Chapter 10 - Getting to know you

Thursday 9th May - Early hours of morning

Bo and Lauren had sat on that sunbed all night talking, shifting places at some point so that now Lauren was sitting facing Bo with her legs either side of the sun bed with her feet touching the sand. Bo's legs were wrapped around Lauren's waist, over Lauren's legs, and she was still leaning back onto the sun bed behind. Lauren had remembered to text Tamsin to say that she was ok, omitting the fact that she was not home yet.

Conversations were flowing easy and something about the way Bo laughed made Lauren feel like her butterflies in her stomach were actually dancing elephants. Lauren was in awe of Bo, naturally beautiful, but still shy to that fact. Lauren also loved how Bo listened, really listened to her. Lauren had told Bo about her about her time working in Afghanistan and in the Congo as well as her last job in the Research Council. Even though Lauren knew that in places she over explained her work, Bo still listened and seem interested, even asking questions when she was lost. Bo looked to enjoy Lauren's new 'Geek Speak', as she called it, and admitted that she really liked the way she explained science. Bo never pushed for more when Lauren explained that she didn't talk much of her military years, those being her hardest. The only times she spoke were the few stories she had with Tamsin, including Lauren re-enacting the Sergeants tent story.

Talking about their best friends was an easy subject. Both Bo and Lauren had interesting friends. Tamsin and Kenzi are entertaining to have around. Bo had started to tell Lauren about the one time her and Kenzi ended up as pole dancers in a club only a few weeks ago in Sharks Bay.

"I'm being serious, that's what happened after a drinking session with her, I swear. We were a double act pole dancing team!" Bo raised her hands palms open to Lauren. Bo had a slight slur as she had already drunk five of the beers already. Her inebriations losing the battle with her head and opening up to Lauren more than she had with anyone else.

Lauren had laughed so hard that tears were forming in her eyes "Oh Bo really, you and Kenzi. How funny. I know what you did but you need to go back and tell me why?"

Bo loved how Lauren laughed; her eyes would light up and her smile would reach the corners. Lauren would throw her head back and Bo could feel the sunbed shaking gently as she giggled. It was still dark and only the moon gave a bit of light, Bo thought just how beautiful Lauren was in this moment.

"Ok as it's you that's asking beautiful, so from the start I'll tell all." Bo couldn't help it; she felt the need to tell Lauren she was beautiful as it just felt so right. "So we were in a club in Sharks Bay called Intrigue and had drunk most of the night. It became late and it had got busier with the dancers now on the poles so we decided to move on and we asked for the bill. It arrived in a fancy velvet box; well Kenzi just slid it to me and asked me to do the favour this time. I slid it back stating that I didn't have enough. Eventually after realising that between us we were $90 short we panicked. Kenzi's idea was to do a runner from the toilet window. Well I couldn't, the toilet was on the second floor for starters. Instead I said that we would just speak to the owner and agree to pay him tomorrow. So off we went and we found the manager, an American guy named Chuck of all names, and explained we were short. He never even raised his head to look at us, instead just told us to earn it on pole 3, his girl was running late and we had thirty minutes only. I was in shock but before I could refuse Kenzi had my hand pulling me towards pole 3. It was a pole in a cage in the corner of the room. I was mortified. Kenzi whispered that we would give them a lesbo show and to follow her lead. She's a really good dancer, she had street danced back in the day. It was agreed that she would dance and remove my clothes! That was her idea. We climbed into the box and I froze just leaning back on the pole. Kenzi was good, she danced round the box and we started to get some punters sat nearby. She undressed me, kissed me and used me as the pole!"

"So how far did she, erm...go, with you, with the show and it all?" Lauren bit her lower lip, she could tell Bo was embarrassed but the thought of Bo being undressed so publically also excited her.

"Curiosity about the story Doc? or about me?" Bo asked, wrapping her arms round her.

"The story of course, I just wanted to get the full picture." Lauren giggled into her hand.

"You have seen the full picture, unlike that punter who only got to see me in my underwear...but that was enough, trust me." Bo liked how Lauren blushed and wanted to tease her more but held back as they were still only dating after all. "So anyway, we had danced for about five songs, so about twenty minutes, when Kenzi said we had enough so we paid up and left. I made her promise that she would never tell a soul. That lasted a whole five minutes, as soon as we got back here she told everyone, I'm surprised you hadn't already heard? She really is wild and the Kenziest Kenzi ever but I adore her."

