Gail and Holly checked their coats and walked into where most of the precinct had already gathered, except for those who had to work on Halloween.

This was Holly's first chance to really get to know Gail's friends. Sure, she'd seen all of them dozens of times at the precinct and gotten to know them a little, but normally she was bringing bad news or just there to see Gail. And she'd talked to people at the wedding that she'd accompanied Gail to but this was her first party as Gail's girlfriend. Also, Halloween was her favourite occasion so she thought it was the perfect time to get to know everyone better. For Holly, Halloween was a night when people could be anything that they wanted and you got to see a side to people that you don't see the rest of the year. A chance for everyone to get out of their normal box, get a little crazy, and have fun.

"Ughghgh," Gail groaned.

"What?"

"There's so many people here and they're all so happy in their dumb costumes. It's like an overload of good feelings. I need a drink to deal with all of… this."

"Hmm," Holly raised an eyebrow, "I'm thinking tequila shots will dull the pain of seeing people be so happy."

"And this is why you're awesome."

"I know," Holly grabbed Gail's hand and led her through the crowd.

At first the bartender began to hit on Holly a little, but Gail made if very clear by kissing Holly that they were there together and this guy had no chance. It was Holly's first time seeing Gail get really jealous. It was nice to know that Gail liked her so much, even though she really had nothing to worry about with this guy, or any guys for that matter.

A couple shots for Holly and maybe a couple more than needed for Gail, when they decided it was time to start being social. When they turned around from the bar they both laid eyes on the same costumed pair.

"Oh wow! That's amazing. Look at them!" When Holly didn't get a response she looked at Gail beside her. Gail's eyes were twinkling with wonder and she had a massive mischievous grin that nearly swallowed her face.

"Gail? Earth to Gail."

"Wha… yeah, sorry… look. It's so perfect. There's like a year's worth of making fun of them in just those costumes. Chris is so tall and kinda muscley and then Dov is small and skinny. Too good. They're dressed as Batman and Robin."

There was no time for Holly to say anything; Gail was already dragging her to where Chris and Dov were standing with Traci.

"Hey Holly, nice to see you here with Gail. And that is a great Star Trek costume. Much better than the one that I wore as kid," said Chris with a look of admiration.

"Agreed, great costume. Wait, let me guess," said Dov, "Voyager. Janeway."

"Yeah that's right. Thanks guys. It's nice that someone here knows who I'm dressed as," Holly glanced at Gail.

Traci and Gail exchanged shrugs.

"And Gail is… Let me see," said Dov, "A soul crushing, brain eating zombie. AKA, Gail dressed as her personality."

Gail crossed her arms, "Oh ha ha. That's so funny. But from where I'm standing, you're in no place to make fun of my costume."

Chris and Dov broke out into superhero poses, which they had obviously been practicing. They looked like they were straight out of a movie or comic book.

"Well I think you guys look amazing," said Holly and Traci nodded in agreement.

"Thanks," said Chris, "Every year we have costumes that go together. I would say this year is probably our best. But the one year where I dressed as Wolverine and Dov dressed as young Charles Xavier, that was pretty good too… And Gail, don't listen to Dov, you've got one of the best zombie costumes I've ever seen."

"Uh, thanks Chris," said Gail to the back of Chris' head. Dov was dragging him away to go talk to whoever had just entered the bar.

"He's right Gail," said Traci, "I expected like Marilyn Monroe or something, but you pull off zombie pretty well. But, not gonna lie, Holly in that uniform thing is kind of outshining you right now. Damn"

"Well, you know, I try," Holly grinned, "I love your costume too, it's so colourful and your wings are all shiny."

"Yeah, yours isn't really what I was expecting either. I thought I'd see really sexy Traci tonight but you're mostly covered up. It's like child friendly or something… So what's with the fairy costume?" said Gail.

"Well I took Leo out before coming here. I am a mom, remember?" Gail just shrugs like 'what' and Traci continues, "This year he dressed up like Peter Pan. He looked so cute. I think that I took a hundred pictures… ugh… Anyways, he wouldn't let me take him around trick-or-treating if I wasn't dressed a fairy."

"That's really cute," said Holly, "I want to see the pictures next time I come into the precinct."

"Deal," said Traci with a big smile, "And Gail I know this costume wasn't as sexy as you were expecting but your brother seems to be really into it. We have big plans for it tonight. There's a few things that we want…"

"No. No. Stop. Ewww. Too much information. I don't want to know what you're doing with Steve in the bedroom. Ugh… gag," Gail made a disgusted face.

