Title: Now or Never

Author: dagnabit87

Show: Rookie Blue

Pairing: Gaily/Holly

Rating: Pg-13/T

Disclaimer: I do not own Rookie Blue or any or the Characters. They of course belong to the creators. I am using said characters to create my own little spin on the Rookie Blue world.

Now or Never

Chapter Six

For the umpteenth time today Gail checks the time on her custom issue police watch. She sighs deeply when she finds that the she still has to withstand a further forty seven minutes until her shift ends and she can finally see Holly again. Gail has spent the last couple of days meticulously planning their first date. The date. Gail has never planned a date before, not for anybody. In all honesty she never really cared enough to make the effort but she wants to impress Holly. Gail knows how Holly feels about her, the brunette is incredibly transparent with her feelings for the blonde but that doesn't mean that Gail is going to sit back and rest on her laurels. She wants to take Holly on the perfect date for Holly. Gail checks her watch again.

'Holy moly Peck way to make a guy feel special.' Oliver pouts playfully earning a reluctant chuckle from the blonde. If there's one other person in the world that Gail feels she can truly be herself with other than Holly it could only be Oliver.

'Sorry, Oliver.' Gail flushes. 'I've just got a thing tonight and-'

'You're finally taking Holly on a date.' Oliver states matter of fact as their car slows to a stop at a red light. A young women pushing a pram passes by in front of them. 'It's about time little Peckling. This has been the longest, slowest burn in the history of long, slow burny things.'

'We're just friends.' Gail snaps. She isn't ashamed of her feelings for Holly, not anymore. She has made a promise to herself that she won't let any of her stupid hang ups get in the way of her finding real happiness with the brunette but that doesn't mean she wants everyone knowing about it, not yet. If everyone knows about it, it puts pressure on them. If there is one thing that Gail hates it's being on show. Her friends at fifteen will be watching her, watching them, there's nothing that they love more than witnessing Gail Peck trying to navigate a relationship.

'Don't do that Gail.' Oliver says eyebrows raised his head shaking from side to side and Gail feels like she's being scolded. The blonde shrinks back into the passenger seat folding her arms across her chest missing the affectionate twinkle that Oliver gets in his eye. This is his favourite Gail. Embarrassed, indignant Gail.

'How do you know I'm taking Holly on a date?' Gail asks the shock evident in her tone. 'Nobody know about it. Except Traci,' Gail concedes, 'but I know she won't have told anybody not even Steve.'

'You don't need to have told anybody.' Oliver says as he puts the car into gear. 'You think you're all mysterious and Poe faced Peck but you aren't. Not at all.' He allows his gaze to flicker briefly from the road to Gail and then back again not surprised to find the blonde slouched back in her seat her signature adolescent sneer plastered across her face.

'Well go on then.' Gail instructs expectantly. 'I can't have all of those morons at the station noticing things about me.'

'Those morons are your friends.' Oliver reminds her good naturedly. He loves the blonde's snarky attitude and he especially loves that he is one of the few people that gets to see her softer side, he feels honoured.

'Whatever.' The blonde mutters.

Oliver clears his throat dramatically in preparation and Gail rolls her eyes forcibly holding back the smile that is threatening to break out as a result of Oliver's amateur dramatics. 'I knew things were moving in the right direction with you and the lovely Dr. Stewart for several reasons.' He wriggles his eyebrows and the smile that was threatening to break free from Gail finally does. 'You're being nice to Chloe. You shared your cheesy puffs with Diaz yesterday.' Gail's eyes widen as she realises that she did in fact do that. She's horrified. 'But the big reason, the main reason.' Oliver pauses for suspense as Gail hangs on his every word. 'You can't stop talking about her.' The blonde furrows her brow in confusion. 'And you don't even realise that you're doing it darlin'.'

Gail curls further back into her seat as her actions from the last couple of days filter through her mind. She has been talking about the brunette a lot. Clearly Holly's been on her mind, the only thing on her mind if she's truly honest with herself. 'I'm sorry.' Gail offers shyly.

'Don't be sorry.' Oliver smiles back at her, the ever present twinkle in his eyes insantly putting Gail at ease. 'It's good. It's great in fact. The Doc's lucky to have you Peck.'

'I think I'm the lucky one.' Gail says softly an image of a radiant Holly once again invading her thoughts.

'So, what's the plan?' Oliver asks. 'Come on Gail, I know you and I know how much Holly means to you.' He tells an increasingly bashful Gail. 'You've definitely got something crazy amazing planned. So spill.'

Gail smiles ruefully and does just as Oliver instructs.

