The ride to The Penny was filled with Chloe telling Holly about everything that was happening and then peppering Holly with a multitude of questions. Holly sat in the back seat trying her best to answer Chole, while Gail drove silently, not uttering a word. Every now and then, Holly could have sworn that she caught Gail looking at her through the rearview mirror.
Once they made it to The Penny, Chloe hustled Holly out of the car, and practically shoved her into The Penny, eager to get the party started, leaving Gail standing there.
All afternoon Gail had thought about Chris' invitation to The Penny. She came up with a myriad of witty comments and intellectual tidbits that she would use to show Holly just how okay she was. She had even decided that heading down to the lab with Chloe was one way she could show off her confidence to the doctor. And yet, the second she got there, it took everything in her power to keep her voice calm, only daring to utter a few phrases. This was also the one time she was grateful for Chloe's chattiness. It saved her from having to talk on the way over. Gail took a deep breath before following the two into the bar.
Inside, Holly was immediately swept into hugs and embraces as everyone welcomed her return. Before she knew it, she was stuffed into a booth with a drink in hand.
"So tell us, dear doctor, what brings you back?" Dov asked, sliding into the booth beside Chloe.
"Oh, well, it seems that the department was looking for a new lead forensic pathologist and so they gave me a call," Holly smiled looking at the group. She couldn't help but notice that Gail had chosen to stop at the bar instead of joining the group at their usual table.
"That's amazing. So that means you must be with us for a while. Where are you staying?" Chris jumped in.
"Um, yeah, it seems that way. Right now, I'm staying at my friend's place until I can get a place of my own."
"Well, if you need any help, just let me know. My uncle is into real estate and I'm sure he can find you a great place," Chris added.
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," Holly responded politely, but couldn't help but be distracted by the brunette who had now sidled herself up beside Gail.
The conversation continued, each officer adding in another tidbit of information about what had changed at the precinct, but admitting that nothing much had changed at all. The group bantered back and forth about the most ridiculous things. Holly laughed along, but became increasingly weary of the brunette hanging all over Gail.
Why isn't Gail pushing her away? Gail never liked being touched by people, especially strangers, but perhaps this brunette wasn't a stranger to Gail. Holly felt her heart jump into her throat. What if they were something more?
"Um…so, Chris, are you seeing anyone lately?" Holly suddenly blurted out without really thinking.
Chris couldn't help but laugh, "No, not at the moment, was that an offer?" Chris teased, causing Holly to blush at her randomness.
"Ha, no, sorry. I'm assuming you two are still together" she smiled at Dov and Chloe.
"Yes, and…" Chloe smiled, raising her hand to show off a bright diamond ring.
"No way! Congratulations" Holly cheered. "You told me about the coffee maker in the breakroom, but you didn't think about mentioning this earlier? This is amazing, guys!"
"Thanks, we're excited. And of course you have to come to the wedding," Chloe added.
"Most definitely. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Um…what about Gail? Is she seeing anyone?" Holly asked, glancing up at the bar again. She couldn't help but feel bothered by the stranger who was practically sitting in Gail's lap.
Dov, Chris and Chloe turned to look to see what Holly was staring at and then back at the doctor. They all let out a little chuckle when they looked back to see the scowl on Holly's face. "No, she isn't seeing anyone. That is just Detective Anderson. She can get a little handsy after a long week at work," Dov laughed.
"So she's not with her?" Holly clarified, looking back at the group, "they seem pretty chummy."
"Again, that's just Anderson. She's generally chummy when she's had a few to drink," Dov said before taking another swig of his beer.
"Chummy with everyone?" Holly asked, her eyes glued to the couple at the bar.
"Um…no…," Chris thought for a moment, "I think she is just chummy with Peck. They had a thing a while ago, but that didn't really pan out."
Holly's head swung so fast to look at Chris, that it made him jump. "They had a thing?" Holly questioned.
"Um…it…um…" Chris stumbled over his words. "Help me out here guys," he pleaded, looking over at Dov and Chloe.
"It was nothing," Dov added. "It was just after you left, and I think Gail just needed…you know."
"Needed what?" Holly questioned.
Dov sat there thinking for a moment. "I think she just needed to get over you," he said with a shrug.
Holly's heart sank. She would have been completely dumb to think that Gail didn't see other people after she left, but for some reason, it hurt more knowing that Gail was trying to get over her. Holly sank slightly as she looked down at her glass.
"I'm sure Gail would be totally okay if one of us went to get another round and happened to save her at the same time," Chris said after a moment or two of silence.
Holly looked up at Chris, then over at Dov and Chloe who nodded in agreement. "In that case," Holly said before downing her entire glass, "will you excuse me please."
Holly slid out of the booth, not bothering to look at anyone, and made her way over to the bar. She wasn't going to let the past stop her from doing something about this little situation. But with each step closer that she took, her confidence began to dwindle a little more. What if this was a mistake, what if Gail didn't mind being saved from this Anderson chick by anyone but her. She didn't exactly carry on a conversation in the car.
Holly made her way up to the bar and positioned herself right beside Gail without Gail noticing. She leaned forward on the bar, attempting to get the barkeep's attention, while at the same time attempting to regain enough confidence to interrupt the two beside her.
