AN: i am still working on the others. Work has been a bear with the holidays and as the holidays move closer, my time is tight. RA is going to be updated soon after i unravel the next twist. Angel lo is gonna take time, i am stuck on it a little bit and need to think where i want to take it. So have a huge security bo update. This one is coming to the end in a chapter or two, this has exceeded my expectations of how long i intended it to be, but well, when i get on a unmitigated sappy run...this stuff pours out. So read on and enjoy! review and tell me things, makes me feel better about life. :)

"Dennis! The woman of the hour!" The Colonel's face lit up like he was meeting the president as soon as I walked into the cafeteria. Kenzi took advantage of the distraction of my entrance and dashed with her cake to a far table, gobbling it down like a starved child.

I gave her a dirty look, slowly plastering on my own fake smile for the Colonel, "Sir, I was just doing my job." I walked over to the small table he was standing in front of and Kenzi vacated. I was extremely tired, hungry and inexplicably still turned on by my impromptu moment with Lauren.

The Colonel patted my shoulder harder than I expected, almost knocking me back a step, "Nonsense, Dennis. From what I understand from the other officers present and Ms. Lewis, you did an outstanding job getting that girl out of harms way. Ms. Lewis just stopped by my office and gave you a glowing review and her statement of what happened. Stellar work, Officer, stellar work." He then glossed over my injuries, squinting like a doctor would. I suddenly panicked, hoping I had straightened myself up enough to hide the flush that came with some intense making out with a hot blonde. "Looks like Chuckie did a good job getting you fixed up." He lowered his head to meet my eyes, "How are you feeling?"

I shrugged lightly, dropping my gaze to the floor to try to shake the tiredness that was beginning to consume me, "I am fine, sir. Some lunch and I will be ready to head back to the hotel and take over for Helm." I looked back at him, a firmer fake smile on my face. I really only wanted to go back to the hotel to find Lauren and simply be around her. I breathed out slowly, I should have grabbed that extra ice pack.

He nodded, glancing at Kenzi like a disappointed parent, "I will have Malikov take care of your lunch, I was surprised to find her down here without you eating this place bare." Kenzi caught his stare and slowly threw the half eaten cake in the trash can. Frowning as soon as he turned back to me and reaching for it in the can before I shook my head to stop her from going further into the trash.

"That was by my request and Ms. Lewis request. She and I both felt it would be good for Malikov to grab some lunch while I sought out treatment." I smiled wider for the Colonel's benefit. I had realized early on that he was a sucker for my dimple and I would use it as needed.

It worked, he grinned at me, "Always putting your team members first." He patted my shoulder again, harder, "If you weren't destined for better things, I would make you a part of my command team in a heartbeat." He raised his eyebrows, "That is a job offer by the way Dennis, in case things don't work out with the academy."

I smiled tightly, "Thank you sir, I appreciate it."

"Not a problem, Dennis." The Colonel looked at his watch, "Eat up and catch a breath or two. I would like you to take over for Helm and Tate at the hotel within the hour. The band will be moving back to the arena in three hours to begin sound check and prepare for the show." He then pointed at Kenzi over his shoulder, who was now staring at me. I felt my cheeks blush, her stare was the stare when she read me and knew something was up. "Get this one on the same level as you, Dennis, and out of the cafeteria."

The Colonel left me with a nod and a firm smile. His strange way of saying goodbye without actually saying it.

The moment he was out of the cafeteria, I fell into the closest chair, resting my head in my hands. My headache was raging from fake smiling so much and how hungry I now was. I closed my eyes and when I opened them, there was a club sandwich before me. I felt Kenzi sitting next to me, "That old salty turd hates me. I know the day you leave he will push me to the janitorial staff."

I sighed hard, dropping my hands to reach for the sandwich, "He doesn't hate you, he just doesn't get you. You betray every one of his militaristic ideals of how life and work should be." I took a large bite of the sandwich, sighing again at how amazing it tasted. I turned to look at Kenzi, who was now scrutinizing me closely. I quickly turned back to my sandwich for another huge bite. Maybe if my mouth was overflowing with food she wouldn't ask the questions that were on the tip of her tongue, waiting to explode my way like machine gun fire.

Three point five seconds passed, "You're blushing Bo. You never blush." Her words were slower than normal when it came to interrogating me.

I shrugged, taking another bite and reaching for the bottle of water she had set off to the side.

Kenzi scooted closer to me, like she was about to sniff me. "You also smell like perfume, expensive perfume that you can't afford." She leaned around me, obviously looking over my uniform, "You have wrinkles on the back of your shirt."

I swallowed the chunk of sandwich, opening the bottle to wash it down, "Take it down a notch Detective Kenzi and let me eat my sandwich in peace."

Kenzi poked me in the shoulder with her small yet strong finger, "These little clues all paint a picture for me." She folded her arms across her chest, "A picture where a lovely blonde woman with a lovely English accent takes a relatively attractive brunette security guard to the first aid station and puts more than band aids on the brunettes boo boos. I think this picture has more boobs on boobs than band aids on boo boos."

I choked on my water, almost spraying it across the table. I shot a hard look at my best friend, "Kenzi!" I knew my face was flushed as I looked around the cafeteria, praying to god that the two other people in the room did not hear Kenzi's brash words.

Kenzi smirked, "I knew it. You and the lovely Lauren got up close and personal, didn't you. That's her perfume stuck all over your body and probably her hands that bunched up your shirt into a wrinkled mess." She nudged me with her hand, "Die hard by the book Dennis just broke rule number ten in the salty eagles procedure manual. No interpersonal contact with individuals were are to protect."

I set my sandwich down slowly. I suddenly felt heavy with what did happen in the medical room. The weight of reality snuck it's way in with Kenzi calling me by the book. I did break the Colonel's rule and I also broke a thousand of my own. I let my heart out and I let it lead me. Lead me to an incredible woman I knew very little about and would be leaving my life in a matter of hours. No matter how deeply I was drawn to Lauren and wanted to act on nothing but pure spontaneity with her, there was a reality. A reality where I feared history was about to repeat itself. I stared at the edges of the turkey and bacon in the sandwich, what was I doing?

The radio squealing ended my staring contest with the lunch meat, "Jesus! you know I hate that noise." I shoved the plate away, scowling at Kenzi holding her radio against mine.

"Yea but it's the only way I can get you out of your past and listening to me." Kenzi shoved the plate back towards me, "Eat. It's going to be a long night." She stood up, brushing off crumbs from who knows what. "What I was saying before you zoned out into thoughts why you shouldn't be chasing that blonde and that you are acting on impulse and not the carefully planned out life you created the day he left you, was this." She leaned closer to me so I was forced to look into her clear blue eyes, "Whether it's just a quickie in medical, a hot make out session in the back of a limo or forever with a baby and a carriage, take this Bo. Take whatever it is you have with that woman and capture it. Scoop every ounce of what you are feeling and press it against your heart. Remember why you have a heart and remember that not everyone is out there to take it and break it."

