I've been thinking that Steve and Gail could have been in twilight. Bloody pale. I really am not a fan of that series. I am a fan of Alice though. :-)

So hard writing stories with my mums name (Gail)

Gail stands up to Elaine.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Gail was frustrated. Really really frustrated. The last two weeks had been some of the best and hardest of her life. Work had been hell. Serious hell, short staffed, some tiring and heart wrenching cases and some awkward moments with Nick and Andy. The good news was Oliver was back at work, Chloe was out of hospital and her and Dov were starting fresh. Sam was awake and talking.

On a personal level she hadn't ever been more happy and frustrated. Who knew Holly would be so old fashioned? She had put a halt on their sensational make out session the night she had played dot to dot. She told Gail that she didn't want to have their first time be while half drunk and upset.

To make it worse every time they had tried to arrange anything since something had happened. Like her brain snap last week when she cut her own hair (not that she regretted it. Holly thought she was sexy). Although they had made out like teenagers in the shower after, Holly had once again called a halt stating Gail had been too traumatised by the day to make any sort of decision.

Since then they had had a triple murder that had kept Holly busy, they'd had a drug bust or two, a spate of burglaries and armed robberies which seemed to be some form of gang turf war. They had finally cracked it today and put the involved members and a couple of the leaders away. They hoped the gangs would decide the 15th division wasn't a place to try and take over.

The reason for her latest frustration was Holly. Well not Holly herself but Holly's dedication to her job and the tests she was running. Gail had wanted to meet her at home, well at Holly's home, for some Chinese take out, a movie, some making out and then some cuddling in bed. Her body flushed at the last thought. She loved cuddling in bed with holly on the couple of occasions she got to do it. Who would have thought she would enjoy being the little spoon? Holly made her feel safe and secure and loved, yeah loved. It should have scared the crap out of her, but it didn't. She had never felt like this with anyone ever before. She remembered Traci all those weeks ago telling her everyone deserved to be happy and she was trying to live by it. Honestly, it scared her more thinking about losing Holly.

She was so caught up thinking about Holly she didn't take any notice of the sudden hush in the room and didn't register the ice trickling down her spine until it was too late.

"Gail?"

Gail blinked back into reality at the sound of her mothers voice and sighed. Spinning slowly in her chair she realised her weeks of hiding out had come to an end. Seeing her mothers barely hidden shock she had a bad feeling about what was to come.

"Hello Superintendent Peck" she nodded. Knowing exactly how to address her mother at work.

"What have you done to your hair?"

"I cut it" came her reply before she could control her mouth and if anything the room went quieter. She noticed the slight narrowing of her mothers eyes and the pinching of lips. She wondered what she could do to make that control snap and let everyone see the real Elaine.

"I wish to speak to you" her mother said and Gail shrugged "in private"

"Anything you have to say can be said in front of my colleagues if it is work related" she told her mother "If its personal ma'am I'm sorry but well that's private"

"Gail" Steve suddenly appeared beside her in a warning but she didn't care. She was tired of this woman making her feel like crap. Of making her timid. Of ruling over her and running her life. She had Holly now. She didn't need this woman now. Even if, god help her, things didn't work out with Holly she knew she had gained a bit of a spine. "Take a hike mummies boy, I got this" she told him quietly but sent him a look letting him know she understood where he was coming from before turning back to their mother who had moved closer. Elaine realised her daughter wasn't going to give in quietly and go to another room.

"The next rotation of detectives is up. I didn't see your application" her mother said quietly hoping prying ears wouldn't hear and Gail shrugged

"I'm not ready. I'm enjoying the beat, working with my friends"

"But that is not within the ambitions of a Peck. Not what is expected of you" Elaine frowned and Gail sighed

"When have I ever done what's expected of me?" Gail was respectfully quiet aware all eyes were still on them "I never said never. Just not yet"

"Where is this rebellion coming from?" Elaine sniffed "I don't like it"

"Guess I found my spine. It's my life mother" Gail informed. "Is that all?"

"It's that woman isn't it, the one I've heard about. I always expected you to rebel Gail, but not now, not when it can effect your career and the Peck name." Elaine snapped angrily and louder than she realised.

Everything went quiet again after some more courageous people had gone back to work. But everyone that worked with Gail and knew about Holly wondered what was going to be made of this? Gail had been different ever since meeting the woman and the last couple of weeks she had been like a protective momma bear. As some unsuspecting rookies had found out.

