I must say I'm really flattered by the kind words you've sent. I promised to post 2 chapters today, so i'm loading chapter 4 and 5 at the same time. Enjoy!

Outside the hospital, the sun continued to shine upon the city. While the heat felt incredibly relaxing, the bright light was downright blinding. Lauren slid on her aviators and climbed into her car. She immediately turned on the air conditioning to temper the heat and within a few moments, shot off a text message to Tamsin.

Lauren: She's interested. Have time for lunch? I'll cook!

Lauren slid her seatbelt on and flipped through a few radio stations before she received a reply message.

Tamsin: Yes! And Yes! 1pm ok?

Lauren: Perfect! See you then.

Lauren tossed the cell phone into her purse and threw the car in drive. Traffic was light and allowed her to arrive at a small local grocery store in record time. She grabbed a small cart and weaved aisle by aisle as she picked up basic staples and a few other necessities for lunch. Lauren usually prepared a list before visiting any store but today's stop was unplanned, causing her to double back on more than one occasion as she remembered yet another item she needed to purchase. Her repeated trips down multiple aisles actually led her through the baking aisle, and while she generally had no need for any baking supplies, she decided spontaneously to purchase the ingredients to bake a cake. Baking was a rather enjoyable past time for the doctor but she rarely had a free day that afforded her the time to do it. The geek inside her loved to use her knowledge of science and chemical reactions to increase the light and airy texture of the cake, and it always made the final product tastier than all the rest. After gathering all the necessities and then some, Lauren took a moment to browse over the contents in the cart. Satisfied that she wasn't missing anything, Lauren proceeded to the register to pay for her purchases.

With about forty-five minutes until Tamsin's arrival, Lauren had just enough time to whip up a pan of cheese enchiladas. Even though Tamsin was on the job and couldn't enjoy a margarita to go with her lunch, Lauren knew Tamsin loved Mexican food. They had been friends for a decade and during that time, learned all the little details that friends learn about one another, including what the other likes to eat. Their friendship shared many happy times together and some very devastating ones, both of which contributed to the closeness they had now. Years prior in a past moment of grief, their strained emotions led them to attempt a night of shared passion, but their hearts and their minds fought them every step of the way. They stopped before any regretful actions occurred and since then, Lauren considered her friendship with Tamsin the closest thing to family she had in her life.

While the enchiladas were baking, Lauren put away the remaining groceries she had bought. The baking supplies were neatly stacked on the kitchen counter, as Lauren planned on using those soon. She thought the best time to make a cake or a bunch of cupcakes is when the tasty treat can be shared. Her employees had doughnuts earlier so they certainly did not need Lauren baking them a cake. However, there was another group of people on her mind that may enjoy a tasty treat, so she quickly grabbed her tablet and looked up the location of Fire Station 55. The map indicated it was only twelve miles from her place. She still wanted to enjoy the sunshine that afternoon but simply could not rid her mind of Bo Dennis. Lauren didn't have a good read on the fire chief yet as their interactions had been brief and focused on the firefighter who was injured. Lauren had no doubt she'd be interested in taking Bo home for a night, but part of her wondered if Bo would be receptive to that. She felt silly for over-thinking again. After all, this woman surely sent the 'thank you' card and doughnuts just as that: a sincere thank you. She even figured the surgeon probably received the same card and treat delivery. Lauren attempted to convince herself that the gesture wasn't anything special for her and that stirred even more over-thinking. An abrupt knock at the door pulled Lauren out of her internal conflict and away from the map on the tablet. She tossed the device to the table and headed to the front door. As precaution, she looked through the peep hole first before opening the door to welcome a smiling detective.

"Hey doc. Wow, this place smells ah-mazing!"

Tamsin hugged Lauren before closing the door behind her.

"Well I figured a detective needs a good lunch once in awhile, so it's enchilada time."

Tamsin put her hand over her heart and dropped her jaw wide open. "Ah, I'm in heaven. Enchiladas. Awesome."

Tamsin tossed her suit jacket onto a chair and rolled up the sleeves to her light pink button down shirt. Her gun rested carefully in its holster, and Lauren knew that even in the safety of Lauren's place, Tamsin would still wear her service revolver. While Lauren hated guns, seeing it on Tamsin's person was familiar. She had grown used to it over the years and hardly remembered she wore it except in moments like these when her jacket was shed.

Lauren pulled the bubbling, cheesy meal from the oven and began to serve up two steaming hot plates of food. She noticed that Tamsin seemed a bit happier than their previous meeting at the hospital emergency room and made a mental note to probe into the cause of such happiness. Tamsin grabbed two glasses of ice water and carried them to the table, where chips, salsa and guacamole awaited them. Tamsin slid into her seat and stared at the food spread before them.

