A Visitor from another World

Chapter 1

Dyson and Hale stand before a scene of horror. Bodies of human children lie strewn about a school bus. Among the bodies are two adults. One is clearly the bus driver as he is still in his seat slumped in his last act, opening the door of the bus. The other is a woman near the side of the children's bodies. Her body is the only one showing wounds. But there are also unhurt children being counseled by police officers who are also trying to understand what happened. Police officers are also talking to some adult pedestrians.

An officer approaches Dyson with a witness. "Detective, she didn't see the whole thing. But she did see most of it." Nodding toward Dyson the officer continues "Tell him what you told me."

The woman explains "I heard the bus skid to a stop and door open. An older man was at the door of the bus touching the driver then he helped the children get off the bus, I thought. But as he did each stumbled and collapsed. Then this woman…" The witness points toward the adult casualty. "… attacked the man. She was yelling for him to stop and for someone to call the police. She got between him and the children, keeping the rest of them on the bus. The man pulled a knife and stabbed her, slashed her, cut her up. But sirens could already be heard and other people were coming, so he ran. Some of the men chased him, but he escaped"

Dyson nods. "Officer, make sure she and all of the other witnesses leave their contact information."

Dyson and Hale are left alone again. "Definitely a fae kill." Dyson observes. Dyson nods. Hales takes out his cell phone and calls Lauren.

By the time Lauren arrives with Bo and Kenzi most of the bodies of the children have been removed leaving only their outlines in tape. Bo and Kenzi are visibly shaken by the sight. Lauren works to maintain her professional composure although the sight of the outlines of the small bodies impacts her deeply. Dyson fills them in. "Definitely a fae kill; something that feeds on children's chi. He must have been desperate to do something so public. This woman…." Dyson points to the woman's body "…. intervened, or it could have been even worse. She seemed to know or sense what was happening. But she's human."

Bo looks sympathetically at the woman's body. "Brave human to block a fae feeding frenzy."

Dyson nods and grimly adds "And one aware of the fae."

Lauren has walked to the woman's body arriving as the police photographers finish their work. "Were the children injured?"

Hale says "No, they were just drained of chi. Apparently that's all he wanted."

Lauren begins to examine the body. "Interesting. There is a lot of blood and her clothes are cut, but the wounds are fewer that I'd have thought." Lauren explains as she checks the body's eyes and feels for a pulse. "She is dead though."

Dyson is puzzled "I saw the wounds myself." He looks at the areas Lauren is cleaning of blood. "I saw a wound there. It was deep and wide."

Kenzi observes "It's like ….. she's… healing."

Lauren looks at Kenzi like she's lost her mind. "No wound like the one in her dress would heal without medical help and a lot of time. But it is smaller than the cut in the dress by a lot." Lauren looks back to the wound, or where the wound had been. The skin is now normal. "This can't be. I saw a wound here just a moment ago myself, I'm sure of it."

Lauren gets her stethoscope and checks for a pulse. She hears nothing and continues checking the wounds, which are now less numerous. She listens for a pulse again, and then checks the pupils again. As she does, the body moves. Lauren gasps slightly. She checks for a pulse again and hears a normal healthy heartbeat. The woman's eyes turn toward Lauren. She says in a very quiet slow voice "Doctor Lewis?" Lauren nods in the affirmative her face a mask of shock. "Get me to someplace private. Don't tell." The woman says in a barely audible voice.

Lauren stands up and orders the body moved to her lab. "I don't know what's going on. I need to get the body where I can perform a better examination."

As the body is placed in the meat wagon, Lauren says "I'll ride in the back and catch you later." Leaving the scene of the crime the truck made its way toward Lauren's lab.

"We're alone." Lauren whispers. The "body" moves and Lauren instinctively moves to restrain her. "You've been badly hurt."

The "body" moves to prop her self up a bit. "Don't worry Dr. Lewis. I'm Dr. Grace Chandel, although my papers will say I'm Isabelle Pontoun. I've come to find you."

