A/N: Two updates in less than a year! Don't get too excited I only have one other chapter partially completed... but here's to hoping I'll have more soon. Thank you to everyone still reading and commenting! Really appreciate the feedback and knowing people are still interested in this story. not proofread or beta read, all mistakes mine.

Gail dropped to the ground and she and her fellow officers instructed everyone to get down.

When the shots stopped, the sounds of tires skirting away could be heard. Gail was the first one up and ran outside to see if she could see the car and to check on Holly. By the time Gail got outside the car was already gone, and Holly was turning over dusting her hands off on her jeans.

Gail dropped to Holly and looked her over, "You ok?! You hit?! Babe?"

Holly shook her head, "No, No I'm fine. I'm ok."

Gail helped Holly up and turned around noticing the bullet holes in the framing of the bar, just inches from where Holly had last been standing. Gail pulled Holly to her and held on to her, clutching her back and holding her tight.

Chole and Dov where checking in with the other patrons of the bar and making sure no one was injured while Chris and Andy were talking with dispatch.

Moments later there were a flurry of patrol cars, officers, and detectives on scene. Gail was standing next to Holly as she gave her statement when she heard another car skid to a stop.

Gail instinctively pushed Holly behind her and turned to the sound ready to take action if needed.

When the figure ran up closer to the light she could see it was Tanner.

As he made it to the curb the uniforms stopped him. The more they stopped him the angrier he got. "Yo get your fucking hands off me! That's my sister, and I'm going to see if she's ok. Get off me!"

Gail squeezed Holly's hand and went over, "You can let him through."

The uniforms looked at Gail and shrugged, "It's on you Peck."

Gail rolled her eyes and lifted the tape, "Come on."

Tanner glared at the other uniforms, sending a chill down their spines. Tanner thanked Gail but she was quickly forgotten once his eyes landed on Holly.

Tanner beelined for Holly and pulled her into a hug. He slowly pulled away and checked her over again for any wounds. Tanner pulled Holly back into a hug and whispered into her ear, "Poindexter, please. You can't stay, it's not safe."

Holly pulled back, looked to Gail and whispered back, "I'm staying. I'm not going to run while you two are both in danger."

Tanner kissed Holly's head, "I'm going to make this right."

Tanner was about to walk away when Steve arrived, "Well look here. Are you going to be at all of our crime scenes or just the ones with the good doctor here? "

Tanner's nose flared, "What the fuck are you implying?"

Steve shrugged, "Nothing nothing. Just want to see if I should give you a badge or at least some clearance since you seem to be around all the time now."

Tanner stepped forward towards Steve, "Maybe I should get some clearance around here. Cause from what I can see, someone just took quite a few shots at my sister, outside of a cop bar. Seems the force isn't really protecting and serving all too well huh. Maybe I should be around more to make sure the people are actually safe."

Holly placed her hand on Tanner's, "Don't. Go home, please. I'll see you tomorrow. Promise."

Tanner gave Holly one last hug and walked back to his car driving off.

Holly turned to Steve, "Detective Peck, if you continue to harass and make defamatory remarks about my brother I won't hesitate to take action. And trust me that is not something you want."

Holly then walked away to her car, Gail following close behind.

Gail called Holly's name and took her hand, "Hols, I'm sorry. Steve is being an ass. I'll talk to Oliver and Trace tomorrow."

Holly released a breath of frustration, "Tanner would never hurt me. I don't know why Steve has such a hard time understanding that. Tanner would never shoot at me."

Gail pulled Holly into another embrace and stroked her back, 'I know."

Holly breathed in Gail's scent and kissed her cheek, "You're the best, you know that?"

Gail smiled, "I know, but it doesn't suck hearing it again from you."

Holly rolled her eyes and placed a kiss to Gail's lips, "I love you."

Gail smiled, "I love you."

Holly pulled back, "I think I'm finished here, and I think this has been enough excitement for me for one night, I'm gonna go home."

Gail nodded, "Ok, I have to give my statement and make sure everyone inside is ok. I'll probably be here a while. So I'll catch a ride with Dov to the frat house."

Holly frowned, "I hate not having you in bed with me."

Gail kissed Holly, "I hate not being in bed with you."

Gail then pulled back and opened Holly's door for her, "come on, in you get. It's been a long night. Call me when you get home, please."

Holly nodded, "I will."

Holly gave Gail a final kiss before closing the door and driving off.

Gail watched as Holly's taillights rounded the corner and disappeared.

Gail then stormed over to Steve, "Steven! What the hell is your problem!? Tanner is Holly's brother, and as much as you might hate that fact, he's the only one talking to anyone at 15. You accuse him of murder and now for attempted murder of his sister?! Are you being blinded by your vendetta or are you just dense?!"

Steve threw his hands in the air, "Why are you so defensive, for him of all people?! Tanner is a gang leader, point blank."

