Disclaimer: The characters depicted in the story are the sole property of Showcase and are used here purely for entertainment and not profit.

Authors note: Huge, massive thanks goes to my best mate, Gemma, for providing me with the plot outline after season 4 ended. It took until the start of season 5 for me to get the spark to write it! Thanks, Gem, for your support & patience! For allowing me to run with the plot, play with it, tweak it and ultimately change it. That's been awesome. To stop myself being distracted, I have refrained from watching the second half of season 5, so now I can finally find out what happened!

To anybody taking the time to read this story, many thanks.

Geminus Fatum

Chapter 1

"Kenzi's dead."

Lauren stared at Dyson as he stood before her in the lab. His voice was barely audible; his shoulders were slumped, and he looked smaller than usual; shrunken. His hands were balled into fists; his eyes were full of pain, wet with his tears.

She couldn't move. She wanted to; she wanted to reach out to him, comfort him, hug him.

"Did you hear me, Lauren?"

Her mind tried to register again what he'd said. "Kenzi's dead." She must have misheard him. There was no way this could be true. "Kenzi's dead." She looked at him again, saw his body language. "Kenzi's dead."

"Lauren?" Dyson softly enquired.

Lauren slowly rose from the chair, all thoughts of her experiments gone. Just a few hours ago, she had faced death at the hands of crazed Massimo, only to have Bo arrive in time to kill him. Afterwards, wearing Lauren's necklace, Bo had kissed her, and had left to face her father's arrival. Lauren had decided to stay behind; she'd chosen to protect the Dark leader she'd rendered human; had chosen that obligation, rather than go with Bo, and stand with her. But she now wondered, what if she had gone? What if she could have saved Kenzi? What if it had been Bo?

Her knees suddenly felt weak. "Kenzi's dead?" She finally found the courage to repeat the words, finding they sounded alien coming from her mouth.

Dyson nodded. She gripped the edge of the desk. Hale was bad enough, but this was hard to comprehend.

"How?" Lauren asked. Dyson was explaining, but she was having trouble absorbing. She realised she was moving about the lab, gathering things, and Dyson didn't seem to notice she was doing it either.

"Bo's gone crazy with grief. She's drunk, and tearing up the Dal. We can't calm her down."

"Hmmm." Lauren nodded. She wanted to ask Dyson, if it had been Bo, wouldn't he be doing the same right now. She looked around the lab, knowing if it had been, she'd have smashed everything into pieces. She suddenly felt angry, tempted to lash out, an attempt at vengeance for Kenzi, but right now, that wouldn't help Bo.

She grabbed her med kit following Dyson to his car. He used the squad cars lights to give them quicker passage, and she didn't mind the break neck speed he drove at.

Dyson continued to explain but Lauren was only half listening. Tamsin, Valhalla, the Hell Shoes.

Things were never ever straight forward with the Fae. There was never one simple solution to any situation; it always involved entanglements to get to the bottom and resolve it. Lauren knew that just as much as the rest of them did. For obvious reasons the Fae were shrouded in secrecy. She had been thrust into it from the start, aware that her own life was no longer a private matter where the Fae were concerned. She'd had to adapt to that fact, her supplication to the Ash's that had been and gone. It became the norm for her to accept, but Bo's arrival had thrown the Fae world wide open, amongst its own ranks, and she'd tried to liberate them all. Hale could see it too, and with his loss, Lauren's own human vulnerability was in even more danger than before, not least because of what she'd done to Evony. She tried not to think about it, there was too much to explain, and it no longer mattered now anyway; her priority was Bo.

"This is her biggest test yet," Lauren said to herself. "She's faced death, she's seen death, but not this close. This could push her over the edge." She closed her eyes. "We could lose her to..." She stopped her thoughts. She didn't want to think about the consequences this could bring to Bo. She knew that dark dormant side was kept under strict control, but this could bring about its release. They would have to keep her under watch now, help her with her loss, and grief; keep that side of her subdued. For Bo's sake.

"Fuck off! Leave me the hell alone!"

Bo shouted just as Lauren entered the Dal. She quickly glanced at Dyson, and as they rounded the corner into the bar, she saw the state of the place. Chairs and tables were over turned, strewn everywhere. Broken shards of glass from bottles and glasses littered the wooden floor.

Trick and Tamsin stood near the entrance, the target of Bo's anger. Trick attempted a welcoming smile, but the distress on his face at his grand-daughters condition was obvious. Tamsin stood rigid, her breathing was deep; ragged; as though she was fighting to keep her anger or emotions in check.

Bo was sitting at the furthest end of the bar, drinking straight from a bottle of whisky.

"How much?" Lauren quietly enquired.

"I've lost count," Trick whispered. "But for every broken bottle on the floor, that amounts..."

"To too much," Lauren stated.

"She won't let any of us near her now, we've tried, but she fights us off." Dyson added.

