Thanks for all the lovely reviews on the last chapter... I'm guessing there's one more after this one, which I could have incorporated into this, but I figured I'd get this out now and work on the final one later so that there isn't too much of a wait. I have thought about doing a sequel, which will be set a while after this one comes to a close, and so if I can get inspired on that, then it may also be another one I start work on, as well as a completely new story. Feel free to let me know if any of you have any thoughts on that.

The aircraft was uncomfortably hot and full, but they were all grateful that at least it was on time.

Bo was sat looking out of the window, watching the ground leave them behind, as the plane took off. Lauren briefly looked over her shoulder, saying a mental goodbye to the city she had once called home. Remembering the last time she made this journey, she reflected on how her emotions differed this time around. Bo glanced at her briefly.

"Are you okay?" she frowned slightly at Lauren.

"Of course I am." She smiled widely and held on to Bo's hand tightly. Bo brought the hand up towards her lips and gave it a loving kiss.

"Do I really have to sit through this…? This… sickening display?" Evony's pained expression inspired laughter from Lauren.

"Evony! Really? Don't you find love inspiring?"

"Love?! Pfft!" Evony looked at the pair with an expression of pure horror. "The only thing that love inspires in me is the need to consume copious amounts of alcohol, and to have my whole body retching uncontrollably." She looked them both up and down, before rolling her eyes. "And not necessarily in that particular order!"

Lauren sighed, and rested her head back on the chair rest. "Evony, Evony, Evony! I cannot wait to see you, in love and happy… and I'm going to remind you of this moment, and…"

Evony raised her hand, stopping Lauren in mid-sentence. "Lauren, darling. If, and I do mean if you ever see me ridiculously, deliriously in love, and acting like… well, like the two of you…" she rapidly pointed between the two of them a few times before continuing. " Then I just have one thing to ask… shoot me. Seriously, take me into an alley, let me get down on my knees and beg… and then put me out of my misery!"

Lauren rolled her eyes, "Oh good lord! You're so dramatic!"

"No, no, that's not dramatic. It's honest. Love is just a ridiculous trick of our imagination, to get us to reproduce. And this level of immaculate presentation does not need, nor want to be reproduced."

"Well that's a relief." Bo added dryly.

Lauren lightly tapped Bo's hand, as a playful reprimand. "Oh, I don't know. I would love to see you settled, with a family!"

"Oh Lauren, please stop! I think that I've just thrown up in my mouth a little!" Evony brought her hand to her mouth in an exaggeration.

"Okay, well maybe not… maybe you should get a Chihuahua?"

Evony looked at Lauren in horror. "A Chihuahua? No, no, no, no, no. Less maintenance. I have a Sphinx cat, Evita, and well, she lives with Bianca…"

Lauren laughed. "Your cat lives with Bianca?!"

"She used to sit on me at night, just staring at me. I was convinced she was trying to kill me in my sleep."

"Who could blame her?" Bo interrupted.

"Bo!" Lauren admonished in hushed whisper, inspiring a smirk from the brunette.

Evony continued without acknowledging the comment. "And she would try to trip me down the stairs. There was no way that I was going to give up wearing my Louboutin's in the house, not over a cat. She had to go. And it gives Bianca a purpose, besides work that is."

It was Bo's turn to roll her eyes. "Oh Evony, that's so thoughtful!"

Missing the sarcasm Evony added, "I said the same thing. She should be grateful she has Evita, she's a perfect specimen of her kind, despite the psychosis."

Lauren suddenly jumped up, bolt upright in her seat, startling both Bo and Evony. "Oh, oh, oh!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together rapidly, to emphasize her excitement.

"Is there a link between the word psychosis and your sudden state?" Evony looked on, horrified.

Lauren forcibly placed her hands on her knees, to stop them from bouncing around uncontrollably. "Don't you have some news for me?"

Evony looked at her blankly, saying nothing.

Lauren's smile broadened. "Well?"

"Well what?" Evony's voice remained neutral.

"Well? Don't you have a surprise for me? Something to tell me?"

Evony frowned, and glanced over at Bo. "Oh for god's sake, please tell me that she knows the Easter Bunny doesn't exist?!"

"As far as I'm aware, she believes only in the Wicked Witch of the West. I'm surprised that you're not green though…"

"Shush! The pair of you!" Lauren twisted in her seat slightly, to face Evony. "Evony… so do you have anything to tell me?" She started to clap her hands together again, excitedly.

