"This, I must say, I did not expect from man-eater Gail Peck" Traci offered.
Gail raised her eyebrows in response. "If you didn't expect it then how do you think I feel?"
Traci and Gail always confided in each other on some sort of level. Sure, most of the time Traci would keep on pressing until Gail finally gave, but it was never just to know her business, it was because she genuinely cared for Gail as a friend and Gail was able to see that. When Gail began to blame herself for Jerry's death, it was Traci who tried to reassure her that his death meant something; that he died for something important. As time went on and Steve began pestering her, Gail encouraged her to get back on the horse and give it a shot. She tolerated her on her cold days and even on her icy ones, knowing that as much as Gail didn't like being expressive, talking to Traci gave her whatever release she needed and she knew that she could do so without being judged. Their friendship was one that came together simply and only grew stronger over the years.
"Soooo how did you, I mean, when did you decide th-"
"That I like like Holly?" Gail cut in.
"That you like like Holly"
Gail recalled the countless times she spent with the pathologist. In the lab, the wedding, the batting cages, times when they would spend half an hour together to buy lunch and then be back to their separate fields of work. She never really thought of WHEN she started falling for Holly, she just knew that at some point she let her into her life and instead of trying to drive her out she wanted her to stay. She became so open with Holly that it had been obvious she was special. Then she remembered something Chris had told her 'There is no way you'd let anyone get close enough to do anything unless you wanted them to'. He was right; all of the time spent with Holly made her realize that she wouldn't want it to be any other way. There was no specific reason, all Gail knew was that she was happy and she hadn't felt that way in a long time. "It's confusing, I don't know. I just sort of knew...I guess you know when you know...She makes me happy and she's weird and smart and I like that" Gail concluded quickly, seeing that her date was walking back to the table with Steve. She smiled widely at Holly. "What have you brought me ma' lady?" she asked, seeing that it wasn't the tequila that she really wanted.
Holly and Steve shuffled back into the booth. "I've brought thou a beer" she said. "No tequila because...well you already know why" she threw in, knowing that Gail would question the whereabouts of her desired preference.
Steve jumped into the conversation. "I'm not entirely sure what that's about, and I don't think I want to" Holly chuckled at his response, shaking her head.
"So Gail, I was actually just telling Holly that you used to have these really, super cute chubby cheeks when you were younger and-OW" Gail swung at his arm, expressing her embarrassment of the memory.
"Hey Gail, so if I bought two beers and I buy two more, that's 22 right?" Holly burst into laughter and high-fived Steve, the both of them earning a look of death from Gail.
-I'M SORRY BUT I NEED TO CUT IN AND SAY THAT ALIYAH (HOLLY) JUST TWEETED AT ME OK PRETTY HAPPY SORRY -
The two couples respectively said their good-byes and parted ways. As Gail got into Holly's car her phone buzzed. It was a text from Steve.
Steve: Don't mess it up, kid.
Gail smiled to herself. Steve was always there for her; ever since they were little she knew that she could count on him. Unlike many others, he saw past her bluff and sure, it could have just been because they were related, but she liked to think of it as a true understanding. She cared for him just as much as he cared for her and now that he was with Traci, someone else she cared about, she couldn't be happier for him. Her fingers tapped away at her phone.
Gail: Shut up. Don't tell mom yet dumbo or I'll make sure Traci doesn't see you again…Don't hurt her either, I like her.
Holly had asked Gail how to get to her house and she followed the directions she was given. The majority of the ride had been made up of small talk and the enjoyment of silence.
Holly turned into the driveway and turned the car off. For a few moments they sat facing each other, eyes on one another and neither of them saying a word until Gail nervously broke the silence.
"I uh, I had fun tonight sooo thanks for coming with me and not letting me be third wheel" Her hand reached for the door handle and she began to pull on it, but suddenly she stopped herself. She turned back to face Holly and spit out what was in her thoughts. "Listen, I know it's past one and we both have to go in tomorrow, but Dov is at Chloe's and Chris left for Timmins to visit Christian an-"
"Yes" Holly interrupted too eagerly, also realising that Gail was nervous.
They both shared sincere smiles and walked towards the door. As they walked, Holly had noticed Gail clenching and unclenching her fists.
She wondered why she of all people had been the one to make her nervous, but also pondered how many other people Gail brought home.
"Stop" Holly said, grabbing both of Gail's hands.
Gail looked at Holly and took a deep breath. She knew that Holly could tell that the nerves were already kicking in.
"It's just that, usually I end up at their house, not mine" Gail spit out. There really was no other reason for this except for the fact that she never let anyone close enough to even be considered good enough to get so close.
"Trust me" she said. Holly leaned forward and tenderly kissed Gail's lips.
Gail rummaged through the liquor cabinet. "I know we have tequila somewhere…Where the hell did Dov put it…oh, I think, here it is!" With a large grin on her face she pulled the bottle from under the counter, and began twisting off the lid. Suddenly Holly's hands had grabbed the bottle.
She stood in front of Gail and raised her eyebrows questioningly. "Did you forget that you can't have any?" she said, waving the tequila in the air.
At first, Gail didn't know what she wanted more, the drink that she had been asking for all day or the woman opposite to her wearing a shirt that clearly complimented her chest. The look on Gail's face turned from excited under-aged teen to sweltering sultry in a matter of seconds. She took a few steps forward, closing the space between her and Holly. Gail leaned forward, grabbing the bottle to replace on the table and moved her mouth next to Holly's ear. Seductively, she whispered "How long are you going to make me wait?" Clearly, a question to a completely different topic.
Holly couldn't move, literally because Gail was pressed up against her and her back was against the table, but also because her mind wasn't telling her what to do. Gail was intoxicating.
"Speechless are you nerd?" she continued, slowly tracing kisses onto Holly's neck.
Holly's mind was completely clouded. The only thing that she managed to get out was Gail's name when she exhaled. Her hands moved to Gail's waist where her shirt had ridden up, showing her bare hips.
Gail couldn't hold it anymore, a smile crept onto her face and she began to laugh. "Bedroom's this way dork, don't get too excited yet" she said, taking Holly's hand and leading her down the hall.