"Bo you're going to have to let me go"
"But Laurennnnnnnnnnnnnnn"
"Haha Bo come on I have to go see one of my patients"
"So you're just going to leave me here all alone"
"Aren't you supposed to be meeting Kenzi at the Dahl?"
"Yeah but I thought you could come with me and then we could leave early and you know" Bo suggestively raised her eyebrows while smirking at Lauren.
"Haha, go have a good time and I'll meet up with you later tonight. This house call shouldn't take very long"
"Fine" Bo pouted, still eyeing up the doctor. Lauren pressed a gentle kiss against her lips, before turning to stride out the door simultaneously morphing into doctor mode. Bo sighed as she watched Lauren leave, "mhh she's hot" Bo enjoyed the view as Lauren walked out the door. She tore her eyes away from the empty doorway focusing on what to wear to the bar, smiling in anticipation about what could possibly happen later that night.
….
"Hello doctor, thank you for coming on such short notice" The fae woman held the door open for the human doctor gesturing for her to enter.
"It was no trouble Katherine. Who do I need to help? I know you wouldn't have called unless it was important"
"Something's never changed" Katherine smiled at the doctor "They're in the back room I'll show you"
"Lead the way" Lauren followed Katherine as she weaved her way down hallways making more turns than Lauren could count. Lauren had been out to this mansion many times before, but she could never find her way the building was simply to intricate to understand. It was said that only those who lived permanently in the mansion knew their way around. The mansion was quite the drive out of town located in one of the most secluded spots half an hour out of town. The house was built partially underground so that it was out of sight to humans. Those who lived in the mansion rarely left its walls, preferring the comforts of home. Even the Ash was unaware of the extent to which the mansion went on. The house was home to a clan of close-knit fae, all who answered to their leader; Katherine. They had always been friendly to Lauren and had treated her with respect despite her human status.
"Here they are" Katherine opened the door showing two sickly looking fae lying on cots, buried under blankets. Lauren quickly approached them scanning over their faces looking for symptoms
"Hello I'm Doctor Lewis. Can you tell me your name?" The sick boy slowly opened his eyes which were completely black.
"Don't you know who I am yet doc?" The voice had a quiet commanding tone, contrasting with the youthful like appearance of his face. Lauren smiled relieved that he wasn't to feverish to be that confused
"Hello Jason how are you feeling"
"Not that great doc, but don't look at me focus on Thomas I'm worried about him" Thomas was lying deathly still on the other cot, the only signs of life was the slight rise and fall of his chest.
"I'll do everything I can to help him"
"I know you will Lauren. You've never let me down before" Lauren smiled at the trust shinning from her friend's eyes. She was glad Katherine had called. If anyone was going to treat her friends she wanted it to be her.
"Is it alright if I take some blood?"
"Whatever you need" Jason closed his eyes again settling in to let Lauren examine him. Lauren went through her routine check immediately ruling out certain illness's that she had encountered in the past. She drew blood, took his temperature did everything she could think off, before moving over to do the same thing for Thomas.
"Okay I think I have everything. I need to return to my lab to get the results. As soon as I have anything I'll let you know" Lauren stood determined to start finding a cure for the two fae who were clearly struggling.
"Would you like to us the lab here? It should be up to standard and that way you wouldn't have to drive back once you figured something out." Katherine smiled at the determined human. Confident that if anyone could figure out what was making her family sick it would be Lauren. Lauren nodded her head agreeing with Katherine's logic.
"I'll get started right away" Lauren eyed her old friend who had waited stoically by the door as she had examined Jason and Thomas. They made eye contact, each conveying their trust for one another.
"I have faith Lauren" Katherine whispered softly, finally looking away "I've always had faith in you"
….
"Yo Bo Bo what's with the long face? Did Hot Pants abandon you?"
"She's out healing some fae" Bo said waving her hands in a random direction, clearly unhappy with the current situation. Bo looked sadly into her drink already missing Lauren as she counted down the hours until she got home.
"Well let's drink. Maybe it'll take your mind off the doc"
"I don't think that's gonna work Kenzi, I can't think about anything but her!"
"It's worth a try. You can't just sit here and sulk, Bo! Come on" Kenzi pulled Bo to the bar, determined to not let this night with her bestie go to waste. Besides some time apart was probably healthy for the two they were scarily co-dependent and it had been only a few weeks since they started dating.
