This one shot is something a little different for me. It just popped into my head. I hope you enjoy it.

**Characters belong to Lost Girl and Prodigy Pictures. I own nothing.*

"The Power of Positive Thinking"

The first thing I noticed were her eyes.

That was a lie.

She made it impossible for you to notice anything besides her amazingly delicious breasts any time you saw her. That first time, when I tore my eyes from black and white words stamped on the pages of my book to address the woman taking my drink order, I was struck dumb by the sight of them in my face as she leaned across to see what I was reading.

"Hmm, 'Creative Visualization- Use the power of your imagination to create what you want in your life.' Not your typical bar read," she mused with a hint of humor in her voice.

It was my first attempt at a book like that. A purchase governed by a passing thought that after ten years of wallowing in my loneliness, the old "power of positive thinking" spiel everyone was raving about might show me the path to happiness. Nothing else had, but hell, I had nothing to lose. Well, nothing except every bit of cool I had in me as I floundered in her presence.

"Quite intriguing," she continued, ignoring my blatant ogling.

I was staring. Even in my shame, I just kept staring. Like a bad car wreck you couldn't tear your eyes from, only this was a sight you could embrace. One you'd dream about. One you'd like to wrap your hands and mouth around for hours at a time.

Mute and certain I looked every bit like any guy I'd ever seen with a boob in his face, I wet my lips and cleared my throat, forcing my eyes upward. That's when I lost myself in the softest pair of chocolate eyes I'd ever seen. They twinkled as she spoke. Her smile lit up the room and the dimple made my heart beat erratically. She was stunning and charming. A tough exterior, yet there was a softness about her and something else I couldn't quite explain.

I'd only just moved here a few weeks ago and had yet to explore the city, but there was suddenly no where else that I'd ever drink again.

"So, stranger, what's your poison?"

Her silky smooth voice could lull me to sleep. It stirred something inside I'd never felt before. Something besides lust.

She checked me out, not so subtly. The undressing of me with her eyes sent a flush over my body from head to toe. I blinked and came to my senses, rolling my eyes at my behavior and allowing a soft smile to pull at the corners of my mouth. "Umm... I feel like a MaCallan's, eighteen year. Neat."

"Ohhh, nicely done." She winked. "Coming right up."

I studied her every move as she worked. So fluid and graceful as she handled the glasses with care and the liquor as if it was an old friend. Like a well oiled machine, she took order after order and served them up with a flirty smile. It must have been her nature and it sure served her well for tips and such. Somehow though, I couldn't help but feel that she looked at me a little different.

As the minutes passed however, my heart sank as she got cozy with a few more patrons. This book was filling my head with crazy dreams. Her wanting me was just my imagination. Given my emotional state though, my imagination seemed like as good a place as any to live for a while. I returned to my page, peeking every few seconds to steal a glance at her.

She hurried back over with my drink in hand. "Sorry for the wait. Here ya go." Setting it down in front of me, she pulled the towel from her shoulder and wiped her hands. "I'm Bo in case you need anything." Her smile was dazzling me again. The dimple stopping my breath until she moved to the next customer.

"Bo," I whispered under my breath once she left. I liked the sound of her name and the way it rolled off my tongue. Past experiences had left me jaded and detached as I traveled this world alone. I'd accepted it, reveled in it even. But now...

One word, one glance from her and I was in a free fall, uncaring if, or when I landed and what the impact would be.

She threw one last glance my way before I buried my head back in the book, praying that the metaphysical mumbo jumbo held the answer of how I could be happy again and if Bo would be the one to make that happen. With more determination than I had when I walked in, I read every word, every line, paying attention to every detail stamped on the quarter sized page. Then came a paragraph that asked me to recite something. A passage that I would say everyday and say it with sincerity:

"I deserve to be happy. Happiness is all around me waiting for me to embrace it."

