"Are you working on that case during your lunch break?"

"Lunch is my time," Bo answered Dyson as he walked fully into her office.

He slouched in the chair in front of her. "So, I heard shouting coming out of Captain D-bag's office earlier today. What's up?"

"Ryan's a jerk. I don't think he's going to give me clearance to get back to work. He's using this shooting as a way to keep me off of new cases." She rolled her eyes and pushed her sandwich away, her appetite gone.

Dyson leaned forward on his elbows as he eyed Bo carefully. "Why don't you do or say something about that jerk?"

She took a few deep breaths to calm herself, so she didn't lose her temper. She was edgy after dealing with Ryan. "Like what? To who?"

"His behavior is out of line." Dyson bit into his sandwich and chewed it slowly, waiting for her response.

Bo leaned far back in her chair and drummed her fingers on the armrest. "Believe me I know. But I don't want to go bringing up the past. What would happen if I filed a complaint? The fact that we slept together would come out and then what? That would follow me for the rest of my career. I don't need that on top of everything else." She sighed in frustration. "He's disgusting, but I can put up with him for now."

"It's not like you to let something like this slide. I don't get it." He shrugged and tossed his sandwich wrapper in the wastebasket.

"People already think my father got me this job and promotion. Can you imagine what they'd say if it came out that I had sex with my boss? It's not right, but that could ruin my career. There are different rules for men and women in this department. You know that."

Dyson gave a disapproving look but said nothing.

She stared back. Torn between doing what was right and avoiding the problem. The right thing and the easy thing were rarely the same thing. "Ok, yeah, you're right. Lauren and I have this pact about dealing with problems and not letting them fester, and Ryan's definitely a problem. I'll figure something out. I'll take care of it."

Dyson snatched up the file and flipped through it. "Maybe your father could have him transferred?" He suggested with his head down reading.

Feeling tension rise in her body, Bo rolled her neck from side to side, stretching out the kinks and tension. "No. I can deal with my own problems." She said, in a tone indicating the conversation was over.

XXXXX

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Lauren reminded herself that not everything had to be safe and certain in life. Not all life's choices needed to be planned and analyzed to be perfect. For too long she'd been caught up in worrying about whether or not it was the right time to get engaged, to get married. But now she realized that there was never going to be a perfect time.

She knew she'd been over-analyzing everything, and she knew she would rather be with Bo than any other woman in the world. There wouldn't be a perfect time, she would have to take the leap and trust in what they shared.

She stopped thinking and gently placed Bo's ring into her pocket and walked out of the bedroom.

"Ready?" Lauren asked as she walked into the kitchen to find Bo.

Bo arched her head. Some of her frustration from work lifted when she saw Lauren and her eyes lit up. "Date night, I'm excited." She shoved herself off the chair to meet Lauren at the front door. She tugged on Lauren's shirt to pull her close.

The corner of Lauren's lip raised and she wrapped her arms around Bo's neck. "Well, I'm slightly curious about what you have planned. I mean I can only imagine it involves sex in a public place." She joked with a full smile. "I already told you I wasn't doing that again."

Bo scoffed. "Buzzkill, that was so much fun." She pursed her lips, holding back her laugh. "But no that's not what I had planned."

"Tell me." Lauren nudged forward into Bo's body.

Bo shook her head, slowly. "No way, doctor. You have to wait."

Lauren moved her lips to Bo's ear, whispering. "Umm. I bet I can get it out of you."

"How?" Bo whispered back, licking her bottom lip.

Gradually, Lauren's mouth slipped down, pressing just below her ear. "Tell me." She slid her hands up and down Bo's hips. "Tell me." She repeated, her voice low and throaty.

Bo tilted her head to the side. Her heart beat fast when she felt Lauren stroke her tongue against her neck. Leisurely, she raised her hands upward to her shoulders. A soft breath escaped her throat as Lauren's teeth scraped her skin.

XXXX

Tamsin preferred a simple life without complications, but it seemed the universe had other plans. Dyson blurted out that he liked her, and now she had to deal with that. She wondered why he wanted to complicate their friendship. They enjoyed each other's company wasn't that enough? Disaster, her life was turning into a disaster. She breathed heavily to ward off the panic she felt growing inside.

