Chapter 14 - Hero's and Heroism's
Wednesday 15th May - Inside Cleo's after the game.
A brawl fired up soon after the game had finished. Vex had drunkenly removed his clothes to ride the mechanical bull in victory. The Portuguese fans inside the bar took offense and became aggressive when Vex took their flag and was chanting football songs sporting nothing more than their Flag wrapped round him. Words were exchanged in broken English ending up with Vex throwing the first punch. He missed, hitting instead a British man on the back of the head. Vex, in typical Vex fashion, didn't apologise which led to more punches being thrown. A broken bottle was used to stab him in the hand which lead to the entire bar breaking out into a brawl.
After Kenzi's call to Bo she had managed to find Lauren and pull her and Vex under a table and hid while the bar emptied. The owner, Monty, had pushed the scrapping crowd out the back beach door with the help from his bar staff, not noticing Lauren, Kenzi and Vex hiding. The door had been locked and the staff had exited by the front car park door. The owner called the police and was waiting in the car park for them.
The crowd had not gone, instead the brawl had got even worse on the beach front, and the group that Vex had turned on were shouting for him and kicking on the door, trying frantically to get back in.
"Shitting hell, what the fuck is going on out there" Vex, who was still hiding under a table, shouted over to Lauren who was with Kenzi by the bar area.
"I don't know, sounds like another fight, and it sound like they really want to get back in here". Lauren replied back. "Kenzi, I need alcohol and fresh towels to help stop the bleeding in his hand. I can't mend him fully though, he needs to go to the clinic; the wound is too deep it needs a proper clean and some stitches. I'll do the best I can."
"Got it. What about that lot out there?" Kenzi said motioning to the noise coming from outside the door. "Whoever it is will soon be inside, and I'm not going down to protect that little freak. We should just get the hell out of here; I would rather face Monty and the Police than that lot out there."
"I know, me too. But we can't leave him and both the doors are locked. If a group of men are struggling to open it, we will never open it," pointing to the thick oak door. "We will just have to keep them away from Vex until the Police arrive. I'll use the coat stand." Lauren said confidently, "I used to Fence at school. I'll keep them away from Vex the best I can."
"Shit, that's your plan? We're fucked, where is Bo?" Kenzi said taking the alcohol from the bar shelf and grabbing some towels.
"Bo is coming? She's meant to be at work for another half an hour. She will get in trouble?" Lauren remarked.
"Bo don't care about that when it comes to people she loves. Trust me she will be here! She will get us out of this." Kenzi clutched the stuff Lauren had asked for and moved around the bar and back towards Lauren, unaware she had just let slip that Bo loved them. Lauren had heard her though and she smiled, not knowing if it was a slip of the tongue or meant about only her or not, but the fact she heard it made her the happiest she had been in a long while.
Lauren and Kenzi had moved back towards Vex. Lauren was a bit uneasy on her feet from the Tequila she had consumed, however had sobered rather quickly when the fight broke out. In a slightly soberer state she would have attempted to fix and stitch the wound herself, but she didn't have any equipment and her medical bag was in her room.
The sounds of kicking against the door frame rattled the building. Within minutes whoever was behind that door would be in. Lauren grabbed the coat rack and without any other plan Kenzi stood by her side.
Six men barged their way in, they were outnumbered three to one, still they stood their ground. One of them spoke first "Where is he?" the man shouted over to Lauren.
"He's not here, so leave us." Lauren answered back.
"I know he's here and you are hiding him, do you have any idea what he has started here. My mates are all hurt outside because of him." the man shouted back making his way over towards them.
"I'm a Doctor; he's bleeding badly and needs treatment. If you all just stay calm I can help you all, but we need to get him to the clinic now. Then I promise I'll help your friends." Lauren tried her best to reason with him.
"So he's still here then? Listen love, we don't want to hurt you just give us him. He has to answer for what he has done." the man was now only feet away from Lauren and Kenzi.
