Lauren couldn't believe this was happening. She read the email again, getting more irritable by the second. Her parents were coming to visit next week like she didn't have enough to deal with at the moment.
She sent out a reply that she was too busy, and that maybe they shouldn't come. It wouldn't work, once her mom decided something there was no point arguing.
Tamsin entered the kitchen yawning. Dyson had kept her out late last night, and she was having a hard time waking up fully. "Who died?" She asked when she saw Lauren's down expression.
"No one yet but probably me soon."
"What's wrong?" Tamsin asked, thinking it was more than likely Bo related.
Lauren closed her email and started putting her breakfast dishes away, "Family stuff can be exhausting sometimes."
Tamsin nodded, but in truth she had no idea, she didn't know her family, never did.
Lauren packed her lunch, "My father seems to believe that one day I'll marry Dyson and that my relationship with Bo is just a phase." Lauren rolled her eyes thinking through all their conversations about it. He had even "jokingly" went to one of those websites and printed out a picture of what her and Dyson's baby might look like. She didn't speak to him for a month after that; it was insulting.
"Ouch that's tough," Tamsin said before her eyes looked longing at the coffee pot.
Lauren shrugged, "You should have seen his face when I told him about my first girlfriend. It was priceless really."
Tamsin casually made her way to the coffee cups, avoiding Bo's special cup. "Are they staying here?" She asked, hoping the answer was no. She didn't like to interact with other people's families it was always so uncomfortable.
"No way. They don't know that…well, I'm not about to tell them Bo moved out."
Tamsin's phone vibrated in her pocket before she could enjoy the delicious coffee. "Speaking of Bo, she wants me to meet her at one of the crime scenes. Like now."
Lauren stared at her phone, "Don't mention to Bo that my parents are coming. I'll tell her later."
Tamsin nodded, quickly getting some coffee. She needed to be quick and go. "Hey not my place, anyway."
Tamsin looked at the refrigerator, "Lewis can I take the rest of that pasta for my lunch? I'm kind of obsessed with it."
Lauren smiled, "Help yourself."
Tamsin mentally high-fived herself, she never got any home cooked meals, and Lauren was a great cook, she was thrilled. It didn't take much to make her happy really.
XXXXX
Bo bent down over the symbol on the ground taking various photos. The lighting was bad as the sun was barely up, but she was anxious to be doing something while she waited for her two partners to arrive.
Today, she was going to stop fixating on Lauren and focus on work. Well, she did hope that Lauren would at least call or text her once during the day. But she wasn't going to obsess about it. Not today.
Dyson and Tamsin arrived, shortly after, he had picked her up, her truck was taking longer than expected to fix. In truth, she was in desperate need of her first check to pay for it. Her new apartment had taken all her money.
Bo stood with her hands on her hips dressed from head to toe in black, and Tamsin wondered if all Bo's clothes were black. So far, she hadn't seen her in any other colors.
Finally, the sun was out, and Bo pulled out her black, of course black, sunglasses and put them on.
"Just Tamsin how are your artistic skills?" Bo asked.
Tamsin eyed her confused.
Bo waved her hand over the symbol on the ground. "We need a detailed drawing of that symbol. Photos may not be enough."
Dyson leaned down and studied the mark. "And Bo and I can only draw stick figures."
Tamsin shrugged. "I could give it a try."
Growing up in group homes, all her life, Tamsin had become quite the artist. Drawing was the least expensive hobby to have, all that was needed was a pencil and a surface. She had developed a knack for it.
Bo handed her a sketchpad and a pencil. She got to work, feeling relieved about being useful, she was starting to feel like the dead weight on the team.
Bo watched her for a second then turned her attention to Dyson. "What's your thoughts on this whole thing?"
"Cult related? Serial killer? Putting that mark beside the body, someone obviously wanted us to see it. But why?"
Bo sighed, "I hate these cases, the victims tend to be random, makes it hard to solve."
