I apologize for the long wait between the last chapter and this! Thank you for holding on and reading this story! As always, I love hearing from you! Thank you for all of your encouragement, comments, PMs, tweets, and reviews!

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"Really Holly? Do we have to? Can't we just be sick, or something?" Gail is sitting in the middle of our bed, refusing to get dressed, like a petulant child.

"Come on Gail, your mother is trying.." I sigh.

"Yes, she is. She is very trying indeed." Gail says in a rather disgruntled voice.

"She is making an effort." I reply slowly, "The least you can do is get up and get dressed, so we can be only fashionably late."

"You have no idea just how much I hate these things." She whines

"Gail." I say firmly, "I think I have every idea how much you hate these things, but I promised her we would come. Please don't do this."

"Since when did you start taking her side?" Gail pouts.

Sitting on the edge of the bed next to her, I sigh and stroke her hair gently. She does look miserable. I hate it that Elaine has the power to reduce Gail to an unhappy little girl at times without even trying. Reaching out to her I, place my other hand comfortingly on her bare thigh. She closes her eyes and leans into me.

I lean in pulling her close "I am always on your side." I murmur into top of her head, "Look, I know official police events can be painful for you, but I promise I will be there with you the whole time. Besides, I doubt your mom will make a scene in public."

"You don't know her." Gail groans. "I think I liked it better before she thought I had died, when she still disapproved of our relationship and was snubbing me…"

"Gail," I say, trying to sound patient, and probably failing, "She loves you. She hasn't seen you since we got back and she wants to hear about the conference and our trip. Look, we can just put in an appearance, have a few free drinks, and leave before the dinner. Ok?"

"She probably heard that the Commission on Human Trafficking offered me a position as an investigator and wants to know if I am going to be living up to my career expectations as a Peck." She does nothing to hide the bitterness creeping into her voice. Her hands fidget with the edge of the soft, light blue wool blanket we brought back from England that now covers the foot of our bed.

"I really don't think that's what this is about…" I try to comfort, but I know she could be right.

"Really?!" She sits up, "And what is this with you and Elaine suddenly becoming best buds, Holly?" She glares at me, "If you're so fucking close, Holly, why don't you just go? I'm sure she'll never miss me."

"Gail…" I start to say something, but she cuts me off.

"I'm sure things would have been peachy if her loser daughter had died in the line of duty, and she has gotten to keep you!"

She scoots to the edge of the bed. I am still trying to recover from the sting of her last barb, to swallow the lump in my throat, and blink back the pain blossoming behind my eyes, when Gail hops up.

"In-fact, you know Holly, I'm sure she would have been much happier if you were actually her daughter instead." She fires off, before stomping into the bathroom and locking herself in.

Shit.

Well isn't that just great.

Twenty minutes later I am sitting on the couch reading my book when she re-appears wearing a tiny dark red dress, black pumps with tall red heels and platforms, matching lipstick, almost too much charcoal eye-shadow, and an angry smile.

"Come on Holly, you're the one who wanted to go to this thing." She calls over her shoulder as she strides past me toward the front door. "You wouldn't want us to be late and embarrass my mommy, now would you?"

The front door slams. I put my book down with a sigh. This is a side of Gail I haven't seen in a while. Although it usually isn't aimed at me, I was hoping she was over this kind of reaction. I grab my clutch and follow her out to the car.

"Come on Holly, we don't have all day!" Gail barks, slamming the car into reverse as I get in, and go to fasten my seatbelt.

"Gail, look…" I try again, touching her lightly on the arm.

"Don't!" She shrugs my hand away wearing a steely expression, and throws the car into drive.

I lean back into my seat closing my eyes. Removing my glasses I sigh and press my thumb and forefinger into my eyelids. It's frustrating knowing I'm just going to have to wait for her to calm down before we can have any reasonable conversation.

As we pull up to the hotel where the annual Policemen's Spring Merit Awards are being held I look over to see Gail gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles and a tight thin-lipped frown. And then it hits me.

"Gail," I say gently, "This doesn't happen to be the place where…?"

"Mmm humm.." She grunts in response, her eyes never leaving the windshield.

"Gail," I say softly, "I'm sorry, I didn't know. We can just turn around and go home if you would like…"

"She did." She says bleakly.

"Come on Gail, let's go home." I place my hand gently on her arm again.

"No." She cuts me off with a glare. "You told her we would be here, and it shouldn't matter anyway, I'm a Peck." She shrugs me off and gets out of the car. "Coming?" She hands her keys to the valet and strides off into the lobby, leaving me in the dust.

Elaine is standing in the middle of the ballroom looking downright regale in her royal blue strapless gown with matching wrap. She is surrounded by a number of high-ranking police and city officials, including Bill, and carrying on an animated monologue. Gail is nowhere in sight. An overwhelming sense of anxiety fills me as I look wildly around, but still no Gail.