"No, you don't really want this. It's just anger fuelled by alcohol. The Police are on their way and if you all just leave now, we can just go back to our hotels and put a stop to this before it gets worse and someone is seriously hurt. Right now it's just superficial bruises and scratches." Lauren tried again to reason with him, "It was a good night, I'm asking you to please just drop it and walk away. There's no need for this to get any worse. Like I promised before, if you let us all leave I'll return to help your friends. It doesn't have to end this way."
Another loud noise was heard and two of the other men were being dragged back out the bar. The Police must be here, Lauren thought. Then another two disappeared behind the door. Lauren could not see anything as the man was stood directly in front of her.
"There..." the man shouted back to his friend, "he's there under that back table."
The man moved forward and Lauren pushed him back with the coat stand, she managed to keep him back for a while until he grabbed it and pulled it from her hands. Lauren jerked away from him and started to back away, but he advanced on her quickly, holding her around the waist. Kenzi was quick to react and jumped on him but was soon thrown off and she hit the ground. Lauren elbowed him in the side, and then he suddenly let go.
Lauren turned to find Bo gripping the man by the neck, choking him with one hand. The man clung to her wrist, eyes bulging, and his face turning red.
"No one touches my Lauren." Bo said calmly. Bo had him raised up in the air, her grip tightening around his throat. Lauren rushed to her side and put a hand on her arm.
"It's ok Bo, let him go." Lauren said looking directly at Bo.
She let loose of the man's neck and he collapsed to the floor coughing and wheezing, then cursing when he found his breath. He jumped to his feet and left the bar with his friend who was, until then, being held by Tamsin.
Bo stood still, panting and dishevelled.
"Are you both ok?" Bo asked to Kenzi then over toward Lauren. They nodded. "Right then let's get out of here and quick."
"Well hello Bo, long times no see." Vex said while standing up from under the table and brushing himself off.
"Vex?" Bo said stunned.
"In the bloody flesh. As peachy as our reunion is let's get outta here pronto. I'm not feeling my hand now and I need it if you catch my drift. And the old bill is close, I can already smell the bacon." Vex replied.
Kenzi and Lauren both looked at Bo; she had not said a single word except his name. Neither had any idea how she knew him, but both concluded it was not from the hotel bar. This reunion wasn't recent, they had history. Kenzi was going to make sure she got it out of her and soon.
They all exited the bar quickly and rushed back to the hotel, Police sirens being heard in the distance. The police were close and they were relieved to know they had got out without being caught. The hotel would not accept their staff involved in a bar brawl.
"Tamsin, would you please take Vex to the hotel Doctor." Lauren asked as they stepped into the hotel grounds. "He's on call so should be about, if not call from the reception please." Lauren asked.
"Sure. Come on you two, you can help. Then I'll walk you both back to the crack house. I officially finish my shift now and I need a drink. Kenzi, do you have anything?" Tamsin looked at both Bo and Kenzi.
"Does a horse shit in a barn? Of course I've alcohol, vodka ok?" Kenzi replied.
"I'm walking Lauren back." Bo said.
"Oh good I can check you out. I mean check you over. Not that I wouldn't want to also check you out, but you have bruises on your face I would like to check out. Not that the bruises are more interesting than you. It's just..." Lauren fumbled.
"Yeah, ok Lauren. It's ok, I knew what you meant." Bo took hold of Lauren's hand. "But I'm fine. Let's get you home."
Outside Doctor Maged's Office
Tamsin and Kenzi had taken Vex to Doctor Maged and waited while he was stitched up in the examination room. The cut was cleaned and Vex's hand was bandaged up. Vex left the office with them both following.
"So how do you know Bo?" Kenzi was the first to ask.
"She used to work for me and in my club, Carpe Noctem, in downtown Toronto. Four years with us then one day she just ups and leaves. I know someone who would be interested to know I've found her. The Morrigan." Vex replied.
"Who?" This time it was Tamsin to ask.
"The Morrigan, she's my old friend, real name Evony Fleurette Marquise." Vex answered.
