A/N: Hello all!

Okay, so I know I'm late in updating People Like Us. And it is coming, I promise. But until I can get the time to proof read it, and make sure it's ready; I thought I'd leave you with the first chapter of this new story I've been working on.

It's different from what I've done before. I've never done a story where Bo and Lauren have already been together but are now divorced. So, I thought it'd be fun.

Everything in this story is AU.

DISCLAIMER: When first updated it Stated Bo and Lauren had been married for over TEN years when that was a mistake and has now been changed to TWENTY years. Sorry for the confusion!

Chapter 1: Messing With The Kid

Clubhouse

'I'm a terrible person'

Those were the words Bo repeated to herself on a daily basis. When she was a little girl; all she wanted was to live a normal life. To find someone to love; and that loved her. And to have a Family. As the years went by, she'd gotten all that. But could never hold onto it.

Now she was divorced; hadn't seen her own daughter in months, and was crashing on her best friend's couch. So, it was safe to say that things weren't going well for her. She remembered a time when she and her Ex-Wife were so happy. She and Lauren had everything; and then it all went to shit.

When Bo was given her new rank as Lieutenant. Her hours had gone from doable to insane and she just didn't have the time to stay home as much. As the months went by; her relationship with Lauren took a shift. Things just weren't the same as they used to be.

The one it was hardest on the most; was their daughter Bella. She didn't understand much at the young age of five; but she knew when her Parents weren't happy. Eventually; Bo's new position in the Fae world took her away from her Family completely. She was the right hand of the Blood King; who also happened to be her Grandfather.

He never asked much of her; but her Grandmother made Bo promise before she died that she'd do whatever it took to keep him safe. And Bo didn't take promises lightly; only she failed to keep them when making them to her daughter.

It'd been six months since Bo had seen Bella; she'd been living in London with her Grandfather solidifying a deal with their Ash. She'd tried calling her but Lauren wasn't as forgiving and forbade it. The only joy Bo had of seeing her daughter was when her friend Kenzi would send her pictures.

But Bo had made a decision now; and she was sticking to it. She wanted to be a better Mother; Bella was the most important person in her life and she wasn't going to let her grow up thinking the opposite of that. So as soon as Kenzi told her that she had Bella for the day; Bo sped right over to her friend's house.

Which was now her house; thanks to her stupid divorce.

As she entered the house; she heard giggling coming from the living room. Bo dropped her bags when she saw her little girl laughing at something on the tv screen. She didn't even have to make her presence known; because Bella was smart enough to sense her.

"Mama!" Bella jumped off the couch and ran as fast as her little legs would take her.

Bo met her halfway, lifting her up with a laugh. "Hey baby!" She breathed her in; she couldn't believe how long her brown hair had gotten. "Look at you! You've gotten so big…" She pulled back to look at her. "… I missed you so much" she kissed her cheek, nuzzling her nose against hers.

"I missed you too…" Bella hooked both arms around her Mother's neck. "… Mama? When're you gonna come home?" She asked, her innocent eyes peering into Bo's soul.

Walking over to the couch; Bo sat down with her daughter in her lap. "We've talked about this baby; me and Mommy are figuring some stuff out right now. It's just better if we live apart for now; but that doesn't mean I don't love you, okay? You know that; right?" She didn't want her thinking otherwise.

"I love you too Mama…" Bella stood up on her legs, hugging her again. "… I don't get why Mommy's friend can live with us and you can't" she pouted.

And that was when Bo had to frown. "Mommy's friend?" She asked. "What'd you mean; who's Mommy's friend?" This was the first she was hearing of this. And she was starting to lose her temper.

"Her name's Mandy; she works with Mommy" Bella said.

As Bella finished explaining; Kenzi walked down from the stairs. "Bo-Bo!" She exclaimed. "You're back! Can't you send a girl a text; let me know you're coming?" She walked over to the couch; giving her a hug.

"Sorry, but I just couldn't wait to see my little pumpkin…" Bo kissed Bella's head. "… So uh; Bella tells me Lauren's got a friend named Mandy living with them? I guess that's something you forgot to mention when you were updating me on everything, huh?"

