”Wait, wait, where are we going?” She asked Holly as if awakening from a dream.

”I was going to drive you home” said Holly in a gentle voice.

”No, no wait… Oliver…” said Gail, voice trailing off as a silent tear rolled unwittingly down her cheek.

”Ok” Holly reached out to cup Gail’s cheek in her hand and wiped away the tear with her thumb.

”Oh God! Please don’t be nice to me. I can’t fall apart here!” flashed desperately through Gail’s mind as she quickly pulled away from Holly’s caress.

Holly looked steadily at her. ”Let’s go find him.” Holly said, once again taking Gail by the hand.

Knocking softly, they entered a darkened room. Celery rose quickly, standing protectively between them and the prone figure on the bed.

”It’s ok, I’m here, I’m here…” Said Oliver in a groggy voice, holding a hand out to Gail.

”Hey Oliver.” whispered Gail ”I just had to see you.”

”We got him, didn’t we? We got him…” said Oliver, clearly half asleep.

”Yes, yes, we did.” Gail managed, pesky silent tears escaping from her eyes again.

”And you!” Oliver said, pointing a haphazard finger at Holly. ”You take good care of her.”

”That is just what I intend to do.” said Holly in a shaky voice

As they turned to go, Celery caught them in both in an embrace before Gail had time to react. Kissing them each on the cheek she said ”Thank you!”

Gail slumped silently in the passenger seat of Holly’s car, pretending to stare mindlessly out the windshield at the pre-dawn city. She watched Holly nervously glancing at her out of the corner of her eye, excruciatingly aware of Holly’s hand resting on her left knee. Even with all that had happened, the memory of that kiss still lingered on her lips, making her heat race. She was so tired. And then there was that ache, that longing to be wanted, to be held, a feeling that she had never experienced before with such intensity. It overwhelmed her, made her feel naked, and angry that she could be this vulnerable. She scowled and looked out the passenger window hoping Holly wouldn’t notice.

”So, here we are” said Holly, pulling up in front of Gail’s apartment and shutting off the car.