A/N A shortish update where the official first date happens. I haven't had much time to work on this, what with the beach calling to me for the last several days, but I wanted to at least share this much.

I don't own anything other than the mistakes

Chapter 11

Settling on a time to meet was the easy part, getting through the rest the day was another matter all together. Tamsin and Lauren spent the rest of the afternoon trying to figure out what Lauren was going to wear, say, do and how she was going to do it. Bo and Kenzi, dealt with an excited and super enthusiastic Charley, who bounced and talked and kept them on their toes all afternoon. It was exhausting; Bo had no idea why Charley was so excited, maybe because she finally felt like a 6 year old again, rather than someone decades older, practically on her death bed? Either way, Charley decided she had nothing to wear, giving Bo a glimpse of what her life would be like in ten years, and a trip to the King of Prussia Mall was in order. Five department stores and 3 outfits later, courtesy of Charley's great-grandpa, the Three Amigos were off to Lucky Strike in Center City. Walking from Bo's apartment above her grandfather's bar, Charley swinging between them, they arrive at their destination right on time, which is almost late in Lauren's world.

"Where are they Tamsin? It's 6:30, she said 6:30." Pacing and holding her rented shoes tightly in her hands, Tamsin steps in front of her, turning her towards the glass doors of the entrance, pointing towards the rest of their party slipping and sliding into the building. Charley drops her Momma's hand again, but this time she doesn't stop, plowing into the blonde doctor and almost, but not quite knocking her over, Charley's words spilling instead. "Hi Dr. Lewis, it's snowing! Did you see the snow? We walked, did you walk?"

This time Lauren is prepared for the onslaught of questions, dropping her shoes and returning Charley's hug, "Hey you! I can see the snow in your hair and my friend, Tamsin over there drove us. It's a little too far for me to walk." Taking Charley's hand, "Come on, let's get you some shoes." Lauren looks up and into Bo's grin, squeaks out a breathy, "Hi."

Bo responds with a chuckle and reaches for Charley's other hand while taking in the doctor outside of a hospital. Black skinny jeans with an untucked denim button down under a fluffy eggshell sweater topped off with a dark brown trench coat, well loved lace up North Face boots in brown on her feet, blonde hair up and away from her face in the pony tail Bo is used to seeing. "Wow, I'm not used to seeing you in street clothes. You look really, umm hot, if you don't mind me saying so."

Ducking her head shyly, "No, I don't mind." Tamsin chooses that moment to butt in with, "It took all afternoon to pick out that outfit, glad you like it. Makes all the tears worth it, right Doc?"

Furrowing her brow and punching Tamsin in the shoulder, "There were no tears. Do not listen to anything this creature has to say."

Kenzi adds her two cents, "At least you didn't have to schlep to the mall in King of Prussia."

Bo clarifies, "It was Charley who decided she needed a new outfit."

Exchanging a knowing smile between them, saying in unison, Kenzi and Tamsin cement their growing bond as besties to the two women before them, "Right. Charley decided." Exchanging shy smiles, Bo and Lauren walk away to rent shoes, Charley walking between them, holding a hand of each.

All the effort is worth it in Lauren's mind as she takes in Bo, dressed in head to toe leather, a black turtle neck poking out of a long black leather vest, black leather pants and knee high black leather boots, hair parted on the side and falling straight to her shoulders, smoky eyes and full lips smiling. She manages to smile back and in a low voice over Charley's head says, "You look amazing Bo."

"Thanks. I'm glad you like it."

Following behind the pair and seeing the looks passing between them, Tamsin cannot resist interrupting, breaking into song:

We're gonna score tonight, we're gonna score tonight

We're gonna rock, we're gonna roll

We're gonna bop, we're gonna bowl

We're gonna score, score, score, score, score tonight!

We're going bowling!

In response to the questioning stares from her companions, Tamsin exhales in a huff, explaining, "What? You never heard that? It's from Grease 2, a classic in my book. Better than the original, except for John Travolta of course. Michelle Pfeiffer knocks it out, a much dirtier version of Sandra Dee and spot on." She still gets nothing, "Come on. Am I the only one who sees the connection?" Waving her hand and walking away to find their assigned lane, "Never mind. Why do you people never get what I am trying to say? I am surrounded by a bunch of pop culture ignoramuses."

Kenzi runs to catch up with Tamsin, feeling a kindred spirit, "I get it Tamsin," tossing her thumb over her shoulder towards Bo and Lauren waiting in line for rental shoes, "but they never will."

"I like you pipsqueak, you've got taste, unlike your BFF over there." Laughing like long time cohorts, Tamsin and Kenzi move off to find their lane.