Everyone was so hooked on the scene no one noticed Holly herself making her way in then freezing at the atmosphere. What was going on? Looking around she noticed Gail sitting in a chair, Steve beside her and she recognised Elaine Peck from the pictures she had seen of the woman. By the atmosphere she knew she had walked in on something.

"I beg your pardon?" She heard Gail growl and Holly was surprised. Gail had told her how she turned into a spineless wimp around her mother and how she hated it. That growl was not spineless and she wondered what brought it on. It seemed like it had even startled Elaine for a second before she regained her composure to a degree but still had no control over her volume. Even though she wasn't overly loud in the deathly quiet room you could hear a pin drop.

"You heard me. Is it because of your rebellion with that woman?" And Holly felt her mouth drop open in shock. One at the audacity to bring up a private conversation in front of a room full of strangers. Two for judging her without meeting her. Three for thinking their relationship was a rebellion. Four for standing over Gail in an attempt to dominate and she felt her own anger start to boil as her protective instinct kicked in. What Gail did next surprised her though as she rocketed to her feet, face red with rage that it made Elaine, Steve and just about everyone in the room take a step back.

"You shut your mouth" Gail hissed furious, she had never been more furious in her life and if it had been anyone but her mother she probably would have wrecked her career by taking a swing. No one spoke about Holly like that. "you will not speak about Holly like that" her mother actually appeared shocked and slightly scared for a moment before gathering herself.

"No. You will not speak to me like that" Elaine insisted. "I am your mother and superior officer"

"And you suck at being both" Gail snapped back "you belittled me as a child, you beat me down emotionally until I shut myself down turned into a robot. Pecks were tough. Pecks were strong. From the moment I fell from a tree when I was six and broke my arm in two places. You told me Pecks don't cry and they don't complain. So it wasn't until I got an infection that you took me to the hospital all so proud I'd been suffering and miserable and never complained. Child welfare would have investigated any other parent. Any other parent would have been horrified at what they had done." Gail spat out.

"Gail" Steve tried to warn again but Gail was on a roll.

"No. Everyone wants to know why i am like i am. Now they can find out why. She started it and i am going to finish it" she glared at her brother before turning back to her mother, her rage urging her on. "You never comforted us, you never read us bed time stories. We couldn't have hobbies and nothing but A's at school would do. After school was chess and language lessons and anything else that would help us in our illustrious career as a cop. Your chosen profession for us. Lucky for you we both happen to like it" Gail was shouting by the end which drew Frank out of his office wondering what the hell was going on and seeing Gail and her mother toe to toe knew it wouldn't be good.

"I have put up with so much crap from you. As a mother and a boss. It stops now. I won't let you poison Holly. She is the best person I have ever met. Bar none. She is worth 1000 of you. She is caring and gentle, comforting and kind and she makes me feel safe and loved. Something you have never done. I don't have to be anyone but who I am with her. No expectations. No pressure. She was there for me when I needed her, right from the word go. She came to check on me when we were all getting shot at, making sure I was safe, comforting me when my friends were injured. Where were you mother? Where were you as a mother. Where were you as a superior officer when some of your finest officers were shot?" Gail took a breath and stared at her stunned mother. Well she had finally done it. Rendered her mother speechless. Who would have thought.

"So you go do whatever you want, write me up, put me on leave. I don't care. But you ever think about going near Holly, talking to her or even breathe her name I swear to God" Gail left the warning open and could see her mother visibly shaking. Ooh this was going to be good.

"Two weeks suspension, effective immediately. And while you're at it sort yourself out and bring yourself up to the standard expected of you" Gail sighed, her mother would never change. Stiff upper lip even after all the dirty laundry they aired "and get that woman out of your system by the time you get back. She won't be accepted in my family"

Holly felt the words hit her like a sledge hammer and although it was painful and she wondered what she had done to deserve it that would have to wait as she went into full protective mode when she realised what Gail was about to do

"Gail" she called and the blonde froze to the spot along with everyone else, wondering how long she had been there. She hurried over, shooting Steve a glance that told him she would deal with him later and placed a hand on Gail's back. She felt her stiffen for a second and then relax into her. Holly smiled internally. She was the only one who could affect gail like that she knew. She sent gail a reassuring smile as she turned towards the last person she ever wanted to see after today.

"Superintendent Peck, I'm Dr Holly Stewart. I can't really say its a pleasure to meet you after all I have heard and before you ask 95% of it wasn't from Gail" so put that in your pipe and smoke it lady.

