SNOWSWEPT

by CuddleFae

Dr. Lauren Lewis has been assigned to oversee the opening of a new hospital. Overwhelmed by all there is to know and learn in an unfamiliar land, she crosses paths with a mysterious woman with a dark past - a past that has caused her to live by one rule. Trust no one. Thrown into a desperate struggle, can they overcome the barriers between them in their fight to survive?

18. Chapter 18: Choices

A/N: Thank you for the reviews and follows. Let's finish up in Boston and see where everyone ends up!

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CHAPTER 18: Free to Choose

Hotel – 2:00am

Lauren sat in front of the large glass wall that took up one full side of the room. She'd pulled back the curtains enough to see a view of the harbor. She loved coming here when she needed to get away. It was only blocks from the hospital, but she always felt like she was on a mini-vacation.

She heard movement coming from the bed and looked back over her shoulder. She smiled seeing Bo was now sprawled out across the entire bed, the sheet twisted around her body except for one shoulder that allowed her arm to be free to hug her pillow.

Lauren smiled thinking of Bo commenting on how much she loved the bed. Apparently, 'she had never laid on anything so soft in all of her years' and 'she could get used to this'. Lauren couldn't help but wonder… could she? Could Bo get used to being here in Boston?

She looked back out across the harbor. Did she really want to leave this place? There was a time when Lauren couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Had she made a rash decision in a moment where she felt hopeless under the threat of Evony's power? She had separated from Bo, she had learned of Evony's intention of keeping her under her thumb, under Nadia's supervision and on the staff at her hospital for the rest of her career.

She shook her head thinking of how she had accused Bo of being a runner, but here she was running just the same. She sighed, thinking of Bo's family and friends back in Alaska. They'd become her family and friends, too. She heard her phone vibrate on the table. She rushed across the room, hoping she could get to it before it woke Bo.

She pulled the phone from the bedside table and hurried back to the window, looking down at the screen. She saw Molly's number. Quickly she opened the call and rushed to the door. She carefully turned the lock, opening the door. She flipped the bar across so she wouldn't get locked out and took a look back to see that Bo was still sound asleep. Stepping into the hall, she finally held the phone to her ear and spoke in a soft voice,

"Hello?"

"Lauren? It's me, Elise."

"Elise? What's wrong, sweetie?"

"Uh… nothing… I mean… well… I just… I mean… I couldn't sleep."

"Bad dreams?" Lauren asked.

"It didn't work."

"Okay. How about this one…" Lauren walked to the end of the hallway and smiled as she looked out of the window, "…close your eyes…"

"Okay. They're closed."

Lauren could imagine the youngster with her eyes closed. She was such a kind soul, "Now, imagine you are here with me."

"Is it warm?"

Lauren smiled, "Yes, it's very warm."

"Is the sun out?"

"You tell me." Lauren chuckled.

"Eleven o'clock plus three, right?"

"Right."

"Wait… you have dark now, right?"

Lauren chuckled, "We talked about this, E! We always have night and day here. We have longer days like you, but we still have a long night."

"So it's dark there, right?"

"Right… for about three more hours."

"Okay, so it's dark."

Lauren smiled, "But your eyes are supposed to be closed, so it doesn't matter, right?"

"Oops. I forgot."

"Okay. Close those baby blue eyes, little girl."

Elise giggled. Lauren loved the sound of her giggle.

"Okay, they're closed."

Lauren smiled, "Now, imagine that the sky is full of stars just like in Alaska."

The doctor was quiet as she waited for a reply from her young friend.

"Wow. It's beautiful. Where am I?"

Lauren grinned, "You're on the front of a big sailboat. The ocean is calm and you're sleeping under the stars at the front of the ship. You can hear the soft sound of the water slapping against the outside of the boat as it gently bobs up and down in the water. When you look to your right, you can see the lights on land in the distance."

Lauren walked closer to the window, taking in the view herself, "There's lights all along the dock with a grand hotel behind them. There's flags outside waving softly in the breeze."

"Are you there?"

"Yup! I give you a wave and blow you a good night kiss."

Elise giggled, "I caught it!"

Lauren smiled, "Good. You settle in to sleep and roll onto your left side because you like that side best."

She could hear the little girl's sheets brushing against the phone and envisioned the youngster sliding under the covers like she always did when she babysat Elise in Alaska.

"It's comfortable."

Lauren nodded, "Good. Facing in this direction, you've now passed the hotel, but I can still see our sailboat. There's only a few lights off in the distance. It's mostly water as far as you can see. The moon is high and it reflects in ripples across the water. It looks like it goes from the sky right to the bottom of your boat. You can feel the easy rise and fall of the boat… it's quiet, there's a cool breeze… it's relaxing and you're tired."

"Very tired."

Lauren smiled, "I love you, baby girl. I'll be with you in your dreams. Good night."

"Say it again?" Elise asked.

Lauren chuckled at the sleepy voice of the little girl, "I love you. Good night."

"I love you. Good night."

Lauren smiled, listening as the little girls' breathing turned to soft snores. She leaned against the windowpane, crossing her arms as she listened to the relaxed sounds. It was comforting to know that she was with one of the most important pieces of Alaska even though she was thousands of miles away.

"Who is she?"

Lauren turned to see Bo wrapped in a sheet, tears falling down her face.

"Bo?"

"Who. Is. She?"

"Who is who, Bo?"

"I heard you say I love you on the phone. Who is she?"

Lauren laughed, walking towards the brunette, but Bo stepped back, "Don't laugh at me. Who is she?"

"Bo, I was talking to Elise."

Bo shook her head, "I'm not an idiot, Lauren. It's midnight in Alaska. No child is up at midnight. Molly wouldn't allow it."

"Bo…"

The brunette turned, walking back to the room. Lauren sighed, watching as the door slammed, bouncing off the bar she'd put in the gap to keep it open. She quietly walked into the room, folding the bar back and closing the door. She flipped the lock and turned to find Bo getting dressed.

"Don't bother locking it. I'm leaving. If you can't be honest with me… well, let's face it… we're over anyway."

"Bo, I'm not lying. You're being ridiculous."

"Great. Just keep insulting my intelligence, Lauren."

"Bo, stop."

But the brunette pulled on her shoes and headed for the door. The blonde stepped in front of her.

"Get out of my way."

"Not until you listen to me."

"Are you going to tell me the truth?"

"I already have. Maybe it's that we're in the middle of a court battle, so you need proof."

"Proof of your affair?" Bo spat.

"Proof of my innocence."

Bo laughed, "You really think I'm some kind of dumb hick, don't you?"

"No, Bo. Like I told you before we made love four times, I think you're smart and beautiful." She spoke, opening her phone to her recent calls. She handed it to Bo, "My recent calls. You can see that the last call was an incoming call and it happened at 12:03am. Look who it's from."

"Her name is Molly?" Bo asked, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Geezus, Bo! It's our Molly! Your niece-in-law!" Lauren reached over and hit the information button, revealing the actual phone number of the call, "Look at the number, Bo! You know my area code is 508! It's an Alaskan number, Bo! It's your Molly! The call was from Elise!"

Lauren grabbed the phone from Bo and went back to her recent calls screen. She held it in front of Bo, revealing what looked like multiple weeks of calls… all from Molly's number. Bo stood, staring at the screen, finally using her own finger to swipe up and down. Occasionally, she would see her own number, the area codes matching.

"I… uh… so… you've been talking to Molly but you couldn't call me?" Bo asked as Lauren took the phone and placed it on the nearby table.

Lauren shook her head, "I wasn't talking to Molly… well… I did, once… when she caught Elise on her cell phone late at night. She gave Elise permission to call me anytime when I agreed to take her calls."

"I don't understand."

Lauren took Bo's hand, leading her to the small loveseat in front of the window where she had been seated before the call. She held Bo's hand in her own, pulling it onto her lap,

"Since the… incident… at your homestead, Elise has been having nightmares… she can't sleep. She would scream, Molly would come running into her room and she would lay with her until she fell back to sleep. Some nights, she would wake up right when the dreams began, go into LJ's room and crawl into bed with him." Lauren smiled, "But if you've ever slept with a little kid, you know that the adult usually gets very little sleep."

"LJ wasn't sleeping?"

Lauren shook her head, "And working full time training and running the kennel…"

"I get it. I was wondering why he looked like shit all the time. He never told me."

Lauren nodded, "Apparently you weren't doing so well. He didn't want to bother you because you were so upset about things with me."

"He told you that?" Bo asked.

Lauren shook her head slowly, "Elise did… well, in her way."

"So she's been calling you?"

"Only when she has nightmares. That's our deal."

Bo nodded, "She misses you."

Lauren nodded, releasing Bo's hand to turn and look out the window. She wrapped her robe tighter, curling her arms over her chest and drawing her knees up onto the love seat and leaning into Bo,

"I hate that you didn't believe me… that you assumed that when I said I love you that it was to another woman. I need you to trust me, Bo. I need you to believe that my love is all and only for you. I won't live this way. Not like I had to live with Nadia. I won't live in a life where I constantly have to prove my undying love for you."