Evony's expression was again horrified. "Lauren, are you on drugs?"

Lauren sighed heavily. "Why do you have to spoil my fun? The album! The Shadow Thieves! Bo bought me a copy today, with my artwork on it!"

"What?!" Evony shot a glare towards Bo. "How? What date is it?" Evony rolled her eyes after checking her diary. "Shit! Seriously! How could I have forgotten that?! Wait until I see Bianca! I hope that stupid cat throttles her in her sleep!"

Bo laughed softly, gripping Lauren's hand in her own again. "And it looks great, babe!"

Lauren leaned over and gently kissed her cheek.

"Well, I can assure you, Lauren that I did mean to be the first one to bring the news to you! I was planning on a launch party and everything… But I guess organising this trip for you.. You know, last minute… It must have slipped my mind."

Lauren smiled. "Thank you. For this. The trip. And don't worry about who told me. I just wanted to say I love it, and thank you!"

Evony let a smile creep over her face. "Well, I'll still have the launch party, I can hire a venue-"

"The Dal!" Lauren interrupted. "Bo can host it!"

"Sure! I mean… the band play there anyway…" Bo added.

"Well, I was thinking of somewhere a little more upmarket."

Bo scowled over at Evony, and the gallery owner noticing the angry glare smiled to herself.

"Nonsense!" Lauren interrupted. "Do I get any say in this? Because I want it at the Dal."

Evony sighed. "Of course you do… and very well. But don't complain to me later if you feel cheated by the occasion. You can polish a turd, but it's still a turd."

"What?!" Bo tried to stand, and Lauren gently pushed her back down.

"Okay! Stop! The two of you, just stop! Evony, I want the party at the Dal. I like it there, the band likes it there… and even you told me you like it there."

"I was clearly drunk."

"Well, that's fine, if you don't want to come."

"Well don't be ridiculous! Of course I'll come! I just thought that you would want somewhere a little more… glamorous."

"I want my girlfriend there, my friends there, I don't need a big fuss. You two being nice to each other would actually mean the world to me!" Lauren slumped back in her seat. Evony and Bo also following in close succession.

There was a moment of silence that passed between the three women.

"Okay."

"What?" Lauren glanced at Evony.

"Okay. It can be at the Dal."

"And?"

"Don't push it."

Lauren smiled, and quickly planted a kiss on Evony's cheek, who immediately wiped away at the spot her lips had fallen on.

"You should be grateful for that!" Bo quickly added.

"I was talking about you too!" Lauren added.

"Hmmm," Bo laughed slightly, pulling Lauren in for a quick kiss. She raised the arm on her seat, and shuffled slightly, before raising her own arm to let Lauren lay against her. "We can talk about this later, why don't you try get some sleep?"

"Stop her talking, that's actually a great idea." Evony added.

Lauren ignored the comment, and nestled closely into Bo's arms. Yawning, she added, "Let's just all get a little peace and quiet for the journey."

The rest of the journey was uneventful. Lauren slept through most of it, only waking for the food and drink as it arrived at their seats. Bo and Evony chose to watch movies, mainly so that they didn't have to acknowledge each other. When the plane landed, Evony already had two cars waiting for them to take them all to their homes. Saying their goodbyes, Evony agreed that she would have Bianca call Bo in the morning to make arrangements for the party at the Dal.

"Will you come back to my place?"

"No."

"No? Is something wrong?"

"No, Bo. I just kind of feel like I've made some huge steps the past few days. I've decided to finally commit to a whole new life, and tonight is my first night of that. Back here."

"Okay…" Bo's expression reeked of disappointment to Lauren.

"Bo, I don't mean anything by that, it's more of a gesture. It's just significant as a gesture to me."

"I understand."

"But you're pissed, at me?"

"No."

"Do you want to stay with me?"

"No."

"See! You're annoyed!"

"No I'm not." Bo sat back in the car, and folded her arms.

Lauren huffed in response. "Yes, you are. And you're also acting like a brat right now!"

Bo looked out of the window, away from Lauren, and at the scenery that they were traveling past. There was a minute of silence between the two, until Lauren sighed.

"Bo? Really, what is this about? We just had the most amazing time together, and now we're back here and you're mad at me?"

"I'm not mad at you." Bo answered, still looking out of the window.

