A/N: I guess I can say this is my imagined Season 6. Picks up where Season 5 finished but I'm going with a 5 year timeframe rather than the suggested 10 years between Kenzi leaving with Dagny and her return to the Dal and to Bo. I think it was the post finale episode interview with Michael Grassi where the interviewer suggested that 10 year timeframe.

Mostly canon but I'm putting my own interpretation on what's been, especially Season 4!

It's been fun trying to imagine what a more established relationship between Lauren and Bo would look like. Hope this is interesting and enjoyable to read. I plan on throwing a bit of everything in; action, drama and romance of course!

Rated M for language and sexual content scattered throughout.

Chapter 1 – In shadows and in dreams

Bo

"I don't like this, it's too easy". My eyes were busy scanning in all directions; up the trunks and into the mossed branches of trees, through other worldly plumes of fog that seemed to unnaturally heat the air temperature as we'd passed through them and finally to the mixture of burial plots scattered amongst the dense leaf litter underfoot, some freshly earthed and other centuries old.

"The three of us walking through a Fae burial ground; I was expecting a flock of crows".

Lauren's voice rang out confidently yet quietly in the otherwise loaded afternoon atmosphere, her grip on my left hand squeezing slightly as my right reached instinctively for the dagger at my thigh. "It's a murder of crows; a group of them, it's called a murder".

There was a teasing smile on her lips when I turned to her, Dyson coming up on our right as we stopped, eyes shining yellow and on full alert. "Very poetic doc. They're circling but not coming any closer which I'm happy about, their stench is foul".

I looked up but couldn't see anything. "Flock, murder, whatever; I don't like it, what's stopping them?"

Lauren's fingers once again tightened, still nestled snuggly with my own. "That would be you babe, a sign of respect perhaps".

I knew what Lauren meant. It was a side effect once news of my display of power all those years ago had spread beyond the colony; the unaligned succubus, daughter and slayer of Hades, bearer of the Pyrippus. Respect was a conservative word though, mostly it was submission to the power I had or challenge against it. That was the Fae way.

"Over there Bo; it's been freshly earthed in preparation for burial but it's empty. If it works the same as last time, it should act as a gateway". I followed Dyson's line of sight, eventually laying eyes on the still unmarked mound of dirt and wondering if he or Lauren saw the dull red glow that fringed it.

"I don't want to leave you two up here". I settled my eyes on Lauren at the end of that statement, her lip quirking up and hinting at a smile. "Just like I don't want you to go down there but we need answers, to help Dagny, to prepare. We all agreed actively seeking those answers out was the best way forward".

I nodded slowly with a sigh. "No sitting back and waiting this time".

Lauren's hand slipped from mine, her body turning to fully face me as she moved in close. "You told me you'll find a way back out of there and I trust you". She glanced down at my boot covered feet, a silent understanding passing between us. "So go and do what you need to do, we'll be fine". She walked backwards, stepping in next to Dyson.

His smile was wide, his eyes shining as he watched Lauren pull out a short sword from the sheath hidden under her jacket. I backed up towards the grave, each step taking me apprehensively further away from them, Dyson's voice ringing out clear and strong. "Go Bo, we'll hold off the crows if they make an appearance".

As a last thought I surged forward, cradling Lauren's face in my hands as I kissed her softly, lips automatically moving in synch, the intensity burning its way through my body in a uniquely remarkable way, just like it always had with her. "I love you. See you soon".

She nodded as I backed up again, my arms crossing on my chest. I focussed on her eyes and the sound of her voice, so sure as she returned my "see you soon" before I willingly fell back into the grave, bracing for an impact.

XXXX

With a grunt I stood, recognition immediate as I looked around at the bones decorating the cavern walls. Just like the last time I was here, it should have been cold but I felt heat surround me as I took a few tentative steps forward. A familiar women's voice soon echoed from the depths in a direction I couldn't pinpoint.

"Eyes both brown and blue, now red with fire too" - the words bounced around until more rolled off her tongue - "strong yet gentle" - "virtuous yet lustful".

"I know the lines Levi; they're getting old. I'm not here to deal in riddles. I need answers". I kept on moving through the now silent cave, a sudden fog rolling in from nowhere, the air temperature rising even higher.

