sorry for the bit of a wait, I was busy then just plain in need of a break. so I give you this semi large chapter with more to come, I will have more time in the coming days to work on the stories! Thank you all for sticking with me and holding strong to my small breaks of not updating! enjoy!

I put on my best fake smile and shifted in my stance, "Dyson."

Dyson smiled and tried to initiate a hug, but I held up the two coffee cups to signal my hands were full. He nodded and stepped back, folding his arms across his chest. I took a minute to look at him, he still was very handsome, he looked happy as he held a large bottle of water and a small case of beer. "Bo, how are you? I had no idea you were back in the city."

"i didn't necessarily advertise it, Dyson." I looked over my shoulder and saw that the older woman had finally finished selecting her lotto tickets and moved from the counter, I smiled, "excuse me, I need to pay for these."

he kept his smile, "Is Kenzi with you? I have not seen her in years, how is she?"

"She still doesn't like you Dyson." it fell out of my mouth, quick and to the point as I dug in my jacket pockets for a few dollars.

Dyson's smile faded a little, "How long are you in the city, Bo? I would like to buy you dinner and maybe talk about things?" I could hear his nerves rising in every word, "You left so quickly, I never got to say sorry or explain things."

I turned to him quickly, "What is there to explain Dyson? I caught you with your pants down, very deep in conversation about your thesis..." I picked up the coffee cups as I heard the door bell tinkle as someone walked into the store. I moved to walk away when Dyson reached out and gently grab my arm, "Bo, please. Have dinner with me, I think it would be best for us to talk."

I closed my eyes and went to say something when I felt a hand come to the small of my back in a gentle, protective way, "Bo, are you okay?" Laurens voice was strong but gentle, I looked at her, my panic rising as my two worlds were on a slow crash course and I was in the middle, just as I had placed myself. Lauren was staring at Dyson as he was looking at her and me. He smiled at Lauren, "She is perfectly fine, I am an old friend of hers." he then returned his gaze to me, removing his hand and pulling out a card, scribbling on it then handing it over to me, "Call me, please." I took the card out of politeness, he set his items on the counter, "I had no idea about the apartment or your plans for me to meet your family." he reached out and placed a hand on my cheek, "I have missed you terribly, Bo." he was intently ignoring Lauren and obviously laying his claim on me.

I felt Lauren move closer to me, her hand pressing harder on my back as she looked at Dyson, "Hi, my name is Lauren Lewis, Bo's friend, I did not catch your name." she held out her hand in a very authoritative way.

Dyson looked at me and took Laurens hand, "Dyson Thornwood. I am also Bo's friend." He returned to ignoring Lauren, smiling at me, "What are you in town for and how long?" he was attempting to wrangle another attempt at getting me to talk to him.

I set my coffee down on the counter, grabbing at Laurens jacket, "Lets go." I looked at Dyson, "There is not much we have to talk about, you made a choice, Dyson. Live with it."

Lauren placed her hand on top of mine as it pulled at her sleeve, "We are here for a work conference, Bo and I work at the same hospital, can I ask how you know Bo?" her voice was curious and stern as she watched Dyson staring at me. I tugged on her harder, angry tears threatening to fall, "Lauren, please lets just go."

Dyson smirked, "I guess you could say that Bo and I were friends, lovers and I was her fiancé."

The look on Laurens face was enough for me, "You have not changed at all, Dyson, still a lying asshole." I turned and rushed out of the shop. The cool wind of the city night seemed to be on my side as it pushed me down the street.

I heard someone's footsteps come up behind me as I kept pushing down the streets, I felt a gentle hand on my elbow, trying to get me to stop. "Bo." Laurens voice made me shut my eyes tight, I stopped walking, "Lauren, I want to go back to the hotel." my voice was shaky and I was angry, trying my best to keep my temper at bay, I was two seconds away from running back to the shop and punching Dyson in the mouth.

"I'll get a cab." Lauren moved behind me to the curb, I looked at her as she expertly flagged a cab down. When the cab pulled up she held open the back door for me, when I looked in her eyes I could see a tremendous amount of emotion in them. She smiled weakly as I sat in the back of the cab, telling the driver the address for the hotel as Lauren sat next to me. As we started moving I stared at the drivers identification that was laminated into the seat in front of me, I swallowed hard, "He was never my fiancé. Almost was, but never quite made it that far."