"Shit balls. The Evony Marquise. As it the Criminal Defence Lawyer to the mob? Evony Marquise?" Kenzi sighed and looked over to Tamsin who also recognised the name.
"The one and only. I know she's going to be happy I found her at last, Bo left her on unfriendly terms." Vex smiled back.
Lauren's Room
Bo and Lauren had made it back to the room, as soon as they arrived Lauren had insisted that Bo come into her room so that she could look over her injuries. Bo had a swollen left eye socket, bruising to her right cheek, a small cut over her lip and Lauren was sure she had bruised or even broken a rib. Lauren had instructed Bo to lie on the bed while she grabbed her medical bag.
"Bo, please lie still. You haven't broken anything in your face but I'll need to clean up that cut." Lauren said pointing to her lip.
"I'm fine Lauren. I work in a bar; I'm used to a few bar fights and getting into scraps. Trust me I will heal. I don't need all this." Bo smiled at Lauren.
"Take off your shirt." Lauren asked, ignoring what Bo had said.
"Lie on the bed, take off your shirt? This is not how I had imagined this at all." Bo teased Lauren.
Lauren blushed.
"I just want to check your torso. I noticed you made a noise when you just laid down on the bed moments ago. I just need to make sure that you have nothing broken like a rib. A broken rib can pierce the lung, so just please do as I ask." Lauren pleaded with Bo.
"Ok Ok, fine, here." Bo raised her arms and pulled her shirt over her head, grunting noises escaping her mouth involuntarily.
"See, it hurts doesn't it?" Lauren raised her eye at Bo. "Now lie down flat and take in a deep breath." Lauren examined Bo. She was tender both sides of her upper torso, and she would no doubt have bruises by morning, but no sign of anything broken. "I'll need to x-ray tomorrow to check for any hairline fractures. In the meantime, I'll get you some ice and pain killers."
"What happened to you?" Lauren asked over to Bo while getting pain killers from her bag.
"I don't really remember I just know there were about twenty people between me and you." their eyes met and Lauren smiled. "And Kenzi of course and I just pushed my way in. A few elbows may have got in the way. I just needed to get in there and when I saw those men walking in I just pushed my way harder. Then I saw his hands on you and Kenzi lying on the floor I just snapped. I didn't know I had him in the air until I saw his face turn red and your hand on my arm. Then I heard you ask me to let him go and I just did. I don't think he was expecting that from a girl. "Bo joked.
Lauren frowned. Bo looked so beaten up and bruised and Lauren couldn't help but think it was all her fault. After all it was her who be-friended Vex, it was her that didn't leave the bar when it all kicked off, it was her that insisted to Kenzi they stay and help protect him and it was because of her that Kenzi had called Bo in the first place. Although Lauren was sad to see Bo hurt, it worried her of what might have happened if Bo hadn't come? Bo was her knight and she did save her, for that she was grateful. Although Bo is protective of Kenzi she told that man to get off her Lauren. Lauren was Bo's and she smiled.
"I'm all beaten up and you're all smiley. Did I miss something Lauren?" Bo asked smiling herself.
"No, just remembering something you said. It's nothing though, take these tablets" Lauren passed her some painkillers with a bottle of water. "I'll get some ice to make an ice pack." with that Lauren jumped up and was out the front door.
Bo lay back down and smiled. Lauren must be thinking of when I told that man to get off my Lauren Bo thought back. Bo smiled at the memory of how goofy Lauren looked just moments ago and told herself that she needed to repeat it the moment she got back. Lauren was hers and to forget rule two of Kenzi's code. Tonight Bo was going to tell Lauren she wanted her to be her girlfriend. Bo just knew in her heart that's what she wanted and hoped Lauren felt the same way. It might be rushing a bit, they had only been dating a week, but it felt right. Bo would explain her logic to Kenzi tomorrow. Just hoped Lauren did feel the same way.
