Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Its been a hell of a week
To J. Speedy recovery. Love you.
To H. Be strong, everything will be ok. Love you
For Nanna. RIP
Gail and Andy were working together. It was Halloween, and while everyone else on the Stewart family (Gail considered them both honorary Stewarts) partied and got ready to prank kids trick or treating they had to work. Luckily for them so did the rest of their friends so at least they weren't the only ones punished.
So far it had been a relatively quiet night, not much happening. A prank here or there that had gone awry. Illegal fireworks being set off with the pranksters well gone by the time anyone got there.
"So how's the wedding dress shopping going?" Andy asked suddenly and Gail groaned, anything but that. Andy laughed "that bad huh"
"I swear Laura is worse than my own mother. Dragging me from shop to shop" Gail grumbled and Andy grinned
"Hmmm so you haven't found a dress you like then?" she chuckled and Gail sighed. No she hadn't because Laura was forcing her into big traditional dresses which really didn't suit her and she never had a chance to try any she liked before she was being dragged into another shop. While Traci also had fun with Laura, Hayley had gotten out of most of it after being fitted for her suit. Black of course and her tie would be whatever colour Traci's dress was. As would Holly's brothers. Gail explained all this to Andy who frowned as she drove
"Gail it's your wedding, your day. Take a stand and try on what you like"
"But it's Holly's mother!" Gail sighed "I don't want to upset her".
"And risk not being happy on your wedding day because you don't feel comfortable or beautiful?" Andy shook her head "What does Holly say?"
"I haven't told her" Gail admitted and Andy rolled her eyes
"When's your next shopping day?" She asked
"Tomorrow after I wake" Gail admitted and Andy shot her a look. No wonder she hadn't stood up for herself if she always went shopping half asleep. She hated shopping at the best of times. Unless it was online shopping Andy smirked
"Call me and I will come too. You'll have back up" she offered and Gail shot her a surprised look before nodding. She was going to need all the help she could get.
Just then a call came over the radio for an alleged armed robbery in progress only a few blocks away. Two suspects armed with firearms last seen running North on 14th Avenue. Shooting each other looks Andy hit the lights and sirens while Gail called in to dispatch.
They were heading east on Turnfolk and a block away from the 7/11 that got held up. They were heading through an intersection, they both saw they had the green light and right of way. Vehicles on the road had pulled over to let them pass, vehicles in the other direction had a red light. Andy proceeded through the intersection. Out of nowhere came a pickup, lights off and travelling at speed. Andy screamed, Gail yelled and then the impact on the rear of the car jolted them. It was like a perfect Pitt manoeuvre that you see on cop shows, only this time the cops were pitted.
The car spun wildly doing 360 degrees fast enough to make Gail dizzy. Andy struggled to get the car under control, using all her driver training skills until they hit a large pot hole that threw them Into the curb. They were suddenly airborne, then landing upside down, then airborne, then right way up and oh shit was that a pole? Then nothing.
When Gail came to she had a ringing in her ears and strobes going off behind her eyelids. Then the pain hit and she groaned, her eyelids flying open and she realised the flashing lights were emergency lights. Memory came flooding back and she tried to sit up, struggling violently against whatever held her down. She cried out as pain shot through her chest and her right knee. She could hear someone trying to tell her to calm down and relax but she couldn't. She had to make sure Andy was ok, the impact had been on Andy's side.
The next thing she knew Chris was hovering over her looking concerned "Gail you need to calm down, you're gonna hurt yourself" he told her "let the paramedics treat you". It was then she realised the people talking to her were paramedics and she was strapped to a gurney.
"Andy?" She croaked
"Is with other paramedics, a bit busted and bloody like you but ok so far" he assured her.
"Holly"
"I've called Steve. He's going to call her" he informed and she groaned. Steve was blunt and to the point. Thinking she was in pain, (well she was but she was a Peck she could handle it,) a paramedic gave her a magic green whistle to suck on. Oh she had had those before, they were good.
She sucked on it greedily as she was loaded into a bus. She could see Chris's concerned gaze on her and she tried to give him a reassuring sign but the grin came out more like a grimace she was sure and then the rear doors were shut.
When Andy came too after the crash she felt like her head was going to explode and the pain in her left shoulder was excruciating. She cried out and soon had someone standing over her telling her she was ok, Gail was ok. Her vision was blurry and she felt nauseous.
Blinking several times and swallowing down the nausea she managed to realise that it was Nick talking to her and that paramedics would be there soon.
"Gail?"
