Crawling towards the nearest chair, I spit blood up for the tenth time tonight. I am pretty sure that I have a broken arm and foot. But none of that will cause me to walk or crawl out. So here I am sitting in a chair staring at the body across from me. My teeth and tongue feel like crap, but hell if I care. They were all still intact and so what if I lose a few here and there.
Pushing my hair behind my ears, I took some much needed deep breaths. It was the one thing I could do that didn't cause me to wince in pain. I opened and closed my eyes to make sure my eyes were ok. It was all a blur and still I wasn't afraid. Sleep sounded wonderful but sleeping is how I ended up like this. I had fallen asleep when I should have stayed awake.
"Bo! Lauren screamed.
"I'm right here babe". Bo winced as she tried to stand up.
"Bo? Lauren asked looking around the room. It took her a few minutes to remember that they had left the Bahamas.
"I'm over here Lauren". Bo winced again. She spat up the latest blot of blood that had flooded her mouth into a Styrofoam cup.
Lauren jumped out of the bed and ran over to the Succubus. The Doctor in her kicked in and she immediately began assessing Bo's wounds. Bo grunted and gasped as Lauren felt all over her body.
"What happened? Lauren asked.
"A lot". Bo winced as she answered.
"Why didn't you wake me up? I could have helped". Lauren asked angrily. Bo must have gotten into a fight and didn't bother asking for help.
"I tried to wake you up Lauren, and that's when it started". Bo answered.
"Tell me". Lauren said gently. She was on her knees in front of the Succubus and she had never seen Bo this wounded before.
"I can't. It might start again". Bo said.
"Bo if you can't tell me, who can you tell? Lauren asked.
Bo rolled her tongue around in her mouth. She was torn on how to tell Lauren without her walking out on her or running away.
"Bo. Please. I need to know". Lauren said as she walked away and came back with hot towels and tissue.
"You did this to me Lauren". Bo said as tears fell from her eyes. Lauren was not naturally violent. That broke the Succubus even more.
"I what? Lauren asked as she rocked backwards on feet.
Bo wiped her eyes with her good hand and turned away from the Doctor. She blinked away even more tears. She was crying for so many reasons. Crying that Lauren did something she wasn't even born to do. Crying because she was the reason Lauren is like she is. Crying because the woman in front of her was better off not knowing. But knowing Lauren, Bo knew she would never drop this.
"Bo. Please. You can tell me". Lauren said softly. Bo cleared her throat and started.
"Late last night, you started tossing and turning. I sent a few pulses into you to try and get you to calm down. I guess in your subconscious state, you thought I was attacking you...". Bo cried and shook her head.
"Tell me". Lauren said wiping Bo's tears away.
"You pushed me off of the bed and I landed on my ass. Just when I thought you were going to lay back down, you stood up in the bed and jumped off. You were standing on the other side of the room yelling something about taking off. I kept calling out to you, but you didn't hear me. So I walked over to you, and gently shook your shoulder. You picked me up by one of my hands and slammed me into the ground, over and over again. Once you realized I wasn't going to get up, you punched me in my face repeatedly. When you stopped, you said takeoff again. You kept calling out for someone named Reegan, and jumped off of me. You ran to the window, and tried to open it. By this time, my Succubus surfaced and pulled you back with my good hand. Fearing her, you slammed me into the ground again. This time I felt my arm and leg break. The pop was loud. You jumped at the sound, and screamed something about getting out of here. Then you ran towards the door, and screamed that you needed to get to the patients in the Medevacs. You screamed saying they both exploded as they took off. You were in hysterics. I stood up as best as I could, and limped over to you dragging my leg behind me, and pushed you on the bed. This time you stayed down and I limped back over to this chair and I have been here ever sense". Bo sobbed.
Lauren froze with her mouth wide open. She had done this. Nobody could attack Bo or her Succubus and live to tell about it. Neither would ever lift a hand to Lauren, although Bo did lift her voice at times.
"Bo". Lauren said quietly.
Bo bent over to spit in her cup again. "It is not your fault Lauren. You didn't know".
"I did know. I have known for months. I left and didn't come back. I ran off to help Taft, and hadn't planned beyond that. My sloppiness got me caught by Evony. I had to trust her to protect me from the Una Mens and then you showed up. I knew then that I wasn't going to leave. I should have left then because then Rainer and his goons may never have gotten to me. But I couldn't return to you since you were dating him. Then Hades...". Lauren said angrily.
"Lauren". Bo said gently leaning forward.
"Don't you see Bo, all of this is my fault. Joining the military. The pipe bombs I trusted my brother with. Helping the Fae thinking they were only humans. Nadia, and staying behind in fear they would kill her if I left. Taft. Evony. Hades. It's all come full circle because of the lone decisions I made. I should have told you about all of them and left you to deal with them. But honestly after The Ash, I thought you would know I was up to something with Taft. But you didn't catch on to that or Evony. Dyson accused me of being cold, and that coldness has brought me nothing but hot messes time, and time again. You didn't even know about Afghanistan because I only mentioned it to Kenzi". Lauren sighed tiredly.
