Chapter 41, people. That feels excessive.

Alright, so everyone huddle up, because we need to talk for a minute about something really important - lynedele77. So, as you may or may not know (but definitely should know, because I expect you to pay attention and to hang on to my every word as if it were direct from the mouth of the Almighty), this lovely author is my beta. And, people, she kicks some ass. Like, seriously. It's crazy.

I don't know if this has come up before, but she is the author of Fae to Fae, conveniently located just a few clicks from this very page. I know a few of you have mentioned that you're reading it, but seriously, people - get on it. I'm not even kidding with this. I mean, read this first, because once you get started on hers you might not come back, but really, read it. Review it. It's nuts.

Also, call her a fucker. She loves that.

Enjoy!

"I'm definitely dying," Bo whined, laying her head down on the bar counter.

Lauren smiled and ran her hand gently down the back of Bo's hair. "Oh, baby…. you know this is entirely your fault, right?"

Bo sat up, wincing at the movement, and gave Lauren a withering look. "Really? That's how you're going to comfort me? Really?"

"Honey, you spent an entire morning attacking a house with a sledgehammer. You can't be that surprised that you're sore."

"Then why are you acting all normal and fine?"

Lauren shrugged, moving her hand to lift her drink. "Because I let you be in control of the sledgehammer most of the time." She took a sip.

Bo continued to stare, her mouth dropping open. "You set me up."

"That sledgehammer was, conservatively, ten to fifteen pounds. How are you surprised that your arms and back are sore?"

"My legs hurt, too," Bo whined, laying her head back down.

"Jesus, what kind of sex have you two been having?" Tamsin asked, walking from the back office to the drink well behind the bar, catching the tail end of Bo and Lauren's conversation.

"Bo decided to try to renovate a house," Lauren answered.

"Role play. Nice."

Bo lifted her head. "If it wouldn't send me into another back spasm, I would give you the finger right now."

"Sound like you already gave it to your girlfriend," Tamsin said with a smirk.

Lauren rolled her eyes, ignoring Tamsin and looking back at Bo. "So, can we finally call a contractor now?"

"I can't lift a phone. It might kill me."

Lauren laughed lightly and leaned down to kiss the back of Bo's head.

"What up, barflies," Kenzi called, entering the bar from the staircase that lead to her apartment upstairs. Nate walked in behind her. "BoBo, why are laying on my nice, clean bar?"

"Because I'm dying," Bo grumbled, keeping her face against the bar top.

"Well, do it somewhere else, we're opening soon and a dead chick seems bad for business," Kenzi quipped.

Bo groaned, turning to lay the side of her head on the bar so she could look at Lauren. "So much love in this room."

"More importantly, what is everyone doing November 18?" Kenzi inquired.

"I'll be dead by then," Bo supplied.

"Alright, so Bo's out," Kenzi replied, not missing a beat. "So I guess that means…Lauren, do you want to stand in as my maid of honor?"

Bo shot upright to reply, but as soon as her back straightened her face turned pale and she froze. "Holy shit, I just ruptured every disc in my back…"

"What's this about the 18th?" Dyson asked, walking up from the basement carrying a box of stirring straws. Ciara came up behind him, holding napkins.

"We're getting married," Kenzi answered.

"In Jamaica," Nate added. "So, you know…call your travel agents."

"You're getting married in Jamaica?" Ciara asked.

Kenzi nodded. "Apparently these resorts set up everything for you, all you have to do is give them your information and show up. Who's in?"

"We're there," Lauren confirmed, taking another sip of her drink.

"You might be going alone. As I mentioned, I'm dying."

Lauren patted Bo's head.

"Is there open bar?" Tamsin asked, as Vex walked in through the front door of the bar.

"Yes, open bar," Nate answered.

"I'm there," Tamsin replied.

"I am as well," Vex said, walking up to the bar. "Where are we going?"