It was now, in the dimly lit bar, Lauren noticed Trick was holding his arm and Tamsin's lip was split. She opened her med kit just as Bo turned and saw her.

"Who sent for the doctor? I know I don't need one, but you all might if you don't leave!" Bo found it funny, laughing, swigging from the bottle.

Lauren placed her med kit on the floor, moving forward. Dyson caught her arm. "Do you think this is wise?"

"I don't know, but you must have thought I could help, or you wouldn't have brought me here?" she waited for him to answer; he let go.

"Be careful," Dyson said. "We'll be right here."

Lauren walked on.

"I'm surprised you're here, Doc. I would have thought Evony would have been a better bet tonight." Bo sneered.

Lauren chose to ignore the remark.

"You got plans to seduce me or sedate me, 'cos neither is gonna work!"

"No plans for either," Lauren held up her hands to show they were empty. "I have nothing to sedate you with."

"Well then, you might as well leave. Wasted journey, Doc." Bo held up the bottle. "I got all the help I need right here!" She drained the last of the alcohol, reaching for another full bottle.

"As your doctor, I wouldn't recommend drinking anymore." Lauren edged closer.

"Really? As my doctor?" Bo opened the new bottle. "What about as my friend? What would you recommend then? Joining me in a drink to celebrate?"

Lauren frowned. "Celebrate?"

"Sure! Jeez, Doc, don't you know? The hell portal was closed. Mankind saved from my father. Bo triumphed again!" Bo took a long draught from the bottle, some of it spilling down her chin. She wiped it away with her hand.

"Kenzi died though, sacrificed herself for me. So let's have a drink. To Kenzi!" Bo raised the bottle in salute.

"Bo," Lauren started, but Bo held up her hand to stop her. "I'd stop right there," she warned.

"I know you're hurting..."

Bo spun round on the stool, and Lauren saw the empty bottle hurtling towards her. She swung her body out of its path as it smashed on the floor. She sensed more than saw Dyson move forward, but signalled with her hand for all of them to stay where they were.

"Really? Do you?" Bo accused. "Are you saying that as a medical opinion, as my doctor? Or as a friend?...or how about as a lover?" Her eyes suddenly flashed blue.

Lauren halted for a moment. Bo was starting to lose control. Under the influence of drink, she had no idea of how much danger she could be in if she persisted, but she decided it was worth the risk. She continued slowly towards Bo, who slid off the stool, making her way towards her.

"What's your opinion as a lover?" Bo said again, drinking from the bottle. She reached out, caressing Lauren's neck. "How much am I hurting?"

Lauren was surprised at the touch but hopeful; maybe she could calm Bo down.

Bo leaned in to whisper. "You remember those nights, right? All night long sessions?"

Lauren felt Bo's breath against her ear. The words, slurred, were delivered in a low seductive tone. She remembered those nights, and other words Bo had spoken. At times that had been all it had taken to send her over the edge into ecstasy.

She gently placed her hand over Bo's, as it continued to caress her neck. "Yes, I remember."

Bo pulled back to look at her, smiling crookedly. "Medically, you've helped me, helped me to heal physically. As a friend, you've helped me to heal emotionally... as a lover you've helped to heal my heart. But as for knowing how much I'm hurting right now? How much I hurt most of the time?...you have no idea! But if you want we can go to the back room and you can do your hardest to fuck it away, if you think that will stop it! I'm open to any suggestions right now!"

Lauren balked at the words, as Bo removed her hand, walking away. Lauren knew this wasn't going to be easy; she needed to stand her ground; stand up to a drunk, grieving succubus.

"Is that what you want?" Lauren challenged her. Bo turned to look her, as she started undoing the buttons on her shirt, beneath her jacket.

Bo laughed. "I'm surprised you'd be so willing. Rumour has it, you prefer your Fae to be human these days. I no longer fit your preference!"

Lauren knew this was heading in the wrong direction; getting confrontational with Bo was not going to help her at all, but she was in as much shock over Kenzi's death, and if confrontation was what Bo wanted, then so be it. She dug in for the battle.

"That didn't seem to bother you before you left after Massimo. That kiss was certainly something else."

"Yeah, I regret that. I'm not talking about the kiss. I mean, having to waste time coming to save your ass, while Kenzi was more concerned with saving mine!"

The words stung and hurt Lauren, and as much as she knew Bo was lashing out, she couldn't let it go without an emotional response. Trying an intellectual tact was no longer an option.

The sound of Lauren's slap against Bo's cheek resonated around the room. For a moment she stood shocked by her own reaction, then Bo's eyes turned blue, and she grabbed Lauren by the throat.

"Did that hurt, Doc?" The others moved forward, but Bo's voice changed to its dark tone. "Back off!" she warned them.

Lauren grabbed at Bo's hand trying to ease the tightening grip. "Yes, it hurt, but I know you didn't mean it."

"Didn't I?" Bo tightened her grip, and Lauren found herself fighting for air.

