Author's Note: Thank you for all the reviews, may it be a positive or a negative one. I know my story was kinda slow in updates. One guest reviewer said it has a lot of fillers. Hmmm, maybe yeah. I don't know. I'm a first time writer so please bear with me. I'm actually writing a fluffy story about Bo and Lauren. Of course you may find some chapters with more serious tones because of the cases that Bo will undertake as a police officer. I will make sure that the cases that I will write into the story will be engaging as well as entertaining.
Disclaimer: I don't own Lost Girl and the characters. I just used them for my story.
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Chapter Ten
4th Floor Patient Rooms
Yale New Haven Hospital
Miranda Hamilton walked through the halls of the hospital floor, specifically the 4th floor where patients were confined. She just came from the office of the head nurse and pleaded her case for not reporting to work without permission. Good thing she was just given a reprimand but the head nurse warned her that not so good things will happen if she'll do it again. She let out a huge sigh of relief. A moment of calm enveloped her but when she reached Room 409, a sense of trepidation lurked in the corner of her mind. She should never allowed herself to be involved with married doctors but it's too late now.
Now garbed with her uniform, a patient chart in her left hand and a stethoscope around her neck she knocked twice and opened the door. She was met with two pairs of eyes and a sleeping patient. Thank God she was still sleeping.
She smiled at them and asked, "You are Dr. Woods' parents?"
The older woman nodded. "We are. And you are?"
"Oh I'm sorry ma'am, I didn't introduce myself first. I am Nurse Miranda Hamilton. I will be her nurse for this shift. I'll be checking on her every hour so this would be my first visit for tonight." She smiled.
"Thank you Nurse Hamilton." She looked at her husband. "Thomas, are you hungry?" The older man nodded. "Well okay, since the nurse is here maybe we could go down and buy our food." She turned to the nurse and asked, "Is it okay nurse to leave you with Nadia? We'll just go down to the cafeteria. We haven't eaten our dinner yet."
"Sure ma'am. I'll be here when you return."
"Thank you Nurse Hamilton." She tugged her husband's sleeve. "Let's go Thomas. You can sleep after we eat dinner." They passed by the nurse. The older man smiled at Miranda and the couple went out of the door.
Finally I'm alone with her. She walked over to Nadia's head and checked the machines surrounding the patient. When she was satisfied, she looked intently at the patient's face and sighed. It would be a long night.
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Westville New Haven
When the two doctors reached the kitchen, Ciara turned around and confronted Lauren. "So what happened here earlier, hmmm? You and Bo were in here for more than an hour."
Lauren sighed. "If I tell you, are you going to stop pestering me?"
Ciara was caught off guard by her friend's sudden willingness to share. "Well yeah of course."
"We just talked Ci."
"Really?"
"Really. Bo was a great listener." She then realized something and frowned. "Oh, well she's a police officer and it's just normal for her to listen to every person she encountered." She looked down.
"Lauren..." How can I convince her that it's not like that and Bo was really into her? "Did it feel like she's interrogating you?"
The younger blonde shook her head. "No. It was like she's very interested with what I was saying."
"If you felt that then that's what happened. And not all police officers were good listeners Lauren. That's why some of them became patrol officers because some of them didn't have the skills to interrogate a suspect or a victim. I think Bo was a great listener not just because she's a police officer but because it's one of her innate qualities. So think about that okay?"
Lauren nodded.
"And besides, when she and Hale arrived, she immediately asked your whereabouts."
"Oh."
"So consider that okay? Let her in Lauren."
"I already did that Ciara. I just didn't want to burden myself with wrong assumptions and high expectations this time."
"Well you just met her again yesterday. After a year of frustrating search, there she was in our dining area, goofing around with Vex and Hale. So just enjoy it, go with the flow. For now, be thankful that we have two new friends."
"Okay, I will. Thank you Ci."
"You're welcome. Now let's get the pies and I really wanted to sink my teeth on them." She raised her eyebrow when she saw that a slice of pumpkin pie was already gone. "Who ate this slice here?"
Lauren blushed. "I gave Bo a slice to eat while I was busy making the pasta noodles earlier. And she loved it."
"Oh my God, Vex will blow a gasket if he knew you already gave Bo a slice of pumpkin pie."