"What happened to spending the rest of your life convincing me?" Bo smirked.

Lauren slapped the brunette on the chest, "You know what I mean."

Bo nodded, "I do and you're absolutely right. It was rash, impulsive and immature of me."

"Thank you." Lauren replied.

The pair sat in silence, staring out at the harbor together. It took some time, but Bo finally spoke,

"I'm sorry."

"Let's make sure that's the last time either of us have to apologize for accusing one of us of cheating."

"Deal." Bo replied, "And I'm still sorry."

Bo wrapped her arms around the doctor, allowing her to get comfortable in her arms. They gazed out at the harbor lights for a while longer when Lauren broke the silence,

"Do you like it here?"

Bo smiled, "It's nice to be somewhere warm… where the weather is predictable. I opened that weather app you put on my phone the other day and – it was actually right all day long. It's never right in Alaska." Bo smiled, "I like that here the water is warm enough to go for a swim, even though it's not something I've done unless the ice broke very, very early in Spring… although even then, I hardly think what I do is called swimming… it's more along the lines of desperate flailing since the water is still too cold to stay in."

Lauren chuckled, "Hypothermia definitely makes swimming difficult."

The blonde sat up slightly, looking at Bo, "Before Elise called, I was sitting here thinking…"

"That's dangerous." Bo replied with a chuckle.

Lauren shook her head, "But sometimes when I think, brilliant things happen – lives are saved, new ideas come forth…"

"So are you saying you're going to save my life or did you have a new idea?"

"Well, it wasn't such a brilliant new idea, but… well… it is potentially lifesaving… I mean, not in the save a life, sort of way, but in a change a life for the better… possibly… sort of way."

Bo turned to face Lauren, "Okay. Let's hear it."

The blonde hesitated before asking, "What would you think of staying in Boston for a while? I mean… well, I was sitting here thinking that maybe my decision to move to Alaska was a bit rash? Maybe I was just running from the war that Evony had started, maybe I was just trying to run back to the comfort of you? I don't know. I just…"

"You don't want to move to Alaska?" Bo asked.

Lauren shrugged, "It is a big move."

Bo nodded, "For you, yes. For me, not so much."

"I know and… well, I appreciate that it's more going home for you than it is for me."

"You do have a home there… especially if Evony takes this deal. And I should remind you that if she does, you own a clinic and potentially a hospital."

Lauren nodded, "I know, but... well, I was sitting here looking out at the harbor and realized that… well, I love this view… I love this place. It's been my home for a very, very long time and… well…"

"Leaving will be really hard." Bo acknowledged Lauren's feelings, realizing she would feel the same if she was giving up the only home she had ever known.

"Yes." Lauren replied.

Bo reached into her back pocket and pulled out her phone. Opening it, she went to the pictures and went back to the day that Lauren had first showed her how to use the camera,

"Do you remember when you first bought me this phone?"

Lauren smiled, "I do. You didn't want it."

Bo nodded, "But when you left, I'd never been more attached to a material possession in my life."

She handed her phone to Lauren, "You scroll through those while I change into something more comfortable again. Then I'm going back to bed because we have to be up for real in another four hours for the room service you ordered. Now you can join me… you know, cuddle up and fall asleep in each other's arms until that nasty alarm goes off or you can sit here and scroll through my photos. Either way… I'll be over here, and I love you."

Bo kissed Lauren's cheek, leaving her to view the pictures while she walked to the bed and began to strip off her clothing. She knew that this is what she had to do. This was Lauren's decision, not hers. She had to let her make the choice. Maybe it was just courtroom jitters, maybe it was cold feet. She knew the blonde was struggling with the decision, but Bo wouldn't press… she couldn't. She had to know that if Lauren was going to move to Alaska for good, that it was what she truly wanted. Otherwise, at some point, she may come to resent Bo and the brunette didn't want that… she couldn't survive that.

Bo crawled into bed, looking over at Lauren who was smiling as she scrolled through the photos of their life in Alaska. Bo couldn't help but smile as well, her face turning serious when she considered that despite how the photos made Lauren feel, there must be thousands of photo memories in Lauren's head of Boston that were equally important to her.

She clicked off the light and thought of all of the people she had met here who were part of Lauren's daily life. She imagined there were still a hundred more who she hadn't met. Bo took a deep breath and relaxed into the pillow. There was nothing she could do at this point. With one last glance at Lauren, she closed her eyes and allowed sleep to claim her.

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John Adams Courthouse, Library

Lauren sat staring down at the thick agreement before her and she was exhausted. They had gone over the entire document. Lauren highlighted her key points of concern and the group had gone back through them… twice… making sure the language was perfect. All she had to do was sign it.

She looked up, checking again to make sure that Evony hadn't shown up. She looked at the door, then at the empty chair, then at Nadia, then at John. She knew that her entire team was staring at her and she was sure that Bo was wondering why she didn't just sign the damn document already. Honestly, Lauren didn't know why she didn't just sign it either. Finally, she put the pen down and looked up at John,

"I want her to donate thirty million dollars to the building of a new Pediatric Cardiothoracic Center for the hospital… my hospital. If we're permitting her to retain ten percent of her stock options in her company as a silent recipient of stipends for life, I want ten million upfront for those kids. It won't bring back the ones who died because she refused them care, but it will help those who are in the care of the hospital moving forward. She will make that money back in about ten years' time and she'll still have plenty to live on until then. If she doesn't, she can sell one of her thirty houses, two of her boats and one of her private jets for all I care."

John looked at his team, the men whispering amongst themselves while Nadia sat there, staring at Lauren. The blonde kept her eyes on John, though she could feel the eyes of her ex upon her. It was funny. Not long ago, when she felt her gaze, it was warm. Now it was cold and hard… more of a slap in the face than a caress.

"Done." John replied.

Lauren nodded, "The new center will be called Gracie's Place."

Everyone on Lauren's team lowered their eyes, but the doctor looked up, staring right at Nadia,

"It's only fitting that the facility memorialize what was lost by the decisions of a greedy few." The blonde turned to John, "Gracie Lee…"

"I know who she was to you, Lauren." John looked at Nadia, "Actually, it was Doctor Anastas who told me about the case."

Lauren nodded, "And did she admit that she was the one who told Evony that giving that young girl the heart was a bad business decision?"

"Lauren…" Nadia began, but the blonde's eyes were already filling with tears, her voice breaking as she spoke with a mix of passion, sadness, regret and fury,

"No, Nadia. Just… don't. It makes me sick to think that I ever married you. It makes me sick to think that I ever thought you were a surgeon who had integrity. It makes me sick to think that you will continue to serve any hospital in this country or the world as a surgeon." The blonde pointed across the table, her jaw clenched, "I should have demanded your license as well. Everything you've put me through… you make me sick! Siding with Evony to take my license? To ruin my reputation? Making deals with interns for passing grades even though they may not be qualified surgeons? Do you have any idea how many lives might have been lost? What in the world were you thinking?"

Nadia shook her head, "I was hurt."

"Do. No. Harm, Nadia. That's the oath we took."

"Well, you certainly did your share." Nadia spat at Lauren, "You broke my heart."

"How dare you defend your actions as a professional with an event that happened outside of your responsibilities as a surgeon! I may have broken your heart, but those patients did nothing to you! They deserved a compassionate physician and surgeon fighting for their right to live!"

Lauren shook her head, "As for our personal life, I said I was sorry, Nadia. But you were not the person I married. You became all about the power, prestige, fame and money. That's not me. It's never been me. You knew it wasn't me and you became the shallow, money-focused doctor we swore we would never become when we were in medical school!"

Nadia lowered her eyes, nodding, "You're right. I have no defense for my actions."

Lauren watched as her ex slid the folder she'd been holding to John, "Here it is."

The blonde looked at John who slid the folder to her without opening it, "What's this?" Lauren asked.

John replied, "It's Nadia's peace offering. No strings."

Lauren looked at him, then Nadia, "No strings?"

"John wrote the contract. Your lawyer checked it. No strings." Nadia replied as she watched Lauren open the folder and begin reading. Within the first few lines, she saw the blonde's expression change from anger to shock.

"You bought it." The blonde said, her eyes wide.

Nadia shook her head, "I emancipated it. They can no longer have their rent raised. They own the building."

Lauren looked at Stephen, "Nadia bought the E-Street clinic and gave Doctor Carter the deed… not just gave it to him, she signed the building over to him. It's his, outright."

Stephen's eyes went wide, his gaze moving to Nadia who waved him off, "You are still the benefactor, of the business Stephen. I didn't transfer ownership nor the dedication of the business itself. The difference is that when you and Lauren walk into that building to help out, you don't have to worry about how much money you're going to have to shell out of your own pockets for IV's, drugs, surgical tools or… hell, electricity. The annual donations, state and federal funding should handle all of that since they will have no rent to pay."

"That's quite generous." Stephen replied.

Nadia shrugged, "It's penance."

