Genesis or Exodus

Chapter 14

Lauren dropped the towel as the bathroom door whooshed closed upon Bo's exit. The blonde turned towards the full-length mirror and gazed upon herself. She hadn't shone like this for a very, very long time. It felt wonderful, but at the same time it distressed her. Lauren took several deep breaths and concentrated on hiding herself away within her body, once more.

Is Bo all right? She asked Genesis within her mind, thankful for her connection with her ship. What is she doing?

Bo is standing on the other side of the door, Matriarch. She appears to be trying to fight the push you gave her. The commander is strong, both in body and mind. I do not think you have permanently damaged her. It was reckless though, you must know that.

I don't need a lecture right now, Genesis, Lauren retorted. Her light was finally beginning to dim.

Shall I ask Bo to put her clothing back on, Matriarch?

Lauren let out a curse through clenched teeth, as her body flared back to life, like the first bright flash of a lit match, as a picture of Bo standing in front of her naked and open, burned fresh and vibrant in her mind.

Damn you, Genesis! You have a mean streak in you sometimes. You knew that would interrupt my progress of re-integrating my essence within this vessel.

My apologies, Matriarch.

Yeah, I'm sure you are sorry. I think if you were capable of it, you'd be laughing at my lack of focus and control right now.

Lauren rested her forehead against the cool surface of the mirror and closed her eyes. She focused on her breathing, feeling her essence retreat back within her body.

Please ask Bo to dress, but not leave. Tell her I will be out as soon as I can.

As you wish, Matriarch.

Lauren accessed the panel beside the mirror and punched in a code, then waited for her requested outfit to arrive. A chime sounded and she opened a hatch beside the control panel and retrieved the body suit that would cover ninety percent of her body. The special weave of the fabric would also protect Bo if she essentially 'leaked' and lost control when she finally exited the bathroom. Lauren grew angry and frustrated at herself as she dressed and dried her hair a little, so that it wouldn't drip and become uncomfortable. She chastised herself for not fighting to stay in control, when Bo had surprised her. The woman moved her beyond words and even wearing clothing it was often difficult to hide her true self. It wasn't Bo's fault, she wasn't to know the danger she put herself in. Lauren was sick and tired of always having to be in control. She felt Bo's desire like an intimate caress when they were together. It was like static electricity dancing over the body she wore. Constant, tantalising and warm. It was more than just desire Lauren was feeling, but she wasn't willing to voice that to herself. Because that would mean that Lauren would have to admit to herself just how deeply she felt about Bo too. She had safeguards and barriers in place for a reason and it wasn't just to protect her heart from being crushed when this relationship with Bo inevitably came to an end, no, it was for Bo's protection too. It was too easy to slip in one's control when there were emotions involved, but Lauren couldn't seem to stop feeling this way about the strong and endearing woman that was waiting for her in the other room. And she was also special in her own right. The daughter of a high priestess and the product of a science experiment. So unique physiologically, that perhaps she would be strong enough to endure close contact with Lauren, involving more than just her physical, outer shell.

She glanced at herself in the mirror one more time, smoothing her hands along the midnight blue body suit that clung to her like a second skin. Ready or not, here I come. Lauren nodded and turned away from her reflection. She steeled herself, ensuring that her protective mental barriers were firmly in place and took her first step towards the door separating her from the woman that had managed to completely dismantle her strongest defences.

Lauren found Bo sitting on the edge of her bed. Her head was in her hands, her elbows resting on her thighs. She noted the cargo pants and tight, black short-sleeved shirt hugging her toned, muscular biceps. Her glossy, brown hair was loose and hung down on either side of her face that rested behind her hands. The Matriarch spied Bo's jacket lying half on, half off the couch, obviously discarded in her hurry to disrobe and join Lauren in the shower.

Oh, how in that moment, she wished that she was a more simplistic carbon-based life form that could have still been in the shower with Bo in her arms. Lauren didn't know how long she stood there, just observing the brunette who looked to be so lost in thought that she hadn't even noticed that she was being watched.

Are you sure I didn't break her?

Perhaps you should talk to her, instead of just standing there, Genesis said helpfully. You were in the bathroom for quite some time.

The Matriarch took another step towards the brunette and cleared her throat. "Ah, Bo. Thank you for not leaving."