She stood back up, jutting her hips out, "Life is a bunch of what ifs, Bo. What if I go get the cake out of the trash can and eat it? What if I steal your sandwich now? What if I can't steal food from the green room while the band is on stage?" She stopped her diatribe suddenly.

I picked up the last bit of my sandwich, standing up, "And your point with this last part is?" I said it softly. Letting Kenzi know I had taken her advice deeply, so deeply it was making my heart beat harder to overcome the doubts and my own what ifs.

Kenzi rolled her eyes, turning to walk over to the pastry table, "My point is stop living in a what if and just live." She snatched a handful of danishes in one swoop, "Let's hit the hotel and get today over with. I smell a reward of double meatball subs when this day is done and done."

I chuckled, walking after my best friend and part time therapist, "Is food all you really ever think about?"

Through a mouthful of cheese danish, "Actually its food and what my campaign slogan will be when I run for judge in a couple of years, then I sometimes think about shoes, clothes, how to steal your Netflix password so I can cancel mine and save a few bucks, that will be spent on tacos from the taco truck down the street." Kenzi rattled her words off, back into the hyper active girl I had grown to love more than my own family. I grabbed her elbow with my free hand, breaking her away from the pastry table she was ravaging.

Two steps outside of the cafeteria, another question came from her full mouth, "So did you give Lauren a full body examination on Chuckies table? Give her a full security debriefing?"

I groaned, finishing my sandwich, glad that Kenzi forced me to finish it. "No, nothing like that happened you perv. One the moment wasn't there and two I know Chuckie naps on that table, among other things when he's bored." I paused, the memory of kissing Lauren vivid in my mind and on my lips. I absently licked them, still feeling how warm she was and the way her lip gloss had a small taste of strawberry to it. My body was heating up as my hips also remembered what it felt like to have hers against them. I cleared my throat, "Um, we just kissed again." I blew out a slow breath. The effect Lauren had on me was astounding and unlike anything I had ever experienced in my life or my lengthy romantic life. "She wants me to meet her for a drink after the show. Go left when the band goes right."

Kenzi didn't skip a beat, "No prob killer, I will take Bobby to get subs and you just text me to let me know if things go past the bartop and to a bedroom. I can hitch a ride with him back to the arena." She bumped into me, "For what it's worth Bo, I like her. I like that she's at least chased away some of the black clouds that have been hanging over you for far too long." She smiled sheepishly when I glanced at her, "I miss seeing you smile, Bo."

I sighed heavily, holding open the door that would take us to the garage, "Me too, Kenz. Me too." I let her go first, thinking that whatever did come between Lauren in the short time we had left, she did at least give me a reason to smile and live again, even it was for a day or two. But deep down, I knew that I wanted Lauren forever and not just for a handful of hours. I clenched my jaw following Kenzi to the car that would take us to the hotel, I would have to fight my own doubts and fight for I wanted more than a police career or a command job with the Colonel. I had to finally admit I wanted love again and it was waiting for me in the form a blonde band manager, I would just have to want it more than I wanted to breathe.

Reaching for the car handle to the black town car, I grinned out of nowhere, whispering to myself, "I do want it, I want her." I almost sat on top of Kenzi who was sliding like a kid on the shiny leather of the backseat. "What do you want my little Boba Fett?"

I made eye contact with her as she slid on to her side, giggling, "I want Lauren, Kenzi. I want everything she has given me and has yet to give." My grin only grew wider as I said it out loud, confirming it and dedicating myself to a fight.

Kenzi slugged me hard on the thigh, "About damn time. My little girl is growing up and finding her way again." She wiggled in the seat as the car began to pull away, "I am calling the maid of honor spot now and request an open bar at the reception."

I laughed, shaking my head before reaching out to steady Kenzi in the seat when the car took a sharp corner. For the first time in years, the idea of love and marriage didn't make my heart seize up, it actually made me fall into long ignored daydreams. I only hoped Lauren was willing to fight with me and expand on this strange immediate attraction that was blossoming at a rapid rate.

XXXXX

I was able to sneak in a twenty minute power nap during the ride back to the hotel. It took the edge off the exhaustion that was starting worm its way in. Leaning against the back of the elevator, I was still tired and my cheek was throbbing. I looked over at Kenzi who was grinning at me as she clicked her gear belt on. I raised my eyebrows at her, "What." I couldn't help but smile a little myself. I knew why Kenzi was grinning, it was because I was finally doing the same after years.

The ding of the elevator saved her from further prodding. I pushed off the wall, adjusting my own belt and taking a deep breath. I still had a job to do.

Rounding the corner we saw Helm and Tate standing off to the side, muffled voices in the distance. Helm turned and caught Kenzi and I walking towards them. He slugged Tate and the two ran down the hall. Helm barely stopped, "Good luck Dennis. The little brat has been horrible since the second we got here. Yelling, screaming and throwing tantrums. She even got the boys in blue close to tasing her to get her to shut the hell up." he patted my shoulder as he and Tate rushed by, "Have fun ladies."

Helm and Tate disappeared into the elevator in a small cloud of dust at the same time Lianne's voice grew louder through the walls. She was yelling but I could not make out what she was yelling about and who she was yelling at.

"You should have just let Paige steal the twat, Bo. I don't know if can bite my tongue any longer." Kenzi's face narrowed as she moved to sit in the chair Tate had left outside of Lianne's room.

I didn't know if I could either. Especially if Lianne continued to direct her venom at Lauren. I moved to stand across from Kenzi, taking Helm's spot outside of Damien's room, which was whisper quiet. I looked at my watch, we only had twenty minutes before we escorted them back to the arena to begin sound check and then prep for the show. The Colonel had sent me an email letting me know he had increased security and police presence around the arena for tonight's show. All I had to worry about was Damien and Lianne.

I stood with my arms folded, staring at the door to Lianne's room. Clenching my jaw as I began to pick out words being yelled. She was demanding this and that for the show and how her salad had been unsatisfactory. Then I heard Lauren's name followed by the door opening to reveal Lauren poking her head out. She looked on the verge of falling apart into tears or a homicidal rage. She caught Kenzi sitting first, she smiled lightly at the sight and through a rough, shaky voice, "Hey Kenzi, Lianne wants to leave now to go back to the arena. Damien left five minutes ago with a police escort to find some peace." She rolled her eyes motioning to the tantrum behind her. Lauren turned slowly and met my eyes, her own glossy over heavily as she saw me. "Hi Bo."

