I did not stay in my office long, I went to my students and worked until the day was over. I had not seen Lauren at any point throughout the day, I was glad for it, I needed to keep my mind distracted. I left the hospital as soon as I finished the last class, I bypassed my office and raced home. Calling Kenzi to meet me at the manor as soon as she could, I need some de-stress time with my best friend and tell her about Aaron and everything else. I was ready to let it all out, pour everything out and be free from as much as I could.

Kenzi was already at the manor when I arrived, I stripped off my uniform and quickly changed into an old pair of jeans and a new York Mets shirt. I met Kenzi in the kitchen, she was eating the leftover sandwiches my aunt had made for lunch. "Yo bee-boo, are we going to need a ton of booze? Your urgent call had a tone that booze was desperately needed." I looked at her, nodding, "as much as we can get our hands on."

Kenzi raised and eyebrow, "I am going to go out on a limb here, a rather frustrating, but hot doctor with blonde hair kind of limb, but I am sensing that you are having issues with said limb?"

I stared at her, "You really need to work on your metaphors. But yes." I walked to the liquor cabinet, pushing past the dusty bottles my Aunt kept for company only and yanked out a ancient looking bottle of whiskey. Setting it on the counter I grabbed two glasses, filling them halfway. I took a deep breath as I held the edge of the glass close to my lips, the strong, woody scent of the amber liquid filling my nose, "I got a letter from Dyson and in two days I have to go to New York City with Dr. Lewis for a conference."

Kenzi snatched the glass out of my hand and downed the whiskey in two gulps, slamming the glass down, "You are right, we will need as much as we can get our hands on." she shook her head, "What did the asshole want? And you called her Dr. Lewis, did ya'll have another cat fight?"

I shook my head and filled the empty glass, "We did. She came over the other night, I called her out on being distant."

"or disappearing act, you aren't the only one who noticed that she is playing magician with you."

I took a large sip of the whiskey, cringing at the burn as it slid down my throat, I looked at the glass wondering how old this bottle really was, "As we were making head way with our feelings, a ghost from my past appeared." I looked at Kenzi, "I know I have not told you much about the war and what happened."

Kenzi shrugged, "I figured it would be when you wanted to tell me, I can tell shit was not a holiday for you, from your awful nights." she pushed her glass towards me so I would refill it, "who is this ghost?"

"Ensign Aaron Williams, United States Navy, Kenzi. Your best friend here, saved his life at the risk of her own." Laurens voice was soft as she stood in the doorway of the back kitchen door. "I did look into the file after you left it on my desk."

Kenzi and I looked at her, she was not in her uniform. She was dressed in dark blue jeans, a pink button down and a black leather jacket. Kenzi turned to look at me, mouthing if she wanted me to leave, "No, you can stay Kenzi. I am sure Dr. Lewis is just dropping by." I knew I was being a jerk, but her cold front attitude in the office earlier was still under my skin.

Lauren looked down, "I came by to return this." she held up the crinkled envelope and a larger manila one. She stepped towards the counter Kenzi and I were leaning against, her eyes met mine, "I tried finding you around the hospital, but you are quite elusive when you want to be." she set the envelopes own gently. Kenzi stood up to make a quick exit, Lauren smiled at her, "Please stay, I will only be a second." Kenzi shrugged and drank half of her whiskey, looking at me with what the fuck eyes.

Lauren slid her hands into her pockets, "Bo, I am sorry that I didn't give you a chance earlier, I was irritated." She paused, I saw a slight flush of embarrassment come over her face, "I had no idea about that." she motioned to the envelopes.

I laughed, "Oh I could tell that, you did not hide your irritation very well." I grabbed the envelopes and slid them over to me, I looked at the manila envelope confused, "I already have my travel itinerary, what is this."

Lauren smiled lightly, "open it and you will find out." she turned to walk out, I could tell she was feeling less than welcomed, she nodded to Kenzi, "It was good to see you again Kenzi." she them met my eyes with her soft golden brown ones, "Bo." she smiled and walked out, I sensed a strange vibe of defeat come over her as she walked out of the kitchen. I shook my head as I opened the manila envelope, shaking out the contents I looked down as Kenzi leaned over, "what it is in that box?" I said nothing and stood up, running out of the kitchen hoping to catch up to Lauren.

She was unlocking her car door as I shouted for her, "Lauren! Wait." I did absently take note that the doctor was driving a vintage mini cooper, with the giant British flag on top. It caught me off guard but did not distract me from my goal.

Lauren opened the door and looked at me, "Grace thought you were alone, I met her out here as she went to start her walk." she fidgeted with her keys.

"How did you get it? I lost it long ago during a rocket attack, all I had was the ribbon."

Lauren smiled lightly, "I pulled rank and was able to get the administrative office over in records get me a rush on getting your replacement. I also have some pull in the American armed forces, a general owes me a few favors." she looked at me, "The Navy Cross is not something you should stuff away, Bo." she leaned against her car, "Aaron is not an old boyfriend." as she said it, it was if she was confirming it to herself and not questioning me.