"He's just being bratty but it's okay, it was worth it." She grinned. "Let's warm up the apple and blueberry pies. The pumpkin pie can be served cold."
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Room 409
Yale New Haven Hospital
Miranda Hamilton have always been a purveyor of secrets to the highest bidder but not of her own body. She gave her body to others with her own free will just to satisfy her biological urges. But now it was not just for urges or whatnot, she fell in love hard. She was aware that she had a reputation spreading among the doctors of this prestigious institution. Initially, she didn't care at all. She knew at first she was just playing with fire but now she couldn't do that anymore. She knew she will eventually succumb to the feelings they said will be awaken when you slept with someone more than once. That's why she preferred one night stands in the past. There were no feelings involved.
But now all she could think of was her feelings. Her feelings for this pretty young doctor that was currently lying in a hospital bed, badly injured. She felt responsible for what happened to her. It was because she was a part of it, all of it. She should have known that he was bad news but it was too late.
If she could only turn back the time, she would. She would do anything in her power so that the woman she loved could be happy and well, even though she knew she won't be the cause of her happiness. All she can do for now was to stay vigil and wait for her parents to come back. And then once she awaken, she will talk to her and tell her everything even if it will mean that the woman will hate her and curse her to high heavens. Love didn't have to do anything with it. Guilt was already a strong motivating factor.
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Westville New Haven
"I want coffee with these pies. Who wants a cup?" Vex raised his hand.
Hale and Ciara raised their hands. Vex raised his eyebrow when both Bo and Lauren didn't. "What's with the two of you?" I just want to make them sweat.
Ciara shook her head. "I'll fix the coffee."
Lauren was confused. "What are you talking about?"
Vex pointed his finger to Bo and Lauren. "There's something going on between the two of you."
Bo laughed. "You're getting paranoid Vex. Lauren and I were just sitting here."
"Earlier, you were whispering to each other. Now you were both refusing coffee. What's next?" He winked at Bo.
"Nothing." What's with Vex? "Ask Lauren why she didn't want coffee."
"One of the effects of caffeine in coffee is insomnia." Lauren started. "I refused your offer of coffee because I wanted to sleep soundly tonight."
Vex turned to Bo. "I have the same reason." Bo shrugged. "And... I really liked my coffee at morning." Vex nodded.
"Exactly." Lauren added.
Vex shook his head but he couldn't wipe the smile from his face. "Alright twinnies, I got it." He turned to Hale. "Bo mentioned to Lauren that you wanted us to sign our statements last night..."
"Oh yeah, I'm sorry I forgot. Let me get them from the truck." Hale stood up and walked towards the kitchen.
"Hale..." Lauren stopped him. "You can exit from the side door. Your walk will be shorter."
He smiled at her. "Thanks Doc."
Vex saw Hale exited the side door. "So Bo, where do you live here?"
"In downtown, specifically in College St."
"Really? I frequented a bar there in my university days. Nowadays, I went there just to visit my friend and drink some shots."
"Who was your friend? The pub that I know in College St. was the only pub along that street."
"Huh, I didn't know that. My friend is the owner of the bar named The Dal Riata."
"The owner of The Dal Riata is your friend?"
"Yes. I've known him since 1998. Emily, one of our friends, and I discovered that bar when we were walking along College St. I remembered it was a weekend, Saturday I think, when we stumbled on the corner of College and Crown streets. We didn't know what to do that day when suddenly there in front us was a bar named The Dal Riata. The owner, who was the bartender that time, was not keen on having us inside because he didn't believe that we were already 21 years old. So he asked for our ID cards, scrutinized it very thoroughly. That's the time he believed we were of legal age to drink. So after that, he was kind to us. He said he wanted to be around the young ones because he missed the good old days of his youth. He's a wise old man. He told us tales of his native Ireland. From that time on, we frequented that bar and he served us our drinks. We talked about everything. He was fun to be with, until now." Vex smiled widely and looked at Bo. "Did you know the place?"
"Yes of course. I know the owner."
"Fitzpatrick McCorrigan is also your friend?"
"No. He's my grandfather."
Vex was shocked. "Your grandfather? But how...?"
Bo laughed. "He's my mother's father. My house was standing side by side with the pub."
"But... but... he mentioned a granddaughter named Ysabeau..." He frowned. "Oh shit... but I thought..." Epiphany dawned on him. "Of course, since his last name is McCorrigan I thought his granddaughter is also a McCorrigan." He pounded his closed fist on the table. The cups and spoons clattered. "I didn't make the connection early on."