Ridiculous. Happiness wasn't all around me. It wasn't as easy as that, otherwise I'd have been happy by now. I huffed and shut the book, flipping it face down. I was no longer in the mood for the false sense of reality it was trying to brainwash me into. Lifting the sifter to my nose, I found instant calm at the oaky aroma of the scotch. The burn on its way down my throat made me smile. Seemed the book wasn't wrong after all. Happiness was at the bottom of my glass.

I tapped the bar when Bo looked my way. It was time to get my happy on.

XXX

I'd been coming to Hooligan's after work for the last two weeks. I immediately fell in love with the old-timey feel of the place with its dark wooden bar top and stools, brass rails the moment I first walked in. It didn't hurt either that the evening bar tender was gorgeous and funny and kind. Though she held a sadness in her dark brown eyes. I could see through the bright smile she put on, even through the sparkle in her eyes when she looked at me. A sparkle that made me feel things. Tingly. Electric. Warm. Feelings I'd long since given up finding until I saw her. They'd only grown more with each visit.

Sometimes I would come in, sit in the corner and watch from the safety of another servers area. Watch how she moved, how she interacted. The way she would smile one moment and when she thought no one could see her the sadness fell over her. My heart ached for this woman.

It took me another few days to give her my name. I kept coming in several times per week after that, learning her schedule and only indulging in a drink when she was there. Sometimes we'd chat. Sometimes she was too busy. Still, there'd be a moment when she'd cast a glance or throw a wink, once in a while stopping my to see what metaphysical or philosophy book I was reading.

She intrigued me. Even more so because I knew she was special, yet she insisted on clinging to people that made her feel less than. I wanted nothing more than to free her from that and put her up on the pedestal where she belonged, but I was still stuck in the belief that it wasn't in the cards for me. Even with my daily affirmation, I'd felt a little better, but true happiness just seemed too far fetched. I settled for changing to a job I hated less than the last instead. That certainly made life more liveable.

XXX

For the last few months I'd watched her leave work with one loser after another. Men, women, didn't matter. They'd flirt while she served them drinks, make her empty promises, then take the only thing they wanted from her, leaving her crying a hour later. I knew. I'd been there, too. It didn't work for me either.

Tonight night a woman bought me a drink and invited me to her table. I noticed the look in Bo's eye as I accepted her invitation. I was too afraid to ask Bo out, yet I was okay with taking up a complete strangers advance. It made no sense, but that's what I did anyway. What really scared me was that deep down I knew Bo was more than a fling to me and I was petrified she didn't feel the same. All the signs were there though, that she was just as interested in me and that frightened me even more.

As I drank and chatted up the younger blonde, Corrine, my gaze kept drifting to Bo and the uncomfortable looks she would send my way. Her shift was nearly over and she left early on the arm of a blonde herself. A pang of jealousy struck me full force. Actually, it was more like all breath was forced from my lungs as she walked out with a woman looking much like me. But Bo didn't look happy to have the gorgeous girl by her side. In fact, she looked as if she would burst into tears any minute.

I stayed another hour before I finished my last drink and stepped out to hail a cab. Bo was making her way back to the bar. Mascara was running with her tears, black streaks down her face. Heels and coat in hand. I quickly stepped back inside, not wanting her to know I'd seen her that way. She would use the back entrance like she usually did, avoiding the customers and their quips and stares. It was a heartbreaking sight and I cursed myself for being such a coward.

Bo was a lost soul like me, searching for something or someone. She clung to every new shining smile like a beacon in the darkness. What she really needed someone to make her feel like the amazing woman that she was instead of a piece of shit. It could be me. Couldn't it? If only I would do something about it we could find out for sure.

XXX

It had been a week since I saw Bo crying. It was obvious to me from the moment I sat down that Bo was a little off tonight. Her mood somber, eyes more haunted than usual. It killed me to see her like that. I could take her pain away if she'd let me. I wanted more than anything to be the one to set her free.

She forced a smile when she approached and for her sake I did the same.

"Hey Lauren. The usual?"

"Sure. Thanks Bo. How are you?"

"Fine." She sighed and looked up at me through her lashes. "Long day."