Lauren kept her hands in her lap as she looked out the window as the cityscape passed us, "You don't have too."

I looked at her, feeling my heart tighten at the small sadness in her eyes, "No I don't, but I want too. I wanted too tell you when I got the letter from him a few weeks ago." I took a deep breath, "Dyson is my ex boyfriend, maybe a little more than just that. I did want to marry him, we were going to move in together and start a life together." it started to fall out of my mouth, I had to look away from Lauren.

Lauren now looked at me, her eyes meeting mine as I continued, "I caught him and his thesis advisor, in our bed and." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, "I joined the Navy the next day and tonight, just a few minutes ago, was the first time I have seen him or spoken too him in three years." I leaned my head against the window, "It was stupid of me to go back to the old neighborhood."

The cab stopped at the front door of the hotel, I opened the door and rushed out, throwing the driver a handful of cash, I wanted to get to my room as fast as possible, raid the mini bar and hopefully pass out as soon as possible. I walked through the front lobby, Lauren's silence in the cab had my mind racing.

I opened the hotel room door, and paused looking back at Lauren who had just exited the elevator. I took a breath and waited for her to come closer, "Lauren, I am sorry about tonight, cutting it short, but I didn't expect to see him and expect to feel like this."

Lauren nodded and pushed the door open for me, allowing me to walk in, as she closed the door, "He asked who I exactly was, when you walked out of the shop."

I threw my jacket on the floor, "I'm sorry, he's always been a bit controlling in that way, always having to know who my friends are..."

She cut me off, "I told him I was your girlfriend, Bo. He was saying some things about you that made me angry, it shut him up instantly." she smiled lightly as she pulled off her jacket and headed towards her room, "Thank you for dinner and the walk, it was lovely." Lauren smiled at me.

I stared at her, her words sinking heavy throughout my body, "My girlfriend?" my heart was pounding hard.

Lauren looked down, "It came out, I wanted to shut him up without punching him in the mouth." she shrugged, "I apologize if I made things worse with him, or upset you." she turned to walk back into her room, she seemed deflated and sad in that second. "Good night, Bo, I will see you in the morning."

I took quick strides after her, my heart doing all of my thinking for me, I caught her arm at the elbow and pulled her to stop, "Lauren, I am far from upset with you." she looked at me confused, "Dyson is the past, he broke my heart into a million pieces years ago." I took a nervous breath, "But you are the one who is putting it back together piece by piece." I dropped my hand from her arm, moving it to her face as I pulled her into a gentle kiss. When we parted, our eyes were locked, breaths mingling together as my heart began to pound even harder, Lauren took a breath and lowered her mouth to mine, allowing her lips to brush against mine for a second before giving me the tenderest of kisses, her lips moved over mine, she ran the tip of her tongue over them, making me moan as I opened my mouth wider, feeling my knees buckle I reached out and grabbed onto Lauren's hips. The grip I had, made her moan. It triggered a need in me, so deep that I knew I would not be able to stop or want to stop what I had just started.

I found her hand with mine and held her hand as I broke off the intense, slow kiss we were sharing. I said nothing as I took her jacket from her other hand and threw into her room, closing the door that broke up the hotel rooms, I whispered, "Stay with me tonight."

Lauren said nothing, her face flushed and I watched her swallow hard as I led her to the bed. I was nervous, it had been far too long that I shared a bed with anyone and the desire I felt for this woman in front of me, was exciting but nerve-wracking.

When we stopped at the edge of the bed, I pulled her closer to me, her hand rose to my face as she traced a single finger down my cheek, whispering in a equally as nervous voice, "You are so beautiful, Bo."

I smiled, "So are you, Lauren." I pulled her face to mine again, I held nothing back as we met, I took what I wanted without hesitation, our kisses were sensual and savage. Both of us sending clear messages that we both wanted each other and wanted each other now.

My hands began to roam over the woman, my hands threading through soft blonde hair that I always craved to touch when it was down and out of the formal bun she kept it in. My hands did not linger long, I ran soft touches down her arms with purpose, reaching her breasts that were still covered up by her linen shirt. I cupped one gently, reveling in the feel and the moan I pulled from Lauren, I gave it a gentle squeeze, aching to remove the clothing barrier immediately. Before I could do that, the need for air became to great and our lips were forced apart.

