Title: The Quinary

Author: hbomba

Rating: M

Summary: Following the events of "Remember When," the gang uncovers a group of Elder Fae searching for the Hybrid. When it is accidentally revealed that Lauren is the Hybrid, news travels fast and she becomes the hunted.

Warnings: Please be aware there are graphic descriptions of pain and torture. Proceed with caution. They are brief and I will mark the chapters that they appear in clearly if you want to read the rest of the story.

A/N: It takes a village sometimes. I've been working on this story off and on since I finished Remember When and I've had blocks, doubts and drinks at the various stages. Thanks to my fantastic wife and editor lonejaguar for her patience, grammar, and sense of humor. Thanks also goes out to terynjrobinson who read a three-quarters draft and gave notes = invaluable. And finally, to difficultfae for the cheerleading and enthusiasm about all things writing. Some days you really do push me towards my goals.

quinary

/'kwaɪnərɪ/

adjective

1. consisting of fives or by fives

2. fifth in a series

3. (of a number system) having a base of five

noun (pl) -ries

4. a set of five

"Of pain you could wish only one thing: that it should stop. Nothing in the world was so bad as physical pain. In the face of pain there are no heroes." | George Orwell

"Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain." | Joseph Campbell

"What's taking so long?" Bo asked, kicking a can in the garbage-filled alley.

Lauren held her palm over the gash on Bo's chest. "I don't know. I'm new at this, remember?" She blew on her hands and rubbed them together before shaking them out, trying to refresh whatever juice she had left. Bo had been badly hurt in her last fight and Lauren had had little trouble patching her up but now her glow, as Bo liked to call it, was not doing the trick. She tried again, pressing her hand against Bo's breastbone, her hand glowing, and slowly, ever so slowly, Bo began to mend.

"I think that we should go home, Bo. I'm out of juice and clearly we are outnumbered."

"I can still catch up with them."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Bo smiled her best bad-girl-on-a-mission smile before she took off running. "Shit," Lauren said, sighing and giving chase.

It had been a month since Lauren's Fae returned to her and she and Bo were redefining their relationship in large part because of it. Lauren had become Bo's right hand. Her personal medic. Bo protected her most of the time and when she couldn't, Lauren learned to protect herself.

She made it five blocks before she had to slow down, calling ahead to Bo as she jogged to a stop. Lauren doubled over, bracing herself on her knees, her chest heaving with effort. Her tolerance for physical exertion had greatly improved since her Fae returned, but her limit was still far under a full Fae like Bo's. Lauren started to walk back and forth in the alley, trying to keep her body from seizing before Bo came back for her.

Lauren reflected on her time as a crime fighter. How absurd did that sound? Before the exhilaration came from protecting herself and to some extent that was still true, but now she was with Bo, watching her kick ass every night. It filled her with a sense of pride and appreciation for what Bo was and what she could do. Lauren's contribution was no less important. In fact, it freed Bo up to be more than she was before.

Screeching tires heralded Bo's return as a van sped away. She ran around the corner and skidded to a stop in front of Lauren. "They bolted," she said, out of breath. Lauren made a face as she tried to stretch, the fight had taken its toll on her. She braced herself on the brick wall of the alley and inhaled sharply. Bo was at her side almost immediately. "What is it?" Bo asked, her hand coming to rest on Lauren's back.

Lauren shook her head and righted herself. "Just exhausted. Let's go home." She could feel Bo's eyes on her, scrutinizing her every move, making sure that everything was all right as they walked back to the Camaro.

Lauren was a Fae/Human hybrid, that was true, but her abilities worked differently than when she had mainlined the Fae DNA of Eir initially. Now, it was fleeting, shorter lived, she wasn't as strong or as fast as before and there was a limit to how much she could heal. And when she was tapped out, Lauren had to rest because her body was weakened.

Bo helped her out of the car and up the steps to the clubhouse. Once inside, Lauren collapsed onto the sofa.

Kenzi was curled in the armchair, playing a video game. She looked over at Lauren's drawn and pale face. "Putting the Doc through the paces again, Bo-Bo?"

"We ran into a little trouble but we're all right." Bo kissed the top of Lauren's head.

"Speak for yourself," Lauren mumbled, the ache in her bones becoming overwhelming.

"C'mon, let's get you to bed." Bo helped Lauren off the couch and led her up the stairs to the bedroom. Gratefully, Lauren climbed into bed and Bo covered her over. She was out moments after her head hit the pillow and it would be half a day before Lauren emerged from her slumber.

