A/N: I don't own anything except the mistakes.
"Sup, Casanova?" Gail's hunched over her desk, barely starting on her paperwork for today's shift.
"Oh, ya know. Just busted the biggest gang in the city. Thought you might want my autograph."
"Steve, I was there. We busted three teenage boys growing shitty pot in their mom's greenhouse. And I think the pictures of nine year old you in mom's heels will tide me over for a while longer."
"Alright. Well let me know if you change your mind. You're coming to Sunday dinner tonight right? There's no way I'm going alone."
"So bring Traci."
"No way, she's got Leo tonight. He'd have nightmares for weeks."
"Ugh fine. Superintendent mom would probably have me arrested if I didn't show anyways."
"Great. I'll pick you up at 6."
"Trying to make sure I don't flake on you?"
"No way Gail. I'm being the excellent big brother I have been for the past 28 years."
"Well big brother, you just won yourself the coveted title of 'Designated Driver'. Now get outa here, this paperwork isn't gonna do itself."
"See you at 6! Oh, and mom's on a new 'raw diet' so you have to bring snacks for the car."
"Gag me. What is this? The Hunger Games?"
"Let's ditch and just go grab a burger," Gail suggests as they pull into their childhood driveway.
"I wish. Here," Steve hands Gail a wet wipe so she can clean the cheese puff powder off her hands.
Gail slinks out of the car and gazes up at her parents house as they walk up the front steps. The door swings open, revealing the ever chipper Elaine Peck.
"Ah my babies!" she exclaims.
"Evening mom."
"Steven, you're looking thin."
"Hi mom," Gail says with a closed lip smile.
"Gail! I just started this new "raw diet", you should do it with me! I've already lost four pounds this week."
"Thanks mom but I'll pass," Gail says through gritted teeth, as Steve offers up a sarcastic thumbs up behind their mom.
"Gail, why didn't you bring Holly?" Elaine asks as she leads them into the living room.
"Well mom I only dragged her along last time as a punishment but I let her stay home tonight."
"Actually I'm pretty sure it was her who dragged you along last time," Steve jokes. If looks could kill Steve would have died ten times over.
"Gail, can I get you a drink?" Steve asks in an attempt to get Gail back on his side.
"I'd love one. Heck, I'm not driving, make it a double."
"I'm going to puke!" Gail exclaims as soon as she and Steve have shut the car doors.
"Oh mom's raw food wasn't that bad," Steve offers as he throws the car into reverse.
"You're right it wasn't that bad. But it also was not food," Gail protests.
"Oh it was food alright. Bird food," Steve counters with a chuckle. "Where to 'Designated Passenger'?"
"I want a milkshake...and fries...possibly a donut."
"Sounds about right," Steve smiles to himself as he turns toward a favorite diner of theirs.
"Why didn't you just tell mom Holly's at that conference anyways?"
"I like to see her sweat."
"Gail, that's just mean," Steve glances over at Gail for a second.
"She's mean. I have to get my kicks when I can."
"What's so bad with letting on that you're happy? Mom liked Holly. She called her 'Holly' for one."
"You're right. I'm sure she's halfway to adopting her and cutting me off," Gail sighs.
"You know you're so much like mom," Steve smiles.
Gail turns and stares at Steve, eyes narrowed, jaw set, and lips pursed. She stays stalk still as Steve pulls into a spot in front of the diner. Steve glances at Gail briefly as he exits the car, "Come on, or I'm locking you in," he threatens.
Gail knows it's not an empty threat and opens the door immediately, but takes her time getting out of the car and walking into the diner.
They make their way to their usual booth, away from the draft of the door and the bustle of the cash register, with a good view of the small park across the street. The waitress leaves them with their menus and Steve offers one last observation, "You know, giving mom 'bad news' isn't worth it if it's not good news for you. She's not 'winning' if you're happy. You'd have made detective a long time ago Gail if you weren't so focussed on trying to keep her from 'wining'."
Gail looks at Steve over her menu with the same look she gave him in the car and cooly proclaims, "you're buying". All Steve can do is smirk.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews, views, and follows guys! This is my first fic so I'm still getting the ball rolling but have no fear! Holly's Toronto bound next chapter and it'll get less dialog centric. The chapters will also get a longer as the story gets going.