Alright, everyone, truth time - I wrote the first chapter of this story in my head one day, and had zero plans for anything past that first chapter. But I'm having a good time writing it, and I hope everyone is having a good time reading it, so we're going to keep it going. I sat down and actually thought ahead today (shocking, I know) and I've formulated a plan for how things are going to go for the next little while. Hope everyone enjoys the ride. This is a nice break from the actual work that is staring at me right now. Anyone want to handle some cases for me?

Oh, and as always, I do not proofread these chapters. Like, not at all. Sorry about that. But not sorry enough to actually start proofreading.

Enjoy

"Thanks for coming by."

"No problem."

Lauren was lost, staring into Bo's dark eyes. It was the kind of stare that you fall into, that curls around you like water in a hot tub and pulls you deeper until you're in up to your neck and can't quite remember how you got there. God, she's beautiful, was the last thought Lauren had before she felt a hand on her neck pulling her into Bo.

Bo's lips hit hers hard, and Lauren's eyes fell closed instinctively. She drew a quick breath of surprise through her nose and instantaneously found herself flooded with the scent of Bo – the coffee, the leather, the warmth that seemed to come from her. Her mind and body were no longer her own. She felt her own hands grasp Bo's hips and pull her in.

Everything changed then. She felt Bo's tongue against hers and felt herself shivering, unconsciously drawing herself closer. Bo was heaven. She felt Bo's fingers skim her ear and the spark inside her raged into a fire. Lauren felt dizzy, drunk…wait, she was drunk. And she needed air. She and Bo pulled back, each breathing rapidly.

Bo looked into Lauren's eyes. Lauren's mind was only forming one word, over and over again.

More. More. More.

"We're drunk." Bo's voice was soft, soothing.

"Yes, we are." More, more, more.

Lauren pulled Bo back and felt the flames burn hotter. She could taste the beer on Bo's tongue, feel Bo's breasts pressed against her, feel Bo's arms coming around her ribs and her hands clutching at her back.

Laurens fingers tangled in Bo's hair, angling Bo's head to kiss her as deeply as she could. Lauren was vaguely aware of the edge of Bo's desk biting into the back of her legs, but she didn't care. As long as Bo stayed here, kissing her, she didn't care. The world could burn down around them. It didn't matter. This mattered. That was all.

She heard Bo moan softly, and it made her whimper. God, this woman was perfect. She was gorgeous, she was smart, she was brave, she cared about others, she protected her friends, she fought for what was right, and she was here, with Lauren.

She has a boyfriend, Lauren's mind chimed in.

Fuck that. Bo was with her, not Rainer, right now. That was what mattered.

She knew it would end. But it hadn't ended yet. For that moment, it was enough.

She didn't know how long they stood there, but she did know that when they pulled away Bo's eyes looked almost black. She did know that when they pulled away, her only thought was leave now, because she knew if this went on much longer they would go further. They had already gone too far.

More, more, more.

Lauren cleared her throat. "I should go."

"Don't." Bo said it so quickly, so automatically. Lauren's heart started pounding faster in her chest.

Lauren reached up and placed a hand on the side of Bo's face and gave her one last kiss – chaste, closed mouth, all she could manage at that moment without losing control.

Bo didn't say anything else, as Lauren gathered her bag and left.

Lauren's eyes opened slowly. A dream. It had just been a dream.

But it hadn't been, had it? The events of two nights prior came back to her, and she felt almost giddy. It was real, all of it. Bo had wanted her.

She has a boyfriend. Dammit, why was that realization never farther away.

Lauren sighed and swung her legs out of bed, heading downstairs to make coffee. It didn't matter anyway. Vex had been right the other day – Lauren needed to be single. She needed to be just 'Lauren' for a bit, instead of 'Lauren the girlfriend.'

She thought of Bo again. Dammit, needing to be 'just Lauren' sucked.

It was a quiet Sunday morning, and Lauren looked around, surveying the cleaning she needed to finish before going back to work on Monday. She was mentally making a 'to-do' list when she heard her phone chirp with an incoming text message.

Bo. Hey. How's your head?

Such an innocuous message. Nothing exciting. Chill out, Lewis. Stop acting like a teenager.

Feels like I have fewer drummers practicing on my brain today. You?

Lol. Same.

Lauren's thumb hesitated over the keypad, debating whether to send another message. What should she say? As she was thinking, another message came through from Bo.

Hey, would you have time to grab some coffee today?

Lauren felt conflicted. Of course she wanted to see Bo. But, of course, seeing Bo would mean they would have to have the talk. She would have to feign regret over what had happened. Bo would explain that she really liked Lauren and everything, but they were just drunk, and if she was going to work through her issues she needed to give this thing with Rainer a real shot, and they could still be friends, right? Because she would hate to lose Lauren's friendship. And Lauren would say oh, of course, I feel the same way, I really hope we can stay friends. It was just a drunken mistake, anyway, and it didn't mean anything, and she would say all the right words while quietly dying inside.

She sighed and texted back. Sure. What time?

