Bo awoke, in her hospital bed, with Lauren gazing down at her with her piercing brown eyes. Momentarily, Bo felt an ache in her chest staring back at her. She scrambled with her words, searching some way to convey her emotions and love. "Hey, you," was all she managed to get out before Lauren pressed their lips together.

"How are you feeling?" Lauren's eyes, tender and concerned, held Bo's for a long moment. "You have more color in your face, today." She added, brushing Bo's hair back, her fingers lingering on her forehead.

"I feel like I've been shot," Bo joked bringing her hand up to her shoulder. Her whole body was sore, and the bandages on her shoulder were tightly wrapped, and she had a throbbing headache that was ever present.

Bo took a moment to study her room, an IV still in her arm, beeping machines at her side, simply an ordinary hospital room except for Lauren. Having Lauren by her side had been the best medicine for Bo. She was sweet, attentive and gentle and only threw out a few lectures about the danger Bo put herself in, which Bo accepted without debate. As far as she was concerned her girlfriend had every right to be upset about that, so she offered as many apologizes as she could.

Bo closed her eyes, the images of that day were engraved in her memory, and she could still hear the gunshot and smell her own blood. The events seemed to blur together in her mind, but she remembered the sounds of their voices, that she wouldn't forget.

Lauren placed her hand over Bo's hand on her shoulder. "Hey, where'd you go just now?" She asked after Bo was quiet for a prolonged moment.

Bo's expression softened, "I was thinking about that day. Trying to keep the events fresh in my mind for when we catch those assholes."

"You need to concentrate on getting better first," Lauren's brows drew together and she stared down at Bo. "Worry about the rest later."

"Yes, dear," Bo said and pursed her lips together repressing her smirk.

Lauren smiled down at her, and she wondered how much of the events Bo recalled. She worried that the memories might interfere with the healing process, if Bo focused on them too much. "You'll never know what it was like for me to see you in this bed…it," She paused when a lump climbed into her throat. "It was the worst day of my life." She lightly brushed Bo's cheek, and Bo closed her eyes savoring the touch. "It scares the hell out of me to think I could have lost you that day. Do you know that?" She sighed heavily and trailed her fingers down Bo's jawline. "Promise me…promise me this won't happen again, that you'll keep yourself safe."

Bo half-smiled and gripped Lauren's hand tight. "I swear it. No more one woman heroics." She groaned when a pain shot through her shoulder and her head sank heavily into the pillow.

"Bo," Lauren studied her, troubled by the pain she saw on Bo's face. Her heart hammered in her chest thinking about the pain Bo was in, and she felt helpless, she wanted nothing more than to take it all away.

"I'm ok," Bo assured bringing Lauren's hand to her lips and kissing her palm softly. Lauren rubbed her thumb over her bottom lip. She blinked slowly, and her eyelids drooped.

Lauren bent down and kissed her eyelid, "Sleep, it's good for you. It's the best medicine for your body."

Bo's eyes finally succumbed to the weight of her exhaustion, and she didn't struggle against, she closed them tightly.

Lauren stayed watching Bo sleep. Bo didn't open her eyes, but Lauren heard her whisper sluggishly. "I want to marry you, Lauren." She was able to form the words before she collapsed into a deep sleep.

Lauren frowned, her eyes wide and knot formed in her stomach. She drew away from Bo, but kept eyes on her sleeping form, and dropped into the chair by her side as she considered what Bo had said. They were too young for marriage, too many issues between them. Marriage would be a mistake, at least right now. She hoped it was only the drugs talking. Her head was spinning, but she did her best to clear her thoughts and focus on nothing but Bo's recovery.

A few hours later, Kenzi crept into the room and insisted that Lauren leave and take a shower and that she'd stay with Bo. Reluctantly, Lauren agreed, stretching out her body she gave Bo a once-over, then glanced back at Kenzi. "Text me if she wakes up again."

"Don't worry I will," Kenzi replied, her hands on Lauren's shoulders pushing her from the room.

XXXX

A week passed, and Bo was being released from the hospital. She wanted to go home days ago and scoffed every time the doctor told her no that she had to stay longer. She was bored, restless, tired of hospital food, tired of doctors, excluding one doctor, of course, she was ready to be in the solitude of her own home without an endless stream of people coming in and out of her room. Whenever she was getting particularly grouchy Lauren would push the nurses out of the room, which Bo was endlessly grateful.

