They reached the agreement. Holly would go home and Gail would join her after the party. They got ready together and Gail gave her a ride back. She parked in front of Holly's place and took her hand.
''If you want me, I can stay with you. I can see you are still under impression of seeing my mom and hearing about Peter's award.''
''No, you should go. I will be ok.''
''Holly…''
''I promise, I am ok.''
''See you after.''
''Ok…. And Gail, don't do anything stupid.''
''I have no idea what you are talking about.''
After Gail left Holly rushed to the building. She needed to get to her safe place and to try to put these feelings of…fear, sickness and pain away. She needed to calm down and spend time on something better than her father and family. She took a shower and spent hours working on her new article and some lesson planes. She had few classes to teach and it distracted her from the ghost of the past.
Gail was standing in the yard of the Stewart home feeling sick. She didn't enter that house since the night they told her James was dead. Her mother was giving her disapproving looks because she didn't fake smile and looked like she didn't want to be there. Stewarts opened the door and greeted Gail and Elaine with smiles.
''Welcome, welcome… Oh, it's nice to see you again Gail. It has been very long time since you've been here…''
''Yes, it has… A lot has happened since then…''
''Oh, I hear from your mother that you are single…''
''I am never single Mrs. Stewart…''
Her mother gave her very angry look.
''Oh, you young generations… Always some casual dating… and no constant partners. Gorge came just to see you.''
''How amazing…''
Adeline and Elaine noticed her lack of enthusiasm, but choose to ignore it. Gail got further into the house and took a drink. She downed two glasses of wine in less than two minutes. She needed to calm her nerves and control herself. She went into the garden and went straight to the small bench she and James occupied often in the yard. She took a seat and touched their carved initials on the side facing the ground. Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Holly. It was short, simple and everything Gail needed. It said I love you… She replied the same and when she lifted her gaze, George was there.
''Hello, Gail…''
''George…''
''I just saw your mom. She told me where to find you…''
''How fortunate for me…''
''Oh, I see you didn't lose the edge…''
''No, but I am about to lose my mind…''
''Funny….''
''Not so much…''
''I really missed seeing you around. Since my poor cousin died, you were nowhere to be seen.''
''No one loves to be reminded of a death… Especially if it is someone they love…''
''Still?''
''What?''
''You said love…as in present tense…''
''I do love him…''
''But he is dead…''
''Do you love people who were part of your life less when they die?''
''No, not really…''
''There is your answer…''
''Ok. Fine… You are right…''
''So, your mom told me to ask you out on a date…''
''Do you do all the things my mom asks you to? You know, you don't have to… I mean, I stopped years ago and I am still alive…''
''Oh… I want to take you out for dinner…''
''I am sort of seeing someone…''
''Oh, if it's just ''seeing'' someone than it means we can have that dinner…''
''No, not really…''
''Come on Gail!''
''No, I don't want to have dinner with you…''
Before they got into that more Adeline came to call them to come to the living room because her husband was giving a speech… He greeted all of the people who came and thanked George for being there. He called him his son and his pride and joy. Gail couldn't listen, so she went back to the bench. Adeline joined her soon.
''Hello Gail…''
''Hi Mrs. Stewart…''
''How are you?''
''I am ok, and you?''
''Oh, excited. It's not every day that someone gets an award in this family… You know, he worked so much for that…''
''Oh, I am sure…''
''I sense something is off…''
''How could you?''
''How could I what?''
''Watch the abuse for years...''
Adeline's face changed…
''Gail, what are you talking about?''
''James…''
''Gail, it's not appropriate…''
''Of course it's not. Every conversation about him is not appropriate…''
''I must go back…''
''I don't know how you look yourself in the mirror or even live with yourself…''
''It was for his own good… You don't understand.''
''Broken ribs, broken arms? What was for his own good?"
''If you only knew… You… You would never…''
George came to them…
''Hi auntie… I was looking for Gail.''