Kenzi's face turned blank. Bella had really dropped her in it. "I was going to Bo, but Lauren asked me not to. Not that it matters now…" She turned away awkwardly then checked the time on her phone. "… Whoa, look at the time! It's time for me to take you back to your Mommy. Let's go pumpkin"

"I wanna stay with Mama" Bella held onto Bo tighter. She hadn't seen her in so long and she didn't want to leave yet.

Before Kenzi had to deal with Bella in tears; Bo thought she'd diffuse the situation. "I want you stay too baby but you know how this works; in the week, you're with your Mommy and then on the weekends it's our time; guess what? I've got a super fun time planned for us!" She made her smile.

"Really?" Bella liked hearing that.

"Really Really!" Bo helped her get her things ready; but when it came time for them to leave Bella threw a tantrum again. "Look, how about I take her home?" She told her friend. "Don't worry about getting grief from Lauren; I'll explain things to her. Come on baby" she picked her daughter up and went for the door.

Lauren's Apartment - Later

When she heard the knock at the door; Lauren was a little confused because Kenzi should've been the only person she was expecting tonight. Only, Kenzi knew she didn't have to knock. But when she opened the door, she was shocked by who she saw. "Bo? I didn't realise you were back" she really didn't.

Bo had to smile. Damn her ex looked good. Divorced or not; Bo could never forget how she felt about her. Still felt. Not that Lauren was interested anymore; not according to Bella. "Just flew in an hour ago, actually…" she tapped her daughter's head, "… I thought I'd relieve Kenzi and bring this one back"

That wasn't their arrangement, but Lauren didn't want to start a fight in front of Bella. So, she just nodded, "That's fine…" she reached her hand out for her daughter to take, "… How was school baby?" she asked her.

"Boring!" Bella gave a scowl. Today was really lame. "But I painted a picture of a frog!" she was happy about that.

"That's amazing! Why don't you unpack your bag on the couch and I'll be right there?" Lauren sent her off to the living room, turning back to Bo. "So uh, thanks for bringing her back. I'll see you on Saturday for your turn" she was about to close the door when Bo kept it open.

Bo had to laugh, "That's it?" she asked. "No; It's good to see you Bo? How was your time away?" she never remembered Lauren being this cold.

That just made Lauren shrug, "What'd you want me to say Bo?" she sighed. "We're divorced; we're not responsible for hearing about each other's days. The only thing we need to discuss together, is Bella"

"Actually, I would say we have other things to discuss too…" Bo wasn't leaving without an explanation for what Bella told her. "… Can I come in? Just for a few minutes? I'll say my piece and then I'll leave, I promise" she waited for Lauren to let her in; and it took a few seconds but she finally did.

Lauren led her into the kitchen, making a cup of coffee for herself and offering her ex one too. "So, what'd you wanna talk about?" she waited for it to brew.

"Bella told me you have a friend named Mandy living here…" Bo came right out with it. "… Is that true?"

Of course, Bella wouldn't be able to keep quiet for long. And Lauren wasn't mad at her; her daughter had no idea what it meant to keep a secret. "Mandy doesn't live here…" she told her. "… She's stayed over a few times but that's it. Besides, it's really none of your business"

"If my daughter's living here then it sure as hell is!" Bo got a little loud. But apologised right away, not wanting Bella to get upset. "You can't expect me to be okay with this Lauren" she didn't like it. She didn't know this Mandy; what if she was trying to push her aside and take over her role as Bella's Mother.

"You're right, I don't…" Lauren said. "… Because I stopped expecting things from you the day you decided your job was more important than your family. It's been a year Bo. I've met someone, and I'm happy. Maybe you should do the same" she heard the coffee maker sound off behind her.

And it was that pained expression that made Bo realise she wasn't wanted here. Although, she couldn't even argue her case because what Lauren said was right. "Thanks for the Coffee offer but, I think I should go" she turned around, going to the living room and kneeling beside her daughter.

Bella knew what was coming, "I don't want you to go" she wrapped her arms around her Mother's neck and hugged her tight.

"I know…" Bo rubbed her back soothingly. "… I wish I could stay with you; but I've gotta go home. But don't worry; because I'll be back first thing on Saturday, and we're gonna make a day of it. Okay?" she watched her start to tear up. "Baby please don't cry" she lifted her up, holding her close.