Two games, a pitcher of beer and several shared shots later, Tamsin drags Kenzi off to the side, "How about you and I take the kid and leave the two love birds alone so they can move on from eye sex to actual scissoring?"

Kenzi glances at the trio in question, Bo sitting at the scorekeeper's table, Charley sitting on Lauren's lap next to her, as she had been pretty much all evening, "Yeah. This is more like a play date between Charley and the Doc than a date, date and my eyeballs are going to burn out of my head if I have to witness anymore smoldering looks between my Bo and your Doc."

"Suggestions?"

"Watch and learn." Is Kenzi'sresponse as she sidles up to her bestie, whispers in her ear, points towards the doctor and Charley, "What do you say Tamsin and I take Bear here home and you and the doc can proceed with rounding the bases?" Licking her lips, Bo nods, standing and reaching to pick up Charley from Lauren's lap, "Hey sleepy Bear. AK and Tamsin are going to take you home, its way past your bedtime and you've had a busy day. What do you say?" Charley nods sleepily, snuggling into her Momma's neck, "Ok. Are you coming too?"

"We'll be along in a little while." Handing sleepy Charley off to Kenzi, Bo hands the keys to her apartment to Tamsin, mouths a thank you.

Taking the keys, Tamsin nods and bends down to whisper in Lauren's ear, "Here's your chance Doc, knock her socks off. I'll be waiting for you at Bo's and I'll want all the details on the ride home."

Without Charley or Tamsin and Kenzi to run interference, Lauren is at a loss as to what to do next, luckily, Bo has no such hesitation. "What do you say we get out of here and get something that isn't bar food? There's a sweet little bistro on the corner, I know the head waiter and can usually swagger a table out of him?"

"Swagger a table out of him?"

"Yeah. I saunter in like I own the place, flip my hair, show the girls and bam, I get a table. Swagger." Looking down at her outfit, "Although, in a turtle neck, the hair flipping will have to do."

Lauren looks away, "Um, Bo. I'm not sure I want you to…"

"Hey, it's harmless. Frankie and I go way back." Reaching out and putting her arm around Lauren's shoulders and pulling her towards the desk to drop off their rented shoes, "Come on, take a chance and let me show you how things are done downtown."

A smirk firmly on her face, Lauren reaches for Bo's hand, throwing caution to the wind, "Alright, show this Main Line girl how it's done 'downtown'."

Bo used her swagger to score an intimate table for two, tucked in the corner with a perfect view for people watching and quiet enough for talking or simply gazing into each other's eyes. When the waiter arrived, it was decided the sharing of hors d'oeuvres and an entrée was the appropriate option for an official first date, choosing a mushroom tart and steak au poivre with roasted brussels sprouts and a $50 bottle of Corbières. Dinner eaten, wine finished, people watching over for the most part, the last two left, holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes until closing time, a perfect first date. But neither was ready for it to end. Lauren feeling brave asks, "What do you downtown girls do to finish off a bowling and dinner date?"

Biting her bottom lip, Bo has a few ideas of what downtown girls do to finish off an epic date such as this one, choosing an option where most of their clothes stay on, "Dancing, we go dancing."

Taking Lauren's hand, holding it close to her side they make their way through the falling snow, slipping, sliding and holding tightly to each other. Arriving, Lauren looks up, "Ascend? Wow, I haven't been here since I was a resident, dancing the stress away, four nights a week. This is seriously a blast from the past, Bo."

Worried Lauren might not want to visit a haunt from her past, Bo turns to face her, a worried look on her face, "Is this ok? I love this place; I used to come here all the time just to dance."

"Of course it's ok. I haven't had much cause for dancing the last few years and I can't think of a better reason or someone to kick start a dance party." Eyeing the people milling about in front of the building, "Looks like there's a bit of a line though, maybe a cover?"

Smiling wide and pushing to the front of the line, dragging Lauren with her, Bo whispers in her ear, "Downtown girls don't wait in line or pay covers."

Tapping the podium in front of the guy manning the door, "Cat Tangerini, who let you past 9th street?"

The muscular, dark haired door man snaps his head up ready for a fight, melting when he sees who is calling him out, "Ysabeau Dennis! I haven't seen you around here in ages. Not since Charley was a toddler. How is little Bear?" Standing from his stool and reaching to engulf Bo in a giant hug, "What are you doing out and about so late on a school night?" Noticing Lauren, the burly doorman nods with a grin, addresses Bo, "So, you finally kicked sour puss to the curb for good?" He releases Bo, holds his hand out to Lauren, "Hi, I'm Gino; but everyone around here calls me Cat, because of my cat-like stealthiness." Shaking Cat's hand, Lauren smiles and Bo introduces her, "Cat, this is my date, Dr. Lauren Lewis, the reason I am out late on a school night and to answer your other questions, Charley is fine and yes sour puss and I are simply friendly co-parents."

