A/N: This...did not go where I wanted it to go. This was supposed to be a humorous story. I'm not sure how I feel about it...it's kind of an experiment on my part. It's a little sad.

She buried herself in her work. She came in early and left well after the sun set. Her home was never in more of a state of disarray and her diet consisted mainly of food that came out of a box. For the first time in a long time, she had a budget for alcohol, tequila mostly, to keep her company on those nights where her research couldn't distract her. The brunette had never been more motivated or productive with her cases or her publications. It seemed that there was no way of slowing her down. This went on for months, until she burned herself out.

The body needs rest, her doctor friends told her. Rachel and Lisa were there for her to catch her when she fell. "All for one, and one for all." They had said when she questioned why they were still there after the mess she had become. "Always." Rachel tacked on that last word and the pathologist lost it again, her shoulders were wracked with heaving sobs until she exhausted herself into sleep. She woke up to whispering, but couldn't quite make out the words.

"He's texted me again. Do you think it's okay?"

"I don't know, maybe it'll help."

"It might. What about his wife? Weren't she and Gail best friends?"

"Baby steps?"

"What are you guys mumbling about over there?" The words stopped and she could hear the sounds of stocking feet padding over to where she lay. There was a deep breath and a long sigh.

"Honey, there's going to be a guest today. Maybe you could take a shower while we clean?" Rachel's arms gently wrapped around her shoulders lifting her to a sitting position. Lisa squatted down in front of her and softly pushed her hair behind her ears.

"We got this. Take your time." She hadn't seen this side of Lisa since they were in school and Rachel lost her father. The forensic pathologist vaguely wondered how bad she must seem to everyone for Lisa to treat her this gently and numbly nodded her head.

"Okay? Okay, Rachel will set out some clothes for you." And without another word she was escorted up the stairs to her bathroom where Rachel turned on the water for her and helped her undress. She set out the brunette's favorite pair of sweats, the same ones from university, and a t-shirt and sweatshirt for her to change into before rejoining Lisa downstairs.

Several hours later found them sitting on the floor of the living room when the doorbell rang harsh against the silence that had fallen upon them. In silent agreement, Lisa got up as Rachel did her best to prepare their friend for the onslaught of emotions that was sure to follow after the dark-skinned motherly woman walked into her home.

"We don't know what else to do. We, you were close with her. Right?"

"I was. And with Holly too, I don't what to say."

"Just say…I don't know. We don't know. Maybe she needs someone who knows better than us how she's feeling? We figured the sister-in-law?"

"Mmm…Steve is outside. Maybe you guys could talk with him?"

The normally abrasive friend led her in and motioned for Rachel to leave them some privacy. While Holly and Traci talked, so did Rachel, Lisa, and Steve. This was the beginning of the healing.

It took some more time, and some therapy, but Holly was able to go back to her normal working hours and routine. Well, as best as she could manage without the presence of the person who made life seem more vibrant. The normally even-keeled scientist in her looked back on those months with a little bit of embarrassment but the romantic in her knew that losing the love of her life would destroy her. Her friends were there for her, always, and the Pecks grew closer as a family, Gail would have loved that their monthly dinners turned into monthly game nights she thought with a sad smile. And when she least expected it, something would happen that reminded her of the nature of her late wife. The most memorable time happened during one of the late nights in the month immediately following. She couldn't fully appreciate how very Gail it was at the time, but now was grateful that she had the chance to love someone like the blonde.

The brunette was known for her use of sticky notes. They were color-coded and she used them constantly at work for various notes. The bright orange ones were Gail's favorite. Holly saved those at the beginning, but one night she ran out of other stickies and had forgotten pick up more from the supply closet before it was locked, so she started in on those. It took a couple of days, but she was caught by surprise when after peeling off a page, there was already a note written on the next page. The handwriting caused her to gasp. It was Gail's, the quirky blonde always did love to leave her messages that would take days to find and always on the orange ones. They never failed to make her smile knowing that she found someone like Gail.

The grieving brunette closed her eyes and counted to ten before opening them again to make sure this wasn't just wishful thinking. When she opened them again, the words were still there in that bold handwriting. "I'd marry you again if I could Nerd. Happy Anniversary!" Their anniversary had occurred in the days following 'the event' as she called it in her head. This had to have been scrawled in there a day or so before with the intention of Holly finding it at or around their anniversary.

Many years later, and Holly still kept the sticky note on her refrigerator.