Sorry this chapter took so long. It kind of got away from me and ended up being waaay longer than planned. Also, just a warning this chapter is rated M. But if that isn't your cup of tea just skip over the last bit of the chapter.
Standard Disclaimers apply, I don't own the characters or Rookie Blue.
Chapter Three
Gail listened to the casual conversations happening around her while the all gathered in the munitions locker to get their service weapons for the day. She wasn't really listening, she was too distracted to actually care what they were talking about. Her mind still circling around Holly having to leave in the middle of the night and how much that bothered her. She wasn't angry, she understood that sometimes in the jobs that they did weird hours were to be expected and emergencies to come up. Gail understood that on a cognitive level. But that didn't stop it from sucking any less. She woke up to an empty bed that Holly was supposed to be in.
"Gail? You okay? You look off." It was Dov who finally pointed it out to Gail as they were lining up to test fire their guns.
"I'm fine." Gail replied instinctively. The words were too familiar, she'd said them enough times that usually they came out before she could even think about it.
"Everything okay with Holly?" He pressed. She knew he was just trying to be a friend so Gail tried to temper back the retort that was so ready to be spat out.
"She got called into work last night." Gail offered knowing that he was not going to give in if she didn't tell him.
"That's rough." Chris chimed in.
"Wait a minute! You're sleeping at Holly's now?" Andy exclaimed louder than was necessary given the small room and several other officers turned and looked at them. Gail blushed a deep red and glared at Andy.
"Jesus McNally! Does the concept of privacy mean anything to you?" Gail demanded.
"Sorry. I just didn't know your relationship had gotten to that point." Andy said with the decency to look actually contrite for her complete lack of discretion.
"Why would you know?" Gail countered her eyes narrowing.
"We're friends. Friends tell each other things." Andy mumbled looking away nervously. Maybe she had overestimated how much Gail had forgiven her. Gail didn't know why she suddenly took pity on the brunette.
"We aren't. I just spend the night over there some times. To be close to her. That's all." Openness was new to Gail. And if she was completely honest it wasn't always easy, and often times was like trying to swim against a harsh current. Her first thought was always to close up. Most people trusted their friends when it came to things like feelings and relationships. Andy liked to tell anyone who would listen about her relationships and how she felt. But that wasn't how Gail operated. She liked to keep things close to the vest.
"That's really sweet."
"Yeah. So is sharing time over? We're going to be late for parade."
Gail Peck 10:08am: This is all your fault.
Holly Stewart 10:09am: What's my fault?
Gail Peck 10:11am: Dov and Chris know that I've spent the night at your place and now it's all over the station.
Holly Stewart 10:15am: Sorry?
Gail Peck 10:15am: Make it up to me with lunch.
Holly Stewart 10:16am: Deal
Holly's gaze lingered on her phone as she played over the conversation that had just transpired between her and Gail. It amazed her how just a short conversation with Gail could bring a smile to her face and make her stomach flutter with excitement. Gail did that to her. Made her feel like a giddy school girl. It was a nice break from what she was having to deal with on her autopsy table. She'd finished the autopsy and sent the necessary samples out and she was writing up her reports.
Looking at the details of her notes, every detail the exact same as the first one. It was textbook. And there was nothing, no evidence she could find, no fibers, nothing that stood out that might help them find who was doing this. It frustrated her, she was good at solving puzzles. She was one of the best in fact. Hours went by and she looked over every detail again and again until she could recite it by memory.
"How can you still look that good after getting so little sleep?" Looking up from the files Holly saw Gail leaning casually against the doorway of the lab. For the first time in hours Holly smiled.
"A Gail Peck compliment? Wow. Be still my beating heart." Holly said locking her computer and standing up excited to be leaving her lab if even for just a minute.
"Well if that's the response I'm going to get when I give you one. Then it'll be the last compliment you get." Gail pushed off the door and walked into the lab determined to give her girlfriend a proper greeting. She'd surveyed the lab when she got there and noted that they were alone. Looping her arms around Holly's waist pulling the brunette towards her.
"Somehow I doubt that." Holly said with a smile drawing comfort from Gail's presence.
"You're probably right. So, I realized something about this morning when you left." There was a mischievous hint in Gail's tone that made Holly's smile grow.
"What's that?"
"You didn't give me a kiss goodbye. So the way I figure it you owe me two kisses. One to make up for the goodbye kiss I didn't get, and a proper hello kiss. Oh and they better be good too."
"I haven't had many complaints about my kisses so I can promise I'll do my best." Holly replied playfully bringing her hand up to cradle the back of Gail's neck and guide the blonde towards her.
The seconds that it took for their lips to meet felt like a small eternity. But then their lips touched and time didn't matter anymore. It could have stopped or it could have sped up Gail wasn't sure which. Gail's senses exploded with everything Holly. The way she felt, warm and firm against her own body. Holly's scent, traces of cinnamon and citrus with the faintest hint of disinfectant. Holly felt her back collide against her desk as Gail pressed closer to her.
"If we're going to spend our entire lunch break making out we should move this to my office." Holly insisted once they broke apart.
"As tempting as that is. I think that I should get you some food. You have been up since 2am. I doubt you've had more than coffee and I happen to like my girlfriend not passing out." The concern that Gail was showing warmed Holly's heart knowing that Gail cared. And that it wasn't common for Gail to show such concern for people.
"Is it wrong that I'd rather spend the time making out?" Truly conflicted over the issue Holly couldn't decide which should take precedence. Of course, the logical answer would be to eat something. Gail was right she hadn't eaten since she'd returned to the lab. And she was starving. But kissing Gail, just being with Gail also felt like a biological need.
"There will be plenty of time for that tonight after shift. Come on, let me buy you lunch."
"I thought I was supposed to be buying you lunch for the ridicule you had to endure." Holly followed Gail out of the lab keenly aware that Gail hadn't let go of her hand as they walked.
"We can just say you owe me one. Plus, it was totally worth it."
Lunch was just what Holly needed to help clear her head of the case that would have otherwise driven her insane. Sitting with Gail at a small table at a local café listening to Gail's day, different things happening at 15th division. They didn't talk about the case. Gail had a million questions, there were whispers going around the division about the possibility of it being a serial killer. Everyone was buzzing with gossip about it, if there was going to be a task force, who would be on the task force. There wasn't a single person who wasn't trying to suck up in some way to Traci and Luke to see if they would pick them. Holly had heard Traci talking about how many cups of coffee she'd been brought that morning alone by different uniforms.
"Chloe's coming back tomorrow. It's her first shift back." Gail said as they were finishing their lunch. Holly knew that Chloe wasn't Gail's favorite person but Gail was still concerned for her.
"That's exciting. How about Sam?"
"Andy says that he's still a week or two out from being cleared for duty."
"Still, he was lucky. They both were."
"Yeah. I don't want to think about what would have happened if they hadn't pulled through." Holly watched a cloud cross over Gail's face as the thought swept her up. Holly knew that Gail cared so deeply for the people she worked with. Even the people that she declared that she hated. If they hurt, Gail hurt with them. It was just how Gail was. And it was a pity that most of them didn't even know that.
"But they did. And soon you'll be back to riding with Chloe and having to deal with her talking your ear off." Holly teased seeing a grimace replace the sadness.
"On second thought, maybe she isn't ready. She should rest more right?"
After lunch Gail walked Holly back to the lab, she would be late back but she didn't care. She couldn't pull herself away from Holly. Only sad part was that there were lab tech's around when they returned so any hope of Gail getting another kiss before she went was thrown out the window. Instead they settled for a brief hug and a more than lingering look before Gail left the lab to return to work.