"No longer a princess, now a queen". Her voice was close now.

"I'm no one's queen". I pushed through the fog, my frustration rising fast.

"An unwilling queen so it seems yet he presented you a throne and you took your place". My mind flashed back to Jack, guiding me to the throne of carved stone.

The fog lifted and as I turned the Leviathan finally revealed herself. Wearing the same midnight blue velvet dress; lips holding an identical colour and spreading in a sure smile as she strutted forward, reverently clutching her staff and appraising me, she was exactly as I remembered.

Her eyes fixed on my chest, to the necklace lying against my skin. "A choice made, two souls now whole but the consequence…conceived by fire, beautiful and crippling, remains unseen by most….but not all".

I swallowed hard, my hand reaching down to touch Lauren's gift briefly, a way to refocus myself even though I had more questions now than a few seconds ago. "Please…I'm done with the cryptic. What is it huh? You get to live thousands of years and you forget how to give a straight answer".

"You haven't asked a question…..my queen". She looked to be amused by the sudden anger sweeping across me.

"I don't need you to get out of here this time".

"Yet you came in the back door instead of commanding the grand entrance and rite of passage you possess. Why do you not use the hell shoes?"

"Jack, Hades…I rolled my eyes as I scrolled through the names. My father commands them".

"Does he? They're on your feet, they bonded to you, accepted you as worthy. The questions are burning you as you hold your tongue but I have one of my own first".

I nodded slowly, looking up to the cave roof once as if I could see what was happening above the surface, a sense of worry creeping into my resolve. "The crows will come yes, they love to scrap from scavengers".

I felt power rippling under my skin, my head tilting menacingly as I peered at the Leviathan. "Ask your question quickly".

"Why come to me?"

"I don't want to be here, trust me when I say I'd prefer to be at home with a beautiful doctor, snuggled on our couch with the crazy cat that she hates but as usual, a shit storm's on the horizon and as difficult as it was for my girlfriend to admit, we can't find our answers in books this time. I know he's not dead, I need to know how that is and what plane of existence or shadowy shit corner of hell or earth he's hiding in. You deal in death, you're the keeper of the gate or should I say cave here. I had to start somewhere and you were the closest and most easily accessible person to start with". I shrugged lightly, as if it that answer should have been easy for her to figure out.

I smiled at the almost disappointed look on her face. "Sorry to crush your grand hopes for our reunion but the last time we spoke you cryptically told me someone I loved would die before sending me on my way with your amused cackle as a back drop. What exactly were you expecting?"

She made her way towards me, her own power exuding in each step she took. "He strategically created bonds; to places and people of significance and influence. While these bonds exist he will remain in one form or another, squatting in the shadows, watching and feeding. His patience is astounding". I didn't provide comment or answer, my eyes holding hers sharply in a prompt to continue.

"The girl….a Valkyrie in the making, untrained and naïve to most things except the blood lust and power manifesting. He will continue to feed from her, searching for the most effective strategy".

"News travels fast, even down here apparently".

"Those who funnel death can sense it from birth. I still have some magic left". Her hand gripped her staff tightly although she never did use it as a crutch of any sort. "He couldn't take that from me". She stopped suddenly, fog starting to roll in around us. "Our time is nearing its end again. Hades has not been here; he knows I am not an ally. He hides in the shadows of her dreams; his new princess, aiming to control her will just as he once did yours". The fog was heavier now, her voice fading as my purchase or her physical form did.

"How did you come to be here?" The words flew out of my mouth and suddenly the answer to that question felt like the most important thing to know. Her voice was distant now but echoing from all directions.

"I am one of three sisters, born from the same soul, gifted with magic. We sought to defeat him and we failed. As punishment, he bound me to this cave, to deal in death without a chance of dying, ensuring I'd never see the sky again, never rule my beloved crows as I was intended. My sisters also remain; one bound to blood and craft, the other to her tree and her treachery".

The fog was still thick but in an instant I felt her in front of me, the hand not holding her staff reaching to touch the pendant against the skin of my chest. I wanted to flinch away in defence but something kept me unmoving, something told me to trust.

