"Now Lauren's going back!" Bo vented at Trick the next morning in her offices.
"What?" Trick reacted with alarm.
"She heard about the purges."
"From whom?" Trick asked.
"The JFM staff."
"Should have covered our bases there." Trick said.
"And she's taking the children." Bo added. Trick shook his head.
"Maybe I should go back, too?" Bo mused.
"This is starting to get crazy." Trick said.
"I know."
"You have to stop Lauren from going back. She has to be here, at your side during the Convocation. If this situation were straightforward, then it could be okay, but knowing our luck, this could get unpredictable." Trick said.
"I know."
"Lauren should know Kenzi can handle it."
"I know, but she wants to help. We argued about it half the night last night."
"It can't happen Bo. Not right now." Trick insisted.
"I know! I think I have an idea that may divert her attention. Landon!" Bo yelled. The doors opened and Landon appeared.
"Yes, Your Royal Highness?" Landon asked.
"Can you get Dr. Ortuso on a call for me, please?"
"At once, Your Royal Highness." Landon replied then disappeared and then reappeared a few moments later.
"Your call is ready, Your Royal Highness." Landon reported.
"Dr. Ortuso!" Bo called into the air and it shimmered to reveal Dr. Ortuso in her offices.
"Your Royal Highness." Dr. Ortuso asked after she had bowed her head.
"Thank you, Dr. Ortuso for taking my call." Bo replied.
"How may I help you, Your Royal Highness?" Dr. Ortuso asked.
"I need for Lauren to be given a mission." Bo replied.
"We planned on waiting until the Convocation and the Installation ceremony was over, but we can accelerate the appointment, if you'd like?" Dr. Ortuso suggested.
"Please. As soon as possible. The earliest one available." Bo replied.
"We have a Missions Assignment forming for Nassoria as we speak." Dr. Ortuso said.
"That sounds perfect. How soon will that happen?" Bo asked.
'Within the next couple of weeks." Dr. Ortuso replied.
"For how long?" Bo asked.
"Several months." Dr. Ortuso replied.
"Lauren's not going to like that part." Trick chimed in.
"Lauren wanted to get involved in the Missions Program, and that it would involve long separations from the children from time to time. Besides, they have an army that see to their every need. She'll have to get use to it. Bo replied. Trick hiked up his eyebrows.
"Can you propose it to her today?" Bo asked.
"Of course, Your Royal Highness. Is there anything else?" Dr. Ortuso asked.
"Do not tell her I prompted it, for obvious reasons." Bo replied.
"I understand. I will ensure it is done, Your Royal Highness." Dr. Ortuso replied.
"Thank you." Bo replied then ended the call. She then turned to Trick.
"If Lauren finds out about that I will be sleeping in another chamber altogether."
"Domestic politics. Don't miss it." Trick said.
"Dr. Ortuso? You asked to see me?" Lauren prompted when she entered the Presidium Labs Observational Lounge. Dr. Ortuso motioned her in.
Dr. Ortuso was there along with several others looking down at something. Lauren walked over and saw they were observing Dr. Emilia Prescotti and her team were in a darkened room standing around a spinning spherical contraption conducting a physics experiment.
"What's this?" Lauren asked.
"They are setting up the test environment for her latest experiment." Dr. Ortuso replied.
"I applaud anyone who can understand physics." Lauren said.
"Dr. Prescotti is highly gifted in the field." Dr. Ortuso replied. "Come, let us leave. I just wanted to peek in." Both Dr. Ortuso and Dr. Lewis exited the Observational Lounge and made their way towards Dr. Ortuso's Offices.
"So how are you settling in?" Dr. Ortuso asked as they walked along.
"Nicely. We had our check-in meeting with the JFM, and they have some initiatives I would like to incorporate here as a joint venture." Lauren replied.
"I look forward to your reviewing your recommendations." Dr. Ortuso said.
"So you called me?" Dr. Lewis prompted.
"We are prepared to offer you your first Missions Assignment." Dr. Ortuso replied.
