Chapter 13 - Making it right

Friday 10th May - Walking back to the hotel

"Wait up, Bo Bo; these boots were not made for walking. I'm going to break something, and I don't mean the boots, and then you will have to carry me to Lauren." Kenzi tried to joke with Bo as after she had stormed off she had not said a word.

Kenzi Could see that Bo was upset and close to tears and she hated to see her like this. It scared Kenzi as she had never seen her like this over anyone before, so vulnerable and getting hurt. Kenzi had made a promise to herself that she would make sure that no-one would ever hurt Bo. Bo was the only real family that Kenzi considered she had. Yes, there was a large Russian family in Canada, but they were not close. Kenzi had left her family after she had finished school. She had been tempted to leave home several times, but wanted a high school certificate more than the need to get away from her dysfunctional family. As soon as she finished high school she made her way to Toronto and made a living street dancing and pick pocketing until she met Bo. Now for the first time she had someone who had her back, without any other motive other than friendship. Now she was going to watch Bo's back. Kenzi did not know if Lauren had broken Rule 8 on purpose, or if she was innocent, but to watch Bo's back meant she needed to give Bo both possibilities.

"Bo Bo, wait up. Listen, the doc looked as shocked as you, you know. You should talk to her and see what's what?" Kenzi said while pulling Bo around at the same time.

Bo's eyes were red and her black mascara slightly smudged at the sides. Her face was still stony as it was when Bo had left the restaurant. "Why, it's obvious I'm embarrassing myself. Why I would think a perfect woman like her would be interested in me? A murderous whore, It's just absurd. It's ok Kenz, I get it. You were right. You can still have the boots though. Just drop it now ok."

"Shit, I can't believe I'm saying this." Kenzi muttered under her breath. "Bo, maybe the doc is cool. I know I haven't been 'Team Doc' in the past, so this is me just being honest. She can talk her way out of anything, she's confident, smart and from what I've seen she's open and honest. But for fucks sake babe, she's one hell of a geek and she's totally unaware of the sexual attraction she has going on, with her hot pants and porn hair. She gives out a vibe like a silent fart on a plane, it can't be heard or noticed until *bang* it hits your senses and blind sides you." Bo laughed so Kenzi continued. "I'm not liking her to a fart or anything, just that she seems as lost as you. I don't know who that was at the restaurant, but what I do know and what I did see was the eye sex you both had going on all through lunch. She didn't stop looking at you Bo, she's into you."

"Well, maybe she's into many people. I should just give her some space and let her figure out what she wants." Bo sighed.

"Ok, but I don't think you can give her space for long Bo." Kenzi pointed up to where Lauren and Tamsin were standing just in front of them.

"Shit, what the fuck now." Bo asked Kenzi

"You listen. And then we talk." Kenzi explained. "See you back at the room, you need to get changed remember for work."

Kenzi had reached Tamsin and was following her toward the hotel, leaving Lauren to walk over to Bo. Bo hadn't made it to the road yet and was still standing at the end of the dirt track. Lauren stopped just before Bo; she also noticed her red eyes, slumped shoulders and smudged eye makeup. Lauren raised both her hands and placed them on Bo's face and leaned in, grateful that Bo did not move. Lauren leaned in further and gently kissed Bo on her lips. Bo still did not move.

"I'm so sorry Bo. I hardly know her, but I should have introduced you. I didn't know if you wanted me to claim your hand and tell her we were together, as we have only just started to date. Did you want me to tell her simply that I was involved? I don't know, but I know for me to just sit and say nothing was wrong of me. I'm sorry. I was caught off guard, my life has never been this way before, and I don't know how to react to these situations. What I do know is I'm not going to let you walk away from me either. I'll understand if you want to leave 'us' because you don't want me anymore. But please don't ever think It's because I don't want you and that I kept my options open. As I'm enjoying being with you and I want to continue this, and I'm not keeping anything open, so to speak. Please Bo, say something baby."