Lauren looked down at the space between them and went suddenly quiet. Bo loved her best friend that was obvious, how would she explain what happened between them earlier in the bar. Bo noticed Lauren go quiet and thought maybe she had got the story wrong about her and Kenzi's relationship and tried to fix it. "Hey, it's not like that with us you know, it was only a kiss and..."

Lauren interrupted "I know Bo, I don't think that. It's just you are so close but I don't think she likes me. Actually she has basically told me she doesn't like me and I don't know what I'm doing wrong." Lauren confessed.

"Ahh Lauren, that's normal, she doesn't like anyone she has just met. She hides behind her humour and sarcasm a lot and takes her time to get to know people. That's all." Bo took one of Lauren's hands and held it in her own.

"Not exactly true as she has hit it off with Tamsin and Dyson, it's just me." Lauren held Bo's eyes and sighed.

"Cute. You want my friend to like you. But it doesn't matter to me either way. I like you. And she will see what we all see; it takes her longer that's all. But she will. She has never left Canada, she's a bit taken back by your Englishness or intelligence or whatever. We don't normally mix with scientists." Bo let out a laugh, remembering once how Kenzi had called Lauren Lady Einstein. Maybe this was not the moment to tell Lauren though. "Anyway, speaking of our BF's, do I have to worry about yours? She seems a bit protective of you Lauren and unlike me an Kenz, you do have history."

Lauren realised that Bo was right, that she can be a bit too intense sometimes, as others have also pointed out, so she relaxed a bit. "Tamsin? You have no worries there. She's protective, has always been that way, and history is simply that; history and in the past. We were together once. I had come out of a relationship and I guess we both thought that maybe we could be, but we couldn't, and that's that really." Lauren smiled again. It was good to get it out in the open.

"So I think that's it for my background anyway. I have told you all about myself. Bo, tell me about you?" Lauren asked, holding Bo's hands in her own.

"That's easy..." Bo shifted uncomfortably "…I don't talk about myself as there is nothing to really say."

"Family Bo, what about your family? I'm English, my mum is English but my dad's Irish and I have two younger brothers. See it's easy." Lauren pushed for a bit of information.

"Ok, I have no-one. I was adopted. I don't know my real family or if I have any brothers or sisters. My adopted dad died and my adopted mum doesn't want to see me anymore. Ha, you were right Lauren that was easy. What's the next one?" Bo pushed the empty can into the floor and opened the last one

"Oh Bo, I'm sorry I pushed. And I'm sorry ..."

"Don't Lauren, please don't say sorry. I'm not; sorry that is. I have Kenzi and she's like a sister to me and I have this old man back in Canada who's like a father or, cause he's older, maybe a grandfather figure to me and I'm fine. I did look for my real parents once but only got as far as their names on my birth certificate. I know my mum is somewhere in Canada and my dad is in prison in California. I was born in Canada, but from the age of one I lived in California with my dad. He was taken to prison when I was three and as they couldn't find my mother and, as I had no other family, I was put up for adoption. I lived with my adopted parents till I was eighteen and I then moved back to Canada."

"To find your mum?" Lauren asked sincerely.

Bo took a moment to look at Lauren; there was purity to her eyes. Lucky for her Lauren would assume memories were painful as there was no way Bo could tell her yet what happened in California. Bo would wrap up this conversation quickly and hopefully would never have to speak about it again. "Yes I guess so. Lauren, I really don't like to talk about where I'm from, especially not with you as all I'm really interested in is the now and the future. I have not had the best of times, I feel like a monster most of the time. My mum left me, my dad in prison, my adoptive family don't care. What does that make me? People don't tend to love me or stick around. For a long time, I thought that it was just the way it was and my future was to be alone. But now being here with you just for this time alone, these short special moments, I don't feel that anymore. I feel I can have a future; you make me feel like I deserve one. You make me a better person. So please can we not talk about this anymore? I do want to tell you more, but Lauren now I can't." Bo closed her eyes her heart pounding in her chest, she was so close to tears.