"Holly, darling…" Elaine purrs as she spots me standing in the doorway. "Come here and say hello!" She reaches out pulling me into a theatrical embrace and air-kissing me on each cheek. "You must meet Gail's Godparents! And this," She steers me by the waist, turning me toward the gathered group of men, "Is Dr. Holly Stewart, esteemed Forensic Pathologist with our very own Department of Forensic Science, and Gail's Partner."

"Uhm, hello!" I manage an awkward smile, "It's a pleasure meeting all of you!"

"Now where is my darling daughter?" Elaine muses aloud, "I really hope she isn't doing too many tequila shots at the bar." She stage whispers into my ear while clutching my wrist.

"I think she just went to go hang our coats and freshen up." I say somewhat unconvincingly. "Please excuse me…" I smile and break free of Elaine's grip to hurry off and look for Gail.

"She's quite pretty… I thought she would have been more masculine…" I overhear one older gentleman say to another.

"Well Gail always was a tomboy, even as a little girl. You've seen the new haircut. Maybe she's the man…" Comes the reply, as start I walk away.

Now I need a drink.

Gail is not in the little bar off the lobby, she's not in the coatroom, she isn't in the back stairwell, and she's not in the ladies room by the ballroom where the event is being held. I notice a liquor store across the street through the big glass windows of the front entryway, and begin to worry. I'm about to exit the hotel when I see a stairway leading down to the hotel restaurant and bar.

I find Gail sitting alone at the bar. She is perched on a barstool with legs crossed, talking to the bartender and gesturing with the drink in her hand. Dread hits me like cold water, I feel my stomach clench slightly. Her smile is too bright, her laugh is just a little too edgy and loud, her gestures bit too animated, I hope she isn't too drunk to be reasonable! I approach cautiously, coming up to place my hand on her shoulder.

"Hey." I say quietly

"Hey." She turns to greet me. Her eyes are luminous and soft, not at all what I expected.

She puts down her drink and tugs at my hips with both hands, pulling me to her, leaning her forehead into my chest. I wrap my arms around her shoulders feeling a wave of relief that at least she isn't angry with me anymore. The bartender busies himself at the other end of the bar. She looks up at me with wide, vulnerable, eyes that look so lost it breaks my heart a little.

"I'm so glad you're here!" She whispers, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist. Her chin digs into my sternum, but I don't care.

I lean down to kiss her on the head. "What do you want to do?" I murmur into her hair.

"This is where I started that under cover assignment, right here in this seat…" She says softly.

"Gail, I…" My heart is pounding in my throat, and my mouth is suddenly dry. "We don't have to stay here. We can go…" I fight to keep the tremor from my voice.

"No, no. It's ok." She replies, "I just needed a minute, you know?" She reached over and downs her drink quickly. "We can go see my mother now."

She seems oddly sober and calm.

"Why don't we have drink and then go." I say, suddenly not ready to go back upstairs.

She gestures for the bartender. "What do you want?" she asks.

"I don't care. Whatever you're having is fine." I answer

"Okaaay." She turns, "Jimmy, two more diet colas with lime please." She smiles at the bartender.

"Oh, really?" I smirk at her.

"Yup" she says, popping the p, and hopping to her feet with her drink in hand. She slaps some money on the bar and hooks my free arm with hers.

"Shall we?" she arches her eyebrows and smiles sardonically at me.

Elaine is holding court by the bar when we enter the ballroom, Bill trailing dutifully behind. He catches Gail's eye and winks at her as he lifts three glasses of champagne from a passing tray. He hands two of them to me as he leans over to embrace his daughter and kiss her cheek lightly.

"How is one of my two favorite women in all the world?" He asks her with a smile, keeping her tucked under his arm.

"Aw, Dad! Cut it out!" She says blushing and looking shyly at her feet.

He laughs and pulls her in to kiss the top of her head.

"What am I twelve?" she squirms and pulls away.

"I'm sorry Holly," he turns to address me, "I just don't get to see enough of my beautiful daughter anymore…"

I can't help but smile as I hand Gail a glass of champagne. He turns back to Gail, as he addresses her again.

"You may be all grown up, and an officer of the law, but you will always be my baby girl!" He muses.

"DAD!" Gail whines, "That's enough!"

Gail opens her mouth to say something when Elaine sweeps into our midst.

"Hello Gail! I'm so glad you finally decided to join us!" Elaine says, while leaning in to air kiss Gail's cheek. "I understand you had quite the eventful trip. Your father and I have been waiting to hear all about it."

"Hello Mother. Yes, Paris was as beautiful as I remembered." Gail says with a fake smile and a cold voice.

"That's lovely dear." Elaine smiles coolly, "I understand that you made quite the impression and got an exciting offer in London! But I would expect no less. "

I reach for Gail's free hand in the hope giving her an anchor. She gives me a squeeze and pulls free. Bill winks at me, and retreats to join a group of men at the bar.

She narrows her eyes with a dangerously cold smile of her own, "Mother, I don't know why you need my confirmation of events that you already seem to know everything about."