Cat nods in a knowing way, "Date huh? Nice. So Bo, we've got the hottest DJ in town spinning up top if you want to get your groove on, but I have a feeling you'll want to stop in the piano bar. Sal found this kid who if you close your eyes could be Michael Buble, perfect for dancing close, if you know what I mean." Winking at Bo, "Go on in ladies, enjoy your time with us this evening and Bo, come back to the old neighborhood sometime. My Ma would be thrilled to see you and Charley after Mass any Sunday for spaghetti dinner." Pointing his thumb at Lauren, "Bring your date; I'm thinking she'd be happy to set another couple of plates."

"Thanks Cat, we'll see what happens." Turning her attention to Lauren and placing a guiding hand to the small of her back, "Ready?"

Cat was right, the DJ was hot and on point, they danced until their feet could barely take anymore. More than once Bo found her hands on Lauren hips, pulling her in close, lips on her neck, tongue tracing the curve of her ear. Guiding them towards the back of the dance floor, where things weren't quite as crowded, pushing Lauren up against the wall, hands on either side of her face, capturing her tender lips until neither could breathe. Bo's hands snaking under Lauren's button up to feel the warm skin of Lauren's belly, sliding higher, ever so slowly. Laurens hands around Bo's neck, pulling her closer, keeping their mouths and tongues together. This is heaven, the thought running on repeat through Bo's mind; she's heavenly. Blissfully unaware of the dancers around them, until a bachelorette party of Jersey girls twerked their way into Bo and Lauren's slice of the dance floor, effectively ending a promising beginning. Breathless and annoyed at the interruption, her eyes so dark with want they're almost black, Bo pulls Lauren down the winding stairs to the piano bar, where a young kid, looking as fresh faced as a corn raised Midwesterner, was crooning out the oldies. A slowed down pace from the frenetic dance party upstairs and just what they needed to cap off their evening and for Bo at least, the opportunity to regain some semblance of control. Moving them towards a table for two off to the side allowing them to catch their breath, hands still tightly entwined, Bo catches the eye of one of the cocktail waitresses, motioning her towards the table. Seeing the blatant want in Bo's eyes unsettles the order of Lauren's mind, she's not experienced such open desire from another in a long time; doing what she does best, Lauren retreats to the safety of her inner world.

Ordering a club soda for each, Bo notices Lauren has disappeared into her head, sees her studying the grain of the fake wood of the table, counting how many horizontal lines, how many vertical lines. Realizing she'll have to learn how to coax Lauren out of her head at times like this if what they've started is going anywhere, she lightly tugs Lauren's hand, questions gently, "Hey. Where'd you go?"

Rolling her eyes and shaking her head, "Nowhere. I'm still here. When I was telling you about my faults, I kind of left this one out. I, uh tend to get lost in my head sometimes, when I am feeling overwhelmed."

"You're feeling overwhelmed?"

Nodding, fingers running over the lock she wears around her neck, "Yes. Aren't you?"

Shaking her head back and forth slowly, "No. I'm feeling…." She trails off, trying to find the right words, "alive and awake. It's been a long time since I have felt…. anything at all, let alone something as exciting as what I feel when I am with you." Turning her thoughts inward and casting her glance down to their entwined hands on the table, she decides to share a deeply held secret. A secret she hasn't told anyone, even Kenzi is in the dark on this one, "I've been living, sleep-walking really, in a world of gray for quite some time; the only splash of color was my child and now….now, there's you."

Looking at Bo through the curtain of her hair, Lauren smiles, her cheeks pinking as she does so, at a loss for words. Uncomfortable with such a compliment, she deflects Bo's attention to Charley, a safe topic. "Charley looked good today; she's bounced back remarkably well. I had her scheduled for another week of therapy, physical and speech, but I don't think she'll need it."

Nodding, the deflection not going unnoticed, Bo takes both of Lauren's hands in hers and decides to not push the doctor and follows her lead, "She's like her old self, as if none of this happened. I hadn't realized how bad off she was, until she wasn't." Scrunching her face into a frown, "Does that even make sense?" Seizing an opportunity to geek out Lauren launches into a lecture on the effects of illness and how it affects the caregivers, "Often times when one sees a person every day, the little things go unnoticed, like how today she doesn't want to tie her shoes or put her dish on the sink. How she sleeps later or not at all. Or how she's lost the twinkle in her eye because it didn't go out all at once, it dimmed a little at a time until it was gone, without anyone seeing it fade. It's like when you go into a dark room, at first you can't see anything, but then you get used to it, seeing shapes form until you know the landscape piece by piece. Then someone turns on the light and you notice all the details, the grain of the wood, the brush marks in the paint on the wall, the colors of the cloth on the table, when all you had been seeing were simple shapes." Ducking her head and smiling shyly, "Sorry. I got carried away, again."