Bo tapped her foot on the ground, thinking. "The cult idea is an interesting angle, though. Because we all thought the perp knew the victims."
Dyson rose and looked at Bo, "Cults attract all different types of people, could explain why there didn't seem to be a connection between the victims."
Bo bit her lip. "When we get back, we'll start researching all known local cults. We have nothing else." She watched Tamsin and was impressed by the details she was putting into the sketch. "When Tamsin's done we'll stop by the other crime scenes then head back."
Tamsin worked, diligently. "If we could identify this symbol that would help a lot."
"We'll ran it through the database. Hopefully, we'll get a hit." Dyson said.
Dyson and Bo stood over Tamsin watching her work.
XXXX
Lauren didn't know how to react when Evony entered the locker room while she was changing. Normally, she wouldn't think twice about it but her friends and their taunts came rushing into her mind.
She didn't believe them, not at all, so she decided not to react and just get dressed normally.
"I'm prepared for this afternoon. I've watched the videos numerous times. Done the practice drills." She smiled and casually slipped on her shirt.
"I should hope so. Being prepared is your job and responsibility." She glanced distractedly in Lauren's direction.
"Of course. I was just…" She trailed off, deciding not to elaborate further, Evony probably didn't want to hear more.
"Drills and videos can only take you so far. You have to be able to trust your instincts in there." Evony's tone suggested she was uninterested with the conversation.
"I know. But part of developing those instincts is knowing the surgery as well as possible." She finished getting dressed and stood looking at Evony. Is there nothing Evony wouldn't give her a hard time about, she wondered.
Evony started reading over her tablet, "You'll be fine just log more OR time, and you'll develop those skills and instincts."
Lauren's mouth dropped in shock. "I do log a lot of time and my record is flawless, zero mistakes."
"Let's hope your first mistake isn't fatal. Mistakes are part of the learning process."
Lauren rolled her eyes, "I won't apologize for my success."
"You're cocky, but you're still green. Finish up we need to talk with our patient about what to expect this afternoon."
XXXX
By the afternoon, Bo was with Dyson at his desk, eating their lunch. They were waiting for information to come back about the symbol. Bo didn't have much hope that anything would come up, but it didn't hurt to try.
She quickly glanced at her phone, for any messages from Lauren; there weren't any.
"Fries?" Dyson offered Bo.
"No, thanks," Bo shook her head, and put her phone away. She was not going to worry about it. Lauren was at work. She didn't always have time to text.
Tamsin sat down next to Dyson and hungrily ate her pasta, her taste buds almost singing. She suppressed the desire to groan in delight. She thought it might come off as odd.
Bo stared at the bowl. "Did Lauren make that?"
Tamsin smiled and nodded. "Sure did. And it's delicious."
Bo's eyes darted back and forth between the bowl and Tamsin. "Did she make that for you?" Bo felt a stab of frustration at herself for caring so much about something so silly. But that's what Lauren was doing to her, making her uneasy about every little thing.
"No, she only let me have some," Tamsin answered with a mouth full of food, "Do you want some?"
Bo crossed her arms and leaned back far, "No," She muttered under her breath. "She used to make me lunch."
Tamsin looked pleadingly at Dyson, who changed the subject. "Kenzi and Hale coming home soon?"
"A couple days," Bo replied, but her tone was annoyed.
"How was the honeymoon?"
"Amazing and wonderful. We skyped last night. They looked really happy." Bo's mood started to soften thinking about her sister.
Tamsin sat quietly enjoying her food. There was a lot to get caught up with, with this group, she was learning.
"Good to hear. They're a great couple."
The conversation ended, and they sat in silence.
"Let's get back to work," Bo said and walked briskly back to her desk.
XXXX
Lauren wanted to weep, but she wouldn't. She wouldn't let Evony see her like that. She lost her first patient while operating, and it stung. Her mind replayed all the events of the surgery over and over trying to figure out what went wrong.