Lauren nodded, "Because this was your idea, thank you."

"You're welcome and I have withdrawn any and all lawsuits, including the demands in our divorce."

John slid another agreement across the table to Lauren, "Revised divorce documents. They release you of any financial burdens and give you half the profits from the sale of the shared home. A check is in the folder."

Nadia shrugged, "It sold last week."

Lauren nodded, "Thank you."

Patrick finally spoke, "So, if you sign everything, Lauren. We'll be done here. Bo, your signature carries for your full community in accordance with their wishes."

The brunette knew that she needed to sign the document on behalf of her and her community quickly. The vote by the townspeople had been unanimous, so she had no right to deny the document her signature. In the end, she had to vote with them or become an outcast once again. She had, after all, recommended that they follow Patrick and Penelope's recommendations. She sighed, putting the point to the signature line, but struggled to sign.

"Bo?" Penelope asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Bo kept her eyes on the document and whispered, "I… I know I have to sign this… I have everything to lose if I don't side with the vote from my town, but…"

Penelope nodded, "Back pay?"

Bo nodded, "She wasn't paying them minimum wage, Penelope. I feel like… I mean, Lauren and Stephen are talking about millions and millions of dollars for the hospitals and clinics and their staff where my people can't even get minimum wage? I know we aren't the glitz and glamour capital of the world. We're simple folk who are live with the bare necessities, but… well, I just…"

She looked up at the people gathered at the table,

"What about the workers in Talkeenta? They may not have been abused for as long, but they were working their butts off for pay that barely took care of the cost of a loaf of bread in an hour." Bo shrugged, "I feel like we're still taking a back seat to everyone and everything here in Boston. I feel like we're just getting the leftovers… the handouts, but Evony wronged my people as well."

"I see." Penelope pushed her chair back, taking the document from Bo. She walked to Patrick and asked him to step out of the room with her.

"Excuse me, folks. Sidebar. We'll be right back." Patrick said as he departed the room.

John nodded, but Lauren looked up, her face twisted with concern. Penelope nodded towards Bo and followed Patrick from the room.

The blonde looked over to see Bo staring down at the bare tabletop, her pen tip just above, "Bo?"

"I'm sorry, Lauren."

"Sorry for what?" The doctor asked.

"I think I messed up your deal."

Lauren chuckled, "Of course not, silly."

Bo turned to Lauren, "I just asked for back pay for the workers in my town. That will mean a million less for you." Bo chuckled, "Think you can spare it?"

Lauren paused, confused by what Bo was saying, "Do you think I'm being greedy?"

Bo scowled, "No. I mean, not you personally. I just think that the people in my town deserve the money they should have been paid under the laws we discussed yesterday and today - those minimum wages laws. Actually, even minimum wage in our state isn't enough to make a dent in their monthly bills, but at least they might not have to work a third job for a while. You live there, but you have made so much money as a doctor that I doubt you ever think twice about what it cost you to buy vegetables, juice, bottled water and that salmon you love so much."

Lauren took a breath, knowing that the first words entering her mind were 'how dare you', but the truth was, Bo was right. She never wanted for anything her entire life… except freedom from Nadia and Evony to do her job as she saw fit. The first patient she ever treated in Alaska couldn't afford to pay her – it's why he hadn't come in sooner. In payment, Lauren had her toilet fixed. She'd never thought about how poor people might have been in Talkeetna, but now that she did…

"You're right. I've never thought about it until you just mentioned it." She looked up at Bo, "I'm sorry. I should have bargained more strongly on the part of your citizens… and you."

Bo shrugged, "They're your citizens now too, Lauren. I guess that's my other concern. You say you're going back to Alaska with me, but you don't seem to think of it as your home." Lauren went to speak, but Bo waved her off, "I know. It's a change and it will take time. It's fine… really. Anyway, Penelope and Patrick may need to speak with you."

Lauren nodded, "This is an easy fix."

"How?"

"Don't worry. I've got this. I'll be back." Lauren said, standing to go in search of her legal team.

Bo's attention was drawn to a voice from across the table. It was Nadia,

"Bo, I just want to apologize for how I spoke to you and how I treated you. I was wrong… I was rude and I was wrong. You are good for Lauren… perfect for her, actually. I'm glad she has you. Honestly, you're much better for her than I ever was."

The musher simply nodded her reply, unsure of why the woman had made the comment. Waiting until she was about to lose everything to apologize would never make up for how she treated anyone – not Lauren, not the staff, not the people in her community and definitely not Bo. They sat in silence for a long while until the group finally re-entered the room, taking their seats. Bo turned her attention to Lauren whose hand was now hovering over a document as she scanned the content over and over again.

Bo shook her head. There was something that was making the doctor second guess her decision about Alaska… Bo was sure of it. She'd seen it in her eyes last night – she'd heard it in voice and her carefully chosen words. Of course Bo wanted Lauren to sign and come back with her, but it had to be because the doctor chose it. She didn't want someone who wasn't 100% sure. Alaska wasn't for the faint of heart and it was a sharp contrast to the life Lauren had here in Boston.

Bo stood, walking over to Patrick. She leaned down and whispered in his ear. He looked up at her, his face a mix of shock and concern, but Bo placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder before walking over to Lauren. She leaned down and whispered in her ear before taking the pen, signing the document and dropping the pen on top. She then pulled out Lauren's chair and offered her a hand. Lauren placed her hand in Bo's, her eyes brimming with tears as she walked with her from the room.

They walked quietly, Bo leading them down through the row of desks into the stack of books. She released Lauren's hand, walking up and down the aisle, suddenly noticing the age of the books on the shelves. Lauren spoke, her words barely audible,

"You're leaving… as in… for Alaska?"

Bo walked a bit further before she commented,

"It's strange to think of how long these books have been sitting here on these shelves. I mean, I'm sure most of them have been taken from their place to be read time and again, but still… this has been their home for a very, very long time."

Lauren nodded, still somewhat confused about why they were here and what Bo was planning. She watched as Bo smiled, lifting a book from its place and reading the title of the series, "The 1798 Collection."

She opened the first book, "This collection spans a twenty-eight-year period of Irish history from 1775-1803, concentrating on the Rebellion of 1798."

Lauren tried to muster a smile as she spoke, nervous about where this wa heading "No one does rebellion quite like the Irish."

Bo looked up, grateful for the smile on Lauren's face, no matter how distracted she appeared. The blonde continued,

"That particular period of their history is about the Irish Republican Movement which actually still dominates Irish politics to this day. We're in there, the French are in there… the age of Enlightenment, the Insurrection of 1803… gosh, I haven't thought about that part of history for quite some time."

"You think of the history of Ireland?"

Lauren shrugged, "Little fact… I was actually born there."

"Wow. I had no idea."

"We moved when I was still a baby. I've always been interested in Ireland, but strangely enough, I've never been. I don't know why. I've always wanted to go – I just… my parents discouraged travel… they said it was a frivolous use of money." Lauren laughed, "I'm starting to wonder what money is for if not to be spent to enjoy life and make life better for others. I'm just supposed to save it, invest it, grow it, spend it on cocktail parties and material possessions? Gawd my life seems so stupid now."

Bo scowled, "Lauren, you've led an amazing life. I mean… look at the countless lives you saved? Think of how many more you have yet to save?"

"In Alaska?" Lauren asked.

Bo shrugged, "If that's what you choose, yes. Lauren, you don't have to sign those papers today. I signed because I'm obligated to on behalf of my people. But you're signing for yourself – for your right to live your life your way. I don't think it would hurt to let Evony sweat while you figure things out. The court hearings will move forward whether you sign or not – at least that's what Patrick said. Your part of the legal stuff is just financial holdings. The judge has already ruled in favor of everything that is in that agreement based on the evidence Patrick and Penelope presented. You were listening when he reviewed all of this with us today?"

"Yes, of course I was." Lauren said, glancing at Bo before sitting on the floor and leaning back against the shelf behind them.

Bo replaced the book on the shelf before sitting across from her girlfriend, "Lauren, I don't know how to help you right now. I'm not sure what's going on in your big brain. I do know that last night it sounded like you were having second thoughts about living in Alaska… like you wanted me to stay here. Is that what this is about?"

Lauren shrugged, "I'm not sure. I mean… when I think about all of our family and friends in Alaska… about Elise and Rudy… I can't imagine not going back. But… this has been my home for so long."

"You don't know if you can leave it."

Lauren nodded, "I'm sorry, Bo. I just… you know how much I love you. I just… it's a big change."

"One that you adapted quite nicely to for almost a year."

Lauren smiled, "I did, didn't I?"

Bo nodded, "You did."

"Then why am I having so much trouble with this?"

Bo shrugged, offering a smile, "That's simple. You have a life here, Lauren. You have people here who love and care about you… and you love and care about them. Home is where you feel filled with love and happiness for the life you're living. Home makes you feel a sense of purpose. I never had the kind of love you have here until recently. It's why I was willing to lay down roots in Talkeetna instead of living off grid with the dogs and my sled. I never thought I'd have that and now that I do, I can't imagine not seeing them. I can't even imagine what that will be like for you. Sure, you have family and friends in Alaska, but the ones you have here have been with you all of your life."