Gail keeps going over and over her plan in her head. She wants tonight to be all about Holly. This isn't about scoring points. Gail would happily take the brunette to the most expensive restaurant in Toronto if she thought that was what Holly would want, but she knows Holly, she knows Holly better than she's ever known anyone before and it's that single realisation that gives Gail confidence in her date planning abilities.

Taking one last look at her reflection in her cell phone screen Gail takes a deep breath, slides her phone into her back pocket and knocks on the blue door that looms over her. For a few moments she hears nothing and for one terrifying second the thought that Holly may not answer makes the blonde's heart stop. Then she hears it, the sound of Holly shuffling around on the other side of the door. Gail quickly runs her hand through her hair trying to control the ever present cow's lick that is her fringe. The blonde drops her hand to her sides her nails digging into her thighs through her jeans and she holds her breath as she hears Holly fumbling with the lock until finally the door slides open and fireworks explode deep in the depths of Gail's heart.

Holly looks wonderful.

The smile on the brunette's face could light up the whole of Canada, Gail is certain of that. 'You look- you really look-' The blonde stutters and splutters over her words as she takes in the vision before her. Holly is wearing a moss green knee length dress, her legs for days on tantalising display and Gail can't wait until the day she gets to run her hands along the full length of them and feel the soft skin quiver beneath her fingertips. The coy smile on Holy's face mixed with the fluttering of eye lashes as brown eyes look to her is enough to make Gail's heart fly. She takes a deep, steadying breath, 'you look wonderful,' Gail is finally able to utter.

'Thanks.' Holly says sweetly as she tucks her hair behind her ears. The brunette isn't wearing her glasses tonight and Gail can't stop herself from falling into brown eyes. 'You look beautiful.' They both fall into a comfortable silence content with the opportunity to just be able to look at one another.

'You ready to go?' Gail asks breaking the spell they have both willingly fallen under. 'Your carriage awaits.' Holly laughs sweetly as Gail stands to attention at the front door and presents her arm to the brunette to hold. 'You won't be needing that.' Gail indicates to the purse that Holly is about to place into her bag. 'Tonight's completely on me.'

'Are you sure.' Holly asks the surprise evident in her tone. She hates to be thinking about Joanne in any way, tonight of all nights, but she can't help but compare the way she feels right now, as she is about to embark on her first date with Gail, to the way she felt on the very rare occasion when Joanne took her out. Gail smiles brightly at the brunette as Holly closes the door behind her and links her arm through the blonde's her blue eyes sparkling with what Holly can only describe as adoration and it makes her heart feel so warm as if filled to the brim with joy.

Holly continues to watch on in amusement as Gail races a couple of steps ahead and pulls open the door to her Ford Focus. 'Why thank you kind sir.' Holly teases as Gail rolls her eyes playfully.

'The pleasure is mine good lady.' Gail retorts to Holly's absolute delight. Holly gets herself settled into the passenger seat overwhelmed to finally be here in this moment with Gail. 'So where are you taking me officer?' The pathologist asks.

'You'll just have to wait and see.' Gail says an essence of pride evident in her tone. Gail is proud. She's proud that she's planned something that Holly will love and she's proud that she's the cause of the childlike excitement radiating from every fibre of Holly's person. Gail is, for the first time in her life, proud of herself but that doesn't mean that she's taking tonight for granted. She's nervous. Her palms are sweating as she grips the steering wheel tightly between two fists. Her heart is pulsating in her chest. She's terrified but she loves every single second of it. This is how it should be. Sweaty hands, beating heart, it's these reactions that make Gail so certain, so unabashedly sure that Holly is the one for her.

Gail can feel Holly's eye on her throughout the short journey to their destination. She feels brown orbs burning into the side of her face and she can't help but turn her eyes away from the road every now and then and look at the brunette, taking her in. Unlike Gail, Holly has always been happy to share her feelings, to be honest about how she feels. The only time that Holly has ever kept her emotions in check, when Holly hasn't been completely open and honest is when it's come to her feelings with Gail. For ten months Holly kept her feelings to herself as best she could but now that she gets to be open with her heart the brunette isn't going to waste this opportunity because she'll never have another first date with Gail again. So Holly stares, and she watches and takes in every minute detail that makes Gail, Gail.

Gail indicates and turns the car into a large car park that's half full with cars of different shapes and sizes and the brunette's jaw falls open. 'I can't believe that you brought me here.' Holly squeals as she looks up at the giant sign that sits proudly over the entrance of the building made almost entirely of glass, Ripley's Aquarium. 'I used to love this place when I was a kid, my dad would always bring me here for my birthday.' Gail's heart melts at the awe and adulation shimmering in Holly's eyes her signature lop sided smile growing exponentially with each passing second.