I nodded, not wanting to push the issue. Maybe I could get her to open up as the night went on. The hours passed and she was too busy to talk. I didn't usually stay until closing, but tonight I made an exception. Tonight I felt different. Confident. Maybe, just maybe, tonight was the night I would ask her out.

"You're still here?" Bo wiped the bar down beside me. Her soft smile couldn't hide her exhaustion, physically and emotionally.

"Yeah. I've had a long day too." I smiled lightly. I couldn't help taking her all in. If she was this beautiful in her current state, what would she look like when she was truly happy? "I'm not too excited to get on to tomorrow." It was mostly true. The real truth was that I didn't want to leave her like that.

"Believe me, I get it." She chuckled a bit before the sadness set back in.

It was now or never. Speak now ,or forever hold my peace. I took a deep breath then blurted out, "Bo, what do you say we do something after closing? Maybe we could cheer one another up?"

She bit her lip, her look one of contemplation as she looked me over. "Sure." She nodded. "Just give me an hour."

When her shift was finally done and the bar locked up, we walked to the twenty-four hour diner on the corner. We shared some stories and a sandwich. Neither of us passed on a chance to flirt or casually brush against the other. It was so easy being with her.

I let her in on some of my past experiences that led to me choosing a life of solitude. Bo explained her one night stands as getting one perfect night and avoiding all the heartbreak that came after. She left out the part where each one left her a little more broken than before.

Time flew by and before we knew it was four in the morning.

"Wow, I didn't realize how late it was," Bo said, a frown forming on her face as she looked at her watch.

"Me neither." I didn't want tonight to end. "Do you live far?"

"Across town. I missed the last train, though. I guess I should call a cab."

"Umm, I live just around the corner. You're welcome to crash if you want," I offered, praying I hadn't crossed a line in what I hoped was our budding relationship. I had no grand scheme to get her into bed tonight, but if and when that ever happened, I would do my best to show her what her life should be like.

She pondered for a moment before nodding as she bit her lip. "Well, you have been cheering me up."

The walk home was quick and silent. The ease between us had gone, replaced by an air of nervousness. I had no expectations, but by the way she kept chancing a look at me, my body was humming with anticipation of what might come.

We'd barely stepped through my door before her soft, full lips met mine in a tentative kiss. That first touch was electric. High voltage electric. It took my breath away. Made my heart skip. So intense I couldn't even think. She kissed me again, harder this time, her tongue tracing my top lip sending me into orbit. My pulse skyrocketing, lips parting, allowing her to take control. She had a talent for kissing that was for sure. So good it made my mind drift to other talents she might have and how I'd love for her to demonstrate on me.

All in good time. This was a dream come true, but I didn't want to be another notch in her belt. It took all I had to pry her from my lips enough to speak. "Bo, what are you doing?"

"Cheering you up." She kissed me again. Hard. "I've seen the way you look at me and if you haven't noticed, I've checked you out too. I know you want this, but you've never asked."

"I still haven't."

She froze and stepped back, her hands falling to her sides. Her expression was unreadable, but I assumed she was hurt and embarrassed. "Do you not want this, Lauren?"

Was she kidding? More than anything.

Oh hell, time for plan B.

I crashed our lips together, pushing her back until she was pinned against the wall of my apartment. My body pressed impossibly closer to hers, like it was trying to will the fabric that kept us apart to disappear. Bo's fingers sifted through my hair. She smiled as she pulled me back and looked into my eyes. Hers sparkling with the satisfaction that she was right. I wanted this. But Bo was so much more than a great body and a night in the sack, though that body was hard to ignore. Hopefully, I'd have more chances to explore all Bo had to offer in the bedroom and out, if I didn't fuck this up.

"Got any toys," she asked between kisses that grew more fervent as each second ticked past. "Might as well have some fun while we have the chance."

Mouths began to roam, tasting more skin. Hands wandered, grazing sensitive areas that made one another gasp. Her attention left my skin on fire and a throbbing between my legs that was impossible to overlook.