Bo hung her head, a memory rushing forth, "After I won the Iditarod, we were at the awards ceremony. That night, I was in a bad head space and I wasn't really being very considerate, but I remember what you said."

Lauren shrugged, "I barely remember what I said that night. I just remember being hurt, but also grateful that we were all still alive."

"Well, once I was alone, I replayed my behavior over and over again. It's sort of stuck in there now. I treated you like crap and I never wanted to treat you that way again. Your voice… well, it sounds cheesy, but it echoed in my mind for weeks. I may not have heard everything you said that night, but my subconscious mind recorded it like your fancy TV at the beach house records your science fiction tv shows."

"Do not mock my DVR choices. They're classics and deserve the attention of the public."

"Not mocking. I love me some Jean-Luc Picard." Bo laughed as she took Lauren's hands in her own,

"I heard what you said that night about feeling like an outsider in Alaska and I get it now. Here, I'm the outsider. It's a hard position to be in. Sure, Stephen, Betsy, Patrick, Elijah, Tara – even Penelope, have all been nice to me, but they're not my friends and they're not my family. I could stay here for a decade and they would still be your friends and family, even though they would eventually get to know me better. I would have to make friends of my own besides Caroline, Shannon and Kelly… like you did with Kyle."

Lauren nodded, "You're right, Bo. It was hard and I did feel like an outsider. And believe me - I know that you're trying here, and I know that it's hard for you. You're like my very own Crocodile Dundee. This place doesn't feel right to you. Honestly, I think I adapted to Alaska much better than you would ever adapt to being here. I really shouldn't have asked that of you last night."

"Why not?" Bo asked, "If we're going to be together, we need to compromise."

She leaned forward, brushing the hair covering one side of Lauren's face behind her ear, "So, how do we compromise?"

Lauren shrugged, "The only thing I can think of is commuting, but it would be a lot of very long flights. I dread the thought of putting you through that. I heard how difficult flying was for you."

Bo shrugged, "I'm sure I'd get used to it over time."

Lauren could see the sadness in Bo's eyes, "Ask."

Bo looked up, "So are you saying you'd like for us to live apart and just visit each other on occasion?"

Lauren shook her head, "I'm thinking that we stay in Alaska during your season, then live here in the off season."

Bo breathed a heavy sigh, "I'd have to ask LJ about that. I mean… that's a long time to leave the load of the kennel business and caring for fifty dogs all on him… not to mention my construction business and… well, my trapping and fishing businesses… people rely on me to survive the winter. I just… I don't know."

"Rely on you?"

Bo smiled, "All of those deliveries I was doing during the summer and fall?"

"I thought they were sledding supplies."

Bo shook her head, "The dry cellar beneath the barn. Have you ever actually gone down there?"

Lauren shrugged, "I guess not. I know you told me to have a look, but I opened the door and… well, it was dark and…"

Bo giggled, "It's okay. That's where I put the fish that I cook and dry downstream at my fishwheel hut. I distribute bags of both dried and frozen salmon to families who order from me. Most natives fish for their own families but the elderly and people who are from the Lower Forty-Eight use my services to get about three months of fish for winter."

"Three months?"

Bo shrugged, "About a thousand salmon, cod and halibut."

"So that's what those men were doing in the barn all of those weeks when you were stuck in bed?"

Bo smiled, "They're good guys. A lot of my stock would have gone bad if they didn't step in to help. They're Tosh's friends from the docks." Bo shook her head, "They wouldn't take any money a month back when I stopped by their boat. Really good guys."

"I didn't realize people relied on you like that. I thought your trapping and fishing business was relatively small." Lauren replied.

Bo shrugged, "Compared to a commercial fishery, definitely. But still… well, I don't serve many, but those I do count on me." She hesitated, getting a bit choked up as she added, "Unlike most people, those people that used my trapping and fishing services were always kind to me. Always."

Lauren looked up at Bo, seeing a hint of the woman she'd first met when she arrived in Alaska – more wounded, untrusting animal than human.

Bo sighed, "Anyway, it would be hard for me to leave at any time of year. No matter when I go, I'll let someone down… someone who has never let me down. You're there when people have a failing heart. You would never consider letting them down. I feel the same with these people – it's no grand surgery, but their lives do depend on the food when winter hits in Alaska. I suppose I could take a few weeks here or there, but even that would be a long time to be away."

Lauren nodded, "I suppose it would be a long time for me to leave the clinic and hospital as well."

Bo shrugged, "I don't know much about how hospitals run – only what I read in the agreements – but isn't a hospital run by a Board of Directors, Board President and a Chief of Staff… and aren't there a whole lot of Nurses and Doctors and other staff that do patient care?"

"Sure, but if I'm handling the cardiothoracic wing and also have partnerships with other hospitals in Alaska and Seattle, it's not like I can just go jetting off to Boston to perform surgeries."

"Wait – you mean you want to stay on staff here in Boston?" Bo asked.

Lauren shrugged, "I love my job, Bo. I love the hospital where I work."

Bo nodded, "So you're really just buying the clinic and hospital in Alaska so that Evony and Nadia can't have them."

Lauren scowled, "No. I want to make them better."

"Pardon my honesty, but you sound sort of hypocritical right now, sweetie."

"What?"

"The hospital you love so much – that you want to remain attached to was built by Evony. It was standing and successful before you were brought on board, Lauren. It was very clear in the arguments from Evony's team. They were financially viable, and they were saving lives – a lot of lives under Stephen's tenure."

"Of course they were. He was excellent." Lauren replied.

"Well, why couldn't she recreate Boston in Alaska? Why do you doubt that she wouldn't be able to create a successful hospital? You can't deny that she has done wonders for every city where she has planted a hospital. You want to take her out of each of them and replace her with who? You? From what I can tell, you're building your first ever hospital in Alaska. She built the clinic."

"Are you actually defending her? And incidentally, I built that clinic, Bo."

The brunette chuckled, "Actually, I built the first one and the Amish built the second one. You built the business side with Evony's money."

Lauren dropped Bo's hands and stood, pacing the short length of the row of bookcases they occupied, "Are you saying I can't do it? That I don't have it in me to be as successful as Evony was?"

Bo smiled, "I'm not saying that at all, Lauren. I just find it interesting that Evony was set on domination of you and everyone else at that hospital. It was wrong, for sure, but it definitely guaranteed that the hospital would continue to be the top health care institution in the city. She also built the business that allowed you to do what you've been doing. Then, when you threatened to jump ship, she threatened to take you down. So, in response, you did unto her as she had threatened to do to you."

Bo shrugged, "I've just never known Lauren Lewis to be such a vengeful, spiteful person. It's not becoming."

"This is not about vengeance, Bo. It's about taking a vile woman out of power. She is disrespectful to her doctors and nurses. She belittles them, she's vindictive, spiteful and inconsiderate of other priorities they have in their lives. I cannot allow that to continue and she would build a healthcare institution in Alaska that would have the same environment. I have to stop it from happening again."

"And to do that, you have to take everything from her?"

Lauren spun around, fierce eyes landing on Bo's, "And you don't think she deserves it after what she did to me?"

She closed her eyes, "I mean… to all of the doctors and nurses."

Bo nodded, "Sounds a little like revenge to me." Bo waved as Lauren went to speak, "But that's for you to come to terms with. Believe me, I've sought revenge in my days as well. Still, I just think it's important that you think about what's ahead in your life if you sign those papers. You're taking everything from her, but you're also taking on her mantle as what sounds like the CEO of a company. You want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon – a job that already takes up most of your life according to what happened in your marriage with Nadia. You want to add to that, running a hospital in Boston, Alaska and Seattle in addition to a clinic. You want to then fly back and forth between the east and west coasts and what – every once in a while, squeeze in a roll in the hay with little old me?"

"Bo, it wouldn't be like that." Lauren began, but Bo cut her off,

"There are only twenty-four hours in a day, Lauren. Betsy told me you're in bed by eight on nights when you have a transplant the next day. She also said you spend a good hour or two each day studying a practicing various surgeries to keep up with your skills. Your life as a surgeon here would never allow for a personal life and for that, I can understand what Nadia must have felt as you pulled away from her in your marriage."

She shook her head, "I'm not trying too be hurtful, Lauren. I'm trying to be honest – realistic. You said it yourself – you didn't really want to marry Nadia. Surgery was your first love and you made no secret of that. Well, I've never known that Lauren. I know the Lauren who put her family and friends first unless there was an emergency at the clinic. You said you want to learn to drive a sled, raise a litter of pups, climb Denali… how will you ever find time to live life if you're always saving the lives of others?"

"Bo…"

"It's okay, Lauren. Like I said. You have some things to think about and I intend to give you the freedom to do just that." Bo turned and headed for the door, stopping when the blonde called to her,

"Bo."