I smiled as I took the opportunity to start unbuttoning the shirt as fast as possible, I heard Lauren sigh as the cool air of the room hit her bare skin, I bent forward and kissed away the goose bumps that appeared. I felt Laurens hand tangle in my hair to hold me closer as I kissed at her collarbone and in between her breasts, my fingers running lightly over her stomach. I wanted to stay in this simple moment for as long as I could, Lauren was stunning. I stood back to push off her shirt, when I met her eyes, the look in them made my throat catch and my heart stop. It was a look of hunger and desire almost on the verge of exploding. It was all I could do not to tear the rest of her clothes off, my hands seemed to move on their own as I removed the soft white bra that kept me from the skin I wanted to touch and taste. As soon as the bra was on the floor, I swallowed hard at the sight of Lauren, topless in front of me. She took a step closer, grabbing my hand and pulling it up to her, placing it on a breast she leaned into me. "More, Bo. Please."

I bent forward, kissing her gently before moving my kisses down her neck, her shoulder and then to her breast. I covered her with my mouth, feeling Lauren arch into me, begging for more I gave her more. My heart was pounding in my ears as I took my time. When I felt her hands both tangle in my hair, holding my head and mouth, I felt my body reach a point I had long forgotten, I savored it for a moment until I pulled back suddenly, I wanted this to last. I stood up and stepped back from Lauren, "No...no. Wait."

Stunned, Lauren reached for me, her eyes filled with concern, "What's wrong Bo? Are you ok?"

I held up a hand, "Wait, just wait a second." I was trying to calm my breaths, settle my body from the brink of pleasure that it was about to fall off of. Lauren reached out for my arm, while she picked up her shirt to cover herself, "Bo, please tell me what's wrong." she took a breath, "If this is going to fast...I."

I looked at her and blurted out the truth, "Nothings wrong, I just...I almost came just now." I covered my face with my hand. "I had to stop, I want to make this last and..." I looked at her again, embarrassed.

Lauren half smiled, "You stopped, because of that." she took steps closer to me, smiling wider. She reached out and laid her hand against my cheek, "Look at me, we have the night." she dropped the shirt she had over her chest, and her hands went to my hips pulling me to face her, then she quickly pulled my tank top off, followed by my bra. Her eyes dropped to my breasts, stirring the desire in me even more, Lauren whispered, "Are you afraid of this? Us?"

I shook my head, "No."

She pulled me close against her, "Then let it happen." I smiled as my long ago advice to her was now returning.

Lauren pulled me over to the bed, lying us both down. She ran a finger lightly over my forehead, pushing away stray hairs, then down my cheek, and two fingers grazing my lips followed by her mouth, placing a soft kiss upon me. I sighed into the kiss, and my hands moving to her waist as I felt her hands find my breasts, caressing gently, pulling the breath from my body with each swirl of her fingers. I was distracted as her mouth covered my breast, her tongue finding my nipple, I had no idea where her hands where until I felt my jeans tugging down. I lifted my hips, helping her to shove my jeans down to give Lauren access to where I wanted her. I felt her smile against me, as her mouth returned to my breast. I gasped as I felt the palm of her hand push between my legs, I heard her mumble something at the feel of how wet I was, I pushed my hips down cuing her to slip her fingers inside.

I had to catch my breath at the intimate feel of how easy Lauren entered me, arching back I opened my legs and silently asked for more. I wanted to be owned by this woman, for the first time in my life I wanted to be owned completely in this way by anyone. I felt Lauren honor the request as I felt her fingers begin to move, it didn't take long for me. Her fingers were slow, steady but managed to hit the right spot every time. Lauren stopped for a second, pulling a angry moan from me she smiled. Kissing down my chest, my stomach she took extra moments, gently kissing the small pink scars that would always be a part of me. I swallowed hard at the feel of her lips against one of the few places on my body no one knew about. Laurens kisses moved down further, stopping just above where I wanted her. She settled between my legs and looked up at me, smiling wickedly she bent forward, kissing me so softly I had to hold my breath for a moment. I closed my eyes so tight as I felt her tongue move painfully slow over me, each stroke deliberate and tender. I had not made love to anyone like this or had anyone make love this slow and giving before. I clenched at the sheets beneath me and instinctively raised my hips to match Laurens movements until I felt an explosion of ecstasy wash over me. I cried out in the midst of the orgasm, I had not been intimate in years and the build up of ignoring the simple pleasures of being with someone, was now flooding through my body. Wave after wave of long forgotten pleasure rocked my body as Lauren moved back and allowed her fingers to guide me down from the waves of ecstasy she gave me.

