THANK YOU: To all who have begun to read this story, and especially to those who have left comments. I am always grateful to those who have taken the time. Apologies to those who think the chapters are too short. Right now, due to everyday life, my options are too short and no updates. With those two options, please accept too short.
DISCLAIMER: Rookie Blue and its characters are all owned by others. No infringement intended.
WARNING: Story includes scenes of violence.
EPISODE: A reimagining of things that occurred during Season 5. Diverges from the show storyline prior to Season 5 Episode 7, "Deal with the Devil." So at the start, Holly and Gail haven't spoken since the fight at the Black Penny in episode 3.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
THROUGH DARKNESS
CHAPTER 2
"Holly." Gail hoped that keeping her tone lighter would help in this circumstance.
"What happened?" the other woman demanded, her voice rising. "The hospital called, said Rachel was here after an attack?"
That really was about the extent of what was known. "We've just started the investigation," Gail explained.
"You're investigating what? The hallway? How comfy the chairs feel?" Holly looked between Gail and Nick. "Aren't you supposed to be doing something?"
Nick stood up and diverted the attempt to draw Gail into an argument. "We're waiting to get a statement from the doctors, or from Rachel, if she's able."
As he spoke, Gail also stood and tried to direct Holly into the chair that she had just vacated. An offer that Holly fully ignored.
Instead, Holly's snapped around to look at Gail, directly meeting her gaze. "What does he mean, 'if'? Why can't she make her own statement?"
"She was unconscious when we found her," Gail explained.
"Unconscious. That means probably a head injury." Holly rubbed at her forehead as she paced a small circuit. "Of course, it could have been something else such as excessive blood loss, maybe a stabbing." She turned to Gail. "Was there a lot of blood? I can't believe I'm asking these questions about Rachel. Do you know if they've got a neurologist in to see her?"
As Gail tried to get Holly to calm down, Nick discretely answered his cell phone, and stepped away from the two women.
Remaining with Holly, realizing what this woman must be going through right now made Gail feel powerless; a feeling she would not have willingly admitted to anyone. She wanted to find a way to offer comfort, but knew that she and Holly no longer had a relationship where that would be appropriate. Instead, she went for facts. Open communication. "It looked like he beat her up, based on the scene."
"Well maybe I should go to the scene. Give them a hand with the investigation. Make sure they're collecting the right evidence."
"Holly?" Gail put a hand on the taller woman's upper arm. "Holly, please, sit."
"I can't." Holly shrugged off the touch and went back to moving. "I need to do something. I need to help."
"Anything you might find would be attacked in court as biased. You know that." Gail was firm in her statements. "Now, please, sit. Can I get you anything?"
"Yeah." Holly shook her head. "No." She slumped into the chair.
"At least you got my text to come down here." Gail's statement was more for her own benefit, as Holly appeared to sink into her own thoughts.
The "hmm?" from Holly reinforced her state.
"My text. I sent you a text. You got it, right?"
"The hospital called me. Said Rachel had been injured on the job."
"Oh." Holly had not received her message. More likely, Holly had not wanted to receive her message. Another indication of how far apart the two had become since Gail had blown up their relationship. She took a seat next to Holly. "You're blocking me." The words were ones that Gail hadn't meant to speak out loud, but she couldn't help herself.
"I'm…" It was clearly going to be an excuse. But it was also clearly the truth. "Yeah."
"Yeah."
The two sat, neither acknowledging the other's presence.
When Nick returned he got Gail's attention with a light touch on the forearm, and nodded his head indicating that they should step further down the hallway.
"Find out anything?" he asked, keeping his tone low.
So many ways to answer that question. Gail found out that her communications were being blocked by Holly. There go any thoughts of reconciliation. She realized being close to Holly again how much she wished she could have changed that night. But about the case in question? "Nothing. She was called because she's Rachel's emergency contact."
"Well, Oliver wants us to get any information from her that we can, so we can contact the victim's family, and then interview the head of hospital security."
It made sense to make use of their time. As they waited, there was no indication that they would be able to speak with Rachel's doctors anytime soon, and no idea of when they might be able to speak with Rachel. "Why don't you question Holly," Gail suggested. "I'll find the security department. Interview the manager. See if we can get any video from the garage."
"You sure?" Nick was trying to do the sensitive thing. Sometimes it even worked for him. "You can stay here, if you want."
Gail took one look back at the woman left sitting alone in the hallway. The woman that Gail really did want. As much as she wasn't known for her willingness to make physical contact with others, Holly Stewart was definitely the one person that she wanted to wrap up in her arms and comfort.
"Yeah. I think it'll be easier if I'm elsewhere." Gail didn't clarify for whom it would be easier.
The plan set, Gail headed towards the information desk to find out where to meet with security.
(to be continued…)