"I can't compete with others for your affections, I want to Lauren, but my stupid heart will be crushed when you date other people. I expect you to Lauren, we have only had one date, and It's fine and pretty normal to date other people. We have not said anything about being exclusive." Bo let out her muffled reply.

"Baby, I'm not dating others and I don't want to date others either. I'm exclusively yours Bo. I've been since we met 6 weeks ago at 13.45pm on Friday 29th March. I've been yours for 1,008 hours. I knew with the first look. Then we met again on the 6th April and you fell in the pool. It was adorable and I always hoped it was because you had seen me? I kind of wrote off the rest of April after that. Then two days ago you told me you felt it too. And yesterday we had a perfect date. I know today I've pushed us back but I'll make it right, I promise."

"You remember dates?" Bo smiled and allowed herself to look into Lauren's warm brown eyes.

"Only the important ones. I've kept a diary since I was seven. Growing up with only a handful of friends and strict parents gave me more time I suppose and an outlet for my thoughts." Lauren said.

"I'm sorry for walking off. I guess I've jealously issues? I just thought you and her were….."

Lauren interrupted. "Baby we weren't, just like me and Tamsin weren't either. You can trust me Bo when it comes to you. I want to exclusively date you and only you."

"I guess Tamsin will no doubt think I'm high maintenance and a fool?" Bo asked.

"No, actually she was the one who told me to come after you, not that I didn't want to, but I rationalise matters too much so I would have needed to make a plan first. Tam said that I needed to talk to you now. Tam is also grateful that you paid for lunch, which made her equally happy, and by the way you left a big tip." Lauren smiled

"I don't get the currency yet. I only left like the equivalent of twenty bucks?"

"It was a muslin restaurant and meals were only $3 each. But at least when we return they will remember you and we'll get better service." Lauren winked.

Bo pulled Lauren in closer and wrapped her arms around her waist, Lauren's own arms rested on Bo's shoulders. "I take that then as an invitation to another date?"

"Absolutely" Lauren closed the gap between them and kissed Bo. This time Bo responded to the kiss.

In the distance they could hear clapping and whooping. They slowly turned around to see both Kenzi and Tamsin had not gone in the hotel but was making their way back to where they were standing.

"Good to see you are ok." Tamsin said when they got next to the couple. "And thanks for buying me lunch Bo." Tamsin lightly smacked Bo on her back.

"Now, all we need to do is correct a crazy arsed singing bia-cth that the doctor is taken by my hot bo-a-licious and we're all good again." Kenzi said smiling at Lauren. Lauren smiled back at Kenzi and to Tamsin, before pulling Bo even closer and resting her head into the crock of her neck.

"All is good again." Bo said kissing Lauren's head.

Later on at Bo's Beach Bar

The night shift had gone quick for Bo as the bar was busier tonight with the new singer on. She was due on at 9pm after the entertainers had finished with their programme. It was nearing 9pm and the blonde was standing by the end of the bar trying to grab Bo's attention.

"Better go and see what she wants." Bo said casually over to Kenzi, who had avoided the blonde also since she had arrived.

"Where's Lauren? I thought she was going to speak to her before she went on?" Kenzi replied back.

"I guess she has run late with her meetings. She will be done shortly." Just as Bo spoke she spotted Lauren walking down with Tamsin beside her. "Here she is. Let's get this over with."

"Hi, what can I get for you?" Bo asked over to the blonde singer.

"Hi, finally, I'm on in five minutes, a bottle of water please. And I saw you with Lauren today right?" Crystal asked over as Bo passed her water from the fridge. "Do you know where she is, she hasn't answered my messages."

"Yeah, she's behind you." Bo replied, smiling over to Lauren as she approached.

"Lauren." Crystal shrieked once when she was close. "I was hoping you would turn up tonight."

"Crystal, hello." Lauren replied ensuring she kept behind Tamsin. "Let me introduce you to everyone. This is Tamsin." Tamsin raised her hand in a wave but stood firmly in place. "Kenzi is over there, and this is Bo. Bo and I are seeing each other. Everyone this is Crystal." Lauren smiled over to Bo.