"Mhm," I managed to grunt in response as my tongue traced a trail from her collarbone to her ear, sucking on it while I palmed her perfect breast. The ones I'd been fantasizing about since the first day we met. Bo moaned as her knees buckled. My arms wrapped around her waist to keep her steady. She pressed her hips harder against mine. Everything about this, about us, felt so right. I didn't want to use anything else with her. Not this time at least. My fingers, my tongue, my mouth were the only things I wanted to touch her with tonight. But I was well aware of what she was thinking. Bo was used to being used. People only wanted her for her body and she assumed I was the same.

She'd been mingling with the wrong people. That time was over.

Tonight I would give her what she asked for and then give her the one thing she'd been yearning to have, but never expected to get. Someone to love her.

I covered her mouth with mine, kissing her deeply, slowly. Losing myself in her. It was so easy to do. I'd loved her since I'd laid eyes on her and this was like a dream come true for me, even if it was just another encounter to her. Untangling my fingers from her thick brown hair, my hand slid down her back, across her hip and over her hand that was gripping my shirt. I tore myself away, her eyes dark with desire, lips swollen from my meticulous exploration of her mouth. The both of us panting for the air we'd been deprived. I slipped my fingers into hers and led her to my bedroom.

She opened her mouth to speak only to be silenced by my finger to her lips, followed by my mouth taking what I wanted and not giving her a chance to change her mind. I walked her slowly until her back hit the wall, pressing my body into hers, rolling my hips as she whimpered. Every move was slow and with specific intent. I would commit every inch of her body, every moment to memory in case it didn't go as planned.

I spun her around. "Stay here, just like this. I'll be right back." I walked backwards, my eyes fixed on the beautiful woman in the little black dress and six inch black heels that had her hands against the wall like she was getting arrested.

My breath caught. The realization that this was going to happen flooding me with a nervous excitement. Bo would be mine for the night. Hopefully forever.

I hurried into the bathroom, ripping my clothes off and pulling out the never used strap on I kept hidden in the back of the bottom drawer. I bought it when I had the idea of doing just what Bo had been doing, but after my first fling I couldn't do it again. I didn't like the way it made me feel. Empty. Sad. I would finally have a reason to used it despite my internal objection. I was going to ease Bo into this and not scare her away with spontaneous over the top professions of love the first night.

I glanced at myself in the mirror. The same hazel eyes that always stared back at me were there, but this time they weren't empty. There was a glimmer of hope that brought a smile to my face. I adjusted the strap on and checked that it was secure. With a deep cleansing breath I walked toward my future, the brunette in my bed room.

She was good at following directions. Bo was just as I left her, as instructed. I checked one more time that the harness was secure before I moved behind her and ran my index finger down her spine. She shivered. Reaching up I found the zipper of her dress and slowly unwrapped the gift before me. Inch by inch her creamy skin revealed itself as the tiny black dress took its time falling to the floor. There she stood, back to me with no bra and just a black lace thong. The sight was awe inspiring.

"Like what you see?" She peeked over her shoulder at what I could only imagine was me slack jawed and drooling.

"Perfection." I mumbled. "The very embodiment of perfection," I said much more clear this time.

My words seemed to make her uncomfortable. She shifted her weight and dropped her head.

"What would you like to do with me?"

It sounded so scripted. It made me sad. Then angry. Was this how it always happened? Was she counting the minutes until I kicked her to the curb after getting my rocks off?

I didn't answer. My arms slipped around her waist as I laid my body against hers. Caressing soft skin, my hands explored inch by inch. My left moved up to massage her breast, rolling her nipple between two fingers as she moaned and moved against me. She was pushing for more, wanted me to move things along quicker, but I wouldn't. My right hand traveled down between her legs, my eyes rolling back as my finger slipped through the wetness that awaited me.

"God, you're so fucking wet Bo."

"Mmm," she hummed.

For another moment I stayed right there, enjoying the feel of her coating my fingers. Until I wanted more. And I wanted more. So much more than a quick fuck.

One finger slipped in causing her to shudder and gasp. "Yes."