"Don't Lauren. Don't do that. We have all made decisions that turned out to be worse than we intended them to. Look at me. I was literally a walking, murdering machine because I never knew what I was until you told me. I could have gotten help, but I had nowhere to turn to. We saw what happened with the Dennis'. I honestly think Mary would have tried to kill me eventually. I am so grateful to Dad, but I don't regret finding out who I really was because I found you at the same time. I was done running. I am not going to run now. So please tell me, so I can try and help you as much as you have and still help me". Bo said tearfully.
"Can I heal you first? Lauren asked gently.
"Nevermind that Lauren. It can wait, your wounds are deeper than mine". Bo said shaking her head and gently pulled Lauren's hand from around her neck.
"Bo...". Lauren said.
"No Lauren. We..you need to talk about this. It's only me and you here". Bo said softly.
Lauren nodded and retrieved a chair so should sit next to Bo. Lauren found a medical kit and cleaned up Bo's face, since she wouldn't allow her to heal the rest of her yet.
"Lauren". Bo said gently brushing her hands away.
Lauren stopped and set her supplies down on the nearest table. Joining Bo again, she took her seat.
"It was late at night. We had treated most of the wounded, and knew there would be more coming. I had gone out to get some air since I had been working all of that day and the previous day. The other Doctors had been deployed elsewhere, so it was just me, Reegan a nurse, and a few others on duty. As I looked up at the night sky, I saw a jeep coming. I assumed it was coming to bring more supplies since we were starting to run low. Some of our soldiers pulled up in front of me and I was ordered to get in. Reegan had come out and jumped into the jeep too. We were almost half a mile gone when the jeep was bombed. We immediately flipped over, I did my best to hold on to whatever I could to brace myself for when the vehicle finally rested. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground. Reegan had been injured worse than me. So was the small crew that picked us up. I denied being treated first, and sent the Doctors and nurses that had come to treat us to go after Reegan and the others first. Once everyone had been treated that I could see, they came and picked me up. I was carried to the closest Medevac and loaded on. I turned my head when I saw another jeep coming that I knew wasn't one of ours, and started screaming takeoff, but I was coughing up blood by then and nobody knew what I was saying. I managed to turn my head and saw the one Reegan was in and the one beside it explode. I closed my eyes from the sight. I couldn't scream for fear I would drown in my own blood. The last thing I remembered was feeling my Medevac lift off, and we wound up here in Egypt. There I was laid up with a broken arm, leg and a fractured back. All I wanted was to go home. Wherever home was back then. Nothing eased my pain, physically or psychologically. I didn't know any of the staff here that was treating me, and I didn't want to know. I didn't want to get close to anyone then. Look where my life had led Reegan? To her death. She didn't have to, and shouldn't have jumped into that jeep". Lauren explained as tears rolled like rain down her face.
Bo was crying just as much as Lauren was. Even with her broken arm, she reached out and pulled Lauren to sit on her lap. She didn't bother wincing in pain because that was nothing compared to the sight and aura coming off of Laruen.
"I am so, so sorry Lauren. Especially about Reegan. I didn't want to push you into doing that. I just wanted you to get it all out so that you could heal a little. I know your wounds will always be there, but at least now it's out of your system and you told the right person because this will go no further than this room. I won't ever bring it up again unless you need to talk about it". Bo said tearfully.
"I'm sorry Bo". Lauren cried.
"Don't do that. You have nothing to be sorry for. I haven't been the greatest lover or friend to you. But I hope you allow me to be". Bo said handing Lauren a box of tissues. It hurt like hell to reach for them, but Lauren is worth every pain she was feeling at the moment and last night.
"You need to heal". Lauren said softly rubbing Bo's face. The Succubus did look like she got her ass kicked and then some.
"Just your Chi is all I need. All I want right now". Bo said quietly.
Lauren nodded and kissed the Succubus. The women pulled back and the Chi flowed for almost ten minutes.
"Are you better? Lauren asked.
"I'm fine. Thank you. I am more worried about you. Are you ok? Bo asked quietly.
"I will be. It will just take me some time". Lauren said bowing her head.
"Is that why the Fae assumed you were cold? Because you were pushing people away? Bo asked.
"Until Nadia I had been pushing everyone away. Turned down dozens of dates. I just couldn't let anyone in that wasn't my brother". Lauren replied readjusting herself on Bo's lap.
Bo thought internally about Dyson saying Lauren was never going to love her. Lauren hadn't shown love in front of him. She didn't need to, not with Nadia being cursed for all of those years. Five years. Lauren had gone five years without anyone touching her. Loving her. Then she slept with Bo. Bo. A stranger. A Fae. The same people holding Nadia's life over Lauren's head. The Succubus suddenly felt like stir fried shit. The woman in her arms had carried more than she had ever known. Bo piled her own bullshit and insecurities on a woman staying faithful to a woman that couldn't return her affections for years. She took some deep breaths and let it all go. Every bullshit thing she did to Lauren was on her shoulders not the Doctor's. The woman sitting on her was so good, and Bo was so bad. But like she also said they could make new memories here, and she was determined to do that.