"Dr. Stewart the lab found something interesting." Zach said once Holly had pulled her lab coat back on and sat at her work station. The young assistant looked nervous as he held the file in front of him, his gaze darting around nervously.
"What did they find?" Holly asked pulling the file from his hands before he could hold it out to her. Her eyes skimmed the content of the report and then she looked at him her gaze was piercing. "This report was done almost thirty minutes ago. Why didn't you call me?"
"You were on lunch with Officer Peck." He stammered. In the time that he had been working with Holly he'd never had the brunette snap at him before.
"I don't care who I was having lunch with. Something like this, you interrupt me." Holly said lifting her phone to her ear, it was already mid ring and she was waiting for Traci to pick up.
"Sorry Dr. Stewart."
"Ilex aquifolium." Holly said holding out a photo of it for Traci and Luke to look at.
"Commonly known as holly?" Traci asked looking up from the photo.
"Toxicology came back and found that there were traces of the berries in the victim's stomach. The toxin carried in the plant isn't enough to be fatal. But it's enough to cause vomiting, general intestinal upset, the victim wouldn't have felt very good for a couple of days leading up to death." Holly explained seeing the gears turning in the detective's minds.
"So the killer makes them eat the berries before killing them. Some kind of ritualistic last meal or something?"
"That's not all. The heart is covered in spores from the plant. We didn't notice it on the first body because they are so tiny and we hadn't been looking for it. I'm having the lab re-run the toxicology on the first victim to see if it also contains holly."
"Any word back on the heart?"
"Belongs to the first victim. Cut the same way, the heart definitely does not belong to the woman currently on my autopsy table. DNA analysis confirms that it belongs to John Doe."
"What is the significance of the plant?"
"Maybe it will help narrow down where these murders are happening. What do we know about holly?"
"I'm not a botanist but I know that this particular species of the plant is native to Europe. It would need to be cultivated here if it was expected to thrive. With it being so far away from Christmas there isn't a whole lot of demand for the plant." Holly offered. She didn't need to stick around but since she hadn't been dismissed and they seemed to all be tossing ideas around she thought it would be a good idea to stay. See if she could help in some way. If not gain some sort of insight as to what the detectives knew.
"So we'll pull up any companies or private growers who grow this stuff and see if we can find a link."
Once Luke retreated to his desk already pulling up their search query. Traci turned her attention to Holly, the two women looked equally exhausted and were working on about the same amount of sleep. They had both been working pretty much nonstop since they had gotten the call with a wave of her hand Traci and Holly ventured out of the detective offices and walked to the coffee maker.
"This case is driving me crazy." Traci commented leaning against a nearby desk and looking at Holly. Holly accepted the cup of coffee and took a generous sip. It was bitter, and it was strong, both of which Holly didn't usually like in her coffee but she needed it if she hoped to survive the day.
"I'm sorry I can't help more." Holly offered.
"No, Holly you're doing great. You're doing the best you can and have given us a lot of information that could lead us somewhere." Traci reassured resting her hand on Holly's arm.
"Thanks."
"We're going to find him right?" Traci asked looking at Holly hopefully. Traci was still new to homicides, she'd handled a few but they had never been like this. Holly's entire career revolved around solving murders. Traci needed Holly to tell her that they would catch the guy that was doing this.
"They make mistakes eventually. Leave a hair or a fiber for us to find and then we're able to track down something about them. We just need him to make a mistake."
"What if he doesn't?"
"Then we pour over the evidence again, and again until we find something we missed. No murder is perfect. We've already found the holly. Hopefully that leads to something."
"One more and it's considered a serial." Holly didn't know if Traci was talking to herself or if she was trying to see what Holly felt about it.
"We don't know that yet. Let's just hope it doesn't get that far. I should get back to the lab."
"You should go home and get some sleep." Traci's tone had switched from professional to personal. She saw how Holly looked and it didn't look like just lack of sleep. It was something deeper rooted than sleep deprivation.
"I won't get any sleep. Might as well be at the lab getting something productive done. I'll see if I can get forensics to isolate anything unique about the plant. Maybe they can find a specific soil marker or something." Holly offered starting to walk away.
"They can do that?"
"Oh yeah, my guys can do anything."
"Good to know."
They didn't have to wait long until another body showed up. A week. And this body came with the added benefit of the press. Third body that turned up, strange circumstances of the death and no arrests caused a lot of attention. When Holly arrived at the scene there was a row of news vans and reporters standing just outside the yellow tape talking into their microphones. She'd dealt with this one before she knew to avoid eye contact and trust that the cops on the perimeter would do their job and keep the reporters from her. She just needed to do her job. Dov and Nick were managing to keep the more unruly of reporters from ducking under the tape but that didn't stop the slew of demanding questions that were being shouted at her.
"It's a circus up there." Holly commented when she came to the crime scene. Holly wished that the sight of the body surprised her but it looked like the other two. To the untrained eye, from a distance it would appear that the victim was sleeping. But Holly knew by the color on his face that he was dead.
"Yeah, there will be no stopping this now." Luke commented looking over his shoulder and seeing the different flashbulbs going off.
"Always wanted to be a celebrity." Holly offered dryly kneeling down next to the body. Conducting the initial report Holly reached out with her gloved fingers along the inside of the shirt pulling it aside to see the incision. It looked like the others. Angry and red. But all the blood had been washed away.
The victim was a man, early twenties, he might not have even turned twenty yet. And he looked every bit his age with a sweet looking baby face. His clothes were proper, white button up shirt that had once been ironed and starched to look perfect and black slacks. Professional looking. He'd come from work when he was taken. Holly felt a strong swell of sadness at the thought, getting off work, excited to be able to start his real life maybe go visit his girlfriend or come home to her. And then he was taken and cut up while he was still alive to feel every bit of pain. The thought made her stomach twist violently and for a moment Holly wasn't sure if she was going to be able to not throw up all over the crime scene.
Pushing herself off the ground Holly walked a few paces away from the body. Her sudden action drew the attention of everyone at the scene but no one said anything. They all knew what she must be feeling, they were probably feeling it too. The overwhelming sensation of being helpless. Someone was killing these people and had so far been able to get away with it. There was nothing that they were going to find on this body that was going to be able to narrow it down and point them to the killer.
"You okay?" Traci asked her hand on Holly's shoulder reminding her without words that she wasn't alone.
"I just uh…need a minute." Holly replied shaking her head trying to pull herself together.
"Take your time."
The parade room was buzzing with a sort of nervous energy that was understandable given the situation. It was fuller than normal, some officers who hadn't gotten there early were made to stand in the back and crowd into any open space they could find. Frank had called everyone in, even those who were off duty. He wanted everyone aware of what was happening. At the front of the room Frank stood with Traci and Luke flanking him. That wasn't unusual. What was strange about the situation as that Holly joined them. Leaning against the wall trying to make herself as unobtrusive as possible but made to be there nonetheless. Her own badge hanging front her belt as a sort of signal to the officers before her that she belonged there.
"Everyone listen up!" Frank called out. His booming voice silencing the room almost instantly. Everyone's eyes were now on him waiting on the edge of their seats to know why they had been summoned to parade. But that wasn't where Gail's focus was. As was quickly becoming a common thing whenever Holly was in the same room as her, Gail couldn't focus on anything else.
