Holly. Thank God!

Holly pulled her into an embrace, making soothing patterns on her back with delicate fingers, and rocking her gently as she cried and struggled to breathe.

”Shhhh,” Holly soothed into her ear, ”Shhhh, you’re ok, you’re ok. You’re safe…”

She started to cough again as they pulled apart. She knew she would normally be embarrassed, but she simply felt to shitty for that. She blew her sore nose into the tissue Holly handed her, and let Holly wash her face with a cool damp cloth.

”Why are you being so nice to me?” She finally rasped, when she caught her breath and could speak.

”I care about you Gail.” Holly shrugged, ”And you’re sick, and you needed someone to take care of you.”

”Why would you do that?” Gail asked bitterly, ”I mean you’re only in this for fun.”

”Gail…” Holly replied, sadly.

”No, really. I mean what are you doing Holly? Racking up some kind of points for big gay martyrdom?” She snapped back. ”You know I appreciate it and all, but I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself!”

”Gail…” Holly stared at the floor, trying to blink back the tears and swallow the boulder she suddenly found in the back of her throat.

She took a deep shaky breath and looked up at Gail. Even as sick as she was, she was so beautiful! Holly felt her entire chest constrict at the thought of losing her. ”Gail…” She began again.

”What.” Gail coughed and looked away.

”I never wanted to hurt you.” Holly sighed, ”And sometimes Lisa can be a real jerk! And it isn’t the way it sounded… you know? Look… we tell each other things, I mean… That’s what’s so great about us… And I don’t know…”

She was starting to panic now, as Gail looked unimpressed.

”I never thought you would… you know… feel things… for me… And every time…” She licked her dry lips, ”Every time I’m with you I can’t believe just how lucky I am…”

Gail turned sharply to look at her then.

”How lucky I am that you would want to be with someone like me…” Her hands were flailing wildly, ”And I don’t know why you would give me another chance…