Lauren checks the wounds.

"You won't find any. I appreciate your helping with my charade."

Lauren continues looking. "I know what I saw and Dyson saw more."

Grace places her hand on Lauren's. "You saw what you saw. You were not supposed to. That's not why I've traveled so far. I wanted to meet with you over something I've discovered, something shocking. Not everybody that looks human is actually human. Humans are not the top predators on this planet. I have genetic samples that prove it. I've read your work and I think collaborate to publish it."

Lauren looks at Grace in disbelief. "I see you don't believe me." But then the truck pulls up to the door, Grace lies back down, and the back doors open. Lauren gets out and she meets with the driver and the guard. By the time they get back to the back of the truck, the "body" is gone. All that remains are some bloody sheets.

The next morning Dyson arrives in Lauren's lab looking for the results of the autopsy. Lauren is reviewing the results of DNA testing of blood from the sheets. "We got the guy. Knowing what he feeds on and that he was desperate to feed, we put fae detectives at all of the places where there would be children. He was old, fae of his type need more and more to survive, they become desperate and reckless. How did you make out?" Dyson becomes concerned looking for the body he expected to find Lauren examining. Lauren is distracted by the results of the test and barely listening. "Lauren. Did you hear what I said?"

Lauren tears herself away. "I heard you. You got him…. I lost her."

Dyson is puzzled "You lost her? What do you mean you lost her? She was dead."

Lauren nods. "Not as much as we thought. She sort of … escaped. But that isn't the strange part." Dyson is incredulous. "I'm serious. DNA has a known rate of change. I ran some tests. It is normally used for much larger units of time, but I've run a series of tests and the conclusion is inescapable. Her DNA indicates she is about six hundred years old."

Dyson is annoyed. "She IS about six hundred years old? She's not fae, that isn't possible. If she was fae, I'd have smelled it. Escaped?"

Lauren hangs her head. "She said she wanted to talk to me alone. We spoke in the ambulance as well. Her wounds were fully healed. While I was distracted, she must have just walked away. At least she isn't wanted for a crime or even as a witness anymore."

Dyson is not happy. "You spoke to her before she was put in…?

Lauren nods. "That's why I rode in the back."

The following day a dejected Lauren is hanging out with Bo. "I'm not stupid. I'm not that naïve. I've been with the fae and seen some strange stuff. How did I let this happen?" Lauren asks.

Bo comforts Lauren. "You are far from stupid. That would have freaked Dyson out. Don't let him get to you."

There is a timid knock at the door. Bo goes to the door and picks up the sword she keeps there. She opens the door and is shocked to see Grace standing there. Grace sees the sword, gasps a little bit, and turns to leave. Bo says "Grace? Isabelle? Doctor Chandel?"

Grace backs off but does not run. Lauren hurries to the door. "Please?"

Grace approaches nervously eying the sword which Bo hurriedly puts away. "Sorry, rough neighborhood. Please come in." Bo gently guides Grace in to Lauren who guides her to the sofa.

"Can we get you something?" Lauren asks.

Grace thinks for a moment "Some wine perhaps? French?"

Bo moves to get the wine as Grace watches her go. Lauren stands studying Grace. Finally she says "It's okay. You can trust her. You left this behind." Lauren gets Grace's medical bag and gives it to her. Graces takes it with gratitude.

"Is she….?" Grace asks.

Lauren nods. "Yes, but not like the one you met." Grace nods, but keeps an eye out for Bo's return.

"So you already know about them." Grace observes.

Lauren nods. "Yes. But I don't think I know much about you."

"What do you mean?"

Lauren sits. "I ran your DNA. In studying it I noticed that you lack some mutations that… younger humans have. To the best of my calculations, you are between 500 and 1,000 years old, closer to 500, probably about 600."

Grace studies Lauren for a long time, considering her answer. Finally she calmly says "Remarkable."