Lauren helped Bo pull on her jacket. Bo winced when it moved over her shoulder. "Sorry," Lauren whispered, trying to be as gentle as possible the rest of the way. "Let me get you a wheelchair." Lauren started off, and Bo grabbed her hand.

"I can walk, babe. My feet and legs are fine. It's only my shoulder." She smirked at how cute and concerned Lauren was being.

"I know that, but still let me get one. You don't have all your strength back."

Bo glanced at Lauren's bruised hand that she held. "What happened to your hand?" She turned Lauren's hand over examining it closely.

"Nothing, it's fine." Lauren pulled her hand away and dropped it to her side.

"Now we have secrets from each other, I don't like that." Bo kept her eyes on Lauren's hand, frowning.

Lauren glanced to the floor and back at Bo and considered the situation for a moment. "I just…" She hesitated. "I mean…I dropped something on it at work." She veered her eyes away from Bo at the lie. "It was stupid really. Just being clumsy."

"I'm sorry. Are you ok?"

Lauren nodded and busied herself away from Bo's sympathetic eyes. Guilt was crushing her about lying to Bo, but how could she tell her about what happened with Ryan without causing an argument. She decided to wait until Bo was healed before having that discussion. Even the mention of her hand made her stomach sick recalling Ryan's words about his night with Bo, the words seemed to echo throughout her mind and she couldn't stop herself from imagining them together.

After a few minutes of silence, Lauren left the room to get a wheelchair. She returned and found Bo sitting on the bed. "Are you driving me to Kenzi's or is she coming to pick me up?"

"What do you mean? You're coming home with me." Lauren pushed the wheelchair to the side and walked over next to Bo.

"Lauren, I don't want you to feel sorry for me and do something you're not ready for."

Lauren cupped her face and lightly kissed her. "This is what I want. I want you back in our home, and I want to take care of you."

Bo smiled. "Ok. If you're sure." She said, after a pause, her voice with a hint of apprehension.

"I'm sure. You're coming home."

XXXX

Back at the apartment Lauren led Bo to their bedroom. "Wow, I'm tired." Bo sighed, staring at the bed and struggling to pull off her jacket.

"Let me," Lauren placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and peeled off Bo's jacket with care and tenderness. She pressed a kiss on the bare skin of Bo's neck, her hands firm on her waist. Bo let her body relax as Lauren continued. It was intimate but surprisingly not sexual, simply comforting to have Lauren take care of her with such sensitivity. It was a gift that let her escape the pain for brief instances.

She drew Bo close and untwisted the button on her jeans, pulling them slowly off her body. Despite Bo's injured state, Lauren couldn't help but be in awe of Bo's body. Bo gingerly stepped out of the pants, and Lauren tossed them to the side.

Bo watched as Lauren lifted the hem of her shirt, pulling it over her head so that she could look at her injury. She lightly traced her fingers over the bruises on her back. "Does that hurt?"

Bo shook her head. Bo pulled her to her front and tugged on her shirt. "Fairs, fair," Lauren smirked, and Bo slid Lauren's shirt off.

"How's this suppose to help you?"

"Oh, it helps," A playful smile played on her face, and she danced her eyes over Lauren's body, her eyebrows raised. "Believe me." She licked her bottom lip quickly, and Lauren shook her head.

Lauren smirked and trailed fingers along Bo's cheek. And Bo pressed their lips together, in a long, lingering kiss that wasn't about wanting to get Lauren in bed, simply her wanting to convey her appreciation and feelings.

After getting lost in the kiss, for a moment, Lauren eased Bo onto the bed, and she rested on her stomach. Lauren moved her fingers over the surface of Bo's back; she glided over her skin in a feather-soft caress, which caused the tiny hairs on Bo's neck to prickle. She leaned forward, brushing her lips tenderly across the abrasions around Bo's bandage. The skin was red and swollen, and she was slow, gentle, and careful. Her mouth, her warm breath, her soft hair brushing her skin sent a warm shiver through Bo's body and she exhaled. "That feels good," She whispered into the pillow she was laying on. "You should be a doctor, you have a gentle touch." She teased, her flesh warmed at every touch from Lauren.

"Hmm," Lauren murmured against Bo's skin, moving her lips down the uninjured side of her body. Lower until at last she stopped at her hip. Bo felt her soft lips and then her tongue slowly flickered over her skin's surface. Momentarily, Bo forgot about the pain in her shoulder, Lauren's gentle touches seemed to take the pain away, even if only for an instant. Lauren moved back up Bo's body and brushed her hair off her neck and trailed kisses down her neck exquisitely slow, she settled just below Bo's ear. Bo let out a small, content sigh.