"More than a Succubus just as she is more than a Valkyrie. Do not fear your dreams or the fire inside you. Break the bonds to protect those you love and what you seek deep down to create. Go now". The heat at my chest stopped, her touch falling as red smoke clouded my senses and forced my eyes closed in reflex as I ascended quickly.

Lauren

I backed up slowly, sword in hand and at the ready once again, a fine sheen of sweat forming from the overflow of adrenalin as I took in hard and fast breaths. I could hear Dyson growling somewhere behind me and the sound of flesh ripping before his voice was close in at my right shoulder. "We're outnumbered but you know I love a challenge".

Just as I was about to answer, he lunged forward to an advancing crow, his fist connecting with a resounding crack. Unfortunately the moment I'd taken to turn my head was a moment too long and I felt myself hunch over from the force of a kick to my right side, sword dropping from my hand as I fell to my knees. "You don't belong here, human".

The crow in the middle of the group of three stepped forward and I tried as hard as possible to keep my eyes steely and locked on his as I reached into my jacket, wincing when I pressed into my ribs briefly in search. I could hear Dyson calling my name from a distance but I kept my gaze steady and as neutral as possible, my hand registering the cool metal of a loaded syringe. My strike into his thigh was smooth as silk, skilled and direct, causing the crow to stagger back and drop like a swatted fly.

Dyson appeared out of nowhere the next second, scanning me over quickly with piercing yellow eyes before readying his next attack. He stopped his advance at the sound of my name, Bo's voice sounding from behind us, rippling with power but laced with concern. Her eyes shone that familiar and beautiful ethereal blue as she looked intently at me and I tried in vain not to cringe as I stood back up. She was at my side quickly; hand around my waist and holding me protectively while Dyson backed up to join us and the crows regrouped scrappily.

Without a single word being spoken, Bo's grip relaxed around me a little and she began to pull chi, the multiple streams of blue lighting up the surrounding forest like a beacon. It seemed to me that time grinded and slowed as she fed willingly and bodies fell to their knees just as I had mere moments prior before collapsing fully to the ground in submission. All the while her arm remained around me and it wasn't until her feed ceased and her eyes turned from cool blue to fire red that I felt any concern. She went to move away from me but I held her in place and commanded her attention just by saying her name.

I could read the intentions behind the fire easily but I shook my head to signal it wasn't necessary. "I'm fine Bo".

"They hurt you". I smiled lightly as her eyes dulled and returned to brown. "I'll be fine". I looked to the fallen bodies, the largest two crows still on their knees, some others still and some coughing and groaning lethargically. "They're all alive". I nodded and kept my smile in place before turning to Dyson and noticing for the first time the deep claw mark down his arm, bleeding steadily.

"Are you OK?"

With a rueful smile of his own he picked up my fallen sword and held it out for me to take.

"You took your eyes off your opponent".

"I know, fell back on a classic". He nodded as he looked down to the dead crow with the syringe still sticking out of his thigh and laughed.

Bo watched the exchange fondly, the three of us moving together back out of the burial grounds. "Did you get any useful information?" Dyson posed the question as we walked slowly back the way we'd come, Bo's hand in mine again.

"Yes, and as usual a thousand new questions". She looked deep in thought and after a quick glance at me, Dyson made the decision not to push for more. A late afternoon glow was settling in, a comfortable silence between us for a long while. When we eventually reached the car, Bo was the first to break that silence, addressing Dyson directly. "Come over for dinner tomorrow night, bring Mark and Vex. I'll go through everything then".

"Kenz and Dagny are staying with you guys, do you think it's a good idea to have her hear everything first hand?"

Bo took a deep breath and I couldn't help but smile a little because I could tell she was trying hard not to be pissed off by the question. "I know what it feels like to have things kept from me, important things, about my life". Dyson went to interject and she held her hand up to halt whatever he was about to say.

"Yes I want to protect her, I promised that to Tamsin and I'll never break that promise but we do this my way which means she doesn't get kept in the dark. I know from experience it's a shitty, confusing head space to be in and I won't do it to her".

She took another deep breath, pushing down whatever she was feeling and smiling tightly at me. "Astrid's working tonight?"