"Look, I don't know what it is you may have heard about the killings happening in our neighborhood. But I want to set the record straight. There has been three confirmed deaths associated with one perp." There was a series of murmurs around the parade room as those who didn't know about it shared their shock and their concern with their peers and those who did know about it had to insist they knew something was up.
"A serial killer sir?" One voice chimed in from somewhere in the back.
"We don't want to jump to any conclusions. We're hoping to catch this guy before he can do it again. But as of yet we haven't gotten any leads. Forensics have done all they can combing over all of the evidence. Now it's time to do our part and track this son of a bitch down. We have ID's on the second two victims but the first is still unknown. That is our first priority is finding out who the first victim is. Second priority will be finding out how these people are connected. They have to be connected in some way for the killer to have contact with each of them. What do they have in common? Do they know each other? How could the killer have singled out each of them? We'll be splitting you up into different units. First unit will be with Detective Nash and I, the other two units will be assigned detectives to report to." Luke jumped in. He could see the way that each of them were all chomping at the bit thinking how glamourous and how glorious it would be to be on the task force that caught 15th divisions first serial killer in decades.
"Dr. Stewart will be our liaison with the forensics lab. She'll be telling us what we know." Traci said introducing Holly. Holly pushed off the lab and looked at the board behind her where there were a series of pictures of the crime scenes and different copies of reports she knew by heart. When she turned to the crowded parade room her eyes found Gail and for just the briefest of moments they shared a look.
"We don't know a whole lot. We know that the victims are alive when he starts to cut into them. In each case the cause of death has been extreme blood loss from severing the venae cava and the coronary arteries. Death at that point is immediate. In all three cases the heart was then removed. In the first victim, his body contained a heart of unknown origin. The second victim contained the heart of the first and so on." Holly explained. Normally Holly hated talking in front of large groups of people. It made her uncomfortable. She could barely handle giving a deposition in court. But now, standing in this room she wasn't talking all of them. She was talking to Gail. That's where her focus was. And the blonde knew it.
"Do we know what he does with the hearts once their removed?" Nick asked curiously.
"No. Only that we've found plant particles on the heart. Transfer from wherever he's doing this. We're trying to find a specific strain of plant that might narrow this down." Holly answered. She still didn't like him.
"I don't have to tell you guys how important it is that we handle this quickly. The media has already picked up on this. Lots of cameras and lots of attention. You are not to speak to reporters unless it is to say "no comment" is that clear?" There was a murmur of affirmative throughout the room. "See the board for your assignments."
The room emptied as officers checked to see where their names were on the board and which unit they'd been assigned. Gail didn't know if she was excited or if she was mildly annoyed that she was placed in the unit with everyone Andy, Dov, Chris, Nick, Oliver and Chloe. That was the downside. The upside was that was the main unit. The unit led by Traci and Luke.
"Everyone in first unit please remain in the parade room." Luke called before they left.
Once the large room was emptied Luke circled around to close the door. The small group of officers congregated towards the front of the room eager for their assignments.
"We need to get ahead of this. So far this guy has managed to kill three people in three weeks. That's one kill every seven days. And we are no closer to catching him." Luke commented though it didn't need saying. They all knew the time frame.
"How do we go about doing that sir?" Dov asked always eager to be the first to jump in. Gail rolled her eyes.
"We start by tracking down who the first victim is. He's got to be someone important. He is the only victim that the killer took the ID off of. The other two had their wallets on them when we found their bodies. Diaz and Collins I want you on missing persons reports. Someone's got to be looking for this guy. McNally and Peck I want you on tracking down any suppliers and growers of holly in this area." That caught Gail's attention and she startled as if she'd been smacked across the face with the words.
"Holly sir?"
"That's the plant residue that was found on the victims. It's not native to Toronto so it's got to be grown in nurseries or in specialized environments." Holly could feel Gail's eyes burning into her. Holly hadn't told her about this part and it was for the exact reason that Gail was experiencing now. The fact that Holly's namesake was the plant that was on these victims had not escaped the doctor's notice.
"What about Chloe and I?" Dov asked.
"You are going to go over every registered Medical Examiner, Coroner, and Pathologist. Look for those who have been terminated recently or anything out of the ordinary." The confusion was evident on the officer's faces so Holly jumped in to explain.
"We think that whoever is doing this is medically trained. Probably a ME or coroner because the way the heart was removed is exactly how a ME would do it."
"Where do you want me?" Oliver asked.
"You're supervising these guys." Frank said finding a smirk pulling at his face at the thought. He knew that most of them thought of Oliver as a sort of father figure to them and he liked watching the way Oliver worked with the rookies. They listened to him in ways they never would listen to Frank.
Holly was aware that Gail was following her before she even thought to pause. She knew enough of her girlfriend to know the sound of her footsteps when she was angry. And then the way that Gail grabbed her arm pulling her into the nearest empty room and closed the door Holly knew she was about to get an earful.
"Why didn't you tell me about the holly?" Gail demanded once the door clicked shut.
"It's a recent development. And I know what you're thinking and it has nothing to do with me." Holly promised trying to be reassuring but she could see the storm in Gail's eyes and knew that nothing she could say would convince Gail otherwise.
"You don't know that!" Gail exclaimed.
"Why would this be about me? It's coincidence Gail. Traci and Luke think that this guy has some weird Christmas fetish or something." Holly reached for Gail putting her hands on each of Gail's shoulder and feeling the roughness of Gail's uniform. Gail was tense Holly could tell.
"I just…" Gail started clearly not being able to articulate what it was she wanted to say. She couldn't find the words to describe the sick feeling that filled her stomach. It had honestly been just a passing thought when they were in parade. She'd thought that the fact that the plant and Holly shared the same name was unsettling. But it opened a floodgate in her of all this worry that Gail hadn't known she felt. It gave her mind permission to start spinning scenario's and what-if's.
"You just what?" Holly asked her voice dropping into the compassionate and loving tone Gail had first heard the night of the shooting. And it was now the only thing that could get Gail to open up about how she was feeling without the blonde putting up a fight.
"It made me worry."
"Worry about what?"
"You're not allowed to get hurt okay." Gail huffed looking down, she couldn't look at Holly. Already her codependence on Holly was something that her mother would shame her for until the end of time but Gail didn't care.
"Honey look at me." Holly requested waiting until Gail looked up. The blonde was fidgeting, filled with a nervous energy that made her seem to bounce. Holly knew that this was hard for Gail. Gail was revealing how concerned she was about Holly. It was beyond sweet. But Holly could tell that this was something that was actually freaking Gail out. And while Holly would normally have made a joke or tried to alleviate the tension somehow Holly knew that would only made Gail withdraw into her shell.
"You mean too much to me." Gail whispered her eyes still downcast.
"Gail, nothing is going to happen to me. We're going to catch this guy, well, you're going to catch this guy and I'm going to help. And then we'll go back on with our lives." Holly promised pulling Gail into her. Gail was the type of person that wasn't always in the mood for hugs. Holly learned that very quickly. There were times when Gail would return a hug but only because she knew Holly wanted it, there were times when Gail would squirm until she was out of the embrace, and then there were other times like these. They were few and far between but Gail would just melt into Holly's arms until it seemed like her entire body weight was being held up by Holly's arms. And Holly didn't mind one bit.
"Yeah we're going to do that." Gail agreed nodding against Holly's shoulder. She couldn't believe how worked up she was getting over a what-if. She'd dated two cops who went out onto the streets with Kevlar strapped to their chests and she had never been as worried about them as she was about Holly and Holly wasn't even in any real danger. It was unnerving. Gail felt like she couldn't breathe the more she thought about it. "God this is disgusting."