I took a step towards her, my instinct and my heart wanting to pull her out of that room and hold her while she let go of the stress of Lianne. I held her eyes, a silent way of telling her that I would be there for her. "Hey."

I watched as Lauren visibly swallowed hard, "How are you feeling?"

I didn't get to answer, the door was shoved open wider. Lianne huffing out, "What the fuck are you doing out here Lauren? I told you stop socializing with the rent a cops." Lianne looked up and saw me, her facing dropping and moving to a whiter shade of pale. She said nothing, whether it was because of embarrassment that a rent a cop had saved her or god knows what. But my mere prescence had a new found effect on the shitty younger girl. She tore her gaze away from me and lashed back at Lauren, making me clench my jaw harder to prevent throttling the girl. "Good, the escort is here. Grab my things and try not to scratch the Louis, Lauren." She turned to Kenzi, "Can you make sure that the green room has fresh kale when I get there? My lunch was a pile of shite and I have to eat before I perform. I can't risk passing out on stage." Lianne shoved Lauren back as she went back into the room, throwing things around.

Kenzi took a deep breath, "Oh I'll make sure there's fresh kale. Fresh kale with a side of x-lax." Kenzi looked between Lauren and I, "What? Wouldn't it be sweet justice to see the super twat shitting herself in front of a hundred thousand of her cherished fans?"

I groaned, "Kenz."

She held up her hands, "I'm kidding! Really I am." Kenzi moved down the hallway to get the elevator, "Maybe."

I shook my head and turned back to Lauren stepping closer to her, my throat suddenly dry at the sight of how downtrodden the woman was. Her golden brown eyes rimming with tears, "Are you okay?"

Lauren scrunched her brow, looking down at the floor shrugging, "It's been a long day." She sighed, looking over her shoulder as her name was shrieked from the hotel room, "She's been on a rampage since I got back. I have been the brunt of her fear, her anger and everything else." Lauren dropped her arms as the tears threatened to spill, taking a step back in the room. Her walls were slowly coming up and she was shutting down, "We should get going. You two can sit in the front of the car, I will take the back with Lianne."

I felt the anger rise, "Lauren, you don't have to keep taking it from her. She's just a spoiled shit that needs a healthy slap across the face." I was about three seconds away from delivering that slap as Lianne screamed for Lauren again. I walked towards the door to such a thing when a warm hand on my arm stilled me.

"Bo, don't." Lauren's voice was full of defeat and exhaustion, her eyes radiating the same. "Don't let her get to you, she's already mildly afraid of you." Lauren tried to smile, her hand squeezing my arm gently, "I can handle this." Even as she said it I knew she was lying. She was holding it together by a thin thread.

I covered her hand with mine, pulling it free from my arm and sliding my fingers into hers. My heart swelling at the way her breath hitched when our fingers intertwined. There was so much I wanted to say to her, the things I had come to realize in the cafeteria and on the way her, the moment after we kissed for the second time. But now wasn't the time. I couldn't tell her what I was feeling with the sounds of a spoiled diva throwing things and yelling for the woman I was falling for like a common servant. I sucked in a breath, "In case I forget to tell you later, I had a really good time tonight."

Lauren laughed, squeezing my hand, "Pretty Woman. One of my favorite movies." Her walls melted away, letting me in again.

In that simple, beautiful laugh, I felt the air around us release some of the tension. I grinned, "Mine too." I moved closer to Lauren. Somehow whenever we were close, and she would smile like she was now. The world would fall away and it would only be her and I. The way her hands were always warm, the way her perfume moved perfectly in the air and the way she made my heart pound in a way that I couldn't put words too. I wanted to kiss her and I could see she wanted me too. I tugged her hand pulling me her closer.

"LAUREN GET IN HERE NOW!"

Lauren's face fell and she stepped back from me. Her walls slamming down like a banks during a robbery. She dropped my hand, "We will meet you at the car." Lauren moved from me and back into the room. Softly closing the door behind her. I was angry at her sudden change and bending to the she-beast that was ruining her and our moments. I only had a few hours with the woman and hell be damned if I was going to let that brat steal more from me.

I had to ball my fists to funnel my rage and force myself to walk back to the elevator and to Kenzi who was playing on her phone. "I swear I wasn't watching you two being all romantic movie romantic over there."

"We will meet them at the car." I growled the words, punching the elevator call button.

"Bo, I will hold the door close if you want to go back there and verbally punch or maybe physically punch the shit out of the little girl." Kenzi was trying humor to ease the rage storm building in me.

I shook my head, "Just leave it. It's exactly what Lauren wants." I gripped my belt, "So we will go to the car and wait for them."

Kenzi's hand startled me when it landed on my shoulder, "Bo, just talk to her later. Knowing that well planned and well organized woman, she has a reason for everything she does. Including bending to the twat."

I said nothing as we rode the elevator down and stood by the car waiting for Lianne and Lauren. I would talk to her later, find out if there was a reason why Lauren continued to put Lianne and the demands above everything else.

XXXXXX

Eight hours later -

I didn't get a chance to speak to Lauren let alone speak to Kenzi. The second we arrived at the arena we were bombarded with running around and keeping things on lockdown. Damien even was only able to wave at us from the stage. Lianne was on a tear and taking it out on everyone. I had to walk away a handful of times when she launched endless verbal assaults at Lauren. Get me this, get me that, call my agent, pick up my towels. It never stopped. From the green room back to the stage, it was a constant stream of bitch. I only caught glimpses of Lauren as she rushed past to get this or that. Her eyes only meeting mine once as she threw me a soft smile. Even thought it made my heart skip, it still made me angry that Lauren was letting this continue.

The only time Lianne took it down a notch was after the show and she was visibly exhausted from the show and her own asinine behaviour. She barely grumbled anything as she walked back to the green room and collapsed on the couch. I left Kenzi in the room with her and the expansive catering table. I no longer cared if Kenzi demolished the band's food or stole the expensive booze. I figured by now we deserved it for putting up with Lianne.

I also left Lauren in the green room. Opting to stand outside and take a few minutes to breathe away from the band. To think and work out what I would say to Lauren over that drink.

"Bo?" Damien's soft voice scared me, I turned to see him walking out of the green room.

"Hey Damen, did you need something?" I held on to my belt.

He smiled, "Want to walk with me for a minute? I could use the..."he looked around the musty hallway, "Fresh air?"

I chuckled, "I could use the fresh air as well." I motioned down the hallway, "The garage actually has a small breeze." Damien took his usual spot next to me and we started towards the garage door.

I broke the silence first, "You still going ahead with your plan tomorrow?"