Lauren considers a long time. "That isn't the reaction I would expect, if I were wrong…"

"That's because…. you are not wrong. I was born in 1372." Grace says this calmly and casually. "You don't seem as shocked as I would expect. You are used to…. people being older than they appear"

"I'm used to the fae. They have long life spans." The two women look at each other waiting for the next move. Finally Lauren says "But you are not fae."

"Is that what they call themselves?"

Lauren nods. "That is their genus. There are many species."

"And what species are you?"

"I'm just a run of the mill human. But…. you aren't."

Grace smiles. "Genetically, I'm also 'run of the mill' as you say."

Lauren counters with "Except, your DNA indicates that you are impossibly old."

"What I am physically has nothing to do with my age."

Lauren presses "If you are genetically human, why are you so old? Do you travel in time?"

Grace giggles "Nothing so extraordinary. We don't know why we are the way we are. Sometimes I wish I wasn't. It is hard to live on when all we love doesn't."

"We… There are others…. like you?"

"Oh yes. Not many. Less all the time I think."

Lauren is burning with curiosity. Bo returns with a bottle of wine and three glasses. Grace eyes her looking for any indication that Bo is not human."

Lauren asks "What is the lifespan of… someone like you?"

Grace accepts the wine Bo presents her with. "Thank you." Grace takes a sip and studies Bo as she sits down next to Lauren. "We are immortal. We don't age. That is, we don't age after our first death."

Bo has been listening to the conversation while she was getting the wine. "Immortal?"

Grace nods. Lauren asks "Then why are there less of you now?"

Grace changes the subject. "How many fae are there?"

Lauren explains "Fae and humans have a predator – prey relationship based upon the Lotka–Volterra equations which are a pair of first-order, non-linear, differential equations frequently used to describe the dynamics of biological systems in which two species interact, one a predator and one its prey. They evolve in time according to the pair of equations…." Lauren glances to Bo. "The number of fae is based on the number of humans and as the human population has grown, so has the number of fae."

"That makes sense." Grace observes.

"You didn't answer my question."

"No, I didn't. What species is Bo?"

Lauren counters Graces evasion with evasion. "That is a very personal question to a fae. To know their species makes them more vulnerable. If one knows what they are, then you know your weaknesses and abilities."

Grace smiles and takes a sip. "Just so."

Lauren now realizes why Grace is evading the question. Immortals also have vulnerabilities.

Bo breaks an awkward silence. "I'm a succubus." Lauren glances nervously to Bo.

Grace explains "The main rule of our existence is that in the end, there can only be one."

Bo and Lauren are puzzled. "We prey on each other."

Lauren nods. "So you can be killed."

Grace nods. "Yes. I am more vulnerable than most."

Bo asks "Why?"

Grace looks to Lauren. "Because, I'm a doctor, I will do no harm. I don't carry a sword."

Bo and Lauren look to each other in confusion. Grace shows a sudden concern sand looks to the front door.

Kenzi enters with a loud "Olla! Beee yatches!" Then stops cold in her tracks staring at Grace.

Bo moves quickly. "It's okay Kenz. Apparently she has fully recovered."

"She was dead. We all saw it. Dyson said she's NOT….. I was just talking to him at the bar." Kenzi points at Grace. "So how?"

Lauren says "We were just discussing that."

Bo realizes that Grace is eying Kenzi closely and nervously. "She's okay." Grace continues observing Kenzi and Kenzi becomes self conscious. "She's not fae."

Eying Kenzi even closer, Grace nearly silently says "I know."

Lauren is becoming edgy. "How do you know?"

No move Kenzi makes goes unobserved. Grace responds slowly and quietly "I just know."

Lauren asks Bo to help in the kitchen and when they are out of earshot asks "Why would she be more interested in Kenzi than you?"

"It isn't interest like curiosity as with me; it is interest like in fear. She's frightened by Kenzi for some reason… mortal fear." Lauren gasps a bit. "She trusts you. You'd better get back in there before she flees again."