Fear curled in Lauren's gut, when there was no acknowledgement or response from the soldier. The blonde approached Bo with caution and squatted down in front of her. Lauren reached out and wrapped her fingers around Bo's upper arms. "Bo? Are you okay? How do you feel?" She tried to pull the soldier's arms away from their position covering Bo's face, but she was just too strong. "Please, Bo. Please look at me or say something. You're scaring me," Lauren implored beseechingly.

A soft sniffle made the Matriarch realize that Bo was crying and that broke Lauren's heart, knowing that she was most likely the cause of it. Lauren didn't quite know what to do. She wanted to comfort Bo, but the position she was in, would make that difficult. She rubbed her hands up and down Bo arms as she fought her own tears from spilling over. This is all my fault! I used my abilities on her, when I knew she was already feeling like I was influencing her in some way. Stupid! Stupid!

"I'm so sorry, Bo. I didn't want to do it, but I was hurting you, even if it didn't feel like I was. This is all my fault. I wasn't strong enough. Heavens please look at me. Yell at me. Something to let me know that I haven't turned you into a mindless zombie."

"I can't look at you. I'm too embarrassed." The words came out garbled, as several hiccupping breaths caused her upper body to jump.

Some of the tension left Lauren upon hearing the crying woman speak, but confusion also took centre stage. "Embarrassed? Why? I don't understand."

"I keep throwing myself at you and each time, after some initial reciprocation, you push me away. I'm an idiot. Why can't I stop making a complete and utter tit of myself? Just showing up naked while you're taking a shower." Bo finally looked up from her hands and shook her head, her cheeks tear-streaked, her eyes red. "You... You don't have anything to be sorry for, not really. You told me to go and I continued to push. I'm the one that's sorry."

Lauren shook her head trying to make sense of it all. It was like they were having conversations about two entirely different scenarios.

Perhaps her mind is confused about the sequence of events, Genesis suggested.

Bo tried to get up, she wanted to escape and stop making a fool of herself. "I should go. It's late." The brunette managed to stand, but Lauren had been squatting very close to her and she found herself holding her breath at the proximity of the blonde's face with her groin. When Lauren looked up and met Bo's eyes, she was stunned by what she saw swirling within them. Pain, desire, longing and something else that was there for a split second and then replaced with the others once more. Lauren's hands rested on Bo's thighs just below her buttocks.

"I don't want you to go. I think what I did sort of affected how you remember the encounter between us. I... You saw something strange in the bathroom. About my body. Do you remember?"

Bo cocked her head to the side and allowed Lauren to pull her back down to sit on the bed. "I don't remember anything strange about your body. You have a beautiful body, Lauren, but I caught you by surprise and you told me to get out." Bo looked anywhere but at Lauren when she felt heat rise to her cheeks in embarrassment.

Lauren knelt down between Bo's legs and reached up guiding her face back and catching her eyes, "That's not everything that happened. I..." Lauren's voiced trailed off. She stood and took hold of Bo's hand and escorted her to the couch. "Sit. Please."

The brunette complied and Lauren sat down beside her. She spoke out loud to the ever-present entity in her life, "Genesis?"

"Yes, Matriarch?"

"Are you able to show Bo the unabridged version of what happened using my retinal enhancement?"

"Affirmative. Please stand by."

Lauren squeezed Bo's hand, "Trust me, Bo. Just watch, okay."

The brunette squeezed The Matriarch's hand in response as the projection of her humiliation begun to play.

It was strange seeing what happened from Lauren's point of view and it was weird but also quite exhilarating, seeing how slowly Lauren seemed to take in her naked form. She didn't remember getting scoped out so thoroughly by Lauren and she noted that the hand holding hers had tightened as they watched, and Bo noted the change in Lauren's breathing, as she sat beside her.

And then there was a type of light and she gasped when Lauren in the video looked down at herself and she watched the awe on her own face as she basked in the glorious sight she had witnessed. Bo wished that she could remember what had happened from her point of view. She was captivated nonetheless as she continued to watch the scene play out. Genesis showed the video up until Lauren had looked in the mirror, so that Bo could see the heavenly body reflected there. Then the playback stopped and there was a quiet stillness as Bo tried to make sense of everything she had just seen.

Lauren shifting beside her, brought the Commander back to her senses. "I, ah, kind of wish that I could remember that kiss, Lauren."

The Matriarch laughed, "I could have seriously turned you into a drooling shell of a woman and this is what you focus on? Gods, give me strength!"