''I must go… ''
''I'll walk you out…''
''No need. I know this house like back of my palm…''
Without a word Gail left the house and got into the car. She shouted and then started the engine.
Holly was working on the paper when the bell rung. She opened to find Sam at her door.
''Hi Sam, what can I do for you?''
''We need to talk…''
''Ok, come in…''
He took a seat and felt a bit awkward.
''What is it about?''
''The list… First endocrinologist and then surgeon…from Montreal…''
Holly knew it was time to talk. No more hiding and no more secrets….
''Ok, and you found my name…''
''Yes, I found it on the list of the Dr. Bell first…''
''I am her patient for years…''
''Oh…''
''Sam, I would love to tell the rest myself…''
Gail entered the apartment and froze when she saw Sam…
''What happened?''
''Nothing, I needed Holly's opinion on something…''
''Sam, she knows about me…''
''Oh, sorry. I just had no idea who knew… and you know… And we can keep it under wraps until after the holidays…''
''Thank you.''
''Don't mention it…''
Gail couldn't wait for Swarek to leave so she could hear from Holly what happened and tell her how the visit to the hell house went.
''Are you OK baby?''
Holly nodded and smiled…
''I am ok… I am more than ok…''
''Just checking. If any of them gives you shit…''
''GAIL, I am a big girl and I took care of myself for very long. I had to deal with a lot of assholes and I am still standing. Ok?''
''Sometimes I just wish I could make up for all the time you did it alone… I am in your corner…''
''And I am happy for it…But I must fight my own demons and battles… I promise I will be ok…''
Gail kissed her and cuddled up to her on the sofa.
''I want to kill your cousin…''
''Oh, what did the charming cousin George do?''
''He is jerk…''
''I know, I know…''
''He asked me on a date. Your mom and my mom are already planning a wedding and guest list…I will not marry that spineless slug…''
''Hahahahahahahah…. Gail!''
''I told him no, I told him I am dating and he will not leave me alone because MY MOTHER told him do court me and not let me breathe until say yes…''
''And what happened? What saved you?''
''Adeline…I escaped him and my mom kept giving me looks…''
''Looks? What for?''
''Oh, I hate when my mom believes she can handle my life as she pleases…''
''Anything else fun?''
Gail was silent and she avoided looking at Holly….
''What did you do?''
''How…? Oh, fine…''
Holly was waiting to hear what did she do and why is she back so soon.
''I might have confronted a bit your mom….''
''How much is that '' a bit''? Please tell me Gail…''
''I might have told her you told me about the abuse… But I never said when…''
''Oh, Gail… You are silly. She probably found a way to explain…''
''She did…It was for your own good and I have no idea what was going on.''
''I couldn't shake off the need to make them pay…''
''They will…someday… But you and I will not be playing games Gail. I will handle things my way and deal with my parents in my own way and under my terms…''
''I hope you grand me a small gesture of violence… Just a tiny….''
''No! No violence. I will not be him…''
And Gail had to let Holly do this her way. After all, that was her family…
Sam was keeping an eye on Holly just in case. There was always someone in front of her office or building. He didn't want to risk anything. He was glad their killer was not active, but a bit afraid of what is going on. Silence was not always a good thing. Yes, there was always a possibility he got picked up for something small, but there was a nagging feeling he was waiting for his next move. Some killers get very tired of doing things the ''same way'' all the time and they want to make a splash… Maybe their killer was doing the same. That option gave him chills…very bad chills. He promised Holly he will keep her secret, but he couldn't wait for her to tell everyone. At that moment she would have more people caring about her and making sure she is safe. On top of this case, they had also a lot of old ones piling up and no leads at any of the cases. He and Gail closed few cases this year, but their bosses might want their ass for the ones that were not closed.
Holly woke up first and as usual, she went to make coffee. She knew that Gail would be up soon after she gets out of bed. Sometimes she felt bad for her, but she simply was never someone who just stayed in bed without a reason. She checked her emails and flagged the ones she would have to go back to on Monday at work.