I nodded instantly, knowing where this was going. "Good. She's the only one I trust to make sure you're OK". I laughed lightly as I climbed into the passenger seat and turned to Dyson in the back, "I'm sure she'll be all too happy to check you over too". His eyes met mine, his expression gruff but his eyes soft. I settled back into the seat, dropping the sword to my feet and turning my head slightly to look at Bo deep in thought. She could never let her guard down, not physically or emotionally, none of us could really and even though we'd battled our way through the political storm we'd found ourselves in over the last few years, I couldn't help but wonder when and if it would ever stop. I wanted that for her and for us but I meant every word I said years back on the bonnet of this very car; I'd never make the mistake of breaking her heart again, I wanted her and everything that came along with that decision until my last breath.

Bo

I loved the way Lauren's eyes glazed and then closed as I ran my fingertips over her nipples. They'd been sore early in the pregnancy but lately I'd noticed they were super sensitive in a great way judging by the soft groans of appreciation she was giving me right now.

I was in awe of how beautiful she looked in this moment; completely naked next to me, lying on her side comfortably in our bed, bathed in muted moonlight, her breasts full and heavy in my hands. Our child was resting safely, protected beneath the skin and muscle of Lauren's swollen belly and that fact both amazed and terrified me in equal measure. I couldn't help but move one hand down to press against the round bump, my other still idly rubbing and pinching until it was covered and stopped with one of Lauren's own hands.

"God, I need you to stop". Her nails clawing into the skin at my hip and drawing my equally naked body closer told me her words were the opposite of what she really wanted.

"Why do you need me to stop?" Her breath was heavy and uneven as she swallowed hard and then whispered quietly, "because I can't stand being this acutely horny all the time and the way I feel when you touch me; it's almost so good its painful".

I laughed lightly, my bottom lip getting caught in my teeth as I tentatively moved my fingers again over her nipple, her hand loosening its grip to allow the touch.

"I'll never hurt you Lauren". She was nodding slightly, her tongue sweeping her lips.

"Just let me touch you, take the ache away". I shifted across to kiss her softly, my fingers drifting lazily down and into the warmth and wetness I'd inspired. I didn't tease, her hips pressing up into the heal of my hand as I entered her swiftly and deeply, my fingers enveloped tightly on first contact. I closed my eyes and whispered quietly against her lips, "I love you", marvelling at the feel of my forearm jutting against her belly as I continued to give her pleasure and feel it feed me in return.

My eyes tore open as she screamed, my hand taking the brunt of Lauren's vice like grip while Lou Ann focussed between open legs and provided clear instruction for another push. I felt like the breath had been stolen from my lungs, the moment I'd found myself in what felt like mere seconds ago so radically shifted. I recognised we were at the clinic, in one of the surgical suites I'd been in countless times. What I didn't recognise was the all-encompassing power I felt flowing through my blood, ready to rise up and protect.

After a couple of deep and ragged breaths, Lauren sobbed quietly, her head turning and her eyes locking on mine. "Push Lauren". I felt bewitched by the expression of fierce concentration and the reflected fire in her eyes as my hand was squeezed tightly again, another scream ripping through the room as Lauren bore down and pushed. Like a lightning strike it felt all too sudden and shocking, Lou holding up a blood covered baby testing out strong and confident lungs with a series of loud cries.

I startled awake quickly, springing up in the bed and instantly recognising the previous scenes for what I knew they'd been, only a dream. It wasn't the first time I'd been subjected to this exact wake up call, it was a recurring theme since just before Dagny had arrived in the Dal and it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep the resulting emotions in check. With a deep breath I flopped back down onto the comfort of my pillow, Lauren instantly turning over to face me, her fingers pushing a pile of stray hairs from my face.

"Are you ok?" I didn't know how to answer that, I didn't trust my voice right now. When my eyes met Lauren's she was studying me intently and I knew she saw right through me. "I don't know how I am; I don't know what to feel".

My hands ventured under the soft cotton sheet, running over her chest and across her flat stomach. I felt empty in that moment but was brought back instantly as she flinched. "Shit, I'm sorry, I'd forgotten about your ribs".

She smiled at me, the sun just peeking through the drawn curtains. "It's fine, I'm only bruised, and nothing's broken. Like I said yesterday, I'll be fine. I'm a doctor remember".

"Mmmm, I do remember that".

