Thanks again for the adds and reviews. Also thanks to the reader who corrected my copdoc, it's actually valkybus! I would never be able to write copdoc. Thank you for being gracious with me. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the next chapter ;) xoxo
Bo gradually opened her eyes to her head throbbing in an almost unbearable pain as she felt a warm hand on her own. It felt as though her body would explode from the amount of pain that pulsed through it. Her eyes tried to focus on her surroundings as she groaned shutting them again.
"Shh. Try not to move." The voice was smooth and soft in her ear.
Lauren gently placed a cool rag over Bo's eyes. Lauren had given up her bed for Bo and hadn't left Bo's side in the two days she lay above the clinic. Lauren's eyes were dark and heavy with exhaustion as she watched Bo sleep, praying her pain would subside.
Lauren looked up when she heard a faint knock on her bedroom door. Kenzi stood in the door frame in her usual head to toe black, looking almost as tried as Lauren.
"How is the patient doing?" Kenzi said staring down at her friend with empathy.
"The sleeping herb has kept her out but she will need to eat. She has only taken a little broth and water in the past two days."
"She's tough doc. She will be up and causing more trouble in no time." Kenzi said trying to reassure herself just as much as Lauren.
"She is brave and very silly to have gone alone." Lauren said as she smoothed Bo's hair away from her face.
"She was lucky you were there doc, though I still don't know how you found her."
"I was out for a walk when I heard yelling." Lauren said not making eye contact with Kenzi.
"Good thing." Kenzi said not pushing for further answers. Maybe there is something with the two of the.. Kenzi thought as she watched how delicately Lauren cared for Bo.
"Well I should be getting back. I just wondered if she had woken up yet."
"I will send word as soon as she does, Kenzi. Thank you for stopping over."
"You should get some sleep doc."
X
Sleep had finally hit Lauren like a ton of bricks until she felt her something stirring beneath her.
Bo moved her arm to find the doc lying across it. Her whole body was limp with numbness from not moving for the last few days.
"Lauren." Bo said trying to nudge her arm free. "Lauren, I need my arm."
Lauren raised her head to see Bo's brown eyes open and expressive. Lauren smiled as she jumped to her feet to check Bo's pain levels.
"Heya doc."
"Hey yourself." Lauren flirted back, wanting nothing more than to lean down and kiss Bo.
"How are you feeling? You've been out a few days now."
"I've been better, I've been worse. My side is killing me though." Bo said as she tried to sit up.
"Oh no you don't! I need you flat on your back until I say different." Lauren said sternly.
"You want me on my back?" Bo dripped with innuendo as she watched as Lauren turned several shades of red.
"You…You have several broken or cracked ribs; you need to be cautious of them." Lauren gestured to Bo's midsection.
"Your face is pretty banged up too." Lauren said gently touching Bo's cheek. "Does it hurt when I touch you?" Lauren pulled her hand away seeing a dark flicker in Bo's eyes.
"Only when you stop." Bo whispered.
Lauren dismissed the comment, focusing back on the task at hand. She hurried around the small space trying to make Bo as comfortable as possible. The sun was shining brilliantly into the room as Lauren pulled the curtain down giving Bo's eyes relief.
"Are you hungry?"
"Famished." Bo said closing her eyes again.
"I'll get you some bread and put some stew on."
X
Once the soup was warm Lauren propped Bo up as gently as she could and spooned the hot mixture into her mouth.
"When was the last time you eat or slept doc?" Bo said as concerned showed on her face.
"Let's not worry about me."
Bo grabbed Lauren's hand as she tried to spoon more into her mouth.
"I am worried." Bo eyes showed how much as cared as Lauren glanced down at her feet.
"The last thing I remember is you with a gun and Cody fell. What happened? Did they hurt you? If they touched a hair on your head I swear I will kill them." Bo was getting riled up as Lauren tried her best to calm her.
"Bo please. Relax. As you can see I am fine." Lauren said trying to reassure her.
"Tell me then." Bo pleaded.