"I wouldn't have minded if the kiss was as good as it appeared to be," Bo responded, as she gazed at Lauren's twinkling eyes and gave her a lopsided smile. "But I realize that I was wrong about your body. Beautiful, just doesn't do what I saw justice, Lauren. What I just saw, is beyond any words. I am just sad that I cannot remember it from my point of view."

"I have been processing theories about that, Commander Dennis," said Genesis, the voice seemingly surrounding them from all sides. "And only one theory seems to stand out amongst the others."

"And that would be? Don't keep me hanging, Genesis." Bo said with a chuckle.

"I surmise that your Nanomites are responsible for the memory alterations, in a way, to spare your mind from sustaining damage from seeing the manifestation of The Matriarch's true essence."

Bo thanked Genesis before turning back to Lauren. "So, I guess I don't need to feel as embarrassed and humiliated as I was, after seeing that."

Lauren cupped Bo's cheek with her hand and loved how the woman leaned into the simple gesture, "Definitely not! While your presence was certainly a surprise, it was more than welcome. Believe me. It's just now you've seen why I have been careful and often reluctant to give into these desires of the flesh."

"What happened exactly.? In the simplest terms possible, please. You know I get confused with all the science mumbo jumbo. Could we maybe lay down together?"

Lauren nodded and took Bo's hand again, wanting to touch her at every opportunity. She felt her essence stirring beneath the surface but wasn't afraid because of the body suit acting as a secondary shield. She led the way across the room and stopped at the edge of the bed, when she felt Bo hesitate. She turned towards the brunette with an eyebrow raised in question, "What is it?"

"Uh, can I take my pants off?"

The stirring turned into little ripples and she felt her body heat increase. Unable to speak, Lauren nodded, before releasing Bo's hand and taking her place on one side of the bed. She watched Bo step out of her pants and move to the other side of the bed.

They lay on their sides, looking at each other. Lauren took Bo's hand that was resting against her hip and held it like it was a lifeline between them. "I'm not sure where to begin. I don't want you to feel less for me or be repulsed by what you learn about me," Lauren said softly, feeling more vulnerable than she ever had, in her long existence.

Bo opened her mouth to protest, but the Matriarch placed two fingers to her lips and shook her head, "Don't say anything. I don't want you to make a promise, you may not be able to keep. Just listen first and we can go from there, okay?"

The Commander nodded and gently kissed the fingers against her lips before holding Lauren's hand between them on the mattress once more. "Go ahead."

Lauren took a calming breath and focused on Bo's attentive face. "The light you saw, is who or rather what I am, Bo. My kind, we have no physical form. This body you see and can feel, is only a vessel. Most of my kind chose to ascend to another plane of existence, eons ago, feeling they had gathered enough knowledge and no longer feeling compelled to provide aid, to what they perceived as lesser beings. I like living in the physical realm, even though there are a lot of things that I do not like about it. The wars and constant battles for power and supremacy. But I still have hope and so I continue to roam in this body, collecting knowledge and artefacts and helping wherever and whenever I can. It is my purpose. I need to inhabit this body of flesh and bone because the power of my true form can send some species mad or turn them into mindless puppets. I have never witnessed anyone to withstand being in the presence of our true essence, for any period of time. What you saw was nothing, compared to what I am without this body to inhibit my influence and persuasive power. My control wavers in your presence Bo, more and more each day. The deeper my feelings get, the harder it is not to leak through this body of flesh and bone. The bodysuit helps add an extra layer of protection, but I worry that I may never truly be able to be with you, for fear that I could essentially destroy you in the process. I fear for you, Bo, and I am terrified of the way you make me feel. I want you more and more each day, but it is obvious that I cannot stay in control enough, in order to be with you the way that I want. Perhaps there are ways to build up a resistance within you. You are incredibly strong in both body and mind. Genesis witnessed you fighting my push to make you leave the bathroom... to leave me. I have never craved a connection with another living soul, the way I crave to be connected and joined with you. My need to touch you grows with every passing day, and it is almost painful in its intensity. But perhaps there are things we can do, to move forward in our relationship and still protect you from..."

Bo smiled, "Going insane or becoming a mindless zombie?" she finished off for the blonde. "I love who you are, not just this body that you inhabit, Lauren. Please believe that. Annnd..." Bo ran her fingers along Lauren's thigh and hip and inched up further, causing the blonde to shiver at the feather light touch. "Maybe we could test some of these touching options now?" Bo suggested, with a twinkle in her eye.

