Theory of a Smile
Theories, hypothesis, proven facts and laws of science. These were what Jillian Holtzmann had dedicated her life to knowing and to breaking when possible. And she had done so, on several occasions. She created a proton pack that was practically a nuclear bomb and could capture creatures from another dimension just because she wanted to. No rules applied to her when she made her machines and her weapons. There wasn’t a single aspect of science she didn’t excel in. Human interaction had never been a concern for her. A joke here, a smile there, she had gotten plenty of women in her bed, enough to never be alone. But that didn’t quell the feeling of loneliness.
Abby Yates flipped her world upside down when they met, became her first and best friend. Jillian wasn’t alone anymore. They studied the paranormal and she was allowed to create anything she imagined, no questions asked. Abby encouraged her and pushed her to be better. She believed in her. Jillian thought nothing could ever challenge her, she could conquer anything she put her mind to. She was practically untouchable, until she met Erin Gilbert.
“Come here often?” It was a one liner she had used on hundreds of women, but instead of the usual giggle and flirtatious smile, Erin looked at her like something she needed to study. An equation she couldn’t figure out. When they shook hands Jillian felt strangely compelled to get her in bed, something she brushed off as her seeing a sexual challenge. Erin took them to the Aldridge Mansion and was slimed by a ghost. Jillian thought it was the most beautiful and hilarious thing she’d ever seen. Erin joined the team soon after and then came Patty, completing their happy little family. They saved the world and kicked ghost ass, but Jillian still couldn’t figure Erin out. She poured over the woman in private, sketching her and writing equations to try to map her smile and the curve of her hips, the way her nose would crinkle when she read something extra interesting. It was past one in the morning when Jillian was working her hardest, newest ghost catching trap forgotten as she grew closer and closer to what she thought was the answer. Half an hour passed, then an hour. She was no closer to the answer. Frustrated and tired she fell asleep, a fresh sketch of Erin set aside so her face didn’t smudge it.
When she woke up the next morning it was to the presence of someone standing beside her. It took her a moment to remember where she was and what she was doing and then she was bolting upright, hands grasping for her papers. The person jumped and turned to look at her, her cheeks bright red and her eyes wide. Jillian met the eyes of the one and only Erin Gilbert and her heart shriveled up in her chest.
“Did you draw all of these?” Erin whispered, holding her sketches, her equations. Jillian gulped and nodded.
“Sure did…”
“Holtz, I had no idea- Why didn’t you tell me?” Jillian shrugged and rubbed at her face, still slightly groggy.
“I dunno, didn’t think you’d like it. Figured you were straight and it didn’t matter.” She forced out a laugh but quieted down when Erin’s face scrunched up. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings, or made you hate me. I can understand if you want to leave now, you wouldn’t want to be around someone who has feelings for you if it made you awkward plus I’m a little crazy and-” Erin grabbed her by the face and pulled her into a short kiss, quieting her.
“You talk too much sometimes. I have feelings for you too Holtz. Jillian…” Saying her name made both their cheeks flare dark red.
“So what does this mean?”
“I guess whatever you want…” Jillian’s lips spread in a grin and she tugged Erin down for another kiss.
“Wanna be my girlfriend?” Erin laughed against her lips and kissed her again, Jillian’s hands grabbing her hips to pull her closer.
“Yes, Jillian, I’ll be your girlfriend.” Erin rolled her eyes as Jillian whooped, pulling away to dance around her.
“What are you doing?” Erin turned to watch her hips gyrate.
“It’s called peacocking. Get used to it.” Erin laughed and Jillian pulled her into the dance, spinning her around the room. By the time the other two ghostbusters got to base Jillian and Erin were curled up on the couch, laughing and talking about anything and everything.
“It’s about damn time.” Abby barely glanced up as she poured herself a cup of coffee. “I called it. You owe me ten bucks.”