CHAPTER 11

3 YEARS LATER (*Literally* , *coughs*, *SORRY*)

"… I could not have been any more proud to present to you, the newest addition to the fine detectives of this division, Detective Abigail Peck" Oliver reached out his hand on Gail's direction and gave her the detective badge and her gun, a symbolism to commemorate her successful achievement on being a detective.

Clapping and whistling assaulted Gail's ears as she went forward to accept it. The ceremony, no matter how sentimental, is taking too long for Gail's liking. Let's get over and done with this shall we is what's all in her head.

"Speech!" someone shouted.

Gail looked across the hall where officers of different rankings congregated. She saw a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces, friends and family. It has been a crazy 3 years and all Gail was filled with is an overwhelming sense of- well… overwhelming.

If she had to look back three years ago, she wouldn't have thought that she would be a detective. Nope, not even. There were even periods of massive decline in everything that is within her life that touching her detective badge at this very moment made it seemed like a dream. Gail tapped her forehead with it. Looks like it's not.

"Sorry I was making sure I wasn't dreaming" she announced and slight chuckles were distributed around the room.

Gail cleared her throat. Everyone paid attention.

"Ahh, what can I say? I have many people to thank for. But I won't even bother… they're lucky to have spent efforts on me..." people in the room laughed again.

Gail took a moment.

"Look, seriously. These people that made it possible for me to stand up right here in front of you are the real heroes and I will always hold great gratitude for them." Gail slowly scanned the room to see the faces. Traci- her mentor, Chloe, Dov, Chris, Oliver-her mentor/father figure, and one of the most important faces that she'd always want to see especially in these occasions, her dear brother Steve Peck. Her mother was MIA for an "important meeting" with the higher ranks. Of course she'd not come higher on the list.

"As for mentioning their names, bad luck, I won't. This moment was for me. You guys know who you are." At that, Gail pumped her fist on the air and laughed. The room followed suit with people's laughter then applauded the new detective.

"Well I actually imagined worse." Dov told Chloe. She laughed as she hugged Gail.

"Congratulations!" Chloe's high pitched voice of celebration tore through her ear.

"And for my first assignment, firing you." Gail pointed a finger at Dov.

"Thanks Price" she offered a smile to her friend.

Dov pretended to be terrified.

"PLEASE OFFI-DETECTIVE PECK NO!" Dov said in an exaggerated way at the same time held his badge in front of her.

"Wait… no, you can't cause I am a detective too"

"It doesn't even make sense you guys. Detectives can't fire detectives. Only bosses can. Speaking of bosses…" Chloe smiled and gestured to Oliver.

"Okay let's not get carried away! But enjoy the drinks and party now coz tomorrow you are all going to get back to…"

"Serving, protecting and not screwing up!" the gang of friends recited confidently.

"Good kids!" Oliver exclaimed!

The click of the sliding glass door of the hall behind her indicated that she is now on her way to her attempted moment alone. Gail desperately wanted it hours ago. She looked behind her to ensure that no one sees her. All good.

She propped herself on a bench at the balcony she escaped to.

She let out a heavy sigh.

"Detective Abigail Peck"

"Detective Gail Peck"

She repeated under her breath. It still didn't land comfortably in her wits but she thought she'd just have to get used to it. It was after all, a lot and a mountainous amount of hard work. Recapping the past 3 years was a huge task for she didn't really know if it had really happened to her or to someone else.

No, please no. No brain... and heart. Don't go there. Of course it was futile because she did went there. Gail went back to that last time she has heard her voice after that excruciatingly stupid phone call she did. She remembered her voice, soft and gentle. It had always been usually soft and gentle, always patient. "I will be waiting for your return"

The voice echoed inside her head.

STOP IT GAIL.

Before Gail completely left the thought, she briefly wondered what could've been if she did in fact returned to Holly Stewart.