Author's note: I wish I owned any of these characters, if I did we'd have a Gail and Holly spinoff show. Sadly I do not.
Chapter 5
Fourteen hours had passed since Traci left Gail's apartment, and since that time Gail had managed to drink even more and pass out. This was her life now. She had no girlfriend, no daughter, no best friend, and probably no job. What was the point of everything now. She was a complete and utter failure. Her mother and father would surely disown her when she lost her badge. Not to mention she'd be homeless. So really Gail was failing to see the point in pretty much everything, everything except alcohol.
Holly had spoken to Traci as soon as she got off the red eye she'd taken. She knew Gail had thrown the detective out and was in the worst mood Traci had ever seen. Holly knew the reason she had dropped her entire new life in San Francisco and taken the first flight to Toronto, the only reason that mattered to her; Gail. Stepping out of the taxi in front of Gail's apartment she took a deep breath, she knew this wasn't going to be the easiest conversation and she knew Gail would throw all the thoughts and feelings back in her face. She needed to mentally prepare herself for the oncoming hurricane.
Knocking at Gail's front door yielded no results, Holly still had the key that Gail had given her during that two week lull. Upon opening the door she softly called Gail's name and received no response. She took note of the state of the apartment, pizza boxes strewn about, empty bottles littered the floor, clothes were piled on the furniture. She knew Gail had never been a neat freak but even when she lived two guys her space had been much neater than this mess. She continued to look around to find any sign of the blonde, when she reached the bedroom she let out a small gasp. Gail was laying on the floor next to a bottle of tequila and a died puddle of vomit. Holly immediately rushed to her side as her medical training took over her actions. Holly was only relieved by the fact that Gail was laying face down, so she hadn't suffocated on her own vomit. She attempted to shake the woman awake but wasn't getting any reaction. She then dragged Gail's limp body to the washroom and forced her finger into her mouth, after a few seconds Gail expelled the rest of the contents of her stomach, which Holly judged to be purely alcohol. Gail's eyes went wide when she finally regained consciousness to the unfolding situation. Holly stood up and grabbed an empty cup that had been left on the sink, rinsed it out, filled it with water and handed it to the woman. Gail tentatively took the cup her eyes never leaving the doctor.
"Gail, you need to drink the water. You're probably severely dehydrated and you also need to rinse the acid from your mouth."
Gail blinked, clearly trying to figure out if she was imagining the brunette in the room with her.
"Why? You're here? What time is it?" Gail's brain was struggling to get the words to emerge from her mouth in order. She just sipped the water and stared.
"Do you have any food in this place or do I need to find the nearest takeout place?" Holly still in doctor mode, not wanting to broach the coming conversation just yet.
"I'm, I'm, uh not sure."
Holly stood up and walked out of the washroom for several minutes before returning with some bread she found in the kitchen.
After finishing the glass of water Gail placed the cup down just as Holly sat down next to her handing her the plate of bread. Gail poked the doctor in the shoulder.
"Yep, I'm real. I'm here Gail."
"Why." Holly knew that voice, that was the voice that she usually heard when it was directed towards people that weren't Holly.
"I missed you." Holly hoped that simplicity would be the best idea at this junction.
"Bullshit."
Holly titter her head, "Gail that's not fair."
"Ha. That's rich coming from the woman who the last time she told me that she missed me moved four thousand miles away two weeks later. So why are you really here, come to add to the shit pile that is my life, cos honestly it can't get any worse. I have nothing left, no reason to live. Nothing. Maybe Perick should have finished the job." Once the name left Gail's lips her gaze changed from the confused and slightly aggressive to downright angry. She looked down focusing on her hands and the bread.
Holly had only heard bits and pieces of Gail's captivity, she never pushed because she always assumed Gail would open up when she felt the need, when Holly heard the words come from Gail's mouth she knew the darkness was starting to win. Holly had to think very hard about what came it of her mouth next, one wrong word and Gail might be lost forever. "Gail, don't ever say that. You matter. You matter to me. I love you. I came back for you, I know I shouldn't have left in the first place and it was so stupid, because I'm so completely in love with you I couldn't even sleep properly when I left." Gail's head snapped up to look at Holly.
"What do you mean?"
"Every night I saw the worst moment of my life, the moment I left you at the airport and my god if I could go back and fix it hmrp"
Gail had shut Holly up with the only way she knew how. Holly let herself relish the contact of their lips for just a second before pulling back.
"Gail, I need to you to hear this. I need you to know it's true. I love you Gail. You can never have nothing left, because you have me." Holly's eyes filled with tears and she mentally begged Gail to fully hear the words and how true they were.
Gail's previously angry eyes shifted and relaxed turning a translucent blue. The wheels in her head clearly spinning, taking in all the information that was be thrust at her.
