My goodness I'm late with this update -sorry! Life was a bit difficult this week and messed up my writing schedule. So...let us enjoy Chief Dennis and her fire fighter gear, shall we? Oh...and if anyone is creative, I'm searching for a photoshopped image of Bo in some fire fighting gear...it's been a twitter conversation that just won't quit :) Enjoy!
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Lauren put the finishing touches on her makeup and checked her appearance in the full length mirror. The humidity in the air added an extra wave to her long blonde hair that she decided to wear down despite the temperature outside. The summer heat continued to bake the city, and thoughts of a certain brunette fire chief had Lauren near her boiling point. For the short time she spent alone since Bo left, Lauren floated about her home sporting the biggest smile her face would allow. She had cleared the living room coffee table of all evidence that they binged on snacks while cuddled on the sofa, and when Lauren got around to making the bed, she couldn't help but pause to snuggle Bo's pillow and inhale deeply.
Now wearing a simple red tank top and a pair of cut off shorts, Lauren looked every part the blonde bombshell. She took careful consideration to only apply a light coating of makeup so it didn't melt from the brutal sunshine outside. Sliding on her sunglasses, Lauren smiled at her reflection in the mirror. She felt rather confident that her appearance would have Bo reaching for a fire extinguisher.
She hopped into the BMW and cranked the air conditioning to the highest setting. The steering wheel had baked in the sun and was hot to the touch. While waiting for it to cool, Lauren activated her phone Bluetooth and dialed her best friend, wanting to make sure Tamsin wasn't fully traumatized from her morning introduction to Bo.
"Hey doc."
"Hi Tamsin. How's your day going?"
"Well, I haven't made an ass out of myself since I showed up at your place this morning, so all in all, I'd say things are looking up."
Lauren laughed knowing how embarrassed her best friend was at the incident. While Lauren exhibited a tad bit of frustration initially, she really couldn't fault Tamsin for her actions.
"Don't worry about it Tamsin. I actually really appreciate you checking on me. Bo was right, that does make you a really good friend, and I just want to say thank you for always looking out for me."
The air in the car had finally started to cool enough that Lauren could grip the steering wheel without burning her hands. She shifted the car into drive and started off toward the fire station.
"No really. I'll be sure it doesn't happen again. Scouts honor. So, she spent the night, huh? Things must be going well?"
Lauren's memory flashed to the moment Bo's fingers first touched her, prompting the infatuated doctor to squeeze her legs together from the arousal. Feeling the heat rising from within, she glanced at the console to make sure the air conditioning was still on the highest setting.
"Well, yes, things are, um, well she's, wow, she is just, ahhh, she's fucking incredible."
The sound on the other end of the line could only be construed as a mix of coughing and choking.
"Jesus, warn a girl before you say shit like that! And I don't want to know those details anyway!"
"Tamsin, I'm just, ahhhh, I'm just head over heels for her."
"I can tell. But don't forget, you're just in the honeymoon phase. She'll have some flaws too, doc."
Lauren gave Tamsin's statement some thought. She thought of all the delicious details she had learned about the exquisite Bo Dennis, and Lauren honestly didn't see any of them as flaws. Physically, she was chiseled to perfection. Mentally, she was brilliant, both in her field of work and in life itself. Sexually, she was incredibly attentive and her talent was more than evident. Emotionally, Lauren felt she connected with this woman's heart and found a way in. Perfect. She honestly thought Bo Dennis was perfect.
"Honeymoon phase or not, she is flawless, Tamsin. And I am just extremely lucky."
"Ha! Flawless. Ok doc, I bet her last lover wouldn't say that, right?"
Her last lover. Lauren much preferred to pretend that no one ever had the pleasure of Bo Dennis other than herself. Sure they had shared a few random funny stories about dates gone awry, but Bo didn't talk much about any serious past relationships. Lauren even thought that maybe she was just considerate enough to know that girls don't like hearing about other girls. Another reason why she found her so perfect.
