A/N I feel I should make it clear that updates will not generally come in on a daily basis, however in this instance I felt an update could come early, even though it is alarmingly short. Thanks for the follows, the favourites, and the reviews. Also thanks to those who just read it.
Stepping across the threshold into Holly's apartment, Gail took a brief moment to take everything in. The modern style of the apartment fit well with Holly's personality. If Gail had ever taken the time to imagine what the apartment were to look like, it probably wouldn't have been that different.
Bookshelves were packed to bursting wih meticulously organised textbooks and journals. One shelf had a haphazard assortment of novels that looked well loved, the only disorganised part amongst all of the books.
Holly led Gail towards the couch, settling down and patting the space beside her, inviting her to get comfortable. They hadn't spoken a word on the drive from the hospital, Holly choosing to give Gail some time alone with her thoughts.
"Gail, sorry, I'm just wondering if you wanted to take my bed for the night? I can sleep out here."
Holly's attempt to fill what was becoming an overwhelming silence fell on deaf ears. She chose to simply provide the little comfort that she could and softly placed her left hand on Gail's knee, not looking up as she did so.
After some time Holly moved to get up, however at this Gail grabbed her hand, pulling her back down beside her. Holly looked over to her to see tears staining the porcelain skin of her cheeks. Instead Holly reached over and pulled a fleece throw over the both of them, off what she could to the broken woman beside her.
A short snigger broke the silence, as Gail spoke spoke for the first time since at the hospital, "Ha, fleece, I called it! Now where are the backpacks?"
Holly decided not to answer, just smiled over at her and nodded down at the pillow sitting at the end of the couch. Not talking was easy right now, and they both needed easy. To put the day behind them and start fresh.
Morning came too soon for Gail, and with it the reality of what the day meant. Today she was to return to the station where just the day before an officer was shot and left in a critical condition. Today she had to face Holly, in the cold light of day, and explain that the kiss they shared didn't hold the promise of a relationship or anything other than friendship. She would do anything to avoid having that conversation.
She looked to the end of the couch to see Holly sitting up, glasses askew on her face, looking peaceful. Gail knew this was her chance to escape, to get out before Holly woke. She slowly took the blanket off her and slipped her boots on that she had absent-mindedly thrown under the coffee table. She had slept in her uniform, feeling fortunate that she had a spare in her locker at work.
She hadn't performed the walk of shame in some time, however this experience, as she worked to ensure that she left the building without alerting Holly felt eerily similar to those times in her youth.
The chilled air of the Toronto streets helped to clear Gail's mind while she took the short walk to the station from Holly's apartment. The crunch of the snow beneath her boots with each step provided the distraction she needed as she picked up her pace as the station came into view.
She had almost an hour until parade, meaning she had ample time to shower and change her uniform. A Peck couldn't be seen so dishevelled, her mother's words striking her suddenly. Resentment boiled up in her as she undressed, throwing her used uniform into her locker and pulling out the fresh one. She turned the handle of the shower unit to almost scalding hot and stepped beneath the steady stream, letting the stress of the day prior wash away.
As parade drew closer more officers started to fill the change room. Traci came beside Gail at her locker and waited to be acknowledged.
"Yes?" Gail finally broke.
"I just wanted to tell you that Sam is stable, and Dov still hasn't heard anything more about Chloe."
"Look, I'm sorry. Thanks for telling me." Gail diverted her eyes from Traci as she said, "And Oliver?"
Traci paused briefly, taking a sharp breath in, "He is... worse. They say he suffered a closed traumatic brain injury and has reduced cognitive awareness. I was told to pass it on."
The mood in parade was somber, the evidence of yesterday's events still present throughout the station. Frank reminded them that today was like any other day. They had a job to perform, and they were down officers, so they had to be even more alert.
As Gail rushed to her squad after receiving her assignment her phone vibrated against her thigh. She unlocked the vehicle and as she waited for Diaz to catch up she pulled out her cell.
Holly, 08.08 - So, you left this morning without waking me. Are we meeting for lunch?
Gail chose to ignore the text for now, instead doubling and triple checking her side and rear view mirrors until Diaz arrived.
Chris stepped into the passenger side of the squad, nodding a hello at Gail. he looked gaunt, probably a reflection of Gail's condition. Dispatch came through alerting them to a domestic disturbance nearby.
"15-27, responding."
How about that peer assessment?