"Let me get this stew in you while I tell you, deal?"
Bo nodded accepting a big spoonful from Lauren.
"I heard shouting and followed it. That's when I came upon you. The one brother had you his arms around you forcing you drop your guns. I watched as his kicked you but I didn't have a clear shot. That's when I saw the one of his horse reach for his gun. I aimed my shotgun and he fell hard, it killed him instantly."
Bo nodded remembering up until that point.
"The one who had you on the ground reached for his pistol as I shot him in the arm. He screamed in pain and pulled his trigger, the bullet grazed my arm." Lauren pushed up her sleeve showing Bo the stitches.
"Lauren." Bo voice caught in her throat as she looked down at the wound carved into Lauren's once flawless skin.
"Hey it's ok." Lauren said as she watched Bo's expression. "It doesn't hurt. It's just a scrape."
"Anyway, once he was on the ground I shot him again making sure he was dead. I was so scared and you weren't responsive. I ran to the reservation and got help. Running Bear carried you here and gave me herbs to help you sleep."
"And you have never left my side?" Bo questioned.
Lauren pretended not to hear Bo. "Kenzi came by to check on you. I need to get word to her you are up."
"Oh great, a lecture from Kenz." Bo chuckled rolling her eyes.
"Why did you go alone?" Lauren asked studying Bo.
"I didn't want to put anyone else in danger and I was mad." Bo whispered the last part of the sentence.
"Why were you mad?" Lauren asked, remembering Bo seeing Tom kiss Lauren.
Bo shrugged avoiding the question. Bo finally noticed her surroundings, "I am in your bed?"
Lauren nodded.
"You really haven't been sleeping?"
"No. Well not until I fell asleep on your arm." Lauren laughed.
"Do you give all your patients such attentive care?" Bo was playing with fire.
"Of course." Lauren huffed as someone knocked on Lauren's bedroom door.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Kenzi said walking in with her eyes covered.
"No Kenz." Bo smiled at her friend.
"BoBo you're alive!"
"Kenz, you knew I wasn't going to die right?" Bo asked.
"Well with the way the doc was fussing over you it seemed like it."
Lauren blushed and pretended to be busy with papers on her desk.
"How are you feeling?" Kenzi asked.
"Sore but well rested."
"You need rest. I brought you some muffins." Kenzi said putting the basket down on the table beside Bo.
"Hopefully you got more than I did." Lauren said winking at Kenzi. "It was delicious by the way."
"You're welcome doc and I know Bo will share with you." Kenzi smiled at Bo knowingly.
"Tamsin wants a full report, as do I."
"Why didn't she come?" Bo asked.
"She has her reasons." Kenzi stated as her eyes flickered to Lauren.
"She'll get over it." Bo rolled her eyes.
"You get plenty of rest. I need my bartender." Kenzi grinned at Bo.
"I know. I will."
"Thanks for looking after her doc. I will watch myself around you." Kenzi said pretending to draw two pistols from her side. "Pow pow."
Bo started laughing at Kenzi being Kenzi. "Ouch." Bo winced in pain, grabbing her side.
"Bo." Lauren was at her side in a second. "No laughing!" Lauren scolded her.
"Sorry." Kenzi said sheepishly. "I should get going. I will tell the girls you are up but I won't let them come but one at a time starting when the doc says it's ok."
"She should be able to have company tomorrow evening." Lauren said not taking her eyes off of Bo.
"Alright then I'm off. Rest, Bo."
"Bye Kenz."
X
The next evening Bo was watching Lauren as she was trying to grab something from a high shelf. Determined Lauren pushed a chair over so she could easily reach her book. As she reached high Bo had a clear view of Lauren's legs as her dress rode up.
Lauren turned quickly feeling Bo's eyes on her. Bo didn't notice Lauren as she let her gaze wander over Lauren's shapely legs and hips.
Lauren cleared her throat to get Bo's attention.
Bo flushed with embarrassment.
A soft knock at the door saved Bo from explaining herself.