"Can't a mother be proud of her daughter's success? After all it is about time you started being more aware of living up to your potential." Elaine shoots back. "Isn't that right Holly?"

Oh no! I am not going to let Elaine drag me into the middle of this!

"Actually Elaine, I fully support whatever Gail wants to do, and I will be proud of her no matter what she decides." I start to step in. I can feel Gail watching me, waiting for the carnage to begin.

"Really Holly, I wouldn't let her procrastinate about accepting this opportunity until it slips through her fingers." Elaine turns her attention to me.

"As you know Elaine, we are considering the implications for our future and we haven't made any firm decisions yet." I counter, narrowing my eyes slightly.

"I know you will do the right thing." She smiles at me and then turns her attention back to Gail, "I am sure a successful doctor like Holly doesn't expect to start a family with someone who has no ambition."

"What?!" My eyes snap to hers as I feel the color rise in my face.

Holy cow! I can't believe she just said that! I'm not sure I even know how Gail feels about having children because there have been so many other things to contend with over the last few years. And I know I'm not going to allow Elaine to take control of that particular subject.

"Gail may have mentioned that by the time I was your age, Holly, I had already made Staff Sergeant, Bill was Sergeant Major, Gail was out of diapers, and Steve was in kindergarten." She swivels her gaze back to me.

I feel Gail shift uncomfortably next to me but my eyes remain locked with Elaine's steely blue ones.

"Mother! Don't!" Gail snaps.

"Honestly Gail, " Elaine purrs, shifting her attention to Gail, looking smug, "I don't know why you get so worked up." She reaches out to push Gail's bangs out of her eyes, "You should be proud of yourself to have the Commission on Human Trafficking make you such a prestigious offer. It is high time you began seriously considering your options. As I'm sure Holly can explain the biology of your situation to you, neither of you is getting any younger."

"You know what mother, this has been great, but both Holly and I have an early day tomorrow. So if you will excuse us…" Gail reaches for my hand as she leans over to kiss her mother on the cheek. "We really must be going."

"But darling, you just got here." Elaine begins to protest.

"Good night Mother. Come on Holly, let's go." Gail tugs at my hand as she starts to walk toward the exit.

"Very well, but I expect to see you both for dinner on Sunday at four." Elaine calls after us.

Gail groans and rolls her eyes. She is walking so fast that we nearly run right into Steve and Traci on their way in the door.

"Hey sis! Where are you rushing off to?" Steve smiles at her.

"Hi Steve." Gail moans. "Careful," she turns to Traci, "Mother is concerned about not having any grandchildren carrying on the Peck family line."

"Thanks for the warning!" Traci smiles fondly at her.

"Besides, you know how much I hate this place." Gail admits looking somewhat wildly around her.

"Yeah, I was surprised that you showed up at all." Steve replies with a concerned expression.

"It's her fault." Gail nudges me with her shoulder.

"Elaine ambushed me at the lab earlier this week. And she wouldn't take no for an answer. I feel like I sort of got trapped into agreeing to it." I say with no small amount of chagrin. "If I had realized where we were going I would have found a way out of coming here."

"Why couldn't you have been here to rescue us earlier?" Gail moans.

"Call me in a bit, and we'll meet you at the Dumpling House in an hour or so." Steve winks at her.

"Coward." She mumbles, on her way out the door.

"I heard that! And, you betcha!" Traci laughs.

Our room is dark and quiet, but I can tell that Gail is not asleep. She has rolled over onto her side, facing the window and away from me. I reach out to gently touch her shoulder but she shrugs my hand away.

"I'm sorry Gail." I move closer and whisper into the back of her neck.

She shivers and lets out a soft whimper.

"Gail, please…" I try again, "Please talk to me. I know you're not sleeping."

She rolls over into my arms. Her eyes are wide and full of unshed tears.

"What if she's right Holly?" She whispers.

I sigh and pull her closer.

"You deserve someone who can give you everything! A family, with kids, and a dog, and a white picket fence… Someone with career goals and ambition… I mean, what if I can't… what if I don't know how…" She closes her eyes.

"Gail…" I sigh, as I watch her silent tears start to fall, "What if I don't care about all of those things? What if just being with you makes me happy?"

She opens her eyes and looks at me for a long time. "Don't you want kids, Holly? Don't you want to get married, and have a family and all that?"

"I don't know, I haven't really thought about it in some time." I lean in to kiss her, "We've had a lot to deal with this past year." I smile at her. "Why, do you? Want to have kids that is…"

"I don't know. I used to be sure I didn't ever want to bring another child into this crazy world. And now it just scares the crap outta me." She sputters. "I mean, what if I'm a terrible mother? What if having kids turns me into my mother? What if we end up hating each other?"

"Fortunately, your mother doesn't dictate what we do. We don't need to make any of these decisions right now. There is no rush. " I kiss her softly again, "I love you Babe, and I am sure that when the time is right we will be able to make these big life choices together."

She sighs and snuggles in closer.

"I love you too Holly…" She says with a yawn, as she closes her eyes and starts to drift off to sleep.