Part 3

A few days later, Gin was sitting on the couch, looking at her brand new identification documents spelling out Gillian Peck. She felt some loss for her original name, but she could console herself with the fact that the letters were in the word. That, and the people around her were hella nice and accepting. The only bad thing about her new identity was that she'd never see her mother again; her kind and loving mother, who sent her out into the world as prepared as an adult could get.

She hoped that Elaine knew she was in a better place.

She heaved a sigh, breathing out the loss and storing the memories away for another, more appropriate moment. She had more pressing matters to be thinking of. Like what her new career would be. She wanted to be a police officer, but she felt that she needed Gail's blessing for that, even if she were to be assigned to a different division.

"What are you thinking about?" Andy asked, setting down two cups of steaming hot tea on the coffee table before sidling up to Gin on the couch.

Gin settled back into the couch, allowing Andy to drape her legs over her lap. "That I want to be a police officer," she answered frankly.

Andy shot Gin an incredulous look. "Really? Why?"

Because that's what I am, is what she wanted to say. Though considering the Peck reputation, that would probably come out wrong. "Um," she stalled, looking down at her hands on Andy's knee. "I just love being one, I guess."

"What do you mean?" Andy's look turned confused.

Whoops.

Gin lolled her head back against the couch, and almost got lost in Andy's dark eyes. Was it time to improvise or time to tell the truth?

"I've done a few shifts," Gin said after a moment that felt much longer than it actually was. It was a compromise. She needed Holly and Gail and maybe even Steve to do the whole 'I'm not from around this part of the universe' bit.

Andy's lips twitched up into a smile as she responded, "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, because I'm pretty sure that's illegal."

"I don't know, I think I kinda like the idea of you wrestling me into handcuffs." Gin chuckled, squeezing the leg on her lap. "Arrest me, officer. I've broken the law."

Andy huffed a doubtful laugh. "Please, you don't have a bad bone in your body."

"Really, that's what you wanna focus on?" Gin's eyebrows shot up, a teasing grin growing on her lips. "Not that I'm basically admitting to being a bottom?"

Andy froze as she realized Gin admitted to just that. The mental images were suddenly a lot clearer than a moment ago, and phew, was it getter warmer in here?

Gin briefly considered reeling in the charm, but Andy's horny look was priceless. Instead of wondering if she'd be scaring her off, she was wondering how far she could push it. "Not to say I'm a one trick pony," she added, voice suddenly sweet as honey. Her hands trailed jean-clad thighs until they reached Andy's waist, where they slipped past and onto the couch. She used the new leverage to push closer, her proximity making Andy back up on the couch until Gin was hovering over her. "I can be very versatile," she purred.

Andy swallowed, looking like she was dying seven different deaths, but feeling very much like she was burning with life on the inside. She would've replied, maybe flirted back, too, but her intelligence had flown off as soon as Gin honed in on her with those smoldering eyes. Though really, it was probably common sense to admire the beauty of Gin's seduction. Of her intense eyes flickering down. Of her inviting lips parting ever so slightly. Of her pale skin flushing a light pink.

Gin watched the emotion flicker behind her eyes, and took pity on Andy's struggle.

But not enough to back away entirely.

She leaned in, stealing a sweet kiss. It was just the thing needed, apparently, because the next thing she knew, Andy had broken through her stupor and was returning it. Her hands came to life, wandering up to touch the sides of her neck, to deepen the kiss. Needless to say, it was at least ten shades of brilliant.

"Whoa, what the hell, Holly?"

Well, that voice was like a cold shower.

Gin broke the kiss to spare a glance over her shoulder, Andy not far behind. Her suspicions were confirmed once she spotted an oblivious Gail being pulled away by Holly. Part of her wanted to scar Gail for intruding on the excellent moment, but her less vengeful side conceded that leaving a little distance between them was probably the right thing to do.

Gin sighed heavily as she tore herself away. "Hey guys, we're in the living room," she called to warn them of their presence. Andy was trying not to look too amused by her intense disappointment, so Gin gave her a shove. "Shut up."

"I wasn't saying anything," Andy defended herself even as she grinned widely. She sat up to grab her tea, her newly adopted innocent facade not fooling Gin in the slightest.

Gail poked her head into the living room. "What are you two doing here?" She eyed them suspiciously. "All chaste and… drinking tea?"