A few months had passed since the fabric of their world was torn apart, the Fae plague was reawakened by the foolish writings of the Blood King. Bo had not completely reconciled with her grandfather and Lauren had come to accept her reasons despite releasing the grip she had on her own grudge.

They were happy-some might say ridiculously so-and Lauren had let herself be sucked into Bo's private detective fantasy. On board as Bo's very own Fae medic, Lauren's powers, while weaker than before, were still more than enough to mend most any wound she could get fighting.

Relations between Bo and her grandfather were still strained but Lauren had convinced Bo to try, however half-hearted her attempts. And Kenzi was a survivor, she had slowly started to move on from Hale's death. Together, they were one big implausible family, but it worked.

The smell of coffee roused her; its herbaceous and earthy aroma was just what Lauren needed to break through to consciousness. She opened one eye, her head pounding. She groaned and touched her temple with her hand, squinting from its glow as her headache faded into a memory.

"That is a nifty trick, Doctor." Bo took a sip from a mug and set it on the bedside table beside another steaming mug.

Lauren opened her eyes, at last, and smiled at Bo, who sat beside the bed. She inhaled. "What's up?" Lauren asked, knowing Bo had news for her by the look on her face.

"Trick summoned me to the Dal this morning. Apparently those thugs we were after last night told a tale of the formerly-Light Fae doctor laying hands on the unaligned succubus to heal her."

Lauren rubbed her face. "Shit."

"It's about to get crazy again," Bo said. "Are you up for it?"

"And if I wasn't?" Sitting up, Lauren lifted the mug of coffee from her side table and sipped it with her eyes closed. "Mmm." She sighed.

Bo smiled and crawled onto the bed. "I have my ways." She laid beside Lauren, pulling her hair back from her neck so she could press her lips there.

A chuckle got stuck in Lauren's throat as Bo's mouth moved across her collarbone, pulling at her shirt as she went. "Bo…" She squeezed Bo's arm.

"Hmm?" She didn't look up from Lauren's bare shoulder, pressing kisses onto it as she inched closer.

"Who else knows about my glow?" Lauren asked.

"There's no telling. Word travels fast in Fae town."

"Aren't you worried they're going to come for us?"

"Those thugs from last night? They aren't that organized. Besides, it's a beautiful day and I feel like celebrating."

Lauren's hand tangled in Bo's hair. "What are we celebrating?"

Bo kissed her tenderly. "The sunshine, the birds chirping, an amazing cup of coffee, the succubus and the doctor…" She whispered against Lauren's lips.

Lauren pushed her head back into the pillow, chortling. "How can I argue with that?"

"I was hoping you wouldn't." Bo grinned, hovering above her.

She clamped a hand down on the back of Bo's neck and brought her mouth to her own. It was the Saturday morning romp that Lauren had come to appreciate since life had moved into a holding pattern of normalcy. Well, as normal as things got when the Fae were involved. Bo would usually be up early-a hold out from their Friday night mayhem-as Lauren slept it off. She was used to finding Bo, feet kicked up on the edge of the bed, tipping back in a chair with a cup of coffee and the comics, waiting for her to wake.

Ever since the revelation of her hybrid blood, Bo had taken her role as protector to the next level. They would fight, and for the most part Lauren held her own after the first trial by fire a few months ago, but when Lauren was tapped out, Bo's protective mode kicked in. She'd carry her, if need be, to the car, help her into bed and watch over her as she slept. Lauren was her most vulnerable during slumber, more so than most beings because her condition caused her to sleep so deeply that there was no way to protect herself other than to employ Bo.

Of course when Lauren finally awoke, Bo would crawl in bed behind her, covering her skin with kisses as they made love. And it was breathtaking, elevated from what it once was, Bo could feed and Lauren felt no ill effects from it. But even when Bo didn't feed, their connection was strengthened. Like today, when Lauren could feel Bo's heart beating against her chest. So big and beautiful Bo's heart was, that it threatened to overwhelm her. The thumping against Lauren's breastbone was her own heart falling in sync with Bo's as they moved together. It was electric. She was alive with feelings unlike anything she'd experienced before. And she was so in love that it didn't occur to her to mind that it was because of this relationship and all that they've done to be together, that they were such targets.

"So what's this case Dyson has you on?"