Damien laughed lightly, "More now than ever." He jammed his hands into his back pockets, "I can't stand to be around Lianne any longer. I made the arrangements earlier today to shut the band down." He looked at me, "I did it the minute Lauren came back from the arena and Lianne swarmed at her like a hive of angry hornets." Damien studied for a second before turning his gaze to the hallway, "I will announce my leaving at the beginning of the encore. As soon as I am off the stage I have Edwin and my lawyers on standby to deal with Lianne. I am taking the first car and heading to the airport. Heading back to Ireland for a short vacation while we work out the legalities of money and what not." He sighed, "I also have it set up that Lauren will have her pink slip and a second car to take her to the airport. A ticket waiting for her. I wanted to fire her today, but I knew she would fight to stay one more day until she knew the show was done." He shook his head. Obvious that he knew Lauren and her dedicated work ethic and loyalty to at least him.

I listened intently, trying hard not to throw in my two cents or pour my heart about Lauren. "Sounds you have it all worked out, Damien." I smiled tightly, "I think you will do well on your own. You have a good head and an honest heart."

Damien patted my back, "So do you Bo. I never got to thank you for helping Lianne when that Paige grabbed her." He glanced at my cheek and the black eye, "You okay?"

I nodded, "I'm fine. Nothing to major and not my first nor my last set of stitches." I let out a breath, "Lauren made sure I was taken care of." I chuckled, "Seems she has a knack for that."

"Only for the people she cares immensely for, Bo." Damien grabbed my elbow, stopping us both and turning me to face him. "She does care for you, Bo. Quite a bit by the way she looks at you."

I hard to turn away from him, staring at the concrete walls, "But in a few hours, what will it matter." My past was creeping up, Lauren was leaving. Damien was ensuring that.

Damien squeezed my elbow, making me look back at him with a genuine smile and bright blue eyes, "Love matters. Love will overcome the distance and the heartbreak you both carry. I can already tell whatever it is between you two has repaired some of the fissures in here." He reached up, pressing two fingers against my racing heart. He grinned when he felt how hard it was beating, "See, I am already right."

My radio crackled with Kenzi's voice letting us know that it was time to move to the hotel. Damien stepped back, still grinning, "Don't worry about everything you don't have to. Enjoy the time you have with her and everything else will fall into place." He turned with a wink and rushed back down the hall in time to meet Lianne, Lauren and Kenzi walking out.

I stood, facing their backs. Trying to understand his cryptic words. The kid was a mystery at times and it was slightly maddening at times. I shook my head, opting not to think anymore of it and run after the group. I had to keep my head focused on talking to Lauren as soon as we got to the hotel.

XXXX

"I will get you an extra cheese, Bo and grab a six pack. We have nothing to do until the last concert at eight." she looked at her phone. It was three in the morning and my body was sagging. The band had just entered the hotel and I watched Lauren break off to the left. I held back, giving myself a minute before I barreled in there with my prepared speech and lay it all out for her. Even debating telling her Damien's plan and try to talk her into staying here. "Sounds good Kenzi, I could use a beer."

Kenzi shoved me lightly, handing me my jacket, "Bobbers and I will be back in fifteen, text me if your plans move to breaking hotel beds with blondie."

I rolled my eyes, "I highly doubt that, if anything I will also be back in fifteen." I slid on the jacket, "Grab a bottle of whiskey while you're at it. Might as well make the most of our half day off." I took a deep breath, drawing the courage I needed to face Lauren and face what my heart wanted. Her. And nothing else would suffice.

I took long strides to the automatic doors when they whispered open and I was almost knocked down by Lauren rushing out the doors. I had to grab her arms to prevent her from colliding into me. "Whoa!"

Lauren looked up at me, tears streaming down her face and sobbing. She fell apart more when she saw it was me, "Get me out of here, Bo. Please." The tremble in her words broke my heart. I didn't hesitate. I wrapped my arm around her waist and walked her back to the limo. Lauren leaned hard into my side, clutching on to my hip with her free hand with a sense of desperation that made my stomach turn. I opened the back door and sat her inside, running a hand over her cheek, "I will go get Kenzi and we can go." Lauren nodded as she curled up on her side on the plus leather back seat. I closed the door softly and yelled for Kenzi as she stood waiting for Bobby to get the meatball subs. She gave me a questioning look and I gave her one that made her nod and yell at Bobby to hurry it up.

I climbed into the back of the limo, reaching for Lauren and sitting her up so I could hold her. She wrapped her arms around my waist, holding me tightly as she buried her face into my shoulder and cried. There was nothing to be said, all I had to do was hold her and give her the freedom to let the day out through tears and sobs.

Kenzi's face poked in the door, "Home or the arena?" she glanced at Lauren in my arms.

"Home."

Kenzi winked at me, closing the door and yelling at Bobby, "To the estate Jeeves!"

I shifted in the seat slightly, giving Lauren more room and me a better hold on her. Her sobs had slowed down but she was still clutching to me. I whispered soothing words and ran my hands over her hair. I had made the decision I would tell her about Damiens plan and give her a small sliver of hope that this would be all over for her. Then I would find Lianne and give her the star treatment she deserved and a hard dose of reality via Uncle Sergei.

XXXXX

Lauren fell asleep in my arms in the forty five minutes it took to get back to our apartment. I didn't have the heart to disturb her nor did I really want her to leave my arms. She fit so perfectly in them and I liked the way she snored ever so lightly with her face pressed against my chest.

When Kenzi tapped on the window twice, it woke Lauren up. She blinked twice and looked up at me, suddenly sitting up and brushing the hair away from her face. "Sorry. I didn't realize I fell asleep." She looked around the limo and bent to look out the window, noticing the city scape had changed from high rise hotels to bohemian, hipster apartment buildings.

I smiled at her, shaking my head, "You don't need to apologize." Even red-eyed and exhausted, Lauren was still gorgeous. I reached for the door, "Come, we have meatball subs and beer." I stepped out, reaching back with my hand held out for her to take. Lauren slid her hand in mine, allowing me to help her out of the car. She closed the door and looked around the neighborhood.

"You live in Highland Park?" Lauren spoke softly, her voice still heavy with tears waiting to spill.

I shrugged, "Yea, blame Kenzi. She picked the place." I looked up at the apartment building that still had the original façade from the forties, "She said it looked like a place Katherine Hepburn would live." I suddenly felt nervous for bringing Lauren to my apartment, hoping that it wouldn't come as if I was suggesting something, "We can go somewhere else, I just thought maybe my, um, place would be okay."

Lauren squeezed my hand, "It's perfect Bo."

Kenzi ran down the stairs, "Subs are on the table, don't touch the one with the four C's on it. That is my super triple cheese and I will murder anyone who lays a finger on it. Beer is in the fridge chilling." she yanked open the passenger door to the limo, "I will be back in an hour with the car. You two kids eat and save me at least one beer." She slammed the door, the limo squealing away from the corner as I heard Bobby and her holler like the two goofballs they were.