"Oh great" Bo shouted "Just fantastic"
"What's up?" Kenzi questioned as Bo had stopped moving
"Laurens going to be working late. She says she'll see me tomorrow" Bo stared desolately at her phone reading and re-reading Laurens text. Wondering if she should be worried about how attached she seemed to be to the doctor.
"Bo its one night you can do it"
"Yeah I guess so… Kenz let's get drunk"
"That's what I'm talking about!" Bo was determined to drown out the thoughts of Lauren for one night. She was going to have a good night with Kenzi, a night without scary monsters or significant others. It would be just like old times.
"First rounds on me"
"Kenz you never pay"
"Excellent point. First two rounds on me Bo Bo" Bo laughed at her eccentric friend, as she skipped along slightly ahead of Bo. Tonight could be fun; Bo would make sure of it.
….
"Here Lauren I thought you might be hungry, it has gotten rather late" Lauren looked up from her microscope rubbing her eyes, she had completely forgotten about the time.
"Oh thank you Katherine that is very kind" Lauren eyed the plateful of food, realizing just how hungry she was.
"Have you made any progress?" Katherine asked curiously
"Yes actually I have" Lauren proudly reported "I have isolated the contaminated strain. It's very similar to one I've seen before. I'm working on creating an antidote as we speak"
"We owe you so much Lauren, I don't know how to thank you"
"This is nothing"
"I'm not talking just talking about this particular instance. I'm talking about everything that you've done for us. Im talking about what happened two years ago." Katherine took a seat next to Lauren as she watched the doctor, curious to see her reaction, but Laurens face gave away nothing.
"It was a long time ago" Lauren stated focusing straight ahead, refusing to meet Katherine's eyes
"Does it matter?"
"I guess not"
"Lauren" Katherine gently laid her hand on Lauren's shoulder offering her old friend all the comfort that she could.
"To work with him, it must be difficult and it's all my fault for putting you in this situation. I'm a horrible friend"
"NO! No you're not. We all did the best we could back then. Decisions were made, whats done is done. Now we must now live with the consequences" Katherine's heart ached for her friend
"You never answered my question dear" Katherine knew Lauren and she knew her ability to avoid questions she had no intention of answering.
"Yes it's difficult" Lauren murmured quietly. The emotion behind her words startling Katherine.
"Seeing him, knowing that without his interference I could have saved them" Lauren abruptly stopped talking as she choked on her emotions.
"I could have saved them!" Laurens eyes showed the desperation she felt as she got lost in the past.
"I know sweetie, I know" Katherine gathered Lauren into her arms while the doctor just sat there, seemingly frozen.
"It wasn't you're fault it was that stupid aggravating…"
"Katherine" Lauren sighed.
"I apologize, but to me dear one, two years is like yesterday. I have lived a very long time but to see so many of my kin slaughtered, it leaves marks" Katherine looked in Laurens eyes she had been the only one who had helped back then. She had risked her life for Katherine and things like that one does not simply forget.
"I've missed you" Lauren stated suddenly "I missed our friendship"
"I have as well but first you need to eat something before you collapse"
"I will" Lauren protested at the accusing looked Katherine shot her way
"Look I'm eating now" Lauren laughed as she slowly maneuvered a large bite of food into her mouth. Katherine shook her head at Lauren's antics. "I just need to wait for a few hours to ensure that my hypothesis is correct and then I can administer the cure"
"That's excellent news! And now since we have a while to wait, tell me about this new relationship you have gotten yourself into. Don't think just because I live way out here I don't have people keeping an eye out for you"
"I expect nothing less" Lauren smiled at the woman across from her. She was beautiful, with long straight brown hair. She radiated power, and commanded respect wherever she went. Lauren had never met a woman so confident with herself. Katherine was the first fae who had treated Lauren with respect despite the tremendous power she possessed. They had struck up a friendship after Lauren had treated a young girl from Katherine's clan.
"Her names Bo?" Katherine questioned, nudging her friend to begin her story.
"Her names Bo and she's beautiful" Lauren stated getting a dreamy, far off look in her eyes.
….
"Upsidaisy succubitch, almost there" Kenzi panted as she helped haul her drunk friend up the stairs towards there their room
"Where's Lauren, she smells nice"
"Really! Here I am helping you up stairs and you're thinking about another woman. I'm hurt Bo, deeply hurt"
"You're cute Kenz. But Laurens hot and we have fucking awesome sex!"
"Bahbah I'm not listening" Kenzi heaved Bo up the last stair "Have you gotten heavier recently?"