"Dr?" Elaine frowned confused but Holly ignored it

"I just want to inform you that I heard every word you said and your idea of your daughters relationship with me. I don't know what I did to deserve it but after the way you treat your own family I'm not especially surprised. I will also inform you that I am going to report you to your supervisors for the unprofessional conduct" she watched the woman's eyes boggled and her jaw drop and she squeezed Gail's waist when she choked on a laugh "personally I don't care what you think about me but I can tell you that if you ever treat Gail again as you have been in the past you will feel the wrath of the Stewart family. A family she is most welcome in if she isn't good enough for the Peck family."

She paused as both Peck women sucked in a wild breath at that, for different reasons. Ok so that was a little fast but at least Gail and everyone knew she was serious now.

"Perhaps you can ask James Stewart the next time you attend one of his functions." She named dropped her Great uncle who was a high court judge "though he is quite fond of me and I'm sure he won't be too happy that you consider me unworthy of being a Peck"

She turned to Gail and basically dismissed the other woman as she smiled "so you're on vacation, I have a bunch of leave owing that I can take. Feel up to a holiday somewhere with a few games of dot to dot thrown in?"

"Just a few?" Gail managed to get out around her stunned surprise as Holly started to lead her out by the hand. She would tidy up her paperwork but her mother had said effective immediately. She was doing as she was told for once. Let everybody else deal with the mess.

"A day" Holly beamed making her knees go weak. They ignored the stunned people who watched them leave. No one dared to call out to stop them. Not Steve or Frank. Not even Elaine herself. It wasn't often she was made to feel worthless but the brunette had done it. Holly was a doctor. And a Stewart. None of her spies had mentioned that. Something she would have their hides for. She thought she was just a morgue worker!

Once out of the room and away from the atmosphere Gail felt decidedly better. Despite everything that had taken place, that people knew her dirty laundry, that she had acted highly unprofessional and had just been placed on leave she felt lighter.

"Hey, did you just propose to me?" Gail teased Holly "am I a Stewart now?"

"All in good time Gail. All in good time" Holly's laugh echoed as the door to the elevators they just stepped into shut behind them.

"Superintendent Peck. My office please" Frank called out shaking the other woman out of her stunned silence as he headed inside and putting his phone on speaker made the call he had been wanting to make a long time. It was answered just as the Super stormed in his office in and attempt to bluster. "Inspector Peck I request you attend my office immediately and bring the appropriate personnel. I'm reporting your wife for unprofessional conduct. I believe one will also be coming from our Forensic pathologist Dr Holly Stewart. She happens to be the niece of several high ranking officials in this city. Oh and your daughters girlfriend"

"I'll be right there" the inspector sighed wondering what the hell was going on.

Holly watched Gail disappear into the bathroom and sighed. She knew this afternoon would catch up with Gail, that she would realise what had happened. Gail had stood up for her and basically told her mother to take a hike in the same breath. No matter how your parents treated you you still loved them. They were your parents. She knew it had to be hard. Holly was lucky her parents were loving and warm and accepted her 100%. Her whole family did. They were unbelievably proud of her.

She had told them about Gail of course but warned them off when they wanted to meet. They understood. Things were new and Gail was skittish. They would meet in good time with plenty of warning. Also step by step. Gail didn't need to be overwhelmed by the huge Stewart clan at once.

Then there was her friends who had been bugging to meet Gail for weeks, before anything had happened, knowing how Holly had felt about the blonde. Of course she could have killed them for the set up. They hadn't given her an out for that. She had noticed Gail's jealousy that night, the only good thing to come out of it. Maybe she could organise drinks with her friends one night in the future. Tomorrow she would organise taking her leave and maybe taking Gail either to the family cabin up North near North Bay or take her to the warm and get to see her in a bikini in One of the US southern states. Florida or maybe North Carolina. She loved BBQ. Although they would have to be careful not to burn that beautiful porcelain skin.

As she prepared the ingredients for their home made pizza she realised that she had got lost in her thoughts and Gail had been in the shower for a long time. Damn. Placing the items she held aside she made her way to the bathroom wondering what Gail had done this time. At least she couldn't attack her hair again, unless it was with a razor. She knocked on the door and called out "Gail?"

She waited for a reply and when none was forthcoming she opened the door and entered. The room was full of steam and the water appeared to be on full. Well at least it wasn't a cold shower. She heard a whimper and sighed. Was Gail crying? "Babe are you ok"

"No" came a tiny voice behind the glass and Holly's heart broke. Damn.