"Well hopefully you take the time to get to know her, Tamsin, and then you can judge for yourself."
"That's fair, doc. I'm just giving you shit anyway. I am happy for you, really."
Lauren knew Tamsin meant no harm, but her line of questioning did make the doctor curious. However, rather than speculate, Lauren decided to forget the comment and dish some shit back to the detective.
"So enough about me. Let's talk you, detective. Spill the beans on Tara. You took her breakfast at work?!"
"Uh, yeah, guess I told you that this morning, huh? Yeah, I thought it would be a smooth move and great way to test the waters."
"And how's the temperature?" Lauren asked.
"Steamy. Breakfast was a hit, until I left panicked looking for you. But I promised to take her out tonight for dinner to make up for it."
"Oh, very nice. Take care of her. I have to work with her and the last thing I want is awkward work space, you got it?!"
"Got it. Speaking of your work space, any update on little one?"
Lauren had not received any new messages on Jane Doe since she left the hospital the morning of her movie date. Physically her patient was healing, but her silence during the physical exams left Lauren concerned for her mental well being. Lauren had consulted with her patient's therapist in hopes their future sessions would successfully lessen her anxiety over the brutality of the injuries. This information was all too personal and confidential to share with Tamsin, so she opted to just give her a basic update.
"She is healing, slowly, but I will warn you, she will do whatever it takes to get junk food so do not go in there with a candy bar in your pocket. Just warning you."
"Thanks for the warning doc. But you know me, I'll stop by with a bag full of junk food just to make her smile."
"Tamsin!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
"Well how's your work space? Case going okay?"
"Eh, the case is bigger than my wall mounted chalkboard, but I'm making progress. Oh, and before I forget, I did want to tell you something. This morning I submitted an official request for a full time partner. Please don't make a big deal of it, just say okay or something simple. I don't want a party or anything, okay?"
In complete shock, Lauren's jaw hung wide open at hearing those words come from Tamsin's mouth. Unbelievable was the first word Lauren thought of, yet she briefly remained silent trying to keep the big deal from spewing in the form of praise to her best friend. Being a good friend, Lauren kept her response mild.
"That's great Tamsin. How long until you find out?"
"Probably not too long. They said there are a few transfers coming in so I should get one of them relatively soon."
"That's great, that's really, really great."
"Thanks doc. So, you have plans on your day off?"
"Actually yes. I'm going to meet Bo at the fire station for a, um, tour."
"Is that what they're calling it nowadays, a tour? Hell, Gilligan started out on a three hour tour and look where he ended up!"
"Really?! Goodbye Tamsin!"
"Later doc!"
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Lauren guided the BMW into an open street parking space and threw the car into park. She left the engine running another minute while she shut down her Bluetooth and absorbed every last bit of cool air blowing on her skin before she stepped out into the heat. Lauren glanced out the window and saw a few dozen kids no older than nine or ten running around on the concrete slab in front of Station 55.
She stepped from the car and closed the door as a wash of hot air deluged her body. Every inhale felt suffocating as the hot humid air weighed heavy in the peak of this summer heat wave. Lauren kept her eyes on the group of happy children as she approached the station. They wore plastic fire fighter hats and several were playing with some buttons on the side of the fire truck parked inside the open bay doors. A handful of younger kids sat quietly coloring a large poster of a fire truck. A third group of youngsters sat attentively on the ground while staring up at a firefighter, and that's when Lauren's vision focused on a sight she had imagined so many times over.
Her feet were dressed in black, thick rubber boots capped with a yellow toe. She donned the slick yellow turnout trouser pants that had reflective stripes around the ankles. The heavy protective jacket hung open slightly in the front but unfortunately Lauren couldn't see what lie underneath. The front and back of the coat carried several reflective stripes and made the already muscular brunette look much bulkier. The firefighter helmet fit her perfectly though, and Lauren wondered if it was custom made. The shell was a dirty shade of white and the chin strap hung loosely along Bo's neck. Her hair was not pulled back as it usually was while at the fire station, and Lauren thought the draped brunette locks over Bo's shoulders added an extra layer of sex appeal to the tough exterior gear she now wore. The helmet was tipped backward slightly, allowing a perfect view of Bo's beautiful face. In hand, she held a respirator mask and looked at it repeatedly as she explained its function to the youngsters in front of her.