Laughing at Gail's sudden mood shift Holly let Gail move out of her arms and rest against the wall but they were still close. Holly didn't think that Gail would let Holly stray too far away. At least not in this moment. But Gail's comment about her emotions being disgusting was more of the Gail that Holly was familiar with. Feeling her cell phone buzz briefly in her pocket Holly pulled the device from her jeans and looked at it.
"It's the lab. Zach thinks he might have found something." Holly explained not wanting to leave Gail in such a vulnerable state. It would take Gail some time before her armor was fully back up and she was ready to face the rest of the world.
"I'm fine. Go." Gail insisted. Holly hesitated knowing that Gail was putting on a brave face for her.
"He can wait."
"The faster we solve this thing the faster we can get back on with our lives. So go, and I'll see you back at your place tonight?" It had become a routine that Gail would spend the night at Holly's. They were both accustomed to it. Holly didn't think she'd ever shared the same bed with someone so much without having had sex. But she was in no rush. And she definitely didn't want to push Gail into something she wasn't ready for.
"Okay." Holly placed a lingering kiss against Gail's lips before leaving Gail in the room. Gail took a minute to collect herself before she went back into the heart of 15th division. No one mentioned anything about her absence like she'd been afraid that they might. Instead Andy handed her what would be her stack of leads to track down. There were dozens and it would probably take the rest of their shift just to go through the suppliers.
Holly was lost in some samples that Zach had brought her to look at when she heard the sound of someone entering the lab. From the corner of her eye Holly saw that whoever it was must be a cop, the navy pants and the police issue boots were a dead giveaway. Lifting her gaze up from her microscope Holly saw that it was Oliver standing before her. She hadn't had a whole lot of dealings with Oliver professionally but she knew that Gail respected the man a great deal and that spoke volumes to Holly.
"Officer Shaw, what can I do for you?" Holly asked cordially. The older man shifted awkwardly and for a moment he averted his gaze.
"It's not business Doc. I was wondering if you had a minute. I wanna talk to you about our girl." Oliver asked.
"Is Gail okay?" Holly asked catching his usage of 'our girl'. It wasn't jealousy that filled her but a sort of warm comfort that told her that there was someone that had Gail's back when she was out putting herself in danger.
"Oh yeah she's fine. She's over there running down leads. It's kinda delicate what I wanna talk to you about." Holly's interest was definitely peaked when she gestured for Oliver to sit but he refused. She guessed he felt better if he had the option to pace.
"Okay."
"I always joke with the rookies I train that I'll give two 'Officer Shaw talks' as part of my training officer duties. One happens on their first day. The second talk isn't for them. It's for the people that they date." Oliver explained. Holly's eyebrow rose in silent question wondering where this talk was headed and how many of them she was expecting to get. With most of Gail's friends and family being cops Holly had guessed she'd get a few 'if you hurt her I'll kill you and hide your body' talks. But something about this told Holly there was more to it.
"Peck likes to keep people at a distance, she has a hard exterior but she has this huge heart that I've had the chance to see a few times and boy I'll tell you each time I see it it's like a punch in the gut you know? We're not supposed to have favorites with our trainee's and all of them are special in their own right. But Peck, she's definitely something." Oliver paused, laughing to himself at the cheesiness of what he was saying but Holly didn't interrupt. Even though she wanted to tell him that she knew that about Gail. "I didn't have to do this with Diaz or Collins because I didn't worry about her with them. She wasn't as invested in them, not like she is with you. Man, the way she looks at you it's like the Earth and the Moon revolve around you."
"Are you giving me the protective friend speech because Oliver I-." Holly started.
"No it's not that. This job that we do, we know the risks. We go out there every day and we know that there is a chance that we might not make it back. And that takes a helluva toll on the people that we love. I just, I guess I need to know that you're okay with that. That you'll stick with her through that." Oliver finished, taking a deep breath and looking at Holly as his words sank into her mind.
"I'll never be okay with the danger she puts herself in every day Oliver. I would like to say that I can make peace with it. But I won't. I'm going to worry like crazy about her when she's out during patrol. But that isn't going to scare me away from her. Gail is amazing, every aspect of her, including the part where she is a cop."
"Okay good." Oliver said with a smile.
"So, protective partner talk over?" Holly asked.
"Yup I think so. See ya Doc." Oliver waved and made for the door. He loved all the rookies that he'd helped train in some way but he'd always felt closest with Gail. He couldn't explain it, but whenever they were partnered up together those were his favorite shifts. Even when they were being shot at and his concern had gone immediately to keeping her safe instead of himself he knew that she had his back. He had hers and she had his and that was what made it perfect.
"Hey Oliver." Holly called out just as Oliver got to the door. He turned quickly and saw Holly looking equal parts like she was going to hyperventilate and also like she was unbelievably happy. "Thank you for taking care of her. I feel a lot better knowing that you have her back. And I appreciate the talk, but I'm in love with her. And if that means I need to spend a few sleepless nights worried out of my mind about her so that I can spend as long as I can with her. So be it."
It took a moment for the gravity of her words to sink into her own mind. She'd just told Oliver that she loved Gail. Part of her had known that for a while. It had been slowly growing since the day that they met but she'd never said the word out loud or to herself. It was both terrifying and exciting.
"You should tell her that darlin'." And with that sage advice he was gone.
Holly Stewart 11:03am: You have the best partner in the world.
Gail Peck 11:05am: Oliver? What'd he do?
Holly Stewart 11:06am: Funny you knew exactly who I meant. He cares about you.
Gail Peck 11:06am: What. Did. He. Do?
Holly Stewart 11:07am: Something about the second of the Oliver Shaw talks.
Gail looked down at her phone for a minute and then up at the man in question. He was talking with Traci at the coffee counter laughing his usual jovial laugh. She wanted to be angry at him, prickly even because that's what Gail would have done pre-Holly. She'd be offended by how he had dared to presume to interfere with her personal life. But she wasn't. Oliver was her favorite and a surrogate father and mentor if anyone had a right to butt into her personal life it was him.
Gail Peck 11:15am: Gonna tell me what he said?
Holly Stewart 11:16am: Nope.
Holly was packing her things up for the night, she was due to pick Gail up from the station so that they could go home when Zach walked into the lab. From the looks of him he had every intention of continuing to work even though he'd worked just as long as she had. They were both exhausted and as far as she knew there was nothing else for them to go over. All the evidence had been checked and double checked and was now submitted to the detectives for them to go over.
"Zach go home." Holly insisted.
"I just want to go over a few more things. I'll head out soon." He replied bashfully.
"You don't get any bonus points for running yourself into the ground Zach. I need a fully functioning assistant. Go home and get some rest and we'll start again fresh tomorrow okay?" She had to admire his dedication. It mirrored her own. No matter the time of day or the length of shift Zach never complained about it. If he continued on this way he would make a hell of a pathologist one day.
"Are you heading home?"
"That's the plan. I'm exhausted."
"Have a good night Dr. Stewart."
"Zach, I've told you a million times. Call me Holly." Holly said walking past him to the door not seeing the way his eyes followed her as she went.
Holly leaned against the side of her car waiting for Gail to exit the station. Phone out and playing some mindless game that would help take her mind off of the stressful days she had been going through. Gail had texted saying she was running a little behind but that she would be out in a few minutes which was why Holly didn't bother going into the station. No point in going through all the hoops it would take to get through the front desk. But when Holly looked up and saw Gail walking out with her friends Holly quickly guessed that her dream of a quiet night curled up with her girlfriend on the couch was quickly being replaced by something that would take considerably more of her energy.
