“For what?” Holly asked, leading Gail to sit on the edge of the bed, where she let Holly undress her like a child.

“I’m sorry I put you through this.” Gail sighed, “I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. ”

“Don’t be. It’s ok.” Holly replied firmly.

As they climbed under the covers, Holly held Gail tightly, wanting to be able to protect her forever.

Gail finally spoke in a hushed voice, “Thank you. I started having nightmares again about a month ago; but they usually only happen when I’m alone. And this one was so real!”

“That’s when you shot that kid, isn’t it?” Holly asked

“Yeah, yeah it was.” Gail admitted, emotionally spent, the heaviness of sleep began to descend. She yawned.

The door bell rang.

“What the…” Holly exclaimed, as she and Gail sat up with a jolt.

Minutes later there was a pounding on the door.

“Police! Open the door or we’re coming in!” a male voice called, followed by more pounding.

“Just a minute.” Holly replied, pulling on her robe.

“Shit.” Gail muttered, and hid under the blankets.

Holly opened the door to find a fresh-faced Rookie she had never seen before. He was leaning on her door jam with his hand on his gun.

“We have received a complaint of a loud domestic disturbance at this address.” He took a step forward. “Due to the nature of this complaint I am going to have to check out your premesis, please step aside. He continued forward with his cop swagger.

“I can’t let you do that. It’s two o’clock in the morning and other people are asleep. Everything is  fine.” Holly blocked his path.

“I need to search your apartment.” He said roughly pushing past her,

”You really don’t want to do that!” Holly warned.

“Or I could just arrest you now.” He shoved her roughly up against the wall as he radioed in “Fifteen oh four requesting back-up.”

“Look. You are making a huge mistake.” Holly warned again.

Gail materialized  behind him in the dimly lit hallway on silent feet  wearing yoga pants, her uniform shirt, and an icy glare.

“Hey Rookie! I don’t know who you are,” she snarled, “But if you ever threaten her again, I will make sure that you are writing parking tickets for the rest of your useless life after I make sure you will never be able to procreate.”

Whirling around to face her, the look on his face went from smug to confused to worried to pissed off so fast she couldn’t help but to laugh sardonically at him. Just as he was about to reply, Nick appeared in the doorway. “What’s going on…” He froze mid-sentence.

“Great. Just great.” Gail sighed “Hi Nick!” she said with a dangerous smile.

“Gail?” Nick stuttered. “W-what are you doing here?”

His eyes growing wider as he looked from Gail to Holly, and back to Gail. She just arched her eyebrows at him.

“Sorry about the noise.” Holly interjected.

“I had a nightmare, ok?” Gail said, voice dripping with hostility

“What?…You guys… You two… you.. what… Gail are you ok?” Nick stammered

“ I have an early shift tomorrow, or should I say today, so can we please get back to bed?” Gale glared at him.

“Um, sure… uh sorry, “ Nick said sheepishly, backing out the door. “Come on Thompson, let’s go.”

“Don’t forget to close the door on your way out.” Gail continued frostily.

The minute they were gone Holly heard Gail start to laugh. She turned to find Gail clutching her ribs, leaning heavily against the bedroom door jam, doubled over with laughter.

“Oh my God! “ Gail gasped, “I guess Nick had to find out about us sometime.“