"That's okay. So you're my grandfather's friend huh?"
"Oh yeah." He turned to Lauren. "Lo, did you remember the time I dragged you to a bar in College St.? I told you that I liked you to meet a friend."
Lauren nodded. "Yeah it was spring of 1999. I remembered that vividly because I was trying to finish my thesis and you insisted that I had to go with you. I told you that I wouldn't be allowed to go in because I was only 19 years old that time. But you used your sad puppy dog eyes at me so I said yes. Unfortunately, Mr. McCorrigan was not around that time." She turned to Bo. "Someone told us that your grandfather went to Ireland to visit your grandmother."
"Oh yeah, my grandmother's grave specifically. She died when I was 12 years old. Ever since then, Pops would go to Dublin twice a year – on her death anniversary and on her birthday."
"Talking about being a devoted husband." Vex was amazed. He looked at Ciara. "What about Dyson? Do you think he'll be a devoted husband to you?"
Ciara frowned. "What are you talking about Vex? We haven't talked about marriage yet."
"Wow Doc, you're getting married?" Hale smiled.
Ciara laughed. "Not yet. We are still in the stage of deciding whether living together would be a great idea or not."
"So he's coming here in New Haven?" Hale asked.
"Yes. He already talked to his parents and Lauren's parents and they let him go. He's just tying some loose ends then that's it."
"So where is he coming from?"
"We're from California, man." Vex winked at Hale.
Hale stared at Vex. "Really? You and the two Docs?"
"Not me Hale. I'm from Miami, Florida." Ciara stated.
"Talking about making waves." Hale laughed. "So Vex, where in California?"
"Dyson, Ryan and I were originally from Los Angeles while Lauren was from Torrance. The Thornwoods, Lamberts and Tates knew each other way back. And since the Thornwoods and Lewises were related by marriage, we also took in the Lewises. I loved Los Angeles."
"And I loved Torrance." Lauren interjected.
"But the parents moved us all to the more subdued and boring Palos Verdes Estates, where you lived in the mountains and you can't touch the sea."
Lauren laughed. "As if you didn't escape the mountains and go to the sea just to swim and surf every weekends."
"Oh yeah, I did that. Because if not, I would have died." Lauren, Bo and Hale laughed.
"Always the drama king." Ciara snorted.
"But hey, when I got the itch we would call each other and then off we go to the beach."
"You all swim?" Bo asked.
"No, just me and Lauren. Ryan surfed then later on just pseudo-surfed while Dyson ran along the shore."
Hale frowned. "What's pseudo-surf?"
"Well he got his own surfboard, his wetsuit, a surf leash and other things he needed to surf but when he got lazy, he would just stop. He would come to shore, sit and just watch us do our thing or he would go back to his car and sleep."
"Okay, I got it." Hale laughed. He turned to Ciara. "What about you Doc?"
"Oh I can swim. I think it's inevitable if you live near the sea."
"Uh actually I've been here in New Haven all my life but I can't swim."
"What, really?"
"Uhuh I actually regret that I didn't learn how to swim sooner. Right partner?" Hale looked at his partner.
"Oh yeah." Bo answered absentmindedly.
Vex looked at Bo and realized something. "You also can't swim, can you?"
"Nope."
"Really, why?"
"I didn't have the time to learn." Bo told Vex. Hale cleared his throat. Vex looked at him and frowned.
"Yes we didn't have the time." Hale quipped.
"Hmpf. I don't think that's the true reason." Vex frowned. "But I will know the truth someday. Lauren and I can teach you how to swim officers."
Lauren leaned towards Bo and whispered, "You really didn't have the time?"
"Yeah, that's the truth. I swear." Bo countered. "But the other truth was I didn't like to wear swimsuits."
"Really? But Bo, there are other swim wears out there. You don't need to wear a swimsuit if you don't like it. I also didn't wear swimsuits. Here, let's take a look." She pulled out her phone from her pocket and started to search her folders for the pictures she wanted to show the brunette.
"Hey, you're whispering to each other again. Care to share?" Vex asked.
The two women ignored him and looked at Lauren's phone. Ciara sneered at Vex. The blonde opened the correct folder and show Bo the pictures of wetsuits. "See? There are other options."