Gail shook her head, "He's also my girlfriends brother. And if you haven't noticed A) Tanner wasn't anywhere near this place. If he was he would have been either stopped and questioned or arrested by one of the 50 beat cops in the area, who you conveniently have been in the ear of. And B) if this is some gang war why would he try and kill his sister? Those bullets above the door frame and all along the wall were meant for Holly. So maybe instead of finding a reason to arrest Tanner, do your fucking job, and figure out who murdered DJ and attempted to murder Holly, and go fucking arrest them!"

Gail felt nauseous after what she just said, 'attempted to murder Holly'. Someone tried to kill Holly tonight, and only by fast reflexes and luck was Holly unharmed.

Holly kept her promise and called Gail once she arrived home, and again just before she got into bed for the night.

Unfortunately for Holly sleep never came. Her mind rolled over the case, the evidence, the suspects, the motive; and as hard as she tried she couldn't figure out where DJ, or herself, really fit into this whole scenario.

Neither she nor DJ were involved with that life, they lived around it but not by choice. It just was what it was, and it was inescapable.

Holly continued to lay awake thinking of the case. Then just as her mind succumbed to the fact that she had no new answers, she remembered that she was shot at just a few hours ago. Holly froze at the thought and a chill went down her spine. She could have died tonight and Gail would have been there to witness it, Tanner would have to ID her body. Holly's throat tightened at the thought.

After another 45minutes of staring at the ceiling Holly gave up on sleep and decided to shower and get dressed. If she was going to be up all night she might as well be productive and get some work done.

Holly was waiting on the lab results from her latest case when her phone rang, not looking at the caller ID Holly answered, "Dr. Stewart".

On the end of the call Gail frowned, "You're at work already?"

Holly winced, "Hey babe, yeah. Decided to get an early start on the day."

Gail paused, "How long have you been there Holly?"

Not realizing the current time Holly absentmindedly said, "since like 2:45."

There was then beeping in the background and Holly rolled to the machine, "One second babe."

Holly read through the results and added the findings to her notes, and placed the paperwork into the folder for the detectives.

"Sorry, was finishing up some lab work for the detectives out of 27."

"Holly you've been there for 5 hours already! Did you get any sleep?", Gail asked.

Holly sighed, "No."

Gail softened her voice, "Hols.."

Holly took off her glasses and signed, "I know. I know. I just.. my mind wouldn't stop and I wasn't getting any sleep anyway. So I figured I might as well be productive in my insomnia."

Gail looked at the clock and got out of bed, "I'll be there in 30 minutes."

Holly looked at the clock, "But you're not supposed to be working until this afternoon."

Gail started getting dressed, "Well I'll come hang out and before you go home you can drop me off at 15 so I can start my shift."

Holly went to protest, "Gail…"

Gail cut her off, "You're not working a full day with no sleep. I don't care that you're the only pathologist in a 200 mile radius. You need to take care of yourself."

Holly huffed and while she was annoyed at being told 'no' and scolded, her heart warmed at the caring nature of the scolding. "Fine. But bring bagels."

Gail smiled as she slipped her shirt on, "Everything with cream cheese. You got it."

Gail hung up and finished getting dressed. Since Dov was on a earlier shift he was already awake and getting ready, "Drop me off at the morgue when you go in? And we can get bagels."

Dov blinked but nodded figuring the demand had something to do with Holly.

Gail nodded to Dov in thanks as she exited the car outside of the morgue. With the bagels and coffee in hand she spotted a black car with tinted windows sitting across the street. Something in her bones told her that the car was told to sit there and keep watch of Holly, by Tank. Despite the gang member watching her girlfriend Gail felt a bit more relaxed knowing someone other than her was keeping an eye on Holly.

Gail stared at the car and nodded slightly before walking into the morgue.

Gail greeted Earl at the security desk and walked back to Holly's office. Holly had her back to the door and was filing papers in the cabinet. Holly bent down and Gail 'hmmm'ed in appreciation.

Holly quickly turned around and smirked noticing Gail standing in the doorway. Holly stood and walked over to Gail giving her a kiss and grabbing the bags that were in her hands.

Gail took a seat next to Holly as they dug into their breakfast. Gail was about to ask Holly if she was ok when Holly's phone rang.

Holly sighed, "Dr. Stewart… Yes. Ok. Don't touch anything, I'm on my way, email me the address. "

Holly rubbed her eyes, "Duty calls."

Gail worriedly looked over Holly, "Are you sure none of the techs can handle this? You've had a crazy couple days and you haven't slept."

Holly smiled and cupped Gail's jaw, "I am the forensic pathologist. I have to be there. I promise I'll go home right after we finish at the scene." Gail placed a kiss on the inside of Holly's wrist.

Holly grabbed the rest of her things and locked her computer, while Gail cleaned up their bagels and coffee.

"Do you want me to drop you off at 15, or do you want to ride with me to the scene?", Holly asked.

Gail shrugged, "I'll go to the scene and get a ride back."

Holly nodded and tilted her head towards the door telling Gail to head out so she could lock up.

Once in the car Holly grabbed the address and plugged it into her GPS. When Holly added the address she paused and looked at Gail, "This is the club in Regent Park. Gavin's club."

Holly quickly threw her Jeep into drive and headed over to the club.