"Chris is with her" he told her "Dov and Chloe are around somewhere too"
"Hayley" Andy tried to sit up and cried out, clasping her shoulder with her good hand
"Lay down, it's ok. We will tell them" he assured "we will let Oliver, Steve and Traci know too" he looked up as a bus pulled up and two paramedics came racing out. He didn't recognise either one as Mel's colleagues. One headed his way and the other to Gail. He nodded to the paramedic and informed him "Head wound and possible dislocated shoulder all I discovered so far. Her name is Andy"
"Hey Andy" the paramedic smiled.
Andy looked up at the paramedic with her swimming vision, and a part of her recognised he was hot. She didn't care, one she was in too much pain and two no one was as hot as Hayley. Andy groaned, had she just thought that? Of course she did, she wasn't stupid or blind. Ok so she was stupid for denying it for so long, she just needed time. Andy blinked, it was amazing what a good knock on the head did to you. She needed to rectify things and soon. She blinked up at the paramedic who was above her but she couldn't focus on him and his words sounded slurred.
Andy wasn't sure what the paramedic did but there was a flash of lain through her shoulder and she blacked out. The next time she was being wheeled into the hospital. She thinks. All those Fluro lights whizzing above her head were making her dizzy. 123425. No that wasn't right. She frowned and realised she was no longer feeling like she was in control of all her senses. Had she been drugged? No wait accident.
"Gail" she tried to sit up but was pushed back down and there seemed to be 100 voices at once, her head started to pound, her shoulder felt on fire and her stomach rebelled "sick" she groaned and someone shoved a bag in front of her face just in time.
Holly was having a tonne of fun with her family at her parents house. Even though they were all grown up her father still did up the house for the neighbourhood kids, using his construction experience to build a wonderland that every child and adult alike enjoyed. Holly was dressed as a doctor, much to everyone's disapproval as they had booed and hissed her. Hayley was dressed as a fireman which hadn't gone over too well with Andy before she left, she could have at least dressed as a cop!
Her family had gone all out with the costumes, pirates, maidens, witches and warlocks, headless horseman, Marie Antoinette. They had it all. She laughed at her father who was chasing some kids he was tricking down the front path. Shrill shrieks following their escape.
Hayley came up beside her and slung her arm around her
"Having fun cuz?" Hayley asked.
"Of course. It would be better if Gail was here" she sighed and Hayley laughed
"Sure, with her grumbling at the stupidity of the day, reminding us it was just a day for pranksters to get into trouble and eating all the candy before we could give it to the kids"
Holly hit her hard in the stomach making her wince.
"Don't be rude" she grinned "she would just hide it for later"
They laughed together and joined in the party again, spending another couple of hours taking turns to answer the door in between watching horror movies to frighten themselves. They had to watch their old classic favourite American Werewolf in London. They were just getting to the theatre bit when Holly felt her phone vibrating madly in her pocket. Hoping it was Gail she pulled it out and was surprised to see it was Steve.
"Hi Steve" she answered and a few people glanced her way in curiosity
"Holly you need to get to university Hospital now and bring Hayley with you" Steve said without preamble and Holly felt the blood drain from her face and dread settle in her stomach as she gripped Hayley's arm tight. Hayley yelped and frowned but seeing the look on Holly's face knew something was wrong.
"What's happened?" She managed to force out around a thick throat realising everyone was looking at her worriedly and someone had switched off the TV.
"Accident. Both Gail and Andy. They were responding to a hold up when they were side swiped by a truck with no headlights running a red light. They rolled a couple of times and hit a pole" OMG OMG Holly started to feel herself shake. No matter how you read it that was bad, side swiped, rolled and hit a pole. "I don't know the extent of injuries, just get to the hospital and we will meet you there" and before she could protest he was gone.
Holly jumped up and raced for the door calling for Hayley. All the while going over in her head what type of injuries you could expect in that type of crash. Head injuries for sure, maybe broken ribs from the seat belt, bruising too. Possibly whiplash, maybe broken limbs depending on the impact. She didn't want to think of anything worse but internal injuries weren't too far fetched. Wait, keys, where were her keys? She was just reaching the door when she was grabbed from behind and was spun around to face a worried Hayley.
"Wait stop what is it?" Hayley was concerned by how white Holly was and knew it was Gail. She also knew Andy was riding with Gail tonight and Holly had called her to come too which meant something had happened to both of them. Hayley felt sick to her stomach.
"Gail...Andy...crash" Holly managed to get out realising she was sobbing and saw Hayley go pale and stumble. Her brother Jacob grabbed Hayley while her mum came up to cuddle her. "Steve doesn't know details, they were side swiped and rolled into a pole" she hiccuped "injuries unknown"
There were a lot of murmurings. Some swearing and a few Oh my Gods from the family as they stood there stunned.