Lauren quickly reenters the living room where Grace is still watching a nervous Kenzi. Kenzi moves toward the kitchen. As she passes Lauren she asks "What's with psycho chick?" Lauren shakes her head indicating she doesn't know.

Lauren approaches Grace who is less tense, but still warily watching where Kenzi went. "They'll leave us alone. I'm sorry Kenzi makes you nervous."

Grace takes a sip of wine, swirls her glass contemplating it. "How long and well do you know her?"

Lauren thinks. "Not for very long. But, she's a good person. I guess."

"Would you be my doctor?"

Lauren is surprised and goes into geek mode. "Of course I will. Do you require medical attention?"

Grace grins. "Not for over 600 years." Grace says with a small smile. "No, I need the doctor-patient confidentiality."

Lauren is disappointed; she had visions of examining Grace. "Okay"

Grace smiles. "How do fae recognize each other?"

"They don't always. Sometimes it is how they act. Dyson can do it by smell, even after the fae has left…." A thought crosses Lauren's mind. "Why do you ask?"

Grace looks down at her wine. "We always recognize each other."

Lauren's eyes open wide. "Do you mean….?"

"That Kenzi may be older than she appears? Yes."

Lauren's mind races. "Bo has met an aunt of hers who knew her as a child."

Grace nods. "Never the less." Grace considers.

"What?"

"She may be what we call a pre-immortal."

Lauren is puzzled. "What is that?"

"An immortal who has not had their first death. How do the fae age?"

Lauren explains "They differ depending upon species. But most, like Bo age normally until they complete puberty. At that point their powers develop and their aging slows dramatically. Later they must pass a test or devolve into underfae."

"Fascinating. They actually change?"

"Yes, down to a genetic level."

"Fascinating. As I said, we age normally until our first death. In order to trigger our immortality, it must be a violent death. We also gain… certain abilities, one of which is the ability to sense the presence of others…. like ourselves."

"Bo gained her powers but did not know she was fae. She didn't know why her lovers died."

Grace nods "It is similar for us… except for the lovers' part. Kenzi may not know what she is."

"We must tell her."

Grace shakes her head. "According to our traditions, no we must not, as long as she is a pre-immortal."

"Why?"

"For several reasons." Grace explains somewhat surprised by Lauren's question. "First, we prey upon each other so why would we want to give a person the idea of trying to kill the immortal that told them what they are. Second, what would a pre-immortal do with that knowledge? Seek a violent death? No, it is better to let nature take its course."

Lauren lets this sink in. "Why do you prey upon each other?"

Grace gives a sigh "We don't all always prey upon each other. I don't, won't. But those that do, have a reason. The Quickening."

"The Quickening? Isn't that the point at which a mother first senses the movement of a child in her womb?"

"It is that too." Grace says wistfully. "It is also what makes us immortal. It is what we sense in other immortals. It is what the… victor gets when they take another immortal's head…. and life. They get the essence of their victim, and all of the Quickenings their victim took and their victim's victims have taken. I've never experienced it, so I can't describe it. In the end there can be only one, and that one wins the Prize. And no, even we don't know what the prize is. But that immortal will have the Quickenings of every other immortal who ever lived."

"So Kenzi has a Quickening?"

Grace nods. "Yes. But it is dormant until her first death, although I can sense its presence."

"Would another, like you kill her to get it?"

Grace shrugs. "Possibly, though not likely."

Lauren is concerned. "How can she defend herself? How can we protect her?"

"She is safe only on holy ground; none of us, not even the worst, will fight another on holy ground, it is tradition."

"You don't stay on holy ground."

"No. I go where I need to go and do what I need to do." In a whisper she adds "I accept the risks."

"But what can I do to protect her?"

