Five years and some odd months earlier.

The day of the Halloween party, Lauren seriously considered not wearing her costume and wearing something else. Catwoman? What was she thinking when she picked that? The black catsuit was so tight, and it left little to the imagination. Plus, it was uncomfortable. She stood in front of the mirror, stretching out her body to loosen the material. With a long considering look at herself, she pulled on the mask and gazed at the entire costume.

She jumped slightly when someone knocked on her dorm room door. She hesitated, not wanting to answer it in her costume. But Dyson called her name through the door, so she pulled it open quickly. Dyson looked her up and down with a smirk and wide eyes.

"What?" She asked, "It's too much, right?"

He put his hand over his mouth and shook his head. "No, it's perfect, it just surprised me."

She self-consciously looked down at herself, and he hurried into the room and plopped down on her bed. "I never pictured you as Catwoman, maybe…" He paused to consider. "Is there a superhero that's a super dorky, scientist?"

"Spiderman?" Lauren asked with a wrinkled nose.

He shook his head. She spoke before he could offer another suggestion. "It's really tight, I'm afraid if I sit down, it'll split down the back."

"Haha. That's a great way to get some attention, though."

She ignored his comment. "Where's your costume? Why aren't you ready?"

He looked at her in mocked surprise. "I am dressed." He stood and pulled up his shirt to reveal a police badge on his belt buckle. "I'm a cop."

"Seriously, Dyson? That's very creative of you." She said sarcastically.

He shrugged and grinned triumphantly. "At least my pants won't split."

She threw a book at him, and he fell back on the bed laughing.

XXXX

When they finally got to the party, Lauren found Tara and Jules waiting for her outside.

Lauren said her hellos and Jules opened her mouth to speak but then just hung it open in stunned silence.

Lauren frowned and looked down at her outfit. "I know it's ridiculous."

"No! Girl, it's amazing," Tara offered and added a whistle at the end. "Very hot."

Jules recovered herself a moment or two later. "Yeah, Lauren you look great."

Lauren creased her face. "I never wear black, or anything this tight." In case it wasn't obvious to them.

"I'm getting a drink," Dyson cut in and left them, quickly.

Gingerly, Lauren followed, and they entered the house. Jules shook off her awed state and cleared her throat. "Lauren, let me get you a drink." She took quick steps to the kitchen to get herself and Lauren a drink.

Tara watched her and chuckled. "That girl has a crush."

"What do you mean?" Lauren asked scanning the crowd.

"I think you've blown her mind with that outfit."

Lauren sighed, "I knew I should have changed." She pulled at the collar. "It's really hot."

Tara ushered Lauren to a seat to wait for Jules and the drinks.

At the same time, Bo entered the house. She sauntered into the room with confidence and determination. "I'm getting laid tonight," She said to her friend next to her. "There are a lot of hot bodies here tonight. I love Halloween, everyone gets sexy."

Her costume was a Greek goddess inspired dress. It was sleeveless, pinned on one shoulder to drape into a low neckline. It was long, with flowing fabric, which still managed to show off her figure perfectly. It was white, she never wore white, but it was Halloween after all. She couldn't remember the last time she'd worn white, probably when she was a baby she mused.

The crowd increased, and the energy of the party ramped up as the alcohol started doing its work. But Bo was disappointed to find there were a lot of couples at this party, she had been shot down three or fours times, because they were already 'with' someone. She simply scoffed it off. Halloween was not the time to be tied to someone, how boring.

Bo was pouring a drink when she caught sight of a blonde Catwoman in the corner talking with another girl. She stopped and drank her in with her eyes, looking like she might pounce her then and there. Then, she flicked her gaze over her body, biting her bottom lip. The blonde was laughing and had a beautiful smile. Bo was still staring when the blonde looked her way, and their eyes met. Bo smirked and raised her glass, the blonde shook her head and looked away. Challenge accepted, Bo thought, taking a quick shot of vodka.

Lauren sighed turning her eyes away from the beautiful brunette across the room. "I hope I'm ready for this," She muttered, before sipping her drink.

Jules gazed at her dreamily. "What?"

"Exams."

