Holly was very grateful that the flu was only a twenty-four hour flu. She was feeling much, much better only a few days later. By the time Friday rolled around, she was able to head back to work. She was still a little tired, but it was nothing compared to how she was feeling before.
As she puttered around her office, organizing work that she needed to catch up on, she couldn't help but think about Gail. She was so very grateful that both Gail and Rachel didn't seem to catch the bug. It was one thing for her to be sick, but a totally different issue knowing that she made someone else sick too.
She also thought back to how wonderful Gail had been. She popped by each day after work to make sure that she had eaten her soup, had plenty of fluids and took the necessary medication. Gail even was so thoughtful to bring over some take-out for Rachel. Holly smiled to herself thinking about how both women were making a positive effort to get to know each other better. This was something that truly warmed Holly's heart.
She was filing away some papers when there was a knock at her door. She turned to see Dov and Chris standing there with their typical goofy smiles. "Hey Doc, it's great to see you back. Feeling better?" Chris asked.
Holly couldn't help but smile in return. "Hi guys, yes, I feel a lot better. Thanks for asking. What can I do for you this morning?"
"We are just here to see if there is any new information about the Johnson case," Dov answered, stepping into the room.
"Well," Holly began as she walked over to her desk and picked up the folder sitting on top of the pile. She flipped it open and riffled through a few pages. "I can tell you that you have two different blood samples here," she continued, looking down at the files before her, "but they have seven alleles in common, which means that the two are related somehow. Here is the report so far," she said, passing them the file folder. "I will send more info your direction once the computer has done its thing."
"Thanks Holly, we really appreciate your help." Chris said, taking the file. "We are also glad you are feeling better."
"Yeah, that's for sure. Gail has been a total mess," Dov added as he turned to walk out the door.
"What? Hang on, what was wrong with Gail?" Holly questioned, unaware that she was affected at all by Holly's illness. Gail had seemed so positive when she came over each night. She was full of laughs and stories and always up for a cuddle. She never gave Holly any sense that something was off or even different.
"Oh, um…nothing…let's pretend I said nothing," Dov stumbled.
"No, too late for that. Spill it," Holly said as she walked over to stand in front of the men. If Gail was having a hard time because of Holly, she wanted to know why.
"Let's just say she didn't like that you were sick, while at the same time, a nervous wreck that you were going to feel better," Chris said with a shrug.
Holly shook her head at the explanation. "Okay, well that makes no sense. Why wouldn't Gail want me to feel better?" Holly questioned as she took a step closer to the men.
"Oh, it's nothing," Dov shrugged as he swallowed hard.
"Nice try. Something is going on and I want to know what it is. Don't make me hurt you," Holly somewhat jokingly threatened.
"Wow, Gail is really rubbing off on you. I'm not sure if I like this new Holly," Chris said, taking a step back.
"Come on. If something is wrong with Gail, please just tell me."
"Okay, fine, but you didn't hear it from us," Dov answered. "Gail's mom heard that Gail took time off work to look after you. Now her mom is expecting you to join the family for dinner on Sunday and Gail was kind of hoping that you'd be too sick to actually go."
Holly stood there looking at both men, trying to digest what they just said. On one hand, she was thrilled to know that Gail's mom knew of her and wanted her to come over for dinner, while on the other hand she was unexpectedly hurt that Gail didn't want her to join their family dinner. "Oh, I see," was all Holly could say, looking down at the ground as she digested the information.
"Look, you know how Gail is with her family," Dov said, trying to ease the situation.
Holly simply gave him a look. Of course she didn't know what Gail was like with her family. She never had the opportunity to see Gail with her family except for Steve, and well, according to Gail, he never really counts for anything anyways.
"I'm sure Gail is just trying to save you from some boring family dinner," Chris added.
"Hey, it's okay guys. Don't worry about it," Holly said with a wave of her hand, in an attempt to act like she wasn't bothered at all by this information. "I will let you know if I hear anything else about your case." And with that, Holly turned to head back to her desk.
Both men turned to look at each other. "Thanks Holly," Chris said softly before they both left the room.
Holly sat down at her desk. Why was she bothered so much? It's not like Gail and her were really at the 'meeting parents' stage, she guessed. They never really talked about it. And just because Holly is super excited to introduce Gail to her family, it doesn't mean that Gail feels the same way about Holly.
Holly flopped her head down on her desk. Why does being in a relationship have to be so complicated?
"Oh, no, are you still feeling sick?" came another voice from the doorway.
Holly looked up to see a concerned Gail coming across the room. Gail reached out and immediately felt Holly's forehead. "I'm fine, Gail," Holly chuckled.
"Are you sure? Maybe you should just take another day," Gail said, looking down at the doctor.
Holly stood up, causing Gail to take a step back. She moved to stand directly in front and placed her hands on Gail's arms. "I'm fine, thanks to you. I'm all better," she smiled.
"Are you sure? Have you taken your temperature? Did you keep your breakfast down? Have you had enough to drink today?"