Moment later Bo heard the door open and Lauren returning with a bucket of ice. Heading into the bathroom for some small towels Lauren started to make up an ice pack to wrap around Bo's torso.
"So Bo, how do you know Vex?" Lauren asked once she had finished making her makeshift icepack.
"I used to work in his club, Carpe Noctem in Canada. I worked there for four years and then I left and found work in the Dal Riata with Trick." Bo answered.
"Did you know Carpe Noctem means seize the night in Latin? That sounds like an interesting place to work. It's almost as interesting as working in the Dal Riata? The Dal Raita is an old area from the late 6th Century, formed of Western Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland. The word Dal is derived from old Irish word and means share or part. And Riata is believed to be a person's name, so it basically means Riata's Share." Lauren said while nursing Bo.
"Ok talking Wikipedia. How do you know so much about everything?" Bo smiled at Lauren.
"I read a lot and most of Wikipedia is not regulated and is not 100% accurate." Lauren smiled back. "Sorry, I don't know that I do it half the time, it's like an unstoppable case of verbal diarrhoea. I just know random information."
"Don't apologise, I find it cute." Bo replied.
"Right, so then I guess I should find you something to wear." Lauren said.
"I have my shirt" Bo answered
"No offense but that's tight in the best of days. It would be too tight for someone with bruised ribs. Also you have blood splatter on it. No, I need you in loose clothing and preferably cotton. I've something in mind." with that Lauren pulled out two grey cotton t-shirts with the words GEEK on one and NERD on the other. "Which one do you want?"
"Oh the choices" Bo replied with sarcasm.
"Tamsin bought them for me. I guess it was fashionable as all the shops in the UK were selling them. Besides they're super comfy. So, what's it going to be GEEK or NERD?" Lauren held them both up again.
"Which one is you?" Bo asked.
"I'm both." Lauren smiled.
"Ok, I will have the GEEK one. I would be more of a geek than a nerd, seeing all I read are tabloids and since meeting you I've done some geeky stuff." Bo admitted to Lauren
"Really? You Bo have been a Geek? Like what?" Lauren threw the GEEK shirt over to Bo.
Bo smiled. Did she actually want to tell Lauren that she had been super geeky since meeting her? Yes, was the answer! Bo wanted Lauren to know how much she had affected her in only a short time. "Well, last week I downloaded both of Lily Allen's CD's and have played them non-stop to learn the songs so that we can, I don't know, sing them together on the next road trip. Geeky enough?"
"I guess I am a geek too then, so hand back that shirt. I downloaded "The Strange Case of Halestorm" and have had it on repeat for a week. Tamsin walked in the other day and asked why I was listening to it and how I knew of the band. I casually said you liked it and they were one of your favourite bands, she ripped me for hours!" Lauren grabbed the GEEK top.
"Hang on, not yet done. I deserve the GEEK top. Not only did I download two albums to your one, but I also you tubed B'Witched and watched the C'est La Vie video." Bo sat up and grabbed the GEEK top back.
"That's good. But I've made a playlist of songs so far from our time together." Lauren looked over to Bo who released her grip slightly
"What's on the playlist first?" Bo asked.
"Well I've Halestorm, two of their songs; Beautiful With You and Here's To Us. Kellie Coffey's When You Lie Next To Me. Sara Evans, No Place That Far. I had to search ages for that one as I didn't know what it was called or who sang it. It was what we danced to second on the jetty." Lauren smiled to Bo. "I also have One Direction, Kiss You, as that was playing the day when you fell in the pool. Macy Grey I Try as you sang that at the beach. And I've a few of Lily Allen's songs. I'll add to it as we get more, but so far I've collected 9 songs. So hand me the shirt, I'm the geek."
Bo was silent. That was a lot to take in. It appeared every song was listed in the short time that Lauren had known Bo. It made Bo smile that Lauren like to categorise things by dates or songs to remember events that happen in her life. It was adorable if not a bit strange. If Bo was being honest she could not have remembered the two songs that they danced to by the jetty, let alone download them and put them in a playlist. Was it adorable? Was she a geek?