"Lauren, I said it before, and I'll say it again. I can't help you with this one. You have to make this decision for yourself. If you want to live apart and continue to see each other, I'll do my best to make that happen, but I can't make any promises. I have a life in Alaska, and I made it very clear that I had every intention of staying there. Sure, I've thought about life here, but realistically speaking, it wouldn't be healthy for me. I can't have those anxiety attacks every day – I just can't. And having nowhere to drive a sled… well, it would be the equivalent of taking a scalpel from your hand for the rest of your life."

Bo took a breath, "The bottom line is, I have responsibilities to a lot of people in Alaska and my life is there just like yours is here. My training and the Iditarod is an eight month commitment every year. That leaves four months when I'm able to work full time at the Kennel and at my construction and trapping businesses. I have thirty-five dogs that are purely my responsibility and that doesn't count LJ's dogs, my promise to teach him or the breeding I'll start doing with Harper's kids next spring to continue the bloodline."

Bo shook her head, "My reality is weather-related. My finances require that I work several jobs to make ends meet. I don't have a fancy college degree. I'm not a doctor who can land a six-figure salary in a year just by doing surgeries a few times a week and office hours the other days. You know I work from sunrise to sunset and still have to take care of my dogs until they're settled. My life isn't for everyone, Lauren. I fully understand if you can't commit to it. Unfortunately, I won't have a lot of time to travel to Boston. I'm only here now because it was an emergency."

Bo paused for a long moment, shaking her head, "And I just got my Mom back… and I have a little sister and family for the first time since I was a kid… and… they actually care about me." She quickly wiped a tear that gave away the quake in her voice, "I have to go back, Lauren. I have to go back."

Lauren nodded as Bo closed the distance between them, her eyes down as she spoke, "I love you, Lauren Lewis. I'll love you no matter what you decide. You're my true north. You've helped me to find my way out of the darkness and I fully intend to show my appreciation for all you've brought to my life and my heart by being the best I can be for everyone in my life. I will devote any time I have to you and us, but I can't live in Boston, Lauren. I'm sorry. Maybe that is selfish of me that I'm not willing to drop everything and join you here where your whole life is, but let's be realistic. I'm not an educated woman and I would be forced to give up the only thing I truly love other than you."

She cocked her head, a tear falling again, "I guess I'm supposed to say something like – I love you more than mushing – and that's true but… what would my life be then? I sit around all day while you work a fourteen-hour day and wait for you to come home? I cook and clean and do the laundry like a housewife, then rub your feet and listen to you tell me all about your day hoping that maybe you won't be too exhausted to spend time with me or make love a few times a week?"

Bo finally looked up at Lauren, her eyes red and wet, "That's not a life, Lauren and if you think it is, then I'd like you to think long and hard about what you're being asked to give up if you move to Alaska. From the cheap seats where I am, it seems to me like you still get to practice medicine at the clinic and at a brand-new state-of-the-art hospital that includes surgical privileges in Anchorage. You gain a family who loves you – probably more than they love me."

She stepped back, shoving her hands into her pockets, "But you have to weigh the pros and cons just like I have since you left Alaska. I've thought about hopping a plane night and day, every day since you left. I just… I don't fit here, Lauren. I don't feel right. The air, the ground, the noise, the people… it's all just… wrong. But it works for you and it's just not fair for me to expect you to drop everything and join me where my whole life is.

Bo sighed, "It seems we've come back to the problem we knew was coming. You just needed some time to admit it to yourself."

Kissing Lauren on the cheek, she spoke softly, "I'll go back in and stall for time as long as I can."

Bo walked down the aisle and headed back to the conference room, leaving Lauren standing among the stacks, her arms folded around herself. As she walked, the carpet grew blurry, the tears falling freely down her cheeks. Bo hadn't expected this when she came here today. She had fully opened her heart and her hopes to Doctor Lauren Lewis and now she felt it breaking into a million pieces. Lauren wanted to stay… she wanted to stay here in Boston. This was it… this was the end.

Bo stopped at the door to the conference room. She could only imagine how red and swollen her eyes were and she couldn't bear to go in and sit across from Nadia. The bitch would probably have a smug little smile on her face and Bo would want to slap it off… badly. Instead, she wiped her cheeks and adjusted her clothing as she took two deep breaths.

"Fuck." She said, pulling out her phone sending Patrick a text…

"Lauren's having second thoughts about leaving Boston. She's having second thoughts about signing the agreement. I signed before we left the room. I'm going back where I belong. Lauren will be in shortly or will text you if she wants to delay the signing. Thank you for everything, Patrick. Please thank the rest of the team as well."

Bo headed down the hall to fix her face in the bathroom. She entered the restroom, heading directly into a stall when she saw another woman at the sink. She stood waiting until she left, then exited the stall and looked in the mirror. She sighed, getting to work on cleaning up the make-up she'd taken the time to wear for the meeting. Finally, she took a deep breath and steeled her emotions as she stared at her face in the mirror,

"You can do this by yourself. You can walk down the street and wave down a taxi or get on the trolley or… whatever. You can do this. You can get yourself home where you belong."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lauren's Home, Beacon Hill

Lauren rushed to the door when she heard the rather insistent knock. She smiled, wiping away her tears,

"Bo!" She yelled as she opened the door and stepped towards the visitor but stopped short when she saw her legal team… her entire legal team.

"What happened, Lauren?" Patrick asked, but instead caught her in his arms as she collapsed.

He whisked her into his arms, carrying her over to the couch as she sobbed on his shoulder. He'd never seen her like this. She was the ever-strong, confident, Doctor Lauren Lewis. What happened to make her fall to pieces like this?

Betsy and Stephen entered, looking around the apartment before sharing a glance and a shake of their heads. They looked at Penelope who pulled out her phone, texting Bo. They waited and waited before she placed a call… still no answer.

She shrugged, Betsy whispering, "Well, this isn't good. What the hell happened?"

Stephen shrugged, "I have no idea."

Lauren finally spoke, "She's gone. She's gone and I let her go."

"Oh, Lauren..." Patrick said, sitting on the small space in front of his friend, using his hand on the back of the sofa for balance. He didn't think to tell Lauren about Bo's text. He never imagined she was going back to Alaska right away, "I'm so sorry."

Lauren closed her eyes, "She sent me a text that she was giving me the space I needed to figure things out."

"Wait… you mean she left for the airport?" Betsy asked.

Lauren nodded.

"Her plane couldn't have left yet, Lauren. Flights to Alaska don't happen like commuter flights."

Lauren shrugged, "There are plenty of connecting flights that could land her in a city that flies regularly to Alaska. She's been ready to go home since she got here. I'm sure she'll spend as much money as she has to so that she can get there sooner rather than later… especially since I didn't beg her to stay or offer to leave with her. I didn't say anything. It was like my mouth was sewed shut. I just… I didn't know what to say."

Patrick sighed, "Then maybe she's right, Lauren. Maybe you need time to figure out what it really is that you really want. You've just signed on as CEO of Lewis-Asher, Inc. and you've lost the top Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the hospital here in Boston. Granted, you still haven't signed a few other agreements, but all the more reason for me to remind you that you've got a lot to take care of right now. I few weeks to get things settled here and think about your next move isn't a bad thing. Bo isn't one to mince words. I believe she's sincere that she wants you to be sure, Lauren. Take the time she's giving you to figure out what you really want."

Lauren sat up, suddenly finding her voice, "I want her, Patrick! I want her so bad that I can't breathe right now. I can't believe I hesitated. I just… I was here and… we had such a good time in the city today and… it was comfortable for me but… oh, she was so terrified the entire time. I knew she could never live here. She'd die here. She thinks I expect her to give up her family, her construction company, her trapping business, her kennel, racing… her dogs – Harper! I could never ask her… I know how important all of those things are to her."

"And everything you have here is important to you, Lauren." Penelope reminded, "Why should you have to give up everything for her? Where's the compromise?"

"That's what you don't understand, Penelope. Bo has already given up the life she's always known. Talkeetna is a tiny corner compared to Boston, but it's a town with people and businesses and… she's part of that now. She built a house, she's in counseling to learn how to function around people. Don't you see? She gave up living off-grid for me. The Bo I met a year ago and the Bo I'm in love with now are two completely different people."

She shook her head, "I've known since I met her that adjusting to Talkeetna was a huge step for her. She could never adapt to Boston." Lauren shook her head, "I can't believe I let her leave."

Patrick brushed her hair back from her face, "You let her leave because you respect her need to live in Alaska, Lauren. She's not built for the city – you said it yourself. The only question now is, are you built for Alaska."

She looked up at Patrick, "She's my heart, Patrick. She's my soul. I don't know where to begin without her."

Patrick smiled, "Wow. The great Doctor Lauren Lewis, tough woman extraordinaire is smitten."

Lauren laughed, "You have no idea."

"Well, we'll take all of the alcohol with us so that you don't begin with downing a bottle of vodka." Betsy said, pulling bottles from Lauren's liquor cabinet while Stephen held the box.

Lauren rolled her eyes, looking back at Patrick, "Were they mad?"