"Ohh, a bit awkward, I didn't know." Crystal said.

"It's ok, I never really had the chance to introduce you before. Now we know each other and will be working together it will be nice to all get along." Lauren gave a reassuring smile over to Crystal. "So are you nervous? About tonight I mean being your first night singing. It would be normal, but I know some relaxing techniques to help if you need any? It's simple breathing, just breathe in through your mouth for five seconds, and then breathe out by your nose for five seconds..."

"Lauren, she didn't ask, and she looked fine before you started on." Tamsin nudged Lauren out of her speech.

"I'm fine Lauren, honestly. And it was very nice to meet you all; I don't know many people here, so It's nice to meet new people. Anyway, thanks Lauren. I better go; I hope I don't deafen you all with my bum notes." Crystal smiled back.

"Well It's hard to deafen with bum notes, it's really only sounds over 80 decibels that will cause impairment if continuous, so as long as it not loud, we should all enjoy the show." Lauren looked round to notice Kenzi shaking her head and walk away, Tamsin place her own hand against her head and Bo simply smiled at her.

"Erm, thanks Lauren. I'll go and check the sound levels first. Bye, see you after maybe?" Crystal said before walking away. Once at the sound equipment she did as she said and checked sound levels and tested the microphone. She need not have been nervous as she opened the show confidently with the latest number one song 'Let Her Go' by Passenger.

"Good Choice" Bo said over to Lauren and Tamsin. The irony not being missed by Bo.

Crystal's set had been really good, with a mixture of what was charting recently along with some classics, and thankfully not a Celine Dion song anywhere to be heard. During her break she had sat with Lauren and Tamsin and the earlier tension had passed. Crystal told Tamsin and Lauren she would clear the air with Bo and walked towards the bar. A few minutes later she returned to the stage area for her second set.

"I can't fucking believe that bitch just said that. Do you want me to go and slap her?" Kenzi said to Bo after hearing what Crystal had said to her.

"No leave it, she's no competition. She just thinks she is. I trust Lauren. She thinks she will pick up the pieces once I fuck up then she has a long wait and a rude awakening. Just leave it, and let's not mention it to Tam and Lauren either. I don't want to come across jealous, so if I give her no smoke there will be no fire."

"Very grown up Bo Bo. But just so you know I'm still the mum in this relationship." Kenzi laughed and turned away.

Bo mused over what Crystal had said, that their relationship was early so the fight for Lauren's heart was still on. That Bo should not take it personally, however Crystal had already got to know Lauren and she liked her and until the time when Lauren was officially off the market, she would continue to flirt and try her luck. There was no callousness in her tone, just a confident matter of fact. Bo actually liked it, reminded her of how she was once; a player who normally got what they wanted. This time though it was different as Bo knew that she was not going to ruin it, so Crystal would lose. All she had to do was keep her temper in place, her jealously locked away and to remember to trust Lauren completely. She already had two strikes against her for jumping to conclusions, this time would be different. She even started to pity Crystal that she thought she had any chance with HER Lauren. It reminded her though to look after the ones you love as people are ready to take them from you the moment you stop noticing. Bo had two important people in her life now, so needed to make sure they both knew it.

Lauren had made her way to sit at the bar when Crystal had gone back on stage. Tamsin needed to leave for her night shift. Tamsin say bye to Bo and Kenzi and explained that they were short staffed since Dyson was asked to work at the sister hotel Sentido Arabian Palace. That Dyson was needed to cover for two weeks until replacement staff could be found after the last employees had been fired over the hotels strict no being in guests' rooms policy.

"Hey beautiful, what can I get you?" Bo asked over to Lauren once Tamsin had left.

"I will have a tall, dark, sexy Bo and the time of her next break please." Lauren blushed.

"Right then, well that would be now and where would you like her?" Bo teased back.

"Well I was thinking on the beach, a quick walk and away from prying eyes." Lauren answered.

"Coming right up." Bo smiled over while walking towards Kim and letting her know she was on a fifteen-minute break.