"I can't believe someone shot you, Bo. It's always been my worst nightmare." Lauren's voice shook and she continued her smooth kisses.

It felt so good to be touch so gently, that Bo found herself slipping into sleep, simply savoring the sweet touches and light kisses from her girlfriend.

XXXX

An hour later, Lauren walked into the bedroom with a bowl of soup, smiling. "I made you soup."

Bo glanced at the time. "How did you have to time to make that?" Her eyes narrowed in mock suspicion.

Lauren raised her eyebrows. "Ok, well I ordered you some soup."

Bo reached out her hand to take the bowl. "Thank you, it smells great."

Lauren climbed into the bed and rested next to her while she blew over the hot food. "Do you want to watch a movie or something?" Lauren asked after a moment.

"I want a sponge bath," Bo responded deadpan. "I'm injured here." She pointed at her bandage shoulder.

"Whatever you want." Lauren kissed her cheek.

"Really? Ok. Do you still have that naughty nurse costume you wore that one Halloween?"

Lauren exhaled a breath to suppress a laugh. "Oh, Bo. Seriously?"

Bo nodded slowly, biting her lip. "It would help me heal." She jokingly touched her shoulder with a frown.

"You're terrible." Lauren walked over to the closest and flipped through her clothes. "Nurses aren't sexy in real life, Bo. No one looks good scrubs." She peered at Bo over her shoulder. "It's a fact."

"I beg to differ. You look sexy."

Lauren scoffed. "You'd been turned on if I wore a potato sack."

"Hot."

Lauren gave a small laugh and shook her head slowly. "I don't have that outfit anymore." She turned around and squinted her eyes at Bo. "I think I had to throw it away because you ripped it."

"Oh, yeah. Man, that was a great Halloween." They silently held smiles on each other, remembering that night, and Bo added. "Sexy striptease?"

"Now, you're pushing it." Lauren walked away from the closet and back to the side of the bed. She rested her hands at her side and stared at Bo for a long time not saying anything.

Bo smiled at her and chuckled before she sat her bowl down on the nightstand.

"What?" Lauren asked finally crawling back into the bed.

"It's just I love you, so much. I mean I always love you, of course, but you taking care of me like you have, I don't know. I can't think of loving anyone more…it's like," Bo paused trying to find the words. "I don't know what I'm trying to say. Maybe just thank you for everything." She reached for Lauren's hand and trailed her fingers over the bruises on Lauren's knuckles in a whirling pattern. "I don't deserve you." Her voice lowered. "Getting shot and almost dying made me realize how lucky I am to have you."

"Bo, you don't have to thank me. You would do the same thing for me." Lauren said and Bo met her eyes. They searched each other eyes, neither speaking but somehow conveying countless emotions with their eyes. Finally, Lauren leaned in, and they kissed, it was deep, slow, and sensuous. Everything fell away and nothing mattered but their love and embrace.

XXXX

Bo stirred waking up alone, but noticed there was a fresh cup of coffee and a candy bar on the nightstand along with a small card. Eyes on the coffee she eased into a sitting position and read the note:

Had to go to work. I'll be thinking of you. See you tonight.

PS. There's food in the refrigerator. Also rest.

Love,

Lauren

She smirked at the note and folded it returning it to the nightstand. She reached for the coffee and inhaled the scent and sipped it slowly.

Afterward, Bo carefully struggled to get out of bed and made her way over to the dresser for fresh clothes. She still had most of her clothes at the apartment. She refused to take them, fearing it would make her moving out too official. She grabbed a pair of shorts and a black tank top. She scrutinized herself, in the mirror for a moment, taking a quick glimpse at her shoulder. She tried to tie her hair back, but the pain in her shoulder made it difficult, so she decided to leave her hair down.

A few minutes later, she walked from the bedroom and froze when she saw her father sitting in the kitchen. Harvey Dennis was a clean-shaven, athletically built, handsome man, with dark wavy brown hair laced with silver strands. He wore a pristine suit, tailored to fit his body perfectly. She couldn't remember a time not seeing her father in a suit. When she was younger she often wondered if he slept in his suits.

Bo always thought he looked more like a movie star than a politician, but she guessed that his good looks probably were an advantage in his long career. Politics were, after all, a lot like show business, where everything was fake and the look was always more important than the message.