Her technique had been perfect, she didn't understand. She knew this was part of being a surgeon, losing patients but it didn't make it easier. And she deeply wanted to know what went wrong.
"Don't beat yourself up, Dr. Lewis, we did everything we could." Evony entered the room and started scrubbing her hands. "But sometimes it isn't enough."
"I know, but I feel awful."
"Why because that perfect record of yours is now ruined." Evony scrubbed her hands harder.
"No," Lauren answered snapping. "Because someone I was supposed to help, to save, died."
"You need a thicker skin."
"I hope I never stop getting upset about losses. When that happens, I'll know I'm truly dead inside."
Lauren forcefully opened the door and exited before she said anything else. Quite frankly, Evony was pissing her off, and she knew she was about to go off.
Lauren stepped outside to get some fresh air, to help calm her nerves, maybe she'd call Bo.
But before she can make that call she noticed Connor and Jules sitting on a bench, smoking.
She walked over to them, thoughts of making that call gone. "Don't you all find it odd to be doctors and be smoking? You know what that's doing to your body." She asked with her nose wrinkled in disgust.
Connor inhaled deep, "We need something to take the edge off." He blew out the smoke. "What do you do?"
"Great sex and good food." She replied deadpan.
They both chuckled at her response.
"I'm joking," She paused, "Sort of."
"You're living the dream," Jules responded putting out her cigarette.
It was Lauren's turn to chuckle. "By the way, I have plus two for cards this weekend."
Connor nodded, "Bo and Dyson." That seemed fairly obvious.
"No, Dyson and my roommate Tamsin."
They exchanged questioning glances, finding it strange she wouldn't invite her girlfriend.
Evony appeared outside, "Dr. Lewis if you're done with your little pow wow, it's time to get back to work."
She disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.
Lauren huffed and followed her, "Great she's going to be a nightmare for the rest of the day." She mumbled to herself.
XXXX
Lauren was going to get drunk that was her plan. Tonight, while playing cards, she wanted to drink until she couldn't think. It was a good plan after the frustrating week she'd had.
Her and Bo had an argument over the phone the previous day, and she was drained. What part of needing space was so hard to understand? Bo didn't seem to get it. Space. It meant being apart, not together every night. When they agreed to stay together, Bo promised not to push, to give her time. Was that happening? No, not at all.
"Pass me the chips, doc," Dyson asked, practically spilling her drink in the process.
Lauren grabbed the chips before Connor could and handed it to Dyson. "You are a really terrible card player, Lauren." Connor teased her. "You've lost every hand."
"Yeah, she's dreadful," Dyson added and stuffed his mouth with chips.
"This game is based on chance, luck. Not skill." She said appealed they'd be judging her card playing skills.
"Only to newbies," Tara said.
"It's all about reading those you're playing with," Tamsin offered, trying to help Lauren out.
"Well, it's no wonder Lauren sucks then, she can't read people." Connor finished his beer. "Just ask Evony."
Dyson shot Lauren a look.
"Don't start that. You guys are crazy." Lauren said, annoyed that she wasn't drunk, yet. She turned to Dyson. "It's nothing. They like to torment me because Evony hates me, and I have to work with her so much."
Tara chuckled. "Why can't you come to terms with the fact that Evony has the hots for you. It's a compliment."
Lauren rolled her eyes. "You guys are making me act awkward around her, she probably thinks I'm strange."
The conversation shifted and Lauren whispered to Dyson. "Please don't tell Bo about this. I don't want her getting jealous about nothing."
Dyson's expression turned to disapproval but he said nothing.
Dyson tapped his fingers on the table. "Why didn't you invite Bo, tonight?"
"We need space. Why is that so hard to understand?"
"But isn't one of the issues in your relationship not seeing each other enough? Seems counterproductive not to see her when you can."
"Please don't give me relationship advice, you've never even had a long term girlfriend."
Dyson bit back his response and remained silent. Lauren's mood was off, and he wasn't about to get into with her.