"So soon? I thought I would need to wait a year?"
"Your experience negates the condition. We are readying a Missions Assignment to the City of Nassoria and we want you to be part of the team."
"Nassoria?"
"Yes. With the soil contamination issue there we are mounting a support mission. Her Serene Highness Maxima is personally forming the team."
"What's the timetable?"
"They plan to go as soon as possible."
"As in the next several weeks, soon as possible?"
"Well, yes Doctor." Dr. Ortuso replied. Lauren said nothing lost in thought for few moments.
"Hmp. That's convenient." Lauren finally said out loud to herself.
"I'm sorry?" Dr. Ortuso prompted.
"Nothing. How long is the assignment?"
"Several months."
"I'm not sure that possible."
"Why is that Doctor?" Dr. Ortuso said as she stopped walking and turned to look at Lauren.
"The children, primarily. And then there's the Convocation with Bo..." Lauren replied. Dr. Ortuso smiled.
"You are not yet use to thinking in Presidium terms, are you?"
"I've never left our children for any real length of time."
"I thought Missions work was something you were interested in doing?"
"Absolutely, but I was hoping when the children were older." Lauren replied. Dr. Ortuso smiled.
"Affairs of the Realm wait for no one. There will be times missions will call you away for several months at a time." Dr. Ortuso said. Lauren thought for a long moment.
"Dr. Lewis, I can respect your wishes for now, but there is an immediate Missions need for your services." Dr. Ortuso pressed.
"I understand. Can I ask a question?"
"Of course."
"How long can I delay?"
"Delay?"
"Joining the Missions Assignment. I need to take care of some things at home first."
"With Her Royal Highness, of course."
'I'm sorry. I meant the County."
"How long of a delay will you need?"
"The Missions Assignment plans to launch when again?"
"In a couple of weeks. Three tops."
"Can you give me that time to address some…other matters?" Lauren asked.
"That should not be a problem."
"And one more thing?"
"Yes?"
"Please do not tell Bo I asked for the delay or why."
"Secrets. Very well, Dr. Lewis."
"Thank you, Dr. Ortuso." Lauren replied then turned and headed back to her offices.
Over the next week, Bo waited for Lauren to mention her Missions Assignment but she said nothing. Bo spoke again with Dr. Ortuso to confirm she had discussed it with Lauren and Dr. Ortuso said she had done so and Lauren had accepted the assignment. Bo decided not to press the matter and just wait and see. Bo, however, was more concerned about the fact that she and Lauren still slept apart heading on more than two weeks. If anything, Bo wanted that settled more than anything else.
One late night after training with Rimma Bo walked into the bedroom she and Lauren shared up until two weeks ago hoping to find Lauren. Lauren was not there. Bo shoulders dropped. The latest training session with Rimma was so intense it had her on fire, but when she saw Lauren was not in their bedroom her expectations sank. She was dying for Lauren's touch. Not only had she and Lauren not shared a bed in a little over two weeks they had not been intimate for just as long. Had it not been for one of the Prescottis stopping by each morning to kick her out the door for training or some meeting related to the Convocation, she would have jumped Lauren as soon as the children were sent off with the Seneschal for the day. Bo swore it was conspiracy, which made her both emotionally and sexually frustrated.
Nevertheless, she shut the door their bedroom and returned to her room across the hall. The Seneschal greeted her at the door and informed her that her bath was prepared. Bo thanked the Seneschal and informed them there would be no more need of them that evening, and collapsed on the bed as the Seneschal departed the room. She started to take off her boots when the doors opened again.
"I said I was good for the night!" Bo shouted not looking up.
"Oh really?" Came a familiar voice. Bo's head shot up.
"Lauren!" Bo said as she looked Lauren up and down. Lauren wore a long, cream-colored, see-through night gown. Bo was stunned at how beautiful Lauren was at that moment, but she also felt a confusion hurt and frustration.
"I knew Rimma was good, but really that good?" Lauren teased as she stepped into the bedroom and shut the door behind her.
