Blame TheLostFoodie for this one with her prompt to have one of our girls in a coffee shop and a barrista that calls her "Love."

It kind of went a bit off course from what I had in mind, but I hope it works just fine. Also, I've never been to Australia and probably did horribly with the accent or descriptions, so I apologize to all my Aussie friends in advance.

All told in Lauren's POV

**Bo and Lauren are property of Lost Girl and Prodigy Pictures

"Coffee And Whatever Comes Next"

Day one in a new land, a new home. Only ten in the morning and even though my body couldn't make heads nor tails of this new time zone, I was too pumped to stay in bed. Jet lag sucked. Eh, I had plenty of time to sleep later. Plus, sleep would be more enjoyable when my bed was delivered.

I stretched my aching limbs and rolled my neck side to side. The floor was a new experience, but not one I looked forward to repeating tonight. Using the one piece of furniture in the room as an aid, I got to my feet and looked around. Blank, tan walls, one bedroom, one bath and a small kitchen. The place was a far cry from my spacious home back in America, but I never needed all that anyway. This was perfect to start a new life.

A quick shower and my last donut later, I was ready to hit the town.

Okay, what to do first? Coffee would be a great start. They better have great coffee in Australia or I would catch the next flight to a new country.

I stepped out onto the street and took in my surroundings. In many ways Sydney was much like Toronto. The hustle and bustle of a large city, but the vibe was different and the was weather so much better. I slid my sunglasses over my eyes and soaked up the sun. With no where to be and a smile on my face, I started walking.

I arrived last night to my new loft and the few boxes I had shipped over. I left everything behind on a whim and moved across the globe. Not because of some horrific breakup or tragedy I needed to escape. No, my life had been pretty good so far, or that's what I kept telling myself. More like pretty boring, to be honest. Don't get me wrong, boring is great for a lot of people, just not me. Not anymore.

Life was passing me by in a blur, operating on autopilot and doing all the right things. I excelled in school and my career, paid my bills and went home every night to the picture perfect townhouse amid a row of one hundred other identical houses. I made a good living, had Sunday brunch with my parents and played the "when are you going to get married game" each time without jumping down their throats.

When will I get married mom? Oh I don't know, maybe when I meet someone who wasn't as boring as me. A person who could drag me out of this mundane suburban existence. One that could keep me from the slow death that was planning for retirement so I could spend my golden years doing as much of nothing as I did now. When I met the one that could make me feel something, anything besides numb.

Don't get me wrong. I had nothing to complain about. Most people would love to be me. They could have it, because being me was just plain boring. There had to be more. If variety was the spice of life, my spice rack was empty. Hell, my wardrobe was all perfectly pressed grey pant suits and the walls of my home were plain beige. Everything about me was black and white.

I needed color. I needed to experience all life had to offer. What good was it if I didn't travel, eat food I'd never heard of or got lost in a foreign city? I craved the freedom to have absolutely no idea what was next or where I was headed. I burned for the overwhelming emotion that came with falling madly in love with a perfect stranger, even for an hour, and if heartbreak came after, that was fine by me. At least then I could have said I'd done something for a change.

Of course, I'd been telling myself the same things for years and had yet to take a single step toward making it a reality.

Then it happened.

Six weeks ago

My parents invited their best friend's daughter to brunch in hopes of making me a love connection, again. They meant well, but it was getting old. This was the fifth one this year. She was a pretty strawberry blonde with delicate features, an athletic body and just like me, she fit the perfect professional suburban stereotype.

Boring.

I was polite, but did my best to ignore their prompts to ask her out. I'd almost made it through another meeting until mom mentioned retirement. She gushed about how much she loved the women's club and bridge on Thursday's. "Lauren, you've set yourself up to retire early. Soon you could relax and enjoy life. Maybe join me and the gals." She smiled, genuinely enjoying the mindless repetition of her life.

Sounded like Hell to me. I'll pass.

I could retire early. I could retire now actually, but not if that's what I had to look forward to. I never spent a damn dime on anything besides necessities. At the very least I could take a year or two off and decide if I did indeed belong in this robotic life, or if I possessed any of the human sense of adventure to explore.

Maybe it was finally time to find out.

"Mom. Dad. Jenny." The girl's brow shot up and I wondered if I'd forgotten her name. I honestly hadn't paid much attention. "You're name was Jenny right?"

"Lauren," mom scolded.

"Sorry."

"Yes, it's Jenny." She sighed and rolled her eyes. No need to wonder about that date now.

Anyway. "Right, sorry." I smiled sheepishly. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings, but a long awaited decision had been made in an instant and I was helpless to stop the wheels from turning. I wouldn't even if I could. "I'm moving."

"What" mom and dad cried out in unison.

Crap. I said it aloud didn't I? No going back now.

"Where," dad asked.

Where, um... "Australia." That's as good a place as any. Sure it was half a world away from Toronto... actually that made it the perfect place.