Gin slung an arm over the back of the couch, getting a better look of Gail walking towards them. "We're just warming up before we leave. What are you doing here?"

"On our way to the restaurant, some idiot drove into a puddle right in front of us and Holly took the full—she got wet," Gail caught herself at the last moment. "She's changing into something dry." Then she looked at Gin in that sort of intense way that told the double that she was about to read her mind—

"No," Gin warned, quickly covering her face with her hands and turning around. "Go away, I'm not telling you anything."

Gail blinked, glancing over to Andy, who was just innocently sipping her tea, before she started honest-to-God laughing. "Whatever, twerp," she told Gin, starting to back away towards wherever Holly went. "Have fun," she said cheerily, all the while gesturing towards Andy that she was watching her with menacing, narrowed eyes.

Gin peeked from between her fingers to see that Gail had disappeared.

"That was…" Andy tried to find the words.

Gin dropped her hands with a sigh. "Annoying?"

"Weird," she finished with a smile. "You two are terrifying together. Gail becomes all open and happy. You're suddenly closed off and childish. Definitely weird."

0x0x0

Gin reached over Gail to turn off her alarm clock. She didn't even need to be awake, but here she was, bright and early while Gail groaned as if she were in pain.

Actually, that sounded really convincing.

"Are you okay?" Gin mumbled sleepily, dropping her arm around Gail like she did every morning. She'd learned that annoying Gail was the fastest way to wake her up.

"Did I get with an alien last night?" Gail hissed.

Gin paused in her cuddling. Did she want to cuddle with someone who had 'gotten' with an alien? Probably not. "What?"

Gail curled up into a ball. "It feels like a little monster is clawing its way out of my uterus."

0x0x0

Chris pouted as he sat at the front desk. Gail must hate him. It was the only reason he could think of that would explain her volunteering for something as inane desk duty. The worst thing was that she was enjoying herself. She was even engaging a frantic old lady who claimed that her daughter had gotten missing, and she was calm and polite about it.

"Do you have her number?" he heard Gail ask as she lead the lady to a seat further away from the front desk.

He sighed, tapping his pen against the wood of the desk. She was probably enjoying herself because he was so miserable. But then, what had he done? He couldn't think of anything.

Gail crouched in front of the lady, who was calming down now that someone took her seriously.

He eyed Gail's long hair, wondering if it had something to do with her mood. They were extensions, sure, but perhaps Gail felt better with long hair? That could be a thing, right?

The lady struggled to share her story with Gail. She simply nodded in understanding.

He rolled his eyes. No, that was stupid. Gail had been cold with long hair, before, too. Haircuts were therapeutic, but not that therapeutic.

"What the heck," Andy muttered from behind him.

Chris looked up to see her staring at Gail and the lady. "I know, right?" he said, understanding that seeing Gail being nice like that was a shocker. In fact, maybe he should capture it on video. "She's been like that all morning. She even smiled at me. For no reason. Like she meant it."

"Uh." Andy only now seemed to notice Chris. "Yeah, weird."

"Has she become so angry that it somehow flipped to nice?" he thought out loud. "I don't get it."

"Maybe she's been replaced by aliens," Andy suggested, fidgeting slightly.

"At least that would make sense," he mumbled. He watched Gail get up and head over to them, smiling again once she saw Andy standing near him.

"Hey, we were just talking about you," Andy said, and Chris whipped his head towards her so fast, he might have contracted whiplash. His large eyes begged her not to proceed into dangerous territory, least of all if Gail was angry at him.

"Yeah?" Gail asked, glancing between the two like it wasn't a personal offence to be uttering her name without her presence.

"Yeah, about how you're acting so strange that you must have been abducted by aliens," Andy supplied.

Chris watched on slack-jawed as Gail proceeded to laugh. Then she stopped, not in her usual way that suggested she was going to murder you in your sleep, but more as if she just realized something. She glared at them. "Whatever," she scoffed, turning the telephone to her so she could use it.

While Chris was slightly comforted by the familiar reaction, it was still way out there. The timing was all off. And she was still helping a stranger with a menial task. A tap on his shoulder brought him out of his reverie.

"She can handle the front desk on her own. We need you in the back."

Just like that, Chris forgot all about it, because he was too busy sprinting out of his chair.

0x0x0

"Have you seen Gail today?" Chris asked, leaning against the counter in the break room.