Reaching out to cup Lauren's cheek, "I think you are adorable and sexy and beautiful when you geek out, doctor. Don't apologize."

Leaning into Bo's hand, "Ok." Interrupting their moment, the waitress arrives with their club sodas, dropping them off and retreating. Taking a sip, Lauren hears the first bars of "It Had To Be You" coming from the piano, the Harry Connick Jr. version being a favorite of hers. On impulse she asks, "Bo, will you dance with me?"

Biting her bottom lip, a breathy, "Of course." her response, as she stands and leads Lauren to the small dance floor. Holding each other close, Lauren lays her head on Bo's shoulder, squeezing her eyes tight, willing herself to be brave and embrace the feelings this woman brought out in her. She feels Bo's grip tighten on her hips, lifts her head to catch Bo's eye, softly singing the words:

It had to be you

It had to be you

I wandered around and finally found

The somebody who could make me be true

Leaning in, Bo kisses her gently, sweetly, completely, finishing the song, changing the lyrics to suit her

For nobody else gives me a thrill

With all of your faults, I will be the one to love you still

It has to be you, wonderful you

It has to be you

The song and dance ended, Bo brings their foreheads together, arms tightly wrapped around each other, in a husky whisper she breathes out, "Let's get out of here." A slow nod Lauren's response, they leave the dance floor, pick up their coats and head for the exit.

They make it exactly two blocks, walking hand in hand before Lauren stops them under a lamp post, brushing snow from Bo's hair, "You know when we get to your place, we'll have two very nosey ladies to deal with and I'm not ready to share you or…" motioning between them, "this yet."

"I'm not either."

A smile breaking across her face, she pulls Bo in for a kiss in the falling snow, giving her a glimpse of what may come. Bo returns the kiss, pushing her hands inside Lauren's trench coat, walking them to the side of a building, out of the view of passers-by, pressing her against the cold brick, she kisses her feverishly, knowing they'll soon have to deal with questions and best friends. Lost in each other, Lauren sees the want is back in Bo's eyes, knows it is reflected in hers. With Bo's arms wrapped snuggly around her waist, her breath a warm cloud kissing her cheeks, it's difficult for Lauren to concentrate, but one of them needs to be aware. Knowing she'll regret it later, she brings her hands to rest on the flat of Bo's chest, just below her collar bones, "I can see the desire in your eyes and I know you can see it in mine, but we have to stop, I don't want to get to the point of no return, well I do, but not right now, on a street corner in Center City." Blowing across her ear, a smirk firmly in place, Bo recounts "All I heard was point of no return and you want to get there." Sneaking past Lauren's defenses, she kisses the corner of her mouth, licks her bottom lip and is granted just a little bit more of the doctor.

Pulling back ever so slightly, a tone of caution in her voice, Lauren presses her hands a bit harder against Bo's chest, "Bo, as much as I am enjoying kissing you in the snow, as much as I love how you taste like summer and I don't want this to end, but we need to stop."

"I taste like summer huh?"

"That's all you heard?"

"I hear the important stuff." Seeing a pout form on those oh so tasty lips, Lauren is all but done in, but somehow finds her resolve, "Bo, I want this, but not here, not this soon. It's been intense, the way we found each other and all that came with it. It's only been 11 days. I think we need more time, to make sure this is really something and not a heat of the moment infatuation. Ok?" She waits, breath held, heart hammering in her chest; feeling fear overcome her. A slow nod from Bo her only response as she lets go of Lauren's waist and steps back, the want still in her eyes, burning just below the surface ready to be stoked at any time. Bo shoves her hands in her jacket pockets, resisting the urge to reach for Lauren again, "Come on, let's get you to your ride and the inevitable Q&A session." A genuine and sweet smile on her face, the dimple appearing as if in agreement.

Turning to walk back towards Bo's apartment, Lauren reaches out for Bo's elbow, stopping them in the middle of the street, "Bo, I do want this."

"I know."

"I simply need some time."

Taking Lauren's hand from her elbow, bringing it to her lips, Bo kisses each of Lauren's knuckles, "I can wait as long as you need me to."

Shaking her head to clear it, "You downtown girls really know how to do a first date."

Chuckling and snaking Lauren's hand into the crook of her elbow, keeping her close, "Yeah we do. Was there ever any doubt?"

Looking at the brunette in wonder, pulling her tight, "No, never."

There will be more to come, once I am no longer distracted by sandy places...until then, thanks for reading, following, favorites and of course reviews.