She glanced down at her phone and hid it under her pillow. Part of the reason she was reluctant to deal with the Dyson situation was she didn't have many friends in town, and she was afraid to lose that friendship. She guessed things could get unpleasant no matter what she said. She hadn't wanted to start a new life to fall in love. She'd come for a job and to finally put some roots down, someplace.

She needed to be sensible in her personal life and not get into any messy situations. Anything else beyond that would just blow up in her face, she knew it.

She tried to concentrate on work when her stomach growled loudly enough to startle her from her reading.

Tamsin left her bedroom and rounded the corner and froze, her eyes widened in surprise. Bo had Lauren pressed against the front door, kissing her passionately. She wasn't used to walking in on her roommates when they were like that. She had, recently, discovered she needed to call or knock before entering the apartment as she walked in on them having sex in the kitchen. Now, she wondered if she needed to announce herself before walking into a room.

After a second, Tamsin shifted uncomfortably and cleared her throat signaling her presence.

At the same time, they drew back. "Sorry, Tamsin," Lauren said sheepishly, averting her eyes to her feet. Things were a little awkward since the kitchen incident. Bo, on the other hand, felt no awkwardness at all.

"Don't mind me…I just need something to eat." Tamsin pulled open the fridge.

"Tell me about it," Bo said pressing her lips against Lauren's mouth again.

Tamsin pushed her head further into the fridge. Lately, she wondered if she needed to look for a new place to live. She liked living there, but she was starting to feel like she was getting in their way. She wasn't sure, but she felt couples probably preferred their privacy. Especially, couples that liked to have sex in the kitchen at random times during the day.

"Bye, just Tamsin," Bo called out pulling Lauren out the door, with a huge grin.

After Tamsin found something to eat she plopped on the couch and flipped on the TV. Pulling off the lid of a plastic container, she scanned her eyes around the apartment feeling wistful. Her entire life she had taken care of herself, there hadn't been much choice in that, and this was the first real home she'd ever had. If she did move, she would definitely miss it. She pushed down her thoughts and focused on her food and the TV.

XXXX

Lauren waited outside while Bo pulled up in her car. She slid into the passenger's seat. "So, where are we going?" She asked, yanking on her seatbelt.

Bo smirked and pulled out the car onto the street. "Surprises, surprises, my love."

Lauren rested her head on Bo's shoulder in the darkness of the car's interior. "Ok." She said, and Bo set her hand on her leg, rubbing it up and down.

They drove in silence the rest of the way until Bo pulled into a deserted parking lot of an old rundown movie theater.

Lauren looked at Bo curiously. "I think this place closed down."

"Did it?" Bo asked, leaning over to kiss Lauren's cheek. She hopped out of the car and popped her trunk open. She pulled out a cooler and tucked a fleece blanket beneath her arm.

"A picnic at a closed theater?" Lauren narrowed her eyes in mock suspicion. "Are we breaking in, Bo?"

Bo grinned at her mischievously. "I talked to the owner, and he said we could use it tonight." She handed Lauren the blanket and wrapped her arm around her shoulders, drawing her close.

Lauren watched her and gestured to the building. "He just said, ok use my theater?"

"Well, I promised him a meeting with my father." Bo bit her lip to keep from smiling.

Lauren shook her head as Bo led her toward the building. She knocked a few times, and a bored looking teenager answered. "About time." He muttered under his breath. "My grandpa said you have to leave once the movie is over. So hurry up."

Bo saluted him and took Lauren's hand. "When did you do all this?" Lauren asked as she followed behind Bo.

Bo turned serious, for a second, and then winked at her over her shoulder. "I can't give away all my secrets."

The theater was empty and definitely out of business, it was quiet and a little spooky. There was a lingering scent of popcorn, most of the fixtures were removed, leaving the space open and bare, which added to the eeriness.

Walking to the back of the quiet building, Bo heaved open the door to one of the theater rooms. She guided Lauren to the center of the room, with her hand on the small of her back. When she reached the perfect spot, she laid the blanket out over the seats and set the cooler next to it.

"I can't believe you went to all this trouble," Lauren said, resting her head on Bo's body.

Bo shrugged, her face broke into a grin. "You said watching movies together, alone, in the theater was special, so I wanted to recreate that for you."

Lauren turned to look at her. This evening was unexpected and found herself somewhat speechless by how charming and sweet it all was. "Bo…I…wow, I have no words."

They settled together on the blanket and cuddled close together. Heat radiated from the closeness of their bodies adding to the comfortable atmosphere of the evening.