Lauren gasped quietly at the sight. If this heat wave didn't cause her to have a stroke, the fire chief most certainly would. Lauren kept her pace even and continued on to the concrete slab and towards the open bay doors. Bo had not yet seen her as she was intently focused on teaching the children now hero-worshipping her. A few chaperones were rounding up the rowdy kids in the group and lining them up near the school bus parked out front. Lauren found a small spot of shade where the bay doors open and leaned against the side of the building to hide from the sun's rays. Her throat went dry and she felt beads of sweat forming above her cleavage. This fire chief definitely had her temperature rising. Each movement Bo made in that bulky outerwear had Lauren madly envisioning the body underneath.
The children watching Bo's demonstration started clapping and stood up as they prepared to join their classmates for the bus ride home. One little girl ran up to Bo and tried to wrap her arms around Bo's waist but the bulky coat only allowed her little arms a partial hug. Bo knelt down to the ground and set the respirator on the concrete before she wrapped her arms around the little girl. Lauren didn't have to hear what Bo said to the little girl to know that her words would impress encouragement and confidence on the ten year old. The entire scene melted Lauren's heart further, and in that moment, she felt more aware of the present day than ever before.
The last of the children lined up by the bus and a chaperone diligently counted heads before all the kids waved towards the station and climbed on to the bus. This short time of standing outside bathed Lauren's skin in a thin layer of sweat. Her clothing felt restrictive and even the shady space she occupied did little to cool her. With this level of heat, Lauren thought Bo must have felt it ten fold inside that protective gear. Bo chatted passionately about something as she moved her hands in the air and wore a huge grin on her face. She wrapped up her brief conversation with a few other firefighters and another chaperone before turning her attention towards the fire station. Lauren slid her sunglasses off her face and tucked the arm into the v of her shirt, allowing them to dangle freely against her chest and granting her eyes an unobstructed view of the beautiful brunette.
Two steps forward and her feet stopped firmly in place as Bo's eyes located Lauren near the building. Bo's gaze triggered yet another surge in arousal for the doctor, and in such a public place, Lauren tried boldly to curb any outward reaction. Lauren mirrored her smile as Bo resumed her steps toward the waiting blonde. Lauren stood up straight and moved her feet one after the other as she walked in Bo's direction. She kept an even pace as to not trip and fall from the distracting sight before her. Their paths ceased as they met in the middle of the concrete slab. Sunshine blazing from above saturated the women and added fuel to the already heated connection between them. They stood a comfortable distance apart as they both fought internally to contain their desires flaring for the other. Lauren could see the sweat running down Bo's cheek and neck. She forced her hands to remain at her sides when her mind envisioned running her thumb over that sensitive cheek to catch the drip. From this close proximity, she could see that Bo wore a tight white t-shirt on underneath the jacket, of which Lauren was certain was soaked thoroughly by now.
"Hi." It came out as a whisper from the hoarseness in the throat.
"Hi," Bo replied with a confident tone. If a voice could have swagger, that one word had every bit of swagger in existence as it crossed Bo's lips.
Lauren couldn't help but visibly look over Bo's attire from head to toe. Bo watched Lauren's eyes take in the sight before her. The fire chief smirked at the blonde's reaction and purposely shifted her stance just enough that the jacket opened wider and the visibly wet t-shirt exposed the curve of Bo's breasts underneath. Lauren's smile faded, quickly replaced by a mouth hung open at the enticing view.
"See something you like?" Bo asked.
