“Oh my God, Holly! I am so sorry! Are you ok?”

“Really Gail, I’m fine!” she said softly and then winced before she could stoop herself as Gail’s hands brushed over the bruise Nick’s keys had left behind.

“If you’re so damn fine, then what is this?!” Gail demanded, lips white with rage, blue eyes quickly turning to ice as she exposed Holly’s abdomen to reveal the red and purple blossom growing there.

Holly looked helplessly over Gail’s shoulder at Chris, who merely shrugged and waited. She cleared her throat.

“I guess he accidently bruised me with his keys when he pushed me up against the wall.” Holly said slowly.

“He WHAT?” Gail fumed, “I’m gonna kill the bastard!”

“Come on Gail, let’s all calm down.” Said Chris “Don’t do anything you’re gonna regret later.”

“Don’t fucking patronize me, Chris!” She rounded on him, eyes flashing.

“And when were you planning to tell me about this?” Gail snapped at Holly, and immediately felt bad for doing so.

“Gail,” Holly said in a soothing voice, “Let’s try not to escalate this situation any further, shall we?” She pulled Gail closer by her belt loops, until they were standing, hips touching with no room between them. “He’s drunk, you’re angry, I’m sure this will all look better in the morning.”

Holly was stroking her back under her shirt now in a way that made it hard to stay angry; hard to think of anything other than Holly’s hands on her skin. Holly pulled her closer and kissed her tenderly. Chris blushed, and looked away.

“Listen,” Holly continued, looking into Gail’s eyes, “you’re here now, and I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted! Why don’t we eat some pizza and go to bed.”

“Um, guys… “ Chris interrupted “I don’t want to intrude, but I’m not leaving here tonight. Just in case.”

“Thanks Chris!” Gail said, reaching out to him and pulling him into their embrace.

The three of them stood there hugging for a rare moment of outward affection. Breaking away, and wiping a tear from her eye, Holly said, “Yes, Chris, you don’t know how much this means to me too.”

Gail could only nod, and swallow the growing lump in her throat.

“Well,” Holly said briskly, “Come on Chris, why don’t I show you to the guest room where you can help me with the pull out couch.”

“Wow! This place has a guest room? “ Chris said, eyes growing wide.

Holly laughed, “It’s my office really.”

“Still…” Chris exclaimed, clearly impressed.

Later, after the plates from dinner were cleared, and Chris was lounging on the couch, remote in hand, hockey on the TV, Holly found Gail in the kitchen, searching the refrigerator for another beer.

“Hey,” She said “Are you sure you really want that?”

“Why?” Gail asked turning to face her.

Pulling the beer gently out of Gail’s hand Holly took a step closer.

“Because,” Holly smiled, stepping closer still, “As much as I would like to watch the game with someone who doesn’t simply tolerate it for my sake, wouldn’t you like to go to bed with me?”

She tugged at the buttons on Gail’s shirt, pulling her in to her body and kissing her in a way that made Gail go all weak in the knees.

When they finally pulled apart, Gail swallowed past the growing lump in her throat, found her voice, and whispered, “I thought you’d never ask…”