"Of course. I'm here if you want to talk but I won't push you, you can tell me everything and anything in your own time." Lauren looked into Bo's eyes and could see she was holding back tears. Lauren wanted to tell her she would never be alone, but how could she make that promise, it was still so early on. They both needed to take baby steps, but in that heartfelt statement Lauren already knew that Bo had won her heart and she would do everything to make Bo happy.

"Thank you. I will one day. I'll tell you everything, but now you need to see this babe. The sun is rising and there is nowhere else I would rather be than here with you." Bo helped Lauren move back round so that she was leaning against Bo's chest again and wrapped her arms around her.

It took exactly twenty-one minutes for the sun to fully rise then Bo walked Lauren back to her room. A simple kiss at the door and Bo reminding Lauren her virtue was safe, Bo left Lauren to sleep. Lauren had a shift at 10am and it was already 6.30am.

Thursday 9th May - Lauren's Room 09.30am.

KNOCK KNOCK

"Room Service"

Lauren had just got out of the shower when she heard the door knock. She had never ordered room service so the door knocking gave her a jump. In fact, she was surprised that she had slept in. Normally waking every day at 7am no matter what time she had actually gone to bed. This morning though she allowed herself to sleep till 9am. Knowing she had work at 10am left her not much time to go to the staff canteen for food and feeling happy about breakfast being delivered. Lauren wrapped herself in a bathrobe and went to open the door, even happier to see who was delivering her breakfast.

"Bo, I didn't expect to see you so soon. I only left you a few hours ago." Lauren half opened the door, conscientious that she was practically naked.

"Well this worked better in my head. Ta Da." Bo shifted from foot to foot. "Here, take this, it's for you. When I didn't see you at breakfast I thought you might be running late and well I wanted to give this big romantic gesture. Now that I'm here, I just feel silly."

"Oh no, please Bo, don't go, it's lovely and sorry please come in." Lauren moved back and opened the door fully allowing Bo to enter with her tray.

"I didn't know what you liked, so I got eggs, fruit, Danish pastries and I think this is porridge?" Bo pointed at the white lumpy liquid when the tray had reached the table. "Being English I didn't know if you liked it. I saw it on a film once, so well Ta Da." Bo repeated the saying while spreading out her arms.

"What film was that? Oliver Twist?" Lauren laughed. "It all looks good, but too much for me, so please help yourself to what you want. Go for the porridge, I won't mind." Lauren smiled at Bo when she pulled a face. "I'll be just a minute to get dressed and will be out shortly," with that Lauren started to pick up clothes and head towards the bathroom.

A few minutes later they were sat on the balcony enjoying their breakfast and discussing Lauren's room and her amazing view. When they had finished up Lauren took the tray back inside. Bo just sat on the edge of the made up bed. Bo loved how Lauren moved round the room so gracefully. Lauren had chosen a pair of light brown work trousers with a crisp white button down shirt. After checking her appearance in the mirror she picked up her brush to finish her hair. Bo finally knew how she done them soft wavy curls, she never slept with rollers but used heat irons to curl the bottom. Ahh, how cute, she thought. Lauren had applied a simple face cream and brown mascara. She didn't use much; she was naturally beautiful.

"Bo, can you please pass me my silver necklace, there on the side table?" Lauren asked, pointing beside Bo to the table and reaching her hand out.

"Yeah, oh my, this is lovely Lauren. It's so unique. Where did you get it?" Bo asked passing the pendant to Lauren.

"My dad, he gave it to me when I finished University. It's the same one he wears. An artist in Ireland makes them and he only makes these for us. Kind of like a family crest. It's for the Lewis doctors I guess. Dad said when he gave it to me it was a pledge to him, to the family, to Science and to Medicine. That when I wear it I'm pledged to healing and helping and to be strong to the family name of doctors. I think he thought that he would give more out, but it was only me that got one; my brothers did not follow the family tradition of doctors. Also I think it's really pretty." Lauren chuckled. "I'm part of a long tradition of Lewis doctors; as far back as we can find there has always been a doctor in our family."

"Well it's beautiful, just like the daughter he gave it to" Bo smiled.

Lauren blushed and turned back towards the mirror to put it on. After tucking it in her shirt she turned back round to join Bo on the bed. "So Bo, what are your plans then? You must be tired still? When do you start work today? I'm off from 2pm" Lauren looked at Bo.