"A little frustrated, maybe. I just told them that you were having second thoughts about a few of the conditions in the agreement. I told them I'd be in touch. Of course, they wanted a more definitive timeline, but when I reminded John that everything was already approved by the courts, they agreed time didn't matter at the moment."

Lauren nodded, "Evony has to appear on Tuesday?"

Patrick nodded, "Nadia as well."

"I couldn't believe she apologized to Bo."

He smiled, "From what John said, it didn't sound like Bo received the apology very well."

"Yea, well Nadia was a total shit. Actions speak louder than words in Bo's book." Lauren shook her head, "And my actions certainly just told her that I don't love her as much as I claim to."

Patrick sighed, "She may have gone back to Alaska, Lauren but it's not like she's going anywhere else. She's in love with you too. What did she say when she left?"

Lauren shrugged, "She was giving me space to make my decision."

"There, you see? She understands the dilemma. One of you is about to make a huge move in order to make the other happy."

"She won't live here." Lauren replied,

"Okay then, so it's up to you."

"Yup. She left it all in my lap. We succeed or fail as a couple because of what I decide."

"Lauren, that's not true. She made the decision not to move here. If you can't leave Boston, it's as much her fault as it is yours. She doesn't expect you to give up what you love if that's here. She wants it to be your choice to live in Alaska."

"Why couldn't I have met someone who lived here?"

Patrick shook his head, "You did. She sucked."

Lauren laughed.

"Lauren, I'm the last person to give you relationship advice. You didn't listen to me last time, but I'm going to try anyway." He took a breath, "You are never going to love anyone the way you love that woman and I can't believe anyone will ever love you the way she loves you."

He pulled out his phone and scrolled back to the text Lauren had sent him when she'd first landed in Alaska and smiled, showing it to her,

'My adventure awaits. More snow than I thought.'

He turned and showed Lauren the selfie she'd sent, then continued to scroll. Lauren smiled at the picture of the polar bear that LJ had saved them from. She smiled when she saw the picture of the outside of the General Store in Point Siku. She shook her head at the picture of Big Jim and the text,

'This guy's a creep. Can feel it in my bones.'

"I was right about him from the start." Lauren said.

Patrick nodded, "You always were a good judge of character."

He continued to scroll through pictures of Kenzi, Molly and Mark, the old clinic and the first picture of Bo,

'She's a tough one. Gorgeous, but hardened by what I hear is a shit life. Feel sorry for her.'

She smiled seeing Patrick's reply,

'I suppose you'll try to save that one too.'

'Of course. It's what I do.'

'Don't go falling in love.'

'I'm done with love.'

Lauren shook her head, "I never thought I'd fall in love. I definitely never thought I'd fall in love with someone who didn't seem capable of love."

"Well, that's not what you said a few months later."

Lauren smiled at the picture of Bo kissing her on the cheek before they left for a sled run together. Memories of the day came rushing back.

'It was a good day… a very good day.'

He scrolled on through pictures of Bo's sled team, Bo and Harper, Molly and Mark, LJ, Michael, Pops, her adorable, young three-dog team, Kyle, her sled and the dogs hooked up with her in the driver's seat, the rebuilt clinic, the new General Store, the Iditarod, Bo's awards ceremony, her Nursing Team, Kenzi, Vex, Tamsin, Bo's new home, Elise, Kurt, Pops and Bo with the puppies… there was even a picture of Acacia and Bo's Mom.

"I sure did a lot of living in a short amount of time."

"Those people are your family and friends, Lauren. As much as we are your family and friends, they are too. There's no reason you can't have it all. You don't mind flying. Any time you want to come back for a visit, you can. There's no law saying Bo has to come with you. Sure, we'd love to have her, but if she doesn't want to come, she doesn't have to."

Lauren shook her head, "I'm an idiot, aren't I."

Patrick shrugged, "I don't know about that. I think you're just… a little misguided in your thinking."

"You mean I overanalyze things." Lauren replied.

"I didn't say that." Patrick defended.

"No. Nadia did and she was right."

"I definitely didn't say that." Patrick smiled, "Let me ask you – did you miss the schedule and stress of doing cardiothoracic surgery?"

Lauren shrugged, "At times I missed the challenge of the surgeries – especially in the beginning. But then there was a plague and a need for an emergency team and… well, I suppose I found projects that kept me busy and… it was fun. I don't know that I've ever used that word in association with my job… I mean, I guess it's not supposed to be fun – people dying and all."

"Found her!" Penelope yelled.

Lauren sat up, pushing Patrick down onto the couch so she could see her friend, "Where?"

"She just bought a ticket. Flight 292 from Boston to Philly, Philly to Chicago, Chicago to Seattle, Seattle to Anchorage."

"Damn. She really wants to get home." Patrick said from beneath Lauren.

"If you hurry, you might be able to catch her while she's still here in Boston, Lauren." Betsy said, "The flight leaves in an hour."

"It could be delayed. You know how things are in airports these days." Stephen added.

Betsy laughed, adding a bit of sarcastic banter, "And world traveler that you are, you know about airports these days?"

"Oh, shush." Stephen said, flicking his hand at his partner.

Patrick sat up, straightening his tie, "I'll drive you."

Lauren stood, running around her apartment, "I'd rather live to see her again."

She paced back and forth, one hand on her hip, the other running across her lip, her brow and then through her hair before she stopped and looked up at the group,

"I love you all, but the love of my life lives in Alaska. I've got to go there and try to make a life with her."

"if it doesn't work, Boston will always welcome you back." Betsy smiled.

Lauren shook her head, "I know. It just took me a moment to get out of my own way and realize that I'm free to choose to do anything I want, when I want. Right now, I'm going to Alaska to be with my girl."

The group cheered as Lauren ran into her bedroom, pulled her suitcase from her closet and began throwing random items of clothing into the bag. Jackets, long underwear, long-sleeved tops, jeans, leggings, sweatshirts and sweaters, sweatpants, underwear, snow pants, all of her waterproof gear, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens and finally, her respirator and goggles. She had no idea how cold it would be now that it was the last week of August. It was still relatively warm here, but she was sure Alaska might be colder.

"Lauren, we can send all of your stuff." Penelope suggested.

She looked at her friend, "Box and send it all… everything. I'll sort through it there and give away what I don't want. Sell the house. Pay a college kid to drive my Jeep out when the weather allows and then pay for their airfare home. Of course, if you find a good hire for the Anchorage hospital, they can drive a very long one-way commute to work, right?"

They all laughed, as Lauren continued packing as she spoke, "Keep the beach house. You guys can take turns living there."

"I'll rent it from you. I'd love to open a branch office there." Patrick suggested.

"Deal!" Lauren replied, "Make sure the guest house is available for me when I come home. If you'd like to add an office, add it the main house. You can have Penelope hire the construction company, but make sure they do a good job, so it melds perfectly with the house."

"Will do." Patrick replied.

She pulled a painting from above the sofa and opened the wall safe behind it, pulling out all of her cash and credit cards. She grabbed her passport, her diplomas and licensing documents. She handed all of it to Patrick,

"Use that scanning app you have in your phone. Copy everything… just in case."

Patrick set to the assigned task while Lauren put everything into a backpack. She then grabbed her laptop, tablet and chargers before moving to the mantle above the fireplace. She stared at the picture of her Mom, Dad and brother, tracing her siblings' face before she grabbed the picture of her dogs and Bo. She turned to her suitcase and tossed the photo in under the protection of the clothing.

She ran back to her bedroom and grabbed a carry-on bag. Taking it to the bathroom, she opened her medicine cabinet and pulled each glass shelf from its rests, dumping the contents into the bag. She then threw in her make up bag, travel shampoo and a few other personal items. They had plenty of towels and linens at the homestead for now.

She took the bag to the living room with the rest of her belongings and looked around, "What am I forgetting?"

Stephen held out her medical bag, "You'll need this."

Lauren shook her head, "Part of me doesn't want to take that."

Stephen shrugged, "You don't have to if you don't want to." He walked to her, pulling her into a hug as he spoke quietly so nobody would hear, "You've worn the mantle of top cardiothoracic surgeon for a long time. Take it from someone who knows, it's weighs heavy on the shoulders. I could have had a life, Lauren… a wonderful life filled with love and adventures. Instead, I worked myself into old age. Don't make the same mistakes I've made, Lauren. You've followed in my footsteps for long enough. You don't want your life to be like mine."

He held her shoulders as he stepped back at arms' length,

"Go, Lauren. Do your research and take care of whatever comes up. No pressure to be anything. Just follow your gut and do what comes naturally in the moment… each moment. Build a great clinic… greater than it already is. Build a great hospital, but remember to build a great life, too."

Lauren's eyes teared up, "You said you would come when it opens… help me out. You promised."

Stephen nodded, "I've never broken a promise to you. I'm not about to start now. Besides, I'm President of the Board – it's not like I'll have much of a choice. I'll be there."