I felt her hand leave me, moving herself up to lay next to me, I opened my eyes and looked at her, smiling wide, "you are amazing Dr. Lewis." Lauren grinned and looked down, suddenly bashful. I couldn't resist her like this, I rolled over on top of her, pulling her arms over her head, pinning them I looked at in her golden brown eyes, I could see in that instant the flicker of love. I bent and kissed the corner of her mouth, I heard her whisper, "I need you, Bo."

I smiled wickedly, letting go of her arms I sat up and making quick work of the last bit of clothing she was wearing, "I don't intend to waste anymore time." I laid back down, settling in between her legs I kissed her deeply, then moved my kisses deliberately down her body and as I kissed the inside of her thigh I looked up in her eyes, "You are absolutely perfect." I saw her swallow hard and her eyes glass over as I covered her with my mouth, pulling a large throaty moan from the doctor as her hips pushed forward deepening the connection I had to her. I closed my eyes as my tongue found her ready for me. As I pushed her closer and closer to release I realized one simple truth that radiated in my mind, I was completely in love with this woman.

The sun poking through the hotel window, stirred me awake. I reached over to the other side of the bed, and found it empty. The spot was still lightly warm from her, I frowned as I rolled over, looking for Lauren. We had made love almost all night, it was incredible to feel my body come alive at the simplest touches from the woman. I looked over and out the wide open window, the sun was bright and the city below seemed perfectly peaceful. I sat up, smiling as I felt alive, whole and so many other things. The bathroom door opened and Lauren walked out buttoning up her uniform shirt, she caught me staring and smiled. Coming over to the bed, she crawled over the end and towards me, kissing me deeply, "Morning."

I couldn't hide the smile, "Morning." I sighed hard and looked at her, "Why are you dressed." I laid back in the pillows, my memories going back to what was underneath the uniform she was now wearing. Lauren sat on the edge of the bed, "We do have some work to do, the conference starts in about three hours. I wanted to get ready and then wake you up." She smiled at me, her hand resting on my sheet covered thigh, "Can I take you to breakfast?"

I placed my hand on top of hers, "I would love to have my girlfriend take me to breakfast." I looked in her eyes intently, smiling. "is that okay too take that step now?" I ran my thumb over her fingers, feeling her squeeze my hand in hers, she smiled wide. "I would hate for anyone who heard me say that in the corner shop last night think I was a liar." she bent forward quickly and kissed me, standing up she walked to the mirror, pulling her hair up into the bun. I rolled out of the bed and walked up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist as I laid my head against her, "Thank you, Lauren." It was not what I really wanted to say, but a gentle fear held me back from saying what was in my head. I felt her hands cover mine as they rest against her stomach, I could feel her heart beat faster. I let her go and ran to the bathroom, looking back I caught a strange look come across her face. I shook it off as I hopped in the shower and smiled wide at all the little red marks she left on my body.

As I pulled up my hair, trying to tamed it into a presentable bun, I could hear Lauren in her room talking on her phone. I stopped as her voice seemed hurried and irritated. I walked closer to the door, picking up my uniform jacket and hat on the way. I sat on the edge of the bed, pulling on my shoes I could hear her.

"Audrey, I will be home in a few days. I told you this, I can't do much about it. My lawyer said the papers will be finalized next month and then we both can go move on, I am sorry I got you involved in all of this."

I heard her pause, "Audrey, not now. I am going to hang up on you if you don't stop. I have work to do, I will call you later to check up on things."

I felt my heart stop as I heard Lauren issue a quick goodbye and sigh hard as she dropped her cell phone onto the desk in her room. There was a shuffle of papers as she shoved them into her briefcase. My mind was drifting to the beautiful brunette I saw in Lauren's office, mildly wondering if that was Audrey.

I stared at the wall, as Lauren walked out of her room setting her briefcase down she turned to me, smiling wide, "Are you ready?"

I looked at her, my smiled could not be contained at how ridiculously amazing she looked in her dress blue uniform. It instantly chased out the thoughts of who the mysterious Audrey was. The crisp white shirt, with the black jacket begged to be torn off, her ribbons and rank showed her off and I had a simple thought that I would have to make the most of tearing it off of her later when we came back to the hotel. It blurted out, "God you look so sexy in that uniform."