Grace shrugs a bit. "From another immortal? Nothing. But should she get a fatal disease or be poisoned, you could give her a violent death to trigger her immortality. But if you do, you still should not tell her, just let her think it was your excellent care." Grace smiles at the last bit.

"The fae feed on chi from humans. It can be fatal."

"I saw. That would be the same. Kenzi would be dead. I came to see if you would be willing to collaborate on researching what I discovered. But now, I see that you already know all about them. Do you work with them?"

"In a way. I belong to the light fae. They consider me chattel. But Bo is not light fae; she is unaligned which is unique. You realize that I can't discuss their medical issues.

Grace nods. "We seem to be at an impasse."

Lauren nods. "We are. But if I were, to convince Bo to allow me to discuss her with you, perhaps to allow you to examine her, would you talk to Bo & Kenzi and explain to them what Kenzi is?"

Grace considers this offer. "Remember, we have our reasons for not telling pre-immortals what they are, or for that matter triggering their immortality. It often goes badly."

"I'll accept the risk. Kenzi lives in a very dangerous world. The fae know she knows about them. They tolerate her and consider her Bo's 'pet' which is pretty much a slave. Bo doesn't consider her that way."

"I'd also like to examine Kenzi. We can determine if she is what I think she is."

"Please wait here while I talk to them."

Grace nods and Lauren leaves the room.

Lauren finds Bo upstairs. "So are you two done with your secret talk?" Bo asks a little hurt.

"With the secret part maybe… Bo, I'd like to ask a big favor. I think it would be to Kenzi's benefit, but I can't be sure."

"How would it be to Kenzi's benefit?"

Lauren hesitates. "Do you recall the shock when I told you what you are?" Bo nods. "It seems that Kenzi is more than she seems, and she has no concept of her potential."

Bo gasps slightly. "Kenzi is fae?"

"No. It seems that Kenzi may be what Grace calls a 'pre-immortal' meaning one who has the potential to live forever but for whom there is also great risk. There is something else…. Are you sure Kenzi is the age she appears to be?"

"I think so. What is the favor?"

"Let me discuss your medical case with her…. She will likely want to examine you, but I think my files will satisfy her for now. I have extensive files on you. She may want to see you demonstrate your powers….. I would if I were her." There is a long pause. "She will also want to examine Kenzi."

"Kenzi doesn't like her. She makes her very nervous."

"I know. But how far would you have gone to learn about what you were before…."

"Before I was forced to?"

"Yeah. By the way, where is she?"

"She went out. I'm frightened for her. I knew I was different, just not how, she's had no idea. It's not fair that we know and she doesn't."

Lauren and Bo return to the living room where Grace waits.

Grace asks "Do you have my medical bag?" Lauren gives it to her. "I think that you may require further proof and to show your friend." Grace opens the bag and retrieves a scalpel, a syringe, a vial, and some gauze. She fills the syringe with some of the contents of the vial. "Would you assist me doctor?" She asks Lauren.

"What do you want me to do?"

Grace rolls up her sleeve, places the gauze on the table, and places her arm on it. "A demonstration for your friend, please give me a local and make an incision."

"I'm not doing that."

"Yes you are… please." Lauren retrieves her own medical bag and takes out some antiseptic. "You won't need that." She tells Lauren.

"You could get infected." Lauren responds.

"No, I won't. Please, proceed." Grace looks away as Lauren gently takes Grace's arm.

"Why the analgesic, but no antiseptic?"

"We do feel pain doctor."

Grace winces a bit as Lauren makes several injections on Graces forearm. "You were stabbed about thirty times."

Grace nods. "Still…"

Lauren examines Graces arm as Bo becomes increasingly agitated. Grace looks to her. "Are you okay? Your heart rate and respiration are up."

Bo nods, but is still nervous. A fight is one thing, but this is different and makes Bo upset. Lauren strokes Graces arm. "You can tell that without touching her?" Lauren asks.