Lauren spun round on her stool and met Bo by the bar latch and they walked together down towards the beach area. Opting to stay close to the hotel but hidden from view from the guests, they settled on a spot by the jetty. They stood in the moonlight as Bo took Lauren's hand and leaned in towards her, dropping a soft lingering kiss on her mouth.

"Hmmmm," Lauren groaned, wrapping her arms around Bo's neck, pulling her into a deeper kiss. Her heart fluttered wildly with every tender kiss Bo planted on her lips. With Bo's mouth fixed firmly on Lauren's her tongue begun to probe and search inside of her. Lauren let out another moan as Bo begun to suck on her lips and tease her by flicking and biting gently. Suddenly overcome with a passion that had not been there before with anyone else and wanting nothing more than to take her there and then on the jetty.

"We can't," Lauren finally managed to whisper, holding Bo at bay with both hands against her chest. "If you continue to kiss me like that I'm afraid that you might be back to work late, we might accidently give people a show and we also might break our taking things slow decision."

Bo laughed and then her lips met Lauren's again. The same level of intensity again. "Do you feel that when we kiss, Lauren? That energy? I felt it the first time in the office three days ago and I thought I had imagined it. Now I know I haven't because It's there again, and every time we kiss. It's like the equivalent to an oral orgasm." Bo said between kissing Lauren's neck. "But yes you are right, I would hate to give people a show, I like private affairs more. And also I like no time restrictions. So instead can I ask you to dance?"

"You are crazy. You do know that?" Lauren replied but allowed herself to be taken further up the beach to where the music was louder and you could make out Crystal singing.

"Only when it comes to you. And besides I like this song. Do you know it?" Bo asked.

"Is it new?" Lauren replied.

"Not really, it's by Kellie Coffey and It's a country song called "When You Lie Next To Me" and It's really nice, basically she's saying that nothing else is important, just the person lying next to her." Bo pulled Lauren in closer and started to slow dance with her. Lauren leaned into Bo and closed her eyes as she listened to the words of the song and allowed Bo to lead. The butterflies in her stomach again become restless, their wings fluttering as she surrendered her need to touch Bo. Lauren moved one of her hands round Bo's waist and under her shirt resting on the skin on her lower back. The other hand staying on her neck with her fingers entwined in the back of her hair. Here they stayed for the song and also the next one until it was time for Bo to return to work. They promised to get in touch about their third date soon.

Wednesday 15th May - Bo's Beach Bar

The weekend both Lauren and Bo pouted around miserable, as despite efforts they had not been able to sneak away even for a minute to see each other. Instead, they had to revert to flirty text messages. Monday was no better, with Lauren's last day of being on call being that night and typically when they had planned a dinner she had been called out. Tuesday was worse as Lauren had not returned from the call out till 10am so had slept most of the day.

Tonight was better as Lauren had the night off only to find that Bo was working the double shift. Lauren had managed a quick five minutes at lunch time to sneak off for a kiss by the beach kitchens. This was not enough for them in their early romance stages.

"What you doing?" Kenzi peered over Bo's shoulder.

"Just messaging Lauren. It's not fair, her and Tamsin has been told they can no longer drink at the hotel bars, something to do with the hotel reputation and not wanting to see the Head of Security and Hotel Doctor in a bar. Its bullshit. I bet you that Crystal has said something. As all was fine until she showed up. It just means It's harder to see Lauren now she can't come to the bar. She's going to Cleo's instead tonight with a few of the British workers, her soccer team are playing in a European Final. I fucking hope that Crystal won't be there."

"Remember what you said about trusting the doc? If not, then that was the shortest oath you have ever taken Bo." Kenzi laughed.

"I do; it's singing Barbie I don't trust."

"Hey listen, I'm off tonight, I'll keep the doc company. We can bond and I'll make sure the singing Barbie does not get near her if she shows up."

"Oh Kenzi, I do love you." Bo pulled her in for a cuddle.