Lauren blushed and pulled at her jacket, "You don't look so bad yourself, the Americans sure know how to make their women equally irresistible in uniform."

I looked down at my own dress blue uniform, I had it tailored when I came home from the war. It no longer fit properly from all the weight I loss and it just wanted to feel a little more like a lady. I smiled and stood up, slipping on my jacket. "I am starving, where are you taking me for breakfast Commander?"

Lauren closed the space between us and placed her hands on my hip as I buttoned up the jacket, "There is a small diner across from the hotel, the food is amazing and we won't be out of place in these costumes of ours." she bent forward and kissed me gently, making me melt a little in her arms at the simple, delicate feel of her lips on me. I sighed hard as she leaned back, looking down at my jacket she smirked and brushed her fingers over my ribbons, "I am glad to see this one made it on here."

I looked and saw her fingers brushing against the new ribbon she had gotten for me, I reached up and held her hand against my chest, our eyes locked, "I should give it to you..."

Silence fell between us, the air was thick with what we both wanted to say but couldn't. Lauren gently pulled away, taking my hand in hers she motioned to the door, "Lets go, I want to enjoy breakfast with you before we have to return to being doctors for the day."

I smiled and let her lead me out the hotel room.

I devoured the giant stack of pancakes and eggs I had ordered, I was hungrier than I expected and the food was delicious. The small diner was half full, dotted with others in military uniforms. We went unnoticed as we sat in the back of the diner so we could talk and not gather too much attention. I was having a hard time focusing on anything Lauren was saying, only thinking of how badly I wanted to see her naked again as flashes of the night before filled my head. She looked at me over her cup of coffee, "Bo, are you paying any attention to what I am telling you?"

I shook my head, she had been trying to fill me in on the conference. "I am only paying attention to how badly I want to get you out of that uniform again."

Lauren blushed as she set her coffee down. I laughed lightly and reached for her hand, "Can I take you out to dinner tonight? A real dinner, no pizza and not in my old neighborhood."

Lauren looked at me, her eyes flickered what could only be jealousy as I knew she was thinking about Dyson. She took a steady breath and smiled, "Can we go to Times Square, have dinner down there?"

I smiled wide, "Dr. Lewis, I had no idea you were a tourist."

Lauren laughed, "I really am not, Times Square has been something I have wanted to experience since I was little, all of the lights, the sounds and the people. It intrigues me, its such a draw to people and I want to know first hand why." she picked up her coffee cup, "Then maybe you can show me where you grew up? I want to learn more about you, and where you actually grew up and got that terrible accent of yours."

I smiled wide, "Anything you want, Lauren." the look in her eyes filled my heart.

Laurens phone rang as it sat on the table, we both looked at it, I could see Audrey in the lit up screen as it vibrated around the sugar canister. Lauren sighed hard and hit the ignore button, picking up the phone and dropped it into her briefcase. Before it disappeared, I caught sight of the lock screen and the picture of Lauren and the little blonde boy, hugging and smiling. Lauren then waved at the waitress for the bill, "We should head over now, get you signed in and start the meet and greet."

I wiped my mouth pushing the plate away, I grew bold, "Who is Audrey?"

Lauren took the bill as the waitress handed it to her, she dug around in her wallet for money, "She is not anything I want to talk about, right now." It was as if she was a bank and I was a robber, the security walls in her went up in an instant. Lauren threw enough money down to pay for at least three breakfasts and stood up, grabbing her briefcase she smiled at me, "Ready?"

I stared at her for a second and nodded slowly, sliding out of the booth I could feel the cool front swing in. Neither of us made any moves to hold hands as we did on the way in, we walked in a strange quiet over to the conference hall. Inside the lobby it was a sea of doctors and uniforms. Lauren escorted me to the registry and I heard her phone ring again, it was Audrey again. Lauren clenched her jaw, "Excuse me."

She took a few steps out and I could not hear what she was saying as the registrar was telling me about this and that. I watched Lauren, I could tell the conversation she was having was tense, her body was tense and she stared at the floor, her brow furrowed. I turned back to the packet I was being handed as Lauren hung up and came my way. "Sorry about that." she smiled at me, "All set?"

I nodded, as she placed a hand on my upper back, "Then lets get this started."