Bo opened the cooler and pulled out two glasses wrapped in towels and a bottle of champagne. Lauren peered into the cooler, as Bo opened the bottle and found a plastic bag. She opened it finding a variety of candy bars, which made her laugh. "We are having champagne and candy at the movies?"

In the dim light, Lauren could faintly see Bo's smirk. "Why not?" She set the bottle down and handed Lauren a glass.

They tipped their glasses together, and in unison took a sip. They leaned back waiting for the movie to start. Bo shifted closer and kissed Lauren's temple and stayed there for a long while.

The movie began, and Bo's fingertips traced over Lauren's hand and Lauren tucked her legs under her body and rested against Bo. "This was a wonderful surprise, Bo. Thank you, so much for planning all this." Lauren whispered into the darkness.

Bo extended her hand to Lauren's neck, pulled her close and kissed her. Bo pushed further into Lauren's mouth, intensifying the kiss. Finally, she drew back. "You can thank me in bed tonight."

Leaning closer, Lauren gave her a soft peck on the cheek. "Oh, I will." She whispered, and her lips brushed against Bo's skin.

XXXX

When the movie was over, they stepped out of the theater, and Lauren zipped up her jacket. "What's next?"

Bo walked up to her with slow, confident steps, and held out her hand. "Let's go for a walk, there's a little park a few blocks away."

Lauren took her hand and followed in step with her, they walked hands clasped together shoulder to shoulder until they reached the park. The night was cool and silent except for the soft breeze whistling around them. Trees and darkness surrounded them. The only light came from a distant shimmer of the moon and stars above them.

They walked for a time before stopping at a small bench. Bo wrapped her arm around Lauren's shoulder and gazed up. The night sky was full of bright stars, and she was captivated for a moment by the sight.

"It's funny to think that some of those stars, we are looking at, aren't even there anymore. We're simply looking at an old light. In reality, there's nothing there, but from our perceptive they're beautiful and full of life." Lauren mused gazing up, her eyes dancing across the sky. "It's interesting that the reality of our world is based solely on our perceptive, which is sometimes false."

Bo squeezed her closer, and they subsided into comfortable, peaceful silence, sitting close, enjoying the night air and the view around them.

Lauren watched Bo fondly for a long moment. From hidden in her jacket pocket, she pulled out the small black box, and gently, she placed it on Bo's leg and waited. Her stomach dipped in nervousness and anticipation.

Bo looked down, and swallowed hard, her throat moving up and down as she gazed at the box uncertainly. "Are you giving me my ring back?" Bo murmured, with a shaky breath.

Lauren smiled and looked down, then raised her head back up toward Bo. "No, I'm giving you your ring…from me."

Bo's head bolted upright, and she searched her eyes, and Lauren took her hand. "I love you, Bo. The second you talked to me at that Halloween party, I was already pulled in, head over heels. Whatever it takes, no matter what I want to be with you. No relationship is perfect, but our love that's perfect, pure, and worth everything. You're my match, my partner in this long battle called life and I want you by my side."

Tears filled Bo's eyes listening to Lauren's words. "What changed your mind? I won't lie…part of me was scared you'd never be ready." Her voice faintly shook voicing her fears out loud.

Lauren wiped the tears away and kissed both her cheeks. "Bo, you are the love of my life, it's as simple as that, and honestly as complicated and busy as our lives are that's the only thing that matters. I would be honored to call you my wife and spend the rest of my life with you."

It was one of those rare moments Bo looked completely shocked. She watched Lauren for a few moments, a faint smile on her lips but didn't say anything.

Lauren's heart raced so hard. She was ready to take the leap and move forward with Bo. "I'm still working on me, but I know I can give you what you deserve and need. I want to love you, support you, care for you…every day. Marry me, let's go through this crazy life together."

Bo's eyebrows pressed together briefly, and then she relaxed into a smile, dimples deep on her cheeks. "Lauren, yes. I want it all, only you, forever with you."

Lauren cupped her face between her hands and searched her eyes for a long moment. Getting lost in the depths of Bo's eyes, pure happiness and joy surged through her, and she was determined to soak up every part of it and keep it tucked away inside her forever.

Their lips found each other, the kind of kiss that linked them in ways that went way beyond the physical. There was no else Bo felt more right with, more herself. Relishing, in the sense of bliss that came simply from being in Lauren's presence, Bo wrapped her arms around her drawing her as close as she could.