"Do you normally make a playlist for people Lauren?" Bo asked sincerely.
"Actually no I don't." Lauren was being honest. "It's just this week has been so great that I wanted to capture it. And when I hear a song I'm taken back to when I first heard it and where I was and these songs remind me of those times and make me happy. I'm sorry. Have I frightened you off me?" Lauren looked to the floor, scared to see Bo's eyes and the thought of her thinking she was strange.
"Baby, no one has ever made me a playlist before. I was just hoping that it was special. And now I know it is. I have to say though, as geeky as that was, it was not enough for the shirt!" Bo laughed.
Lauren laughed with Bo, relieved that she had not scared her away. Relieved also that Bo did not think what she had done was geeky enough, which Lauren hoped meant that Bo like her being a geek and she had nothing to worry about. "I'm happy I've not scared you away with my geekiness, but I still think it deserves the shirt." Lauren held her arm out.
"No, nice try. I've however downloaded to my tablet Relationships for Dummies by a Dr Kate someone." Bo looked into Lauren's eyes. "So I guess I win that GEEK shirt after all."
Lauren and Bo both laughed.
"There's no need for that, we're doing really well." Lauren finally said.
"But you are my first proper relationship, so wanted to see if there was anything that I needed to know." Bo laughed again. "It's ridiculous, and really hard to read seeing that it's meant to be for dummies."
"Ok" Lauren said between giggles. "You win; you keep the shirt. Do you want to take a shower before you put it on? So I can check one last time that you are ok?" Lauren looked at Bo, hoping that she wouldn't leave just yet, but she knew it was already late.
"Sure." Bo got off the bed and walked towards the bathroom. "Oh and Lauren" Lauren turned round to face Bo. "I need to ask you something, but don't feel like you have to make a decision just yet, as it's just where I am now. Lauren..." Bo paused; this was harder than she thought, what if Lauren said no? "Erm, Lauren, would you like to be my girlfriend?" Bo finally asked.
"I, I, I," Lauren stuttered. Lauren was so elated she could not speak. Of course she did, she thought about nothing else since they met. Now the woman she loved was asking her, why could she not speak?
"Like I said don't have to answer now, just when you are ready." Bo turned to walk into the bathroom, her heart in her hands crushed.
Lauren heard the shower turn on and kicked herself mentally. Why did she not say anything? Did she not want this? Lauren pondered on her question, but it took only milliseconds to get her answer, she was just spooked. Bo had spooked her. Lauren was not used to that, her life followed a pattern and she knew what was coming, Bo was impulsive and she acted on instinct. This was the opposite to Lauren's ways of thinking. Lauren knew what to do as she undressed and walked towards the bathroom.
Bo had removed her remaining blood stained clothes and stepped into the wet room and under the powerful jets to cool down. She had turned it to cold. She needed to cool off after embarrassing herself again in front of Lauren. The bathroom was modern, with a shower wet room, instead of the conventional shower over bath type that was normal in most hotel bathrooms. There were power jets going up the wall and along the sides and a large shower head on top. Bo had chosen the jets only and water was hitting every part of her body and washing the day away.
The cold water dripped down her body reminding her of soft hands caressing her skin. Bo desperately wanted Lauren's hands to touch her and thought they were heading that way. Instead Bo had jumped too far ahead and scared her off. Bo could imagine Lauren sitting in the next room confused about what to say. The water was soothing; Bo put one open palm against the cold tile and leaned forward allowing the water to hit the back of her neck. The other hand was stroking her skin as she thought of Lauren's mouth kissing her all over, licking her flesh and her wicked tongue entering her. Bo had not heard Lauren enter the bathroom and jumped when Lauren spoke close to her ear.
"Baby, I thought it best I helped you, seeing as you can't move much." Lauren placed her hand over Bo's.
"As my Doctor?" Bo asked.
"No" Lauren replied "as your girlfriend." Lauren kissed Bo's shoulder and Bo leaned back into Lauren with a smile across her face.