Lauren laughed, "She's quite whimsical."

I laughed with her, "That is one word to describe her." I dropped Lauren's hand, reaching for my keys, "Let's get inside and eat." I was beginning to get even more nervous. My game plan thrown out the window the second she was in my arms crying. Now I just wanted to take care of her and give her the space she needed to relax from whatever Lianne episode that sent her over the edge.

I pushed the front door open, chuckling as I noticed Kenzi had done her best to tidy up her small messes. Clothes were now in a pile by the laundry basket and magazines were throw on the coffee table instead of the couch. I held the door open for Lauren, "Welcome to our apartment. I will give you a quick tour." I pointed at the kitchen with an island, "That's the kitchen and dining room. Over here is the living room." I then waved at the opposite ends of the living room, "To the right is Kenzi's room, left is mine. The bathroom is next to the laundry."

Lauren smiled and walked over to the huge floor to ceiling windows that made up the living room wall. A huge selling point of the small apartment on the sixth floor. One that both sold Kenzi and I regardless of the two hundred dollars over budget rent was. The city literally lit up the living room at night. Pouring in beautiful oranges, pinks and the occasional blue hue of neon into the room. "This is stunning." Lauren pressed her hands against the glass, soaking up the lights.

I took my jacket off, moving to hang it up when I stopped. The way the city lights lit up Lauren was breath taking. The oranges highlighted her shape, casting shadows in the right places. The pink sunk into the blonde of her hair and made it almost iridescent and the blues just added that little extra oompf to her. It was like a perfect painting before me and I couldn't look away. "You're stunning." The words fell out in a raspy whisper.

Lauren smiled, dropping her head down, obviously embarrassed. "Bo."

I dropped my jacket and walked over to her. Sliding my hand across her waist and turning her to face me. The city lights moving with her and soaking into her eyes. Making them shine, "I mean it." I reached up, brushing her hair back so I could see more of her face, settling my hand on her cheek. God I wanted to kiss her, drag her into my bedroom and revisit things left in that medical room. But I didn't, I could see in her eyes it wouldn't be wholly welcomed if I made a move. Lauren wanted to be loved in this moment, but not in a physical sense. "What happened."

Lauren sighed, relieved as she leaned into my hand. Relieved that I wasn't going to take advantage of the moment and her state. I knew she would have let me, but I wanted Lauren completely before I had her completely.

She stepped back, just enough to look out the window but still have my hand on her side. "Lianne. I went to the bar to wait for you and she called." She paused, her eyes squinting as she tried to pick up the details in the far horizon. "She dug deep with the insults then proceeded to tell me about Angie's wedding and things Angie told her at the reception. All things that stabbed at my heart." Lauren closed her eyes, "The girl has always known to push my buttons and when she told me that I would never deserve the love Angie found, I broke." Lauren opened her eyes slowly, a tear rolling down her cheek, "I broke because for a second, I thought she was right."

I moved closer to Lauren, moving my hand to the small of her back. "That girl is full of shit. She doesn't know you, Lauren." I took in a deep breath, "I may not even really know you either but I do know that you deserve all the love this world can give and all the love someone can give you." I paused as my nerves began to swim in my throat, threatening to choke my words. "You have given me hope, Lauren, hope that love is possible again. I know we don't have much time, so I won't waste it." I swallowed, holding back the three words my heart wanted me to say, instead opting for something easier, "I really like you Lauren and I want to be your hope."

Lauren turned slowly to look at me, her eyes even more glossy with the city light hitting the tears at the edges, "You already are." There was a thick moment between us, obvious neither of us knew if we should kiss or continue staring at each other. The slow burn between us was bound to explode soon and I was ready for it, but Lauren would have to initiate it.

She took in a slow breath, her eyes moving from mine to the food on the island, "I hate to break this amazing moment, but I'm starving and may collapse on you."

I laughed and nodded, sliding my hand from her back to her hand. "Follow me to the best meatball subs in the world." I was mildly relieved she had broken the moment, I wanted Lauren so much it made my bones ache, but she was different. She was like a fine wine, something to be enjoyed slowly and cherished. Not rushed through because of time and a desire to consume her out of lust.

Lauren devoured the double cheese meatball sub in a handful of bites and topped it off with two beers. I watched her intently, absorbing the small details of her and the way she would chew each bite thoroughly and follow it with a sip of beer. The small things that I wanted to commit to memory and draw upon when she left and all I had was memories. It was this little sign that confirmed I was indeed in love with Lauren and it would be hard to get over her when we parted ways.

I crumbled the marinara stained foil into a ball, "Just let me know when you want to go back to the hotel." I glanced at the cheezy superman clock Kenzi hung over the stove, "Kenzi will be back with the car in a bit, I can drive you whenever."

Lauren set her half empty beer down, looking down and fidgeting with ripping the edge of her foil. "Is it okay if I stay here?" She glanced at me, eyes full of emotions, "It's been a long time since I have slept somewhere that wasn't a hotel." Lauren turned back to the windows, "I miss the sounds of a city, people walking, the air coming through open windows and not through an air conditioner. I miss life outside." She pulled her foil apart, "I can sleep on the couch."

I slid off the stool, collecting her empty sub foil. Brushing my arm against hers to get her to look at me, "You can take my bed, I will sleep on the couch or bunk up with Kenz." I crumpled up the foil looking in her eyes, pouring the instant sexual tension of the thought of Lauren in my bed into squeezing the life out of the foil. I moved around her, dropping the mangled foil in the trash and grabbing the whiskey I asked Kenzi to get. I set in front of Lauren, "Pour us a glass? I am going to go change and grab you something to change. Then we can sit in front of the windows and talk or stare at the city. Whatever you want tonight Lauren, it's yours."

The way her eyes flashed at the innocent words that were heavy with unintentional innuendo made me blush. "I mean mi casa is su casa." I cleared my throat and rushed to my bedroom.

Changing out of my uniform I groaned at myself. I was stumbling through everything like a stupid teenager. I tossed my black shirt and pants into the closet, reaching for my baggy sweatpants and the ragged police t-shirt I slept in every night. After changing and putting my hair into a looser ponytail, I dug around until I found another pair of sleep pants and an old t-shirt I never wore for Lauren.

I walked out into the living room to find Lauren sitting on the edge of the couch, holding a glass of whiskey. She turned and smiled at me, already looking a million times better than she had. The food and beer doing it's job. She handed me a glass as I handed her the clothes, "It might be a little big on you, but they're comfy."