"You'll be fine," Jules said sheepishly, conflicted about whether or not to kiss Lauren, they had slept together a few weeks back, so it wouldn't be that weird. A moment later, Tara pulled Jules away to play beer pong. Lauren declined the offer. Instead, she sat down on the sofa, alone. After a quick sip she sat her drink down on the coffee table. She looked over the gathering, people watching, and she didn't notice Bo taking a seat next to her.

After a few minutes, Bo grabbed her attention. "Shoot," She gasped out, picking Lauren's drink up, which was spilled, and wiping the table off. "I'm sorry I knocked over your drink."

"Does that usually work?" Lauren asked, her eyebrows up. Her stomach fluttered when Bo's eyes traveled up and down her body.

"About seventy percent of the time," Bo answered, playfully. She smiled at Lauren and Lauren smiled back. Bo didn't say anything else, for a time, she leaned back into the couch. A sort of energy crept up between them, as Bo nursed her beer watching Lauren and Lauren watched the horde of bodies in front of her.

"So, Catwoman, what are you doing sitting here, alone?" She shot Lauren a half grin.

Lauren leaned back and placed her hand on her chest. "I was contemplating how a pagan Celtic holiday could turn into this," She gestured her hand in the air.

Bo chuckled that was not what she expected her to say. "Commercialism it merges with everything." She sipped her drink. "I say enjoy it." She shrugged at the end.

"The cultural subjugation of pagan holidays means little to the modern woman, huh," Lauren teased, absentmindedly smoothing out her tight pants.

"Are you trying to impress me?"

Lauren shrugged. "Simply making conversation, I mean you sat next to me."

Bo pondered that and smiled a little. "Subjugation or not, I like your costume."

Lauren shifted awkwardly. "It's actually pretty uncomfortable." She looked Bo up and down. "I should have worn something like that, it looks really comfortable." She paused for a moment. "The pressure put on people to impress others through sexy costumes on Halloween is very strange. It's a weird tradition."

Bo's eyes lit up like Lauren was something surprising and delightful to behold. "Well, that outfit's perfect, I'm impressed. Mission accomplished." She put her drink down and Lauren caught a glimpse of her exposed back, and her heart raced. "But is it any weirder than wearing makeup, or any other mask people wear to entice strangers?"

"Hmm. That's true, at least on Halloween it's a lot less subtle, it's more honest and blatant I suppose."

"It's all posturing and tricks, in the end, it's only clever ways to attract attention. But I think people like the ploys and games. It makes it more fun."

Lauren nodded and contemplated her response, she looked remarkably astute, which Bo found undeniably sexy. "What's your name?" Bo asked before Lauren could say more.

"Why?" Lauren's eyes fell on Bo's forceful gaze. She was watching Lauren intently.

"How can I call you up to hang out if I don't know your name?" A smile danced over Bo's lips and extended to her eyes.

"What makes you think I'll give you my number?"

"You will."

Lauren let the surprise show on her face but didn't hesitate again with giving Bo her name. "Lauren."

"Well, Lauren. I'm Bo Dennis; it's great to meet you."

They talked for the rest of the party, ignoring everyone else around them. They talked about everything that came to mind, the people around them, school, jobs, friends, some was serious, some lighthearted, mostly they were simply enjoying listening to the other talk. Lauren barely realized that as their conversation continued they leaned into each other's bodies, legs and arms touching.

At one point, Lauren did give Bo her phone number, which Bo casually accepted with a knowing smirk. Normally, Bo would have tried to get Lauren to come home with her, close the deal, so to speak. But Lauren seemed different than all the rest and she wanted to enjoy the chase and build up.

Once the sun rose, and the party was over, Bo walked Lauren out. Lauren said her goodbye and Bo lightly touched her shoulder, and she turned back around. She stepped into Lauren's body and kissed her cheek. "I'll call you, later." She whispered before drawing back into the house to collect her drunken friends.

XXXXXX

3 weeks later.

"Every inch of you is like a piece of art. You are perfect." Bo purred against Lauren's stomach, kissing and licking her way up and down. "I can't help but picture you naked all the time."

Lauren snorted. "How often do you use those lines?" She closed her eyes enjoying how perfect it felt to have Bo's body pressed against her and her lips on her skin.