Lauren closed her mouth and pushed her shoulders back slightly to regroup. Her mannerisms had her behaving like a horny teenager, not the professional, confident doctor that she was. She curled her lips once more and flashed a smile that had Bo biting her own lower lip.
"I like your…hat," Lauren replied playfully.
Bo raised her brow and looked upwards towards the brim. She ran her fingertips along the edge as she tilted her head slightly.
"I always thought they were black though."
Bo smiled and added a little sass into her voice, excited to provide a bit of fire fighter education to the brilliant blonde.
"Well, as a matter of fact, it's a helmet not a hat, and yes, there are black ones. Colors are based on rank and position in most cities. Here, I get the white one because I'm the chief of this battalion."
Lauren smiled brilliantly while she listened to Bo describe the helmet color variations. She imagined this was how she sounded when she talked shop about medicine: Bo's version of geek-speak, and she found it rather sexy. The arousal and the heat were making for a volatile combination. In addition to the sweat bubbles she felt on her neck, additional ones formed down the center of her back between her shoulder blades. Lauren knew there was only one way out of this heat.
"Wow, I didn't know that. Thank you for teaching me something new."
Feeling bold, Lauren twirled her hair casually and tilted her head as she looked over Bo one more time.
"So…chief…what else can you teach me?"
There was something to be said about a tone radiating sexual vibes. And when a raised brow or an upturned lip accompanied it, the toughest of resistors would fall. Even though Bo stood melting in the sunshine wearing dozens of pounds of gear, Lauren was certain she saw her face grow impossibly redder. Bo looked over her left shoulder and then her right to survey her surroundings. A few firefighters had cleared most of the set up from the kids group, and one of the men in a firefighter t-shirt and shorts finished gathering some partially melted crayons from the ground.
Bo turned her attention to that man and yelled, "Hey Sanders!"
The man turned towards Bo with his full attention.
"Yes, chief?"
"I'm gonna go inside and shed this gear before I stroke out. You can just pile that up by bay door two and then you're relieved of duty for the remainder of the shift."
"Will do. Thanks chief!"
Bo looked back to Lauren and ran her eyes over Lauren from head to toe and back again. The red tank top was definitely the right color. The heat between them approached a near boiling point. Lauren's palms were sweating, her heart was pounding and her hormones were raging. Bo's smile returned and with it, that predatory gleam in her eyes that told Lauren one thing.
"Come on doctor, let me show you where we store the gear."
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Bo led Lauren through the open bay door, along a shiny red fire truck and across the shaded garage. Through another set of doors and Lauren found them walking through the common area where she delivered the cup cakes on her previous visit. Very few men were lingering in the space, and the ones that were present watched the television intently and paid no attention to the women as they passed through. Through another set of doors and Lauren followed Bo down the wide hallway, passed her office space, the men's room, the women's room, and a room labeled storage. There were more doors, but these were the only ones Lauren noticed as she kept her eyes firmly on Bo strutting through the station in full gear.
The walk felt infinite until they arrived at the far end of the hallway. Bo pushed open the heavy steel door, the sound of the hinges echoing heavily off the cinder block walls. The airspace felt coolest here and Lauren breathed deep as if expanded lungs of cold air would chill the heat racing through her chest. The small room, if you could call it that, was long and rather narrow, with hooks full of fire fighter jackets adorning the walls and overfilled shelves crowded with partially opened boxes. There was little room to walk as gear was stacked practically everywhere, but with careful footing, Lauren entered the space.
She glanced over the ground careful of where to walk and felt Bo's presence behind her. The lighting was dim but provided more than enough visibility to watch where to step and where to avoid. The sound of the door slamming shut mirrored the moment Lauren's mind slammed shut all thoughts: all thoughts of the heat outside, of the cool air inside, of the small space in which they stood. In that thundering moment, Lauren only thought of one thing: the fierce grip on her shoulders as she was spun around and pressed against the wall with lips crashing into hers. Wet, fierce, glorious lips bruising her own with the force of the kiss. Against her back, the firefighter coats draped two deep on each hook cushioned her contact as she met the wall. Instinctively she grabbed the bulky jacket covering Bo's body and pulled with force to bring the brunette flush against her body: her sweaty, sticky, needy body that the sun and arousal had overwhelmed with heat. Lips and tongues launched simultaneous campaigns to drink in the taste of salty lips and hungry mouths. The moans and gasps of pleasure swirled brilliantly between them as their passion left them with short, quick breaths.