Patrick smiled, standing side by side with Betsy and Penelope, "We'll all be there, Lauren. We're your team and there's still a bunch of stuff you have to sign."

"Thank you all. I'll come home as soon as I can." Lauren smiled, hugging each of them one at a time.

Penelope grinned, "I'll invite the gals over. We'll pack up everything, call in a cleaning crew, paint and get this place sold or at least rented out as soon as possible. You know I won't sell her for less than she's worth."

Lauren nodded, "I know you'll do right by me, Penelope."

"Because that's why you pay me the big bucks." The woman laughed, "And a percentage of the sale?"

"Exactly." Lauren nodded with a smile. She hugged her friend and whispered, "Now, will you drive me to the airport because I really do want to make it there alive."

"Of course. I'll go pull my car up."

Penelope headed for the door while the others stood with Lauren as she closed her bags. She took one last look around the house while Stephen walked to her office printer. Grabbing the papers, he walked back to Lauren,

"Here are your plane tickets. Penelope got you on the same flight as Bo… the seat right next to hers. If you make the flight, it'll be one hell of a surprise. If not, the flight she booked is transferrable. Bo has three transfers, so if you can hop on the next available, you might be able to connect with her second flight. If not, maybe the third. If not, you'll be right behind her the whole way."

Lauren nodded, "I'll call LJ for a ride if I can't connect with her before the last leg. Thank you, Stephen."

"Always, Lauren." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"Okay then. See you all soon." Lauren replied, "I can't believe I'm doing this."

She stood looking around her home, "I'll miss this place… but I'll miss Bo too much to stay."

She turned to Patrick, "Got a pen?"

He grinned, pulling the agreement from behind his back and handing her a pen. She took the packet and paged through, signing each page that was marked with a post-it arrow. When finished, she lay the pen on top of the file,

"You'll send me a copy?"

Patrick nodded, "Of course."

He gave her a hug, "Follow your dreams, Lauren. You're free to live life on your terms. Live the hell out of it."

She pulled back, placing a hand on his cheek, "Take your own advice. Don't get stuck in that office all day and night. I know we're building a new business but do it right. Build a practice with boundaries that allow for a personal life. Hire a good team who can take care of business when you take a break – and make sure they all take breaks too."

He nodded, "I think I'll take a page out of the Lauren Lewis employee work-vacation adventure manual."

"Good man." She smiled, giving his face a playful smack before she turned back to her luggage,

"Take care everyone. Call or text anytime." Lauren smiled as she headed for the door. She stopped back, looking around her home for a brief moment knowing that she would welcome the big rafters, beautiful hearth and roaring fire… even if it meant having to read five bedtime stories to a certain little girl.

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Flight 292, Boston to Philly

As the plane taxied away from the gate, Bo looked around the plane. It was smaller and much more crowded than the first plane she'd flown on, but the flight attendant had explained she was likely on a larger plane in First Class before. There were no wide leather seats, but there were headphones. Unfortunately, she was listening to nothing because she couldn't figure out how to use the screen in front of her. This was just one of four planes she'd have to take. It was the fastest way home. Right now, she was wishing she wasn't so damn stubborn and impatient.

She gave up, deciding to stare out of the window. The two seats next to her were empty, so at least she could stretch out during the flight… yes, she would stretch out and sleep... for two hours. She hadn't had much sleep the night before. Her eyes teared up thinking of the fact that it might have been the last time she would ever share a bed with Lauren.

Bo had called ahead to Molly from the airport to ask if anyone could arrange for a pickup. She said that someone would be there tomorrow when she arrived. She was looking forward to getting back to familiar territory. She missed Harper and the other dogs. She couldn't wait to take them out on the dry-land sleds. She'd been away too long, and LJ was probably exhausted doing all of the runs.

Molly mentioned that he had hired a few young mushers to work in the store. One of them had a few years of mushing experience so he had him taking out some of the younger dogs that were used as backups, but Bo wasn't crazy about that idea. Being a musher and being a trainer were two different things. The young dogs needed an experienced trainer making sure they learned to follow instructions and didn't cause problems with the other dogs.

Still, Bo couldn't be angry or start placing blame. She was on the other side of the country and LJ was doing what he had to do to keep things running. She was grateful – especially since LJ was still recovering from his injury and would never be able to run every dog every day. He had just gotten back on a sled for his first full thirty-mile run last week, according to Molly, so Bo was lucky the dogs were being run at all.

When she got back home, she needed to make the business a priority. When LJ asked to go into business with Bo, he'd expected a teacher and partner, not a boss that would run off leaving him to run the entire operation by himself. She may not be a surgeon, but the business was hers and she loved it as much as Lauren loved her Boston hospital. Bo had worked all of her life to get to where she was, just like Lauren. She may not be a top doctor making six figures, but she was a three-time Iditarod Champion and in Alaska, that was a very big deal – not that she'd ever cared about being a big deal.

She sighed, feeling a sick sensation as the plane took flight. Her ears clogged up and a quick feeling of the plane dropping hit. She swallowed hard, trying to lay her head back and relax but she really hated flying. If man was meant to be in the sky, dogs would have been given wings.

She closed her eyes, thinking of her life back home… about how it used to be. Trap, trade, train, repeat – except for the odd meeting with 'civilized people' who wanted to hire her to build a home or an Inn… or lately… a clinic or hospital.

She shook her head cursing the day Evony Fleurette-Marquis entered her life. She would have continued living off grid, just her and the dogs. Honestly, she lived year-round for the races she entered but once race season was over, she would have rather picked up some supplies at the General Store and headed back out to the mountains with her dogs until the following October. She hated those post-race banquets when she was forced to socialize and pretend those people gave half a damn about her.

She looked out of the window, feeling the plane level off. The Captain turned off the seat belt sign and Bo didn't waste any time taking off the restraint, balling up her jacket to use as a pillow and laying down on the seat beside her. She couldn't help but think for a moment what it would have been like to have Lauren in the seat next to her… apparently, for now, life had other plans.

"Lauren." She whispered the name, her eyes welling with tears. On some level – and she hated like hell to admit it but she owed Evony for bringing the doctor into her life. Even if Lauren never came back to Alaska, she knew she would always be grateful for having loved her, but her heart would be forever broken. She worried about what would happen if she couldn't recover. She had a family now and they deserved her time and attention, but she had a feeling she was going to want to take the dogs and run.

The only reason she had put down roots and begun a regular commute to town was because of Lauren. Without her there, life off-grid seemed very appealing again. The idea of passing the clinic every day, seeing Belle, Anna and Elsa, the kids asking about Lauren… it would all just be… too much. If she went back to her old life, her Mom and Rudy could live at the homestead, she could sign over the Kennel to LJ and her family… and she had a feeling that Kyle wouldn't mind having a hand in the business as well. She would be a fine replacement teacher for LJ – especially with the business and technical side of things.

Yes, getting back to her old pre-Lauren life would be something that would help her to heal. Her mind wandered as she fell asleep…

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"HIKE! HIKE!" Bo called, her smile broad as her team cut through the snow, turning the corner at the pass and heading down the steep slope that would lead to the finish line. She could hear the other sled's musher just about fifty yards behind.

"HIKE! HIKE!" Her opponent called, her dogs barking as they gave chase.

Bo knew she needed to run clean to the end or the other sled would overtake her. This rookie musher was improving more than she'd anticipated. She should have gone harder on the fifth mile instead of getting cocky and letting her back into the race.

This new home in the Yukon made for some of the most challenging trails she'd ever experienced, but it was fun out here… so much fun. She still couldn't believe that just over three years ago, she'd almost become a civilian. Life off-grid was perfect, especially now that she had a partner who loved off-grid living as much as she did.

She looked to her right, suddenly aware that the lead dog of the other sled was next to her,

"Crap! Let's go, Ladies! You're about to get beat by a team of rookies if you don't get it moving!" She looked down at Harper in her basket and laughed as the old girl barked commands at her former teammates, "You tell 'em coach! Get those girls movin' before we have to cook dinner and shovel the poop!"

"Hike! Hike!" Bo heard just over her shoulder as she hopped off rails and began to run – hard. She drove the sled like a champion, her muscles burning, her head down, keeping her focus on the heads of her two champion leads as they shifted into another gear,

"Good girls! Good girls! Go hard! Go hard!" Bo yelled, as the other musher called out to her team as well,

"That's it, little ones! You're gaining! Push it! Push it! You've got this!"

Bo chuckled, yelling over her shoulder, "I don't think so."

"You'd better hope not!" The other musher called back, the laughter in her voice causing a smile to stretch across Bo's face.

"Fifty yards, forty, thirty, twenty, ten and… YES! Still reigning champion! Way to go girls! Wahoooo!"

"You suck, Dennis!"

Bo focused on the laughter over the statement as she pulled her team to a stop, dropping the anchor and driving it into the ground before running over to the other musher and tackling her into the snow,

"You promised!"

"I still can't believe you could have had anything and you chose snow sex for our bet! It's freezing out here, Bo!"

"Hey! You promised you'd try it. I'm telling you – you'll love it, Lauren."