Two steps into the massive hall and Lauren was bombarded by a French Lieutenant and a Canadian Colonel. Both doctors who were eager to meet her. I took a step back as I looked around the hall, suddenly aching to run out and have a drink, I did not do well in settings like this, where everyone's ego was filling up the room like hot air balloons. I went to take a few steps to the catering table to get a bottle of water when I heard the French Lieutenant ask Lauren a question, "Commander Lewis, I would love if you would take some time and maybe speak in front of the group about your groundbreaking field tourniquet techniques, the Caravan method has saved many of my soldiers out in the field. How did you ever come up with it?"

I turned to look at Lauren, bashful as she smiled at the compliment, she began telling the man how she came up with the technique as I stared at her. I had been taught the Caravan technique in my Combat Medicine training, I had used it myself many times to save limbs and lives. I had only know that the doctor who developed it had developed the technique specifically for the desert, hence why it was called the Caravan. IT was to keep the wound free from sand and other blowing grit that was coming in the middle of a desert as well it was faster and more effective in stopping the bleeding. It truly had saved more lives than I could count.

I moved to Lauren as she was in full blown doctor mode, excitedly talking about the next innovative procedure she was working on. It all clicked in my head, how Lauren had achieved her rank and status at the hospital. She was truly brilliant.

She glanced over at me and smiled, looking at the two men she motioned me over, "I would like you to meet my colleague, Lieutenant Ysabeau Dennis. USN." the two men turned to me and smiled, shaking my hand, "Lt. Dennis is quiet a remarkable combat doctor, I have learned an immense amount from her in the last few weeks and days that she has been at my hospital." I caught a gentle smirk that I knew went beyond just medical and military talk.

"Thank you Commander Lewis, its been equally as stimulating for me." I smiled and looked at her, "I had no idea that you were the woman behind the Caravan technique."

The French Lieutenant took the cue and began to ramble on about Lauren and all of her other discoveries over the years to military medicine. I would glance at her as he prattled on about some of the blood transfusion processes she had refined, the work she had been doing on a new heart medication that would replace three with just one pill. I was oddly getting turned on and couldn't help myself as I brushed my hand against her as it sat at her side. I caught her glance and smiled even wider as she simply linked her pinky finger in mine. It was small and unnoticeable to anyone but us, and it made my heart swell.

After about twenty minutes of medical talk, I felt a hand on my shoulder, "Excuse me, Lieutenant Dennis?" I turned to see the smiling face of the young Navy woman who had picked me up at the airport, Chelsea. I smiled, "Hello, O'Neil, what's up?"

She smiled wider at the unprofessional way I interacted with her, "There is someone up in the lobby asking for you." she motioned for me to follow her. I looked at Lauren, "I will be back in a few Commander Lewis." She smiled, laughing at the formality we had to use in the presence of others, "I will be here or in the seminar room, we have that field sanitizing lecture to attend."

I nodded, taking the quick opportunity to run my hand down her back, making her push into my hand at the contact. I then followed O'Neil to the lobby.

She walked up to a tall man in uniform and when he turned to look at me, I smiled, "Aaron! What are you doing here and in that monkey suit!" I walked into his open arms, hugging him tightly.

When he set me down he motioned over his shoulder, "Dad is here too." he motioned to his father. Admiral Williams walked over as I held out my hand to shake it. He smiled wide and scooped me up in a hug as equally strong as his sons, "I think a hug is better suited for this moment, I don't care about protocol Lieutenant."

I blushed as I looked at Aaron, "Why are you two here?" I was trying to hide my embarrassment that I was just hugged by the highest ranking Naval officer in the building, one that everyone in the building knew exactly who he was.

Admiral Williams stepped out of the hug, tucking his hat under his arm, "We are here for you, Lieutenant, and that is also why you are here." he looked at Aaron, "I have pulled some strings and we are here to present your promotion to Lieutenant Commander as well as presenting you with your formal discharge papers, the award ceremony before lunch is why I am here." Admiral Williams pulled out a envelope, "You will be free from this man's Navy completely, with full honors in two months." he looked at me, "Of course if you want it, I would be more than happy to have you stay with us and at Bethesda Naval hospital for another four or so years."

Aaron grabbed my hand, "I wanted to be here for you after Dad told me about it, Bo, you are going be free and clear in a few months." he smiled wide, "No more uniforms, no more desert, no more saluting." he laughed, "The things you all wanted as we drank warm beer on the top of Humvees."