Lauren started feeling relaxed as the alcohol started to work. "My parents are visiting soon." She said to Dyson, changing the subject.
"Yikes, good luck."
"My father loves you." Lauren blurted out, finally feeling really buzzed.
"I'm lovable." Dyson smiled at her with a cheesy grin.
Lauren dipped her finger into her empty glass, "I wish he would give Bo a chance. Get to know her."
Dyson lightly patted her back. "I'm sorry. I know it's hard."
Lauren got up swiftly, "I need more alcohol."
She fixed herself a drink and downed it probably faster than she should have, and made another one. She didn't want to be responsible tonight. She just wanted to drink. Besides, she had so many things to worry about one night off seemed fine.
XXXX
Hours later, Tamsin watched Lauren, who was clearly very drunk. She pulled out her phone and texted Bo. Lauren needed to get home. It wasn't her place, but she was worried about Lauren.
Lauren laughed and rolled around the living floor. The room spun wildly around her. "I'm so drunk!"
Connor and Jules sat beside her, "I know it's awesome to see." Connor nudged her foot.
Jules fell back and landed on her back hard, "We should play strip poker!"
"Yes!" Connor stood and clambered into the kitchen to get the cards. "Do you two want to play?" He asked Dyson and Tamsin, who were alone at the kitchen table.
They shook their heads at the same time. He shrugged and went back to the living room.
"I'm terrible at cards, I'll be naked in no time," Lauren said through a drunk laugh.
There's a knock on the door, and Tamsin knowing who it was answered it quickly.
"Lauren's pretty wasted. Glad you could come." Tamsin opened the door for Bo to enter.
Bo eyed Lauren, who sat on the living floor and entered the apartment.
Lauren spotted Bo, "Bo's here." She darted her head between Jules and Connor. "Did you know Bo was here? How long has she been here?"
They tried to focus on Bo through their drunken haze but gave up.
"Lauren, I'm taking you home." Bo stood over Lauren. "You need to get some sleep." She drove all the way over she wasn't leaving without Lauren.
Lauren tilted her head back to look up at her, her eyes glossy from the alcohol, and grabbed her arm, "You should play with us."
"We're playing strip poker!" Connor stumbled out, and Bo glared at him.
"One game then we'll leave," Lauren said to Bo, her words coming out slurred.
"Fine." Bo walked to the kitchen to get Lauren a drink of water.
"Why did you let her get like this?" Bo asked Dyson as she filled up the glass with water.
"I've been watching her."
Bo sighed and walked back to Lauren. "Drink this." She handed Lauren the water, and Lauren took it and drank.
"Should we wake Tara up?" Jules asked jerking her head toward Tara, who was passed out on the couch.
"No. Let her sleep," Connor said and started dealing out the cards.
Bo was now sitting with Tamsin and Dyson, but her eyes didn't leave Lauren.
Thirty minutes later, Lauren was only in her bra and underwear. The three of them, sitting on the floor, couldn't stop giggling, at what, who knew.
Bo checked the time and got aggravated. She refocused her attention on Lauren. Her eyes flickered with annoyance.
"Ooo, Lauren's lost again, time to lose the bra!" Connor shouted he was really drunk now.
Bo approached Lauren's side, "Time to go." She said firm and insistent.
Lauren peered up at Bo, "I wasn't going to take my bra off, relax." Her words coming out with drunken emphasis.
"It's late." Bo gathered up Lauren's clothes and handed them to her.
Lauren climbed to her feet and leaned on Bo, putting her clothes back on. "You're so sexy when you're angry."
Bo exhaled a breath.
"Well, you are!"
Bo ushered Lauren to the door but Lauren resisted. "Wait. I'm not ready to go!" Lauren lost her balance and stumbled backward.
Dyson and Tamsin sat silently watching them.
Bo had enough, she bent down and grabbed Lauren behind the knees then draped her over her shoulder. "We're leaving." She walked from the apartment with Lauren over her shoulder.