"Right everyone get your coats" Cameron ordered as he took charge "Hayley, Holly you are with me. What hospital?"
"University" Holly mumbled before taking deep breaths to control her breathing and trying to get everything under control. Gail would be alright. Andy too. She turned to her cousin and offered her hand, Hayley took it and they hurried out to her fathers truck. Her mother too. Hayley's parents and siblings hurried to their car. Others would lock up and be there soon.
A convoy of Stewart and Carter vehicles arrived at the Hospital just as Steve and Traci were cutting across the car park. Cameron dropped off Holly and Hayley at the main entrance and Steve called out to them as he rushed towards them. Holly turned and threw herself Into his arms and he hugged her tight. He did his best to reassure his two friends as they headed for the entrance of A&E but he didn't have a lot to go on.
Racing inside they found the room already full of uniformed cops including Nick, Chris, Dov and Chloe. Oliver was on his way they were informed as they all hugged and the others told them that they knew nothing as they weren't the next of kin. Scowling Holly headed over to the main desk
"Excuse me I'd like an update on Gail Peck and Andy McNally. The two officers brought in after a car crash" she enquired.
"And you are?" The nurse asked without looking up and Holly gritted her teeth
"Dr Holly Stewart, Toronto's Medical Examiner also Gail Pecks fiancée and next of kin. This is my cousin Hayley Stewart" she paused as the woman finally looked up mouth open "Yes those Stewarts. She is also the partner and next of kin of Andy McNally"
"I'm sorry I don't have a lot" the nurse apologised "they are in receiving treatment. I can tell you both parties had head injuries, lacerations and were awake but groggy when they came in. The blonde was making some snarky comments to the paramedics in between some singing, I figure it was the drugs they gave her. The dark haired one was quiet but in obvious pain and a bit unwell"
Holly took a deep breath and relaxed. Gail had been awake and abusive when she came in. Whatever injuries she had they would deal with as long as she was ok. Andy wasn't too bad off either it seemed. Not for the type of accident they had. No reports of surgery needed. Her relaxed state was short lived though when she heard a voice behind her screech
"Where's my daughter, I want to see my daughter"
Holly sighed and turned to see the woman she hadn't seen in a year standing next to her cowered husband with her own family standing on watching disapprovingly. Why oh why did this woman have to turn up now?
"Who the hell is that?" Hayley growled as the woman started storming towards them
"Elaine Peck, Gail's mum" Holly sighed
"Shit" Hayley whistled.
"Exactly" Holly growled and cut her off "Sgt Peck, Inspector Peck." She had to try not to smirk as the woman came up short on seeing her. She tried not to laugh as the woman's eyes narrowed when Holly reminded her of her demotion.
"Dr Stewart I see you are still in the picture" Elaine nodded at the woman. She was surprised Gail hadn't fucked that up yet. She usually fucked things up "That's highly surprising. Gail usually destroys relationships within a few months"
"Well it took a bit to break through the damage you had done to her but she is stronger than ever now and so are we" Holly snarled back and Elaine's jaw dropped open in shock. No one spoke to her like that! But before she could make a comeback the Doctor continued. "If you came here to see Gail then it was in vain. Just turn around and go back out that door. You're no longer her next of kin and were never much of a mother"
"Holly that's enough" Laura spoke quietly while stepping in. Hayley grabbed Holly by the shoulders and dragged her back to the nurses desk while whispering in her ear she was awesome. Holly snorted turning her back on the other woman, let her mother deal with it and turned to the nurse "That woman gets no information unless I say and if I find out she got anywhere near Gail there will be hell to pay"
"Yes Dr Stewart" the nurse nodded "I will go check on their progress and report back. I will also inform the rest of the staff of your wishes" she hurried off.
Holly turned around and noticed Elaine Peck had moved to a far corner of the room. She turned to Hayley and could see she was still pale, worried and a bit confused. She realised it was Hayley's first time waiting for a loved one in a waiting room. While she was still worried herself she felt the need to reassure her cousin.
"Hey you ok?"