"Why don't you get a hot shower in, I will shower, and then we can go and have a quick breakfast". Bo said softly.
"That sounds good. The hot water should do me wonders". Lauren said sitting up.
"Yell if you need me". Bo said after Lauren stood up and walked into the bathroom.
Bo looked over the hotel pamphlet and saw there are a couple of restaurants to choose from. But she didn't want to keep Lauren out with people. This was their time, and she was going to treat the Doctor like the royalty their room was fitted for. She also grabbed some towels and started to clean up the blood that had dried on the floor during the night. She didn't want Lauren walking in it, and didn't want it to be a reminder of what she did to her. She was still hurting but felt better about them. Once the room looked presentable, she threw the dirty towels in a bin and grabbed a bottle of water to rinse her mouth out with.
Lauren popped her neck under the hot water. It did feel good. It also felt good knowing that Bo knew a little bit more about her past. She hadn't touched on Karen yet, but they had time to talk about that. It wasn't like they were on a first date and feeling each other out to see if they wanted a second date.
She felt horrible about attacking Bo, but that wasn't in her control. She had fought off those same demons for so many nights in bed. Even in Nadia's bed, although it never turned violent like that. Perhaps that was her body telling her that it was ok to let go with Bo. Really let go. Let go of the anger. The guilt. The rage. Everything that she had hidden deep down inside of her for years. In no way was she saying they were finally on equal footing or things were suddenly perfect because they still had a long way to go. But now the road getting there seemed a bit shorter.
She scrubbed her head and body like she hadn't bathed in years. Sure she could have used her powers to clean herself, but it was nice relax and do it herself. This was a part of her that needed to open up too. The part that felt like the entire world had been against her, and for a long time she really felt that way. But Bo was here now. Showed up out of nowhere and fell for her and she for her.
"Lauren are you ok? Bo asked as she gently tapped on the door.
"Yes. Sorry I will be out soon". Lauren said as she rinsed off and grabbed a huge towel.
"It is ok. It's just been a long time, so I was worried". Bo said.
"I'm fine really. I'm almost finished and I will be out". Lauren sighed gently.
"We have all the time in the world sweetie. I'm not going anywhere". Bo said as she slowly walked away from the door.
Bo took a seat on the nearest couch and waited. Soon after Lauren emerged from the bathroom, and walked to pick out what she was going to wear. Even in a bathrobe, she looked stunning.
Bo quickly showered and paid extra attention to her face. She wanted to make sure the blood was cleaned up. Lauren would worry and she didn't want that.
Twenty minutes later she emerged and Lauren was sitting in the same spot Bo had been on the couch.
"I'll be ready soon". Bo said.
She grabbed a white top, khaki shorts, and pinned her hair up. As much as she loved black, she would be soaked in no time wearing that.
The women were finally dressed and left their room to have breakfast at The Restaurant. Bo ordered a hefty omelette while Lauren feasted on yogurt, fresh fruit and muffins. Bo sighed looking at the Doctor and put her fork down.
"Allow me". Bo said moving her chair around to sit next to Lauren. She fed Lauren and wiped her mouth when she needed to.
"Bo this is embarrassing". Lauren blushed after looking at all of the other guests.
"So? I might inspire them to do this to their own dates or guests". Bo laughed.
"You might". Lauren laughed. This was one of so many reasons why she loved Bo. She would go out of her way no matter how normal the act was or not and do it without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
Once they were full, they tipped their server and slowly walked out hand in hand. They dressed accordingly because it was already toasty out. Bo smiled as Lauren's hair blew in the wind.
They hopped in a car and rode for ten minutes before they stopped. Bo extended her hand out to Lauren, and pulled her from the car.
"Bo? Lauren asked curiously.
"We are going sailing. I rented a boat for half a day". Bo smiled.
"Bo...". Lauren gasped.
Bo pulled a duffel bag from the car.
"Please". Bo said pointing towards the boat.
Lauren smiled and did as she was told.
"Thanks". Bo said as she tipped the driver. She climbed on to the boat behind Lauren. Lauren was sitting down with her eyes locked on the ocean.
"I will give you two hundred bucks to get lost". Bo said.
"Ma'am, I could lose my job". The gentlmen replied.
"A thousand bucks". Bo said.
"Have a nice trip". The gentleman said taking Bo's money.
Bo smiled as she turned her attention back on Lauren.
"From here on out, we charter our own ship". Bo cooed as she took a seat close to Lauren.
"Our own". Lauren smiled as the boat left the dock.
Once they were a good mile out, Bo turned on some soft music and smiled as Lauren stretched out.
TBC