"Hey Holly." Chris greeted her first. He always tried to make her feel included in the group for which she appreciated him immensely. She nodded her greeting but her attention was on Gail, her blonde girlfriend looked guilty. Her head down and eye averted.
"Gail said you guys are coming to the Penny with us tonight." Dov announced excitedly. He'd been itching to try and best Holly at trivia. If she was really as smart as Gail boasted then it would be a good chance for him to stretch his skills.
"We are?" Holly asked wondering what had caused Gail's sudden change of heart over the whole not hanging out with her friends yet. Gail glanced up at Holly, trying to gauge if she was mad or not. She couldn't read Holly's expressions. Not as easily as Holly seemed to be able to read hers.
"I thought it'd be nice. We've all been really stressed out lately. I thought it'd be nice." Gail muttered.
"Okay." Holly acquiesced with a shrug. She was excited to be able to spend time with Gail's friends, her family really, she just wished she'd had more warning to mentally prepare. Once they were in the car Holly could feel Gail's eyes on her.
"I'm sorry I didn't give you more warning. It was a last minute thing." Gail explained rushed.
"It's okay Gail. I'm glad that you want me to hang out with them." Holly offered taking Gail's hand and squeezing it affectionately.
"You aren't mad?"
"Why would I be mad?" Holly didn't understand Gail's persistent fear that whatever she did in their relationship would be wrong.
"I don't know." Gail sighed defeated. She fell back into the passenger seat with a huff.
"I was just surprised that you had a change of heart that's all. You seemed pretty adamant before that you didn't want all of us to hang out until you were more comfortable."
"I know. And I still am a little worried about it. But I think we all need this. And this way it'll get them off my back about meeting you in a non-professional capacity."
With an unspoken agreement that they weren't going to talk about anything work related while they socialized they all congregated around a large table at the Penny. Each with drink in hand and genuine smiles on their faces. Having Holly there gave them all something new to talk about. Gail sat beside Holly, their hands linked under the table, unlike Chloe and Dov who were constantly showering one another with public displays of affection both Holly and Gail were alright with being more discrete about it.
"So Holly do you have any family in town? Are they all Doctors too?" Chloe asked excitedly. It seemed she was almost more excited that Holly was there than Holly or Gail was.
"I'm the only doctor in the family. My brother lives in Toronto and works for the District Attorney's office." Holly answered.
"Wait, is your brother Thomas Stewart?" Steve asked looking at Holly as if she'd conspired to keep such a secret from him. Gail looked between her brother and Holly, confusion painted across her pale features.
"My twin brother yeah." Holly said taking a sip of her drink. She hoped this was where the conversation would end. There were things about her family that she didn't want to go into at a table full of people she just met. But from the look on Steve's face he knew what it was that she didn't want to go into and thankfully let the conversation die there.
"You have a twin brother?" Gail asked wondering how she didn't know that. It always filled her with a sense of sadness when she realized the amount of information she didn't know about her girlfriend.
"You've seen pictures of him all over my house. We're pretty close but work keeps us busy." Holly replied trying to make Gail feel better that Gail didn't know.
"Do you guys look alike? I mean I know you're fraternal twins but you've got to look a little bit alike right?" Chloe continued in the same excitement that Gail had once found annoying. But after going so long without it she found that she kind of missed it.
"We have the same color hair and eyes. But that's pretty much where our similarities end. He's like 6 foot 3. Kinda towers over everyone." Holly laughed.
"We should have dinner with him sometime." Gail commented casually. Everyone at the table recognized the significance of the suggestion. Gail was trying to make it sound like it wasn't a big deal by mentioning it in a public setting. But it was huge. And they all knew it.
"Sure. I'll look at our schedules." "Holly replied with a bright smile.
Conversation continued on around them but for a moment Holly and Gail were in their own world. Something monumental shifted between them and they would have had to be blind not to see it. Holly's thumb traced patterns on Gail's thigh, scratching gently and feeling the faint tremor that went through Gail's entire body at the intimate touch.
Things between them had reached a stage where there was only one place left to go physically but neither of them knew when they should take that step. Even the most innocent of kisses turned heated whether they intended it to or not. Gail didn't know what it was that was stopping her. She wanted Holly, more than she could ever remember wanting anyone. Every time Holly touched her it was like a small electrical shock through her entire body. Holly set her body aflame like Gail had never experienced before.
Gail knew Holly was well aware of the affect she was having on the blonde, the playful smirk that pulled at the corner of Holly's lips was evidence enough. But Gail didn't mind. She just let herself enjoy it. So if that meant her mind went a little hazy around the edges and it wasn't due to the alcohol Gail was just fine with that.
"Gail? You okay? You look a little zoned out." Traci commented concern more than anything. Gail looked up sharply, she'd been busy running her thumb over the building condensation on her glass.
"I'm fine. Oliver just walked in I'm going to go say hi." Gail said pushing off her seat. Holly looked up inquisitively and then Gail leaned down and pressed a kiss to Holly's temple. There were a few "awe's" that circulated around the table as Gail walked away.
Oliver turned when he saw Gail coming towards him, extending his arms in the way that he did when he saw her coming. Half the time Gail didn't know if he was actually going to hug her or not so she stayed just out of reach of his arms. Leaning against the bar Gail turned to face Oliver, her eyes narrowed in a sort of playful glare that only Gail could pull off.
"What'd I do?" Oliver asked taking a gulp from his beer.
"Holly told me that you had the talk with her." Gail saw a faint blush cross over Oliver's face.
"Busted. She wasn't supposed to tell you."
"We tell each other everything."
"That's good. That's the key to a successful relationship."
"What'd you say to her?" Gail looked back at the table. Holly was laughing at something Chloe had said, her head thrown back and smile as bright as the sun. It was a beautiful sight and for a moment Gail forgot everything else. Oliver followed Gail's gaze to the table and he didn't bother fighting the proud smile that came to his face.
"It looks good on you." He said instead of answering her question.
"What does?"
"Happiness. She makes you happy."
"Like I didn't think was possible." Gail confessed looking up at Oliver. Gail was often conflicted about what to do when it came to telling Oliver things. She always wanted to. But confiding in anyone about her feelings was always hard. Still, Oliver was her partner, she trusted that he had her back just like she would always have his.
"Good. I'm happy for you."
"What did you say to her?"
"I told her that you were a pain in the ass. That you were stubborn, and bullheaded. But that you had a good heart." Oliver saw Gail smile at the strange way the insults that he dealt her were veiled compliments.
"Trust me, she knows that."
"You're right, she probably does."
"Go back over there kiddo. Go spend time with your girl she's looking kind of lonely."
Gail walked back to the table and fell into her seat, her hand sliding across Holly's leg. The brunette looked over at Gail and then back to the conversation she was having with Andy about some running trail or another. Everyone seemed to be getting along, alcohol loosened tongues until they were sharing laughter more than they were sharing words.
As the night wound down the group parted ways and Holly and Gail returned to Holly's place. Gail was still bubbly, the alcohol in her system making her bolder than she would normally have been. As they walked up to Holly's door the brunette was acutely aware of Gail's hand on her bare back having slipped under the fabric of her shirt as they walked. It wasn't easy to ignore it but Holly kept the mantra of the fact that Gail was still drunk.