Wednesday 15th May - Chelsea verses Benfica Football Final

The bar was packed, not a single seat was left, and all the stools round the edge of the bar were being used also. Some of the beer crates were turned on its side and people sitting on these by the front. All nine TV's had the football on. It was the final and was being held in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam between two formidable teams, Chelsea verses Benfica. It appeared that the majority of guests were British and supporting Chelsea. There was a small table round the far corner, by the mechanical bull, which had a Portuguese flag draped over for the Benfica supporters. Kenzi spotted Lauren in the middle of the room, with pitchers of beer and glasses already lined up on the table around her. "This might not be so bad" Kenzi thought as she made her way over. There were men and women sitting round her, some in football shirts and others simply in their beach clothes.

"Hey doc, mind if I join you?" Kenzi asked, pointing to the vacant seat next to her.

"Oh, sure and hi. I didn't know you wanted to watch this?" Lauren asked while pouring Kenzi a drink from the beer pitcher.

"I've some free time and nothing else to do, so I thought a night in the bar drinking sounded good." Kenzi answered.

A man appeared in front Kenzi, dressed totally in black leather, with mid-length dark hair and Goth in appearance. The way he was standing showed Kenzi that he was not happy.

"Pissing go for a wazz and when I return It's typical that my seat is pinched." The man spoke to Kenzi. "Doc, you knew I was sitting there, so what gives with letting my seat go?" this time referring the question to Lauren.

"Well you had been gone ages, I guessed you chose to sit elsewhere, look if we push both together we can all sit. You have a skinny arse." Lauren replied, matter of fact.

"Listen darling, this is a pole dancing arse I'll let ya know. So go on then love, shift yourself up." He said to Kenzi using an arm gesture to get her to move. Lauren moved her chair closer to Kenzi's and a few moments later were all sitting comfortable.

"So who are you?" he said grabbing a beer from the table and looking to Kenzi.

"Who am I? Who are you?" Kenzi replied.

"Feisty little girl aren't ya? You can call me Vex." he replied

"I'm Kenzi. And how do you know Lauren?" Kenzi asked.

"Who?" Vexed scanned the room.

"Lauren, Lauren." this time pointing her out.

"Oh Doc, she helped my dad on Monday night. We thought he was brown bread, was looking like a smurf, all blue like, clutching his chest a flapping like a fish outta water. We called for the Doc and she came and brought him back." Vex smiled over to Lauren. "Now my old man is no saint but I don't want him dead either.

"That's nice. So are you on holiday?" Kenzi asked noncommittally.

"What you got a question quota for the day? Or simply nosey." Vex turned to Kenzi.

"Neither, just making polite conversation." Kenzi rolled her eyes.

"Well if you must know, I was on holiday with the oldies and my brov. Now I've stayed behind as my old man in still in hospital. Also there is a nice little club that I am interested in buying. It's in Soho, Sharks Bay, called Intrigue, you been?"

"Actually yeah. It's seedy, dark and full of your kind of people." Kenzi replied back.

"Seedy? Dark? My kind of people? And of course you were there. So I guess you are my kind of people also." Vex bit back. "Fucking Terry is out cause of his ankle." This time directing the conversation at Lauren. "Maybe you should be a football medic Doc. You get paid shit loads to look after pansies all shitting day. So it begins, kick off, let's be 'aving ya."

Lauren rolled her eyes at Vex and smiled politely at Kenzi and refilled her drink. The football had just started, when Vex started to shout obscenities to the screen.

"Fucking two minutes in and we nearly concede a goal, you fucking wankers sort your fucking shit out." Vex shouted.

"Oh pleasant, do you mind watching your language." The stranger on the next table spoke over to Vex.

"Go shit in your hand. And keep your business out of mine woman." Vex replied.

"Darling, are you going to let him speak to me like that?" The stranger asked her most likely husband."

"Erm, excuse me. Do you mind keeping the language down?" The man spoke firmly over to Vex.

"Erm, do you mind removing your tampon!" Vex answered back before turning to Lauren and Kenzi. "It pisses me off when people act so proper in public, I bet he bangs her like drum in private, and here they're all fucking la-de-da now with me."