Slow and easy, in and out I moved. She arched her back, pushing into me in an attempt to get me deeper and to pick up the pace. A second finger slipped inside, joining the slow and steady rhythm of the first.

"Ohhh god," she moaned between deep gasps for air. "You feel so good. More Lauren, please."

I reached up, my free hand brushing her hair back over her shoulder. The expanse of skin revealed to me made my mouth water. "Not yet," I whispered into her ear before I took her lobe between my teeth.

She groaned as I pulled her into me, effectively silencing the movement of her hips that were screaming for me to let it all loose on her wanting body.

I pulled my fingers out, ignoring her passionate protests, and coated the shaft of the strap with the remnants of her lust for me. I had the lube handy, but there was little need for more when she was so wet, so ready. Literally dripping with desire for me to take her.

I kicked her legs open a little more then took my place behind her. Wanting to feel her one more time, I slid my fingers through her soaked center and sighed. Once again pulling back and coating the flesh colored phallus before slipping the tip in.

Her breath hitched. She pushed back, but I pulled out.

Bo growled. "Dammit Lauren! I want you." She was getting impatient, but I was enjoying every second.

I kneeled down, spreading her ass open with my hands and basking in the beauty of the moment. My hands trailed down, caressing her toned legs before dragging my nails along her skin on the way back up. I stood back up, my mind taking a snapshot of her just like that. So beautiful. No work of art could compare to the beauty of her in that moment.

Just as she moved to turn around I entered her, sliding in and holding it there as she got accustomed to the size. She sighed in contentment and wiggled a little before she started to moved on her own up and down the shaft. I looked on in amazement as it glided easily in and out of her. Bo was getting even more wet with each pass, if that was even possible. She was so hot, so sexy. Absolute perfection in my eyes.

She sped up, her moans and whimpers growing louder as she inched closer to release.

Not yet.

"Mmm yes! Fuck me, Lauren."

No. I hated the way that sounded and the way she said it made this feel cheap. Tainted.

I shook myself out of the daze and regained control, much to her disapproval. Standing her up straight and pulling her tight against me, I drove deeper inside drawing a primal sound from her. A bite on her shoulder, a suck on her neck, my mouth frantically sought anywhere and everywhere it could find that drew a response from her. It was a struggle to regain my control. My body was screaming at me to do exactly what she said, fuck her senseless, but that wasn't how I wanted tonight to go. This was supposed to be different. Make Bo feel like she'd never felt before, despite me giving her some of what she expected at the start.

The gentle, but deep thrusts were driving her insane. Every third or fourth one I would go to the hilt, pressing and holding it inside, knowing it reached the place that could send her over the top.

Not yet.

I released her and gave her an easy push, asking her to lean forward once more. Bo placed her hands on the wall, her ass sticking out and her legs spread wide. Heavy lidded eyes appeared over her shoulder, biting her lip as she gazed at me, begging for attention. My core ached at the sight. It was all for me. I reached between my own legs and groaned at the overwhelming wetness she'd created. Nobody excite me the way she did. Nobody.

"Lauren," she whined. "I want to come so bad."

"Soon," was all I said.

I took her once again, this time harder and faster, picking up the pace. Her screams grew louder with each stroke. She was close, so very close. I stopped again, my cessation met with a slew of curses.

"Fuck, Lauren."

"You want it bad don't you?" I kissed my way down her back, trying my best to hold in my smile.

"Yes!" Her hand balled into a fist and pounded against the wall. She looked over her shoulder again, face flushed, breath heavy, her body moving to try and relieve the ache within from being on the edge so long, but not able to reach the goal. "Please. Please don't stop."

She took me easily as I entered her hard and fast with several quick thrusts before pulling her up to me again. I shifted my hips and angled more up than in. Her entire body shook as I reached the sweet spot.

"Oh my god. Yes. Right there. Fuck! So good!"

I reached around front, returning to where I started with one hand teasing an erect nipple and the other stroking her as I continued to drive deeper. Ear piercing screams ripped through the room as she came hard and long, riding me until she nearly collapsed in exhaustion.

