Chapter 8: Defending
Holly
I went to medical school, before my pathology fellowship, I did a 2-year residency in a hospital pathology lab. I'm familiar with the ins and outs of diagnosing patients, the process of patient intake from an emergency room. I had the training to be a physician, all of my experience and schooling seemed to disappear when I saw Gail's bruise, worry took over and I went from doctor girlfriend to worried girlfriend. When we arrived to my apartment, Gail fell asleep moments after sitting on the couch.
Being hit by a bullet required a hospital visit, x-rays, CT scans to ensure there's no internal bleeding. Pain meds would be prescribed to dull residual pain, ace bandages would be applied to the ribs if needed. Gail had been to the hospital, had undergone tests, and had been diagnosed without calling me, it still worried my mind, that would be added to the list of topics Gail and I needed to discuss once she felt up to it.
"Gail." I ran my fingers through her hair attempting to tame the mess of blond locks and ease her out of her dream. "No." Gail complained squeezing her eyes shut, typical grouchy morning Gail. "Honey, you should head to bed, sleeping here will only hurt later." I typically wouldn't fight a sleeping Gail, but the awkward position she had fallen asleep in would cause discomfort if she stayed in that way for too long. "Fine, you're lucky I love your bed." Gail pouted slowly sitting up. "I'll stay until you're settled in." I reached out for her hand slowly pulling her off the couch. I found it impossible to be upset with her right now. From experience, I knew Gail on pain meds equaled black out Gail in the morning, I could only hope that Gail would remember our conversation and proclamation.
I tucked Gail in bed and walked downstairs to put the kettle on. The clock reads 4 in the morning, with the events of the last 60 hours I should be capable of sleeping for no less than 12. My mind had other plans though, I knew the chances of me falling asleep were slim to none. I didn't know what to tell Gail about my past, or my birth parents, my records had been sealed for a reason after all. How do you tell a cop, from a family of cops that your family's record could be used to train every department in the force? The banging on my door brought me out of my thoughts, the only person I tolerated banging on my door at 6 AM currently occupied my bed.
"Can I help you?" I opened my door enough to see Tracie and Steve, both looking upset and tired. "Sorry that it's early, do you know where Gail is?" Tracie asked, avoiding eye contact. "You couldn't call and ask me that, did you need to really bang on my door at 6 in the morning?" I asked, leaning against the door frame, unwilling to let them in. "Do you know where Gail is or not?" Steve demanded rather than asked, his tone less protective brother, more Detective Peck determined to crack the case.
"Gail's upstairs asleep." I stepped aside, letting them through the door, sure that the conversation hadn't ended since neither of them currently supported Team Holly. "Chris told us that you and Gail had a heated argument, and when he went to check on Gail he couldn't find her." Steve huffed looking around the room; neither of them had ever been inside my flat before. Tracie looked back at Steve before sitting at the counter; she seemed less inclined to snoop.
"I'm aware that we're not exactly friends, you're here to protect Gail, I could do without the interrogation though, I'm not a suspect." I refilled the tea kettle and set it on the stove top. "I don't want my sister to have her heart broken." Steve sat next to Tracie refusing to meet my gaze. Steve's constant shift in mood baffled me, how did Tracie deal with that in a relationship. Gail could be hot and cold, thankfully her mood didn't shift every 10 minutes.
"Gail has been amazing since you came into her life; she smiles and lets us in." Steve glanced at Tracie before meeting my eyes. "You had a fight or whatever and the super guarded snappy Gail suddenly showed up with a vengeance. When Gail asked me to bring you the file our mother uses to track Gail's ever move, to show you her secrets. "Steve tone shifted from concerned to pissed off before he had finished his speech, Steve hesitated opening and closing his mouth a few times. "Steve." I worried my bottom lip between my teeth leaning against the sink. "Since Gail and I started dating, I asked what the scar on her hip was caused by." I waited for either of them to respond, both of them knew about the scar, I hoped that maybe they might offer insight into the situation.