"I have never been so turned on by a uniform in my life."
Bo pressed impatient kisses on Lauren's mouth through her widening grin.
"Mmmm, Chief Dennis at your service. Did someone report a fire?"
Lauren tilted her head back slightly with a laugh.
"Oh yeah, I've got your fire. Right here."
Bo's hands grasped for Lauren: ten magnificent fingers moving swiftly to be everywhere at once. Lauren released her grip on Bo's jacket and reached for her face, sliding her hands along her cheeks before aggressively reaching for the white helmet and tossing it aside. This moment was nothing like the prior night of shared intimacy and romance. No, this was a moment of need and pure sexual energy. The sensations coursed through her so quickly that Lauren couldn't move fast enough, kiss enough, touch enough to satiate her body's demand. Bo's hands slid from Lauren's hips upward to seize her breasts through the thin red tank top. Lauren moaned at the dazzling effect Bo's touch had on her nipples as they hardened and overloaded the circuits connected directly to Lauren's heated core. Bo's lips moved to Lauren's neck, sucking the sun kissed skin with a hunger that made Lauren's knees weak. The wetness that flooded her panties did nothing to extinguish the flames burning within but instead added fuel to the voracious blonde's blazing inferno. Lauren pushed the bulky jacket off Bo's shoulders, and Bo quickly released her hold on the doctor to shake free of the coat as if fell to the floor in a heap. The dimness of the light still afforded Lauren the view of Bo with her suspenders raised over her shoulders, pressing perfectly over her sweaty white shirt and her full breasts beneath.
"So fucking sexy…"
Lauren words pulled Bo's breath from her lungs. The sight was almost enough to make Lauren come right then but she held fast with determination to bring Bo to submission. With firm grips, she grabbed both suspenders and pulled Bo into another heated, forceful kiss. Bo's hands yanked at the hem of Lauren's tank top, sliding her hands against soft and sticky skin as they snaked around Lauren's back. Lauren pushed the suspenders off Bo's shoulders and pulled downward, partially pinning Bo's arms against her body. She bit at the tender skin on Bo's neck, with escalated pressure to match the intense throbbing between her legs.
"Ahhh fuck, Lauren…"
Bo's escalated breathing matched Lauren's as their desires erupted. Bo's hands pushed Lauren's bra upward without unsnapping it and grasped her breasts with strong hands. Lauren pushed her hips forward, desperate for contact to ease her own building needs. The audible sounds of pleasure escaped both their lips as they were unable to control the arousal coursing through every nerve as it flared to life. Lauren tugged Bo's sticky wet shirt from her pants and fumbled blindly in search of a button or zipper at the waist. She tore through the button and tugged at the waistband, enough of a gap existing to quickly slide her hand within. The uniform, the sweat, the heat, and the fire burning between them had Lauren set on extracting vocal pleas and prayers from Bo's lips as she came undone.
Lauren thanked the universe that Bo wore elastic gym shorts under those pants as she drove her hand deeper to touch the woman who made her burn with an unrivaled need. Lauren wanted to control this moment; she wanted to have this woman begging her for release. With her free hand, Lauren grabbed a handful of Bo's wet t-shirt and pushed back slightly before shifting her feet and slamming Bo against the opposing wall. With her foot, she kicked Bo's boot covered feet apart, spreading her legs further as Lauren's hand dove to its prized destination.
"Oh, fuck Lauren!"