Lauren grinned taking the clothes, "They will be perfect." She stood and walked to the bathroom. The second she closed the door, I drank half of the glass down and refilled it. The whiskey make me gag as the burn hit my throat. I had to get my shit together, I had been all over the damn place today with Lauren. Giddy, angry, over protective, shy, meek, turned on, and lastly on the verge of telling her I was in love with her after two days of meeting her. I rubbed my eyes, I needed to listen to Damien and stop worrying and thinking and just live. Listen to Kenzi and ignore the what ifs and just be with Lauren. I groaned softly, where was the confidence I had everyday in my security job now? Love was such a fickle beast.

"Don't glaze me bro?" Lauren's soft voice turned me around. She was pulling at the edge of the shirt I gave her. One Kenzi had gotten me from a cop run doughnut shop in the midwest when she was on vacation. I giggled, "Yea I know, cheesy cop humor."

Lauren chuckled, dropping the shirt and looking up at me. I had to bite my lip, god did she look good in my clothes. She raised an eyebrow, "London Metropolitan Police?" She nodded at my shirt, "Have you ever been to England?"

I shook my head, holding up her whiskey glass, "Sadly no. Another gift. My friends think because I want to be a cop that all I like is cop things." Lauren held my eyes as she walked closer and took the glass from me.

"Would you ever go to England?" Her question was laden with so many other questions.

I licked my lips, tasting the lingering heat of the whiskey, "If I could afford it. I have always wanted to go there. Maybe steal a bobby's hat or one of the fuzzy hats of the Queens guard."

Lauren laughed, moving around me to sit on the couch. I gasped as I felt her hand glide over my hip and across the small of my back as she maneuvered around me. I took another sip of whiskey before sitting next to her.

"Why a police officer Bo?" Lauren tucked her legs under her, leaning her head against the back of the couch looking at me.

I mirrored her, "Standard answer, I want to help people. Truthful answer." I smiled at Lauren as her eyes lit up, "When I was seven I lost my mom in the grocery store. I was busy opening and closing the freezer doors, trying to decide which ice cream sandwich I wanted. I turned around and she was gone. I panicked and ran around trying to find her. I was crying and couldn't see where I was going until I ran smack into the legs of someone." I laughed at the memory, one of the few from my childhood that was still vivid, "That someone was a lady police officer who was stopping in to pick grab a snack. I will always remember her face. Brown hair, hazel eyes and a smile. She bent down and calmed me down. Deciphered my words and sobs and walked with me up and down every aisle until we found my mom in the pasta aisle. She even gave me one of those sticker badges and promised if I ever needed help, she would be there." I looked down in my glass, swirling the liquor around, "It stuck in my head and for whatever reason I wanted to be a cop from that day out. Even as a little kid I was helping people where I could and towing the straight and narrow line. I have dedicated my life for that career, a few bumps in the road and some sacrifices and I am almost there." I looked back at Lauren, "I know, not a grand story but it's the truth."

Lauren shook her head, smiling at me, her hand settling on mine as it sat on my thigh. "It's an incredible story, Bo. I know one day you will have the same impression on a little one." She picked up my hand, holding it in hers, "You've already left one on me."

I looked at our hands together, "Lauren, why don't you just leave? Quit and go back to the life you want?" I looked up at her, "Find that happiness again, the one you had with." I shrugged, not wanting to say Angie's name and bring more pain back.

Lauren held my hand, sipping her whiskey as she looked back at the window, "I think some part of me has become so co-dependent and reliant on this life I have been living for the last two years, that if I change it, I will lose whatever footing I think I have." She took another sip, "Bottom line, I'm afraid. Plain and simply, I'm scared Bo." She met my eyes again, "But then I met you."

I looked deeply in her eyes, feeling the air thicken with tension. "And?" I was nervous of what was going to come next.

"And I am still scared. Scared of the way you make me feel. The way you make my heart beat like it hasn't in a long time. The way I can't look at you and feel like you're looking at my soul and I want nothing less. I'm scared that I have found something better than what I lost and you won't feel the same like my past has shown me." Lauren paused, squeezing my hand tighter, "Scared that in two days I fell in love at first sight with you, Bo and I don't know what to do next."

It was like all of the air was sucked out of the room when I digested her last sentence. My mind was spinning with my heart, she felt the same as I did and had the same stupid fears because of the same stupid past I had that held our tongues when we needed nothing more than to speak on them. My moment of silence while I absorbed her words was a moment too long for Lauren. She went to pull her hand away, "I think it's the booze talking..."

I held her hand before I lost it, "It's not the booze, Lauren." She looked up at me, her eyes radiating so many emotions. I took a deep breath, "I feel the same, Lauren. I'm scared too, because even what? Fifty two hours give or take a minute? I have fallen in love with you and it scares the shit out of me because this has never happened before and it's amazing as much as it is frightening." I took a deep breath, "I also have no idea what to do next."

Lauren and I stared at each other, the weight of what we just confessed morphing into a strange sense of relief, easing the air around us. Lauren's face remained the same, "Bo..."

"Yo bitches I am hoooooommmmmeee! Gimme that sub! Gimme Gimme!" Kenzi kicked in the door, startling and I apart to look at my best friend dropping her gear as she walked. She scooped up her sub, unwrapped it and threw it in the microwave as she spoke, "The salty bird called when I was at the arena, he wants to talk to us after the show tomorrow. He sounded giddy, well as giddy as an old marine can get." Kenzi rambled, snatching a beer from the fridge and chugging it, "That's some good stuff." She turned to us, "So what have you two been up too while I was retrieving Bo's ride."

Lauren and I made no move, frozen in place. Kenzi looked between us with wide eyes, slowly picking up that she had broken a huge moment. The microwave dinged, Kenzi waited a moment before pulling her food out and throwing it on a plate, "Yea, um so." She fake yawned, "I'm bushed. I think I will eat this in bed with some Netflix and hit the hay." She grabbed a few more bottles of beer and smiled at us, "You girls can keep the whiskey."

Kenzi hollered a goodnight and closed her door, tapping it twice to tell me she was going to be using her headphones. A weird code we had developed back when I first moved in and was trying to date. I shook my head, nothing was going to happen tonight, regardless of what Kenzi hoped or thought would.

Lauren shook her head, "Definitely whimsical."

It was clear by the tone in her voice our moment was broken and would not return. I stood up, I was exhausted from the day and the talk with Lauren. "I think she has the right idea, we should probably get some sleep." I walked to the kitchen and set my glass in the sink. The whiskey was settling in my veins, ramping up my desire for her as well as my desire to sleep for the next three days. The latter would definitely be the winner tonight, "Follow me and I will get you set up in my room."