"Nate and Kenzi are getting married in Jamaica on November 18," Dyson supplied, catching Vex up. "Ciara and I will be there, of course," he finished, turning back to Nate and Kenzi.

"Absolutely," Ciara added with a warm smile. "It sounds lovely."

"How could I say no to an open bar," Vex noted as he walked behind the bar and grabbed himself a glass and poured a drink.

"Don't you need a plus one, Vex?" Lauren teased.

Vex stopped mid pour and glared at Lauren. "Lo…"

"A plus one?" Bo asked, jerking her head up. She winced. "Ow. Worth it. What's this about a plus one?"

"Oh, nothing, Vex just has a –"

Before Lauren could finish, Vex cut her off. "Made any major purchases lately, Lauren?"

"He has nothing. Never mind," Lauren finished.

Vex smiled triumphantly, taking a sip of his drink, while Lauren shot him an 'I'll-kill-you-later' stare.

Tamsin looked between the two of them. "What's happening right now?"

"We were talking about how Nate and Kenzi were buying us unlimited booze," Vex answered, taking another sip of his drink.

"The wedding is completely casual," Nate jumped in. "Just come as you are. Kenzi and I are going on the 15th so we have few days to settle in. Everyone is welcome to come then or later, whatever you want. We blocked out enough rooms for everyone, and we have the number so you can call and set it up however you want."

"I could use a good vacation," Vex commented.

"A vacation from what?" Tamsin asked with an eye roll.

"I'll have you know it's exhausting being the life of the party every night. Vexie needs some time to recharge his batteries."

"Why do I feel like you're speaking literally?" Dyson asked with a small smirk.

"So much sexual innuendo in here tonight," Lauren observed, shaking her head.

"Well, keep it up, I hear it's good for business," Kenzi replied, stepping behind the bar. "Come on, let's open, mama's get a wedding to pay for."

A few hours and four drinks later, Lauren managed to peel Bo off the bar and maneuver her to a cab so they could go back to Lauren's apartment. Once there, Lauren helped pull Bo up out of the car, paid the driver, and they headed inside.

"I don't understand how you're mobile," Bo groaned, falling back onto the couch once they were inside.

Lauren smiled and walked to the kitchen, putting the tea kettle on the stove to start some tea for Bo. "You should probably take something to reduce the inflammation, but since you've been drinking, it'll have to wait."

Bo sighed. After a beat, she turned her head slightly to look at Lauren. "Hey, what was Vex talking about earlier? The thing about the major purpose – was that about the house?"

Lauren shrugged, keeping her attention focused on the tea so her face wouldn't give her away to Bo. "Who knows with Vex."

Bo looked at her quizzically for a moment, but when Lauren didn't continue speaking, she let the topic drop. "Why did he get weird when you asked him about the plus one?"

At that question, Lauren turned, smiling with laughter. "Oh, shit, I forgot to tell you! Vex has a crush."

"Really?"

Lauren nodded. "That's not the best part."

"Okay…"

"He has a crush on Dave."

"Imaginary Dave?"

"No – although that would be hilarious, in its own way – no, this Dave is real."

"Shut up, Dave is real?" Bo asked with a laugh.

"I know, right?!" Lauren exclaimed, pouring the hot water over the tea bag in Bo's green mug.

"We have to torture him about this," Bo chewed her lower lip, thinking.

Lauren was about to agree when her thoughts flashed back to the ring in her desk, and the fact that Vex knew about it. "Yeah…um, but, you know, maybe we should just lay off a little bit. I mean, see how it does first, or something."

"Why would we do that?"

Lauren shrugged, carrying the tea to Bo. "I don't know, I mean…let's just see how it goes, okay?"

Bo hesitated a moment, but started smiling when she accepted the mug from Lauren. "Oh my God, he has dirt on you, doesn't he?"

Lauren felt a slight blush rising to her cheeks. "No…"

"Yeah, that was convincing."

"He's known me since I was a kid, Bo, of course he knows things about me, but this is the first time in a really long time that I remember Vex having feelings for anyone. It might be good for him."

