Holly stood in the queue at the coffee shop waiting for her order, kicking herself for not bringing her own from home..

"Hey Holly"

Holly turned to see Officer Amy Luck stood behind her ..

"Any? Hi, how are you"? Holly was surprised to her the Officer, she had kinda disappeared out of Holly's life since her relationship with Gail became official ..

"I'm good, how about you!"?

Amy nodded "yeah things are good my end, it's really good to see you" she smiled..

"Mmmhmmm it's been a while" Holly stated ..

"Are you getting Coffee to go? Or do you wanna catch up quick" Amy asked pointing to an empty table...

Holly quickly checked her watch for the time " I got some spare time"

"Cool" Amy ordered her drink and sat at the table with Holly following " so you look well"

Holly smiled " thanks.. So works good"?

Their Coffee's arrived and Amy added her sugar before answering " works .. Work Holly, same old you know"?

Holly nodded in agreement smiling to herself that Gail says the same thing, it must be cop code for I don't want to talk about it..

"So things with Gail must be good", Amy said ..

"Must they"? Holly asked knowing that wasn't a comment that said she wasn't happy for her ..

"Well word has it she's moved in"?

Holly shook her head " wow!, word does travel fast, and here's me thinking cops had better things to do"

Amy shrugged " it's a little early isn't it?"

Holly didn't appreciate her tone and wasn't going to get into a conversation about her personal affairs.. " I don't think that's anybodies business do you"?

"Hey I'm your friend, I'm just looking out for you" Amy said forcing a smile..

Holly rolled her eyes shaking her head " my friend? I thought you were too, but seems that changed when Gail and I got together"

"Meaning"? Amy frowned

"Meaning" Holly sighed " you don't like Gail and since we got together I haven't heard from you, you avoid me at crime scenes and i texted you for a catch up and you fobbed me off"

"Well I'm not going to lie and say I like Gail because I don't" Amy stated " and she doesn't like me, so it's not one sided and I'm sure she wouldn't like it if I was hanging around"

"It's nothing to do with Gail whom I'm friends with Amy" Holly bit back " and just because the two of you don't get along, doesn't mean that has nothing to do with me, we could of remained friends"

Amy sighed "Ok look, it's awkward, I mean I liked you more then a friend, you knew that and when you got with Gail it was .. Well like I said .. awkward ... Gail was smug about it, you heard her bragging"

" it didn't have to be awkward Amy. We would have worked it out, you were there for me when I knew no body here.. We had a good time and I really did feel like I had a friend in you" Holly said sadly ..

" I am your friend Hols, and if I'm honest that's why I've been distant, I can't see you with Peck because she's a cold hearted bitch, she doesn't care about people's feelings, shit, she doesn't even have feelings, it maybe all hearts and flowers now but trust me it won't last, I've known her for a lot of years now, she won't change"

Holly was furious with Amy's words " how dare you sit here and say those kinda things? You have no idea what Gail and I have and you certainly don't know Gail.. Working with her and knowing her are very different things ...yes she can act cold, and she's bratty and impetuous at times, but that is not who she is.. Not with me, and we are in love and if you or anyone else has a problem with that? Then tough,. because it's not gonna change," Holly took her Coffee in hand and rose to her feet .. " and you know what Amy, I actually felt bad about what happened with you and wanted to apologise but I think I'll pass... I really don't need friends like you .. Whether I'm with Gail or not... Nice catching up " Holly added sarcastically as she walked out of the cafe ...

Amy sat alone fiddling with her sugar packet.. Maybe she over stepped the mark and should have kept the conversation light.. She knows she's blown any chance of friendship she had with Holly now ..

...

"Hey Doctor Stewart" Cyrus grinned as Holly entered the morgue ..

"Cyrus? Hey .. They keeping you busy"? Holly smiled ..

"Always" Cyrus laughed " but it's a good thing.. I got my first pay cheque today"

"Ah good, and how did that feel"?

" it felt great, even more amazing knowing I paid rent with hard earned honest cash " Cyrus answered ..

Holly squeezed his shoulder "congratulations honey , I'm really happy for you, you should be proud of yourself "

" oh I am ma'am, and you what? My momma said she was proud of me today too"

"Makes it all worth it huh"? Holly asked .

"For sure , I'll let you head off, I got work to do" he laughed ...

"Oops! yeah, I don't want to get you in trouble "Holly winked leaving the man to continue with what he was doing ...

A little while later Cyrus was at the lab door " sorry to bother you Doc" he said as he tapped the door .

"No it's fine" Holly waved in him "what's up"?

"Oh nothing it's just I uh, can't find the boss man and it's my break time, but I didn't want to just head off so I thought maybe if I just let someone know"

Holly smiled, he really was a good kid and she's glad she took the risk with him " that's fine Honey you go ahead"

As Cyrus went to leave a smell breezed past Holly's nose .. " hey what smells so good"?

Cyrus smiled opening up his bag " homemade cannoil's , my Mom makes them and sells them to the cafe just down the street, you wanna try"?

Holly looked into the bag pouting her lips " they smell amazing,I don't usually eat sugary treats" she laughed taking one ..