Mom looked like she might collapse.

"Why?" Dad was in a panic, trying to hold mom up while figuring me out. "When?"

"I don't have an exact date yet, but soon. I'm want a change. I'm transferring to the lab in Sydney." It wasn't a complete lie. They were advertising the position.

Dad set mom down in a chair, her face white and her eyes teary. I couldn't get a read on him.

"This is crazy, Lauren," he reasoned. "You don't just up and move around the world. You've never even been out of the country."

Exactly.

"Maybe its time I started."

We did the round and round for twenty minutes about having a stable job and a home and a safety net to retire. I rolled my eyes and envied Jenny as she snuck away during the squabble and ran to her car. At minute twenty-one I was over it. "I don't expect you two to understand, but this is something I've given a lot of thought to." None seriously until twenty three minutes ago. "I love you both, but I'm not you. I'm not happy and I'm moving. Don't worry, I'll visit."

I hugged them both and walked away, leaving them in the restaurant entrance dumbstruck at what just went down. I paid the bill. It was the least I could do.

The minute I got home I bought a one way ticket to Australia, put my house on the market and gave my notice at the lab. There was a teaching opportunity in Sydney too if I wanted it. An old colleague emailed me earlier in the week asking if I had any interest. Maybe that's why the country sprang from my mouth when challenged by my parents.

Sitting in my over sized office chair, I stared at the email confirmation. I had randomly picked a date. Six weeks and I'd be in Australia.

Holy Shit!

I sprung from my chair and punched into the air until my arms were too heavy to move. My heart thumped. My mind raced. I had enough energy to sprint laps around the block.

Was this what excitement felt like? I couldn't wait to find out what adventures were in store for me.

"Look out Sydney. Here I come."

XXX

Present - Koala Coffee Shop

I stood outside the quirky little shop. Reviews online were positive. Locals raved over the many coffee drinks and baked goods. The door popped open and two patrons walked out. They seemed happy enough. I grabbed the red wooden door before it could shut and walked inside, taking a deep breath of the delicious aroma wafting in the air. There was a good crowd and the place had a warm, eclectic feel I found enjoyable. I passed a flyer for open mic night and an advertisement for their night dining options. Seemed the place shifted gears after six, offering appetizers and a limited bar in addition to live music. I'd definitely have to check that out sometime.

My wide eyes scanned the six foot board with perfect handwriting dictating sizes and prices for each of my dozens of options. Good lord there were so many choices and most of them had some Aussie nickname that left me clueless. I wanted to try something new, but I also just wanted a great cup of hot coffee. Or two. The jet lag was nipping at my heels.

Lost in the awe of decision making and the haze of global travel, I stared at the board until the guy behind me cleared his throat, hinting it was my turn to move. I sorted through my pocket for cash and scooted forward.

"G'day Love, what'll it be?"

Huh? Love...what?

"Excuse me?" I glanced up at the cashier, confused as to who she was calling Love and was awestruck. She was more than beautiful and wore a subtle smirk that was teasing and seductive as she stared back. My mind froze. Not a single neuron fired. My heart pounded on overdrive as we stood there exchanging glances. If I didn't know better, I'd say she was enjoying the way I starting to sweat under her gaze. But then, I was far from being able to form real thoughts.

"I asked, what you'd like?" Her eyes sparkled as she spoke. She moistened her lips.

"Oh, um..." I bargained with my eyes to focus on the board, but they kept sneaking back to her and those full, delicious lips. I bet they'd be amazing to kiss. She wasn't helping any by darting her tongue out the tiniest bit and wetting them again. "Um..."

The board. Look at the board. Order something Lauren.

She laughed and the melodious sound was infectious. "Looks like we got a virgin here." She winked.

Wait? what? "Sorry?" I dropped my voice low and leaned in closer. What the heck kinda comment was that? "I'm not a-"

She met me half way and whispered, "Relax Love, it means new to our shop, but... good to know." She winked again and stood back up. Her eyes took in every inch of my body that wasn't hidden under the counter. I was never more acutely aware that I was wearing a linen blouse with no bra.

I was speechless. It was invigorating.

"How 'bout I just make ya the special?"

I nodded, entranced by the movement of her lips as she spoke and the dimple that was making it self known the longer I fumbled in her presence.

"What's your name Love?"

The more she called me that, the more I enjoyed the way the word rolled off her tongue and hit my ears. I swore each time she said it a little lower, a little more sexy just for me.

Christ sake, get it together! She probably talks to everyone like that.

I cleared my suddenly dry throat and croaked out my name. "Lauren. My name is Lauren."

"Lauren," she purred with a smile that grew wider by the second. "Welcome. Have a seat. It'll be up in a flash."