I met Aarons blue eyes, I was mixed with emotions, it had been all I wanted while I sat in the desert nights with him. I loved my job as a doctor in the Navy, but I wanted nothing to do with the politics or anything else that came with being a officer in war. I was proud to have served my country, it came in the first few weeks I was in my unit, the feeling of the pride I felt overtook the guilt I felt for just joining up to run away from my broken heart. I had a purpose out in the war and in the military and it was what brought me such strength now. I glanced at the envelope and then at the Admiral, "Can I think about it? I mean its such a surprise, and I."

I heard Laurens voice behind me, "Ensign Williams, its nice to see you again." I saw the Admiral wave off a salute as Lauren came up next to me, he held out his hand instead taking the hand Lauren offered him, "Commander Lauren Lewis, Royal Navy, it is an honor to meet you sir."

Aaron looked at Lauren and back at me, smirking as I could tell her knew instantly at the close proximity of Lauren and I that things were different between us. Admiral Williams lit up, "Dr. Lauren Lewis? I have heard of your work, would mind if I ask you a few questions about the budgeting work you have done for RNH? I could use some advice on my own budgeting problems."

Aaron smiled at me, winking, "Lieutenant Dennis, you mind stepping outside with me for a minute? I could use a smoke."

I laughed, Aaron did not smoke but it was our code phrase to sneak some time away with each other when one of us needed to talk. I looked at Lauren, who was already engaged in talking with the Admiral. I grabbed Aarons elbow and let him lead me out to the front courtyard, I took a deep breath of fresh air, as he slowly walked to a bench that facing out on a the rest of the old building the conference was being held in, he smiled wide at me, "You two, the good Commander and you. Dare I say that you both have a glow about you that would suggest something beyond co workers now?"

I sat down next to him, looking him over in his uniform, "You look really damn handsome in that thing, Aaron."

he laughed and wrapped and arm around me, "Stop deflecting me, and you know you have no chance in hell with me." he kissed me on the cheek, "So, share. Have you and the blonde broken protocol?"

I sighed, "What makes you think that?"

He cocked an eyebrow at me, "The way she looks through your uniform, like she knows exactly what every inch of you looks like naked." he nudged me, "spill it."

"Yes, we um, broke protocol last night, and we are, I guess dating." I leaned into Aaron, "We kind of fell into it, I saw Dyson last night and she stood up for me when he was being himself, the possessive jerk he was when we dated."

Aaron smiled, "Did she punch him in the stomach or the balls?"

I laughed, "Neither, just told him she was my girlfriend."

"And is she?"

I nodded lightly, "This morning we decided to try for it." I looked at him, "Aaron, I think I am in love with her."

he smiled and patted my shoulder, "I could tell that the moment I saw you in the library. What about her?"

just then I heard a voice, asking about me. Aaron and I turned to look down the courtyard. I tensed up as I saw him walking away from a young petty officer, Dyson met my eyes and was taking long strides towards us, "Fuck."

Aaron stood up, as Dyson moved closer to the bench, acting like the big brother he had in the desert. I stood up as Dyson smiled, "Bo."i watched as his eyes roamed over my body in the fitting uniform I was wearing.

I moved to stand closer to Aaron, "Dyson, how did you find me and why are you here?"

He kept his wide, irritating smile on, "It really isn't hard to find a Navy doctor in the city during a major military medicine conference. Plus that blonde you were with last night told me about the conference." he laughed, "She also told me she was your girlfriend." I watched as he looked at Aaron as if he was nothing to be worried about. Aaron was only an inch shorter than Dyson but I knew he had three times the strength and it would increase if he felt I was threatened.

I clenched my jaw, "Why are you here Dyson." I looked around, "I am working."

Dyson held onto the bag around his chest, "I want to talk to you, you ran out on me again, and I think I deserve to at least find out why you ran from me, other than the obvious." his arrogance was enflaming me.

Aaron stepped forward, "Bo is right, you should probably leave."

"Excuse me sailor, but this is between her and I." he shot Aaron a look that irritated me more. I stepped forward, I had to end this with Dyson so he would finally leave me alone. "Look, if I give you ten minutes, will you promise to leave alone and stop bothering me?"

"What if I take you to lunch?" he looked at me, he was always trying to bargain with me. I shook my head, "I have a lunch date, with Aaron and my girlfriend inside. You get ten minutes and nothing less." I looked hard in his blue eyes, watching as the word girlfriend caught him deep.

I walked past him, "Lets talk over here." I motioned to another bench that was a little further away from the front doors. I looked over at Aaron, he smirked at me and winked, he sat back down on the bench and I knew that one flick of the finger and Aaron would be at my side.