"Yes. We can sense other living things if we concentrate. Bo is very compassionate. Her heart is pounding. It has taken effect doctor. Bo, you may not want to watch the incision. But you'll be interested in the result." Grace looks away and Lauren carefully makes the cut. Bo turns away as soon as the scalpel makes contact.

"Bo, look." Grace says as Lauren finishes. Bo tentatively glances, and then glances again, then watches. Lauren never turns away.

"It wasn't deep, but it has already fully healed without the slightest scar. I've never seen anything like it…" Lauren looks to Bo. "…. without sex being involved."

Bo nods astonished. "I guess it is my turn. Should I get commando?" Bo begins to loosen her collar and unbutton.

Grace looks to Lauren confused.

Lauren explains "Do you want to examine her physically?"

Grace shakes her head. "Not yet. Can we start with a few questions?"

Bo is a bit disappointed. "It seems I'm getting off easy."

"What special abilities do you have?"

Bo shrugs. "I can feed on the chi of others, mostly their sexual energy. That enables me to heal, but …. not like you. I can control others by touch. I make them feel good and they will do what I want. I can sense sexual energy. I see it, like an aura"

"It makes sense that your species would evolve to sense what you feed on. How do you feed?"

"Generally I kiss them and inhale their chi. If I take too much, I can kill them. But I can also give some back."

Lauren adds "She's leaning to control it; otherwise she could easily kill a human... a mortal human."

"Could you demonstrate….?"

Bo and Lauren look at Grace a bit shocked. Lauren speaks up "Even though she's a succubus and willing to go commando at a moments notice…. Ummm I…. What you're asking is kind of just for the two of us. Besides she doesn't feed from me."

It's Grace's turn to be shocked, and a bit amused. "Oh no, I didn't mean that…"

Bo realizes what Grace means. "You want me to feed from you?"

Grace nods a bit nervously. "That should be more informative. Please, don't make me do anything I would not willingly do. Will I remember?"

"I promise." Bo moves onto the couch next to a nervous Grace and touches her gently. Grace relaxes as Bo uses her powers, Grace becomes blissful. "You will remember." Bo gently kisses Grace and feeds. Grace weakens and begins to lose consciousness. Bo becomes more aggressive.

Lauren shakes Bo's shoulder. "Stop! She's not fae. She's dying" Bo breaks off and looks at Grace in concern.

"Oh no." Bo says in shock as she prepares to return Grace's chi. But Grace rouses and gains strength on her own.

"That was both pleasant, and horrific." Graces says as she recovers her strength.

"I've never seen a human recover so quickly." Lauren observes. "You nearly lost control Bo. Perhaps your medication is losing its effectiveness."

Bo, still recovering, "I … I'm sorry. It was different, it tasted different. I wanted more and more, it overwhelmed me."

Grace asks "Taste?"

"It's what we call it. It isn't actually taste, but sort of." Bo searches for an analogy. "If normal human chi is like a fresh spring wine, yours was like an old rare vintage, very rich with nuance."

Grace smiles. "I haven't turned to vinegar?"

Bo smiles. "Not at all."

"Pleasant and horrific?" Lauren asks. "You knew it would not kill you. Right?"

"It was pleasant. I felt warm and loved, even as I was being drained, I didn't want it to end. I would have done anything to not have it end. It is a horrific thought."

"This conversation is getting kind of heavy." Bo observes. "How about something more fun…. Or at least less 'horrific'."

"How and when did you become a doctor?" Lauren asks.

Grace gets a far away look as she contemplates a time long ago and then casually answers "It started in 1402 in the Duchy of Lorraine. My name was Helen Jereau. I was a milkmaid. This was before I became immortal. When the family I worked for was afflicted with smallpox, I took care of them. Several of them died, but I didn't get the pox."

"Because you'd been exposed to cowpox." Lauren diagnoses.

"Yes, although we didn't understand that then. Instead, I was accused of being a witch…."

"My God…." Lauren sighs to herself knowing where this is going.