"Is their anything you need?" She asked softly and waited out a long pause before the glass door opened and there stood Gail in all her magnificent naked glory. Oh Lord. Her body was slender and Toned. She had seen Gail naked to the waist before and those pink tipped breasts were an absolute delight. The rest of her was just as wonderful and she still had no idea what Gail's natural hair colour was. Undoubtedly dark like her eyebrows as she hadn't dyed those. Holly's whole body flushed with heat and arousal and she wanted something that she really shouldn't take at this moment. Gail was way too vulnerable.

"I need you" Gail whispered brokenly and Holly groaned

"Gail"

"Please Hol, I just want you to hold me" Gail's eyes begged her silently and holly was a sucker for her when she begged. It crushed her to see her usual stoic Gail so upset.

It didn't occur to her until after she had stripped and entered the shower with Gail that she should have just helped the blonde out of the shower, get dressed then cuddle while waiting for dinner. Oh who was she kidding, she wanted to get in the shower with Gail, had fantasised about it and how it would feel to be slippery wet naked skin to slippery wet naked skin. It felt fantastic, better than any fantasy as she stepped close and pulled Gail in for a tight hug. Gail held on for grim life, her face buried in Her neck, her arms tight around her neck and pulling her tighter like she had those weeks ago at the hospital.

Holly slipped her arms around Gail's waist and held her firmly but gently all the time telling her she was right there and going nowhere. Gail didn't cry, not really, her breathing was deep and holly could feel her shaking but it was more in the effort to control herself than actually crying. Holly figured she had done most of that before she entered the shower.

Soon though she could feel Gail coming around, the shaking had stopped and the breathing had evened out. She felt a delicate kiss to her freckle and smiled even as she fought her bodies reaction. Gail was obsessed.

"No dot to dot today" she stated even as she slid her hands up to cup Gail's beautiful face and tipped it back to place a gentle kiss on pouting lips.

"You're so old fashioned" Gail murmured against her lips "so gentle-womanly it's frustrating" Gail tried to deepen the contact but Holly wouldn't allow it. "Holly" Gail complained and holly smiled

"I'm going to take some time off with you, the bosses have been telling me use it or lose it for nearly a year now." She kissed Gail again letting her draw it out a little but refusing to deepen it "two weeks, just the two of us. Lots of opportunities to play dot to dot"

Gail stared up at her and she could practically hear that big brain working up a smart ass comment

"Sounds very honeymoonish." The blonde grinned "you really want me in the family huh"

"Ha. I have to propose before you get the honeymoon" Holly teased back with a wink

"Who says you get to propose. Maybe I will" Gail rose a challenging brow and Holly merely laughed

"Oh ready for a Stewart grand wedding are we? You know my dad is the middle of 5. My mother who is a Carter" she paused when she saw Gail's widen "Yes those Carters, is the second of 4. All my Grandparents are alive and are the eldest. Their siblings are alive. We are all pretty close and have big Stewart/Carter bashes twice a year. Christmas and 4th July as many of the clan live in USA."

"Oh my fucking god" Gail breathed.

"Sorry, didn't mean to overwhelm you. You won't have to meet them all at once I promise" Holly suddenly became tense wondering if she had scared Gail off. If she could only control her babble mouth.

"If I'm not good enough to be a Peck how the hell can I live up to your families standards?" Gail asked and Holly smiled sadly for everything that Elaine Peck had put this wonderful woman through.

"Because my family has no standards babe. Yes there are a lot of Lawyers, doctors, politicians in my family. But there is also a mechanic, baker and my cousin works as a deckhand on crab boat in the Bearing sea. As long as we are happy they don't care" Holly told her softly "my family is dying to meet you, they like that you are a cop"

"And you're happy with me?" Gail was stunned she could make anyone happy

"Very" Holly told her softly and Gail felt herself melt a bit

"Oh" she smiled before remembering another piece of the conversation "Wait, You told your family about me?" Gail asked disbelieving.

"Yes"

"Everything" Gail narrowed her eyes

"Pretty much" Holly admitted sheepishly "I um haven't told them about a girl since college" then waited patiently as Gail absorbed this, relaxing slightly as Gail smirked.

"Pretty sure of yourself aren't you?"

"More like hopeful and kinda..." She paused biting her lip realising what she was going to say.

"Kinda what?" Gail stepped in closer until they were chest to chest and nose to nose

"Kinda hooked on you" Holly admitted shyly and Gail smiled

"I'm kinda hooked on you too lunchbox" she admitted knowing by calling her lunchbox Holly would know how long for and smiled when Holly breathed

"Thank God".

"Holly"

"Yeah?"

"Kiss me"

"My pleasure" the brunette smiled and pressed her mouth to Gail's.

I know I know. But don't kill me. Next chapter going to be pure smut