I sat down on the bench, moving away from Dyson as he sat next to me a little too closely. He started as soon as he set his bag down, "You look amazing in that uniform." he was trying to flirt with me.

"Dyson, just tell me what you want." I stared hard at him.

"You, Bo, I want you back. I always have, but you disappeared and made it difficult to find you. Until I ran into your old roommate and they told me you were in the Navy. The only place I could think of was your home in England. I sent a letter months ago, then I see you last night here." he looked at me and tried to reach for my hand, I folded my arms up. He sighed, "I am sorry for what happened, I didn't know how much I loved you until I lost you."

I shook my head, "Isn't that how it always is?" it came out dripping with sarcasm.

"Bo, I am serious. I miss you and I want you back, I want to be with you and marry you. You are the only one I ever want to be with and I know that now, clearer than ever." he looked at me and I could tell there was some sincerity in his eyes. But I had moved on, years ago and in the last few months with Lauren, there was no room for Dyson in my heart or my life.

I shook my head, "I am sorry Dyson, but I have moved on."

He laughed lightly, "Oh that's right, the blonde is your girlfriend." he shook his head, "how can she ever give you what I have and can, I never knew you liked women." I knew what he was implying, and it pissed me off.

I stared at him hard, "I don't like women, I love that one woman, Lauren."

He met my eyes, "you are in love with her?"

"More than I ever was with you." I stood up quickly, holding a hand up to Aaron as he rushed to stand up. "Dyson, there will never be us again. So please, leave me alone and move on."

When he looked at me I could see passion and anger fill his eyes, he stood up, grabbing his bag. He slid it over his shoulder and then looked at me, stepping close he whispered, "She can never give you and love you like I did."

I opened my mouth to say something when he grabbed he sides of my face, pulling me into a rough kiss. I tried to pull at his arms, to get him to stop, but he was too strong. The kiss was longer than I wanted and rougher than I liked, especially after kissing Lauren and how soft her lips were against mine. I finally pushed Dyson away and stared at him, I was about to haul off and strike him when I heard footsteps running towards us, I turned to look at Aaron trotting towards me and then I caught Lauren right behind him, frozen in her steps looking at me dead in the eyes.

Aaron stopped next to me, staring hard at Dyson, "Listen here, shitbag, you need to leave before I get even angrier."

Dyson laughed as I stepped back to be next to Aaron, I was so angry I wanted to cry, I turned to look at Lauren, I had to go to her. I knew she had seen Dyson kiss me. She was already walking towards us and Dyson smiled as he saw the determined blonde, "I bet she never kisses you like that."

It was in a blink of an eye, Lauren pulled back her right arm and landed a perfect, hard, right hook to Dyson, dropping him to his knees. I heard Aaron utter a "Holy shit." then look at Lauren. She stared at him as he began moaning, she then looked up at me, her eyes full of tears. I went to go to her, she held up her hands, the right hand red and swelling from the punch she landed. She backed up and took quick long strides to O'Neil who was standing outside the front doors smoking. She had seen most of what happened and was staring. Lauren and her spoke for a minute, then she ran towards the parking lot. Aaron pushed me to go to her, "Go, get her before she leaves. She saw you two kissing, I will take care of this dick." he motioned to Dyson who was now sitting up cursing.

I nodded and ran towards Lauren. The black sedan with O'Neil in the drivers seat pulled up as I reached her, Lauren opened the back door. "Lauren, wait. He kissed me and I couldn't stop him."

She looked at me hard, and said, through a teary voice, "I was about to give you my heart, maybe I was wrong about this. I need to be alone for a little while, Bo." Lauren paused as a tear fell, she sat in the back seat. Motioning to O'Neil to drive away.

I swallowed hard, shutting my eyes tight I let the tears fall out. I heard Aaron come up next to me, his footsteps clicking on the cement. "The asshole is gone, embarrassed and walking his stupid ass home. He is going to have quiet the black eye in the morning, the good doctor has a mean right hook." he looked at me, "Bo, are you okay?"

I shook my head and grabbed him in a hug, bury my face in his chest to hide the tears that were free flowing, "I think I just lost her, Aaron." I felt him wrap his arms around me, "Nothing is ever lost, you just have to find it. She loves you Bo, a woman who hits like that, only does it out of love."

More to come!