezed, the air collapsing from her lungs. The surprise turning into shock turning into a rumbling of heat deep within her gut.

She managed to get a hand to Gail's shoulder. "What are you doing?"

Gail paused for a moment, her hands sliding over Holly's ribs and settling just above them. The edges of her thumbs pushing into the undersides of her breasts. "Making up for lost time," she uttered, her lip getting caught between her teeth.

Holly couldn't believe the look in Gail's eyes. They were dark with lust, half lidded as she gazed at her and her head was angled like she was seconds away from crashing their lips together. It made Holly's chest flutter, her stomach turn on its head. Her heartbeat suddenly amplified and all she could hear was an all-consuming rushing, of adrenaline maybe. Definitely desire.

Holly just rested her head back against the wall and Gail was immediately back at her neck. Kissing and licking and biting the skin there. "What uhmmm, what happened before?" Holly swallowed, her eyes falling closed as she enjoyed the sensations shooting through her.

Gail came up for air for a moment and completely leaned her weight against Holly's body, her lips in close at Holly's ear. "I got interrupted," she practically growled. "By several, people."

Holly wanted to ask about it but suddenly she didn't care. Her mind was awash with scenarios of Gail being in this mood. Of all those furious moments in her office, when Gail was in her uniform. The twice they almost got too carried away in an interrogation room. The time in the toilets at The Penny. The couple of times in her car. The back seat of the squad car...

Her mind came hurtling back to the moment when she felt Gail's thigh, hard between her legs pushing against her and she automatically arched into it. The arousal immediately pooling at the juncture, the slit of her dress exposing her entire leg as Gail pressed harder into her.

"Not here," Holly gasped. Her heart all of a sudden stuck in her throat, the heat cascading through her like a raging storm and occupying absolutely every corner of her. It was overpowering and Holly felt helpless to it. Her arms were over Gail's shoulders; her one hand clasping her purse and the other ravaging the back of Gail's head, pulling her hair in all directions.

Gail pulled back a little and her lips were already swollen, her breath coming out in ragged pants. "Your room?" she asked before she gave in and kissed Holly for all she was worth. Her tongue easily granted access and she dominated Holly's mouth, Holly more than happy to let her and she quickly sucked on Gail's tongue, moaning wantonly as she did.

When they parted they were both light headed. Both out of breath and both clinging to each other like they had been apart for months. Their eyes took turns in flicking between the others' eyes and lips, dropping occasionally to their heaving chests as they were both expectant and both almost ready to have each other right there and then.

Holly shook her head. "We can't," she whispered. "Andy and Chloe are in there."

If Gail wasn't completely distracted by the inferno between her legs she would've surely asked why but she really didn't care. She just swallowed, painfully hard and tried desperately to control her breathing.

"Your room?" Holly asked.

"No," Gail responded quickly. "Steve has the key."

Holly closed her eyes and tapped the back of her head against the wall. There was no way she could wait until tomorrow night, not now. She pushed the air from her lungs and ran her free hand through her hair. She didn't know what to suggest.

Gail took a step back and looked to the side. She grabbed Holly's hand and pulled her along after her. "C'mon," she smirked, and headed for the door in front of them.

Holly gladly followed. "Where?" she asked, looking both ways down the corridor to see if anyone was hanging around.

Gail pushed the door open to the stairwell and took a scan of the interior. She let go of Holly's hand and went over to the rail, taking a look up and then down the steps. She listened as well and when she didn't hear anything she turned back to Holly with a definite glint in her eye.

Holly squared her jaw. "What?" and then her eyes left Gail's and they darted around the small, carpeted space. She raised an eyebrow. "Here?"

Gail took a step forward and Holly automatically stepped back to the wall. "Mmm," she hummed, her hands once again on Holly's hips and her lips just below her ear.

Holly let her body sink into her girlfriends. "Are there cameras?" she asked into Gail's ear.

Gail felt her skin prickle all down that one side. She shuddered as she responded. "No." Her hands remained on Holly's hips as she started to bunch her skirt up inch by inch.