"I didn't know. Thank you Lauren."
"Now you know." The doctor smiled. "So Hale, Bo when can we start the lessons?" Lauren turned to Vex. "My question is, where are we going to teach them?"
Vex thought for a second. "I'll have someone construct a swimming pool in our backyard."
Lauren rolled her eyes. "Be serious Vaughn."
"I can call some of my teammates in Yale. But when can we start?"
Bo shrugged. "After this case?"
Hale agreed. "I'm game."
"It seems you were both affected by your inability to swim." Ciara observed. "Why?"
Hale looked at Bo. "I needed to share this story. Agree partner?"
"Go, tell them."
Hale sighed. "As you all know, Bo and I were assigned at the District 9 East Shore. One night, we were chasing a suspect. It was all good you know because he was driving a car. He was fast but my partner was a faster driver. So we caught up. When he realized that we were catching up, he stopped his car and ran. He ran until we were near the sea. Bo and I were already cursing because we both can't swim. If the suspect did a plunge, we couldn't follow him. The suspect ran to a cliff somewhere in Lighthouse Rd. He was in a place of no return. Little he did know that Bo and I were nervous because if he jumped off the cliff, we can't follow him. So since Bo had the gift of gab, she talked to the suspect. What did you say to him partner?"
"I told him that if he jump off the cliff, it's either he will succumb to his death because of broken bones or if he's lucky, he will enter the water but since he can't swim, he will drown and die of asphyxiation. Then he said, I'm wrong because he can swim. And he jumped. So I jumped."
Lauren, Vex and Ciara were shocked. "You jumped?" Lauren asked in a small voice.
"Yeah I did. When I jumped, I caught his arm while half of my body hung at the edge of the cliff. I planted my toe in the sand but the suspect was a big man and his weight was pulling me. Hale caught my ankles but there's no way we can maintain that position unless our backup arrives. Unfortunately, the backup arrived 10 minutes later. I let the suspect go because my shoulders and arms were already hurting. He went straight into the water and swam." Bo laughed. "Good thing he was a slow swimmer. The NHPD Dive Team caught him swimming like a dog 20 meters from the shore. But because of that, it was a mark in our records. Writing the report for that incident was very hard."
"So wait, if you can swim that time you will also jump into the water?"
"Well of course. That's my job." Bo smiled. "Or I have pushed Hale instead."
"Haha that's funny. No, seriously guys we are trained police officers so jumping off cliffs was a piece of cake. It's like jumping for the ball in a rebound."
"But you just didn't want to do it."
"Because you're already there willing to jump every time. I didn't want to steal your thunder."
"Looked like you two were enjoying your time as police officers." Vex commented.
"Oh not always. There were many boring days and nights spent just walking on the streets of New Haven." Bo answered. "The few times that I truly enjoyed the job were the times when I jumped cliffs, chased and caught the suspects and corresponded to a 911 call." She looked at Lauren and winked.
Lauren's cheeks flushed slightly. Vex, Ciara and Hale laughed. "Hale, may I have the statement that I need to read and sign please?" Lauren asked. "Oh me too." Vex said.
The two were busy reading their statements while the other three were enjoying the pies.
"I never asked what type of apple pie you baked but this one was awesome." Bo continued eating while talking.
"It's a cinnamon crumble apple pie Bo." Lauren looked up from what she was reading.
"Me, I love the blueberry pie." Hale said. "It's not too sweet."
Ciara raised her hand. "I helped in baking that one. It's Dyson's favorite that's why I was adamant to know how to do it."
"Doc Lauren, my favorite pie is custard pie. Don't you forget it." Hale winked.
"Then you should taste my pumpkin custard pie. Tell me if you liked it."
Hale took a bite and smiled. "It was definitely a custard pie but it was different because of the pumpkin and I tasted new things."
"Those were ginger, cinnamon and allspice." Bo mumbled while feasting on the blueberry pie.
"And how did you know that partner?"
"Of course, the baker told me. Lauren, can I have a second slice of the pumpkin pie?" Bo asked while finishing up the blueberry pie.
Vex looked at Bo and sneered. "You know I didn't realize that you can eat like that Officer Dennis."
"And what exactly did you mean Vex?"
"You ate like a 15-year old hormonal teenage boy."