"Doc seriously, I'm about to have an orgasm just looking at this."

Lauren laughed as she placed a full plate in front of Tamsin.

"Well, just not too loudly Tam, the neighbors will gossip."

Tamsin swatted Lauren's arm with her napkin. Lauren reached for her purse and dug through it until she located the small piece of paper from earlier. She tossed it at Tamsin and then joined Tamsin at the table.

"Here. That's Tara's number. She said to tell you to call her."

Tamsin's face lit up. "Sweet!"

"I'm curious Tamsin. Why did you ask if she was single? I know that has never stopped you before."

Tamsin shrugged her shoulder. "Yeah, I know, but I'm thinking of turning over a new leaf. Guess I feel like I should be looking for something more, you know? I don't need to pursue other people's girlfriends in hopes of finding the one, right?"

Lauren thought about the very few occasions she initiated a one night stand over the past few years, but it was always with single women. Considering anyone already involved was drama Lauren always wanted to avoid.

"I think that's a great idea for you, although I did always like your saying: I don't discriminate based on marital status."

Tamsin snorted at the reminder of her horrible pick up line, but then blushed when recalling the one time it actually worked.

"Well thanks so much for getting this number. I think I'll actually call her tonight."

Lauren cut open her enchilada and watched the steam pour out from inside.

"So soon?" Lauren asked curiously.

Tamsin nodded. "No time like the present, right?"

Lauren shook her head. It was true. There was no time like the present. Not that Lauren could fully admit it yet but the past was just that: the past. And no one knew what the future held, so maybe Tamsin had the right idea. Maybe Lauren would need to take another page out of Tamsin' book and pay closer attention to the present.

"So you seem fairly chipper today. What's the scoop on that?" Lauren asked curiously.

Tamsin smiled. "Oh, nothing really new. Cute new girl working in homicide. Great eye candy every morning."

"Just eye candy?" Lauren asked curiously as she devoured another bite of her enchilada.

"Just eye candy. New leaf, remember doc?"

Lauren smiled and appreciated Tamsin's serious consideration of such a big change. Lauren struggled to even consider that kind of change for herself. It made her feel things that she wasn't quite ready to feel.

"You seem pretty happy too doc. Finally get some sleep?" Tamsin asked.

Lauren spread additional sour cream on her plate as she spoke.

"Yes thankfully. I slept all yesterday and most of the night too. Oh and before I forget, I was at the hospital today and checked the records of my Jane Doe. It was the one – nine that brought her in. Anything you can do to help would be much appreciated. Whoever did it, well, she's in a really bad way, Tam."

Lauren didn't enlist Tamsin's help but on a rare occasion when an abuse survivor came under Lauren's care. After Tamsin transferred out of special victims, the detective really had no place working these types of cases as her focus now was on major crimes, mostly large theft rings or high profile robberies. But Tamsin knew all the processes with special victims, having worked it for several years in the past. Under the radar she helped with some of the leg work, making some cases move a little quicker under the usual slow-moving feet of a few other detectives.

Lauren valued Tamsin's time when she helped beyond her own required duties as a police detective. She has made it a regular occurrence to ask Tamsin if the requests were too much, or if she wanted to avoid special victims' crimes all together. After all, Tamsin wouldn't have any involvement with solving these crimes if Lauren didn't ask her to get involved. Tamsin always had the same answer: she was happy to help.

"No problem doc. I'll give them a call later to see what they have."

"Thanks Tamsin. So how's the other case going?" Lauren asked.

"Uh, it's ok. I got a lead finally so that's a start."

"What is this one about again?" Lauren asked, trying to remember if Tamsin even told her.

"String of bizarre robberies over near Fifteenth and Main. Perps hitting all kinds of random buildings. Not just high end either. One of the more recent attacks was on library. I mean really? Who the fuck robs a library? Fucking morons."

"Wow, I have to agree with you there. What the hell did they steal, books? "

Tamsin loaded her plate up with chips and salsa as she continued to devour her lunch.

"It's a random list. Some books, a few outdated computers, some old city records. Really random stuff. I hope to figure it out before they hit any new places. Anyway, what about you doc? How was that fireman from the other night? Did he make it?"

Lauren swallowed her bite and shook her head.

"Yes he did. He's not under my direct care due to the nature of his injuries, but my assessment is that his burn scarring will be minimal. I'm not sure about long term with his leg though. I need to check with his surgeon on that one."

"Well, good to hear then, mostly. Hopefully his leg will be okay too."