Gail woke up and found Holly sitting on the sofa lost in her own big mind…
''What's up Nerd?''
''Nothing… Actually, that is a lie. I was thinking about yesterday and things you said about my mother.''
''Oh, parents of the year.''
''I know they are not good people and there is part of me that would really like to hurt them in many ways, but…''
''That's not you. You don't do that.''
''Yes, I don't.''
''And I love you for it.''
''But you do… I was thinking about all the horrible things I would enjoy you doing them.''
Gail jumped on the sofa and started tickling Holly.
''Stewart, you are so lucky I love you…''
Holly gave her one of her 100 vat smiles and Gail felt all warm and fuzzy…
''I am lucky… And I thank you for that every day…''
Gail stole one tiny kiss and smiled…
''Since you love me so much… please feed me…''
''Why am I surprised? What do you want to eat?''
''Hm… How about….pancakes?''
''We can do that…''
Holly went to the kitchen and twenty minutes later, they were at the table eating. It was a nice and quiet morning for them and they felt really comfortable together… Their breakfast was interrupted by the call.
''Peck….''
''Stewart…''
They exchanged looks and put their forks down.
''There in twenty…''
Gail went to change and holly put the dirty dishes away. She was already dressed so she just picked up her car keys. They had another body dump. It was some gang shooting gone wrong. Holly had seven bodies to work on and she was not happy with amount of work she will have to do. Well, she wouldn't have to work on all the bodies herself, but she would have to supervise some of the young interns doing their autopsies.
''There goes the weekend…''
''I know…''
A detective of guns and gangs Holly didn't know came.
''Hi, my name is detective De Marco…. What do you have doc?''
''Seven bodies, a lot of casings and a field day for the forensic and ballistic. None of them had ID, could you help us ID some of them?''
De Marco went to each body and looked at them and came back to Holly.
'' I can tell you just for two of them who they were. Some of these kids were new. I don't remember seeing them. I will check with some of my detectives if they saw them and we will pick up some of informants but maybe your DNA testing is not a bad idea.''
''I have to do it detective when they don't have any ID. ''
''O.K. I'll see you later then…''
Holly and a few more doctors spent next few hours working on the bodies. When they finished all, Holly spoke to the detective and told him the findings they had. They managed to identify some of the bodies, but some of these boys were not in the system. She told detective that some of the boys were not even older than fifteen. She always felt bad when kids ended on her table. Gail picked her up and they went back to her place. Gail loved spending time at Holly's. It was much bigger place then hers and she loved the view from the windows. Holly's apartment was overseeing the city. Holly made them dinner and Gail got the plates out. Christmas was around the corner and that meant one of the Gail's least favorite activities, Christmas shopping.
''Holly, what are you doing this year for Christmas?''
''I am not sure yet. Maybe picking up some extra shifts… Why do you ask? I know you hate Christmas.''
''I do, but today Chris asked me if we would join him and the rest for a trip.''
''A trip where?''
''Maui.''
''That sounds nice.''
''They rented a big house and since Chris' brother canceled, they asked me…well…us… I will have to tell them tonight what do we want to do.''
''Do you want to go Gail?''
''I do… But i don't want them to snoop around us.''
''They will… It's normal. We are a new couple and you are dating a woman.''
''We are not that new.''
''And they don't know that because it's a very particular can of worms to open in front of everyone.''
Gail got up from the sofa and went to the bedroom. She called Chris and told him they will go to the trip.
''It's confirmed. I just spoke to Chris.''
''Good.''
They spent some time watching a move before Gail interrupted the silence.
''Are you excited?''
''For what?''
''The trip Holly…''
''Oh, I am very excited… I can't wait to get some sun and some nice time at the beach….''
''Yes, we need some time away from all this… We also need some time just for two of us…''
''Baby, your friends will be there. There will be no chance for ''just two of us time'', you get it?''