"Hmmm…gagging…," Traci smirked.

"Nooo! Images seared into my mind. I'm scarred for life now. Thanks a lot Traci."

Holly was laughing so hard that she had to wipe away a few tears, but stopped when Gail gave her a look, "What? It's hilarious. You pushed Traci into getting with Steve and now she's going to torture you by talking about their sexcapades. It's like you set yourself up for it."

Gail didn't want to admit it but she had nothing to say to that, there was no witty comeback. So she crossed her arms and looked around the room, hoping to see something or someone to change the subject… Spotted, Oliver already working his way through the crowd towards them.

"Hey, hey ladies," said Oliver as he did a weird nod thing. Clearly he was already a little buzzed, if not tipsy, "Nash, if I saw you then I'm supposed to tell you that Noelle is looking for you but I have no idea where she is now so good luck with that."

"Thanks for that I guess. I'll go look for her now. And by the way Oliver, nice nonexistent costume," Traci patted Oliver's shoulder on her way past him.

Oliver yelled out over the music to her, "Actually I am wearing a costume. It's subtle and hilarious."

"I'm with Traci," said Holly, "you don't look like you've dressed up at all."

"Seriously Oliver did you dress up at all? Even I dressed up," Gail gestured to her makeup, "Is it because you're getting a bit older now? Did you forget to put on your costume before coming here and now you're just pretending it was your plan the whole time? Admit it."

"Read the nametag," said Oliver.

"Hello my name is: homicidal maniac," said Gail with a confused look.

Holly gasped, "Yes. Oh my god that is amazing."

"I think that I'm missing something here," Gail said still puzzled.

"You really had a weird sheltered life growing up didn't you," said Holly.

"Wait till you meet my mom. Then you will understand," Gail sighed, "If there wasn't some kind of justice in a show or movie then I usually didn't get to watch it. And no, vigilante justice didn't count so I didn't know all about even the Ninja Turtles until I started living with Batman and Robin over there."

"Every time you talk about her, you make me more excited to meet her. She sounds like such a lovely woman," said Holly sarcastically.

"Seriously, good luck when you meet her. She's one of the most intimidating people I've ever met. I will be rooting for you… And bringing it back to me," Oliver turned the attention back to himself, "It's an Addams Family reference. At the end of the movie it's Halloween, Wednesday dresses in her normal clothes. When she's asked what she's dressed as she says…"

In her excitement, Holly got to it before Oliver could, "she says in the most matter of fact way 'I'm a homicidal maniac. They look just like everyone else.'"

Holly and Oliver high-fived.

"It's classic," said Oliver.

"I get it, but it seems pretty lame," Gail said.

"You just need to see the movies. Then you'll think my costume is awesome," said Oliver full of confidence, "And I love the costume that my favourite lady of the evening has chosen."

"Ummm thanks," said Gail.

"No not you, Peck. Holly's costume. I'm a bit of a trekkie myself you know."

"I did not know that and thanks," said Holly quite happy that Gail's precinct had a lot of nerds in it, "It took me a while to find the right one."

"The search was worth it… And Peck, you are dressed as… hmmm… give me a moment… got it. You are a zombie, but I'm thinking that you're no regular zombie. You're not in it for eating the brains, you have a more refined taste, if you know what I mean."

"You're not too subtle so yeah we get it Oliver," said Gail dryly.

Oliver tried to make a winking face but it just looked weird. The alcohol was really kicking in.

"Yes. Thanks Oliver, we got it," Gail smiled and looked over to Holly, "I told you he'd say something like that."

"You called it. I'll give you that. And by the way he's gone," Holly gestured to the space that Oliver had just occupied. He was somewhere out in the crowd now. It looked to Holly like he was on the hunt for finger foods, like a drunk vulture.

"Well that's drunk Oliver for you. Somehow more weird than regular Oliver and a lot more inappropriate. Drunk Oliver makes a lot of his appearances when Oliver isn't living at home with his family," said Gail.

"Oh, that's a little depressing," Holly frowned.

"Nope. What's depressing is that I still can't get images of Steve and Traci doing weird kinky things with that fairy costume out of my head," Gail shuddered.

"I know just how to take your mind of it," Holly offered her hand to Gail, "may I escort you to the dance floor."

"On one condition," said Gail, "We go the long way and make a stop at the bar where I can drink enough that I won't care who sees me dancing."

"Sounds like a plan," said Holly as she took Gail's hand.

They danced. They drank. They mingled. They danced some more. A very happy Gail and Holly danced and drank their way through the rest of the night, not stopping until the houselights came up.