"Well I won't tell if you don't" Cyrus winked.." I'm just gonna sit out front ok"?

Holly nodded to engrossed in her pastry treat to actually answer ..

Cyrus headed out front to take in the sun, the summer had arrived and it was finally warming up .. As he sat listening to the music on his phone he noticed a squad car pull up , he's first reaction was to run, why? he didn't know, he guessed it was old habits.. His second thought was how nice it was to know that.. that cop wasn't looking for him .. He watched as the cup exited the car ... A feel of dread hit his stomach..

Gail took off her sunglasses placing them in her vest, her eyes glued to the young man, it had been the first time he had seen her in a while and he knew she hated him ..

"Still here", she said sarcastically as she approached him..

Cyrus placed his hand over his eyes so she could see her properly "yes ma'am"

"And your keeping out of trouble"?

Cyrus nodded ..

Gail watched him for a few seconds, she knew he was nervous, years of policing taught her how to read people ...

" what's in the bag"?

"Cannoil's " the young man answered his voice broken .. He coughed to clear his throat " cannoil's ma'am"

Gail looked a little closer as Cyrus offered the bag out for her to look closer ..

" I like Cannoil's "

Cyrus shook the bag to offer her one..

"They gonna kill me"? She asked taking two..

"No Officer" he laughed " My Mother makes them and sells when to the cafe down the street, I assure you there is nothing bad in them"

Gail nodded as she inspected the treat, popping it into her mouth .. "Wow" she mumbled through a full mouth ..

"Good huh"? Cyrus laughed ..

"Mmmmm" Gail swallowed the remains in her mouth " too good, what cafe we taking about here"?

Cyrus stood offering Gail more, her being the junk food Junkie she is didn't decline ..

"It's called The Java bean, just past the lights on the left of the high street ..

"Gail popped the other one in her mouth opening the door " this doesn't mean I like you... And don't you dare tell Doctor Stewart I ate three of them"

Cyrus laughed " I'll keep your secrets"

Gail held the door for him to enter the building " and I'm still watching you West.. One false move and I'm on you"

"I know" Cyrus nodded " it's not gonna happen though " he added confidently ..

"Yeah well you keep bringing them into work and I might just lay off you a little"

"I'll get you a batch made up"

Gail nodded and headed off into the lab, it was a break through and Cyrus knew it.. He was turning his life around and people were starting to recognise that ..

"Lunchbox, let's lunch"

"Gail"? Holly frowned .. Gail hadn't been to the lab since she hired Cyrus, and vowed to never visit her at work again ..

"You're here"?

"Wow you are nothing if not observant nerd" Gail sighed leaning on Holly's desk. Her hands hanging off her utility belt.. Holly loved the uniform, Gail wore it well, it made her look tough and bad ass but sex at the same time ..

" no I just mean that you said you wouldn't...

"I know! I know what I said" Gail interrupted the brunette " I changed my mind , anyways are you free for lunch"?

Holly smiled she missed Gail stopping by.. "For you? Always"

Gail screwed her face up " that's corny as hell"

Holly grabbed hold of the cop pulling her into a kiss wiping her lip before " well I ain't nothing if not cheesy" she laughed kissing her again .. "So what do you wanna eat"?

Gail straightened out her jacket and shrugged " uh I dunno, although there is a cafe just down the street that sells the most amazing Cannoil's "

Holly took off her lab coat " cannoil's huh"? She smiled knowing Gail must have spoken to Cyrus while he was outside " and you've had them before huh"?

Gail shrugged " might have, cmon"?

As Gail and Holly walked past Cyrus who was mopping the floor, Holly winked at him as he saluted her ,whist Gail stepped away from the wet area " missed a bit" she smirked pointing to the floor ..

Holly and Cyrus looked at each other and smiled .. Finally things were good all round, there was actually nothing in the Pathologist's life she was unhappy about ...

Gail and Holly sat in the cafe, both eating a sandwich, Gail added a side order of cannoil's ..

"So where did you hear about this place"? Holly smiled ..

Gail stopped eating looking unimpressed at her girlfriend " really? You wanna do this"?

"what"? Holly frowned ..

"You and I both know how I know about this place! and how do I know you know?"

Holly shrugged ..

" you know West told me,. and you also know I had some of his cannoil's because you wiped the sugar off my lip before you kissed me.. And I know you know he had cannoil's because of the half eaten one on your desk"

Holly grinned shaking her head " and you don't want to be a detective"? She mocked

"Eat your lunch before I do" Gail warned rolling her eyes, throwing a napkin at the laughing brunette ..

...

Holly teased Gail throughout lunch much to the blonde annoyance..

She headed back to the station to finish up her paper work .. One more hour and she was off for the weekend..

"Gail?" Chloe called out running into the bull pen..

"Run.. Save yourself, superintendent Moms heading this way "

"What" Gail jumped off her seat "where"? She panicked heading towards the door ...

" no!... No, not that way " Chloe urged ...

"Gail"

"Shit" Gail sulked ., to late"

"Sorry" Chloe cringed ..