I rushed about my room, picking up a few things and adjusting the bed for Lauren. I mentally made notes I had changed the sheets the day before out of habit. I pulled the comforter down, "If you need extra blankets, I can set one out." I motioned to the same windows that were in the living room, "The blinds are room darkening ones and will cut the light out." I was rambling as I felt Lauren enter the room. I walked to the closet, reaching for the extra pillow and blanket I would need to sleep on the couch. There was no way I was going to share a bed with Kenzi after an extra cheesy meatball sub and beer. "I usually get up around seven for breakfast, I will check on you then. But feel free to sleep as long as you need or like."

I stood up on my tip toes to reach the blanket on the top shelf in my closet when I felt arms slide around my waist and pull me down into a warm body. "Stay with me?" Lauren's voice vibrated against my neck, filling the skin around it and all over my body with goosebumps. "Please."

I closed my eyes and leaned into her body, covering her hands with mine. Any resolve I had was gone when I felt Lauren pull me tighter against her. It was just sleep, that's all she was asking of me. I could feel her heart beat against my back, racing like crazy. "Yes." The single word came out in a harsh whisper.

Lauren's arms slid from under mine, stopping at my hips she gently turned me around. The look in her eyes sent lighting bolts through my body. Her eyes dropped to my lips, her hands gripping harder to my hips. I went to say something but was interrupted when her lips met mine. The kiss started innocent, then quickly became more as we both tasted the whiskey and the need on our lips. I reached up, holding Lauren's face in my hands as I returned the kiss, pouring all I had into it. Nudging her mouth open with the graze of my tongue on her bottom lip. Making the woman moan softly and pull me closer against her body. Our hearts pounding in unison.

Lauren's hands left my hips and slipped under my shirt. Her soft, warm palms running over the bare skin of my back made me moan in her mouth as our tongues met. I pushed back against her hands, wanting more and giving her the go ahead to give me more.

Lauren took the green light, breaking from the kiss only to move us to the bed. She pushed me down gently and followed, her hands moving to my shirt and lifting it up. I sat up, helping her, smiling at the small sound she made when she saw that I had also left my bra with my security uniform. I could see her pupils dilate in the ambient light the city threw into the room as she look at my naked chest. She drew her slender fingers over my collarbone and down my sternum, making me grip on to her other arm she had next to me on the bed. The soft, purposeful touch was making my skin burn.

"So beautiful, Bo." Lauren's voice was heavy with desire and love. It made me swallow and my eyes well up. No one I had ever been with took time with me. It was always in and out or hurried, not slow with intention. She ran her fingers down to my stomach then back up to the under curve of my breast. Her hand rolling over it to palm it, her thumb brushing over my nipple. She bent forward, kissing me deeper as her hand explored how sensitive I was to her touch. I arched up into her hand, moving mine to her shirt. I tugged it up, moving from her lips just enough, "I want to see you, Lauren."

Lauren sat back, her hand leaving my breast with a sigh of protest from me, but it was for a good reason. She stripped off the shirt, throwing it to the corner as she reached back to unhook her bra and quickly send that across the room. The second she was revealed to me, I sat up. Throwing an arm around her waist and pulling her forward so I could kiss under her collarbone and move my way down. Lauren was incredible and as much as I wanted to stare at her endlessly, I wanted to feel her. I want to kiss her, taste her and show her how much I could love her. I felt her thighs tighten against mine as she straddled me and I kissed my way down to her perfect breast. I ran my tongue across the soft skin before taking her nipple in my mouth, rolling my tongue over it and smiling as she whimpered with the reaction of my warm, wet tongue on her nipple.

Her hands threaded into my hair, her fingernails digging into my scalp as she held my head against her. I continued my attention to her breast, keeping her distracted so I could move my other hand to her front. Across her stomach and across the waist of my sweatpants she wore. I bit gently on Lauren's nipple as the same time my hand pushed past the waistband and under her panties. I gasped and released her nipple when I felt how wet she was. I looked up at her as my fingers ran slowly over her, no one had ever had such a reaction to me or my touch like this. I licked my lips, overwhelmed with emotion and the words wanting to come out, "Lauren..."

She bit her bottom lip and held my eyes, reaching down to my hand and slowly pulling it free from her panties. I went to protest when she shook her head, pressing two fingers over my lips. She moved back just enough to half stand up and pull down the sweatpants, followed by the light pink panties she wore. She threw the two off in the same direction the shirt had gone. I bit the inside of my mouth and grabbed her thighs, taking in the sight before me. Lauren grinned at me, bending down to kiss me deeply while her hands moved to yank down my sweatpants. Her fingers collecting my black thong with them. I lifted my hips up to help her, never letting go of her thighs.

When we were both naked, I returned us both to the sitting position we started in. Lauren straddling one of my thighs and pressing down on me. We met halfway, our mouths open and kissing furiously but intently. This wasn't about sex, or a relieving stress or the incredibly unbearable tension we had built up. It went far beyond any of that. I held on to Lauren, my free hand gliding over her stomach and returning to the path I had just taken. She had been writhing against my thigh in a way that I knew she wouldn't last long. I lifted her up just enough to give my hand free access to where I craved to be. My fingers finding her wetter than before. I didn't hesitate, sliding two fingers in her with ease. Lauren broke from my mouth, gasping and burying her face into my neck. The way her body clenched around my fingers, it would be seconds before I made her come.

I moved slowly, wanting to draw out this first time between her and I. Lauren moved with me but soon wanted more as her hips picked up pace, silently asking me to meet and match her rhythm. She pressed hot kisses and soft bite against my neck, making me moan and push deeper into her. I knew if she kept making sounds like that, I wouldn't last any longer. Feeling her clench tighter I went to run my thumb over the hard nub and give Lauren what she desperately needed. As my thumb grazed it, Lauren suddenly leaned back, stilling both of our movements. She met my eyes, I was silently questioning why she had stopped when I felt her hand glide down my side, across my stomach and then lower. Her fingers finding me equally as wet as she was. She moaned when as her fingers teased me, then dipped in. Making me slam my eyes shut to hold back the orgasm wanting to overtake me. I breathed in and out, trying to hold on to the shredded edges of control I had left.

"Bo, open your eyes. Look at me." Lauren's voice was soft, barely audible but I heard it. I licked my lips and opened my eyes. Meeting hers and a soft smile. Lauren leaned forward, kissing the corner of my mouth and whispering, "I love you, Bo." before she moved her fingers, making me come harder than I had ever had before in my life. My scream muffled as I buried my face into her shoulder, holding Lauren flush against my body as I rode out the waves and electrical storm my body was going through. I barely felt her hand leaving my body, I was so pleasantry in a complete sensory overload. I recovered just enough to realize my fingers were still a part of her, I kissed Lauren's shoulder, still dazed and riding out the bliss she unleashed on me. I moved my fingers and pressed up with my thumb, sending Lauren over the edge with her own strangled moans. Her fingernails digging into my back as she twitched and panted. I kissed up her neck, brushing her hair back away from her ear as I bit the lobe lightly, "I love you too, Lauren."