"Hey be nice to me" Kenzi used all of her muscle to throw Bo down onto the bed. She helped her to take off her shoes as she realized that Bo was almost asleep
"Goodnight Bo"
"Night Kenz" Bo muttered as her eyes fluttered closed Bo's last thought was of Lauren as sleep overtook her.
….
"There that should do it" Lauren finished administering the last of the round of shots she had for Thomas and Jason.
"Is he going to be alright?" Jason questioned worriedly looking at Thomas
"He should be fine. The dosages I have administered to you two should begin to take effect immediately. You both should be showing signs of improvement within the hour"
"You know I almost forgot how amazing you are. But I think I owe you an apology doctor I should have never doubted you" Lauren smiled at Jason
"Thank you I think" Jason smirked his like of the human growing every time he saw her.
"It is I who should thank you for the both of us" Jason nodded his head towards Thomas who was snoring softly, the illness having knocked him out. There was a knock at the door that startled the two of them.
"Lauren you're needed at the entrance. I must request that you come quickly we can't contain Katherine for much longer" Lauren immediately jumped up unsure of what was going on, but determined to help her friend. If Katherine was angry then there was almost always a good reason why.
"I'll follow you" Lauren ran after the fae as he led them through the maze of hallways towards the main entrance
"What's going on?"
"I think you'll understand when we get outside" The fae panted as he jogged towards the main entrance door. He was fairly new to the household and he had never actually witnessed Katherine's rage. He came to an abrupt halt throwing open the front door and leading them outside. Lauren stopped in the doorway taking in the sight before her. A dozen security guards had Dyson surrounded as he growled and snarled looking for a way out. It was obvious that things were going to get extremely violent very quickly.
"What is this" Lauren walked forward nodding to the guards as they made an opening for her.
"What are you doing here Dyson?"
"I was sent by the Ash to see how things were going" Dyson snarled unhappy with the treatment he was receiving.
"Why would he send you? You're not welcome here Dyson, you know this"
"I'm here at the will of the Ash" Dyson seemed to think that it was enough. He straightened up having faith that the doctor would bend to his will, after all she was only human.
"So how are the patients doctor?" Dyson demanded ignoring the angry fae surrounding him
"I would like a progress report so I can get back to Hale" He smirked sensing Lauren's irritation
"An antidote has been given, they are healing nicely" Lauren gritted her teeth knowing that if Hale sent him she had no reason to deny his request for information. Lauren was having a hard time believing that Hale was irresponsible enough to send Dyson to this house.
"Well I guess my work here is done" Dyson threw up his hands as he slowly walked towards the doctor smirking as the guards tensed ready to spring into battle at any moment. He stopped a few feet away from Lauren, knowing he would get no closer to the mansion.
"Why is it doctor that you're welcomed here with open arms and yet I'm not?"
"I think you know Dyson"
"Hmm maybe I do doctor, but what would Bo say if she knew you were hiding out here?"
"My relationship with Bo is none of your concern Dyson"
"Ah see I think you're wrong doctor, because Bo was mine first and I want her back" Lauren stared at Dyson in disbelief, unwilling to believe that he came all the way up here to threaten her relationship with Bo. Lauren was exhausted after hours of making an antidote and talking to Katherine, she really didn't have the energy to deal with a jealous wolf.
"You got what you came for I suggest you leave"
"You're kidding yourself doctor." Dyson knew he was getting nowhere near the mansion so he was determined to make the human who always got in his way feel some semblance of the pain she caused him. She had stolen his mate, and for that she would pay.
"She's a succubus, do you really think you can sustain her? What happens when she gets hurt? Do you sit at home waiting for her to return to you smelling of someone else. Someone who actually has the ability to provide the one thing you could never give her" Dyson's gaze bore into the doctor as each word he said hit Lauren like a punch.
"That's enough Dyson" Lauren snapped. She couldn't deal with all of this right now. "Leave now Dyson" The guards closed in on Dyson cutting of his view of the doctor. They were protective of Lauren, she had helped heal many of them and to see her hurt because of the wold rubbed them the wrong way
"Leave shifter before we kill you" The captain snarled stepping closer, a clear threat written on his face.