Her fingers were swift as her mouth swallowed further moans of pleasure from Bo's lips. She rubbed Bo's hardened peak with mounting pressure, kissing her urgently as Bo grasped desperately to Lauren's waist while bucking her hips against Lauren's hand. It was raw, it was needy and when Lauren's fingers plunged inside Bo, it increased to downright euphoric and maddening.
"Oh, fuck me Lauren! Yessss!"
Bo repeated the phrase over and over, willing her incantation to be heard and answered. And Lauren did fuck her. Through layers of fire fighting gear, sweat, heat and arousal, Lauren brought Bo to the magical edge of ecstasy. The doctor put her lips to Bo's ear, swiped her tongue along the lobe and whispered.
"I want to feel you come."
Bo's breath held in stasis as her lungs refused to inhale or exhale. Bo's grip tightened on Lauren's body as her spongy walls tightened on Lauren's fingers. She buried her head in Lauren's shoulder and bit down on the red tank top strap and exposed skin to muffle the cries spewing from her mouth as she trembled from her climax. The glorious stream of wetness coated Lauren's hand as she pushed further, harder, bringing Bo to cling desperately to the blonde for strength.
"Yesssssss Laauurrrreeennnnn!"
Lauren's proud smile was partially hidden by the messy brunette's hair. The now weakened fire chief slumped on Lauren as she was deprived of energy and worked on catching her breath. Lauren peppered a few gentler kisses along Bo's neck before carefully extracting her hand and pulling Bo into a tight, supportive embrace. Lauren let her confidence and pride shine through in her words.
"Mmmm…chief, that was an incredible education on how to put out a fire, thank you."
Bo chuckled as she leaned back into the wall, still holding onto Lauren for support. Her breath steadied, and the intense pleasure flowing through her body revealed itself through the extra sparkle in her eyes as she gazed lovingly at the doctor.
"I think you're the one that just gave me the education, Lauren. Fuck. That was incredible."
Bo's softer side surfaced as she nuzzled close to Lauren, smothering the blonde's jaw and cheek with tender kisses. The delicate touches and gentle affection had Lauren's emotions purring as Bo floated in post-coital bliss. Lauren enjoyed each tender kiss and swipe of Bo's tongue across her skin. She felt drunk from the arousal still present within.
"Mmmm…how did I get so lucky, Bo? How did I find you single and available?"
Bo smiled into Lauren's neck. She brushed the blonde locks back over the doctor's shoulder exposing more skin to lather with attention.
In between kisses, Bo replied, "Honestly?"
So lost in Bo's attention, Lauren's eyes remained closed as she replied with a mumbled "Yes".
Bo removed her lips from Lauren's neck and looked directly into Lauren's eyes as her voice took on a quiet, sensitive tone.
"Lauren, I have had very few serious relationships, and they each ended because of my job. Either they didn't like that I worked night shift, or they couldn't accept me being in danger every night and it became an issue."
The answer was short but precise. Lauren actually liked that Bo worked nights since it fit her schedule perfectly. As for the dangerous part of Bo's job, Lauren purposely avoided thinking about that facet since she had yet to fully grasp the best way to move forward without that fear lingering from past experience. Bo shifted her lips to the other side of Lauren's neck, giving it equal attention as she continued speaking.
"But doctor….since you work nights, am I correct to assume that you're okay with my night shift schedule preference?"
Lauren smiled and allowed a small moan to escape her lips as Bo's teeth nipped at her neck. Her breathing deepened as she attempted to slow her need for release.
"Oh, yes, that is a correct assumption, Bo."
Bo moved her lips up Lauren's neck and tickled the sensitive flesh below her ear. Her words continued in a hushed tone with a hint of breathiness.
"So how do you feel about me fighting fires, Lauren? What do you think about me in this firefighter gear, Doctor Lewis?"
Lauren heard the double connotation in those questions. She knew Bo wanted to hear that she was comfortable with Bo being a fire chief and running into danger on a daily basis, but her aroused state had Lauren's hands running over Bo's sweaty body, searching out the waist of her firefighter pants again and wanting desperately for the fire chief to stop the teasing and ease her need.
