Author's note: This is my first fanfiction so if you would please take the time to leave reviews I would greatly appreciate it. I'm looking to improve my writing and constructive criticism is always helpful. I hope you enjoy!

The characters belong to the creators of Lost Girl, I am simply borrowing them for my own amusement and that of my readers.


"Bo, your new pet is trying to murder me!"

The valkyrie's shout jolted Bo from the heat induced daze brought on by her soak in the tub. Tamsin's voice cracked mid sentence in a way that plunged fear into the succubus's chest. Water cascaded over the sides of there as she flailed for a moment in her attempt to scramble upright and step over the porcelain sides of the tub. Her soles skidded on the wet tile. She took one step, two, before her heels slid straight out in front of her and she fell on her rump with a resounding splat. She knew she would definitely feel the soreness tomorrow but shrugged off the pain in her rush to reach the Valkyrie. She hauled herself upright, pausing only long enough to seize her knife and kimono as she raced through the hall to the living room.

Bo rounded the corner, knife thrust out before her. Her bare chest heaved as she quickly scanned the room for signs of danger. She lowered the blade upon spotting the valkyrie in the living room. Tamsin was curled up on the couch. A black and white kitten had nestled in her lap and the mechanical sound of it's contented purr could be heard from where the succubus stood.

"What the hell, Tamsin?"

The Valkyrie looked up. Her eyes widened as she saw the succubus standing in the doorway, naked and dripping, with a knife clenched in her right hand and kimono in her left. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe, how to speak, how to even exist. Then, a sneeze exploded from her. The kitten shot off her lap. She caught the briefest glimpse of it's tail as the creature sprinted down the hall past Bo.

"He's a monster, I'm telling you. He tried to kill me."

"You got me out of my bath, for a cat purring you to death? Seriously? I thought I'd accidentally brought home another Rakshasa or something."

A tear trailed down the valkyrie's cheek. She sniffed and looked down at her lap.

"Wait, are you crying?" Bo could count on one hand the number of times she'd seen Tamsin in tears and she had absolutely no clue why a kitten would have brought out this side of the Valkyrie.

"It's not what you think." Tamsin sneezed again. She looked back up. Her nose was dripping. Her eyes were red and puffy, with more tears forming in their corners. "I'm allergic."

"You're...allergic...to cats?"

The Valkyrie nodded. Her shoulders slumped forward and her brow furrowed as she swiped at her eyes and looked down again. Bo wasn't sure she'd ever seen Tamsin look so miserable. She almost laughed at the pitiful sight. If she didn't think she'd offend the other woman's prickly sense of pride, she might have let herself.

"You mean to tell me that you are a Valkyrie, member of an ancient and powerful race, and kittens are your kryptonite?"

Tamsin was too miserable for a snarky retort. She simply nodded.

"And here I thought you might have spent a past life as a crazy cat lady when that attitude of yours drove everyone away."

Bo expected a snarky response. Tamsin remained silent as she sniffed and wheezed.

"Why didn't you tell me that when I talked to you about getting a cat?"

The familiar haunted look filled Tamsin's eyes as she met the succubus's gaze. She kept her focus trained on the brunette's face, even as her eyes fought to roam up and down the woman's nude body. She knew why. It was the same reason she had risked her life multiple times for the other woman. It was always the same reason. She would do anything to see that light in Bo's eyes when she was happy. She would move heaven and earth to see that tenderness, even if she knew it would never be directed at her. Dealing with allergies was small price to pay if it meant Bo might smile and laugh again now that Kenzi had left.

For a moment, seeing Tamsin in tears again, Bo was reminded of that day in the bathtub. The Valkyrie had had that same haunted look as she spoke of things they had never really discussed since. It had come up in moments here and there but the underlying tension had never been resolved. Bo didn't know why Tamsin spoke those words about her being perfect. She didn't know why Tamsin kissed her so longingly at the Yule party. Or maybe, deep down she did.

Memories flooded the succubus's mind. As they did so, she became aware of the fact that she had yet to put on the kimono clenched in her left fist. A puddle had formed at her feet and she could feel the crunchiness of her skin in patches where soap had dried on it. Unfortunately, she knew she'd never get an answer from the Valkyrie if she returned to her bath now. With a sigh, Bo strode over to the kitchen counters and set her knife down with a clatter before shrugging on the silky fabric of the kimono.

"Tamsin?" She asked as she turned back to face the couch and it's mute occupant. The valkyrie had tracked her motions with her eyes but still the silence stretched on.

Tamsin's chest felt tight. She couldn't tell if it was the sight of the succubus, even now that she was somewhat clothed, or the fear of the question that seemed to have dumped a hundred pounds of lead onto her heart and lungs. She knew she wasn't going to get out of an answer and yet, she wasn't ready to give one. How had this scenario, something that initially could have come straight out of a cartoon, shifted into something completely different. Tension swirled in the room between the two. She wondered, if she reached out and grabbed that tangible force, would it be possible to squash it once and for all? Would it be possible to salvage the situation without spilling her soul to Bo? Her Bo. The woman she loved. Yet she knew, Bo could never love her back. She had attacked Bo, attacked Kenzi even. Her actions, particularly the latter, were unforgivable, even if Dyson and Lauren weren't part of the picture.

Tamsin cocked her head sideways. She didn't know what to say or do. Her nose scrunched as she formed each word so carefully with her mouth, flinging them across the room like daggers aimed for Bo's heart.

"Maybe, I just understood that you needed a new pet to look after now that Kenzi is gone."

Bo froze. Her face emptied. Even her eyes were devoid of any and all expression. She whirled around and was gone down the hallway before Tamsin even had time to process the hurtful words that had poured out of her own mouth.

The Valkyrie curled forward. She wrapped her arms around her knees and pressed her face into them. Tears carved a path down both cheeks. This time, they weren't from allergies.


As of right now I'm not sure whether or not this will remain a one-shot. Let me know if you guys think it's worth expanding!

UPDATE 12/25: Hey guys, I just wanted to let you all know that chapter 2 is in the works as per the requests from my lovely reviewers. Things are kinda crazy with the holiday but I'll hopefully get it posted in the next couple of days! Merry Christmas!