Bo shrugged. "You saw me eat last night. You seemed so shocked."
"Last night seemed ages ago. And you were quite shy last night but now, it was the total opposite."
"Oh I just didn't want to pretend that I'm a lady when it came to my appetite."
"Don't worry Bo. Vex was just envious that you could eat like that." Ciara grinned.
"And the fact that he ate like that when he was 15 years old." Lauren laughed. "But now he couldn't."
"Why?"
"Because I've spent the last 4 years of my life being a couch potato. I rarely had the time to exercise." Vex lamented.
"Man, you have to start from something. Do you run?" Hale asked.
"Oh no, running was not for me. That's Dyson's thing, running. He and Lauren's bonding time when we were kids was running up and down the hills of Palos Verdes Estates. Ours were swimming and cycling."
"What about Ryan?"
"Ryan and I had no bonding activity. Well he promised to teach me how to surf but you all know that he started from surfing to pseudo-surfing."
"Oh you have a bonding activity with him. You bonded when you lectured him about drinking before his races and him being a Casanova." Vex laughed.
"Hardly a bonding activity. He just stared at me every time so I stopped." Lauren signed the statement. "I'm finished."
"Thank you Doc."
Vex also signed his statement and gave it to Hale. "So..." He looked around the table. "On a serious note, I really like this group dynamics that we had, discussing about the case and all. I really hoped that this case will end sooner."
"Hale and I hoped so too. But with all the unanswered questions and unknown details, I think it will be later than sooner."
"Well I was just hoping for the best but I was really expecting for the worst."
"At first glance, I thought this case would just be a simple 911 call. But now if you will look into it, it was a tangled web."
"So this is new to the both of you?" Ciara asked.
Hale nodded. "Yeah it was. Our biggest case to date. Bo and I were just second year police officers."
"Well our sergeant thought that we knew what we were doing so he gave it to us." Bo added.
"Then I'll hope that you answer all the questions and know all the details sooner. After that, maybe we could talk about things other than Nadia, Percy or that slimy Adam." Vex said.
"I agree."
"I also hope to meet Kenzi and Tamsin very soon."
Bo nodded. "If you want, you can meet them tomorrow."
"You're inviting me?"
"What? Yes of course. But not only you. I'm also inviting Lauren and Ciara. Tomorrow was actually Pops' birthday. It was actually a surprise so it would be special if the three of you can come. The party will be in the afternoon so you will all have the time to sleep and rest well."
"It will be his actual birthday tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
"Oh wait. What time is it?" Vex looked at his watch. "Don't worry about the birthday cake, Lauren and I will bake it. I knew he liked chocolate, right?"
"Vex, you and Lauren shouldn't bother. I am inviting the three of you as guests."
"It's okay Bo. It will be just a simple chocolate cake. Nothing fancy." Lauren assured the brunette with a dazzling smile. "Hale, will you be going too?"
"Of course Doc."
"Then I will look forward seeing you tomorrow Officer Santiago."
They all stood up and Lauren started to gather the dishes, cups and utensils when Ciara interjected. "Lo wait, you already cooked so you didn't need to do that."
"But..."
"No buts. The boys will gather them and then I'll do the washing and putting them into the dishwasher. Get Bo and go to the living room or somewhere. Vex and Hale... please." Ciara raised her eyebrow.
"Yes ma'am." Vex saluted her mockingly.
Bo and Lauren were left in the dining area.
"Uh let's see..." Lauren was thinking what to do next, her index finger tapping her dimpled chin.
Bo thought the doctor was adorable when she did that.
Then like a lighted bulb popped above her head, her eyes lighted up and smiled. "Aha. Bo, come with me please."
"Uh Lauren, where are we going?"
"Let's go." The doctor reached for the police officer's wrist and pulled her. "There at our back lawn. We will exit via the side door." She let Bo's wrist go and walked towards the door. The other woman followed her. When they got outside, a cool breeze welcomed them and they both shivered.
"Wow that was cold!" Bo exclaimed.
"Yeah it was. Let's walk so we could chase out the coldness of the air. And then maybe you can unfold your sleeves."
"Good idea." The brunette smiled.
When they got to the back lawn area, Lauren turned to Bo and said, "Tell me about the complication."
"Complication?" Bo thought for a while and then realized what Lauren was pertaining to. "Now? Here, in your back lawn area?"