"He never was, never will be. He is, like I tried to tell you, a friend I thought who was dead." I folded my arms, "When he came into the library it was the first time I had seen him since that day." I cringed as the memory of that day was still fresh, more so now.

Lauren nodded, "I realize that now, I read the report and everything I found in with the access codes you gave me to your file." she looked deep into my eyes, "Not only are you an incredible doctor, but you are a hero. It makes sense why you are here at RNH and can do no wrong." her tone as she uttered the last bit was sincere and not a sarcastic attack.

I stepped closer to her, "I wanted to tell you, in the office. I want to tell you everything. That yes I do get some special treatment from saving the life of the Admiral's son, but it was also kept quiet for as long as I could because I didn't want any special treatment. That's why the file I gave you on day one was thin and full of holes." I closed my eyes as I shifted in my stance, the gravel crunching under my feet slightly.

Lauren pushed off the car, "I as horribly jealous in that split second he came into the room, scooped you up and kissed you like I wished I could." she pushed her hair from her face, "I was made at myself for getting jealous, I don't have you like I want to have you, we don't have anything that would justify my jealousy. I was angry at my reaction and maybe a little angry at you, for pulling out those feelings in me."

I phased out listening to her as soon as I heard I don't have you, "Do you want me?" I blurted it out, not paying attention to anything else Lauren was saying.

Her eyes flickered, staring at mine, she swallowed hard, as she whispered, "More than I can fathom."

I smiled at her nerdy speak as I rushed to her, grabbing her face with my hands pulling her into a kiss. I felt her arms wrap around me, pulling me close as our lips met in a slow, but hungry way. I pulled back, her face still in my hands as I whispered, "Stop running and you can have all of me." Lauren closed her eyes as a single tear fell out, she leaned her forehead against mine, "what is it about you Lt. Dennis that has me in such a state?"

I smiled as I gently kissed her again, "it is possibly the same thing about you that has me wondering the same thing." I felt her pull me into a hug, my head fit perfectly in the space between her neck and shoulder, "Lauren, I am not perfect, I am a veritable mess and I have the temper of a small child, but after seeing Aaron, you were the first person I wanted to tell about him and let out some of things I have had bottled up for so long."

Lauren held me tightly, "After this conference, let's work this out, figure out us."

I smiled and looked at her, "Are you sure?"

Lauren nodded, "I am sure." she bent down and kissed me gently, "I would love to stay, but Kenzi is staring at us through the window, if you are going to share the things you have been through, she should be the first."

I looked back and saw Kenzi pressed against the massive window in the front reading room, staring at us with a stupid grin on her face. She pointed at me with her fingers as if they were guns and held up the bottle of whiskey. I waved at her, "Yea, I think you are right." I stepped out of Lauren's arms, "Will I see you at the hospital tomorrow?"

Lauren shook her head, "No, I took the next couple of days off before we leave, I have to take care of a few things beforehand." she sighed and stepped back, gripping onto the car door, she looked as if she wanted to say something, instead she smiled and sat in the drivers seat. I watched her until she pulled out of the courtyard and drove off.

I walked back into the house and was bombarded by Kenzi, bouncing around as she asked me a million questions, "So, you guys kissed and made up? Are you going to marry her? Did you tell her that she makes your panties bunch up in all the right ways?"

I shook my head as I laughed, "We have agreed to work on things after the conference." I sat down and no longer felt the undying need to drink myself into passing out. I pushed the glass away and sat staring at the medal box and the brand new ribbon. I sighed as I held it in my hand, Kenzi bumped into me as she tried to sit on top of me, the whiskey she had downed was beginning to take effect.

She snatched the box out of my hand and opened it, "Oh boo, I was hoping this was some sweet I am sorry I am in lurve with you and am a dick earrings." she held up the medal, "What is this, Bo Bo?"

I looked at her, grabbing her in a half hug, "Lets go to the theatre room and I will tell you the story of how I saved the Admirals son."

Kenzi looked at me wide eyed, setting the medal down, "Wait, are you telling me you guys have a home theatre and never told me?" she pouted at me, "This is unacceptable."

I smiled and laughed as I kissed her cheek, "I had it put in a few years ago for Grace and her old movies, I forgot about it." I picked up the bottle, "Did you even hear what I actually said? About the Admiral's son?"

Kenzi smiled, "I lost track after you said home theatre." she looked at me softly, "These are going to be some rough stories aren't they?"

I nodded, "They are, but I want you to know where I was and what I did."

I did tell Kenzi as much as I could, how I was wounded and who Aaron was. She tried not to cry a handful of times, but eventually gave in when I told her about the things I saw on a daily basis, the good and the bad. I ended up breaking down and crying harder than I had since the day I left Dyson. It felt good to let it all out and finally share something with the people I loved so dearly. Kenzi and I both passed out after drinking most of the bottle and eating the kitchen empty.