Lauren stood in line at the coffee shop, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. This was going to suck. She partially regretted agreeing to the meeting. If she had just said she was busy she could have delayed this for at least another day or so. Or maybe they could have done it over the phone, so Lauren didn't have to look into Bo's eyes while they agreed that this was just a mistake. That would have at least made it easier.

She was lost in thought when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she found Bo standing behind her, smiling.

Fuck, why does she have to look that good?

"You look lost in thought, Doctor," Bo said, playfully.

Lauren smiled. "Yeah, sorry, I was just thinking of this patient."

"What can I get for you?" the bored looking girl behind the register asked.

Bo and Lauren placed their orders and waited, making small talk. When the drinks were prepared, they found a table in the corner and sat down. They both fell quiet.

Rip off the Band-Aid, Lauren thought.

"Look, Bo, about the other night –"

"I broke up with Rainer," Bo said, cutting Lauren off.

Lauren sat silently, stunned. "What?"

Bo cleared her throat. "We broke up."

"When?"

"After you left, I walked around for a bit and thought about things, and then I went home and called him," Bo answered. She picked up her coffee and took a drink.

Well, this is not going at all like I expected. "Oh. I'm…sorry?" Lauren tried to keep it from sounding like a question, but immediately knew she failed.

Bo laughed lightly. "You're sorry?"

Lauren smiled slightly. "Well, I mean…"

"We kissed, Lauren."

Now it was Lauren's turn to clear her throat. "Yeah, I, uh, remember."

"It was incredible." Bo looked down, her fingers picking at the seam on the jacket of her cup. "I mean, my God, I've been dating Rainer for two years. Two years! And it's been a shitty relationship for roughly a year and eleven months. But I didn't break up with him during any of that time, I didn't move on, I kept trying to make it work. And then I kiss you, and…" Bo shrugged. "There were a lot of reasons to do it. I needed to do it. And talking to you the other night, it helped me realize that it was time. But you know what? If I hadn't kissed you, I don't know that I would have. Not then, anyway."

Lauren's heart was pounding. What was she supposed to say to that?

Bo sighed. "Sorry. I shouldn't…sorry. Actually, that's what I came here to say today – I'm sorry. Sorry I dragged you into my drama, sorry I kissed you –"

"I'm not sorry."

Bo paused, looking at Lauren.

"You're right. It was amazing." Bo started to smile and Lauren felt warmth spreading through her chest. "And, if we're being honest, I think we can both admit that it wasn't just you who kissed me."

Bo nodded. "That's fair."

They both sat quietly for a few moments, thinking.

"So, where does that leave us now?" Bo asked.

Nothing about this conversation was progressing the way Lauren had prepared for in her mind. Might as well just roll with it, right? "I like you, Bo. I really like you. And the other night…well, I think we've covered how we both felt about that. But –"

"But you just got out of a five year relationship."

"And you just got out of a long one yourself."

"So we, what, pretend it didn't happen?" Bo asked. "Because, in the spirit of full disclosure, Kenzi and Dyson already know."

"So does Vex."

"We are not good at keeping secrets."

Lauren laughed. "How about this – why don't we just focus on being friends for now. Get some distance from Nadia and Rainer, just relax a little." As she said the words, Lauren was mildly surprised with herself. Was she really suggesting the option she had been dreading on the way in?

"Friends," Bo said with a nod. "Okay. I can do that." There was a slight note of disappointment in her voice that made Lauren quietly happy.

"I wasn't lying before, Bo. I do really like you. That's why I don't want to screw this up."

Bo's face brightened slightly. "So friends…but maybe not just friends forever."

Lauren smiled. "No. Not forever."

Bo and Lauren continued drinking and coffee and talking into the afternoon. By the time they realized how long they'd been together, almost three hours had passed.

"Good Lord, it's easy to lose track of time around you," Bo commented off handedly. Lauren felt a smile threatening at the corner of her lips.

They stood up and gathered their trash, and after throwing everything away they headed outside. The November air was crisp and made Lauren feel invigorated, happy. She had always loved this time of year.

"Thanks for meeting me," Bo said.

Lauren laughed. "Thanks for asking me."

Bo smiled. "So, what now…do we hug, or -?"

"I think friends hug."

Bo wrapped her arms around Lauren, and Lauren felt herself sinking. Just friends, she reminded herself. Your idea.

She turned her head slightly so she was turned toward Bo and took a breath. She felt Bo turn her head as well, and before she was completely sure what was happening she felt Bo's lips against hers, and she felt all of the mysteries of the universe dropping into place.

Too quickly Lauren came back to her senses, and stepped back. "Sorry," she said.

"God, you're good at that," Bo said under her breath.

Despite the intensity of a moment before, Lauren laughed. "Friends," Lauren reminded her.

"Friends," Bo agreed.

They bid their goodbyes and left.

I can do this, Lauren thought. I can get to know her. I can spend time getting to know who I am without a girlfriend. We can be friends. Yeah, I need to stop randomly kissing her, but whatever, I can do that. We can make this work. We can be just friends, right?

Right.

Feedback is always welcome