"Yes why not? Although it was just full of plain grass right now. Not pretty to look at. I was thinking about hiring a landscaper to do the front and back lawn areas."
Bo walked towards the doctor and said, "You know I can recommend someone but I need to warn you that she's still new with landscaping. She's more experienced on the interior design side of her skills but I can guarantee you that she's good."
"I'll trust your judgment. Who was the landscaper?"
"Tamsin, one of my bestfriends and housemates. She did the interior design of my room, hers and my grandfather. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in interior design and pre-architecture from University of New Haven so that's something right? Then she got her certificate in landscaping from an online course in New York Institute."
"That's more than something. So I'll meet and talk to her tomorrow?"
"Yes, I'll introduce you to her."
"Okay, that's fine with me. Thank you Bo." Lauren smiled. "So spill."
Bo sighed. "I wish I have a cigarette with me."
Lauren raised her eyebrow. "You smoke?"
The brunette laughed. "Fortunately, no. It would be just a prop you know. I won't smoke it. I'll put it between my fingers then we'll stand here talking, just like my fellow police officers when they had their cigarette breaks in the station."
The blonde shook her head and laughed. "You know, I saw the same scenario in the hospital's smoking areas. Doctors were just as bad as the regular smokers." She thought for a while. "If you can't have a cigarette, could a bottle of beer replace it? I thought you need some distraction while you talk and not just stand here and stare at our back lawn full of grass."
Bo smiled and was thankful for the doctor's thoughtfulness. "Sure, why not?"
"Okay, please wait here." She turned around and entered the house by the back door.
After a while, the doctor returned with two bottles of White Birch Raspberry Berliner Weisse.
"Wow! You have this all along and I settled for a Coke?"
"Oh I didn't know. I just saw them when I opened the refrigerator. I was just looking for a regular beer but I thought this was better. Was it?"
"I can tell you that this was way better than Coke. I already had one of these and I could tell that you would like it since it would taste a little like wine. It's fruity of course, but it's still a beer so it would have some bitter aftertaste. It's sour and fruity and best time to drink this was on summer but what the hell right?" Bo pull out her key ring and opened the two bottles passing one to Lauren.
Lauren drank from the bottle and nodded. "Yeah I didn't expect this taste from a beer but it was delicious." She cleared her throat. "So enough stalling. What did you want to tell me earlier?"
Bo let out a breath and said, "Kenzi was in a relationship right now. She was dating one of my grandfather's employees. He was a bartender but was studying in the university at the same time. It was new, just a month or so."
"Oh."
"Yeah, Hale didn't know. Well I just found out last night. So this morning when I saw him, I really wanted to tell him but it was not my place to do that. I thought that it would be unfair to Kenzi. But Hale's also my friend and my partner."
"So you were struggling about that."
Bo nodded. "I want Kenzi to be happy. But I want her to be with Hale. But I know I can't dictate and control Kenzi's feelings because I'm not a control freak."
"It was funny that you used that term just now. Are you a control freak?" Lauren teased.
"I know I'm not but Tamsin and Kenzi said that I am a little bit. I was really trying not to be."
"You know Bo it's not really bad to be a little bit of control freak. There were some things in life that you need to control in order for them not to blow in your face when it became uncontrollable. That would be chaos. You know, I met a lot of control freaks in my life and you did not measure up to them even just a little bit." Lauren smiled. "So don't worry about that."
"Thank you Lauren. What you said put my mind at ease." Bo smiled.
The blonde smiled back. "So you don't like Kenzi's boyfriend?"
"Well it's not that I don't like him, I just don't know him like I know Hale. I know that it's a shitty reason but it is what it is. On the other hand, Tamsin likes him for Kenzi because she worked with him for two years, just like me with Hale. So that's fair right?"
"It is and you know it. Does Tamsin know Hale?"
"Yes, they met a few times. They were friendly. You know Hale, he's too friendly for his own good."
"Are you friendly with Kenzi's boyfriend? What's his name?"
"His name is Nate and I've also met him a few times. We were friendly, as Tamsin and Hale."
"Fair enough. Then let's look at it this way. Does Nate spend a little more time with Kenzi than Hale does?"