When she fell silent, her body pressed against the wall for support, I pulled out, holding her in my arms until we both caught our breath.

"That was amazing, Lauren."

"You're amazing, Bo. In so many ways."

"You don't have to say that, Lauren. It's all right. We had fun. No need to make it something it's not right?" Her forehead dropped down, coming to rest against the wall. She looked defeated. "I'll just grab my clothes and get going."

"Don't go."

"What? Why?"

I spun her around, looking deep into those eyes that melt my heart each time. "I want more than one hour, one night."

Her brows knitted. She had no idea what I meant.

"I mean, I don't just want to fuck you, Bo. I want you. All of you. Every day."

She was still confused.

"You make me feel so good, Bo." I brushed her hair back from her face, lingering there as my thumb brushed idly across her cheek. My heart full and stomach over run with butterflies at having confessed my true intent. "I can't even put a word to it. I can't wait to see you at night. The skin on my arm tingles for hours if you so much as brush against it. I don't think I'm the only one that feels that way. Am I?"

"I uh..." she shook her head, a perplexed expression still on her face. "No, you're not." She cupped my jaw, her eyes beginning to glisten as she smiled softly at me. It was starting to click. "I feel it too, but why now? We've known each other for months? I thought you were into me, but figured you were either too afraid to make a move or not as interested as I thought."

"I was scared. You're not the only one with demons, insecurities. But then I grew angry watching you give yourself to people who didn't respect you, cherish you the way you deserved to be cherished, or love you the way you should be loved. The way that I would love you."

I kissed her with all that I had. Deeply. Thoroughly. I wanted her to feel it all the way to her toes, just like I did. Time stood still. Every cell in my body vibrating with an intense energy that let me know this was exactly what I wanted. I broke the kiss, gazing into her eyes as I whispered, "I gave you what you were used to, what you'd come to expect. Now, let me show you what you deserve."

She nodded. The pain and sadness behind her eyes dissipating the longer she was in my arms.

I released the strap, letting the harness fall to the floor. I moved slow, gently walking her to the bed as we peppered one another with light kisses. The air around us was heavy, filled with emotion that wasn't there moments ago. There was no more explaining. I'd let my touch, my actions, say it all and every word they spoke was an ode to the way she made me feel. If I spoke convincingly enough, she would understand the meaning behind each subtle glance and soft caress.

The next few hours were spent worshiping every square inch of her body with painstakingly slow attention. Showing her what it meant to be treated like a woman. Letting her experience the difference between having sex and making love. Pleasuring her repeatedly to the chorus of my name in the key of soft moans and glass shattering screams before falling asleep with her securely in my arms. My body wrapped around hers, protecting her from the pain of her past.

Sleep was quick to overtake me, but before my eyes closed for the last time, I saw the stack of books on my nightstand. Each one a how-to guide to being one with the universe and getting what you want. Took me four months to learn the lessons. The daily affirmations helped my mood, but nothing in my life changed. Until today.

That's when I realized that it was one thing to ask for opportunities, another thing all together to be open to them and to seize them when they came along. The universe dangled a carrot in front of me for four months. A carrot in the form of a brunette bombshell with a heart of gold. How many other opportunities had I let slip by as I passed through life with blinders on hoping that something life changing would fall in my lap?

Funny thing was, it did. All I had to do was reach out and catch it. If I did nothing else, I was gonna take this carrot and run as long as I was lucky to have it.

I kissed her behind the ear, wishing her a good night. She murmured and pressed back into me. I hadn't smiled this wide in years. I closed my eyes and sighed. Her warm body against mine in all the right places felt like a dream. I hoped it wasn't. I'd wasted enough of my days alone and unwanted.

I had finally done it. I took a chance and embraced happiness. Now I wanted nothing more than this to be the first of many I'd fall asleep with Bo in my arms.

Fin

XXX

Sooo...what do you think? Yay? Nay? Reviews are appreciated.