"Not really" Hayley muttered and let Holly lead her over to some vacant chairs. Slumping Into them gratefully
"Welcome to the life of loving a cop" Holly sighed as she slumped next to her
"It's hell on the system. Why am I pushing so hard for a relationship with Andy?" Hayley groaned but Holly knew she didn't mean it and took her hand to hold in her own
"Contrary to what everyone else thinks I know you and Andy are just friends" Holly said quietly and Hayley sighed "I don't really understand it, how you live together, sleep together and are not actually together but having said that you are so good for each other. She settles you and you helped her through a very rough year in her life" she gave Hayley's hand a squeeze "she loves you too, just give her time"
"Ok how did this go from being worried to relationship advice?" Hayley sighed running her free hand through her hair "I know she loves me. I can see it. I even know what's holding her back, me and my reputation. She's been hurt before" she smirked at Holly's surprised look "What, she's talked about jumping into relationships before and being hurt. I put two and two together. After my last disastrous effort I decided Andy was 100% in control"
"Hayley Stewart you've grown up" Holly teased before quickly standing upon seeing the desk nurse coming towards them. Hayley quickly stood too. Holly felt a presence behind her and realised it was Steve. She winced when she remembered he had been there when she chewed out his mum. She was surprised he hadn't stepped in. "Well?" She asked the nurse when she stopped in front of them. The nurse consulted her clipboard
"Both have head lacerations which are being stitched. Obviously they both have headaches and possible concussion. Officer Peck is complaining of a sore neck which is in a neck brace until they can get her into x-ray. Her right knee is also sore and swollen but the doctors believe its a sprain not and ACL or anything. X-rays and tests will confirm it." She smiled at Holly as she exhaled in relief. Then she turned to Hayley "Officer McNally has the same head injuries just on opposite sides."
"Vehicle windows I presume" Holly cut in and the nurse nodded
"Cuts and abrasions from shattered glass. Officer McNally has some lower back pain and possibly a dislocated shoulder. Impact was on her side. Other than that there is some bruising on both that will look spectacular for the next week before it disappears. They will be sore generally for a while. Work is out for both for at least a week, more maybe depending on injuries" she nodded at Holly "guess you can tell better"
"Can we go in?" Hayley asked suddenly and the nurse bit her lip, looking back at the department. She sighed and nodded
"Sure, but you have to stay out of the way ok" she informed. Holly knew hospital procedure and nodded, promising to keep Hayley in line. She took her cousins hand as they followed the nurse into the ER.
Andy and Gail were lying side by side in their own cubicles but with the curtain pulled back. Holly bit her lip seeing blood in Gail's hair and the swelling around the face and head. She did not like that Gail had neck pain but hoped it was only whip lash.
She squeezed Hayley's hand when she faltered a bit and looked over at Andy. She looked just as bad as Gail and a bit uncomfortable too, shuffling around and wincing when she couldn't get comfortable. She hissed and grabbed for her shoulder and Holly smiled when Hayley was by her side in seconds, taking Andy's good hand in her own.
Holly turned and made her way over to Gail who was just staring up at the ceiling with her neck in a brace. Moving so she was standing at head height she leant in and gave her best smile.
"Hey baby"
"Hol" Gail whispered and Holly bent to place a quick kiss on her lips.
"Can't leave you and Andy alone for a minute without you getting into mischief." Holly tsked and grabbing a nearby chair sat at the bed, taking one of Gail's Hands in both of hers.
"We decided to play bumper cars. Andy can't drive worth shit" Gail quipped and Holly had to snort back a laugh as Andy called out
"Hey fuck you biiiiiiaitch. Next time you drive" there was a pause "nope I retract that. You can't drive when cars aren't crashing into you"
"Smart ass" Gail mumbled and Holly had to laugh. Back to her snarling best. She looked over at Hayley who was sitting next to Andy's bed holding her good hand. The couple were staring at each other sombrely and Holly knew there were some private messages in those looks so turned away. "So how was halloween?" Gail asked and she sighed.
"I swear if you get me back in this hospital for anything other than delivering our kids I will kill you myself" she growled and Gail grinned.
"Well then we better set a date so YOU can start on the kids" Gail grimaced and Holly laughed
"Deal. Spring next year. Around end of April. Sound ok to you?"
"Sounds perfect to me nerd" Gail whispered as Holly leant in for a kiss.
Andy and Hayley shared an amused look before Andy turned back to the conversation at hand.
"Seriously I will be ok if you want to go"
"Andy I ain't going anywhere so stop. Ok. I'm right where I want to be. Unless you want me to go?" She asked cautiously and by the frantic squeeze on her hand knew she didn't. She smiled knowingly. "Ok you want me to call anyone?" She knew the answer to that. Andy wasn't close to her family and wasn't surprised when she shook her head.
"No. I just want you here" Andy sighed and Hayley smiled. That sounded good to her.
Outside in the waiting room Oliver hurried in with Celery. Other officers who had finished their shifts had come to check out how their colleagues were doing. Steve filled them in and then asked if they had caught the person responsible.