"Relax Gail," Holly laughed, giving Gail's arms a gentle squeeze, "Don't forget, I am technically the doctor in this relationship."
Gail let out a visible sigh. "I know. I just don't like it when you are sick," she admitted, her shoulders slumping slightly.
Holly couldn't help but pull the officer into an embrace. "Thanks to you, I'm no longer sick," she said softly. She loved the way that Gail melted into her arms without putting up any fight. She held her tightly for a moment before kissing her cheek as she pulled away. "Now, do you need help with anything or did you just come down here to check on me?"
"Um...well…yes, I came to check on you…but…" Gail shifted on her feet.
"But what?" Holly smiled, finding the shy side of Gail absolutely adorable.
"Um…well…" Gail rubbed the back of her neck with her hand as she began to pace around the room. "Um…um…mymomishavingfamilydinnerandwantsmetobringyoualong," Gail said in one breath.
Holly couldn't help but laugh out loud. "What did you say? Perhaps slow it down a little, sweetie," Holly said, coming around to sit on the front edge of her desk as she watched the officer walk back and forth. She held a hand over her mouth to hide the smile that was peaking through. First of all, Gail was hot as hell in her uniform, and second, she was damn cute when she was nervous.
Gail took a deep breath before beginning again. "My mom is having family dinner and wants me to bring you along," she said slowly. She stopped her pacing and looked down at her hands. She didn't dare look up at Holly. She knew she wouldn't be able to handle being turned down by Holly right this second. It took a lot of guts for her to invite her to family dinner, she never invites anyone to family dinner, and she just needed a moment before she was crushed.
Holly sat there on the edge of the desk, watching as Gail's head drooped. Holly couldn't really read Gail at all. Maybe she honestly didn't want to bring her to meet her parents. "Do you want to bring me along?" Holly asked, not moving from her spot, terrified of what Gail's answer would be.
Gail looked up at Holly. She instantly noticed that pang of hurt and worry that etched across her face. Immediately, Gail walked over and positioned herself between Holly's legs, her hands resting gently on Holly's thighs. "I want nothing more than to spend time with you, and I want nothing more than to show you off to everyone I know, but I don't want to put you through a Peck family dinner. No one should have to suffer through that," she said with a smile.
Holly couldn't help but shiver at Gail's proximity. Her fingers were driving her crazy as they gently squeezed her upper thighs. "What if I wanted to go?" Holly said as she slowly wrapped her arms around Gail's neck and pulled her slightly closer.
It was Gail's turn to shiver as Holly began to play with her hair. "Um…you want to go to a Peck family dinner?"
"Not particularly, but I do want to spend time with you," Holly admitted as she leaned in, foreheads touching.
"It's not going to be fun. I can't promise you my mother won't tear you to pieces."
"I think I can handle your mother," Holly said, gently pressing her lips to Gail's.
"It's going to be incredibly boring," Gail mumbled against Holly's lips.
"I can handle being bored," she said, kissing Gail fully.
Gail melted into the kiss. She stepped in even closer, wrapping her arms around Holly's waist as she felt Holly pull her closer, deepening the kiss. Gail was never going to get over how amazing it felt to be kissing Holly. Her lips were so soft and gentle, yet there was a heat and passion that drove Gail nuts. Gail just couldn't get enough of it. Her hands began to roam up and down Holly's back as she tried desperately to pull her even closer. It took every inch of Gail's will power and strength to step back from Holly.
"Um…if we don't stop now, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to," Gail admitted.
"Who says we have to stop? My door has a lock," Holly said as a matter of fact as she reached forward, grabbing Gail's lapel and pulling her close again. "I never got to thank you for taking care of me," Holly said, running her fingers up and down Gail's coat, playing with the zipper.
"Nothing to thank me for," Gail smiled. "You would have done the same for me."
"Yes, but still…thank you. It was really nice knowing you were around."
"It was nice being around," Gail smiled before leaning in and kissing Holly gently on the lips. "But I am serious, Doctor, I really would love to continue this," she said, kissing Holly again, "but I don't want our second first time to be in your office," Gail smiled.
"Fine, you're right, but just for the record, I really wish we weren't in my office."
"Duly noted," Gail said, giving Holly another quick kiss before backing away entirely. "But in all seriousness, do you really want to come to the Peck family dinner?" she asked once more as she straightened her coat.
Holly jumped off her desk and stood in front of Gail, she reached out and held her hands in her own. "I would love to go with you to your family dinner," she smiled.
"Even though it is going to be boring and my mother is going to be…well…my mother?"
"Gail, I would want nothing more than to go with you."
Gail looked at Holly and could see how genuine and truthful she was being. She let out a breath that she wasn't aware she was holding. "Okay then, I will pick you up at seven at your place on Sunday," she smiled.
"How about this…what if I came by your way and picked you up?" Holly asked.
"Um…sure, that would be fine."
"Perfect. I'll pick you up at seven" Holly said, leaning in to kiss Gail once more.
"I will be ready," Gail beamed.
Thank you to everyone for the comments and reviews. They are greatly appreciated. Shall we keep going?