Holly felt it moving against her legs and she knew by how wet she was, it wouldn't take long at all. "Fuck it," she murmured and it made Gail bring her head up. Holly stared into her eyes and dropped her purse on the floor, her hands grabbing either side of Gail's jaw as she kissed her. Long and hard and relentlessly.

Gail felt her blood boil as Holly went from mildly reluctant to eager and willing, leading the kiss as she pushed Gail back against the rail. Gail's dress was easier to push up as it was so short and Holly's hands were quickly kneading the bare skin at the tops of her thighs.

Gail moaned into Holly's mouth and she fought to regain control of the situation. She felt her knees go weak however when Holly dipped her fingers below the elastic of her panties. Gail grunted, sucking in a breath as she pulled back from Holly's lips, Holly's dress just about at her mid thigh and then Gail attacked her neck. Her teeth sinking into the fleshy part which she knew would render Holly useless.

Holly's head fell back and the sound that crossed her lips was deep and guttural and wild with need. She felt the flood between her legs, the fire that spread from her gut and spiraled out of control throughout her body. The shaking that gripped her hands and the pounding of her heart against her ribs all in one go. She was aching, absolutely every part of her and she wanted to cum. She needed to.

Gail grabbed Holly around her ass and lifted her up a little as she took a few steps toward the wall but found the window instead. There was a small ledge so she held Holly against it, her thigh immediately pressing between her legs as she pulled her skirt all the way up to her waist.

Holly pressed down on it for all she was worth and felt the friction like a thunder bolt. She held on to the back of Gail's neck and shoulder, groaning a multitude of, "Oh Gods," and, "Fuck, yes!"'s over and over again.

Gail easily found a rhythm and moved their hips in sync, bracing her one hand on the window ledge and the other against the wall, affectedly trapping Holly in place. Holly's toes were just about on the floor and it meant she could grind down on Gail's thigh as Gail rolled their hips together, the utter heat of the moment engulfing both of their senses completely.

"Harder," Holly gasped, her head still thrown back as Gail continued to suck on her neck, her hands then moving to hold Holly tight against her, to better pull her down onto her thigh. "Fuck," Holly moaned in response.

Gail couldn't quite stand it. Her groin was on fire, the sensations rippling through her like earthquake after earthquake. Aftershock after aftershock. She felt her pulse racing everywhere, her head totally clouded by desperate need and pure, undeniable lust. She was so wet a random thought went to the practicality of her black dress but it was soon forgotten, Holly shifting a little in her position as her hand gripped the top of the window arc, her thigh pushing up against Gail's clit.

Gail moaned as Holly screamed, their hips bucking against each other and their thighs getting carried away as their wetness seemed to merge together. Their frantic movements translating into grunts and gasps, Holly trying her best to be quiet but it really wasn't happening.

Holly's back arched and her chest pushed forward, her jaw dropping open as the hand that was still on Gail's shoulder clenched so tightly Gail knew she was on the verge. Gail pushed herself further down against Holly's thigh as she felt close herself; opening her eyes in time to see Holly's head still thrown back in pure ecstasy, her mouth hanging open as her chest heaved up and down, the expression on her face resembling utter bliss. Gail had to bite down on her bottom lip hard and then she felt Holly judder.

Gail's face was screwed up in complete determination. She powered on and felt Holly judder a further three times, her screams muffled as her hands were wrapped around Gail's shoulders, her face tight in at Gail's neck. Her free leg hitched up around Gail's. At her second time of cumming the shaking of Holly's thigh against Gail made her erupt too, her eyes finding it difficult to process the wonderful image in front of her.

Gail leaned her weight on her palm back against the window arch and she attempted to breath out evenly, her breath however getting stuck in her throat. Eventually she opened her eyes and she saw Holly just as spent before her, her body slumped against the glass window.

She pushed out another breath. "Fuck me," she mumbled, her tongue coming out to moisten her dry lips.

Holly smiled. "I think we did that already."