"Not yet, we found the truck" Oliver informed "Stolen. It was the robbers get away car. Forensics are having it towed back to the lab"
Everyone nodded. Hopefully the dumb bastards were stupid enough to leave prints. They had destroyed the CCTV unit at the crime scene. Or thought they had. It was a fake set up while the real set up was tucked away. The manager didn't know how to use it though and they had to wait for a tech to come in in the morning. Oliver looked around the waiting room and froze when he saw the two figures sitting off in the corner.
"Aww man you missed a great show" Chris beamed and they all hurried to tell him the story. Oliver had to smile. Holly was a God send.
It ended up being that Gail had whiplash and a sprained knee. A soft neck brace for a week and a knee brace for a while with the use of crutches for a week. Andy had a dislocated shoulder which they had popped back in and no permanent damage to her back but physio and chiro could help with the pain. Both had wicked bruising from their seat belts. Gail had five stitches on her right temple. Andy had ten in her left cheek. Andy had declared she was gonna have the best scar.
This led to a battle on who had the best Injuries and the hottest partners (much to Hayley and Holly's amusement) as they were wheeled in wheel chairs out of the A&E. Of course both were hopped up on drugs. They were only released because Holly did have her doctorate and promised to watch Gail for the night and Hayley promised to have her mother who was a doctor stay the night as well. They were given a tonne of scripts each and handed over to their partners.
"Are we going home?" Andy sighed looking up at an amused Hayley who felt a lot better than a few hours ago.
"No stupid they gonna leave us on the street" Gail rolled her eyes and laughed when Andy's attempted swipe hit the chair and the brunette cursed. She smiled reassuringly as they were surrounded by family and friends all trying to see her and make sure she was ok. Everyone was super careful with her neck and knee brace and of Andy's shoulder in a sling. It was so good to be surrounded by family and friends.
The smile was wiped off her face when she heard an all too familiar voice, but one she mercifully hadn't heard all year
"Let me through, I want to see my daughter" she heard her mother shout in frustration. Oh fuck. That's the last thing she needed. People parted and suddenly she was face to face with her parents. They hadn't changed a bit, although her father had a few more grey hairs.
"Gail" her mother opened her arms and went to move forward.
"Stop" Gail held up her hand and her mother paused. Gail glared "I haven't seen you in a year and you don't get to act the concerned mother. I'm fine, my family is taking care of me" Gail watched as her mother raised her chin and looked around at all the people who surrounded her. She felt Holly lay a gentle hand on her shoulder offering support. "You never attempted to call me mother. Not last Xmas, not for my birthday. I know you still have your cronies and they would have been reporting everything to you. So why is this time different?"
"I was working tonight, when the crash came through I called your father and he came and picked me up. We came straight here" her mother answered, honestly from what Gail could see "all I knew was it was serious and I had to be here"
"I'm too tired and too drugged up for this shit. I just want to go home and sleep". Gail grumbled
"Of course darling, your father can bring the car around and we will take you home and take care of you" her mother stated and everyone just stared at her audacity. Gail just laughed.
"Are you stupid mother or think I am?" She snarled "you have a long way to go and need to change so much before I will willingly go anywhere with you. That last comment shows you have a long way to go" she turned to her father "and you need to grow some balls dad instead of being her lapdog." She paused when her mother gasped and people hastily smothered their giggles or turned them all into coughs. "I live with holly now, we are engaged and I am going home with her. Ain't that right babe"
"Absolutely" Holly smirked
"Engaged!" Elaine croaked and stared at the ring on Holly's left hand which was curled around Gail's shoulder
"Yeah. Holly and I might not be good enough to be Pecks but we are going to make great Stewarts" Gail sighed suddenly drained "take me home love"
"Your wish is my command" Holly nodded and Gail smirked
"Oh really"
"Once a year offer. You've just used this years" Holly winked
"Bummer" Gail grumbled and Holly laughed and started pushing the chair forward but Elaine refused to budge. Really? Holly had had enough of the woman.
"Move" She ordered and that's when Steve stepped in and grabbing his mother hauled her out of the way as Holly brushed past them. She could hear Elaine and Steve exchanging words, neither sounding happy with the other as she walked off. Soon Hayley and Andy were beside them as they were headed out front to wait for their prospective fathers to bring around their vehicles to the ER entrance.
"Wanna race?" Andy laughed still hopped on drugs
"Not on your life love, you're too sore" Hayley told her and Andy pouted. Gail managed a smile.
"You sure you will be alright on your own?" Holly asked her cousin who nodded as they reached the pick up area.