She stayed there for a minute or two, which felt like an eternity, trying her best to think of some sort of witty remark which wouldn't automatically turn Gail away from the other brunette. She stared down at her hands as rehearsed what she was going to say. She was going to be witty and confident. Yup. That's what she was going to be.
"You do know that it helps to actually look at the person when you want to talk to them" came a voice from beside her, startling her out of her thoughts. She turned to see Oliver leaning against the bar, much like herself.
"Oliver! It's so great to see you" Holly exclaimed, throwing her arms around him in a big hug.
"Likewise, my dear" he said, reciprocating the hug. "But you do know that if you ever wanted to actually talk to our blonde friend here, you should probably get her attention first."
"You noticed?" Holly said, hanging her head.
"I know The Penny might not be the fanciest bar, but the service is good, and you have been standing here way too long for just a refill. I assumed you were trying to interrupt their conversation," Oliver said.
Holly looked up at Oliver. "I'm being silly, aren't I?"
"You are one of the silliest people I know, Gail being the other," he smiled. "Now this is how you do it. Hey Peck!" he yelled over Holly's shoulder.
Holly jumped at Oliver's sudden outburst and blushed furiously when she turned to see Gail looking right at them.
"Hey Oli. What's up, Holly?" Gail acknowledged them both with a nod of her head. Holly could have sworn there was a little sparkle in her eye, but perhaps she was just imagining it.
"Not much, just grabbing a drink," was all that Oliver said before taking his glass and walking off into the bar, leaving Holly standing there with Gail.
"Um…I…." Holly stammered.
Gail just looked at her and flashed her the most gorgeous smile Holly had ever seen. Gail was about to say something when a yank on her arm pulled her in the other direction.
"Hey, let's go," Anderson said, pulling Gail off in the direction of the door.
"Hold your horses," Gail scolded, before turning back to look at Holly. "Sorry" she said with a shrug before leading Detective Anderson out the front door leaving Holly standing there at the bar.
"Well, that didn't work," Holly said defeatedly to no one in particular. She turned and plopped herself down on the empty barstool beside her. She berated herself silently for being such a chicken. Since when did she chicken out? She was typically confident, especially when it came to Gail. She knew exactly how to make the officer flustered, and yet tonight, she was tongue-tied and completely missed her opportunity. She sighed as she got off her stool and made her way to the door. She wasn't in the mood to stick around.
"Hey, Holly, leaving already?" Chloe asked, meeting up with the doctor just before she reached the door.
"Oh, you know" she said with a shrug as she slipped her coat off of the coat rack.
Chloe looked at her for a moment. She had noticed her unsuccessful attempt at talking to Gail at the bar. "Are you sure I can't convince you to stick around? We barely got to celebrate with you."
Holly looked back at the booth where the two men were now deep in conversation with Oliver, then back at Chloe. She didn't really want to go back to Rachel's place. There was no harm in drowning her disappointment in one more pint. "Um…I'm just going to get some fresh air, and I'll be right back in."
"Promise?" Chloe said, holding up her pinky.
"I promise" Holly smiled, wrapping her pinky around the smaller woman and giving it a shake. She then turned and stepped out into the darkening night. She took a few steps before stopping and taking a deep breath. She felt her eyes begin to well up. Why was she letting this bother her so much? She couldn't expect Gail to drop everything just because she showed up. She took another deep breath to calm herself.
"Whoa, are you leaving already?"
Holly turned to see Gail striding towards her. "Um…I…" Holly stuttered. "I thought you left."
"What? With Anderson?" Gai laughed. "That is too funny."
"I'm sorry, I think I missed something. What's funny?" Holly asked, turning to look directly at Gail.
"It's just funny that you thought I was going home with Anderson. I was just helping her to her Uber" Gail continued to laugh.
"I fail to see how this is so humorous," Holly continued. "She was all over you all night. What else was I supposed to expect?"
Gail took a step closer to Holly. "There is not a chance I would ever go home with her considering I haven't spent any time with you tonight," Gail admitted.
It was Holly's turn to laugh. "I've been here all night, you literally drove me here, and yet you spent this entire time at the bar talking to her!"
"That wasn't my fault," Gail said, defending herself. "I just needed a moment to collect my thoughts, but then she trapped me. She is going through a nasty break up and I didn't want to be rude. I promise, my intention was never to avoid you."
"You mean like you did this morning at the crime scene?"
"Oh, you saw me?"
"Of course I saw you, Gail," Holly sighed. "I was excited to see you, and then you disappeared."
"Sorry about that," Gail said as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "It's not like you told me you were going to be in town," she accused.
"I wanted to surprise you," Holly answered truthfully.
"Well considered me surprised," Gail responded defeatedly.
Both women just stood there, not sure what to say next. This was definitely not how Holly had wanted the night to go. She wasn't sure how she wanted it to go, but she does know that this is not how she wanted it to end up.
Gail finally broke the silence. "Look, I'm heading back in. I would really like it if you came back in too, but if you need to leave, at least let me drive you home."
Holly looked at Gail. She could see how genuine the officer was being. "I did promise Dov a game of darts."
Gail couldn't hold back her smile. "Perfect, well then, please let me get you another drink."
"I'd like that," Holly smiled back before turning and heading back into The Penny with Gail following close behind.