"Yeah, her hair looks great," Dov quipped, then paused in his progression to make coffee as he realized what he said. He looked over at Chris nonchalantly. "For extensions, I mean."

Chris shot him a mildly perturbed look, but ignored his comment. "You haven't noticed anything different about her?"

"I don't think so?" he said. "Was I supposed to notice something?"

Chris started wondering if maybe it was all in his head. Or maybe Gail was going to the extreme to get on his nerves, being purposefully nice in his vicinity and normal with everyone else. Yeah, that sounded plausible. "Nah, forget about it." He shrugged, getting an idea as he watched Dov prepare coffee.

0x0x0

Chris couldn't find Gail at the front desk when he returned, but he found her easily enough. She was bothering Andy at her desk, and it didn't seem like either one of them was in a bad mood so that was good.

"How do you keep kids quiet? Duct tape? I don't know," he caught the end of Gail's little tirade, which, while it was in character for Gail to utter such colorful ideas, was a little odd considering her aptitude with children.

"Hey guys," Chris interrupted cheerfully. "I brought coffee and donuts." He held up said treats, hoping not to be too obvious in his attempt to butter up to Gail by allowing Andy in on the action.

Gail briefly glanced at the donuts and store bought coffee, not in the least impressed. "We would love some," Andy said, putting some kind of strange emphasis on the beginning of her sentence.

Chris recognized the brief flash of a pained expression on Gail's face before she, too, took a donut. "Thanks, I guess," she muttered.

Chris quirked a brow.

"What?" Gail huffed, a little offended. "Did you expect me to grovel?"

Chris grinned, appeased by the reaction. "Nope," he answered. Satisfied, he made to move away. "Keep the rest."

If he'd stayed a minute longer, he would've seen Andy stifle a laugh at Gail's pout.

0x0x0

"I don't know whether to throw up or run a marathon," Gin complained, slamming her locker shut. "Where does Gail even put all that caffeine and sugar?"

Andy didn't look up from her phone. "You didn't have to eat all the donuts."

"How was I supposed to fake eat donuts?" Gin didn't sound accusing, just tired. She deposited herself on the bench next to the other woman. She was probably sitting a little too close, but no one was around to witness it.

"Fake-trip and real-drop them?" Andy asked, finally looking up.

Gin grimaced as she realized, "Damn, that would've totally worked." Andy's phone vibrated in her hands, drawing both of their attention. "Who keeps messaging you?"

"Chris," she answered. "I think you scared him, because he's insisting I invite you along to the Penny tonight."

"Ugh, Gail loves alcohol," Gin groaned in a very Gail-like fashion, then dropped her forehead to Andy's shoulder in a very Gin-like fashion. "Why is everyone so nice here?" She tensed slightly at the slip, meaning to say that everyone in this version of reality was really nice, but luckily, Andy just laughed it off, taking it as whatever.

"Come on, let's go do something legal," Andy quipped, standing up and pocketing the phone. She ignored Gin's questioning look as she headed for the exit.

"Wait, where are we going?" Gin hurried to follow along. "Andy?"

0x0x0

Gin sat down next to Andy, not thinking twice about it since they entered the Penny together. Also, there was the tiny little fact that Andy wanted them to do something legal together, so here she was. Though she didn't know why they couldn't have gone out for dinner instead.

"Are you and Andy friends now?" Chris asked, unable to help but notice how often he'd seen Andy and Gail together that day.

Gin, having had more practice than she'd liked at being Gail, scoffed. "She wishes."

Andy just shook her head in amusement, dropping out of the conversation as soon as Traci called for her attention, because it was getting kind of creepy how good her girlfriend was getting at emulating Gail.

Chris was still smiling at Gin, which surprised her. Not because her version of Chris was a total macho misogynist, but because she'd been nothing but nasty to him all day and yet he stayed nice and kept buying her things Gail liked. "Tequila?" he asked, getting up. "It's on me tonight."

Wow, okay, yeah, he was still buying her things. Would Gail take him up on free booze?

Actually, that wasn't a very hard question.

"Fuck yeah," Gin said, leaning forwards on the table. "Bring it, Diaz."

0x0x0

Two shots into the evening and Gin already felt like she'd been punched in the maw. She was buzzing with adrenaline from the caffeine and sugar, and now she was mellowing out on the alcohol. She had a feeling she'd be witnessing a party later tonight; a party hosted by the toilet, with her stomach contents as its guests of honor.

Ugh, that was a gross mental image.