"Then please look at me, and explain what this is about."

Bo looked at her, her lip quivering slightly. "I know. I know we just had the most amazing time together."

Lauren looked at her intensely, then reached for her hand, gripping it firmly between her own. "So then, what is this all about?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm just scared that now we're back, that we'll go back to fighting and… and I don't know… that things will just not be like they have been the past few days."

"Bo, I came back because I want my new life, I want you. Haven't I made that clear enough yet?"

"Yes…"

"Then why are you worried?" Lauren tried to catch Bo's eye line, smiling when she knew the brunette was caught in the gaze. "Stay with me… tonight."

"No, I'll go home."

"Why?"

"I don't want to be in the way. I'll let you get some rest."

The silence fell upon them again, and Lauren's sigh was the sound that again broke it. "Bo, please come home with me… Stay with me. Please." She pleaded.

"Okay. But I need to go home tomorrow."

"Sure."

The rest of the car journey was silent, and even minutes after they had entered Lauren's apartment and placed their bags down in the hallway, neither of them spoke. Lauren felt uneasy, and kept glancing at Bo, looking for a clue as to why the brunette was suddenly so steely jawed. She felt the tension, and it was driving her a little crazy.

Bo went up to the bathroom, and Lauren followed her a few minutes later. She sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for her to enter the room. Unable to settle herself, she stood up, and paced a little waiting for her to return. Finally, Bo re-entered and started towards the door.

"Bo?" Lauren strode towards her. "Babe, please?" she wrapped her arms around her shoulders and started to lightly pepper kisses down Bo's neck. Lauren edged them towards the bed.

"Lauren. I'm tired."

Lauren stopped her assault on the brunette's slender neck, and frowned at her. "Bo? Seriously? What's wrong?" She let her arms drop back down to her sides.

A tear escaped the corner of Bo's eye, and she quickly wiped it away, but not before Lauren had caught a glimpse of it. "Oh god!" Bo exclaimed.

"Okay, now you're really starting to worry me! Bo? Is it us? Do you want us to end this or something?"

"No! I… I… I'm making a real mess of this right now!"

"I'll say! Come here…" Lauren took her hand and led her the few steps needed to finally reach the bed. She climbed on and settled herself up against the headboard, opening her arms for Bo to join her. Bo hesitated for a moment, before relenting and falling into the blonde's arms. "Talk to me…"

"It's just like I was saying before… being back here… It feels different. Like things are going to go back to how they were." Bo placed her arm around Lauren's waist, pulling her in to her own body. She pressed her face in to Lauren's chest and stifled a small sob. "I feel like I'm going to lose you again."

"Well, I have no idea where this is coming from? You're not going to lose me… and things between us have changed… for the better!" Lauren kissed the top of Bo's head and gently ran her hand through her hair. "Is this because I said I didn't want to stay at your place?"

Bo sniffed a little. "I guess that's what started it."

"I didn't mean anything by that Bo… it wasn't about you, or us. I just wanted to start my life here, anew. Here. In my own place."

"But my place can also be your place."

Lauren hesitated slightly before answering. "Do you mean moving in?"

There was a slight pause between them. "If you want to?"

Lauren cleared her throat slightly. "Bo… Your place is beautiful, it really is. And I love spending time with you there…"

"But?"

"But… I know that this place isn't much… and it hardly even has walls… but it's mine. Well, not really mine, but it's my place. And I haven't had somewhere I can call mine for a long time."

"Okay."

"This ramshackle place kind of inspires me… and I hope you're not taking this the wrong way?" She placed her hand softly beneath Bo's chin, lifting it up so that she could look her directly in the eye. "Bo, I really am falling in love with you… And I want to be careful with this. I want to do this right. So, it makes sense that we keep our own places, our own space. We're going to fight. We're going to drive each other crazy sometimes. And so we can have our retreats. You can stay here as much as you like, and I love staying at yours… but let's do this right… Okay?"

"I know, it makes sense… I just, I keep panicking that this isn't real and I'll wake up and you'll have already moved on…"

Lauren leaned down and kissed her firmly on the lips. "I'm not going anywhere." The kiss deepened, and she started to move her body slightly down the bed to draw level with Bo. Rolling slightly, she lay on top of the brunette, and pushed herself into her. She drew her head back slightly and smiled. "I just want to love you, right now. Then let's just fall asleep… nothing is more perfect than you being here with me right now."

