With Herculean effort, Holly pulled away again, knowing that this would be the last time she would be able to stop before she completely lost control, ripped Gail’s clothes off, and had her way with her, no matter what.

”Gail!” Holly said with as much force as she could ”we gotta stop,” breathing hard, she added ” We need to talk about this.”

”Fuck!” Gail exclaimed, flopping onto her back and covering her face with her arms ”Don’t you know that talk is over rated.”

”Uh huh.” Holly smiled, prying herself from the bed and heading in the direction of the bathroom.

Gail lay there listening to Holly puttering around her apartment for what seemed like an eternity. Frank hadn’t exactly given her the day off, but he had told her to sleep in, take her time, and come in when she was ready to begin the mountain of paperwork and interview process required of any officer who had taken fire. Needless to say, she was in no rush. She sat up as Holly entered the room carrying two steaming cups of coffee. Holly handed her one, and sat facing her on the bed. They sipped their coffee in silence, knees touching. She forgave Holly for leaving her like that, coffee was almost as good as sex.

Holly watched Gail over the rim of her coffee. She had to start somewhere. Putting down her mug on the bedside table, and nervously adjusting her glasses Holly began.

”I like you.” she said looking tentatively at Gail

”I like you too.” Gail replied noncommittally

”No,” said Holly beginning to gesture nervously with her hands ”I really like you, and I know that you may not feel the same, and that’s fine, you know, I mean, I can’t make you feel things…”

Gail was watching her intently.

”You do make me feel things.” Gail interrupted in a quite voice

Holly stopped, almost afraid to breathe as Gail took both of her hands in hers.

”Last year, after I was taken,” Gail began ”I became so numb, and then you came into my crime scene carrying your stupid lunchbox”

”Forensic evidence bag” Holly corrected automatically

”Ok, whatever” Gail said ”But you do make me feel things. You are funny, and you’re beautiful, and you’re smart, and I would rather be with you than with anyone, even if you are a nerd.” She finally admitted

Holly let out a breath she didn’t even know she had been holding and smiled.

”So now what?” Gail asked

” I don’t know.” Holly replied ”That depends largely on you and what you want.”

”All I know is that I don’t want to fuck this up, whatever this is.” replied Gail