Bo started to rise off the bed and come at Lauren when Lauren motioned Bo to remain seated. Bo did as she was motioned. Lauren walked up to Bo, bent down, and kissed her deeply. Bo reached up to touch her but Lauren took Bo's hands and pushed them back down. Lauren then broke the kiss. Bo looked up at her pained. Lauren gently pushed Bo back on the bed, and mounted her. Bo reached up to grab Lauren's hips but Lauren instead guided Bo's hands to her breasts. As Bo caressed her breasts Lauren let out a gasp, and fell into Bo for another deep kiss. Bo's tried to sit up and take one of Lauren's breasts into her mouth but Lauren pushed her gently back onto the bed again. Lauren then took Bo's hands from her breasts, and put both of Bo's arms above her head. Lauren then ran one finger down Bo's face and neck and then down her chest. Bo was going crazy.
"I will be waiting for you." Lauren said as she bent down and kissed her again.
"Waiting for what?" Bo asked nearly dizzy with desire.
"You have been training all day. I trust you will want to knock the day off." Lauren replied. Bo understood.
"I will be right back! Do not! Move!" Bo bolted upright, knocking Lauren off her, and nearly off the bed, and rushed to the bathroom to take the fastest shower in the history of showers.
When Bo emerged from her shower in her robe Lauren was no longer on the bed. She looked around quickly to find the doors that led to their private garden and lake open. She walked outside and saw Lauren walking down their stone path towards the lake. She called out Lauren's name and Lauren turned and crooked her finger for Bo to join her.
As Bo walked quickly to join her Lauren turned back around and continued walking towards the lake. As she did so she dropped her long gown to reveal her nakedness which made Bo stop for a moment to take in Lauren's beauty. Lauren then disappeared out of her sight as she turned a corner around some deep brushes. Bo followed. When Lauren came back into view Bo saw Lauren had donned a short, light cream-colored jacket robe that was open down the middle, and there was a canopied bed surrounded by flowers, plants and trees with the lake as a foredrop.
Lauren caressed the bed with her one hand as she circled it, then crawled onto it and laid in the middle of it, her robe open. She then beckoned Bo forward. Bo crawled onto to the bed and on top of Lauren. Lauren reached up and kissed her deeply. Lauren pulled Bo's robe off her, revealing Bo's nakedness. Lauren caressed the front of Bo's body with her right hand, looked up at Bo and then rolled Bo over so she was on top her. Then bent down and kissed her again. Then Lauren broke the kiss and looked down at Bo.
"Do not move." Lauren said.
Bo laid there as Lauren glided her hand down the middle of Bo's body as she crawled off the bed. Lauren then walked around the bed and approached a large pot sitting on a stand. There was a table next to it with a small cup on it. Lauren picked up the cup and poured its contents inside the pot and then picked up matches from the table and threw it inside the pot setting the content son fire. Lauren then walked over and Bo suddenly noticed a series of ten torches that circled the platform of the bed. Lauren took one of the torches and dipped it into the pot then took the lit torch and proceeded to light the remaining torches that circled the bed. Once done she placed the first back into its holder and then walked around the bed and chanted something Bo did not recognize or understand, but the chant caused the contents of the pot to emit a reddish smoke that swirled around the bed. The smoke didn't smell like smoke but like flowers. Bo inhaled the smell as the smoke grew and she could feel it relax her senses and her body.
Lauren then crawled back onto the bed and as she went up Bo's body she kissed parts of it chanting all the while. Bo reached for Lauren, but Lauren mounted her again. Bo tried to rise up again to take one of Lauren's breast in her mouth but Lauren pushed her back down on the bed again.
"Let me see them." Lauren said.
"See what?" Bo asked.
"Those beautiful blue eyes." Lauren replied.
"What?" Bo asked unsure.
"Your beautiful blue eyes."
"Lauren…"
"Are you going to deny me tonight?"
"Are you sure?" Bo asked cautious.