"…. and I was stoned to death." Lauren tears up. Bo is shocked.

"I thought this was supposed to be less horrific." Bo observes.

Grace looks wistful and takes a sip of her wine. "It turned out alright. I met my first immortal. He was a great man known as Charles of Strasbourg. He had been a Crusader and had been killed in battle at Acres in 1191. He taught me what it is to be an immortal."

The group continues to discuss Grace's history until Grace reacts to something and looks toward the door. In a moment Kenzi enters. Kenzi walks straight through into the kitchen saying "Can I show you something, I think we've got the creeping crap." Bo follows Kenzi. When they get to the kitchen, Kenzi asks "What is she still doing here?"

"Kenzi, we need to talk."

"It's only a matter of time before Dyson shows up looking for her. We should get Ms. Creepy out of here. I knew she was here even before I came in. I could feel it in my gut."

In the living room, Grace overhears and goes into the kitchen. Kenzi glares at her. "You knew I was here before you came in? You felt it?"

Lauren follows Grace into the kitchen.

Grace is not watching Kenzi as quite as intensely as she did before but she's still very wary. "That's not the first time you had that sensation is it?" She asks accusingly.

Kenzi is confused. "No." She answers, defiantly but cringing as she says it.

"When have you felt it before?"

"At the bus, when I met you here, and now."

"What does it feel like?"

"A fear, like I'm falling or about to."

"Have you ever been seriously injured? Passed out? Recovered? No scar?"

Lauren responds for Kenzi. "Fighting the Garuda, she was badly cut with a sword. A siren cauterized her wound."

"Would cauterizing the wound have healed the associated internal injuries or prevented scaring?" Grace asks, already knowing the real answer.

"No, we did it to stop the bleeding. Apparently she wasn't injured internally….." Lauren responds with what she believed but is now considering another alternative even as she says it... Kenzi touches where the wound was and a confused look comes across her face (how could Grace have known?).

Grace looks to Lauren. "I was wrong."

Lauren asks "About what?"

"She's not a pre-immortal. She's already had her first death."

Kenzi is shocked. "Had my what?!"

Grace moves to a panicked Kenzi and gently takes her by both hands. "There is much we have to talk about. You have no idea of your true potential. There is much you must learn and you must learn it quickly."

Kenzi asks "How many has she had?"

Lauren looks out into the living room at Grace's glass. "About a half a one."

"Well, she's on somethin' 'cause she's not makin' any sense. Alive here!"

"Anger is a normal reaction. You have an advantage most of us can only dream of. You don't have to leave your loved ones behind forever."

Kenzi pulls away. "Somebody shut her up."

Lauren's jaw drops. She knows Kenzi won't listen to her; she looks to Bo. Bo is also panicked. But she places her hand on Kenzi's shoulder and does what she never has before; she uses her powers to calm and restrain Kenzi. Bo guides Kenzi to the couch and gets her to lie down. Kenzi falls asleep. But Bo feels guilty for violating Kenzi. "She'll sleep awhile." Bo finally says and then places her face in her hands in grief and shame. As Lauren and Grace recover, Bo says to herself more than to Grace "I wish I never met you."

Grace is hurt, but says "I understand."

"Bo, whether we met Grace or not, Kenzi would still be what she is. But with Grace here, Kenzi… WE can learn." Bo, her face still in her hands nods.

"But I still used my ability on a friend without her permission." Grace watches Bo with growing respect.

"Bo, it will be alright. Kenzi has many advantages, not the least of which is you. You are her greatest advantage. I don't know how fae age or what their lifespan is…" Grace pauses. "Immortals are usually taken under another… more seasoned… immortal's wing for training…." Grace pauses again. "What I mean is, that you are not part of the Game." Lauren and Bo look at Grace confused. Grace continues. "You will never be a threat to her."

"Of course I'll never be a threat to her."