Bo reached up slightly to kiss Lauren's lips with her own, and pulled her down into the embrace.

"I'm sorry, I have nothing in. Except for coffee, of course!" Lauren leaned in and gave Bo a kiss on the cheek.

Lauren was wearing Bo's kimono as she poured the coffee into Bo's mug on the table. Bo, already dressed in jeans and a dark blue tank top had let her hair dry naturally after her shower, and so it was still damp around her shoulders.

"That's okay. I can get something when I head to the Dal, I'm meeting Kenzi there. You had better get a move on if you want to join me."

"I'll follow soon, I want to take a long hot bath, and I don't want to hold you up. Go ahead and I'll be there soon. It gives you a chance to catch up with Kenzi too." Lauren walked behind her, moving the damp hair to one shoulder, and wrapping her arms around Bo's neck. "How are you feeling today? Any better?"

"If you mean, did you convince me that I have nothing to worry about? Well there were several times last night that you yelled out my name in the throws of passion… odds are that you may have yelled someone else's out if I had much to worry about. At least that's what I'm telling myself!"

Lauren laughed and kissed the back of Bo's head. "That's not what I meant, and you know it!"

Bo smirked, and turned a little in her seat to be able to see Lauren more clearly. "I know. And yes, I do feel better after our talk, thank you. I think I was just feeling a little overwhelmed by everything. Being so scared that when you saw me, that you would reject me, and then having the opposite… I guess I just thought that coming back here would make you reconsider everything again."

Lauren pulled Bo up to her feet, again wrapping her arms around her neck, and pulling her in close. She kissed the line of her jaw, gently nipping Bo's bottom lip. Bo took a deep breath, as if breathing in the essence of the woman before her, and slowly took a few steps forward. Lauren, trusting Bo, allowed her to navigate her backwards, until she felt her back touch the work surface behind her. Stopping Lauren in her tracks, Bo pushed herself firmly against the blonde's body, clearing a way to her neck so that she could place tantalizing kisses in the sensitive area. Lauren hadn't realized that Bo was undoing the tie on the kimono until she felt a cold breeze, gentle against her bare skin. She gasped as Bo's hands found and awakened her breasts to the firm and hungry touches.

"Again? I thought you would have had your fill by this morning!"

Bo nibbled at Lauren's earlobe, "Never… I'm insatiable for you!" Her hand started to work its way down Lauren's abdomen.

"As much as I want this to continue, don't we both have things we need to do?" Lauren squirmed. "And I need a shower, desperately!"

Bo leaned back and groaned in protest. She held the edges of the kimono open, and savored a long look at Lauren's naked body in front of her. "How desperate?"

Lauren smiled mischievously, taking Bo's hand, and moving it to where her fingers could intimately explore how desperately Lauren wanted Bo that second.

They both moaned as the fingers delicately embraced silken skin and wanton needing.

"Kenzi can wait a few minutes!"

Bo gently pushed Lauren onto the worktop, and helped her discard the kimono onto the floor.

Kenzi noticed the bounce in her step and the smile across her face as soon as Bo entered the bar.

"Yo! Bobo!" She ran into Bo's arms, and into an instantly familiar hug. "It feels like you've been gone forever! And you're late!"

"I'm not late!" Bo nodded a greeting over to Crystal who was smiling at them from the bar. "Let's sit over here and catch up a little!"

Kenzi pushed back from her friend, and smirking when she caught her eye. "You just got laid, didn't you?"

"Kenzi! Come on, catch up!" She pulled her over to one of the booths, taking seats opposite each other. "I just left Lauren's, she's heading over after she's showered."

"I knew it! You two have been at it like rabbits, haven't you?!"

"Ummm," Bo was surprised when she felt her face flush slightly. "We've ummm… we've had a good time. Well, not a good time, we've had a great time actually!" She laughed.

Kenzi tapped her arm slightly in friendly mocking. "Well, look at you two, dirty dogs!"

"Dirty dogs?"

"Dirty dogs, crazy cats… it's interchangeable! But wait… what about our very own Norman Bates?! Did you kill her?"

"Kill who?"

"Nadia!"

"Why would I kill Nadia?!"

"Oh you know, she tries to Norman Bates your girlfriend… you get all Hitchcockian on her ass… and reeee reeee reeee reeee!" Kenzi tried her best to imitate the violin screeches and move her hand up and down in a stabbing motion.