Bo lifted her head up to look at Lauren with a spirited smirk. "Well, ok. But I mean it this time." She returned her lips to Lauren's stomach. "Like I'm obsessed with your body, it's perfection. I could look at it all day and not get bored."

"Sure." Lauren responded but Bo's lips burned against her skin, as her tongue and lips explored the contours of her stomach, leisurely and tenderly.

"It's true," Bo said, breaking off when her phone buzzed and caught her attention. She leaned over Lauren to check the message.

Lauren watched Bo, who was now distracted by her phone replying to her messages. After silently waiting for Bo to finish, she got up from the bed and started dressing. "I should go. I have to study."

"Really?" Bo said absently. "Ok. I'll call you later." She added without looking away from her phone.

After dressing Lauren glanced at Bo, one last time before leaving the room, but Bo didn't notice she was still looking at her phone, smiling at the messages.

Out in the hallway Lauren's phone vibrated in her pocket, her stomach lurched hoping it was from Bo, she pulled it out and was disappointed to find a message from Dyson. She sighed at her silly hope about Bo. She called Dyson back when she was out of the building.

"How's your girlfriend?" Dyson asked, answering within a half ring.

"It's not like that. We're just hanging out, casually dating. We're not girlfriends." Lauren said, with annoyance in her tone, Dyson knew this already, but still insisted on teasing her about it.

"Booty calls, then?" He asked, and she could feel his smile on the other end.

"Look, I know that Bo is seeing other people, she never hid that. We just have fun together."

"I see. And you're ok with that?"

"Yes." She paused, frowning at the ground. "I was, in the beginning, but I think I'm falling in love with her…or at least developing feelings for her." She admitted, for the first time out loud, which slightly startled her.

"Oh, no, Lauren." He said, sounding sympathetic.

"I know! I'm foolish, we're not together. She's seeing other people." She sighed. "But I can't help it when we're together…I've never felt this way."

"Lauren, you have to say something or end it before you get hurt."

"I know."

XXXXX

2 weeks later.

Bo was sitting at the bar with three friends; a giggling blonde draped over her lap. She had a few drinks, but she was only a little buzzed. Her eyes glanced around the bar, and she saw Lauren, ordering a drink. She was surprised to see Lauren and more surprised by the feeling in the pit of her stomach when a girl approached Lauren. She didn't want to stare, so she veered her attention back to the blonde on her lap. She didn't understand why she felt so odd and upset that Lauren was talking to that girl. They weren't together. They were only casually dating. Bo reminded herself that she was "dating" at least three other people outside of Lauren. It was college, too many parties, too many people. She didn't want to settle for one person any time soon. Despite her mental assertions, she glanced back at Lauren with a clenched jaw.

She scoffed at the over the top flirting. It was tacky, flirting was an art, and this girl had no game at all. But to her annoyance Lauren seemed to be responding, and flirting back. The girl on her lap kissed her cheek, and she adjusted her position, slipping the girl off her lap.

She sipped her drink and ignored her friends. How long were they going to chat? She wondered when she looked back to Lauren and the other girl. She stared at her empty glass and realized she needed a refill. She stood quickly and headed to the bar, where Lauren was standing, luckily she was alone now.

She walked up behind Lauren and whispered in her ear. "Who was that?"

"Who?" Lauren asked off-handedly and met Bo's eyes. Bo's eyebrows rose, questioningly. "Oh, you know, just a girl who'd like to take me out sometime. You know bars," Lauren gestured her hand over the bar top. "It's where people go to make connections."

Bo chuckled and drew Lauren closer. "Sure. But you could do much better than that." She placed a hand on Lauren's hip, and brushed her hair off her neck.

Lauren peered at Bo over her shoulder. "You don't know anything about her."

"Yeah, but I could tell."

Lauren turned back to her drink, but Bo didn't let her go, she was still holding her close. "What are you doing here?" Lauren asked. "I saw you with a group and a girl on your lap."

"Forget them, I'd rather talk with you." Bo lightly kissed her neck. "Come home with me. The night's young."

Bo's words halted Lauren, and a rush of heat went through her entire body, at the thought. "I saw you this morning." She said, trying to sound casual.

Bo added another kiss. "It wasn't enough. Come on forget that girl. You'll have a much better time with me, I swear it."

Lauren promptly came back to her senses, reminding herself to put distance between them. "I don't know."