"Oh, you are a charmer. I bet you have loads of mates." Kenzi said half embarrassed by the stares the other table were now giving.

"Well I would rather be someone's shot of whisky than everyone's cup of tea." Vex answered back.

"Please Vex; I don't want to be kicked out by association just because I'm sitting with you. Apologise before she makes a complaint." Lauren asked over.

"Ahh, ok." Vex sighed and turned to face the table behind. "Hello dearest's, we seem to have gone off on the wrong foot, so my sincere apologies for any upset and hope we can put that little misadventure behind us and watch the game?" Vex smiled, sarcasm dripping from every word.

The other table nodded in agreement and Vex turned back to Lauren. "Pleased?" It was more of a statement than a question. "This is going to be a long ninety minutes" Lauren thought. When Kenzi suggested Tequila Lauren had agreed nether less just to get through Vex's obnoxious behaviour. Lauren had not understood why she had agreed to sit with him, let along encourage the friendship he was starting to make with her. Lauren always looked for the good in people and had seen Vex, or Paul as he's really called, at his lowest and most vulnerable when his dad was in hospital. Vex had promised to make changes to his life and to his dad's if he pulled through. Vex said he would stop the drink, drugs, swearing and be a better person. It was a desperate time as when Lauren had arrived his dad, Paul Senior, was already in a cardiac arrest and nonresponsive. Lauren quickly performed CPR on him, there was no pulse, so the defibrillator was used, still to no avail. Lauren never quit, she opted for the last resource, open chest heart massage. Lauren literally had his heart in her hands when the ambulance arrived. Getting a weak pulse, she never let go until they had arrived at the hospital. Lauren had stayed with Vex until news came that his dad was making a recovery. During those all night and morning hours they had bonded a bit. Now though Lauren could see that Vex was back to normal, but she couldn't shake that image of the frightened boy who was losing his dad.

The game was eventful. Chelsea had given away a penalty in the first half and was losing going into the second. Torres managed to level it up early on with Ivanovic heading in a second in stoppage time. Chelsea was the winners and the bar was alive with jumping, screaming and drunken people, hugging each other and buying rounds. Even the strangers on the second table were joining in Vex's hug and crude football songs. They had all been drinking nonstop for two hours of beer and tequila. Tequila was Lauren's Achilles heel, never been able to handle it. The whole bar was getting rowdy, too many drinks had been drunk and Vex had started on the wrong person this time.

*RING RING*

Bo's knight rider ring tone went off to alert her that Kenzi was calling. Looking over to the clock it was only eleven thirty pm and Bo had another half hour before her shift finished. Bo knew that Kenzi knew what time she was finishing, and although the hotel doesn't like staff answering their phones during work time Bo knew it must be important and pressed answer.

"Hello Kenzi, what's wrong?"

"Bo, can you hear me?" There was singing in the background "Carefree wherever we may be, we are the famous CFC and we don't give a fuck whoever you may be, cause we are the famous CFC."

"Bo, it me, can you get here? It has all kicked off. A fight broke out and this guy we were with has been stabbed in the hand, Lauren is in the middle trying to fix him, but he's drunk, and these group of men are hanging around outside waiting to finish this guy off. It was all so good, then, I don't know, it just went crazy." Kenzi explained.

"Is Lauren Ok?" Panic evident in Bo's voice.

"Yeah, she's drunk but fine. I'm more concerned that she's trying to perform surgery on this guy's hand. It's just the guys outside. We can't get out while they're there and Lauren is not leaving this guy."

"Are you ok Kenz?" this time with more confidence.

"Yeah except these clothes are covered in beer and blood. But I'll live." Kenzi reassured her.

"Blood? Who's" Panic returning in Bo's voice.

"Not ours Bo, it's this guy that Lauren knows. She saved his dad a few nights ago from dying." Kenzi paused when she heard the sound of glass smashing. "Shit, they have broken the window, the owner is keeping them out, but it won't be long now."

"I'm calling Tam, sit tight, I'm coming." Bo hung up on Kenzi and scrolled down her phone to Tamsin and pressed dial.