XXXX

Later that night, they laid together in bed, naked, exhausted, peaceful. Both basked in their own emotions, love, happiness, excitement, for what was ahead of them.

Bo snuggled up behind Lauren, draped her arm over her body and kissed her back. "What are you thinking about?" Lauren asked feeling her lips on her skin.

Lauren traced her thumb across Bo's knuckles, waiting for an answer. "That sometimes dreams do come true," Bo answered after kissing her shoulder a few times.

Lauren tipped her head over her bare shoulder, flashed her a quick smile and kissed Bo, her lips soft and comforting.

Bo leaned back and stretched her arms above her, and tucked her hands behind her head. She stared at the ceiling with a thoughtful expression.

Within a few minutes, Lauren loomed over her and ran her fingers over her jaw and down her neck. "I'm grateful that we went through this rough patch."

Bo gave her a puzzled look. "Grateful?"

Lauren averted her eyes to the ceiling, reconsidering her words. "Not grateful that it happened but that our relationship was tested, and we got through it. So, I'm grateful we got passed it. I think that's important, it shows the strength of our relationship that we didn't give up and end things."

Bo studied Lauren allowing herself a second to savor the fact that this beautiful, smart, thoughtful, wonderful woman would really be her wife. "I don't think anyone else handle either one of us."

Lauren's head fell back as she laughed at the statement. "That's true." She said as her head came back down to look at Bo.

After a lingering kiss, Lauren reached for her glass of wine on the nightstand, taking a long sip. "Just so we're clear I still can't afford a house. I think we should wait on that." She said turning her focus on Bo.

"I understand. But..."

Lauren pressed her finger over Bo's lips with a smile. "One step at a time, ok? I would feel better buying a house when my career's more stable."

Bo nodded, not wanting to argue. "Yes, dear."

Lauren dipped her finger into her wine and trailed her wet fingers down along Bo's neck. Quickly, she bent down and licked it off Bo's skin. "I promise we'll talk about it later, all I want to do now is enjoy this moment," Lauren said raising her lips slightly off Bo's skin.

Bo leaned back as Lauren's fingers brushed the wine over her skin again. When she licked it off, the contact was so sensuous that Bo couldn't help the sigh of appreciation that escaped her lips.

Lauren drizzled a few drops of wine onto Bo, and her lips parted over her skin touching her tongue against Bo's stomach tasting the stream of sweet wine. Brushing her naked body against Bo she traced Bo's lips with her fingers that were coated with wine. She swept her tongue over her lips, and Bo wrapped her arms around her, pulled her forward and kissed her.

Bo's body tensed in powerful anticipation as Lauren's hands roamed her body. Her fingers were warm against her skin, moving deliberately over every curve of her body. Down, down Lauren's fingers took a slow and steady journey until she reached between Bo's legs. Bo's thighs fell open, and she bit her lip and sucked in a deep breath as Lauren slipped her fingers inside her. Slowly, Lauren circled fingers and explored pushing deeper. She shifted down so that her head was between Bo's legs. She pressed her mouth against her kissed and licked a broad stripe against her.

Bo's legs fell open wider, and she moved her hips up, her meaning clear. Lauren ran her tongue over every inch of her. She gripped Bo's thigh pressing harder against her and dipped her tongue into Bo's center.

The tension built deep in Bo's core, and she grabbed the blankets, moving hips in a steady motion as Lauren's lips closed around her sensitive flesh and sucked. She forgot everything for a moment but Lauren and the hot pleasure coiling inside her. Lauren pushed her fingers inside her, curled and pressed upward, and sucked her clit all at once.

Bo clenched her teeth as the pressure grew until she lost herself in the trembling release the vibrated through her, every inch of her body tingling.

Breathlessly, Bo looked down, and Lauren moved slowly inside her as the last waves of bliss ebbed. Lauren shifted so that she was kissing her inner thigh and Bo's body relaxed, and she stretched her arms out over her head.

Kissing her way up Bo's body, Lauren snuggled close, relishing the feeling of Bo's warm naked body next to hers. Neither spoke as they drifted off to sleep every part of their bodies satisfied and relaxed.

XXXXXXXX

AN

Next update: Bo takes steps to deal with Ryan.

Thanks for reading and reviewing :)