Gail laughed, at that, and then nodded. "Mmm," she hummed. Her eyes dropping to the state of Holly's dress, her hair now all mussed and out of place. She took a small step back. "You okay?" she asked, tucking a few strands behind Holly's ear.

Holly bit on her lip as she stood from the ledge, her legs still a little shaky. "Mm of course," she replied, her grin spreading from ear to ear. She straightened her dress and then slid her hands over Gail's shoulders, kissing her slowly and languidly.

Gail smiled into the kiss, her hands snaking around to Holly's lower back.

"You're such a turn on, Peck," Holly said when she pulled away, resting their foreheads together.

Gail felt all smug. "Well I've been turned on since this afternoon so, I could say the same thing about you."

Holly tilted her head, a little bit. "Good," she said warmly.

They stood there like that for a moment or two, both still recovering in their post coital bliss and enjoying the gentle intimacy. It was short lived however when Holly's purse started to ring. They both turned their heads toward it, still remaining in contact, though.

"That's your phone," Holly whispered.

"Yeah," Gail sighed.

"I guess they're missing us."

Not for the first time Gail wanted to say 'fuck it' and run out on the wedding but she knew she couldn't. Holly wouldn't let her, anyway.

"I guess we should go back," Gail mumbled, clearly not happy about it.

"Yup," Holly said as she stepped out of the embrace and walked over to her purse to pick it up. She turned back to Gail. "How's my hair?"

Gail laughed. She couldn't help it. "Kinda look like you've just had sex."

"Hmm," Holly grinned. "Best detour to the toilets, in that case."

The evening wrapped up an hour or so after they returned to the party. Quite a few people were drunk, Gail's cousins especially but everyone was happy and excited for the next day. They were quizzed on where they had been, of course. Both together and then individually and Gail was certain Price had heard them in the stairwell; there was just something in her eye when she asked about it, but Holly said she was just being paranoid.

When Traci decided it was time for sleep pretty much everyone followed suit, but then of course it was an additional thirty minutes to say goodbye to everyone even though they would all see each other the following day. Gail thought it was ridiculous but she managed to smile through it. Or grimace through it, rather.

Eventually people dissipated and Holly threaded her fingers with Gail's. "Here," she said as she handed Gail her phone. "I want to be able to text you."

"Aw," Gail teased. "Can't be without me?"

Holly tilted her head. "Hmm maybe."

"C'mon Holly!" Traci shouted as she peeled herself away from Steve. "We need to leave the Peck's behind for a night."

"Alright," Holly threw in her friend's direction. She enveloped back on Gail though and put her forearm across her shoulder, pulling her closer. "See you tomorrow," she whispered, and then placed a kiss on Gail's lips.

Gail's eyes closed and she felt a resurgence along her spine from the stairwell. It made her breath catch in her chest. "You will," she murmured in response, and then she leaned in to Holly's ear. "I miss you already," she whispered as she felt the heat rise up her neck.

Holly smiled fondly at her, at her adorable girlfriend who couldn't look at her when she uttered those words. She was so cute and Holly felt the warmth radiate through her. She dipped her forehead so it would touch Gail's. "I'll miss you too."

Gail looked up and they shared a moment but that too, was short lived.

"Holly!"

It made Holly flinch so she stepped back, the forlorn look ghosting across Gail's face practically making her melt. "I'm coming!" she shouted in Traci's direction. She turned back to Gail and she cupped her face, leaning in to kiss her for as long as she could get away with. She took a few steps back. "Text me when you get into bed."

Gail didn't move but she nodded. "I will."

Holly smiled at her. "Go look after the groom."

Gail watched her disappear out of the room and then she sighed. It was honestly crippling sometimes, how much she was in love with that woman.

"I'm getting married tomorrow!"

Gail flinched as she heard her brother's voice fill the room and assault her eardrums. She took in a deep breath and rolled her eyes, her hand absently rubbing at the side of her face. She was definitely regretting this best man thing.

Definitely.