Seeing this broke Lauren's heart, and she didn't want to be the kind of Mother that her daughter would end up resenting. So, she decided to show mercy, just this once. "Hey?" she approached them both. "Why don't you take her for the night?"

Bo raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Really?" her ex nodded. "But I thought we had a deal?" she'd never known Lauren to stray from their arrangement.

"Yeah well; you've been gone a while and she's missed you the whole time. I think you're the person she needs to be with tonight…" Lauren ran a hand through her daughter's hair. "… What'd you say pumpkin? You wanna sleep over at Mama's house?"

Bella nodded her head, still clutching at Bo's neck. "Yes please"

Lauren laughed at her politeness, it was so adorable. "Now how can I say no to that face?" she kissed her cheek. "Wait here, and I'll pack a bag for her" she went to Bella's bedroom and began filling a bag with some clothes and toys.

By the time Lauren came back, Bella was in a fit of smiles. Bo took the bag from Lauren, giving her the most grateful look. "Thank you for this…" she held Bella's hand with her left, "… I'll bring her back in the morning; say, around eight?" she didn't know if that was too early or not.

"That's no good; I've got surgeries scheduled for six a.m. I was gonna have Dyson take her to school; but if you wanna do that too then that's fine with me. Everything she needs is in the bag. Can you just make sure she goes to bed before nine? And no movies that aren't age appropriate" Lauren said.

"Lauren, what'd you take me for?" Bo was a little insulted.

"Not you Bo; Kenzi…" Lauren knew Bo would never be that reckless. "… You should've been here for the Z.O.M.B.I.E incident" she spelt it out for her so Bella wouldn't clue on. She'd only just stopped having nightmares.

Bo wasn't going to defend Kenzi on that. "Well, looks like she left a lot of things out of my weekly phone calls while I was away. I'm gonna talk to her about that; don't worry. Okay; you ready baby girl?" she looked down to watch her daughter nod. "Say bye to Mommy" she let go of her hand.

Lauren gathered Bella into her arms, hugging her tight. "Have a good time baby; and behave for your Mama okay?" she kissed her cheek. "I love you"

"Love you too Mommy" Bella gave her one last hug, then took Bo's hand again as they left the apartment.

Clubhouse – Later

Bo wasn't the type of person to have an early night. But her daughter was sleepy and she wanted to be near her to make up for the time she'd lost. So, two bedtime stories later and they were comfy in bed.

"Mama? Are you gonna go away again?" Bella had to ask.

That wasn't something Bo could just say no to. "Umm; maybe. I've told you I have a really important job helping Grandpa and sometimes it means I have to go away. But I always come back" she tapped her button nose with a smile.

That didn't make Bella happy though. "I don't want you to go away again; I want you to come back home with me and Mommy" her lip began to quiver.

"I want that too baby. But I don't think it's gonna happen right now…" Bo never lied to her; she'd been lied to herself and she didn't want her daughter to have the same bad luck. "… It's gonna be okay" she kissed her head.

"Promise?" Bella asked.

Bo knew she hadn't made good on her promises to Bella in the past but that was changing now. "I promise…" she hugged her close. "… Time for you to sleep now sweetie" she watched her drop off.

Next Morning

Bo was already up and ready for work now all that was left was to get Bella washed, changed and ready for school. She liked to think that she was a responsible Mother; although she would let Bella get away with things that Lauren would scold her for.

Like, eating chocolate cereal for breakfast. To Lauren that was unthinkable, but to Bo it was fun and gave a kid a little bit of energy to start the day. Bella was all ready to go in her adorable denim dress with the cutest red converse sneakers Bo had ever seen.

"So once you've finished that; you can go and brush your teeth and use the bathroom before we leave okay?" Bo finished putting her daughter's long hair in a ponytail. It was better when it was out of the way.

As she was done, Bella pushed her empty bowl away saying she was finished. "What if Aunt Kenzi's in the bathroom?" She got picked up by her Mother and placed on the ground.

Bo smiled, "It's before nine o'clock; the only place Aunt Kenzi is right now, is in her bed. You're good to go baby…" she watched her run off upstairs. Then felt her phone vibrate inside her pocket. It was Dyson. "… Hey, I was just about to call you; I've gotta take Bella to school and then I'll be right in"

"Yeah I know; Lauren told me last night. Gotta say, I found it really weird that she's letting you take her to school. Or the fact that she let you take Bella for the night. Is she finally thawing out?" He laughed. Not that it was a joke because he did feel like Lauren's behaviour towards Bo was too cold.