"No, I know you. You wouldn't hurt me intentionally," she strained to get the words out, letting her hands fall away, no longer resisting Bo's superior strength. Bo's eyes were glowing even bluer.

"Fight it, Bo. Don't let it take control!"

"Why not, it feels good!"

Lauren knew that she couldn't take much more. She was trying to remain calm, but panic was setting in; her heartbeat was increasing and her breath was labouring. She needed to get both under control or she knew she would pass out.

"I love you," Lauren managed to say. "Don't leave us. Don't give in. We'll find a way. We'll get her back, I promise." She felt the grip start to loosen, and continued.

"Come back to us, Bo," she whispered. "Come back to me," she pleaded. "Remember, I love you."

Bo's eyes returned to their dark brown colour, and she let go. Lauren coughed as air finally rushed into her lungs.

Bo looked at her own hand, then at Lauren, mortified. She backed away from her. "I'm sorry...just go, Lauren, please, just go." She returned her attention to the bottle.

Lauren stood for a moment unsure if she could move; her body shook. She rubbed her neck to ease the ache of Bo's grip.

"I'm not leaving. You know I never will." Lauren's voice was hoarse. It wasn't said to placate Bo in the situation; she meant it unconditionally. She'd had opportunities to make an escape in the past. She'd stayed because of Nadia, trying to find a cure that didn't exist. But once Bo had shown up, and their relationship had grown, she knew she could never really leave her.

Bo looked at her, sighing heavily. She looked suddenly weary; tired. "You will at some point. You'll back away or just go...or worse, you'll..." Bo didn't elaborate. She took another drink from the bottle. "Nobody stays. They all leave one way or the other. My mother, Hale, Rainer, Kenzi...all I do is bring about destruction to the people I love. I think I'm doing what's right, but I don't know any more...I'm just so tired!"

Bo's shoulders began to shake, as her tears fell down her face. She sank to the floor, great heaving sobs racking her body.

Lauren went to her, sitting down beside her, pulling her into her arms.

"She's gone, Lauren! Why did she do it? It should have been me, not Kenzi! It should have been me!"

Bo repeated it over and over, hitting the floor with her fist. Her cries of grief were unbearable for Lauren to hear; she wiped her own tears away, holding Bo tightly. Sliding out the pen syringe from its hiding place in her jacket sleeve, she quickly jabbed it into Bo's arm.

It took a moment for Bo to register what she had done, and she looked at Lauren, confused.

"You lied," Bo said. "You said you wouldn't sedate me," Her eyes began to close. "You lied." She mumbled, before passing out completely.

"I know I did, sweetie," Lauren kissed Bo's forehead. "I'm sorry. I just couldn't stand seeing you in any more pain." She knew Bo hadn't heard but it didn't matter.

Lauren looked up at the others, motioning them forward, signalling Tamsin to bring her med kit.

Dyson picked up Bo, carrying her down to Tricks den, placing her on the couch.

Lauren gave her another injection.

"What's that for?" Dyson asked.

"An anti-emetic. With the amount she's drunk it will stop her vomiting in her sleep. She'll be out for several hours." Lauren felt drained.

"Are you okay?" Dyson asked.

She half smiled at him. "Yes, considering everything. Are you okay?"

She turned her attention to Trick, gently feeling his arm, and he winced.

"Nothing broken, but badly bruised. Elevate and rest it for the next few hours."

She moved towards Tamsin, about to examine her lip, when Tamsin stepped back.

"I'm fine. Nothing I can't handle." The Valkyrie's tone made it obvious Lauren was not welcome to examine it.

Lauren then gathered her med kit.

"You're not going to stay?" Trick asked.

"She's gonna hate me when she wakes up. I sedated her when I said I wouldn't, I'm probably the last person she'll want to see."

"I doubt that," Dyson added with a smile.

Lauren smiled awkwardly.

"I'll drive you back," he offered.

"No, stay here with Bo, I'll take her car. Come by the clinic tomorrow and pick it up."

"Will she be okay?"

"As I said, she'll sleep, hopefully with no bad dreams. But if you're worried, just call me, and I'll come right back." Lauren turned to leave.

"That's not what I meant,"

She saw Dyson's concerned look.

"My opinion as her doctor, as her friend, and as a lover?" Lauren looked at all three of them. "To help her, we need to get Kenzi back. So if you know where it's hidden, tell Bo where to find the other hell shoe. 'Cos as we all know Bo, she'll find the damn thing anyway, with or without our help!"

Lauren made her way out of the Dal, grabbing Bo's car keys from the bar as she went. She stumbled out into the parking lot, inhaling a deep breath of air, but it didn't help; she felt like she was suffocating. Sitting in the car, she went to turn the key in the ignition but her hand was shaking too much.

Realising she couldn't drive right away, she gave in, gripping the steering wheel. She rested her forehead against it, and broke down completely.