She glanced up at a jovial Chris, who was talking to Dov and Chloe about immigrants. More specifically, how pretty much everyone was an immigrant, technically. Bored already due to her stimulants shortened attention span, she stared at his features. He was a really pretty man. With sweet eyes, broad shoulders, and nice hair. He'd make pretty babies for sure.

Feeling the stare (she was guileless by now), Chris turned his pretty brown eyes to her. "What?"

Gin leaned in slightly, balancing herself with a hand on her knee. Andy jumped slightly, and Gin realized that she hadn't found her own knee, but that of the woman next to her. Andy was doing a remarkable job of pokerfacing her way through the situation, so she went with it as to not raise any suspicions. She pinned Chris with a serious look, gesturing at his head with a vague wave of the hand. "What's up with your face?"

Chris shot her a questioning look, not sure how to take the comment. "What?" he repeated.

"It's prettier than it was two drinks ago," Gin explained gravely, still staring.

Chris dropped his head, not having seen that coming in a moment of distraction. Unbeknownst to Gin, that was such a Gail thing to say, that Christ ignored it and continued on with the conversation.

Gin frowned, disliking being ignored, and turned to Andy, who was not necessarily ignoring her, but not paying much attention to her either. She inched closer and rested her chin on Andy's shoulder, interrupting Traci in the middle of her sentence. "Hi," Gin said, smiling.

An amused smile slowly crept onto Traci's lips as she watched who she thought was Gail. "How much did you have to drink?"

Gin glanced back at the table littered with glasses, not all of them hers. "Uh," she muttered, counting the glasses.

"Too much," Andy answered for her, shifting awkwardly in Gin's close presence.

"Apparently," Traci chuckled, then addressed Gail, "Do you need a ride home?"

Gin was about to say yes, but Andy beat her to it. Which was probably for the best since home was where actual Gail was. "You know what? I think I'm gonna head out now." She slipped from Gin's grasp, making to stand up. "If you want to come, that's fine," she told Gin.

Gin pretended to think it over. "To the good girl mobile!" she quipped, earning her a rather comical glare from Andy and another semi-incredulous laugh from Traci. "What?"

Andy shook her head, unable to not be amused at the innocent face Gin was pulling.

0x0x0

Gin leaned into Andy's side as she was guided over to the car. It's not that she needed the support of an arm around her waist, but she liked the proximity of another warm body. She wasn't nearly drunk enough to stumble along, which Andy didn't need to know.

"What are you doing?" Andy giggled once they arrived at the car. Gin had started slithering into Andy's arms until she was cuddled up to her front, and buried her face into the side of her neck. She may have exaggerated her drunken state so that she could push her up against the car, but she was feeling rather guilt free once Andy sighed happily and wrapped her up in an embrace.

"You ask that every time I try to butter you up," Gin mumbled into her neck, snorting.

Andy huffed, even though she was smiling. "Yeah, well, I can't help that your game is creepy."

Gin lifted her head to look at Andy, and Andy wondered if she'd offended her. "You think I have game," she said, breaking into a smile.

"I'm here, aren't I?" Andy quirked a brow.

Gin nodded, beaming at her because heck yeah, she was there. She kind of wanted her to be there, closer to her lips, but they were out in the street. People roamed the street. People with eyes. "We… should probably go."

Andy was about to agree, but then she remembered Gail. Gail, who had developed a somewhat protective streak for Gin and would probably kick her ass for bringing her home drunk. "Damn," she breathed.

Hehehehe.

So I'm planning for this to be four chapters long, ending with Gin going back to her universe, Holly going to San Francisco and, in a moment of desperation, Gail and Andy drunkenly hooking up, pretending to be with the one they're really interested in—no, jUST KIDDING. Phew, now that that's out of the way, I don't feel tempted to write that horrifyingly angsty plotline anymore. But it will be four chapters long.

It might seem like a silly request, but I'm curious to know what you thought was funny. That's really the greatest thing you could put in a review (imo, anyway). Care to share? Y/Y?

Peace out,
Plushy

LuceLuxe; Holy heck, the Bizarro thing was a total coincidence. I was using it as a adjective, like weirdo. That's pretty fantastic. The 'plot' of this story is basically getting Gin set up (or sent back), which... I probably should've put in the summary. EH, I just like writing weird things and you seem to like it so whoop!
notmychair; You sound surprised, hahaha.