Bo dropped a stack of files onto the table in front of Lauren. "From what I can take away from these files, some big time humans have gone missing in the past year. There are ties to a lunar calendar-whatever that means-and a few solstice abductions, too. Bodies, alive or dead, have never been found."

"Good morning to me." Lauren kicked back with a file in hand and began doggedly scouring every detail.

"Chipper Doc today, Bo-Bo. Whatever did you get up to while I was out?"

Bo smiled. "A little of this, a little of that."

"You're an artist, my friend. Straight up, renaissance woman." Kenzi held her hand aloft before clapping it against Bo's.

"Very mature," Lauren smirked from behind the file.

Bo dropped onto the cushion beside Lauren and rested her chin on Lauren's shoulder. "Whatcha thinking?"

"Did any of the humans know each other?" Lauren asked.

"Two researchers disappeared the same night, but I haven't had time to shake the bush to see what comes out."

Kenzi made a face. "And when you do, let's just keep that to yourself." She hopped off the arm of the couch and walked into the kitchen. "So why are these missing humans on our radar? I mean, what does this have to do with the Fae?"

"The red herring." Bo dug around in the pile of files and selected one. She held it up. "Darius Humbolt. The only survivor."

"But you said there were no survivors?"

"Technically, he was never abducted. We aren't even sure his case is connected. I think we should start there. Kenzi and I will go get a first look at Humbolt while you get caught up on the rest of the files."

Lauren opened her mouth to protest and then looked at the substantial pile of files. Bo was right. She would hang back today, recuperate and refocus. The new case sounded like it had the potential to test their mettle and with the threat of a new Fae attack looming closer, she'd take every last bit of normalcy the universe would allow. "Sure." She nodded, with a smile. "I'll see you later."

Lauren watched them leave and returned to flipping through the case file. After reading four files, she lifted the fifth and carried it with her to the kitchen. Meticulously, she prepared a kettle and a mug with a green tea bag and continued to read while she waited for the whistle of the kettle to signal her to action. As she poured the hot water over her tea bag, Lauren's attention was pulled to the front door that swung open as the house alarm sounded. Trick stood in the entryway, silently accusing her.

"Is it true?"

Lauren squeezed a measure of honey into her mug and stirred it slowly. "You're going to have to be more specific."

"Are you still experimenting? I thought we had an understanding. Not only have you set a dangerous precedent experimenting on yourself, but you risked Bo being further drawn into this by healing her where someone could see you? How irresponsible can you be?" Trick was shaking with anger, his voice reaching a roar before the silence that followed.

"Trick…" Lauren said calmly.

But it didn't slow his tirade. "Stripping the Morrigan of her powers was one thing but now you've put yourself and Bo in grave danger."

"When aren't we in danger?"

Trick sighed. Lauren watched his face as he willed himself to calm. "This is serious, Lauren. Very serious. A human doesn't just become Fae. You can't just appropriate our powers and not suffer the consequences. The hybrid is one of our oldest legends and all the texts agree; this hybrid's power is dangerous."

"It's true that I am both Fae and Human now but as far as your texts, only you are privy to their message." Lauren tucked the file under her arm and carried her mug to the sofa. She looked over the back of the sofa at him. "Is there something I should know, Trick?"

"No." He shook his head, tight-lipped. "Just be careful." He was no poker player; Trick was definitely hiding something.

"What were you saying about having an understanding with each other?" She settled onto the sofa. "When you're ready to tell me the truth, you know where to find me."

"You must be careful." He paused, considering his words carefully. "There are Fae who would seek you out and do unspeakable things."

A chill ran through her blood and she shivered but she put on her brave face. "How is that different from any other day around here?"

"Imagine living out your life as a Fae banquet, feeding those who would take just enough to keep you alive so you can regenerate and live to see another night of feeding."

Lauren's mouth went dry. She had never considered the possibility of being eternal Fae food. Or that she would be a target for feeding at all. She thought of it myopically, she now realized. How could she have only accounted for ogre attacks and run-ins with the Dark clan? She guessed the answer to that question was simple. For as long as she has been in the Fae's world, Lauren still could not predict what the Fae would do next. Even Bo, who she knew better than any Fae, surprised her regularly. She told herself it was because Bo was special, and in part it was, but realistically it was the Fae in general that were shifty. Trick was staring at her and it occurred to her that she hadn't said anything in a few minutes. "Who means to hurt me?" Her voice was strong and clear.

"I'm sorry, but that's not information I can give you."

"Then why tell me about their intentions?"