"Mmmm, I find that I'm on fire right now Bo, and since you are a firefighter, I think you need to douse these flames."
Bo laughed at Lauren's word play. Lauren wasn't hiding her heightened state of arousal. Bo could have asked her to rob a bank and at that moment, Lauren would have simply asked which bank. Bo had stopped Lauren's hands before they attempted a repeat performance on the fire chief. She placed one gentle kiss on the doctor and offered one additional comment before preparing to ravage the blonde.
"Well then, before I show you my fire fighting abilities, let me just say one thing, Lauren. I'm crazy about you, and if you are comfortable with my career choice, then single and available I will be no more. Everyone other than you can officially consider me unavailable."
Lauren already felt possessive of the fire chief, and to have confirmation that she would be off the market to others definitely made the doctor smile. Their time spent getting to know each other and dating had Lauren wanting to keep Bo all to herself, and Lauren couldn't even look at another woman without thinking about the brunette. However, Lauren had no answer about the comfort level with Bo's career choice. She knew she valued her own chosen profession and would never leave that for anything or anyone. And while Lauren would never even think to ask Bo to do such a thing, the fact still remained that Lauren struggled with the looming fear of history repeating itself.
Three years had passed since Stephanie's death, and in those three long years, Lauren had never spoken of that fateful night. Only recently had she actually spoke of Stephanie at all, and even to Bo, Lauren minimized the details into just a simple acknowledgement that she lost someone she loved. She wanted Bo; she desperately wanted Bo, but she also wanted to be honest.
"Bo, I…I need…I don't…I'm afraid…."
Bo's movements ceased and her eyes remained fixed on Lauren's. Lauren saw an overwhelming disappointment flood through the fire chief as she could only assume Lauren's lack of words meant she wasn't comfortable with it at all. It was crushing to see those sparkling brown eyes shift to nothing but sadness as Lauren fumbled over an explanation of what swirled inside her heart and inside her head. Bo looked away from Lauren and tightened her jaw. The blonde watched Bo's shoulders push back as she removed her hands from Lauren's and pressed her hands onto her own hips.
"Wow, well I wasn't expecting to be shot down that quickly," Bo whispered.
"Bo, I…"
Lauren wanted to explain. She wanted Bo to understand her past and the fear lurking within. She wanted Bo to know that she had fallen in love with the fire chief and that she had only recently begun to heal from her loss, but Lauren found herself tongue tied and struggling to explain anything. The emotion displaying on Bo's face had Lauren panicking and frozen in place. The overwhelming shift in the moment left Lauren scrambling to provide an explanation. Bo shook her head as if fighting off her own emotions. Her entire demeanor changed with Lauren's silence.
"Are you so afraid that you would walk away from even the possibility of us?! Because I will tell you right now, Lauren Lewis, that is the last thing I want."
The pain in her voice stung Lauren sharply, but there was no time afforded to respond as without warning, a loud voice from outside the thick steel door cut through the space around them.
"I said move it! Where's the gear, man? I will fucking shoot you if you don't move it. Let's go!"
Even through the thick steel door, the voices were loud and the words were clear. Shoot. With widened eyes, Lauren tore away from Bo and stepped backwards against the other wall. Bo quickly adjusted her pants and Lauren tugged on her bra pulling it back into position. Shoot. Did she hear that right? Did someone say shoot? Lauren's mind funneled into an abyss and felt her knees give out. She slid down the wall but not far considering there were boxes of gear surrounding her feet. Her breathing escalated and bordered on hyperventilating. Her vision remained locked on the door knob. Bo moved cautiously to the door and Lauren felt her heart pounding harder inside her chest as the woman she loved moved closer to the only barrier between them and a voice that just yelled shoot. If fear wasn't coursing through her mind a few moments earlier, it certainly was now. And in a flash, light flooded inside the small dim lit space as the heavy door slammed open and smashed into Bo, sending her tumbling to the floor.