Yes, they had a bad divorce but they shouldn't let it affect Bella.

"I hope so D…" Bo sighed, "… But I will ask you something; who the hell is this Mandy chick I keep hearing about? And is she prettier than me?" That was a really important question.

"She's a Doctor that works with Lauren at the Clinic; funny, sweet, a good person but as far as her looks go; with you, it's no contest. But she's got a nice rack" Dyson was dude at the end of the day. And her very heaving chest was the first thing he noticed.

Bo made a face, "You're such a pig. Well, I'll see for myself when I meet her. As the Blood King's Lieutenant, I should be aware of every new employee the Light and Dark hire. Maybe I'll stop by the Clinic today; I'm sure Trick will want me to go there for something anyway"

Bella chose that moment to run back downstairs, then heard who her Mother was talking to. "Can I talk to him?!" She jumped up and down next to her Mother's legs.

"Wait a sec Dyson; someone wants to say hi…" Bo gave Bella her phone, watching her daughter smile as she spoke to her favourite Uncle. She loved how close her friends were with her daughter; no, they weren't blood related but that didn't matter. After a couple of minutes; Bo took the phone from her and said goodbye to Dyson. "… Alright; have you got everything?"

Grabbing her backpack; Bella nodded. "Yup"

"Let's hit the road then!" Bo clapped her hands, grabbing her own bag and then her daughter's hand as they walked out the door.

Head Quarters - Later

When Bo got into to work, she went right for her office. And when she got there, she found a blue case file on her desk. She knew what that meant. Sitting down, she opened it and flipped through the pages. Just as she thought; it was time for her to leave again.

She just got back; and Bella was so happy. Now she was going to have to break her little heart all over again. She didn't hear Dyson knock on her door the first time; but she did the second. "Hey, sorry. Come in" she sighed, rubbing her face.

"You seem awfully sad for someone who's just been reunited with her daughter…" He noticed it, and the way she sighed said it all. "… What's up? Is Bella okay?" his niece sounded ecstatic on the phone this morning.

Bo smiled, thinking of her daughter. "Yeah, she's good. But she won't be; after I leave again…" she watched him frown. So, she held up the blue file. "… Got my new orders. Trick's got a merger happening with a Morrigan in Australia. And where he goes; I go" she exhaled.

Dyson didn't expect that; he took a seat on the edge of her desk. "Look Bo; you're like a sister to me, and I'll support you no matter what decision you make but; you're gonna break Bella's heart if you leave again. And so soon too" he just wanted to be helpful.

"I know!" she leaned forward on her elbows. "That's the last thing I wanna do Dyson. Lauren's gonna have a field day with this…" she knew her ex wouldn't be happy. Bo didn't blame her either. This was bad. "… I can't leave her again; I've gotta talk to Trick about this" She got up and grabbed her jacket, and the file.

"Go…" He told her; "… Tamsin and I can handle things here" he received a smile from her as he watched her run out of the office.

Clinic - Later

Lauren was finished with her surgeries within a few hours thanks to her amazing brain. But now she was stuck doing appointments when she should've been finishing paperwork. She checked her clipboard and the person at the top of her list was Trick of all people.

She walked to the private wing, seeing six guards waiting outside his door. "Trick, it's good to see you…" she walked in with a smile, approaching him as he sat on the bed. "… What brings you by? Not your blood pressure again is it?" she chuckled.

"Not this time; I've been keeping a good eye on that. Actually; I got attacked while I was in London and even though I was treated; I don't trust any Doctor who isn't you" he rolled up his sleeve; showing her the gash on the inside of his forearm.

"Oh, wow!" she held his arm, checking it over. "I'm surprised you even got hurt; considering Bo acts as your second skin. But I think it looks good. Where was she was when this happened?" she asked.

Trick knew that talking about Bo with Lauren was a sore subject, but she asked him this time. "She was subduing the other two men that tried to kill me. I'm alive because of her. I understand you let her have Bella last night?"

Lauren nodded, "I did…" she said. "… Bella really missed her; and I'm glad they're spending time together" she actually was.