Bo studied her for another moment. "I know there's more to it than that…"

Lauren didn't look at her, arranging the coasters on the coffee table so Bo could reach one.

"Alright, I'll let it go, but this conversation isn't over." Bo's tone was playful.

Lauren sat back up and started running a hand through Bo's hair. "We still need to find a contractor for the house."

"For our home," Bo corrected.

Lauren smiled and rolled her eyes. "Yes, our home. So, who should we call?"

"Ghostbusters?"

"I don't think that's the line."

Bo laughed, dropping her hand to Lauren's leg. "I don't know, I guess we can just ask Nate who we should use. I've never really worked with a contractor before."

"Yeah, I haven't either, I've always rented."

"Me too, but from what I've heard, we want to get a good one. Some contractors rip you off."

Lauren laughed. "Says the lawyer."

"Hey, I'll have you know that lawyers are upright and ethical. Unless you pay us a lot of money. Then all bets are off."

Lauren laughed, her hand moving from Bo's hair to her shoulder, rubbing slightly,

Bo sighed her eyes dropping closed.

"Feel good?" Lauren asked.

Bo nodded. "I'm never using a sledgehammer again."

"I think that's a wise decision."

Bo smiled at the slight jab, keeping her eyes closed as Lauren continued to knead her shoulder.

"Come on, move over this way, I'll rub your back."

Bo started to protest, to tell Lauren that she didn't have to, but Lauren quickly shushed her and moved Bo so her back was to Lauren, her left side against the back of the couch.

Lauren placed her hands on Bo's sides, her thumbs rubbing firm circles under Bo's shoulder blades. Bo hummed in response, her sore muscles protesting against the pressure but loosening slightly under Lauren's hands.

As the massage continued, Bo slumped further forward, giving Lauren more access to her back. Lauren continued to work out the knotted muscles, and began humming unconsciously as she did so. After a while, Bo spoke. "What's that song?"

"Hm?"

"You've been humming, but I don't know what song it is."

Lauren paused for a moment. "Oh, it's just an old song my mom used to sing when I was sick as a kid."

Bo nodded. A few moments later, she spoke again, her voice low and quiet. "Have you talked to her?"

Lauren nodded, even though Bo couldn't see her, continuing to massage. "Yeah, I called her about a week ago."

"How did it go?"

"It was…okay. I told her about you."

Bo smiled slightly, though Lauren couldn't see her face.

"About how I'm devastatingly perfect?" Bo asked, trying to lighten the moment.

Lauren leaned forward and kissed the back of Bo's neck. "Yeah, actually."

"Are you guys going to keep talking?"

"I think so. She seemed…more receptive about you than she did about Nadia. Maybe she's coming around to the idea."

"You miss her."

Lauren didn't say anything, kneading her hands against the base of Bo's spine. A few moments later, Lauren moved slightly closer, her hands moving to circle Bo, hugging her into Lauren's chest. Lauren angled her face to the curve between Bo's neck and shoulder, dropping light kisses up her neck until she reached Bo's pulse point, her tongue darting out slightly against it.

Bo shivered. "How are you feeling?" Lauren asked, her voice low.

Bo turned her head. "Better," she mumbled as she reached her hand back, pulling Lauren into a deep kiss.

Bo woke up the next morning naked and tangled with Lauren, her skin feeling gritty and salty from the sweat that had dried on it during her sleep. She carefully untangled herself from Lauren without waking her and grabbed a tee shirt before padding to the kitchen to start the coffee.

While the coffee brewed, she turned on the news at a low volume. When it was finished, she pulled Lauren's normal mug out of the cabinet and grabbed a blue one for herself, since her usual green one was still sitting half full of tea on the coffee table.

She had just finished pouring some milk into Lauren's mug when Lauren walked into the kitchen, her robe tied loosely around her.

"What's going on?" she asked, glancing at the television.

Bo caught her up on the headlines of the news.