'I remember you telling me about it the night you got your article published.' Gail shrugs her shoulders and rubs at the back of her neck with her now free hand as she brings the car to a standstill.

'You remembered.' Holly states her voice barely above a whisper.

'Of course.' Gail utters. 'I remember everything you tell me Holly.' The brunette can't find the words to respond to such a beautiful sentiment so instead she lifts her palm to cup Gail jaw and runs her thumb back and forth across the blonde's cheekbone. The butterflies that seem to have taken up permanent residence in the blonde's stomach begin fluttering wildly again.

They both amble out of the car and Gail walks around to meet Holly. They both share a shy gaze as they turn and make their way towards the entrance their elbows bumping together due to their close proximity. Gail battles with herself as she decides whether or not to reach for the brunette's hand and take it with her own but the decision is quickly made for her as Holly expertly links her fingers with the blonde's holding them loosely. Gail looks down at their joined hands a feeling of warmth spreading along the length of her arm right to the very tips of her fingers.

The instant they set foot inside the aquarium Gail can't help but be flooded with such an overwhelming sense of relief because she immediately knows she's done good. This may just be the most magical date that Gail has ever been on. Holly practically skips around the aquarium her eyes lighting up like a child at Christmas each new fish she's greeted with drawing more excitement for her than the one before. Holly can't tear her eyes away from the fish that adorn the walls and ceilings of the aquarium but Gail, Gail can't tear her eyes away from Holly.

For the first time since they began their tour Holly releases Gail's hand and bounds over to the glass wall that houses the habitat of a school or stingrays. 'These were always my favourite.' Holly says briefly looking over her shoulder at Gail who has taken a seat on the bench that occupies the centre of the room just happy to watch Holly take everything in.

'Yeah?' Gail asks eyes sparkling as Holly waltzes over to her and drops down onto the bench beside the blonde.

'My dad loved them. He used to tell me all this cool stuff about them.'

'Like what?' Gail asks taking in Holly's perfect profile, the long luscious eye lashes the smooth slope of her nose those sweet, sweet lips that Gail is oh so desperate to taste again.

'You really want to know?' Holly says eyebrows raised. 'I thought you weren't into the nerdy stuff.' Holly teases the blonde.

'I think we both know that I'm without a doubt into the nerdy.' Gail says a little nervously. Even though she trusts Holly implicitly there is still a little part of her that's scared to be vulnerable and she doesn't know if that part of her will ever completely go away.

'Very nice.' Holly chuckles full of mirth quickly catching onto Gail's not so subtle innuendo. 'Well,' Holly begins, 'It might surprise you to know that the stingray can weight upwards of seven hundred and ninety pounds.' Gail's eyes widen in shock as she nods her head clearly impressed. 'And did you know that the stingray's skeleton isn't made of bone, it's made completely of cartilage?' Holly's heart sores as Gail's head rests against her shoulder and she can't help but rest her chin against short blonde locks and breath in deeply in an attempt to calm her raging heart. As they both sit in silence it's only then that Holly realises that they're alone, there's no one else in sight, it's just the two of them, exactly the way Holly likes it.

'Tell me more.' Gail whispers as she watches two stingrays swim overhead, their movements perfectly synchronised as they move through the water with such guile and grace. Soulmates.

'Let me think.' Holly says smiling against the blonde's hairline as a thought comes to her.' I know one you'll like. Stingray's have venom in their tails which they use to protect themselves.' Gail hums in acknowledgement. 'That's not the best part. The venom remains deadly even if the stingray that it's being extracted from is dead.'

'Wow. That's awesome.' Gail says with such sincerity that it catches Holly off guard.

'Really?' Holly asks surprise evident in her voice.

Gail lifts her head and shrugs. 'I love hearing you talk about the stuff you're passionate about. It's nice.' Gail finishes shyly. 'You really care about stuff and I like that.'

Holly takes a moment to contemplate Gail's words before finally speaking. 'Do you know what I'm most passionate about?' Blue eyes watch as Holly keeps her gaze trained on the stingrays swimming elegantly overhead and looking as relaxed as Gail has ever seen her. The police officer can see the hint of a smile tugging at the brunette's lips and she can't over how high school this all feels as Holly curls her little finger around Gail's their hands resting side by side on the bench. It has all turned very high school, shy glances, barely there touches, fluttering hearts, and Gail loves it. 'You.'

'Are you admitting that you're sweet on me Stewart?' Gail asks the joy shinning in her eyes.