Lauren closed the gap between them and pulled Bo gently closer, reaching behind her with one hand to grab the body wash while kissing her on her neck and shoulder. Lauren squeezed a generous amount into her hands and started to rub over Bo's tight stomach and down her sides, cautious to stay gentle and soft. Bo let out a soft moan. Getting a nice lather built up Lauren moved up to Bo ample breasts and continued with a circling motion. She was paying particular attention to her erect nipples, pinching and rolling them between her finger and thumb. Lauren moved between her breasts and down the length of Bo's stomach, landing on the soft patch of hair between her legs.
Bo moved her legs apart and Lauren slid her hand down further finding an incredible wetness there. This was not from the shower, and Lauren smiled as she knew she was having the desired effect on Bo.
Bo turned her head to face Lauren, "But you want to take things slow Lauren?" Bo asked.
"No, I want you Bo, I always have." Lauren replied.
They found each other's mouths. There was nothing else that mattered in that time except them, as lips crashed together with want and urgency. Bo explored Lauren's mouth and they began to kiss deeply. This was more than a kiss, it was a promise, a statement and a new beginning for them both, every emotion over the past week was portrayed. Bo felt her whole life was clicking into place after so long of being alone or running, she now felt safe and loved. Bo held Lauren's neck not wanting to ever break from her and caressed her soft blonde hair. Bo turned in Lauren's embrace to completely face her, legs entwined together as she gently backed Lauren along the wall. Lauren moved her hand to Bo's arse and gave a light squeeze and pulled her again towards her.
Bo caressed Lauren's pert breasts and rubbed herself against her. Bo reached behind her and grabbed the body wash and poured it over both their chests, discarding it on the floor afterwards. Just as Lauren had done, she lathered up the lotion and stroked her harden pink nipples. Bo shifted and placed one leg between Lauren's and clutched her waist and lifted her on top of it and started to slide her body up and down. It was the strangest sex position Lauren had ever been in, but it was amazing. Lauren held Bo's shoulders and kissed all down her face, neck and shoulders. Bo moved Lauren up and down her leg, the friction was amazing, Lauren held on tight to Bo as her pace quickened. Lauren's clit was throbbing and her legs weakened.
Lauren reached down with her hand to Bo's wetness and touched her stiffened clit and began to circle it. Bo responded with a loud moan. Lauren began to move in and out of Bo's folds and entered her with two fingers. Lauren's thumb stayed on Bo's clit and applied more pressure.
Bo increased the pace to match Lauren's and keeping Lauren on her leg she placed two fingers on her clit and stroked it. Lauren began to clench and Bo knew she was close, this thought alone making her own orgasm closer.
"Baby come for me." Bo whispered into Lauren's ear. "Now."
As Bo continued to move her fingers Lauren's back arched up. Bo kept the same pressure on her clit as Lauren rocked back and forth on Bo's leg. Bo rocked with Lauren and buried her head into her neck as the familiar waves shock through her. Lauren felt the seismic movement from inside Bo's body as she came hard. Lauren threw her head back as she screamed out Bo's name coming at the same time. Bo kissed her neck as she moaned out Lauren's name. They kept going as another wave washed over them, and another and another until they were completely spent as they held each other tight as the water from the jets still assaulted their sensitive skin.
"Incredible" Lauren was the first to speak
"We have only just started, I want to kiss and touch every inch of you Lauren." Bo replied.
They spent the next few hours making love in the bedroom in every position. Bo was extremely happy and surprised on how daring Lauren could be and how fearless she was of trying new things. Bo also enjoyed how well Lauren knew her way round her body, making love to a Doctor definitely had its perks.
Lauren would normally like what she called 'vanilla' sex but being with Bo brought something out of her. Bo was an excellent lover, what she did not expect was how tentative she was, she loved to kiss and each time she had an orgasm Bo would hold Lauren and tell her how beautiful she was.
They fell asleep as the sun was rising, happy and in each other's arms.