Thanks for the comments, I'm glad you like this story, it's been sitting on my computer for a little bit (a couple of years) but it always felt off to me, so I just wanted to make sure that it's ok. In other words, I've been working on this story for a bit and I have a fair bit written, so I'll try to post once a week.

Hangover self: first off, great name. Glad I could help with your hangover, and your English is great

Guest from Argentina: Hello from Canada

There are a few words and phrases that everyone hates, the classic 'see me' from the boss or the 'you're fired' or how about 'I don't love you anymore'. Well Gail has a new one to add to the list, 'it never came up.' Who knew those four words could be as crushing as the others, well maybe not as crushing but up there, in the top five at least...at least for now.

Gail feels terrible for having tried to make a pass at Holly; she will never try to make a pass at her again now that she knows Holly has a significant other, a fiancée nonetheless. Gail respects the whole monogamous relationship thing, even though Gail has been in both the cheater and the cheatee position, she never wants to be in one ever again. She feels whoever gets to go home to Holly is a lucky son of a bitch. That whoever Holly agreed to marry is probably just as nice and smart and special like Holly.

To prove everything is okay between them, the following week Holly invites Gail out for drinks after they finally solve that difficult case. Gail is slightly nervous being alone in that capacity with Holly and makes sure that Traci would be there as well. Usually after work Gail would hang out with the rookies at the Penny and in the past couple of months had been inviting Holly to tag along, the brunette never said 'no' to a visit to the bar and it became a weekly thing. Holly and Gail haven't been seen together in the Penny in almost two weeks, Gail still feels a little awkward about the whole hitting on an engaged woman thing, and is happy to have Traci as a bit of a buffer. The three ladies go to the Penny where they share a high table and a couple of drinks.

Holly excuses herself to use the washroom. Gail's been fidgety all night; Traci takes her chance now to smack her. "Ow," says Gail.

"Stop it," warns the mom. Gail gives her a 'what am I doing' look. Traci says, "you know exactly what you are doing. You didn't know, she said it was no big deal, so now you need to move on. Find something else to stress about."

Gail told Traci everything. Traci was actually part of the reason Gail decided to act on her feelings. Apparently Gail complaining about how great Holly is can get pretty annoying, so Traci had advised her to see if the doctor felt the same way. Unfortunately for Gail she doesn't or more like can't, Gail tries to tell herself.

Gail sighs, "I know." She places her head in her hands. "I need a shot," she declares. She walks to the bar. She orders two shots of tequila. The bar tender sets them down in front of her. She feels a familiar presence come stand next to her. Gail's about to take her first shot but pauses.

"I'm sorry," says Holly.

"What do you have to be sorry for?" asks Gail. "I'm sorry, I was in the wrong."

"No, it's partially my fault; I could have told you I was engaged." A part of Holly liked all the smiles she was receiving from the blonde, Holly knows it was wrong, but she liked all the extra attention, she kept trying to convince herself it was just a little harmless flirting…until it went a little bit too far.

Gail sighs. "That would have been helpful, of all the times we hung out together it's weird that it never came up…" Gail inwardly cringes at the words she just used.

Holly does a sad smile, knowing full well why she didn't say anything.

Gail slides the second shot over to Holly. "Thanks," says Holly. "Cheers." They both tip back their shots. Holly shakes her head, still not used to this particular liquor, but hanging out with the blonde these past couple of months she's truthfully starting to get a liking for it.

Gail orders three more beers to bring back to the table, she turns back and sees that Traci has been watching them the whole time. Traci gives Gail a thumbs up. Gail gives Traci a different digit that's on her hand. Gail can hear Traci laugh, even over the sound of the bar.

Holly being new to the city she doesn't have many friends. Sure her two best friends from med school now live in the area as well, but she still hadn't told them she had moved to Toronto. She liked hanging with the blonde and her friends. She feared after their little mishap that that would change. After giving Gail her space for the week and not having much contact with her except in the professional manner, Holly had assumed they would probably never hang out again. After deciding to invite the detective out for drinks after she finally closed her case Holly kind of assumed Gail would claim to be busy, Holly was quite elated that Gail accepted. Holly was not surprised to learn that Traci was going to join them. Holly enjoys working with Traci too, both being very respectful of Holly's work and actually giving her the time to complete it properly. Since Traci and Gail are partners it makes sense for them to have a celebratory drink together, and in honesty Holly's happy to have Traci as a bit of a buffer. After their friendly work related drinks the blonde started to text Holly any other time the rookies were at the Penny if she wanted to join them for an after work drink again. Holly passed on the first one, thinking that Gail would need her friends without her being there. But the second time she agreed to go. Holly likes spending time with the officers from 15. Holly left after the second drink, claiming she had to get home. The rookies all booed and tried to encourage her to stay for another drink, but Holly just smiled and said maybe next time.

Andy comes back from the bar with the next round of drinks for the table; she takes Holly's vacant chair next to Gail. Chloe on the other side of Andy leans over and says, "Dr. Holly's great."

Gail makes her face unreadable. Not willing to give any of her own private thoughts of Holly away, she does allow, "she's a great pathologist," though.

Andy snorts, "come on Gail, that can't be your only thought about her."

Gail shrugs her shoulders.

Chloe gives a little gasp and waves her hands around a little, bearing in mind not to knock down the recently filled pint glasses, she chimes in, "she's so nice and smart and easygoing and you're you, your two personalities compliment each other's, you two would be great together."

"What do you mean would be?" questions Andy, Gail does not like this side of Andy, the 'I'm your buddy' side, they are not buddies, not anymore, "they are great together, look how they always sit next together. How long have you been seeing Holly?" Andy nudges Gail; the brunette has a bit of a cocky smile on her face, Gail hates this.

Gail scowls at Andy, "she's engaged McNally."

"Oh," Chloe and Andy chorus and look at the other, completely stunned.

"I had no idea," confesses Andy.

"And this is why you will never make detective," says Gail as she tips the rest of her pint into her mouth, she sets it back down on the table along with a twenty dollar bill knowing that will cover her two pints and the tip. "Goodnight losers," says Gail as she stands from the table.

"Awww," says Chris, "you just got here, and we just got a new round of beers, stay. I never see you now that you've moved out and became detective."

Gail pats her ex boyfriend on the shoulder, "I'm glad you still enjoy my company, cause I'm going somewhere where they don't." Gail says somewhat cryptically. Dov stares at her blankly. Gail rephrases, "Peck family dinner tonight." The table collectively says 'ah.' "If you want," Gail offers, "you guys could all come, I'm sure my parents would somehow find a way to expense the dinner and try to write it off as a work related thing."

"Uh, no thanks Gail," Dov starts to speak, "that's very kind of you but that seems like an exclusive Peck thing and we wouldn't want to bother your family get together. Uh, right guys?" The group once again speaks as a collective with a chorus of 'yeah.'

"You sure?" asks Gail, looking exclusively at Dov, "the superintendent will be there," she says then laughs, knowing Dov has finally given up the whole Peck's have it easy mentality after actually spending time with Elaine on a stake out once, finding out way more than he ever wanted to know, the expression on Dov's face completely worth it.

"Bye Gail," says Chris. "Have a nice night, if you need a ride later, call me." Knowing firsthand how his ex likes to handle Peck dinners, having seen her stumble home on more than one occasion into the frat house.

Gail nods her head in thanks to Chris. She turns around and waves her hand as she heads out the door.

Thanks for reading, to anyone celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend, Happy Thanksgiving!