'I am.' Holly sighs. 'I really, really am.' As blue eyes disappear behind the most beautifully created eye lids that Holly has ever seen the brunette takes a moment to bask in another perfect moment with Gail. Shaking her head in disbelief the smile she has had perfectly etched on her face all evening still firmly in place Holly leans forward the few remaining inches and presses her lips to Gail's.

Heaven.

They both look down at the floor between them Holly's hands clamped firmly to her sides as Gail rubs nervously at the back over neck and bites furiously at her bottom lip. This has been the single most wonderful night of Gail's life. She knows that if her friends could see her now, had seen the way she had behaved this evening, they'd be ribbing the hell out of her. Not that she'd care.

Holly hasn't stopped thanking Gail for planning such a wonderful night from the moment they left the aquarium. The brunette's smile had grown even further, a fete Gail didn't believe to be possible, when they ended up at a local diner sat side by side squashed into the smallest corner booth Gail was able to scope out and shared a plate of curly fries and the biggest Knickerbocker glory that either of them had ever seen. As they'd sat there, thighs pressed together with Gail's arm hanging loosely across the back of the booth, the energy whirling between them began to grow and change into something much more than they could have anticipated after a single date.

Now, as Gail stands here at Holly's front door, all she can focus on is this energy and how it's making it almost impossible for her to contemplate walking away from the brunette and putting an end to this perfect evening.

'I don't want to go.' Gail whispers. The brunette finally looks up and takes in the way Gail's eyes are looking anywhere but at her a tell-tale sign that the blonde is feeling overwhelmed. Normally Holly would take a step back because she knows that under normal circumstances, when it comes to fight or flight, Gail is a flight kind of girl. But tonight, right here in this moment, Holly can't help herself. Reaching out her hand Holly gently lifts the blonde's chin until she catches sight of those oh so blue eyes and keeps her hand there until she's certain that Gail isn't going to look away.

'Then stay.'

'Holly,' Gail says, her voice trembling, 'I want to stay. I do.'

'Then stay.' Holly repeats her voice gentle as she steps closer to the blonde and rests her hands tentatively on Gail's hips giving her a reassuring squeeze.

'Holly.' Gail warns desperately her nostrils flaring as she breathes in deeply. 'Can I kiss you?' The sudden change to the blonde's tone catches Holly off guard and all she can do is nod. That's all the answer Gail needs and before the brunette has time to ready herself Gail swoops forward.

Gail's lips slam against Holly's as she presses the brunette back against the door. Holly moans deeply, the sensations Gail is igniting within her are indescribable. A powerful wave of arousal hits her with such force she can already feel herself becoming light-headed and she can't help but wonder what she will feel if she and Gail ever completely give themselves to one another.

Holly feels the muscles of Gail's shoulders tense as her hands run up along the blonde's arms and around her neck. An explosion of feelings threaten to pull Gail under even though in the back of her mind she knows that this could be too much too soon but for Gail it's felt like ten months of fore play that has led them to this point. Gail is more than ready. They both are.

Gail runs her hands across Holly's rib cage, over her stomach and down to her upper thighs where they discover soft, warm skin as her hands, which appear to have a mind of their now, bunch up the brunette's dress so that her fingertips are able to explore more freely. 'God, Gail.' Holly hisses. Her warm breath spilling out across Gail's lips causing a ripple of pleasure to engulf the blonde as she deepens their kiss.

Gail is losing what little shred of self-control that she has left but that voice in the back of her mind is still nagging at her, telling her it's too soon for Holly. Using every bit of will power that she can muster Gail separates herself from Holly but the sight of the brunette wide eyed and chest heaving with arousal nearly sends Gail tumbling back in, nearly.

Taking a further step back Gail takes several deep breathes as she and Holly continue to stare at each other.

'Not yet.' Gail whispers. 'I want. I really do but…not yet.'

'You're right. I know you are.' Holly says her voice heavy. Sighing deeply the brunette runs a hand through her hair as she tries to control her pounding heart. 'Soon?' Holly asks shyly.

'Soon.' Gail promises. There's no point in pretending, she's drawn to Holly. This pull between them is undeniable. Allowing herself one last opportunity to take Holly in Gail quickly leans forward and places a firm kiss to Holly's awaiting lips. 'Thank you. For everything. Goodnight Holly.' Taking one last tentative look Gail begins to back away from the brunette taking a few steps before turning on her heal and forcing herself to leave.

Holly falls back against the door fingers pressed to her bruised lips. The realisation of what has just transpired between bringing a giddy smile to her face. Holly thought she had experienced passion before.

She hadn't.

What she just experienced with Gail…that was passion.

And love.

Sorry I haven't responded to any reviews the last couple of chapter. I vow to do just that for this next chapter.

Enjoy