"I'm leaving." Dyson headed towards his car, pushing past the guards who grudgingly moved out of his way. "Oh and doctor" Dyson called out knowing Lauren would hear him "just how long can a human keep the attention of a succubus? I'm willing to bet not very long" Dyson sent one more dark look the doctor's way before getting into his car. He looked in his mirror as he drove away watching as the human doctor got smaller and smaller. He clenched the steering wheel in anger. Lauren always got in the way of his plans, it had been happening for years and it was about time that it stopped.
….
Katherine banged against the door made of solid steel. Her anger was driving her she couldn't seem to calm herself. She backed away from the door pacing up and down the length of the room. Fuming at the audacity of her subordinates to lock her, their leader, away for her own safely. The door was slowly opened and Katherine stopped moving prepared to ream out whoever dared enter. Lauren stepped into the room steeling herself to whatever lay within.
"Hey Katherine" Lauren stood uneasily by the door her hands in her lab coat; she hadn't had time to take it off.
"I heard they locked you in here" Katherine glared at her human friend
"It was for my own safely apparently" Katherine snarled resuming her pacing
"That insufferable little mongrel thinking he can stroll into my home and demand an audience with me! I should have killed him two years ago. How dare he!"
"He's gone now. He came at the will of the Ash to see how the treatment was coming along."
"Don't lie to me Lauren I heard every word that fucking wolf said"
"I forgot how excellent your hearing was" Lauren muttered staring at the floor
"He came here to mock your relationship and to belittle you!"
"I know" Lauren sighed "but he's right"
"No he's not!" Katherine snarled "you are the most courageous, brave, loyal person I have ever met fae and humans included. You are twice the person he is!" Lauren laughed, but it was a sharp sound filled with pain. Lauren sat down heavily in the one undestroyed chair in the room
"What business do I have dating a succubus? He's right about that. I can't help her heal or ease her pain, at least not completely. We haven't talked about it but she's going to have to heal eventually, and from somebody stronger than me. I'm just a human Katherine"
"I know Lauren"
"What chance do we have?" Lauren asked brokenly the facts that she had been refusing to let herself dwell on these past few weeks swirled to the front of her mind. Katherine stared at her friend who had suffered so much.
"How are you?" Lauren asked attempting to change the topic.
"I'm fine"
"I don't believe you" Katherine smiled at that. The two of them had so much history Katherine often wondered if they would ever talk about what happened.
"And you shouldn't" She placed her hand on Laurens shoulder, forcing herself to forget about the old pain that was close to resurfacing.
"Come on, I think you could use some much deserved rest"
"Okay" Lauren agreed staggering to her feet. Katherine helped Lauren to her room having the unexplainable urge to tuck her in. She hugged her friend offering what comfort she could, knowing it was going to be a long night of hidden memories for the both of them.
"Get some sleep doctor"
"I don't know if I can" At that moment a man appeared at the door
"You asked for this Katherine"
"Yes thank you John" Katherine grabbed the bottle from his hand turning to face Lauren who was sitting on the bed.
"I had this made up for you I thought you might have some problems sleeping"
"You didn't have to do that" Lauren said gratefully taking the bottle, knowing that without some assistance she would get no sleep. And at this moment Lauren was running on fumes and was very close to reaching her breaking point.
"I was happy to." Katherine leaned over kissing Lauren on the head, "Good night dear one"
"Good night Katherine" Lauren took a large sip of the drink. Smiling at the warmth the tea gave her body, seemingly filling her soul with a sense of inner stillness. Lauren quickly finished it off, thanking Katherine for making it cold enough to drink quickly. She placed the bottle on the table beside her bed, pulling the covers up to her chest. Her thoughts drifting to the succubus as they often did before she fell asleep.
Katherine closed the door, standing just outside of the room. Katherine knew that even with that one gulp she saw the doctor take; it had enough of the mixture in it to initiate the change. Her clan owed so much to Lauren, and tonight that debt would finally begin to be paid off. She had seen the pain the wolf's words had caused Lauren, the pain his mere presence always caused her, all because of her humanity. Katherine knew it was time for Lauren to stop being afraid, to become what she was destined to be. Katherine was going to help her friend embrace the power that she always knew existed deep within the doctor. Katherine regretted many things in her long life but lying to Lauren for all of these years had been on the top of her list for a long while. It was time, she felt it in her gut, the time had finally come, and she just hoped that the world was ready.
Katherine walked down the hall towards her hidden stash of alcohol; it was going to be a long. Lauren was strong, if there was anyone who could make it through this it was Lauren. Katherine stared into her drink, there was nothing she could do until Lauren woke up, and she prayed that when morning came, Lauren would wake up…