I woke up in, what I thought was the middle of the night, sweating and feeling strange. I slid off the couch and walked down the hall to the bathroom, I couldn't remember if I had a bad dream or not. I was sweating and pale, even after splashing some water on my face and walking to my bedroom, I still felt shaky as I crawled into my bed. I shivered as I pulled the blankets closer to me, my drying sweat was making the room extremely cold. I felt my hands shake and I grabbed my phone, it was only a little past nine at night, I could still hear Grace milling about the house as her nightly routine demanded. I sent Lauren a quick text, "I wish you were here, I think its going to be a rough night." I hit send before I could talk myself out of asking for her help as I began to settle into what I knew would be a bad night. I was grateful that I had told Kenzi most of what I was holding, but it reopened long forgotten wounds, bringing my mind to the forefront of all the things I had ignored. I closed my eyes and fell into a shivering haze of a sleep, not hearing the phone or if Lauren replied.

I didn't know if it was minutes or hours later, I woke up with a start, a bad dream flooding my mind. I was shaking, colder than I had been when I passed out, I went to pull the blankets closer when I felt a warm body slid into the bed, followed by gentle but strong arms sliding across my waist, pulling me closer to the warmth. I went to pull the arms away, thinking I was hallucinating from the dream, when I heard her soft voice, "I am here, Bo."

I felt tears roll down my face as I pulled her arms closer against me, "Lauren."

"Sleep, Bo. I wont leave unless you want me too." She held me gently, it was immediately comforting to me, I felt my heart settling down with every second I could feel her arms around me.

"I don't."

I held her close for the rest of the night and eventually fell asleep as our breathing synced up, chasing away the lingering fears of my bad dreams.

I woke up the next morning alone. I rolled over to see the pillow dented from Lauren and it reaffirmed that she had actually come in the middle of the night. I ran my hand over where she had slept, swallowing hard at the simple gesture of her coming when I needed her. I rolled out of the bed and pulled on a sweater, staring at the empty spot. I closed my eyes as I felt my heart beginning to tumble fast just at the thought of the blonde doctor. I walked past my desk, smiling at the picture of Aaron and I, when I caught a note underneath it. I picked it up and recognized her messy but readable doctor's handwriting.

-Bo, I had to leave for a last minute meeting. I will call you later, if you need me. Just call me. Lauren.-

I smiled at the note and set it gently down, I walked out of the room and heard Grace getting ready for the morning, the smells of fresh coffee and biscuits woke me up even more. I had at least three hours before I had to go in to the hospital for the last day and half before I left for New York City. When I walked around the corner into the kitchen I found Kenzi guzzling coffee while she wore her giant sunglasses, she nodded at me, "Boozey bo, good morning." she grabbed at the biscuits Grace placed in front of her, "We can't do that shite again on a work weeknight. I have the biggest hangover and I have to meet with that pompous jerkface actor in that new Jane Austen movie, he thinks his shit doesn't stink and is made of gold."

Grace even laughed at the comment as she pushed a fresh cup towards me, "Ysabeau, I will have to agree. You are looking a little pale this morning."

I nodded and took the cup in my hands, "Yes, we should probably reserve the drinking to weekends." I took a sip and looked at Grace, "I feel okay, I just had a rough night last night."

Grace nodded as she piled breakfast foods onto a plate for the eagerly waiting Kenzi, "I know, I let Dr. Lewis in last night. She said you had called her." Grace looked at me in a way that said she was curious what that exactly meant.

Kenzi was about to make a comment when her obnoxious ringtone shattered the moment, she snatched her phone, "Kenzi here, what the hell do you want." she looked at me mouthing a question about the Dr. Lewis late night visit. I shrugged and smiled as I bit into a biscuit, "Alright, I will be there in twenty, but tell the jackass that if he flirts with me I will tell everyone in the magazines how he stuffs his pants to make his co-star look bigger on screen." she slammed the phone down, "Sorry, Bo, but I have to go deal with the mega superstar movie star." she scooped up the plate and looked at Grace, "I'll bring this back?" Grace nodded, "Take as much as you like."

Kenzi leaned over the counter and kissed Grace on the cheek, then looked at me, "we need to talk later, the late night doctor visit?" she waggled her eyebrows and planted an aggressive wet kiss on my cheek, "there better be some juicy details to share." she threw up a wave and hustled out of the kitchen, groaning as the morning sun hit her smack in her very hung-over face.

As soon as Kenzi left, Grace wiped her hands, "I am also fairly intrigued by Dr. Lewis coming last night."

I brushed it off as I ate, "It was work related, Grace."

Grace nodded and set her towel down, "The way she looks at you is not work related, my dear girl. When she arrived at the front door last night, there was worry etched all over her face. Then this morning as I offered her a cup of coffee to go."

I paused in mid bite, looking at my Aunt, "So Ysabeau, what is going on with you and the lovely doctor?"

More to come! they head to NYC and who knows what will happen there! well i do, so give me a day or two to write it for you.