"Well, I think if I keep my clothes on for the time being, you will be safe. Keeping my essence from leaking out of my hands and head, are taught and practiced from our first inhabited body. It's why you hadn't experienced the phenomenon before you surprised me in the shower. So why don't you come over here and get that kiss that you've forgotten?" Lauren said, with a beckoning finger and a smile.

Bo smiled at the blonde in return, "Really?"

The Matriarch nodded, "Yes, Bo. If it wasn't for my concern for your safety in the bathroom, we would already be basking in the afterglow of our fulfilled desires right about now."

Your concern? Genesis queried within Lauren's mind, causing her to roll her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Genesis would like me to amend my previous statement. It was Genesis that brought me to my senses enough, to realize the danger I was putting you in. If I didn't know better, I'd think that she has a thing for you as well," Lauren said with a chuckle.

"Thank you, Genesis," Bo said aloud to the ever-present companion of Lauren's. She focused on Lauren again, "Is that possible?" Bo asked seriously. "I mean, what you said to Mac earlier suggested that there is a very intimate bond between you both. You stated that if we hurt Genesis, we hurt you and you seemed to glow white with fury... Wait! Were you glowing beneath your clothing?"

Bo's eyes were inquisitive, and Lauren shifted under her intense gaze, her invitation for a kiss forgotten for the moment. "I... I'm not sure if my essence was showing like it was in the bathroom. It was perhaps just beneath the surface. I don't usually lose control, Bo. What happened in the bathroom was an anomaly and is directly connected to my feelings for you. Love affects the entire body, so to speak. It is the most powerful emotion in existence, and you did catch me by surprise."

"Love," Bo said softly. She saw Lauren's eyes widen and she went completely still. Bo thought she even stopped breathing. Bo knew that she had, with Lauren's words. As her heart thumped in her chest, she reached out and cupped Lauren's cheek and leaned forward to capture the blonde's lips with her own in a gentle kiss, before pulling back and searching Lauren's eyes. "It's okay. I know you weren't saying... Well, I know that there are a lot of different elements to love and your barriers were down, and I took you completely by surprise. I understand what you were trying to say." They stared at one another, their faces so close that when they both started breathing again, they could both feel it against their slightly parted mouths.

Bo could see so much reflecting in Lauren's eyes and there was almost an imperceptible swirl of light within them. She wondered what Lauren was seeing within her eyes. Her body thrummed with what she felt for the woman laying beside her. Was it love? For Bo, yes, it was definitely love, and she believed that what she saw reflected in those lovely brown eyes and with Lauren's accidental confession about her lack of control, well, she believed that it was also mutual.

"Kiss me, Bo." The request was a whisper, barely audible and it was filled with such raw need that Bo felt it like a caress. Her body flushed with heat and she claimed Lauren's parted lips with a hungry ferocity that pulled the most wonderful moan from the blonde as she melted into her, allowing Bo to pull her down on top of her as the kiss deepened. Their tongues met and tasted one another hungrily as Bo's hands slid over Lauren's soft bodysuit. Bo's hands gripped her ass and pressed her thigh between Lauren's legs, pressing against her heated core. They broke their kiss and gulped in some much-needed oxygen before diving in for another searing clash of mouths. Bo growled in frustration as her hands sought Lauren's skin desperately, but knew that this was all she could have. Bo could feel a sort of electric static everywhere that Lauren's body touched hers. It caused the hairs on her body to rise and her nipples were aching and hard. Lauren's hips moved, grinding against Bo's thigh and she felt the volcanic heat and moisture even through the suit, and Bo wanted to feel her velvety flesh against her bare leg.

She broke their kiss and slammed a fist on the mattress. She was panting with red-hot desire to take what was forbidden and hidden behind the soft stretchy material barrier encasing Lauren's exquisite body. Keeping that body from her. In that moment she wanted to tear and rip the bodysuit off of Lauren and didn't care if she went mad because of it. Bo's eyes were closed, and she desperately fought for her own control, to accept the restrictions that were necessary until they could find a solution that would either help Lauren to control her essence, or for Bo to somehow be able to withstand exposure to Lauren's true self. As Bo calmed down, she registered that Lauren's body had stilled except for her shallow breathing and a hand caressing the side of her face in a soothing manner. Bo opened her eyes and found Lauren gazing at her apologetic and sad.