Bo waited for her to elaborate, but Lauren didn't. "Are you getting sick of me?" She asked at last.

"No, I'm…" Lauren frowned and looked uneasily around the bar.

"What?"

"I think we should see less of each other, for awhile," Lauren said uncertainly, wavering faintly over her words.

"Why?" Bo asked, scrutinizing the side of Lauren's face, appraising the indecision she could read in Lauren's features.

Lauren pulled away from her and turned to face her. "Bo, you were honest with me, from the beginning, which I appreciate so much. You made it clear you weren't looking for an exclusive relationship, and I respect that. But…" She paused to briefly hold her breath and find the confidence she needed to continue. "I think I'm developing feelings for you. I just think it's better if I walk away before…."

"Before what?" Bo asked with a smirk, interrupting her.

"Before I fall in love with you." Lauren pushed out and averted her eyes away from Bo.

There were a variety of responses on Bo's lips; she shifted closer to Lauren's body. Her smirk faded, and she turned dead serious. "Forget what I said then." She gently tilted Lauren's chin up to meet her eyes. "Forget the rest of them." She smiled, a true smile, her eyes enthralling. "Let's do the relationship thing. Go steady. Be girlfriends all that."

Lauren chuckled at the nervous feeling creeping through her; she was surprised by Bo's words. "Bo, that's not what you want."

"Things change." Bo's gaze was so intense it nearly weakened Lauren's knees. "I want to keep seeing you, and I can do the whole commitment thing, with you."

"I don't know. I feel like…"

Bo smiled and clasped their fingers together. "Lauren, will you be my girlfriend?" She asked and lightly kissed Lauren's fingers.

Lauren's breath caught again, at the question, the look in Bo's eyes and the warmth of their locked fingers. "Are you serious? This is what you want?"

Bo tilted her head. She unlocked their hands and slowly moved her hands to Lauren's waist. "Absolutely. So, are you my girlfriend?"

Lauren's breathing was coming in heavy now, and she noticed it wasn't only her. "And you'll stop sleeping with other people and only be with me? That's what you want, truly?" She managed to ask after a few seconds of staring at Bo.

Bo nodded "Will you be my one and only girlfriend?" She asked again. She pulled Lauren close, bringing their bodies together. Lauren wrapped her arms around Bo's neck, at the same time Bo ran her hands up and down Lauren's hips. Whatever hesitation Lauren felt melted away, she wanted Bo. She answered Bo by bringing her lips toward hers. They kissed it was slow, for a half second, then the intensity that they'd come to know with each other returned and the kiss deepened.

XXXXXX

3 months later.

Lauren strolled to Bo's apartment with breakfast in hand, they been an official couple for three months, and things were going great. She wanted to surprise Bo since Bo had to cancel their date the night before because of work. She had an early class but wanted to quickly drop it by and see her for a few minutes.

She knocked on the door, and quickly a leggy black haired girl, wearing Bo's t-shirt answered the door with a smile. Lauren's mouth opened, but she was so stunned she didn't know what to say.

"Hey, can I help you?" The girl asked in a sweet, upbeat tone.

Lauren swallowed, and nervously adjusted her shirt. "Oh, yeah. Is Bo here?"

"Yeah," The girl pointed behind her. "She's in the shower."

"Right." Lauren handed the girl the bag of food. "Tell her this is from Lauren."

The girl opened the door wide. "Come on in and wait for her."

"That's ok. I really have to get going. I have class."

"Oh, shoot." The girl looked disappointed and pushed out her bottom lip.

"You're welcome to the food in there," Lauren said gesturing to the bag. "It's donuts."

"Thanks! That's really nice. I'm starving after last night." Her eyes were wide and she shook her head.

"Ok. I really I have to go." Lauren said promptly, moving her body back. She wished she was anywhere but talking with this girl at that moment, anywhere at all.

At the same time, Bo walked out of the bathroom, "Did I hear the door?" She asked with a smile, drying her hair.

Lauren moved back behind the door, out of Bo's view, listening. Her stomach ached and her chest was tight.

"Lauren, brought you breakfast." The girl announced cheerfully, holding up the bag of donuts.

"What?" Bo was at the door quickly and pulled it open. She gaped at Lauren, unblinking.