"Yes, Nate had that advantage right from the start. The year when Kenzi worked at the bar, that was the time Nate was also hired. So they spent that year together working and of course, knowing each other better. While on the other hand, Hale was with me at the police academy. Now, although Kenzi already stopped working at the bar, they saw each other almost every day because they were going to the same school."
"That's two advantages that Hale didn't have. Another thing, did Hale already tell Kenzi about what he felt for her?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Then that's it. Nate had all the advantages. So now you know why Kenzi was in a relationship with Nate and not with Hale."
Bo laughed. "Yeah thank you Dr. Freud."
Lauren shrugged and smiled. She then focused her eyes on the trees around them.
The brunette followed the blonde's eyes, leaned closer and asked, "What were you looking at?"
The doctor was quite distracted when she turned to Bo. "Well I was just looking at the trees."
"What's with the trees?"
"I was wondering how autumn would be like this year. It was just the beginning but that tree..." She pointed a tree in the backyard. "...its leaves were already turning yellow." Her voice had a tone of wonder.
Bo was a bit confused. "So?"
"Well in autumn when the leaves were starting to change their colors, they will be changed from green to yellow, then orange to red then finally to brown. After that, the leaves will be starting to fall off the trees. That was why autumn was also called the fall. I just wondered why I didn't remember the leaves started changing their colors. My favorite phase was when the leaves changed from yellow to red."
"Uh well right there. That tree still had green leaves. But some of them were already yellow."
"Oh where?" Bo pointed out the tree. "Yeah. That was an elm tree. Those trees were abundant here in New Haven."
"That's why this city was called the Elm City, right?"
"Right." Lauren nodded.
Bo observed that the doctor had a wistful look on her face. "You missed home during autumn?"
"Yeah. California has one of the most magical autumnal displays in the whole country, next to Vermont and New Hampshire. That's why autumn is one of my favorite seasons."
"What would be the other one?"
"Spring. It was when the trees started to grow new leaves. For me spring and autumn were like alpha and omega, the beginning and the end. What about yours?"
"Summer. At the summer solstice, the days were longest and the nights were shortest. And also because of summer breaks. Summers meant that I could come here in New Haven and visit my grandparents."
"Me too. When we already moved to Palos Verdes Estates I missed my grandparents, my father's parents specifically. We used to live beside their house. So when we moved out, I made sure that I'll be there every summer. Those were the times when I learned how to bake."
"So Grandma Lewis taught you how to bake."
"Yes. Her name was Margaret, while my grandfather's Terrence. My grandma was a pastry chef while grandpa was a retired science teacher."
"I guess he was your influence when you thought of becoming a doctor?"
"Yes he was a big influence. While my grandmother taught me how to bake, my grandpa and I did many chemistry experiments. He also encouraged me to read and love books."
Bo smiled and nodded. "My pops was also like that to me. When I came for vacation, he would find time to sit down with me and tell me about history. He was a fan of history, may it be the world history or of our native Ireland."
"What was Mr. McCorrigan's profession?"
"He was a retired business/corporate lawyer."
"And your grandmother?"
"Her name is Isabeau, like my name. The only difference was hers started with an I, while mine with a Y. She was an artist. Her paintings were very good. She actually gave me one of her paintings before she died."
"I'm sorry Bo. You were 12 when she died right?"
"It's okay Lauren. Yes I was 12 then. She was very sweet to me. She never got angry with me. I think grandparents were all like that. They tend to spoil their grandchildren."
Lauren laughed. "I know right." Her eyes were dancing with mirth. "That's why I really wanted to come over to Torrance on weekends. They were fun to be with."
"I agree." With that statement, she couldn't help but stare at the doctor. Lauren was smiling widely and looking at the trees. Really, what's with the trees? She went back to the time when she first met the blonde. She was then mesmerized by the sheer beauty of this creature – her eyes, her face, her hair. She was perfection. Physically, she was already attracted to the doctor but now when they talked and knew some things about each other she couldn't help but admire her more and more each day. The connection she felt a year ago was still there. It didn't fade away; in the contrary, it felt stronger. The attraction was palpable, she can feel it in her bones. And most especially, she can feel it in her heart. I am falling in love and looks like there's no turning back. She sighed.
Still looking at the trees, Lauren spoke up. "Did you remember when we first met Bo?"
"Of course. Why?"
"It was also autumn then."
"Really? I thought it was still summer."