"Well, that's good. It's best they make the most of the time they have before we leave tomorrow…" Trick noticed Lauren's frown; oh, she didn't know. "… Bo hasn't told you?"

"Told me what?" Lauren knew she wasn't going to like this.

"I have another merger in Australia; we'll be leaving tomorrow night" Trick told her.

Letting go of his arm; Lauren turned around with a sigh. She ran both hands through her hair; not believing what he just told her. "Fifteen hours; that's how long she's been back! Fifteen Hours; and she's already taking off again?!" she turned back to him. "I can't put Bella through this anymore Trick!"

"Lauren; I love Bella too. And it kills me to have to take Bo away from her" Trick honestly did feel bad for this. Bella was his Great Granddaughter; and he loved her deeply.

"That's the thing Trick…" Lauren said. "… All you gave, was the order. Bo's the one making the decision to go. She's five years old; her heart can only take so much. And I'm not prepared to watch it break again" she welled up, thinking of her little girl's face.

"Neither am I…" Bo walked into the room; interrupting them. "… Mind if I borrow Lauren for a second Trick?" Even though he was the King; Trick never expected Bo or Lauren to treat him with such formalities.

He nodded, rolling his sleeve back down and jumping off the bed. "Of course, take all the time you need; I'll meet you back at Head Quarters" he tapped his Granddaughter's arm, then left with his men.

Bo closed the door behind him, "Now's your chance…" she told her. "… Hit me with all you've got" she was expecting the lashing from her.

"With words or my fists?" Lauren asked. "Because it's hard to choose one right now. I swear to god Bo; if you hurt her again-" she shook her head, pausing. "All she wants is you…" she said. "… Every day of the six months you've been gone; she's wished for you to come home. Now you're here, and you're leaving again?"

"You think I want to?" Bo frowned at her. "Having her with me last night made me so happy. And the last thing I wanna do is break her heart. But this's my job Lauren-"

Lauren started yelling, "Right Bo, it's your job! It's not your life!" she pointed at that out to her. "I'm done fighting about this. If you leave; you're gonna be the one to tell her. I'm sick of being the bad guy in all this" she walked passed Bo; but had to stop when her ex grabbed her arm.

They hadn't been this close to each other in a long time. It was nerve-wracking. "I love her Lauren" she spoke quietly.

"Forgive me if I have a hard time believing you Bo…" Lauren snatched her hand back. "… Because if you really loved her; you wouldn't be leaving" she left the room.

Head Quarters - Later

After her argument with Lauren; Bo decided to pull Bella out of school early. She didn't care if Lauren wasn't okay with it. If she was leaving, then she needed to have as much time with her baby girl as she could get. They went for some lunch, had some ice cream and even went to the park.

But it wasn't enough; because Bo was going to have to tell her daughter the bad news now. So, she brought her into the office; sitting her down on the desk while she sat on the chair. "So, you know I said I've got a really important job?" Bella nodded. "And how I said; sometimes it takes me away from you?"

That was when Bella realised. "Are you going away again?" She was on the verge of crying. She didn't want this. She wanted her Mother to stay with her.

Bo hated this; her little heart was breaking. But before she was able to give her an answer; she was interrupted as Trick and Tamsin walked into her office. This was new. And really bad timing too. "Uh, what're you guys doing here? Is something wrong?"

"Grandpa!" Bella hopped off the table; running into him for a hug. Then she asked him the question Bo herself was scared to utter. "Are you gonna take Mama away again? Because I don't want her to go!" She was so brazen talking to him this way.

But to Bella he wasn't a King; he was just her Grandpa.

Trick smiled, hating the look on her face. "No sweetie…" He pinched her cheek. "… I have no intention of doing that. Actually; your Mama won't be going away ever again" he looked directly at Bo who was frowning.

"What?" Bo didn't understand, then Tamsin came closer to her and whispered something in her ear. She told her that she's offered herself as Bo's replacement to protect Trick on his travels. "Are you serious right now?" She asked with glassy eyes.

Tamsin nodded, "I've got no real ties here; not like you do…" She told her. "… Your daughter needs you Bo; so, you should be here and only here. I don't mind, honestly. Besides, it'll be good to have a break from Dyson's face" she laughed.

Bo laughed with her, bringing her in for a hug. "Thank you Tamsin…" She whispered in her ear. "… You have no idea what you've done for me" she was beyond grateful.