Her father, however, was a good man with strong morals, decisive decisions, and a work ethic that reminded Bo a lot of Lauren. When she was younger she regarded her father with reverence; he seemed larger than life, confident, inspiring. He always challenged her view of the world, opening her eyes to see that nothing was black and white, and everything fell into a gray zone. But being in politics meant he wasn't around a lot, he was often gone for weeks or months at a time, and that made them somewhat strangers.

"Dad?" She cautiously approached him, peering around him to see if they were alone or if his security was present. "What are you doing here?" She asked after discovering they were alone.

"Bo," He said in a booming voice, he studied her for a few seconds and gave a curt smile. "My little girl gets shot, of course, I'd visit. I grabbed the first flight I could."

"I thought you were busy campaigning?" Bo said watching him flip through his phone, reading his messages.

"Unfortunately, campaigning never really ends." He gestured his hand to the empty chair indicating for her to have a seat. She obediently took a seat, her eyes on him questioningly. "Can you brief me on what happened, Bo?" He asked, pouring himself a glass of water, but keeping his eyes on the phone in his hand.

Bo snorted at the official-sounding statement. "I was shot. I saved five lives." She answered sharply. "But the assholes escaped."

He nodded, dragged his eyes away from the screen and narrowed his gaze on her. "You're a hero." He asserted squeezing her hand.

Bo rolled her eyes. "I don't need accolades. I did what any cop would have done."

"I disagree. The world is full of cowards."

Bo made no response. She knew that he was trying to compliment her, but the situation was still raw in her mind, and she wasn't in the mood to receive praise about it.

"How is your lovely girlfriend, Lauren?" He changed the subject when he noticed her silence and reluctance.

"She's great. Working at the hospital."

He nodded. "Great work ethic that one has, you should marry her. I'm surprised you haven't."

"We're young." She answered simply. There was so much about her relationship with Lauren that her father didn't know. And she wasn't about to clue him in, it was private, well outside of their friend circle that knew all the details, and she didn't want to share. She felt her father would be disappointed in her for sleeping with Ryan, and disappointing him was not something she wanted. She already disappointed herself and Lauren. She didn't need to add to it.

"But in love." He clasped his fingers together and leaned closer. "Take it from me when you find a good woman, you do everything you can to keep her."

"Thanks for the advice." Bo didn't really need her father to tell her that, she wanted nothing more than to marry Lauren and be with her forever. But, in the end, she wasn't sure if that's what Lauren wanted anymore.

He cleared his throat and leaned back, crossing his arms loosely. "But as I said you're a hero Bo, and I would like you to attend a fundraiser for my campaign. I would love to show you off to my constituents." He changed the subject again realizing Bo was pulling back from the discussion.

Bo crossed her arms mirroring him and leaned back in her chair. "I'm not using my experience to help you get reelected. That's tacky." She knew what her father expected, of course, what she should do for his campaign and she didn't want to use her experience in that way. It's seemed like the wrong thing to do to the victims.

Her father continued undeterred, studying her with determination. "It's not tacky, it's the truth. You're a hero. I would like to celebrate that. Highlight the outstanding police officers of this city, through you actions."

"I have a disciplinary hearing next week. My captain is claiming I disobeyed a direct order by investigating that lead." She paused. "So, your hero daughter may end up being your unemployed daughter."

He waved off the statement with a headshake. "That won't happen. I know your captain, and he is a spineless cad. I am also golfing buddies with his boss the Chief of Police. Nothing will happen to your career. You will be celebrated as the hero you are, and more than likely promoted to Lieutenant."

Bo scoffed. "I don't need you interfering. I can handle this on my own." She had the feeling that her father wasn't going to drop it or listen to her about staying out of it.

He patted her hand. "Of course you can sweetie, but this is also a family matter, and I will not have my daughter unduly reprimanded."

"It would look bad for you. That's what you're worried about it."

There was a knock on the door and two secret service officers in suits entered. "Sir, times up. We need to go."

"Of course," He stood quickly, towering over Bo, making her feel like a young girl again. "I will have my assistant e-mail you the details about the fundraiser." He was quickly at the front door before she could reply. "I want you to know, that what you did was extraordinarily courageous, Bo. It's not a matter of my career. It's how I feel." He opened the door and without looking back, added. "Marry that girl, Bo and soon."

XXXX

Tamsin plopped into the chair next to Dyson. He smirked and poured her a drink. "Bad day?"

Tamsin sighed deeply. "Damn, Ryan is being difficult lately. And what happened to his face?" She pointed to her nose when she asked.

Dyson snorted and liberally refilled his glass before answering. "I don't know, but I'm sure he deserved it."