"How was work?" Lauren asked with a frown, her voice dripping with scorn.

"Well-" Bo wavered over her words and hesitated. She panicked and all reasonable thoughts vanished from her mind.

The girl snorted, filling her mouth with donuts. "Work? We met at a party, not work."

"You didn't have to work?" Lauren asked carefully, her words measured, and even.

Bo groaned and ran her fingers through her hair. "I…well….it's…I mean…."

Lauren laughed, despite the knot in her chest, and looked at the floor. "I have to get to class."

Bo caught hold of Lauren's arm. "Can we talk first?" She pleaded, still holding onto Lauren.

"I can't." Lauren jerked her arm away. "Enjoy the donuts." She forced a smile and walked off.

XXXXX

1 week later.

"I'm been calling you," Bo said sheepishly when Lauren finally answered the door.

"I've been busy." Lauren opened the door for Bo, and stepped aside. And quickly Bo stepped into the room.

"Lauren, I want you to know that I'm sorry about what happened," Bo said frantically. She didn't expect to sound so desperate, but seeing Lauren made her feel flustered.

Lauren nodded but didn't comment. She just kept watching Bo, letting her talk.

"It was stupid, I don't know why I did it." She nervously crossed her arms and uncrossed them quickly, not knowing what to do with her body, at that moment. "It won't happen again, I swear it."

Silence.

Bo began rambling, Lauren's silence was worse than if she had shouted at her. "This is all new to me…a real relationship…I was immature and made a dumb choice…please." She trailed off hoping Lauren would speak.

Silence.

Lauren's continued silence was more unsettling the longer it went on, and it made Bo's stomach twist violently. "You have to know this was the one and only time, something like this has never happened before, it's not like I've been cheating on you or anything."

Silence. Lauren just continued to watch Bo with an unreadable expression. Bo fidgeted. She craved the cathartic feeling of Lauren shouting at her, the cleansing feeling that would come after Lauren released her anger on her. She needed that punishment. But Lauren wasn't giving her that.

"I have a lot to learn about love and relationships. Please, don't give up on me."

Silence. Bo glimpsed something unfamiliar in Lauren's expression. It wasn't anger, but something else forming behind her eyes…sadness…hurt…she didn't know for sure.

"I guess I got scared because of my feelings for you, maybe…I don't know…I've never been in love before." The words slipped out of her mouth, but really she didn't want to hold on to them anymore, it was the truth she was in love with Lauren. "I'm scared." She frowned and looked away.

After a brief moment of painful silence, Lauren finally moved closer to Bo. "You love me?" Lauren asked, earnestly measuring Bo's eyes.

Bo's frown slipped away, and she closed the remaining distance between them. "Yes, I love you, and I was stupid, please forgive me."

Lauren focused on something invisible in the air, for a long moment. "Me too, Bo, I love you."

Bo stared at Lauren with wonder, she cupped her face, and Lauren swallowed, feeling vulnerable and exposed. Bo leaned in and kissed her. Energy swept over Lauren, love and desire, it was slightly overwhelming. She suddenly knew without a doubt that she did love Bo and Bo loved her.

When they broke apart, Bo wrapped her arms around Lauren. "Nothing like this will ever happen again, I promise. I would die before I hurt you again." She kissed Lauren's forehead. "You can trust me, Lauren."

Lauren pressed her forehead to Bo's. "I hope so because you give me more happiness and joy than I ever expected to find. And I want to be with you," She whispered, a lump formed deep in her throat, and she thought she might cry. "I don't want to spend the rest of our relationship worrying about you and not trusting you."

Bo tightened her grip on her and didn't respond at first. Finally, she said. "You don't have to I learned my lesson, and this won't happen again." Bo's lips found Lauren's once more, all her worries faded away for a quick moment. She lost herself in Lauren, the feeling of absolute rightness of being together, made her pull Lauren closer.

They went to the bed after that, not speaking again. They snuggled against each other, and Lauren rested her head on Bo's stomach. Bo ran her fingers through Lauren's hair, taking in the moment, burning these events into her mind, and vowing never to make the same mistake again.

XXXXX

AN

Next update: Bolo vacation time. I promise they'll talk and not just have sex the whole time, also less angst.

Thanks for reading