"The smile on the pumpkin's face is all the thanks I need…" Tamsin pulled back, going to Bella and giving her a high five. "… See you when I get back kiddo" she gave Trick a nod, then left.

Not knowing what do to; Bo just smiled at Trick. "Thank you…" He just told her it was his pleasure. And once he left, she held her arms out for her little girl. "… Hear that baby? I'm never leaving you again" she lifted her up, breathing her in.

"Promise?" Bella asked in her ear.

Normally, Bo couldn't be sure she could keep a promise. But she was definitely keeping this one. "I promise…" She kissed her head. "… I promise" she couldn't stop saying it, because it was true.

Lauren's Apartment – Later

As soon as Bo knocked on the door, she knew she was going to get the brunt of Lauren's rage. But she was hoping since Bella was in listening distance that she'd call a cease fire. The door opened, and Lauren's face was smiley, but Bo had been married to her for over twenty years. She knew her better than anyone.

"Mommy guess what!" Bella grabbed her hand and started tugging on it. "Mama's staying!" She exclaimed in excitement.

Lauren looked at Bo, who was smiling. "Uh, really? That's great…" She didn't know what that meant. "… Why don't you come in for sec? Maybe explain this to me?" She opened the door for Bo to enter, then went to the kitchen while they left Bella in the living room. "So; you're staying?"

Bo nodded, "Yep. For good…" She noticed the confusion in her ex's face. "… Tamsin's replaced me as Trick's Lieutenant. So, I'm being partnered with Dyson now. Just like old times" she remembered those days; it was when she was a Detective that they were the happiest.

She had time to spend with her Family. But her new rank took that away from her.

"So, you've been demoted?" Lauren asked.

"Not really; I've still got my rank but I've just been given a new assignment. Either way; Dyson's gonna be answering to me now…" They both laughed. "… I'm serious about this Lauren. I wanna be a better Mom for Bella. I hope in time I can prove that to you; who knows, maybe we could talk about sharing custody" she wished for that.

Lauren sighed, it wasn't that easy though. "How about we just take it one day at a time?" She gave Bo a nod. "For what it's worth? I'm glad you're sticking around. You know, for Bella" she couldn't have sounded happier if she tried.

"Right, for Bella" Bo smiled back.

Bella ran over to them; "Can Mama read me a story before bed?" She asked.

Looking down, Lauren tapped her head. "I don't see why not; but you've gotta have a bath first missy! Go on…" She pointed to the bathroom door. "… I'll give a shout when she's done; help yourself to anything" she walked passed Bo to follow her daughter to the bathroom.

Being that she didn't live here anymore; Bo thought she'd go for the one thing she'd left here. Going to the back of the fridge; she reached her hand up to the top and felt around for a bottle. "Got ya!" She grabbed it and brought it down to her. It was a three-hundred-year-old bottle of scotch. "I missed you!" She sighed happily.

As she was savouring her first glass, she heard the jingling of keys at the front door. It opened and a strange red head walked right in as if she owned the place. "Uh, who the hell are you?!" She left the glass on the table, ready to kick this bitch's ass.

"I'm Mandy…" The woman said, taking her jacket off. "… And you're Bo, right? I've heard a lot about you; it's a pleasure" she smiled, extending her hand. Of course, she knew who she was; there was a picture in Bella's bedroom and Lauren had told her everything.

Bo just looked at her hand. Not really wanting to shake it but she didn't want to come off as the jealous ex. So, she shook it, firmly. "Charmed…" She smiled, then heard Lauren call from the bathroom. "… You know, I remember hearing a song called Mandy"

"Yeah?" Mandy was feeling a little intimidated right now.

Nodding, Bo kept smiling. "Yeah…" She dropped her hand, and also her smile. "… I hated it. Nice meeting you" she walked to the bathroom, stepping inside.

Mandy took a breath, then rubbed her sore hand. Well, that was one way to meet her Girlfriend's Ex-Wife. But also scary, because said Ex-Wife was the Blood King's highest Lieutenant. And his Granddaughter. She wasn't the person to make an enemy of.

A/N: So, there it is. Hope you guys liked it; and let me know if you want it to be continued. Thanks for taking the time to read it. Much love xoxo