"You might be someday if you were an immortal. Some immortals are friends for centuries, even millennia, but we all know in the end there can only be one. Someday the last remaining immortals will feel an irresistible urge to battle each other. It doesn't matter if you are friends or lovers. It is impossible for one of us to sneak up on another…. Many of us die at the hands of our friends."

Bo lets this sink in, then in disgust says. "You people are sick."

"It is not an easy life. But let me help. Can I make a phone call?"

"Who are you calling?"

"A friend. A good man. I have taught a few, but I can't teach Kenzi enough to live the life she will want to live. She's going to need to learn to use a sword."

Bo looks to Lauren, Lauren nods. "Go ahead."

Grace retrieves her phone and dials. As it is ringing she says "He lives not far away, in Seacouver." When the call connects she says "Duncan? Duncan it's Grace…" Grace smiles warmly. "I'm fine, but I do need to ask a favor. Can you train a new immortal? A girl?" There is a long pause, Grace looks disappointed and pouts, then she is partially relieved. "I think I've met him. She's in a dangerous environment … but not our kind. Has he ever taught anyone? … He's pretty … gentle, is he tough enough? … Thanks Duncan." Graces disconnects. "He can't but he has a friend that he thinks may be willing to train Kenzi. He's going to try and he's never let me down."

Bo asks "What was that tough enough part?"

Grace pauses. "Duncan can't train her, but he has a friend he thinks might. I've met his friend. He's sort of bookish, a nice guy. He used to be a doctor." Lauren perks up. "He graduated from the University of Heidelberg in the middle of the fifteenth century, so he's probably a little out of practice." Lauren nods slowly letting the casual mention of the "fifteenth century" part sink in.

"You didn't answer my question."

"Bo when two immortals meet there are three things that can happen and two of them are bad. Kenzi needs to learn how to defend herself against people who live in a world in which fights to the death are routine. She's got to either hide, accept that she will be killed, or learn to kill. I'm assuming that hiding and accepting death are not in her nature."

"Well you'd be right with that last bit. They are not." Bo says.

"So she needs a person to train her to fight. That takes somebody who can be tough."

Kenzi makes some noise and rolls a bit on the couch. Bo motions everyone toward the kitchen. When they are all away from Kenzi Grace asks "Can I read your file?" Bo nods.

Lauren says "I actually have a copy here. I'll get it." Lauren heads off for Bo's bedroom.

Grace watches Bo and Bo becomes a bit nervous. Seeing this Grace says "I'm sorry. You're just so fascinating. I came here to consult with Lauren, I never expected to meet a…."

"Fae." Bo completes Grace's sentence. "There are a lot of different types, I doubt even Lauren knows all of them. They are divided into the dark fae and light fae, but that is determined by choice not type."

"Dark & light?"

"Yes. It has to do with their attitude toward humans."

"Which are you?"

"I'm unaligned, which may be unique. I didn't grow up fae. I thought I was human and I guess that makes me different."

Lauren returns with several notebooks which she gives to Grace. Grace begins to study them intently. Bo picks up the bottle of wine and motions to Lauren who extends her glass for a refill.

There is a sound from the living room followed by a thump. Kenzi moans "Blech, something gave birth to a litter of kittens in my mouth." Bo and Lauren head back to the living room and find Kenzi has rolled off of the couch. Kenzi looks up at them and pulls herself to sit upright on the floor. "I had the craziest dream. There was this psycho dead chick, and you were both there…" Bo and Lauren look amused. "No really. It was a CRAZY dream….."

Grace walks in with a notebook and goes to Lauren. She points and Lauren responds "Spleen. Fae physiology differs from human. The organs are mostly the same, but they can be in different places and even numbers. Sometimes there are extra organs, for example some have gills as well as lungs." Kenzi's jaw drops and her eyes are wide. Ignoring Kenzi, Grace heads back to the kitchen engrossed in the notebook.

Bo pinches Kenzi's cheek, "It wasn't a dream, you little immortal you." She says in a funny grandmotherly tone.