"Yeah. I remembered because the leaves of the trees along the Peat Meadow Road were already turning to yellow. That's where you were running after your suspect then he bumped into me." She frowned. "That's why I was wondering earlier why the leaves were already turning into orange. It was just the middle of September. When we first met, it was also September but much earlier."
Bo couldn't help herself but laugh. "You're cute. Maybe it's happening because of global warming."
The doctor thought for a while and said, "Then it should have been more gradual, the changes of the color."
"Why was this very important to you?"
"Because I didn't want to miss anything Bo." Lauren looked intently at Bo's eyes. I wanted to be on it every step of the way. I wanted to see with my own eyes how the events will unfold. I wanted to experience it all."
Bo felt every word of what Lauren said and the feeling was intense. Her heart beat so fast. She couldn't help but think if the doctor was still referring to the changing of leaves or to other things.
They were still looking into each other's eyes when they heard someone cleared his throat.
"Uhm Doc, Bo we were already finished tidying up everything. Vex would like to know if you want to come in." Hale was somewhat embarrassed because he saw how intense the two ladies were looking at each other.
Bo was first to break her stare and looked at Hale. She smiled and said, "Sure we'll be right there. Lauren?"
"What? Oh. There you are Hale." She smiled. "We'll go inside once we emptied our bottles..." She saw her empty bottle and Bo's. "...and they were empty." She laughed. She looked at Bo and winked. "Let's go." She started walking towards the back door.
Hale waited for the doctor to lead them into the house. When he knew the doctor was out of earshot, he leaned to his partner and whispered, "What were you and the good doctor doing out here?"
"We were talking about autumn and how the leaves of the trees changed their colors from green to yellow, then orange to red then finally to brown until they fell off the tree." Bo echoed Lauren's explanation about the leaves and tapped Hale lightly at the shoulders.
Hale was left outside and frowned. "Damn."
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Room 409 Yale Hospital
She looked into her husband's eyes and saw them turned from brown to red. She felt her whole body tensed when the first touch of the whip hit her skin. It was painful and hot. The whipping was repeated so many times. She closed her eyes and tried to clear her mind but she couldn't do it because she was in pain. She slowly opened and her eyes and saw a lot of blood surrounding her. She was looking everywhere but her husband was nowhere in sight. She cried for help. She cried and cried until she was hoarse. She felt two hands holding her arms and shaking her. She tried breaking free but couldn't. So she let go until she woke up with a start.
"Nadia... Nadia... it's me Miranda." The nurse was holding the patient's arms and shaking her. She stopped when she felt Nadia was starting to wake up. The patient woke up, wide eyed.
"It's only Miranda Nadia. You were safe. You're here in the hospital."
Nadia tried focusing. She looked into the nurse's eyes and called out. "Miranda, is that you?"
"Yes it's me. Nightmare?"
Nadia just nodded.
"Do you want water or anything?"
"Water please."
The nurse went to the small refrigerator and took out a bottled water. She opened it and offered it to the patient. "Here."
"Thank you." She drank half of the bottle. "Where are my parents?"
"They left to go to the cafeteria. Your mother told me they haven't eaten dinner so I told them to take their time because I'm here."
Nadia just nodded.
"Are you okay?" The nurse mentally kicked herself when she realized what she had asked. "Well of course not. I'm so sorry Nadia. Of course, you're not okay." She sighed. Can I do it now? She seemed so vulnerable. Maybe she would break if I told her the whole truth.
"It's okay Miranda."
"Can I get you anything else?"
"No. Just stay here for now." She smiled.
"Okay. No problem, I'll be here." The nurse went to the patient's bed and asked, "Did you want to lie down or sit up?"
"I want to sit up."
"Okay, let me help you." She adjusted the bed by pushing some buttons at the left side. She also adjusted the pillows. "Is this okay?"
"Yes, thank you Miranda."
"No problem," mumbled the nurse.
Nadia adjusted herself on the bed and looked at the woman before her. This woman is her lover but she didn't know if she loved her or not. Well, she liked her because she was damn good in bed and was affectionate. "Where have you been these last few days?"
"I went home."
"To New York?"
"Yeah, my family needed me so I came home."
"Okay."
"Nadia, I have something to tell you. I didn't know if this was the right time to tell you this but if I didn't tell you now..." It's now or never.
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Author's Note: Please read and review. Thank you.