XXXXX

The morning light flooded the room and for once I didn't care. It gave me a clear and bright view of Lauren as she laid naked on her stomach facing me. The sunlight caressed the curve of her back, down to the up curve of the top of her bottom that was still covered by the single white sheet.

I had been staring at her since the morning hit the room and lit it up. I barely had slept an hour or two after Lauren and I burned through the night, exploring each other. The clock on my bedside table behind her told me it was only a little after six in the morning. We still had the day to lay in bed and be in this bubble for a little longer before the reality hit us.

I couldn't resist reaching out and running my fingertips over the curve of her back. Stirring her and opening her eyes. She smiled sleepily at me through squinted eyes, "Morning." her voice echoed the sweet exhaustion of making love throughout the night.

I couldn't hide the stupid grin on my face, "Morning." I bent down, kissing her. Smiling against her mouth as she pushed herself up to kiss me back harder. Her hand falling to my side to drag me closer to her. I giggled when she hit my tickle spot, breaking the kiss.

Lauren grinned, "Ticklish are you?" She sat up, making my mouth dry at the sight of her naked chest and the tiny little marks I had left on her throughout the night.

I shook my head furiously, "Nope." I went to reach down to grab her hands before they exposed my lie, when I heard the front door slam shut. I paused, trying to think why Kenzi would be up this early. She didn't start morning classes until next week. Lauren's lips against my collarbone made me forget things, "Are you lying to me Officer? I would hate to interrogate you." She smirked at me.

I giggled again, pushing her down on the bed so I could reach for my phone and send Kenzi a quick text to bring back bagels and eggs for breakfast. I could barely focus as Lauren's kisses moved to my neck and her hands moved down my back and to the tops of my thighs, lifting me up on her more. I almost dropped the phone twice , before finally getting a grip on it. I had one text from Kenzi. I opened it.

-Helm called me. I am heading to the arena, he said there is something we need to see that happened on the overnight shift. I will take this one, you can stay in bed and finish your naked jazzercise session with the Brit. I will be back in a halfy with bagels and eggs. Oh, and tell her you love her already or I will! K -

I replied to the message half assed, far too distracted by the slender fingers of said Brit. I tossed the phone on the table, rolling away from Lauren. Grinning as she pouted from the lost of contact, I kissed the tip of her nose, "I will be back, I just have to use the loo. Is that what you kids call it, a loo?" I padded to the bathroom, "Kenzi will be brining bagels and eggs back. I will make you my world famous egg and cheese bagel sandwich."

Lauren rolled her eyes, settling back in the pillows and pulling the sheet up. "We also call it a water closet, a toilet, a restroom, the shitter, etc." I heard her yawn, "I hope Kenzi hurries, I am starving."

I laughed as I used the loo and washed my hands. Looking in the mirror at all the marks Lauren had also left on me. I sighed happily and walked back to the bed. Crawling into it and snuggling into the woman I was stupidly in love with. She ran her hand over my arm on her stomach, looking down at me, "I meant it when I said it last night, Bo. I love you."

I felt myself blush. The words I had heard a handful of times before and believed it when they came my way, never felt like this. They never felt as real or as permanent as they did coming from the blonde in my arms. I moved back enough to look up in her amber eyes, "I did too, Lauren. I love you with everything I have." I dropped my eyes as the sliver of reality edged in, "What do we do now?"

Lauren kissed the top of my head, snuggling down into my arms, "We enjoy this morning and this view. Then we will have breakfast and a long shower together." She breathed in deeply, "Then we worry about the rest as it comes."

I pressed myself closer to her. Neither of us wanted to talk about what would come in the next few hours, especially since I knew Damien's plans. I bit the inside of my mouth, fighting the urge to tell her what he was going to do. But then his words rang in my head, the way he winked at me suddenly told me that I might not have anything to worry about, or at least bother to worry about right now while I had a naked blonde in my arms. I closed my eyes and focused on the way Lauren's heart beat underneath my ear. Letting that be the only thing in my head as I drifted off to sleep.

XXXX

Kenzi came back to the apartment a couple of hours later. Lauren and I had gotten up and moved to the kitchen. Making coffee and making out. Neither of us could stop laughing at how ridiculously teenage like we were with each other. Groping body parts and plucking at the clothes we had forced back on for Kenzi's sake.

I was staring at Lauren's ass as she bent over in the fridge looking for something to eat to tide us over until Kenzi came back, when the door burst open. Kenzi rushing in with her hands full of grocery bags. She had a weird grin on her face as she tossed the bags on the island.

"I went all out, Bo. We are going to have a full Kenzi style buffet breakfast. I have shit to make pancakes, muffins, that thick fancy bacon you like from Canada. Organic eggs, cheese, sausages and the other weird crap to make Lauren here a full English breakfast."

Lauren and I stared blankly at Kenzi over our coffee cups. I slowly set mine down, "And why did you spend half of your paycheck on breakfast foods?"

Kenzi walked over to the coffee table, picking up the whiskey Lauren and I had left there the night before. She threw herself up on the stool and dumped some in my cup, slinging it back like a truck driver before wiping her mouth. "Because Bo, today is going to be the greatest day of these shitty jobs we have ever had."

She dug in her pocket and threw her phone at me, "I had to record the video off the CCTV, but you will get the point. I already had it downloaded and sent to Senor salty bird. This is gonna be great!" Kenzi clapped her hands. "The twat is finally going to get hers!"

I slowly picked up the phone, Lauren moving closer to me with her hand on my back so she could look over my shoulder. I swiped Kenzi's phone open and hit play on the video she had pulled up.

I could make out the massive monitor we used in the dispatch center. One camera was focused in the upper side hallway behind the VIP rooms. Edwin was standing next to another person wearing a hooded sweatshirt. They were talking but I could barely hear it. Then Kenzi's voice cut in, "Turn up the volume H-man, my girl needs to hear every word of this."

Soon Edwin's grating, greasy voice came in better. "It's all taken care of. I have ensured that you will be able to make a quick exit and be on the next plane to Canada. You will be in the free and clear."

The hooded person pulled down the hood. It was Paige, "What about the money?"

Edwin held up his hand, waving it behind him, "She will fill you in on that, Li Li?" He turned slightly to his right as a third person entered the screen.

When that third person came into view I heard Lauren whisper, "You have got to be fucking kidding me."

I looked up at Kenzi, grinning as we high fived and she screamed, "JUSTICE IS SERVED YOU TWATSICLE!"

I handed the phone over to Lauren to let her finish watching it, I didn't need to see anymore. I had my satisfaction. I reached for the bags of food to start making the best breakfast of what was going to be truly one of the best days I have had in a long time.