"You came back for me?" Gail's gaze softened just a bit as she asked.
"I shouldn't have left, I'm so, so sorry." Holly let the guilt take over and struggled to maintain eye contact with Gail.
Gail suddenly stood up and placed the plate on the sink then sat on the edge of the shower. She looked around the room and couldn't help but let a small chuckle out at her situation. It was beyond fucked. How had these two smart individuals been so completely stupid. Gail motioned down at her clothes, still soaked with vomit and stated she needed a shower. Holly just sat there for a beat, not sure what she should do until Gail asked her to grab her some clean clothes. She obliged and went to find Gail some clean clothes, which was a task easier said than done. Most Gail's clothes were scattered around her apartment so when Holly opened the closet she picked the only non uniform clothing that was remaining. When Holly pulled out the shirt she smiled, it was one of Holly's old University of Toronto shirts. She grabbed a pair of sweatpants and had to laugh when they too were Holly's. She returned to the washroom with the clothing in her hand only to stop at the door and drop them. Standing in the shower was a sobbing Gail. Holly immediately rushed towards her and climbed in, clothes be damned, she put her arms around the sobbing blonde, and felt Gail relax back into her before turning around in her arms.
"I had the same dream. Every night. It was slowly killing me. You left me. And then, then.." Holly just held Gail, she knew she had to let her get out whatever she was trying to say.
"They took Sophie. I didn't even get to say goodbye. I don't even know if I'll see her again." Gail's sobs grew uncontrollably.
Holly tightened her grip on Gail, mentally trying to pull away all of Gail's pain. "Shh, I'm here Gail. I love you. I'm not leaving you ever again. I love you so much."
Gail's tears finally subsided and Holly felt her go limp, the broken woman had fallen asleep, too exhausted with the world. Holly pulled Gail from the shower and carried her over to her bed, she grabbed a towel and tried to dry her off just a bit before pulling up the blanket. She set about trying to tidy the apartment while Gail slept. She texted Traci to update her on the situation and to ask for a huge favour. Gail needed to eat when she woke up, besides a loaf of bread and cheese puffs there wasn't much in the way of nutrients in the place. Traci quickly replied and said she'd swing by with the goods. Holly busied herself around the apartment listening out in case Gail stirred.
Holly heard her phone buzz and saw that it was Traci, she quickly went to the door and greeted the detective.
"How's she doing?" Traci asked as she placed the grocery bags down on the counter.
"Honestly, she's a mess. I can't blame her though, with all that she's been through the past few months. It shows how strong she is to even be able to function at this point."
"She'll get better. She's Gail, she's the strongest person I know. And now that you're here, I know she can make through this. Thank you for coming by the way."
"Anything for Gail. And thank you for helping me realise just how stupid I was to leave her."
The women's conversation was cut short by a noise coming from the bedroom. Holly looked towards the door and back to Traci who understood, excusing herself and heading out the door.
Holly walked back to the room to find Gail mostly clothed, mostly because she was only wearing Holly's shirt and a pair of boyshorts. Holly had to avert her eyes from the officer's form, this wasn't the time for that, bad brain.
"Hey how are you feeling, are you hungry, you should probably drink some more water."
"Nerd, calm down. I'm good, just stop talking, it's making my head hurt even worse. Actually, no, I need food." Gail pointed to her stomach and pouted. Holly smiled at her and she half smiled back, it was progress. Gail walked up to Holly grabbed her hand and dragged her to the kitchen.
"Food."
Holly smiled, god she missed Gail.
Only when Gail responded with "good." did Holly realise she had said that out loud. Blushing furiously she turned to the groceries on the counter and begin to make them some much needed food.
Gail sat in silence as Holly made them some mac and cheese, watching the brunette not really wanting to believe that maybe something was getting better in her life. When Holly set the cheesy goodness in front of Gail she muttered a thanks and dug in.
Holly watched as Gail devoured the food and asked for more. After all the mac and cheese was eaten and the dishes cleaned Holly turned to Gail.
"So..." Holly asked as her eyebrows shot up.
"So?"
"This is the awkward part where we continue our conversation."
Gail sighed, "Nah, I'm good. My life is shit and well it's a little less shit since you're here."
"Wow, was that a Gail Peck compliment? Bestill my heart."
"I'm serious though, I don't really want to talk about anything right now." Gail got up from the chair and walked closer to Holly with a look that Holly knew well creeping into her eyes.
"No talking." And with that short statement Gail claimed Holly. She slammed their lips together channelling all the emotions she had felt over the past few months. They both needed the contact, to prove that they were both still deeply connected, even after the time apart. The kisses weren't slow nor gentle these were meant to make a statement. Mine. Gail finally let up on her lip assault and pushed the doctor towards the bedroom.