"Hey Holly?" The blonde asked looking up from the bed where Holly had laid her. Holly was in the process of pulling off Gail's boots and dropping them onto the floor.
"Hmm?" Gail had all but commandeered a pair of Holly's pajamas when she first started regularly spending the night at Holly's. She had the opportunity to go get her own pajamas from her place but she was fond of the slightly oversized flannel pajama pants that were a deep red and a white tank top. Simple, but they always smelt like Holly.
"I'm glad that my friends like you." Gail sighed, she spoke it in such a sing song voice Holly had no doubt that Gail would not be loving life in the morning. She made a mental note to prepare a glass of water and two aspirin on the nightstand.
"I like them too." Holly replied helping Gail sit up. Gail was being difficult on purpose. Holly had seen the blonde function quite well after drinking more. But it seemed Gail liked having Holly take care of her. And Holly didn't mind, Gail was adorable when she was like this.
"More than me?" Gail pouted.
"No." Holly drew out the word fighting back the laugh that threatened to tumble from her lips.
"Good."
"Alright you're going to have to change your own clothes babe. Otherwise I might be tempted to take advantage." Though her words were spoken in jest there was no doubt that there was a bit of seriousness behind Holly's words. Gail seemed to sober up all of a sudden, the slightly dreamy smile that had been a permanent fixture on her face most of the night faded into something more serious.
"Do you want me Holly?" Gail asked quietly. Gail didn't normally move slowly in relationships. She was comfortable with physical intimacy and she often times used it to distract the people she dated from the lack of emotional intimacy. She'd never been in a relationship where the emotional intimacy came first. It was unnerving.
"Very much." Holly offered honestly.
"I want you too. More than I think I've ever wanted anyone." Gail's words sent a shiver down Holly's spine. Gail wanted her. Even if she knew it based on Gail's actions and the number of times she had caught Holly staring at her. Hearing the words made them that much more real.
"We have time. Whenever you're ready. And you're not drunk."
"I'm not." Gail insisted feebly.
"Well you definitely aren't sober."
"But I want you." The pout was back and damn if it wasn't effective. Holly made herself turn away while she searched her dresser for a pair of pajamas for herself.
"Let's get some sleep Gail." Holly ventured into the bathroom to change after switching the overhead light off in her bedroom leaving only the night table light on. When Holly returned from the bathroom Gail was already fast asleep curled up on Holly's side of the bed hugging Holly's pillow to her chest.
Holly's eyes snapped open, consciousness sending a battering ram through her slumber in the form of pulsing arousal centering on the throbbing between her legs. She was turned on. Her entire body tingled with it, skin flush and breath coming quickly as her body responded of its own volition. It took Holly a moment to force her higher brain functions to figure out why she was feeling like this. She didn't usually wake up in such a condition. And that was when she felt it. A hand, and more specifically two fingers thumb and forefinger were under her t-shirt and teasing her nipple. In her sleep Gail had somehow managed to begin fondling Holly working her up into quite a state.
"Gail." Holly choked out. She needed Gail to stop, as good as it felt and the bliss that was sure to follow should she selfishly allow Gail to continue her actions, she needed it to stop. This wasn't how she wanted this to happen and she didn't want Gail to wake up and freak out. Back arching off the mattress Holly bit back a groan as Gail's response to her name being said was to pinch Holly's nipple less than gently but no less pleasurable.
She could feel her entire body trembling, she needed to get out of bed and away from Gail but her body wasn't moving. Pushing against Gail's shoulder trying to get the blonde to roll away from her Holly hoped that might be enough to wake Gail. When Gail's eyes opened wide, surprised at the sudden jostling movement she looked at Holly and then down where her hand was. Her movements stopped instantly but she didn't withdraw her hand. Not right away. She was touching Holly's breast, feeling the softness of the skin beneath her fingertips.
"Hi." Gail said softly her hand not moving though her fingers stopped. Holly looked over at Gail, seeing the contended smile that she'd only ever seen when Gail had just woken up. Gail was so beautiful in the morning, with her defenses completely down.
"Hey."
"You're so soft." Gail commented her hand moving away from Holly's breast down along Holly's rib cage hearing Holly gasp.
"Is this your way of getting back at me for last night?" There was no accusation in Holly's tone, Gail could tell that Holly was teasing her. This was a dangerous game.
"Why would I want to get back at you? You took care of me in my drunken state." Gail replied replacing her fingertips with her nails enjoying the reaction that it inspired.
"For putting the brakes on. I just don't want to rush things. Do something you aren't ready for." Holly reasoned.
"I know. I know you're more patient than I deserve." Gail couldn't explain the uncontrollable urge she had to get closer to Holly. There was barely two inches between them and it felt like a mile. She wanted to be closer, to feel Holly pressed tightly against her. Subconsciously her body moved forward until she felt the firmness of Holly's side. The warmth she found there.
"You deserve the world Gail. I can be patient with you as long as you need." Holly believed those words, and she would keep as still as possible no matter how potent the arousal that pumped through her veins was. No matter how much she wanted to turn and kiss Gail senseless, memorize the way that Gail's skin felt, learning the ways to touch Gail that would make her moan make her whimper, make her want more.
"What if I don't want you to be patient anymore? What if I want you to touch me?" Gail asked in a low purr.
"God Gail." Holly groaned, pure want dominating her brain functions. She could barely remember how to breathe. Gail knew how to seduce, she knew how she could make Holly want to rip her clothes off.
"I like the sounds you make." Gail whispered her lips ghosting along Holly's jaw line. "Don't ask me if I'm sure. I'm a big girl. I know what I'm doing, I know I've never wanted anyone more than I want you right now. Let me tell you a secret." Gail said her attitude changing so swiftly it took a moment for Holly's mind to catch up. Gail propped her elbow against the mattress and rested her head on the palm of her hand looking down at Holly.
"Tell me." Holly prompted when her brain finally caught up.
"I lost my virginity when I was 15. Stupid high school party, in the guy's bedroom. Wasn't great, was barely enjoyable in fact but I learned then that sex can distract from intimacy. No one wanted to talk when I was offering them uncomplicated and pretty mind blowing sex." Gail paused laughing softly at herself as she explained this to Holly. She didn't know why she was telling Holly this, except that she felt like she needed to. She needed Holly to understand why she was making this decision.
"Pretty confident of yourself Officer." Holly teased her ardor cooling slowly since she was given something else to pay attention to.
"Oh please, I'm amazing at sex."
"I believe you."
"Anyway, I've had a lot of sex. And it's fine and it distracts from all the emotional stuff I don't like to deal with. But…" Gail stopped herself, looking at Holly her blue eyes shining with vulnerability.
"Why are you telling me this Gail?" Holly asked. It wasn't that she didn't mind hearing about Gail's past. But this was an odd time to do it. Normally those conversations came later.
"I've never made love before Holly." Gail said in a rush. "I've had sex before but I've never been with someone that I care this much about."
Holly took in Gail's words knowing how hard it was for the blonde to have confessed such a thing. It looked like it was something that Gail was ashamed up though Holly couldn't imagine while Gail would be. It also gave this moment, this potential moment between them so much more significant.
"I've never been with someone that I've felt so connected with."
"And that's okay Gail."
"I just wanted you to know. This, all of this, it's new to me. Every part of it."