Bo just sat in confusion, frowning, "I'm sure we must have watched a different film…" She shook her head.

"So did she get all Psycho stabby?! Did she keep Lauren hostage, and you had to charge in there as her knight in shining armor!"

"No, it was actually all really civilized."

"Really?!"

"Well you know how worried I was about Lauren freaking out when she saw me?"

"Yeah, how was that? I mean I figured she must have been okay with it, or you'd have been back like a lion with a sore paw."

"She couldn't have been happier… and Kenzi, things seem to be really changing for us."

"Are you two in love?" Kenzi beamed.

Bo couldn't help the broad smile. "Kenzi, we can't get enough of each other. I think we really are. She even used the L word to me…"

"Awhhh, my Bobo is growing up…"

Bo laughed. "Can you be serious, for just a minute?"

"Sure. I've actually really enjoyed covering for you. I was all responsible and shit! Any trouble in the bar, and wham bam, thank you Ma'am."

"There was trouble?!"

"No! I'm just saying, I looked after this place good! But I missed you… and even blondie… kind of… Oh oh oh! The album! Did you show her?!"

"Yes! She loves it!"

"Sweet! I bought all ten copies at the local store!"

"You don't want fans to buy them?"

"I got carried away! But we're so freakin excited!"

Bo smiled warmly, "Seems like we've both had some positive changes happening! Oh, and Evony's contacting me today to hold your launch party. I'm guessing you guys will be playing here?"

"Woohoo! Sweet! That is going to be one hell of a partay!" Kenzi looked to the side of Bo as a new comer walked to them. "And here she is herself, Miss Kat Von D of the art world!"

Lauren frowned, looking confused, "Kat Von D? Isn't she an artist anyway?" She looked at Bo, who just shook her head in a plea to not lead Kenzi into another random conversation.

Bo moved along the seat, tapping the space at the side of her, that was immediately taken up by Lauren. Lauren grabbed her hand and leaned in to kiss her.

"Okay, who are you, and what are you doing in Lauren's body?!"

"Kenzi!"

"No, she's right Bo. Kenzi, it may have taken me a while to realize it, but I am invested in my relationship with Bo. I've ended things with Nadia, and that's all in the past. I just want to look to building a future." She squeezed Bo's hand.

"Well, guys… I really am pleased for you. Bobo has been on the market for way too long, and I was a little worried she was going past her expiry date!"

The conversation between them turned into chat about the visit, and then into the album cover. Kenzi and Bo worked out the set timings and vague plans for the launch party that Evony was going to be organizing. Crystal also joined them, as the bar was quiet, and there was little to do.

"Girls, I'm thinking of hiring a manager. I'll still be here on some days, but I'd like to take some time out, maybe take Lauren away for some time together. And I know that you're both more than capable of running this place between you… but you do have other things that you want to do, so I figured I'd get someone in to help run things on a daily basis."

"Well, I can understand that, and I'm more than willing to put in the extra hours when needed. You know I love working here, Bo."

"I know, and I appreciate that Crystal. I'm going to start interviewing as soon as possible. So, if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to let me know."

"You know, I'd be great at it, but now The Shadow Thieves are on the way up, well I'm not sure how much time I may need to be touring!"

"Well, I've expected that for years, Kenzi!" Bo laughed. "Look, you've both been great over the past few days. Why don't you go have a break! I'll still pay you, but I'll look after the bar for the rest of today."

Crystal frowned, "You can't do that alone!"

"I don't mind helping." Lauren added, "While it's quiet, Bo can show me the ropes."

Kenzi and Crystal chatted excited about what they were going to do with the rest of the day, as they both gathered together their belongings.

"Are you sure the two of you can handle this?" Kenzi asked.

"Don't be stupid, of course we can Kenz!"

"Well I'm trusting you both… and do not defile that pool table! Do you hear me?! I do not want those images running through my head when I'm racking balls!" she winked cheekily.

"Go!" Bo pointed at the door, shooing the two girls out. "So… about that pool table…" Bo winked at Lauren.

"Not yet! Come on, I have no idea how to serve drinks, you had better start teaching me."

Bo led Lauren to the bar, and started talking her through the basics. It wasn't exactly how they had envisioned spending the rest of their day, but it was going to at least remain interesting.