Lauren's mind drifted to Hale, and then to Bo, and then back to that night. She remembered the fear in Bo's eyes: those beautiful brown eyes full of sadness. Lauren knew their beauty could only increase once the sadness was gone and that sparkle could possibly shine even brighter. She remembered that tight firefighter t-shirt Bo wore in the waiting room and how her muscular arms felt in that embrace. All these thoughts sent Lauren's mind on vacation from her lunch with Tamsin.

"Um, hello, Earth to Lauren…hello?!"

Tamsin waved her hand in front of Lauren's face. Lauren blinked quickly and refocused on Tamsin.

"Huh? What? Wait, did you just call me Lauren? You never call me Lauren. Remember our rule!?" Lauren smacked Tamsin on the arm as Tamsin recoiled slightly.

"Well I'm sorry, but you weren't responding to doc! Where the hell did you just go?" Tamsin asked with sarcasm.

Lauren smiled in embarrassment and shook her head. She put her fork down on her plate and sat back in her chair.

"Ugh, sorry. I just, well, in full disclosure: do you remember that female firefighter that jumped out of the ambulance when the fireman was brought in?"

Tamsin gasped with a mouth full of food. She almost choked but recovered quickly. After swallowing she answered Lauren.

"Remember her? Shit yeah, she was hot, in a bad-ass kind of way."

Lauren smiled at the statement. She was hot in a bad-ass kind of way. Tamsin immediately caught Lauren's glowing smile.

"Oh hell no, doc. What did you do?! You didn't, did you? Already?!"

Lauren put her hands up in the air.

"Nothing. I did absolutely nothing. Yet. I just, well, there's just something about her…"

Tamsin tilted her head while giving a stern look in Lauren's direction.

"I know that look you're making doc, which means I'm pretty sure I know what you're thinking, so I'm only gonna say this once. She's a firefighter, so she risks her life everyday to save people. You sure you're ready to go there again?"

Lauren sipped her water to cool the spicy taste of the salsa. Thoughts of the past surfaced in her mind. The tug on her heart felt almost non existent but it was still there. She liked to avoid this type of discussion, especially with Tamsin. The history of emotions was still difficult to face. Wanting to play it cool, Lauren disregarded the emotional side of this conversation and just looked at one plain fact: the chief was downright sexy.

"Relax Tamsin. I'm not asking for her hand in marriage or for her to bear my children. I'm just saying that I may find an excuse to visit her late one night and well, see what happens from there."

Tamsin kept her stern look directed at Lauren, but decided best not to push the conversation in an uncomfortable direction.

"Well, sounds like you have a fun night planned then. So what excuse are you gonna drop to see her? Gonna ask her to play doctor with you? Or better yet, tell her you have a fire that needs extinguished!"

Tamsin busted out laughing at her own creativity as she slapped her leg in the fit of giggles. Lauren chewed her mouthful of chips and shot Tamsin an evil look.

"Ha ha. I'm not that crude Tamsin. I actually think I'm going to bake a double batch of cupcakes for her and her squad."

She said it so matter of fact that Tamsin had to replay the sentence over in her head to make sure she heard her correctly. Lauren's mind was floating off again, filtering through various scenarios to see Bo Dennis. She felt compelled to interact with her outside of the hospital, hoping another conversation would clarify the confusing sensations that fluttered through her at the mere thought of the brunette. Just one more brief interaction would allow Lauren to determine if the fire chief had any interest in her. Ignoring the possibility all together felt like something Lauren was sure to regret, and the doctor didn't like to have regrets.

Tamsin stared blankly at Lauren's response.

"Cupcakes? You're shitting me right? Christ. You're not shitting me. Okay listen, we're going to continue this conversation later because I'm fully unprepared at this moment, and you know exactly what conversation I'm talking about, but in the meanwhile, you need to think. You need to really ask yourself some serious questions. Okay? Can you do that? Please?"

Lauren smiled, knowing exactly what Tamsin meant. She knew that Tamsin worried about her emotional disconnect. Lauren knew it wasn't the healthiest option in the long run, but she had yet to find a way to move past anything other than a night of just the physical. She had the full-blown emotionally invested relationship once, and it crushed her when she lost it. Instances where Lauren could avoid all emotion were ideal, and they were the only options Lauren had entertained in the past few years. Knowing that Tamsin would hound her to talk about it eventually, Lauren simply replied with an "okay detective" and delayed the talk until a later time.

Tamsin finished the last bite on her plate and put her fork down. She leaned back and put her hands on her stomach.

"Well, regardless of who you date or who you fuck, please keep cooking for me like this. Damn doc! That was the perfect lunch!"

Lauren's laughter echoed through the room. She promised to always cook for Tamsin, and she promised to continue the other conversation with Tamsin at a later date. What she couldn't promise was what would happen with Fire Chief Bo Dennis, but there was only one way to find out.