"Looks like someone punched him in the face," Tamsin said and turned her attention to the menu, she was starving and desperately wanted something to eat.

"I think there's probably a line somewhere of people waiting to do that."

"I guess, but…" She sipped her drink after deciding on a cheeseburger from the menu. "That guy's such an ass. Now, he wants Hale and me to take over your case."

"Yeah, I know." Dyson's tone was filled with a harsh edge. "I'm on paperwork duty for the next few weeks until Bo returns."

Dyson was already on his fourth drink, and Tamsin wondered how he was able to function at work drinking that much, almost every night. Now, she could drink but he always outpaced her, by a lot.

Tamsin got up from the table to order her food from the bar, and Dyson watched her stride. Her moves were purposeful, and she always held her body with confidence. She moved like an athlete but at the same time it was graceful. Her style was simple and understated, but with her it came off as stylish. Her hair was always pulled back in a tight bun, which exposed her long neck and facial features. Dyson thought she was beautiful and more so because she didn't appear to focus on her looks or even care what others thought about her.

He shifted his gaze away from her when she turned back toward the table with her food.

XXXX

Lauren stood outside Evony's office going over what she planned to say. Abruptly, the door opened, and Evony stared at her, "How long are you going to fret out there before you knock?"

Lauren's first reaction was surprise. She wasn't ready to go in and talk to Evony, yet. Then it turned aggravation from Evony's tone. She eased passed Evony into the office, lightly brushing against her shoulder as she did. She chastised herself for that mistake.

A quick assessment of Evony's face told Lauren she was in an irritable mood. "I wanted to apologize for what happened at the restaurant…and…" She drifted off, not wanting to say out loud that they had kissed, it would make it too real.

"Don't apologize for something you're not really sorry about." Evony responded casually, leaning her back against the closed door.

Lauren clasped her hands behind her back, as both to calm her nerves and restrain a harsh retort. "I don't want any weirdness. I just wanted to clear the air and apologize, so we can move on."

"I've been giving your situation some thought, and here's my advice: Don't stay with someone because it's comfortable and easy. Don't let the fear of the unknown stop you from experiencing the varieties of life."

Lauren squeezed her hands tightly together behind her back. She should have known this wouldn't be a quick conversation. "You don't know Bo if you think being with her is easy. It's a lot of things, but I wouldn't describe it as easy."

"You're missing the point as usual, Dr. Lewis." She stepped closer to where Lauren stood stiffly. "Haven't you ever wanted to do something simply because you shouldn't?"

"Not really." Lauren averted her eyes away from Evony's sharp gaze.

"Shame. There's a reason over half of marriages end in divorce. There's too much variety in the world to stick with one person forever. Perhaps your girlfriend craves a little variety, and that's why she strays."

"What do you know about it?" Lauren shot back, her eyes up glaring at Evony's smirking face.

"Lauren, I know a scorned lover when I see one and that day at the restaurant it was written all over your face."

"Why is this any of your business?" Lauren responded icily. She took a large step back as she said it, suddenly noticing how close they were standing.

Evony held her eyes on her but stayed quiet.

"You know you're going through a lot of the trouble just to fuck me." Lauren decided to stop playing games and be as direct as possible.

Evony arched her eyebrow and stepped forward, matching Lauren's previous step away. "I unlike you enjoy a challenge."

"I'm not your challenge and I don't need you messing with my head or my relationship." She paused to slow her breathing and calm her nerves. "You say you like a challenge? I call bullshit. The easiest thing in the world is to jump from relationship to relationship. You know what's hard? Loving someone, sticking with them even when things get hard. Putting in the time and effort to make it work. Anyone can sleep around, that's easy." She ended her statement with a cold smile.

Evony's face was unreadable, and her retort came quickly. "Don't be melodramatic, that's pedestrian. And don't delude yourself, Dr. Lewis, there's a deeper reason your girlfriend would sleep around. You may be built for monogamy, but I suspect she's not."

Lauren's mouth fell open, and she couldn't get out a quick comeback before Evony winked at her and flipped around leaving the office. Resentment, anger, despair suddenly seethed through her as she stared at the closed door, although she wasn't really sure exactly who those feelings were targeted at, Bo, Evony, Ryan, or herself.

AN

Please think of this BoLo relationship as a rollercoaster, there will be ups and downs, and ups….and downs….

Next update: Bo makes a decision about her relationship and Lauren makes a decision about her career.

Thanks for reading :)