Lauren rolled her eyes. "We should just move to Canada," Lauren commented.

"I can't imagine us in Canada," Bo replied, taking a sip of her coffee. They continued to watch the news for a few minutes. "Are you working late tonight?"

Lauren shook her head. "No, I don't think so. What about you?"

"I might be a little late, I have a few contested motions this afternoon. If they all have hearings, it'll take a while."

Lauren nodded. "Okay. What do you want for dinner?"

Bo shrugged. "You can eat without me, I don't want to hold you up."

Lauren shook her head and walked over to Bo, kissing her on the temple. "Come on, be serious."

Bo smiled. "Anything is fine."

Bo's day was long and tedious. Most of her motions ended up having hearings, and by the time she was done it was 7:00 and she was exhausted. She packed up her office and headed home, looking forward to a quiet evening with her girlfriend.

When she walked in, she was immediately greeted by the smell of vegetable soup simmering on the stove. She smiled. Vegetable soup with grilled cheese sandwiches – a classic dinner that she knew Lauren picked because it wouldn't be cold whenever Bo got home. Touched by her thoughtfulness, Bo walked over to the stove to look at the soup, simmering beside the bread and cheese that was sitting on the counter, and sandwiches waiting to be made.

Bo lifted the lid of the pot on the stove and took a deep breath, enjoying the smell, when she was hit with the sensation of being was being watched.

Bo turned slowly, her senses tingling, and her eyes landed on a large, shaggy mutt, the size of a golden retriever, with golden blond long fur and crooked ears.

Her eyes locked with the dogs, and as they were staring at each other, Lauren walked into the room. "Oh, hey, baby, I didn't hear you come in," she said.

Bo didn't take her eyes off the dog. "Why is there a dog in your living room?"

"So, funny story, I was at work today…"

"You bought a dog?"

"Hey, it was your idea."

"Yeah, when we're living in the house, with a yard."

"Plus, you're always saying I don't have enough home security. Now we have a guard dog."

"He didn't even react when I walked in," Bo noted.

"So he's a relaxed security dog," Lauren said, waving off the comment.

"Where did you even find him?"

"From a rescue. Or, well, from a nurse at work who got him from a rescue. Her apartment won't let her have pets, and when they found out about him, they made her get rid of him."

The dog continued to stare at Bo, his head quirked to the side, one ear sticking up and one ear flopped forward.

"Why does he keep staring at me?" Bo asked.

"He likes you," Lauren answered, beaming.

Bo sighed. "I don't get a say in this, do I?"

"He's perfect."

"Right…and…"

"And you bought a house without telling me."

"There it is," Bo smiled, nodding.

Lauren laughed.

Bo sighed. "Alright, so we have a dog. Should we name him?"

"I thought about naming him Eric, for Eric Clapton."

Bo rolled her eyes. "Please. Jimmy is a way better name."

Lauren laughed again. "Whatever. Anyway, he came with a name – Zeus."

"Zeus…" Bo repeated, slowly.

"Like the Greek god."

Bo rolled her eyes. "Yes, thank you, Joseph Campbell, I got that."

Lauren laughed. "Sorry."

"So, we have a dog."

"Isn't he great?" Lauren asked, her excitement obvious, seeming almost giddy.

Bo couldn't help but smile. "Yeah. Yeah he's great."

Lauren nearly bounced over to Bo, kissing her cheek before walking to the stove to start the sandwiches.

Zeus stood up and wandered over to Bo, sniffing her hand and licking her fingers. Bo sighed and wiped the drool on her pant leg. "Just great."

Lauren looked back to Bo over her shoulder. "He's really smart, too, Zeus – sit, Zeus! Sit!"

The dog continued standing, cocking his head at Lauren.

"I swear he sat like five minutes before you got here."

Bo just shook her head and smiled.

Why are you still here? Go read Fae to Fae. I feel like we just went over this. God.

Oh, also, let me know your thoughts