"I know this is hard. I'm sorry, Bo."

"It's not your fault." Bo felt her eyes well with tears, "I just want to touch you so badly. I've never wanted anything or anyone as much as I want you." Bo's hand went between them and cupped Lauren's sex, causing her breath to hitch. The tears escaped and made trails down her cheeks, "I want to bury my fingers inside you. I want to taste you on my tongue. I will find a way, Lauren. I promise you."

Lauren kissed the tear trails on either side of Bo's face. The fierce determination in her face made her essence flare and ignited the flesh beneath her suit and she knew that Bo could feel it. It was power and energy and it burned Lauren with the intensity of a sun going supernova. "I love you, Bo, and it kills me that this is the reason why you can't touch me right now, but I can still touch you. Will you let me love you, the way you want to love me?"

Fresh tears fell and Bo's heart was in her throat. She wasn't able to speak, but Lauren saw the answer in her eyes, and she leaned down and kissed Bo, first tentatively, but soon the hunger took them both over once more. As their mouths devoured one another, Lauren eased off of Bo and urged her to sit up as her hands snaked under the black T-shirt and cupped the brunette's perfect breasts, over her sports bra. She squeezed Bo's taught nipples through the fabric just once, as she broke their kiss. Both breathing hard and staring deeply at one another with scorching arousal, Lauren slowly eased the shirt up Bo's sides. Bo silently raised her arms and allowed Lauren to push it up and over her head and did the same with the bra, freeing Bo's breasts, leaving her in just the black short boy-briefs. "You're beautiful," Lauren murmured in awe as she took Bo's breasts in her hands and ran her thumbs over the hard nipples, eliciting a moan from Bo. Lauren kissed Bo again as her hands worked the pliable flesh and tweaked and rubbed her hardened nubs. Then she kissed her way down Bo's neck and chest until she took a breast into her mouth and lashed the erect nipple with her tongue and nipped at them with her teeth, causing Bo to writhe and moan, as Lauren eased her lover to lay back down and she moved her mouth lower kissing her way down over the muscular abdomen towards the heat between Bo's legs. Lauren's hands brought down Bo's underwear as she kissed her hip bone and Bo opened her legs, once she was free of her last stitch of clothing. She watched Lauren, unable to look away, as she kissed her way up the inside of her thigh and lay a gentle kiss upon her wet centre. Lauren's eyes fixed onto Bo's as she tasted her for the first time and she almost lost it just from the look in those intense brown eyes as Lauren begun to feast on Bo's flesh, driving her rapidly towards completion.

"Oh God, Lauren. I'm so close, so close." Bo's hips moved against her lover's mouth as her pleasure streaked through her, rising and rising to unbelievable heights, beyond anything she had ever experienced. Bo's hands gripped at the sheets by her sides as her thighs closed around Lauren's head. Bo cried out when she felt several fingers enter her, plunging deeply within as Lauren sucked on Bo's engorged clitoris, driving her over the edge and into oblivion. Lauren milked Bo's orgasm as wave after wave overtook the writhing brunette, her head thrown back in pure, blinding pleasure. Lauren slowly eased her fingers free from Bo's hugging heat as the contractions eased, and her body came down from its pleasure. Bo was watching Lauren again as she slowly recovered and hummed with satisfaction, as she watched and felt the blonde lap up her desire with her tongue, before making her way back up her body to kiss Bo thoroughly, while holding her tightly within her arms. They held each other for a long time, each lost in their own thoughts and feelings.

"Thank you for loving me the way I wanted to love you," Bo said softly, as she stroked her fingers through Lauren's hair. "I love you, Lauren, with all my heart."

"Oh, it was my pleasure," Lauren answered, giving Bo a soft kiss on her shoulder. She then closed her own eyes in exhaustion, enjoying the way Bo was stroking her hair and allowed sleep to take her.

Authors note: Hi there! I sincerely hope that you enjoyed this chapter and will maybe give me some love in return. ;)

This chapter came fast because it was already semi formed in my mind after the last one. I hope to be able to gather my thoughts on what comes next and have faith that you will wait patiently for me to formulate what comes next. Thank you for your continued support and a special shout our to Rafi and GG for their thoughts and encouragement. God bless you all.

Doccubus21

xoxo