"I needed to understand what had happened, I don't like knowing that Gail's been in danger, that she's still heartbroken because of it. I love your sister, Gail's secrets won't change the way I feel." Neither Steve nor Tracie acknowledged my admission, that I loved Gail. I was only met by the unwelcoming gazes from the couple sitting at my counter. "Can you cut the protective brother, bullshit?" I glared at Steve before I prepared another cup of tea for myself and offered one to Tracie.
"I'll do everything in my power to ensure her safety, and make her happy, she makes me happy." I set a cup in front of Steve hearing the soft footfalls of sock clad feet on the stairs. "If you hurt her Holly." Steve muttered eyeing the tea, neither one seemed to notice Gail walk into the room. "Steven!" Gail groaned stopping near Steve, her ice queen glare fixed on the couple sitting at the counter.
"You have never acted this way, not with Chris, Nick, or anyone I've dated." Gail practically hissed at Steve; she hated it when people tried to protect her, when they tried to defend her honor. "Get your balls out of that twist and fucking get over it. You have no right to act this way Steve." Gail glanced at me for a second, I could see the smirk playing at the corner of her lips, before Steve had time to duck Gail quickly slapped the back of Steve's head. "You will treat my girlfriend with respect, especially sitting in her home." Gail walked to my side of the counter, a satisfied smile on her lips. Tracie watched Gail before laughing at Steve, her mood lifting.
"I'm just looking out for you Gail" Steve rubbed his head, giving Gail his best puppy dog eyes. "I don't need you too. I love Holly, and I know she won't hurt me on purpose Steve we aren't perfect. That will be the last time you threaten her or demean our relationship or I will cause bodily Harm." Gail leaned into my side, her hand running along my hip.
I can only compare Gail's touch to pulling on my favorite sweater, her warmth seeped into my bones, instantly comforting me and calming my thoughts. Gail remembered last night, she remembers telling me she loved me, I felt instantly relieved. "I'm sorry Holly; I didn't mean to be a jerk." Steve met my eyes, his eyes truly apologetic. "We were just worried; it's not every day Chris calls to say he can't find my sister." Steve sipped his tea, looking between Gail and myself. "We are all rooting for you, that you will both be happy. Seeing the way you look at each other gives the rest of us hope." Steve smiled; it seemed to crack the brick wall exterior he wore. "I'm sorry for acting like an ass, I haven't been there to protect my sister when she needed me and I regret that. I guess I'm trying to make up for that, and taking it out on you isn't right" Steve's eyes shifted to the counter, his posture relaxed as Tracie grabbed his hand.
"We should leave or we will be late for work." Tracie smiled before tugging Steve out of his chair. "Are you ok, Need anything?" Tracie asked bringing their cups in the sink, taking the time to examine Gail. "No, thank you." Gail smiled, picking up my tea and sipping it. "Call us if you do. We should have dinner soon to catch up." Tracie laughed, easing the lingering tension in the room. "Friday?" Gail asked, glancing up at me, I didn't necessarily care to sit down to share a meal with Steve just yet but I nodded anyway. "ok, we will figure out the rest later." Tracie followed Steve out of my flat and Gail let out a breath she seemed to be holding. "Are you sure you're ok?" I asked, looking at my feet. "I need an aspirin, and then we need to talk." Gail shrugged walking towards the stairs. "Yeah, I agree." I muttered to myself before settling on the couch waiting for Gail to reappear.
"Good morning by the way." Gail leaned down and kissed my cheek. "Good morning." I smiled, turning to capture her lips in a proper kiss before she pulled away laughing. "Trying to distract me?" she asked, licking her lips, she leaned back against the armrest of the couch facing me. "No, just saying good morning." I smiled, watching her pull the covers over her lap. She seemed comfortable and at ease, I only witnessed this side of her when we were alone. "I guess we need to talk." I moved to mirror her position against the opposite arm rest, Gail simply nodded before unfolding the blanket and draping it over both of our legs.