Lauren considered her request, really considered it. For the first time since Kenzi died, Lauren could tell Bo wasn’t running anymore. That she didn’t ask Lauren to stay out of fear but rather to move things along. She wasn’t asking Lauren to be a replacement for Kenzi, she was, however, begging her to stay and Lauren wanted nothing more than to oblige.

“Can I sleep on it?” she asked cautiously, reaching a hand out to caress Bo‘s knee.

Bo tried to hide her disappointment beneath a smile and a nod. “Of course.” She looked away.

Lauren smoothed a hand over Bo’s thigh. “Let’s eat. I’m famished.” Lauren stood and pulled Bo along with her. It was a Kenzi special. Pepperoni and extra cheese. Lauren had shared many just like this one with the pair and even though Bo would be happy with a cheese pizza she still bought the Kenzi special. What was that they say about old habits? They sat across from one another sharing the familiar meal. Lauren bit into a slice and smiled, shaking her head. Bo silently chewed her crust, appraising her. Her gaze was neither overly critical or underwhelming, in fact it was one of primal need. Bo had held it together the entire day and now her resolve was weakening, slowly falling to shreds right before Lauren’s eyes. Her hand pressed into Bo’s cheek.

“I tried. Tried to be strong for you, for her, I–I’m sorry. How do you move past the death of someone you love?” Bo asked, genuinely baffled.

“I don’t think you ever do,” Lauren said. “You just find ways to cope with their absence.”

“I feel hollowed and empty most days and hopeless the rest. If you weren’t here… I don’t know what I would do, Lauren. Please stay.”

She had tried to set a boundary but now saw how foolish that was. Bo needed her and Lauren owed it to Bo to be the one to calm the waves of anxiety and temper her fear. Lauren was bound and determined not to become a crutch for the strongest woman she had ever met, but she was also certain that even Bo had a vulnerable spot–her family.

Lauren pushed away from the table and pulled Bo along to the couch where they sat and reminisced about Kenzi for hours on end. As they did, Bo brooded less and smiled more. Later when the wine glasses were full and the candles were lit, Bo was able to put Kenzi to bed for the day and focus on Lauren, who had patiently guided her through the unknown.