"Come in." Bo cooed her eyes still on Lauren who had turned back around.
"Tam Tam!" Bo greeted her warmly and then saw Maggie pop up behind her.
Tamsin's eyes traveled Bo's body. "How are you?" Tamsin asked curtly.
"Good. I have been resting for days now."
Maggie walked passed Tamsin, "We brought you dinner. Chicken and dumplings."
Maggie lifted the lid letting the smell wafted through the small room.
"Mmm, smells great. Thank you." Lauren said.
Maggie noticing Lauren rushed to her aid. "Let me help you doctor."
Lauren took her hand as she clasped the large book with the other.
"Thank you."
"My pleasure doctor."
Bo and Tamsin watched with disgust as Maggie tried to pursue the doctor.
"Were you worried about me Tamsin?" Bo asked coyly.
Tamsin shrugged as she sat on the small stool beside Bo.
"She was. She kept asking Kenzi to come and see you, if you were all right…"Maggie was cutoff.
"Shut your fat mouth." Tamsin screeched.
Maggie ignored her and smiled at Lauren.
"What are you reading?"
"It's about herbs used for healing."
Maggie rested her chin on her arm watching Lauren. "I can't read." Maggie stated nonchalantly.
"You don't need to read, you're a whore." Tamsin said as her voice filled the small area.
Lauren ignored the tactless comment, looking at Maggie. "It's not difficult. I could teach you."
Maggie's eyes were full of wonder as she nodded a hardy yes to Lauren's offer.
"Then it's settled. We can work out the details with Kenzi." Lauren smiled.
Bo watched the interaction between Maggie and Lauren as jealously coursed through her veins.
Lauren glanced over her shoulder at Bo who seemed to be paying a lot of attention to Tamsin.
"When you getting out?" Tamsin asked Bo.
"You make it sound like I am in jail Tamsin."
"It would be for me." Tamsin said shooting a glare at Lauren.
"You miss me already Tamsin."
"Pst. Please." Tamsin stated not making eye contact.
"We should be going Maggie, Bo needs her beauty rest." Tamsin said grinning at Bo.
Bo groaned, "I am tired of sleeping."
"You just need to lie still." Lauren said stiffing as she watched Tamsin lean down and gently kiss Bo's lips.
Maggie was lit up like a Christmas tree looking at Lauren, "Bye doctor! I will talk to Kenzi."
Once they had left Bo turned to look at Lauren. "You know Maggie doesn't care a thing about reading right?"
Lauren smiled knowingly at Bo, watching as Bo's eyes darkened with jealousy.
Bo watched as Lauren sat on the stool beside her, dipping a sponge into a bowl of water.
Bo raised her eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
"You stink. I am giving you a bath." Lauren said trying to remain professional and ignoring the throbbing between her thighs.
Lauren unbuttoned the first three buttons on Bo's shirt, trying not to make eye contact. She could feel Bo's eyes on her the entire time. She let the water drip back into the bowl as she squeezed access water from the sponge.
She brought her hand up gently to Bo's neck, letting the it drop to the valley between her breasts. Lauren's hand was shaky as she brought her eyes up to meet Bo's.
"Does Tom know you like women too?" Bo whispered.
"What?" Lauren gasped.
"You are teaching Maggie."
"So?" Lauren dropped her gaze.
"You know she doesn't care about reading. She just wants to… um.."
"Yes?" Lauren said enjoying Bo struggle with the thought.
"You know what I mean." Bo said frustrated.
"Oh I am not sure I do. Please tell me."
"She wants you to do things with her." Bo struggled to find the right words. Lauren was a lady and Bo wasn't sure what she knew about sex.
Lauren raised her eyebrow, "Oh like you and Tamsin?"
"How's the finance? Bo huffed.
"I broke it off?" Lauren stated.
Bo felt a tightening in her chest as she watched Lauren. Oh God. She is single now…
"Why?" Bo whispered.
Lauren's dark eyes flashed as Bo watched Lauren let drops of water roll down Bo's lean stomach.