I nodded again and threw some money on the counter, uncaring how much it was. She deserved all of it for making throb in places you shouldn't throb in a coffee shop. I hadn't had sex in forever. Then again, I'd never met a woman that oozed sex like she did. I didn't get her name. She wasn't wearing a badge, not that I could have gotten my eyes to such a meaningless accessory anyway when she had so many more appealing things to look at.

I made my way through the cafe, tearing my eyes away from her long enough to avoid running into people. I found the perfect spot that afforded me a nice view out the window and an obscured view of her. The moment my ass hit the seat my eyes tracked right back to the Australian beauty. She seemed to float as she moved behind the counter, mixing and pouring and whatever else she was doing. I honestly quit thinking and just stared. Especially when she turned toward me. The buttons on that black vest of hers threatened to break loose. She had the most perfect pair of breasts and she knew exactly how to show them off.

She glanced up at me, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth and my heart stopped. With my drink in one hand and something else I had no attention span for in the other, she headed my way.

My heart refused to beat as she approached and I was sure I would die on the spot. Maybe I died on the flight here and I was already in heaven. I was a good person. I'd say I earned this. Alive or dead, at least someone finally made me feel something.

More than something. An explosive something.

"Lauren."

I sucked in a breath. God the way she said my name made me swoon. What was wrong with me? Was this an effect of jet lag? We're all the Aussies this hot?

My heart finally beat again. The rush of blood made me woozy. "Yeah." The word came out in a breathless whisper.

"One special." She set the cup down with an adorable blushing grin.

I swallowed hard. She was spectacular and clearly interested in me. I reached deep for solid words. "What's in the special?"

"Can't tell ya, that's what makes it special." She laughed and flipped her long, dark hair over her shoulder. She was too much to take in all at once. The longer I stared the more I noticed things like her silky hair that glistened in the lighting, how spectacularly rich the brown of her eyes were and now, the toned legs on display in those mouthwatering short shorts.

I smiled, still too taken with her to do much else. Her eyes met mine again. The corner of her mouth tugged up into something else more than a smile, but it was warm and sincere and went straight to my soul.

"Thank you...?" I needed her name. I wanted to know how it felt to say it aloud and see if it stopped her in mid-breath the way the her saying mine did to me.

"I'm Bo. I own the place."

"Bo." Boy that felt good to say. Even better was the hitch of her breath and the drop of her smile as she met the same surprised emotions as I did from the sound of one little word.

"Oh and uh... she set the plate down on the table. She'd been holding it the entire time but this was the first I'd paid attention. "You looked like you could use a warm muffin."

Who didn't love a warm muffin?

"Thanks. You didn't have to."

"Consider it a welcome gift. That and you left me ten dollars for a five dollar coffee."

"I appreciate that, though you did earn that tip."

"Did I?" She smirked and slid into the chair across from me.

"Mhm." I watched her from over the rim of my cup as I sipped the hot coffee for the first time. My eyes fell shut and I nodded my head with a moan in appreciation of a fine java. "So good, Bo."

Heat reddened my cheeks in a hurry when I realized the way I said it. So embarrassing was more like it.

Bo beamed at me, her cheeks just as red and she bit her lip once again. Could she be any more sexy?

"I love the way you say that," she husked.

I can't believe I'm flirting in a coffee shop. Until now I never thought that kind of thing really happened. "It did feel pretty good rolling off my tongue," I teased.

She leaned across the table, her brows creased in thought. "You feel so familiar. It's uncanny. Where have you been all my life?"

"On the other side of the globe. Sorry I'm late."

We both laughed. The air between us was so light and easy despite the long, intense stares. I didn't know much about Bo, but I just knew without a doubt that she was what I'd been searching for. She was full of life and even though we'd only been chatting, I could tell she had plenty of fire to make me do things I never dreamt of doing before.

Her hands lay on the table. I slid mine over and touched my fingertips to hers. I was breathless and overrun by the most wondrous electricity. She flipped her palm up and played with my fingers. Maybe this was my "falling in love with a stranger." I'd hate if it was only for a moment, but looking at her, I'd take however long I could get.

Might as well start now. "Bo, could I take you out...for anything but coffee?"

She giggled.

I needed a defibrillator.

"I'd really like that Lauren. When?"

"The sooner the better."

"I can leave right now."

"Perfect."

She held her eyes on me for a moment longer to see if I was kidding. I'd never been more serious. If I was going to start being adventurous, what better way to begin?

"Be right back."

"I'll be right here." Watching her walk away with that sway in her hips directed at me took my breath away.

Bo hurried behind the counter and spoke her employees. She smiled over her shoulder as she went through the kitchen doors.

I finally got to take a long awaited breath. If I smiled any bigger my face would explode. Australia would do just fine. I raised my coffee in toast. " To coffee and whatever comes next."

XXX

So I don't know, but it was a whim, just like her moving to Australia. So I hope it was enjoyable. Of course I'd love to hear what you thought. Thanks for reading.