Mom"? The blonde sighed " if you're here about the other night, then I...

"Franks office please" Elaine interrupted..

Gail gave up and did as she was asked .. Her arms folded across her chest like a sulking teenager .. Elaine closed the door and shut the blinds ..

"Gail when you were born, I was more afraid for you then Steve" the red head began.. " I was afraid that you would struggle to be seen as equal like I did, being a women in any business isn't easy, I wanted to raise you to be strong and fearless ..

Gail was confused she had no idea where this conversation was going or even came from .,but he allowed her Mother to continue ..

" but from day one I knew you were tough, even as a baby, you hardly ever cried, not even when teething, and as a toddler when you fell you would just get back up and off you went .. Maybe I pushed you to hard, expected to much to soon"

Gail raised her eyebrows, was her mother really admitting she might have been to hard on her and Steve growing up .. ?

"Are you serious"? She asked

Elaine took a deep breath and faced her daughter " Gail I am in no way bothered about you dating Holly, in fact I prefer her compared to the likes of Nicolas"

Gail rolled her eyes ..

" I want to talk to you because at dinner the other night your father made me realise that you and Steve are adults and I can't chose your paths for you, and I guess what I'm trying to really say is... I don't want an empty table"

"What"? Gail frowned ...

" I want you and Steve to want to come home because you want to, not because I force you"

For the first time in Gail's life she was witness to real emotion in her mothers eyes, something's changed and Gail felt relaxed which again was a first ..

" after the other night your Father made me realise just how important you are to me.. Gail " Elaine's voice began to break and her eyes filled with tears .. " you are my baby and always will be,and contrary to what you believe sweetheart, I didn't have have the two of you just to carry in our legacy"

" I want you to be happy and live a fulfilled life and somewhere along the way I forgot that, I forgot what's most important .. And I am sorry..."

Gail gasped , sorry was not a word her mother used .. Ever..

"I'm sorry you feel I don't love you or care for for like a Mother should.. And I'm truly sorry I made that comment about you never becoming a parent.. I should never have assumed you and Holly wouldn't want a family"

"Mom? You don't have to do this"

"I do Gail, because I haven't been the mother you needed, I've never been sympathetic to your needs, and you're right I am harder on you then I am Steven"

Elaine moved closer tucking Gail's hair behind her ear " you are the most beautiful women in the world and you are hard working and Holly was right ... The redhead swallowed " you are more then enough. And if you don't want to be anything more then a beat cop.. Well then I have to except that... I cant promise I won't still nag you though" she laughed ..

A tear fell from Gail's eye which Elaine caught with her finger " No more put downs, no more disappointed looks, no more meddling in you life, .. Under one condition"?

" go on" Gail sniffed wiping another stray tear ..

" don't forget your Dad and I are here, and we want to see you"

Gail scanned her mothers face for a moment " you're serious"?

"Yes, and you know this kind of thing doesn't come easy to me Gail, but I mean it, it goes for Steve too"

"And will you stop checking up on me with Frank and Oliver "? Gail asked pushing her luck ..

"Never going to happen Gail" Elaine said shaking her head " that's not a superintendent thing, that's what Mothers do and one day you will knew that for yourself "

Gail smiled and nodded " ok"

Elaine ran the back of her hand down Gail's cheek " so fresh start"

Gail felt a sense of warmth from her mothers touch, it wasn't something that happened often, in fact Gail doesn't remember the last time her Mother was as close to her like she was in that moment.. Her hatred of other people touching her she assumed was a trait from the redhead ..

" you wanna hug this out"? The blonde asked shocking even herself ..

Elaine let her tears fall " I would like that very much " she wept taking her daughter into her arms .. Gail wrapped her arms around her Mother breathing her in.. It was something new and yet comforting.. The only other person who made her feel like that was Holly.. " I love you Gail"

.. " I love you too Mom"

...

"Wow! I can't believe all that came out of your Mothers mouth" Holly said shocked as Gail re-laid what happened ..

" You're not the only one, I'm still trying to understand it myself" Gail laughed climbing into bed with the brunette " it's been an eventful day"

Holly wrapped her arms around the blonde " well I would say eventful but in a good way"

Gail nodded kissing Holly's shoulder ..

"You know I think it's safe to say our lives are drama free for the first time since we met" holly stated kissing Gail's temple ..

"Shhh, you might jinx it" Gail joked ..

"Well I know that right now I feel like I have the perfect life and there is nothing I want more then what I have right now" Holly smiled stroking Gail's face ...

" as much as I like the sound of that Lunchbox, I'm sure there's something you want.?"

"Nope"Holly argued "not a thing.. Everything I want right now I have, and everything I want in the future, you do to , so right now .. No there isn't "

Gail shook her head in disbelief that this amazing women actually wants her and all she comes with ..

"Until something better comes along" the blonde joked placing a long lingering kiss on the brunettes lips ..

" it did... You came along, .. You're my something better ...

THE END ...

Thank you all for reading I appreciate it.. Some of you have asked if I am going to finish my other "Golly" fanfic and the answer is yes .. Updates to come soon ... Xxx