"You're worth the wait." Four words. That's all it took to completely crash through any residual doubts that Gail had in her mind that Holly was the one she'd been waiting for. Leaning down Gail brought Holly into a deep kiss, full of longing and desire her tongue parting Holly's lips with no resistance until she and Holly were engaged in a passionate duel for dominance of the kiss. Shifting so that Gail could settle on top of her Holly was content to let Gail lead where this was going. Wherever it was. But if they carried on any further and Gail stopped them Holly couldn't promise she wouldn't go a little insane. It was the best frustration she'd ever experienced.
"No one has ever said that to me before." Gail confessed when their kiss broke.
"Then they are idiots." Holly said without pause. Reaching up with her right hand Holly tucked several errant strands of hair behind Gail's ear. Allowing her an uninterrupted view of the beauty that hovered above her. Holly wanted to show Gail all the great parts of what being in a relationship could be, she wanted to love Gail in a way that she deserved. Worship her like she should be, show her how much she was wanted.
The gentle weight of Gail's body on top of her own reawakened the desire that had been cooling during their conversation. Heat built between them as their bodies moved in the instinctive need to be closer to one another. Gail's body slid against Holly's creating a delicious friction that made them both elicit small moans of contentment. Hands unable to remain idol began to explore along contours, ridges, and soft expanses of skin. Pushing clothing aside as if it weren't even there Gail felt Holly's hand on the small of her back urging her lower half closer and parting her legs to accommodate Gail between them.
As their hips met, pressed tightly against one another Gail broke the kiss, a sharp intake of breath the only sound in the room. Her left hand moving down to grasp at Holly's hip clutching at the skin revealed between her pants and where her t-shirt rose up. Using her grip Gail pulled Holly up to press tighter against her. Feeling Holly pressed against her, so warm, so tantalizing Gail felt a rush of arousal settle between her legs. She ached for Holly to touch her. Her head was spinning.
They moved together in perfect sync, one pushing while the other recoiled and then pushed back. Their foreheads rested against one another, eyes tightly closed wanting only to drink in the sensation and the closeness. Holly knew that if they stayed like this they would work themselves up enough to be able to find satisfaction. But that wasn't how she wanted their first time to be. She wanted to touch Gail, see her, and taste her. She wanted to experience what it meant to be with Gail on the most intimate of levels. But the baser part of her, the one not boggled down by sentiment or by affection, just wanted to see Gail come completely undone.
Gripping Gail's hips Holly hooked her leg around Gail's and spun them so that she was now on top of the blonde. Before Gail could even comment on the talent of the move her words were swallowed by a gasp as Holly set about lavishing Gail's neck with kisses. Hot, open mouthed kisses blazed a pattern down Gail's neck from the underside of her jaw to where the fabric of her tank top started. Holly felt Gail's hand in her hair, closing her hand in a fist and pulling tightly on her hair. The message was simple, keep doing what she was doing. Her neck had always been a particular weakness of Gail's. And when Holly's teeth nipped at the sensitive skin just above Gail's pulse, drawing it into her mouth and sucking ever so slightly Gail was lost. The sound it evoked from Gail was a sound Holly would never forget. Allowing her tongue to sooth the tender skin Holly continued her path down Gail's neck feeling the blonde arch up into her, encouraging her on.
Holly felt Gail's free hand tracing up her sides, lingering along the sides of her breasts before one of Gail's fingers managed to brush over Holly's nipple. The touch was fleeting but it tore through Holly so powerfully she had to stop for a moment. Laughing softly Holly looked up at Gail, a playful glare to the blonde woman now looking down at her.
"Stop distracting me." Holly playfully reprimanded.
"You can't expect me not to touch you." Gail returned now running her hand through Holly's dark locks.
"You can touch me all you like." Holly offered pressing a kiss to the juncture where Gail's neck met her shoulder and the blonde shivered. "After I'm done having my way with you." Holly tossed in as an afterthought. Gail laughed, she liked this side of Holly. The more dominant side of the brunette was seriously affecting Gail. She didn't think that it was possible to be more turned on than she was in that moment.
And then the weight on top of her was shifting, and then was gone all together as Holly sat up. Gail missed the contact instantly and reached up to pull Holly back down. Holly swatted at Gail's hands and instead pulled Gail up. Straddling Gail's waist Holly reached down to the hem of Gail's tank top and tugged gently. It wasn't enough to bring the fabric up all the way but it was enough to show her intention. She was asking Gail's permission to take the shirt off knowing full well that Gail wasn't wearing anything underneath. Gail's answer came in her lifting her arms allowing Holly to remove the garment and toss it aside.
Holly's gaze remained on Gail's eyes. Though she wanted desperately to look down and take in the beautiful sight that was being presented before her. She wanted Gail to know without a shred of doubt that Holly wanted her, not just her body.
"You are so amazingly beautiful." Holly whispered her look all but assuring that Gail believed her. When she was convinced that Gail believed her Holly lowered her gaze to the newly revealed expanse of skin. Gail was a Goddess. Absolutely perfect in every way, there were a vast amount of sentimental, and romantic metaphors Holly could use to describe that beauty. But all of them fell short and all Holly could do was drink in the sight.
Gail watched Holly as Holly looked at her. She supposed she should feel exposed, uncomfortable by the close scrutiny she was under. But she didn't. Holly wasn't looking at her like she was being criticized. Holly was looking at her like someone would look at the Mona Lisa, or the statue of David. Completely awed by the masterpiece before their eyes. And it made Gail's chest feel funny, her heart beat just that much faster.
And then Holly's lips were on her again and thought completely escaped Gail. She didn't need to think. Everything was about sensation, feeling Holly's lips on her skin, the gentle teasing of her tongue as it slid down along Gail's sternum. The noises Gail was beginning to make were impatient. She needed Holly, she was beginning to throb with need and it was unbearable. And then finally. After what had felt like forever Gail felt Holly's hand slide up and cup her breast. Arching into Holly's touch Gail's eyes closed tightly and her breath catching. Like everything else about Holly, she kept her touch gentle, inquisitive but controlled. Soon Holly's other hand was joining the first and she was palming both of them.
Gail wasn't sure how much longer she was going to be able to remain sitting up, her hands dropped from Holly behind her to brace herself against the mattress. When she was able to force her eyes open Gail watched as the pad of Holly's thumb brushed against the hardened peak of Gail's nipple. It only took a millisecond for the sensation to register and when it did Gail's head fell back and pressed into Holly's hand a sound that was full of want tumbling from her lips.
"Jesus." Gail looked up at Holly her usually bright eyes were now dark almost indigo.
"Lay back." Holly instructed never breaking contact with Gail as the blonde laid back against the bed. Given her vantage point Holly couldn't help but shift on top of Gail, pressing down against the younger woman causing just the right amount of friction. Seeing Holly's eyes flutter shut Gail grabbed Holly's hips, encouraging her to push down harder. Allowing herself to be distracted for a moment, to drink in the sensation Holly's head fell backward eyes closed and bottom lip firmly ensnared between her teeth.
Bending at the waist Holly bent down and took Gail's nipple into her mouth sucking earnestly, her tongue teasing and her teeth lightly nipping. She could have spent all night exactly where she was. But Holly knew that neither she nor Gail had the patience for that. So she continued down, leaving Gail's breasts to kiss every rib cage, run her tongue along every trembling muscle of Gail's abdomen. Gail had always been fit, and Holly always had an appreciation for Gail's physique but this was different. Seeing the way that Gail's muscles rippled with each kiss.