''Way to spoil all the fun…''
''I'm just saying babe…''
Gail pouted and Holly knew the perfect way to wipe that pout away from her girlfriend's lips. She kissed her and Gail smiled into kiss…
''I could do this for hours…''
''What?''
''Kiss you…''
''We can do just that after we finish dinner.''
''Sounds like a plan.''
''Oh, I forgot to ask… What did your mother say when you told her you are not in Toronto for Christmas?''
''She is about to find that out when she tries to barge into my apartment to drag me to some party…or to a date with your cousin. I've given my best to avoid that date and my mother… I am lucky I had so much work outside the station…''
''My cousin has always been an idiot…''
'' I know. I never liked him. I must say he was very hot, but I always had it for nerdy, skinny you… and your branches instead of arms…''
''Thank you Gail…''
''You are welcome…''
''So, what should I get your friends for Christmas?''
''I don't know. I don't get anything for them…''
''Gail, we are traveling together and celebrating together, we must get them something…''
''Oh, polite little you… They will know you got them presents… I never get them anything…''
''This year you will…''
''You are no fun…''
''I know… So, we are going shopping in the morning…''
''No! Please Holly… Get them something and I will give you the money…''
''NO!''
''I hate you…''
''I know…''
They finished dinner and Holly got Gail to do the dishes. Gail hated chores and Holly made it her mission to get Gail to do things around her house. Sometimes the detective could create chaos in doctor's very neat apartment and Holly hated it. When Gail was done with the chores, Holly took her to the bedroom where they spent the rest of the evening. Gail started getting really used to going to sleep with Holly. She loved the feeling of safety and belonging she had when Holly was with her.
Shopping was as expected. Gail complained and Holly was laughing at her comments. After some time, Gail started enjoying the shopping. After getting the presents for Gail's friends, Holly took Gail underwear shopping. Gail was surprised how much money her girlfriend was willing to spend on that spree. She tried out few very hot combinations and Gail forgot all about the torture of picking gifts for her friends. She was mesmerized by the things Holly was trying.
''I hope you like it detective?''
''I love it doctor…''
''I am very glad to know that…''
They got back to Holly's with a lot of bags and Gail could only think of Holly in all the sexy things she tried.
''You are so hot and sexy…''
''Thank you. I promise I will make the trip a fun experience and I promise not to force you to spend too much time with your friends.''
''I like that promise…''
''Come on Gail, you love them… Somewhere deep, you love them…''
''Very, very deep…''
Holly kissed her and took the bags to her closet.
''Peck, go home and pack…''
''I'll go in the morning…''
''Oh, you will be too lazy for that…''
''I'll be packed for the trip, don't worry…''
''Ok…''
They spent the rest of the day glued to the sofa watching movies. It was getting very cold outside and there was no chance for them to willingly get out of the house. Monday morning got them out of the house, because they had work. Holly was lucky she got to spend entire day outside, Gail and Sam were following some new leads they got for a very old case. When Gail got home she couldn't feel her feet. She took a long shower just to recover and then she called Holly.
''Hey babe… How are you?''
''Getting back to life… Sam and I were out pretty much entire day.''
''Oh, that's bad. Get some tea and warm up.''
''How was your day Holly…''
''Long. They got us some of the homeless people who froze to death… It was very sad.''
''I'm sorry babe…''
''It happens every winter and I still feel so bad each time they bring them.''
''I remember as a rookie, we used to find them all the time just sitting like statues… I felt so bad for them. I even donated my Christmas bonus to one of the shelters.''
''I do it too, but it's not enough.''
''I know…''
''I can't wait to get away from this winter…''
''Me too…''
''Babe, I love talking to you, but I'm so tired... I think I'll go to sleep now… See you tomorrow…''
''And day after tomorrow, we are leaving…Can you imagine Gail? Heat, ocean…sun…''
''You are right Holly… Soon sand and ocean would be outside our windows, not this…''
''You love snow too Gail…''
''I hate winter…''
''Ok, Grumpy… See you tomorrow. Have a nice night…''
''Love you…''
''Love you too…''