"Yup, mum and dad will be downstairs so if I need them I will just yell" Hayley assured then stepped around to give Gail a hug when she saw the familiar vehicles approach. "You take care of yourself. Do as Holly says and don't complain too much"
"You know me well" Gail smirked
"She annoys me too much I can always hand her over to her mother" Holly threatened and Gail groaned much to everyone's amusement. Holly hugged Hayley then bent to gently hug Andy. Other family members came around to say goodbye and let the women know they were glad they were ok. Andy took it gracefully, Gail took it grudgingly. Then their friends and colleagues were there and offering their support. Once Gail had suffered through enough hugs she demanded to be helped into the truck. She slid in bum first cause she just couldn't get her leg up. It was too high. Holly ran around the other side and slid in behind her to brace her.
Andy was just as interesting to get in. With her sore back and her arm in a sling. Hayley picked her up carefully in the end and slid her into the rear drivers side. Andy gasped in pain but it had to be done. Soon they headed off, meeting at a nearby drug store to fill the prescriptions before heading their separate ways.
Once home Holly's parents helped Holly get Gail inside and slumped on the couch. Holly grimaced as she thought of all the dried blood on their furniture. She wished the hospital had cleaned them up a bit more. At least they had combed the glass out of their hairs. Her next job was a shower she figured as she hugged her parents goodbye and watched Gail growl at her father for calling her Pixie, again.
Once her parents were gone she turned to Gail and walked over to her. Mindful of her leg she knelt carefully on the couch and cupped a pale face, even paler than usual.
"I was so scared I had lost you tonight" she leant in and tenderly kissed bruised and bloody lips
"Not tonight dear, I have a headache" Gail smirked when she pulled away and Holly couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well miss headache and pain in my ass you need a shower. I can barely just handle blood on our couch but refuse to have any in our bed" she informed and Gail sighed
"Holly, how the hell am I going to get up those stairs?"
"Hey we're smart. I am a doctor and you're an awesome cop. We will get you up there even if we have to bum shuffle". Holly offered her hand and gently pulled her to her feet. It took about twenty minutes but they managed to get upstairs, one step at a time. Once in the bathroom Holly stripped them both down, wincing at how bruised and swollen Gail's knee was after she removed the leg brace once she had Gail standing in the shower. Then she remembered the stitches and quickly covered it with water proof bandaid and finally turned on the water.
"Fuck Holly can you please remember it takes a while to warm up" Gail hissed and Holly smirked as she remembered their first time kissing in the shower after Gail chopped off all her hair. That had been an emotional night but it had been the start of their incredible relationship. The water warmed up and Holly went about gently washing Gail's hair, apologising whenever she hit a sore spot or even if Gail's neck moved too far and created pain. After her hair she carefully washed Gail's body, soothing aching muscles and cleaning scratches. Gail's body was literally black and blue with bruises, more black and blue than her normal pale skin. Once done she quickly washed herself down and turned off the water. She dried herself and then Gail while still in the bath. Putting her soft neck brace and her leg brace on before gently guiding Gail out of the tub.
"Right now I definitely wish that I had Hayley's physique so that I could carry you" Holly grumbled.
"I don't, I like that you are toned, curvy and feminine" Gail winked "especially those boobs" she laughed as Holly actually blushed slightly and started guiding them into their bedroom. She dressed Gail in boxers and baggy shirt before slipping into her own and helping Gail into bed. Joining her in bed she cuddled in as close as she dared and took Gail's hand in her own.
"Holly?"
"Yes?"
"Please don't get sappy ok. Not tonight, I'm high, I've had a run in with mother and I am sore, can you wait until tomorrow?" Gail asked and Holly grinned. Injured and she was stil making smart comments.
"No sappiness I promise. You need to sleep" Holly informed and leant in to press a kiss to Gail's forehead "I'll be right here"
"Pain meds give me loopy dreams and I may talk" Gail smirked "Fair warning"
"I know, I slept beside you when you hurt your wrist remember"
"Oh" Gail sighed as her eyes fluttered closed no longer able to fight the sleep. Holly waited until she was sure Gail was asleep and slipping her hand free crept out of the room and back downstairs. She wanted to pour herself a large scotch on the rocks but knew she had already drunk enough that night. Instead she made herself a tea and went to sit on the couch. Sitting cradling the tea she let the night and the emotions sweep over her, her fear, her anger, the relief the tiredness. She was damn lucky she hadn't lost Gail and it was a pure miracle she wasn't seriously injured. She sniffed to try and hold the floodgates. It didn't work, soon she was sobbing while trying to stifle them with her hand. When that didn't work she tried a pillow, she wasn't sure how long she cried but when she was done her eyes were itchy and her throat was raw and her tea was cold.