"I know how Bo feels about you…"

Lauren laughed. "So this is all for Bo's benefit?"

"When I gave you your freedom, I thought you would be happy with Bo."

"You may have given me my freedom, but Bo was never yours to give."

She leveled her gaze at him over the lip of her teacup and sipped quietly. Setting the cup aside, she rustled through papers from the folder that sat in her lap. "Good to see you, Trick," she said, looking up at the diminutive man as she dismissed him.

His mouth hung open, wanting to say something, but reluctant just the same. "Watch your back, Dr. Lewis." And with that, Trick spun on his heel and ambled back out the front door.

She waited until she heard the outside door slam and the system reset before she let herself breathe again.

She had moved on to wine by the time Bo and Kenzi returned. Lauren stood in the same bathroom where the revelation of her Fae had come to her and stared into the mirror at her body as the tub rumbled with rushing water. She sprinkled bath salts into the steaming tub and shut the tap off when it was dangerously close to being full. Sinking into the tub, she took up with her wine glass again and sighed. Lauren didn't even know how to quantify a good day versus a bad where the Fae were involved anymore, but her gut told her that what little Trick had told her was the truth. That meant Lauren was in for some very bad days to come. But for now, she would peruse police reports and witness statements as she sipped a devastating Merlot in the bath. When the front door alarmed, Lauren abandoned the files at the side of the tub and reached for her tablet. She toggled the cameras to reveal Bo and Kenzi's return and exhaled the tension that had been building since Trick left.

The top stair creaked-it was impossible to sneak past the creaky stair or the sticky floorboards at the top of the stairs-and Lauren looked over her shoulder. Bo stood in the doorframe, a bottle of wine under her arm. "You started without me." She smiled. So disarming was Bo's smile, that Lauren found herself slipping deeper into the tub as she approached. "If I were an old fuddy duddy I'd ask why you're drinking alone at three in the afternoon?"

"But you're not a fuddy duddy." She smirked.

"Thankfully," Bo deadpanned.

Bo set the bottle of wine in the sink basin and knelt beside the tub. "What's going on?" Her hand brushed the hair out of Lauren's eyes.

She looked away. "I think we're going to need to crack into that other bottle of wine before we get into that."

Bo made a face. "Did something happen?"

"You could say that." Lauren drained the wine in her glass and set it aside.

Bo snatched her hand up before it could disappear under water. "Lauren…"

She sighed and looked at the ceiling. "Your grandfather came for a visit and he brought an ominous warning with him."

"Shit," Bo groaned. "What now?"

"Bo, he thinks I'm the hybrid." Lauren paused. "He said there will be people after me and insinuated they'll use me as their own personal Fae buffet night in and night out for eternity."

"Are you kidding?"

"He seemed sincere, but you never can tell." Lauren shrugged.

"Typical," Bo sneered as she lifted Lauren's hand to her mouth, kissing her fingers. "I won't let anything happen to you." Lauren smirked but she couldn't ignore the uncertainty in Bo's eyes. Both of them knew it was a promise of intention, not action.

Bo released her hand to fall into the depths of the tub and she stood. "We picked up some food; whenever you're ready to come downstairs, we can put our heads together and figure this out."

Lauren nodded. "Absolutely." She smiled. Bo's gaze lingered on her as she left the bathroom.

It would be twenty minutes before Lauren would descend the clubhouse stairs. Bo and Kenzi looked up from the container of egg rolls they were fighting over. "Did you wash those Fae right out of your hair, Doc?"

Lauren smirked. "Something like that."

Bo scooted over and Lauren filled the space next to her on the couch, resting her arm on Bo's shoulder. "Any luck with Humbolt?"

"This guy!" Kenzi exclaimed. "You shoulda seen him, Doc. It was like he had a Fae bullshit detector because as soon as he saw Bo, he freaked and not in a nice way either."

"I had to wait in the car," Bo said matter-of-factly, dipping an egg roll in plum sauce and crunching into it.

"Once I got him to chill out, he told me that there were five men with transformative powers. It sounds like they were shifters to me, but I couldn't say for sure."

"If they were shifters, why was he so bothered by Bo?"

"I know, right? I've never met a human that could sniff out Fae, but as a result of his run-in with those shifters, he is able to do just that."

"I need to talk to him."

"No can do, Doc. Need I remind you that you don't pass the human test anymore?"

"We don't know how he'll react to a toned down Fae pheromone. I have to try."