"So are you intending on telling me why you've been springing up in bed like a jack-n-the-box lately?"

The memories of the dream flooded back to me, the way she felt, the way I felt, how real it had seemed and I couldn't stop my eyes from welling with unshed tears. "I'm sorry Bo, bad choice of words". Her arms were around me, my chin resting on her shoulder as she held me tightly, both of us enjoying long minutes of quiet before she gently pulled back.

"How about we don't talk about anything right now? I'll make you breakfast". She wore nothing but a bright smile, my favourite thing to see.

"That sounds good". We got up from the bed together, not bothering with anything other than throwing on robes just before we made our way downstairs, my arms snaking around her just as we hit the edge of the living room, my lips at her neck as I shuffled us both into the kitchen.

"Good morning sunshine's". One look at Kenzi, eye brows quirked up and teasing smile in place had me stepping out from behind Lauren, giving her one last squeeze before letting her go and taking up residence on the bar stool next to Kenz.

"Have to say; I love this whole domestic life you two have going on, well from the outside I'm sure that's how it appears anyway, minus the actual trying to level out Fae politics in the colony and potentially recurring daddy Hades issues that have finally sprung up. Not to mention the brooding, rapidly growing and extremely antsy mini Valkyrie sleeping soundly upstairs. Did I mention I love what you two have done to this place? And I love me some midnight". At the mention of his name, the black cat sprung up from behind the couch and sauntered over; mewling into the closest foot Kenz had hanging off her stool while she sipped her coffee.

"Of course you'd love him". Lauren flicked me a dirty look, begrudgingly handing me my own cup before disappearing into the fridge and mumbling loudly.

"I'm detecting a hint of animosity towards the gorgeous Mr Midnight Lo Bug. What's up with that?"

Lauren slumped down a watermelon onto the bench first then the loaf of fresh bread before pulling a larger than needed knife from the chopping block and starting to carve into the melon. "Stuffed lucky or should I say unlucky black cat, it's a thing for me". Midnight sprung up from the ground onto Kenzi's lap but with the look on Lauren's face and the glinting of the sun against the large knife in her hands, she placed him on the ground a second later.

"I really need to get into the clinic early this morning, I have a tonne of urgent cases but I was hoping you could bring Dagny by later so I can run some more tests, it's important we try to map out her growth more closely, get some accurate timeframes to work with".

"I can do that, although I have no idea what time we'll be there. When that kid's out, she's out cold. Has always been a great sleeper, even when she was a baby".

"It's most likely a result of her accelerated development".

Kenzi nodded and shrugged, "Makes sense I guess".

I took a second to appreciate having Lauren and Kenzi together in the same room, just sitting and relaxing. I knew the calm wouldn't last though, it couldn't.

"Can you make sure you're here tonight with Dagny? Dyson's coming over, so are Mark and Vex. I want everyone together so we can talk about next steps, my visit with good old Levi yesterday". I turned to Lauren quickly, "I'll cook".

"You're gonna cook?"

"Yes Kenzi, I know it's a shock but I can cook".

"Aside from that fact which I'll believe when I see by the way, are you absolutely sure you want Dagny so directly involved in this first discussion. You know I'm all for no secrets and I've never kept anything from her, this just feels different".

She was right, this felt different than Dyson's similar suggestion yesterday; I knew Kenzi was coming from a different place. "I hear what you're saying, I do, but I honestly think she should be involved, that it's the best move for her. I want to protect her too I just don't think shielding the truth from her will work in hers or our favour in the long run".

"I don't doubt you can protect her Bo, I just…..I'm the mum here". She shrugged her shoulders and slumped down onto her elbow on the bench. "I don't know if she's ready for this. One minute she's sneaking out into the back of cars with her girlfriend and the next it's all glowing hand prints and surging powers".

"I get it Kenz; you've always been the mum". I closed my eyes briefly, my thoughts drifting back to the feel of Lauren's swollen belly in my dream and how much waking up from it stung every time. "Maybe Trick had it right? Maybe keeping some information hidden is better".

We were all quiet then, everyone seemingly lost in their own thoughts. "No". Kenzi's voice cracked the tight atmosphere. "You're right; we need to be in this together, including Dagny".

END CHAPTER ONE

Thanks for reading, more soon.