"Many questions there Lauren, so no plans, yes a bit tired, start at 8pm and can I take you out after your shift. Another date I guess, just me and you. I have somewhere I would like you to see. Unless you would rather rest?" Bo answered back

"No I'm fine, once I'm up that's me. So yes, I would love to go out with you. Where are we going? What should I wear? Can I get a clue so I know what to bring?" Lauren asked.

"Well first it's a surprise. Secondly, I'm sure you look great in anything, but be casual. We will be outdoors, so if you have any sexy hot pants in that wardrobe of yours I won't mind." Bo teased, especially when Lauren giggled a no, but she did have shorts "That will do, also bring a towel and swim wear."

"Will you meet me up here or main gate? What time?" Lauren put on her watch and was now ready for work.

"Well I'm all ready" Bo said pointing to a bag by the door that Lauren had not noticed before. "So unless you don't want me to, I'll just stay here for you. Kenzi brought round half the crack house last night and there are bodies sprawled everywhere. If you mind though, I'll go back" Bo pouted and gave her best puppy dog eyes.

Lauren smiled, a big smile that reached her eyes. She didn't know if it was that Bo was being incredibly cute, the fact the dimple was out, or the thought of Bo lying in her bed but she loved the idea.

"Of course you can stay here. Water and other food and drink are in the fridge, it's the cupboard under the mirror. I'll be back in a few hours. I have people to see and places to be." Lauren wiggled before walking over to Bo, cupping her face in her hands and giving Bo a quick kiss on her lips. "Bye Bo and thanks again for breakfast."

"Later Lauren" Bo had already started to unbutton her shorts and climb into the bed as Lauren was picking up her medical bag and walking towards the door.

While heading towards her office Lauren couldn't help but smile again. Bo was in her bed, she had brought her breakfast, she was taking her out on a date and she was willing to take things slow. Lauren already knew that she had fallen helplessly and hopelessly in love with her, but needed to be sure that Bo felt the same. She needed her worries to go and she needed to protect her heart until she was sure it was not a passing fling. Lauren couldn't help but think did Bo act this way with Dyson in the beginning? That thought alone stopped her falling before Bo and offering herself completely.

Lauren's Office

Lauren's shift had gone well. Nothing too draining on her, she did have two elderly sisters who had both been bitten by the Egyptian giant solpugids or more commonly called the Camel Spider. Although there not deadly, they do give out some strange side effects. During the treatment Lauren did not suspect the spider's side effects to be fully to blame for the guest's behaviour. Most their angry bickering was down to the fact that they had never been apart in 80 years and maybe they just 'got on each other's tits'. Lauren laughed at the memory of when Tamsin would use that saying when talking about her, using a fake British accent when they were in Afghanistan. It always amused Lauren how the Americans thought or think the British speak. But not their fault when the British only have Mary Poppins and Hugh Grant as their role models to compare against.

Lauren had given first aid and an ointment to prevent from swelling and they had left, still bickering. She had managed to call Tamsin who was at work, but sounding tired, she had a hangover and was sleeping for the rest of the day. Tamsin also told her that she was lucky she left when she did as they never got in till 6am and it was only her working this morning as Dyson was in at 2pm and Kenzi not till 3pm. Dyson had enjoyed himself and this made Lauren happy, seeing that she was now dating his ex-anyway. They ended the call agreeing to meet for drinks that night.

Lauren's Room

Bo had slept for a while before getting up and helping herself to some vitamin water that she found in Lauren's fridge. She loved looking round Lauren's room, her shampoo was vanilla fragrance and she opened it and smelt. This brought back the memory of smelling it when Lauren was so close to her only yesterday in that office of hers. Her body wash was honey fragrance and her perfume was Lady Million by Paco Rabanne. Bo could smell that on Lauren's pillow earlier. Bo noticed that her wardrobe had everything hanging in colour order. Her white shirts, next to her pale pink, pale blue, grey and finally black. All already ironed and hanging on matching trousers or skirts. Jackets were in the far corner. The space boxes in the next wardrobe along were filled in order of possibly practicality, as all her gym gear was in one, all her vests and shorts in another and all her casual tops and jeans in another. Very OCD Bo thought but also adorably cute. Bo's own clothing just put where she found space in her room, this much care was never used. Closing the cupboard, she saw the drawers under the TV. This must be where her 'smalls' are kept. Bo did not want to look in there, she simply couldn't be caught. The curiosity was however killing her but it was already 2pm and Lauren would be making her way back. Maybe just a peak, no touching just a quick look wouldn't hurt. Bo quickly moved towards them and opened the top drawer. This was the underwear drawer and was just as neat as the rest of the room with everything matching. Nice, Bo thought. Next drawer was full of socks, mainly bright colours or ones with marvel characters on it. Again, how cute. Shutting the drawer, she looked round the rest of the room. In one corner was a family picture. They were on a ski slope, what looked to be her dad, mum and two brothers. They were all blonde, you could tell from their hair poking out from under their ski hats, also tall and slim like Lauren. A good looking family, she thought. What Bo noticed most was that they were all holding each other and smiling, real smiles not the ones just for the photo. This warmed Bo as much as it saddened her.