She nearly lost Gail tonight but she had to tell herself she hadn't, that Gail was ok, would need some help getting better but in a month or so she would be ok, maybe back at work and then they could work on getting married. Right now she needed to get her butt in bed and be with Gail. Sighing she stood and went to rinse out her mug. Turning off the lights on the way back upstairs she used the bathroom and left the light on in case they needed it later to navigate. Heading into the bedroom she slid into bed beside Gail. Gail murmured something and Holly snuggled closer, taking her hand and closing her eyes. She was exhausted physically and emotionally and soon felt herself drifting off to sleep.
Meanwhile Hayley and her parents got a still high and rather chatty Andy into their condo. Everyone was highly amused by her parrot like state as she regaled them with stories of her academy days, stories about her time as a rookie, working with others and comparing it to the current crop of rookies they had to work with. Some of the stories had actually been funny and the laughter was a great stress relief after the night they had had.
Finally though once they got home Andy became quieter, maybe the drugs wearing off. Hayley assured her parents they would be fine without help and to make themselves comfortable in the spare room, she would call if she needed a hand with Andy. She stood back and let her parents hug Andy before gently scooping the brunette up into her arms and striding for the stairs. She was unaware that her parents watched on, once again marvelling the change the brunette had brought about in their daughter. Hayley was smitten and deeply in love, Andy having tamed her partying ways. They both hoped Andy hung around for a long time.
Upstairs Hayley carried Andy to the bathroom, letting the brunette have privacy for her toilette after assisting her take off her belt and popping the button on her work pants. Her upper body was only clad in a hospital gown after they had to gain access to her shoulder. The jacket she had worn home had been hung up downstairs. After her toilette Andy nearly freaked when looking at herself in the mirror when washing her hands. She was covered in cuts and bruises and crusted with dry blood. She needed a shower badly but knew she wouldn't be able to take one on her own.
Sighing she realised she would need to ask Hayley, which meant Hayley would have to see her naked, she would see Hayley naked and that was a whole different level of intimacy. Something she could no longer deny was between them.
Opening the door she stepped out to find Hayley stripping off her fireman outfit she had worn for Halloween, leaving her in a pair of briefs and a singlet. It was no less than Andy had seen her in every day but tonight knowing what she was going to ask it made her mouth go dry as she raked her eyes over the lean but powerful body. A body that reminded her of an athlete, ok yes Hayley played soccer but she was thinking more along the lines of a professional male athlete. Just with a packer and some boobs. Small boobs but that didn't exactly bother her. That and the fact that Hayley was butch made this whole attraction/caring thing a lot easier.
Hayley seemed to realise she was being watched and glanced up. Andy let out a shaky sigh as the blonde dropped everything and hurried towards her
"Hey you ok?"
"I need a shower" Andy sighed and Hayley just looked confused. Andy shook her head "Hayley I have a dislocated shoulder and a sore back. I need help undressing and help showering"
"Oh" Hayley gulped and Andy had to bite her lip to prevent from laughing as her friend blushed
"Yeah, well you always wanted to see me naked right" she teased and taking Hayley's slack hand led her towards the cupboard that held the first aid kit. "First look in there and see if you can find anything that can cover my stitches." She told Hayley who was grateful for something to do while she tried to kick start her brain. OMG Andy needed help with a shower, she was going to see Andy naked, Andy was going to see her naked. Holy crap how could she get through this without embarrassing herself. Wait a minute she would have to help Andy with all her showers, for a couple of weeks maybe. Oh god this was going to be torture!
"Anything?" Andy asked behind her pulling her out of her daydreams and she returned her mind to the job, hastily finding a large waterproof bandaid. Thank god for Holly and her mum providing her with well stocked first aid kits. She turned and held up the bandaid with a triumphant grin and hastily ripped it open to cover the stitches on the bruised and swollen cheek.
Andy noticed the shaking hands and the green eyes that wouldn't quite meet her own and smiled. Someone was nervous.
"Hayley?"
"Hmmmm?"
"Tomorrow or the next day when I'm not high on drugs and no longer concussed we need to talk" Andy told her and Hayley froze and looked at her heart hammering in her chest. What was Andy trying to say? Seeing Hayley's panic Andy was quick to reassure "We need to talk about us Hayley. Together"
"There is an us?" Hayley asked hopefully.