"More than ever." Lauren replied. Bo obliged and turned on her baby blues. Lauren noticed both orbs of Bo's eyes were fully illuminated. Something she had not seen since Bo had one of her first combat training sessions with Elena.
"Bo." Lauren said as Bo raised up and they kissed. Bo then broke the kiss and started to place kisses all over Lauren's neck, shoulders, chest, and arms all the while Lauren chanted. Bo's breathing increased as her nostrils continued to drink in the red smoke that swirled around them.
"So my Missions Assignment?" Lauren said as she was covered in passionate kisses from Bo.
"Yes?" Bo answered as she continued to lay kisses on Lauren's body.
"Interesting timing." Lauren replied while Bo tried to pull Lauren down on top of her.
"Coinciding with my desire to return home." Lauren said. Bo answered by taking Lauren's nipple into her mouth and sucked hard, the red smoke rousing Bo's desire even more. Lauren fell into the feeling and held Bo's head close as Bo sucked hard as she griped Lauren's buttocks.
"Operative word being desire." Lauren whispered hotly in Bo's ear sending Bo's senses into overdrive. Bo said nothing in response as she took her one hand and reached for Lauren's center, but Lauren gripped Bo's hand and moved it away. Then Lauren pushed Bo back onto the bed, then dismounted Bo and laid next to her then took her hand and reached down and touched Bo lightly at her center and stroked her lightly. She could feel Bo was ready for her.
"I think my assignment can wait." Lauren whispered in Bo's ear as she increased the length of her stroke. Bo panted hard as the red smoke inundated her senses, her desire and her judgment.
"Don't you think?" Lauren whispered in her ear again as she continued to lengthen her stroke.
"You are playing dirty." Bo replied nearly aflame.
"Just using all of my assets at my disposal." Lauren said.
"Lauren…" Bo panted.
"I trust…" Lauren said as she entered Bo slightly.
"You are…" Lauren said as she entered her a little more deeply.
"Of a different mindset…" Lauren said as she entered her fully which caused Bo to let out a moan.
"Lauren!" Bo let out in pained desire.
"I take it we are in agreement?" Lauren said as she continued to move in and out of Bo. Bo panted hard.
"I take that as a 'yes'?" Lauren asked. Bo nodded hard as the red smoke swirled more intensely.
"Good." Lauren replied as she pulled her fingers out from Bo then proceeded to take one of Bo's nipples in her mouth. Bo arched up to meet Lauren's lips. Then Lauren rolled back onto to Bo and moved down her body, kissing Bo as she went.
"What are you doing to me?" Bo asked hungrily as the reddish smoke formed around them like a small tornado.
"Doing to you? Nothing yet. But I plan to do everything to you."
Lauren then reached her destination, parted Bo's legs and Bo let out a gasp as Lauren took her.
Breakfast the next morning proved quite lively; Kenzi joined the Dennis-Lewis family this particular morning along with Ariella, Maxima, and Rimma. Ariella listened intently as Ethan described his favorite game, Maxima was being entertained by Ryan as he swooped his toy speedboat his Godfather, Ryan Lambert, gave him up and down into the air; Char tried to share her food with Kenzi, and Rimma was being entertained by MaryAoife's fascination with the sunshine and flowers outside. Lauren joined in the various conversations to include trying to stop Ryan from throwing his toy about the room. Bo, however, remained quiet, eating her breakfast, smiling the entire time. Kenzi noticed.
"Bo, you okay over there? You've hardly said a word." Kenzi queried. Bo said nothing as she continued to eat her food, grinning away, like she was happily reliving something all to herself. Kenzi finally recognized this posture, looked at Lauren and grinned.
"No longer in exile I see." Kenzi said. Lauren and Rimma exchanged knowing smiles.
"So Lauren is going back to the County." Bo informed Trick later in the day.
"I thought you said you had this handled?" Trick replied.
"I did."
"Well, what happened? How did she get you to change your mind?"
"Sex."
"You really are bad at domestic politics." Trick said.