"That was taken in Borovets in Bulgaria last year." Lauren said as she placed her bag down and took the picture from Bo.

"Oh, sorry I didn't mean to go touching your things, I never heard you come in." Bo answered back.

"Good job you were not in my knicker drawer then!" Lauren chuckled "Or as you would say panty drawer."

Bo flushed and gulped down Calm yourself down Bo, she doesn't know that Bo said silently to herself. Lauren noticing the tinge of pink and realising that she had said something possibly true, smiled before saying "Did you see anything you liked Bo?" raising her eyebrows.

"I was looking for gum, erm, and I didn't touch and it was only a quick peak I swear." Bo placed her hand over her heart at the last sentence.

"Bo it's alright, we're all guilty of raiding a medicine cabinet or two when we go to other people's houses. It's natural to be interested in other people habitats especially ones they're starting to get to know or date. This is not the weirdest thing I once read that Austrian women do a traditional dance routine with pieces of apple tucked under their armpits. And when the dance is over they will give the sweat soaked apple to the suitor and if that suitor is interested in them back they will, erm, eat the apple piece. So the western approach of snooping is actually expected and not so strange." Lauren finished before opening her wardrobe and pulling out a pale blue pair of shorts and a white v neck tee. "Is this ok Bo?" she said lifting up her outfit.

"Yeah, and I'm sorry, you are so neat and organised. I really like it. And eugh about the Austrian's hey. And yeah that will look great on you." Bo smiled and relaxed again. Lauren really was the most amazing girl she had ever met. Bo would have been mad if someone had gone through her stuff, but Lauren didn't seem to mind, not that Bo would ever do it again. Being caught once was enough.

"Won't be long" Lauren said grabbing underwear and walking to the bathroom for a quick shower and to get changed "Where are we off to anyway, my lil perv?" Lauren winked before stepping in.

"That my dear, is still a surprise." Bo replied.

"A surprise hey? unlike the choice of underwear that I'll soon be putting on. I have slight OCD and I'm wearing blue shorts and white top, so what you think?" Lauren had poked her head round the door, now wrapped in a towel.

"Erm the matching light blue ones with the white pin stripe" Bo answered automatically without thinking.

"Just a peak hey" Lauren wiggled her eyebrows and went back inside.

Bo closed her eyes and laughed, she also noticed she had not closed the door as she heard the shower turn on. The thought of a naked, wet Lauren made her very horny. And today would get worse now she knew what underwear she was wearing underneath her clothes. Bo wished she hadn't made that promise last night as all she wanted to do was keep Lauren in this bed all day and night. Bo wanted to make Lauren happy and if Lauren wanted it to be slow then she would show her that she could. Bo had never properly dated before, so this was a fun thing for her also. She had spent time with Dyson, but that was just hanging out in Cleos playing pool or with the others. It was only when they went to the hotel for the night that they argued that she felt like she was on an actual date with him.

This was different and everything she learned about Lauren made her love her more. Bo realised at that moment that she did love Lauren, she has always loved Lauren from the moment they met at the airport five weeks ago. And every second she spent with her she loved her more. All the more reason to take it slow, she wanted this, she wanted to be Lauren's 'happy ever after' and she would show her. Remembering what Lauren said only yesterday that actions speak louder than words. The shower had stopped and minutes later Lauren walked out dressed.

"Hey, shall we go, you ready?" Lauren straightened out her arm for Bo to take her hand.

"Yes baby, I'm ready." Bo jumped up, grabbing her bag and Lauren's hand.