"You and I both know there has been, for a long time, I was just in denial, a bit scared" Andy sighed. And bit her lip looking away "I've been so unfair to you" she whispered and Hayley was silent for so long Andy wondered if she was angry.
"Andy when you are no longer high and when you feel a bit better I'd be honoured if I could take you on a date" Hayley asked rather nervously and Andy looked up into those gorgeous green eyes and the earnest face of the woman who had come to mean so much to her.
"Of course. I'd like that" she whispered and watched a smile bloom before they both became rather nervous about what they had to do next.
"Ok so you need help with a shower" Hayley smiled "I can do that, I'll have to get in with you" she paused waiting to see what Andy would say to that.
"I know" Andy nodded and Hayley sighed. She wasn't usually self conscious about her body and she was used to being naked in front of others in the locker room but this was Andy, the woman she loved, had waited so long for. The woman who'd just been in a car crash you idiot and needed to get clean. Quit stalling.
"Ok, I will strip first then I will help undress you ok?" She asked and seeing the dazed look in Andy's eyes had to grin. Alright she had to make this the least sexy as possible, this was about cleaning and healing. Not seduction. She quickly stripped out of her shirt and shoved her jocks down, kicking them aside until she stood there naked. She flicked a quick look at Andy who was staring slack jawed and her grin widened. Appeared Andy liked what she saw.
My God Hayley had a six pack. She had never seen a guy with a six pack let alone a chick. She wasn't quite sure how she got it considering all the junk food she ate but she wasn't complaining. Hayley's body was a work of art, she shivered at the mere thought of being intimately familiar with it. Hayley came to stand before her and lowered the zip on her work pants, a gentle tug and they slid to the ground and her knickers soon followed. Andy had to keep chanting to herself injured injured injured to keep her libido in check. Of course when Hayley tried to get the hospital gown off and she had to move her arm a bit all sexiness was wiped from her mind with a flash of pain causing her to whimper.
"God I'm sorry" Hayley whispered as she threw the gown aside and stood there awkwardly while trying not to stare at perfection. God Andy was so beautiful, despite the bruises everywhere. Her skin was a lovely golden, her breasts were gorgeous and about the perfect size for her hands with dark rose coloured nipples. Her body was softly toned without taking away the feminine qualities and just curvy enough. Nice rounded hips and she was bare, just how she liked.
"It's ok, lets get the shower over with" Andy gritted through clenched teeth shaking Hayley out of her daydreams. Right. Shower. Taking Andy's hand gently she led her into the shower stall and turned on the taps as warm as she could handle without being too hot. Andy tested it then stepped directly under it, both trying to ignore the bloody water swirling down the drain as Hayley showered Andy as quickly and proficiently as she could, keeping a careful eye that her stitches didn't get wet.
She sucked in a startled breath when she went to turn off the shower and Andy stopped her. She blinked as the next thing she knew she had an armful of sobbing woman. Gently wrapping her arms around Andy she told her just to cry it out, there was a lot of fear, pain and relief in those tears. Hayley felt herself getting all emotional and had to swallow down the lump in her throat.
"I was so scared today. I thought I'd lost you before I even had you" she whispered in Andy's ear and felt Andy hug her tighter. She pressed a kiss to a bruised and cut brow "I'm so glad you are ok"
"I'm so sorry" Andy sobbed
"Don't be. You needed time, it's a big change and I had a history. If you mean tonight then don't be, it wasn't your fault". She held Andy for long more minutes until the sobs died down, then pulled back gently and leant around Andy to turn off the shower "I think we need to get you to bed, get some sleep. I promise I will be right there ok"
"Ok" Andy sniffed as Hayley led her out of the shower and grabbed their towels. Wrapping a towel around her own hips she then as gently as she could tried to dry Andy off, pausing if she tensed or whimpered in pain. Andy was too sore for it to be anywhere near sexy. Finally when they were both dry she helped Andy into a tshirt and then back into her sling before pulling on her own night gear.
Luckily the natural sides they lay on had Hayley on Andy's good side so they were able to snuggle to a point that was comfortable with Andy's shoulder and back. Once settled Hayley used the app on her phone to turn off all the lights and set the apartment alarm.
"If you need me during the night don't hesitate to ask" Hayley told the brunette who squeezed her hand gently, already drifting off to sleep,exhausted from the emotional roller coaster of a night and her crying jag.
Hayley watched her drift off and it wasn't until Andy was breathing slowly and deeply in sleep that she leant in and placed a gentle kiss to her good cheek "I love you Andy" she whispered and sighed deeply when she got a soft snore in return. Rolling onto her side to face Andy she lay watching her long into the early hours of the morning