Even through her cloud of arousal Holly made sure to go slow as much to savor each moment as it was to give Gail all the time she needed to stop her. Holly didn't want to spook Gail, and intimacy like this was the kind that Gail had been running from her whole life. When she reached the waistband of Gail's pants Holly looked up and what she saw took her breath away more than any amount of arousal, more than anything else ever good. To see Gail laying with her head thrown back and eyes closed tightly, her chest heaving as she tried to fill her lungs with air while allowing herself to be completely swept up in the pleasure of the moment. That sight told Holly that Gail wanted this. Hooking her fingers under the waistband Holly lowered the fabric revealing more of Gail's body to her.
Finally Holly pushed the sheets and the comforter off the edge of the bed and took Gail's pajamas and underwear too leaving Gail completely exposed to her. Gail was a confident person. She was beautiful and she knew it, and it was that confidence that Holly found sexy in addition to her body. Holly wanted to devour Gail, she couldn't wait to taste Gail to find just how she liked to be touched.
Gail worried she might hyperventilate, Holly's slow, torturous exploration of her body was going to make her combust if she didn't find release soon. It was mind boggling to think that it was possible to want someone so much. Holly's lips found the inside of Gail's thigh, kissing, nipping, and sometimes flat out biting the skin she found there until Gail was cursing silently for Holly to hurry up. Trailing her mouth up, and up until she was nearing where Gail wanted her most and then just as her mouth was about to descend onto the slick flesh she bypassed it and began the same teasing along Gail's other thigh.
"Holly." Gail growled warning Holly that if she didn't get a move on Gail would be determined to do it herself. With one last look at Gail, seeing no trace of doubt on the blonde's face Holly finally put her lips on Gail. Her tongue moved in long, exploratory strokes. Pleasure exploded through Gail's body the likes that she had never experienced before and all she could do was lay back and let it consume her. She wouldn't last long, the teasing and the lead up and taken Gail to the edge and now Holly's mouth was going to push her right over it.
Grabbing at the sheets, at the pillow beneath her head, at anything to keep herself grounded Gail's body began to move on its own. Desperate for release. Placing her hand on Gail's hip to keep her from thrashing to violently Holly felt Gail's hand grip tight around it. They were as close as two people could be physically and Gail still wanted more contact. It warmed Holly's heart to think that even in the heat of passion Gail still wanted to be closer.
Gail was seeing colors flashing vibrantly behind her eyes, she heard nothing but the sound of her heart thundering in her chest and her quick breaths intermixed with loud moans and colorful curses. Holly's mouth was taking her to a level of pleasure Gail didn't even know was possible. And just when Gail was positive she couldn't take anymore Holly's lips closed around Gail's clit, sucking the small bundle of nerves into her mouth. For a moment Gail thought she might have died. She felt euphoria in every inch of her body. It lasted minutes, maybe longer before Gail collapsed back onto the mattress her body still spasming and trembling slightly.
Holly inched up Gail's body pressing loving kisses randomly along Gail's skin as she went. Gail blindly reached for Holly, still not willing or able to open her eyes. She was still lost in the afterglow of what had to have been the most intense orgasm she'd ever experienced.
"You okay?" Holly asked her voice low and right next to Gail's ear. Nodding quickly Gail felt Holly nuzzle against her cheek and turned her head allowing their lips to meet in a sweet kiss.
"That was…" Gail didn't know how to put words to what that was. Anything she could think of felt utterly short. Holly loved seeing Gail like this. It was possibly her new favorite time to observe Gail, second only to Gail first thing in the morning. Here Gail was completely laid bare physically as well as emotionally. Allowing herself to be completely open and vulnerable with Holly. Holly felt the incredible sense of honor and responsibility that came with that. "My entire body tingles." Gail commented with a smile.
Finally opening her eyes Gail looked at Holly, still dazed but she needed to lay eyes on Holly. The brunette was gorgeous, slightly disheveled from what she'd been doing, her cheeks flushed but in the best possible way. And the same lop sided grin that made Gail's stomach do that flip flop thing.
"You're amazing you know that?" Holly's words surprised Gail, her expression reflected as much.
"I didn't do anything. You did all the work." Gail was slowly coming to her senses again and her familiar snark was returning.
"I don't mean about that. I just mean in general."
"I want to make you feel like you just made me feel. But I have no idea what to do." Gail admitted. She felt like an idiot confessing to her lover that she had no idea what to do. But of course, Holly being Holly, only smiled and that alone made Gail feel at ease.
"You don't have to do anything you're not ready to do." Holly heard herself saying these words and she did honestly believe them. But she was turned on past the point of sanity. She burned for Gail to touch her, anywhere. The throbbing between her legs was getting more and more difficult to ignore.
"I want to. I just might need some pointers I guess?" Gail blushed a deep red realizing that didn't make her look any more suave.
"Don't be embarrassed. Really, I'm touched that you're asking. It gives me a chance to show you what I like." Shifting on the bed Holly sat up and removed her top, followed shortly by her pants and underwear so that they were both now gloriously naked. It allowed Gail the opportunity to drink in the sight of Holly without clothes. She'd imaged it plenty of times, Hell she'd fantasized about it enough. But nothing prepared her for the perfection that was Holly Stewart.
Laying back down on the bed, Holly pulled Gail to her allowing Gail to settle into her side. Before she knew it Gail found her right hand had taken it upon itself to begin touching Holly. Running her fingers over the top swell of Holly's breasts, down through the valley between them until she reached Holly's belly button. Holly never looked away from Gail, enjoying the focused look Gail had on her face. Like Gail was trying to unlock a puzzle or something. Her fingers continued to go down until her hand was cupping Holly. The moan that fell from Holly's lips was both relief and also to encourage Gail to keep going.
"You're so wet." Gail commented, more to herself than to Holly, Holly knew how aroused she was and if she were thinking clearly she might have been embarrassed by that fact. But Holly's mind was only focused on the fact that Gail was touching her. Though Gail's touch was tentative at first, reading Holly's reaction to her touch Gail began to grow more confident. Her fingers drawing small circles around Holly's clit causing the brunette to moan loudly. Gail set a dizzying pace. She wanted to see Holly lost in pleasure. It was a sight Gail never wanted gone from her memory.
Gail slid a finger inside Holly, feeling Holly tighten around the digit and an appreciative sigh come from Holly she began slowly working her finger in and out setting a steady rhythm. Parting her legs wider allowing Gail more room Holly's eyes closed tight. Gail may have been inexperienced but she was quickly picking up with Holly liked and soon it was like Gail was reading her mind everywhere she wanted to be touched Gail seemed to know. When the rolling of Holly's hips against Gail's hand grew more frenzied Gail introduced another finger and doubled her pace until Holly was moaning almost constantly.
"Gail." Holly forced her eyes open she wanted Gail to see her, to know that she was the one giving Holly so much pleasure. Gail felt Holly's orgasm before she heard it, Holly tightened around her fingers, her inner muscles constricting and relaxing over and over. Gail's name fell from Holly's lips over and over again and Gail was struck still by it.
Both of them fell back against the mattress still both in the afterglow and enjoying the closeness, their naked bodies wrapped around each other so tightly if it weren't for the contrasting skin tones it would have been impossible to know where one ended and the other started.
"Best way to wake up ever." Gail said finally breaking the otherwise peaceful silence of the room.
"I'm not done with you yet." Holly stated getting her second wind and rolling on top of Gail a huge smile on her face. A smile that Gail soon returned.
"Oh yeah?" Gail asked already running her hands up Holly's sides.
"I hope you didn't have any plans for today because we're not leaving this bed."
So...thoughts?