Tamsin turned to Dyson wide-eyed. "Does that happen a lot?"
"It's been a while since I've seen Bo carry Lauren out of a party like that."
"Maybe I shouldn't have called Bo." Tamsin clenched her fingers together. She didn't want to cause any trouble with her roommate.
"But then I would have had to carry Lauren home." He gave her a sideways glance.
XXXX
Lauren closed her eyes tight, "I'm drunk." She said. She was laying on her back in the back seat of Bo's car.
"No kidding," Bo answered hotly. "Don't puke in my car."
Lauren rubbed her palms over her eyes, trying to clear her head.
They arrived back at Lauren's apartment, and Bo helped Lauren out of the car and into the front door.
Lauren fell onto her bed on her stomach. "I feel sick."
"Do you want me to help you to the bathroom?" Bo pushed the hair out of Lauren's face.
Lauren flipped onto her back, "I love you so much, Bo. Sometimes so much it hurts, and I can't breathe."
Bo hovered over her, searching her face for something.
Lauren brought her arm over her eyes, "Why did you have to cheat on me?" She sighed. "You ruined everything."
Bo squeezed her jaw shut. She knew Lauren was drunk and maybe didn't know what she was saying, but it still hurt to hear.
Bo got up to leave, but Lauren grabbed her hand. "Don't leave me." Half asleep, she whispered. "Ever." Then she was asleep.
Bo laid down next to her, not sleeping.
XXXX
The next morning, Lauren stood in the shower. Thankful today was her day off. She was hung over. She had no business going into work. The events of the previous night were hazy in her mind.
She didn't know how she'd gotten home but waking up next to Bo gave her a clue. She wondered if she had called her or if someone else had.
She stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body. She looked at herself in mirror and squinted trying to pull the memories from last night into her mind.
She entered her bedroom to find Bo staring at her from across the room. She looked upset.
"Morning," She said slowly, sitting on the edge of her bed. She really wished she could remember what happened last night, so she could be prepared for this apparent argument they were about to have.
"We need to talk."
Lauren sat straight and frowned at her. "Ok."
"What are we doing here?" Bo was gripped by distress, she didn't want to have this conversation but last night proved it was time.
Lauren didn't answer.
"If you can't forgive me, then we're just wasting our time, right?"
Lauren pulled her arms into her body as a shield. "I need time."
"So, you don't forgive me?" Bo countered, hotly.
Lauren held her gaze on the floor.
"Maybe we should break-up." She eyed Lauren warily.
Lauren held her breath but didn't answer.
"You can't keep punishing me. I'm more sorry than you know. I'm willing to take on all the blame for what happened, but you have to forgive me. It was a mistake."
When Lauren doesn't answer, Bo started toward the door, her temper now spilling over. "Just so we're clear, is this a break or break-up? I'd hate to not know what rule book I'm suppose to follow."
"Just leave, Bo." Lauren fought back tear as she said it.
"Fine."
Bo closed the door behind her but paused and held the doorknob. Abruptly, she walked back into the room. Lauren stood a few feet away from her and they looked at each other.
"I don't want to break-up." Bo said softly, swallowed hard, and took a few steps to close the distance between them.
"I don't want to break-up either." Lauren said gently.
After a pause of silence, they crashed into each other and landed on the bed. They kissed lips and tongues working feverishly. Lauren held onto Bo's shoulders, pulling her tighter against her body.
When they finally broke apart, they studied each other. Bo brought her hand up and laid it over Lauren's chest. "We can get through this right?" She asked, her voice drowning in sadness.
Lauren nodded in response, and put her hand over Bo's, stroking it lightly. "I'm sorry for pushing you away. You were right. We need to spend more time together. And I do forgive you but it's hard sometimes."
Bo brushed her fingers over Lauren's bare skin. "I love you. I don't want to lose you."
"I love you." Lauren pushed herself up to meet Bo's lips and Bo in one quick motion removed her towel.