"You do realize I still have practically zero body fat and am highly prone to hypothermia."

Bo laughed, "But this will warm you right up. Besides, snow is an insulator."

"I'm never going to be one who doesn't make good on a bet, but you also promised me there would be fire with the sex."

Bo slid her thigh into Lauren's core, "Oh, I'll light a fire alright."

Lauren bit her bottom lip, "Mmmm… that's not exactly the kind of fire I had in mind…"

"Fine. Fire first."

"Come here." Lauren laughed, pulling Bo in for a deep kiss, their goggles banging together, "Get these off."

Bo obliged, pulling of her own before taking Lauren's off as well. The blonde wasted no time locking lips again as she shoved her hand beneath the elastic of Bo's snow pants,

"Have I mentioned over the years how I've always found it super sexy that you don't wear any panties?" Lauren smiled, her fingers parting Bo's already swollen lips to find a very wet core, "Mmmm… how long have you been thinking about snow sex?"

Bo groaned as she felt cool fingers enter her, "Since we left."

Lauren giggled, thrusting in deeper, "Wow. That's one horny sled ride."

Bo moaned, now meeting the blonde's rhythm as she rode strong fingers towards her climax, "Damn, Lauren! That feels so fucking good."

"Mmmm… I love that after all of these years I can still make you feel this way."

Bo grinned, "No one will ever make me feel that way you do."

They locked eyes, Lauren's hand moving to Bo's face as she watched her cheeks flush, her head tilt back slightly as she fell over the edge – a long, powerful orgasm pushing her towards oblivion.

Lauren smiled as the brunette finally fell limp onto her chest, the heat from her body warming her, chest as Bo had promised.

"I love you, Lauren."

"I love you, Bo and I love this life you've made for us."

Bo lifted her eyes to meet Lauren's, "You don't miss living back in Talkeetna? You don't miss doctoring every day?"

Lauren smiled, "I love living off-grid with you. We have everything we could possibly want – a beautiful view, plenty of food and shelter and an incredible canine family. Most of all, I have you…"

"Miss! Miss!"

Bo sat up straight, looking around until her eyes settled on a woman in a blue jacket. Her eyes traveled to the gold wings on her chest as she spoke,

"We're at the gate, Miss. It's time to depart the plane or you'll miss your connecting flight."

"Flight." Bo said, looking around and realizing where she was, "Dream. It was… it was just a dream."

"Excuse me?" The woman asked.

Bo looked up at her, brushing her hair back, "Nothing. It's… it's nothing."

SHe stood, hitting her head on the bulkhead above her, "Ow!"

"Oops. Uh… can I help?"

Bo shook her head, "No. No, I'm good."

She gripped her bag, throwing it over her shoulder and slipping into the aisle. She gave a polite smile to the flight crew before heading up the walkway to her civilization and her next flight,

"It was just a dream."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport

"Yes, Sir. I'm a doctor – a cardiothoracic surgeon. I need to get to Anchorage Alaska as quickly as possible to perform a… heart transplant. The heart isn't viable forever. The patient has been waiting years for this heart."

Lauren watched, biting her nail as the receptionist searched for a flight for the doctor. Part of her felt guilty for lying, but on the other hand, it wasn't a complete lie. She was a transplanted Alaskan and her heart had been waiting for years to find Bo's heart, so… well, okay… it was a stretch, but it was necessary.

"Okay. We have a private airliner set to take off and travel through Chicago to Seattle where we have several flights to Anchorage in the morning. We also have a commercial flight that's flying out in just a few minutes through Toronto."

Lauren considered her options for a moment, "What time would I arrive in Seattle?" Lauren asked.

"Nine o'clock tonight."

Lauren nodded, "I'm wondering if either flight has my patient on it by any chance?"

"What is the patient's name?"

"Bo Dennis. They're flying her from Philly to Seattle."

Lauren's foot tapped beneath the counter as she continued to gnaw nervously on her nail, hoping that she could surprise Bo on the plane.

The woman finally nodded, "Um… I don't see a Bo Dennis on a flight from Philly to Seattle."

Lauren looked down at her phone, checking to be sure she had the same airline Penelope had used on the way. She can't imagine Bo changing anything about her reservations other than the date and time. She had no flying experience and from what Kenzi had told her – had barely survived being in the airport. She would definitely choose something familiar.

"Nope. No Bo Dennis on any of our flights. They took a plane out of service earlier, so they've been rearranging flights all day."

Lauren nodded, finding it strange, but deciding she might be able to catch Bo in Seattle, "They must have found an earlier flight for her. Book me on the private flight, please?"

The flight attendant did as asked. Lauren's heart sunk. She thought for a while about the best course of action, then it hit her. She had the perfect plan. She picked up the phone and called Molly. She might need a bit of help to pull this off.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Seattle, Washington

Bo's first flight was bumped because of mechanical failure, but the detour actually saved her time in the air, so that was a good thing. Her second flight had been filled with turbulence, so had almost rented a car to drive the rest of the way. Her third flight had been delayed due to air traffic and weather. When the announcement had come over the intercom that they had to circle, she'd immediately called the flight attendant to ask what it meant. The woman explained in a hurry, not at all interested in tending to Bo's nervous needs. It was right then and there that Bo had decided she would fly First Class or nothing if she ever had to board an airplane again. They were mean in coach and considering all the money she'd dumped into these flights; they could have at least smiled when they all but dismissed her questions.

Still, it turns out the flight attendant wasn't actually as big a bitch as Bo thought. As a matter of fact, she might have even apologized if the woman hadn't practically shoved her off the plane into a waiting tin can that sort of resembled those four-wheeled things she'd seen when she was in Sitka once. A bunch of drunk old men rode around hitting a tiny ball all over the grass with these long metal sticks. It was just another reason Bo found civilian life strange.

So now she was racing through the airport. The driver, Artie, looked barely sixteen. She hoped he knew where they were going. If not, Bo would definitely miss her last flight. The kid hadn't spoken to her since she boarded the cart. Of course, he'd had to tell her she was late for her flight three times, then had to ask her five times to get in the cart before he finally grabbed her bags, threw them in the back of the cart and told her that if she wanted her bags, she'd better get in the cart because they were leaving without her. Bo had taken a moment to try to decide whether to deck the kid for touching her or get in cart, but a nod from the flight attendant got her ass in the seat.

The sound of the horn on their go-cart thingy drew her attention. Artie was going to get them killed – she was sure of it. If they weren't killed, one of the pedestrians would be. She wasn't sure who would win in a collision with one of these carts. They could hit a piece of luggage causing them to flip. Or, they could hit a little old lady. Bo wouldn't want to feel that 'bump, bump' when they ran her over with their front, then rear wheels. That would just be gross… and horrifying… and terrible… and sad… very sad. Little old ladies deserved to die with dignity. Not at the hand of a cart driver who looked barely old enough to shave let alone drive through a crowded airport.

"Head to that desk. They'll get you on your flight." Artie said, pulling up to the gate and grabbing Bo's carryon, "Here you are, Miss."

"But where's my luggage?" Bo asked.

Artie gripped both of Bo's shoulders and turned her to the gate, "I told you. It will follow you. Just worry about making the flight."

"The flight. Right. Thanks." Bo said, staring at yet another open door that would lead to another ramp and her fourth plane, "Last one."

Artie nodded, putting her bag over her shoulder, "Last one."

She looked between the two, "Thanks."

She watched as Artie boarded his vehicle and drove away before turning to the counter to show her ID and ticket. She was then hurried to the exit to board her plane. Taking the long lonely walk to the plane, Bo struggled, trying not to think of what she had left behind. For a brief moment, she considered hopping a flight back to Boston, but again reminded herself that Lauren needed the space to decide what she really wanted for her own life.

No, Bo wouldn't get between the blonde and her dreams. Everyone should have a chance to live the life they choose. Bo had chosen her life long ago – it was a life without Lauren. Granted, she wouldn't choose to live life without Lauren now, but she wouldn't try to force her into a life in Alaska, either.

Bo took her seat, finding herself the only passenger in the row once again. She looked out of the window, wondering what time it was… hell, at this point, she wasn't even sure what day it was. As the crew started the pre-flight routine was watching for the fourth time now, Bo's thoughts again drifted to Lauren. Her heart ached more now than ever at the thought of never seeing the blonde again. She hoped Lauren knew how much she loved her and how hard it had been to walk away. Still, she had to give the doctor a chance to re-think her choice. She never wanted Lauren to feel cornered, trapped or controlled. The blonde had already lived that life with Nadia and Evony both personally and professionally.

As the last plane taxied down the runway, Bo was confident that she had done the right thing. It hurt like hell, but she was doing the right thing. Lauren Lewis had finally won the final battle in earning her personal and professional freedom from Nadia and Evony. Now, she would be able to choose how she would spend the rest of her life and Bo was going to give her the time and space to do just that… no matter what it cost her.

For now, she would look forward to seeing Rudy, her Mom, her dogs, her river and her mountain.

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