Lauren licked her lips, "A lot of things really."
"Maggie?" Bo was half kidding, half serious waiting for Lauren to answer.
Lauren smiled unbuttoning Bo's trousers.
"My father made it a condition that if I was to go to medical school I had to pick a husband. Tom was there and he was fond of me. He proposed on afternoon and I said yes to please my family."
Bo saw the hurt in Lauren's eyes as she spoke.
"What about your father?" Bo asked.
"He passed last summer. He saw me graduate before we went. That meant a lot to me. He was my hero as a young girl." Lauren smiled fondly thinking of her father.
"What about your mother?"
"We aren't close. She was always jealous of how close my father and I were."
"So you are free now?" Bo said.
"I feel so horrible going against my father's wishes but I don't want to life a life of misery. I thought medicine would be enough…until now." Lauren said looking up at Bo.
Bo pushed, "Until now?"
"Tom. He is overbearing and he is always there with gifts." Lauren fibbed.
Rolling her eyes Bo said, "Oh yeah, that's the worst."
"I don't love him. I never loved him." Lauren stated, letting her fingers brush Bo's waistband.
Bo's breath caught as Lauren's fingers made contact with stomach. Her
Body quivered as she felt a fire in her belly.
"Lauren." Bo's voice was heavy with desire as she stopped Lauren's hand from going any further.
"You don't know what you're doing to me." Bo voice trembled.
Lauren's eyes traveled the length of Bo's body. She wanted nothing more than to strip her and see what was underneath.
"You can finish?" It was more of a statement than a question as Lauren handed Bo the sponge.
Before Lauren turned to go downstairs Bo saw the hurt, perhaps rejection in her eyes.
What have I done?
X
The next morning Bo woke to a knock at the door. Lauren had slept on one of the cots downstairs as far as Bo knew.
"Come in." Bo said as the door swung open to a Dyson smirking.
"Well well well."
"Save it Dyson." Bo said as he sat down.
"Sorry, I meant to come by sooner. Trouble over in the mining camp. How are you feeling stud?"
"I've been better."
"Yeah, you look like shit." Dyson said breaking out into a smile.
"The doc sure did a number on those brothers. She's a spitfire that one. Her fiancé is a lucky man."
"Well I best being going. Get some rest Bo. We need you well."
"Bye Dyson."
X
Worried plagued Bo's mind until she heard the door open. Maggie walked in with a breakfast tray.
"Hi, Bo. The doctor sent me up with this for you. She is busy."
Maggie sat the tray down and was off before Bo could respond.
What is going on here?
X
It was evening before Lauren came upstairs to see Bo. She walked in and over to her desk, casually asking Bo how she was fairing.
"I have work downstairs, yell if you need me." And she was gone.
X
The sound of raised voices filled Bo's ears as she slept. The door burst open as Bo saw someone being carried in.
I must be dreaming. I am still in Lauren's bedroom. Why are they bringing someone up here?
"Put the cot in the corner by my desk." The voice was definitely Lauren's. Bo longed to hear it. To feel her touch again, her kiss..
Bo realizing it wasn't a dream let her eyes focus in the dark. See saw Tom being carried in by Dyson and one of the boys from town.
"Dyson? What's going on?" Bo asked.
"Lauren's fiancée was shot. The doc was able to stitch him up but he needs a safe place to hide." Dyson said seriously.
"Hide? What happened?"
"He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now some of the miners from the next town are after him. Saw his fancy suit and thought he was there to take their jobs. Caught in the crossfire."
"God.." Bo said watching as they placed Tom in the corner.
"You're getting a regular infirmary up here doc." Dyson said as Lauren hurried through the door to Tom's side.
Bo's stomach turned as she watched Lauren get Tom settled in.
Lauren turned to Bo. "Sorry. I had no where else to put him. They are looking for him."
Bo searched Lauren's eyes for a sign of mocking but could find none.
"It's fine with me. Is he going to make it?"
Lauren watched Tom as she answered, "Yes."