Disclaimers: All original property is owned by Showcase, and we do not infer that any characters, creations or the concept of 'Lost Girl' are our property and the following fan fiction has been written purely for entertainment purposes only.
Pairings: Bo/Lauren
Time-Frame: About three – four weeks after the events of 4:13 Dark Horse
Rating: M (Contains scenes of violence, sexuality and nudity)
Summary: As mentioned in the initial summary this is just a 'play around thing' that Kath and I started, during a hellish week that demanded too much from us for us to put in the dedication that HR and the Fae series needs, but we still needed our 'out' which is to write :) . It's not particularly well edited, apologies there, and there's no guarantee when it'll be updated but just for fun I'm throwing it out there. Bo / Lauren, Dyson / Tamsin pairings – just a warning for you there. As for the an outline of the story itself, well more of a punch line really - "Things are hardly ever what they seem." Okay so that actually told you nothing but :). It's about what else, getting our beloved K back, if that's the right thing to do, it's the right thing to do – right?
If the Shoe Fits...
Chapter One : Coffee
The RainbowWriters
If there was one thing that Lauren had learned quite early in her scientific career, it was that research and theory could only bring you so far. At some point, those challenged had to decide on a hypothesis, something to test and then to move forward and systematically test it against the resulting data to see if indeed they were correct or not.
The problem for her right now however was that finding her hypothesis was proving to be less then simple. After all her single focus and question at the moment was a need to know if it was even possible to bring Kenzi back to life? Back to Bo, back from wherever she had ended up when Valhalla had rejected the heroic human's soul for reasons still unclear to everyone.
Her research into the initial idea had led her through quite a few dead end avenues, ones that relied more on religion then anything she could actually try to value out in any kind of scientific or even helpful manner. No, what Lauren realized she needed very early on was a Fae or a Fae related item that could indeed perform the necessary deed or at least get her closer to what was need, that being something or someone powerful enough to figurative or literally resurrect the dead.
If she was honest it was the type of question she had never dreamed of having to answer, after all wasn't 'death' supposed to have a finality to it, even for Fae. Wasn't it quite likely that in making her sacrifice to close the portal, Kenzi's life was forfeit, that she couldn't be brought back no matter how much right now Bo's sanity seemed to hinge on it.
That was a point however she didn't give herself the luxury to dwell on much, in fact the sole focus of her intellectual brain of late had been to exploit the Dark Fae archives for anything, any lead that would help her answer the question that was keeping their lives in the stagnant position it was in.
Lauren could recall the look of pleasure of Evony's face when the blonde had come to her with an 'offer' for a deal that involved the good doctor keeping all of the benefits she had been enjoying within the Dark Fae, in return for the promise that any 'rumours' of the gorgeous brunette having been stripped of her Fae powers and status would be dealt with, the blonde was to deny all reference to the existence of and use of the supposed serum and supply her with a reliable 'Fae cover pheromone' to convince the 'smellier' Fae types as the dark beauty had put it. Initially of course Evony had wanted nothing short of her powers returning but Lauren had refused without question, pointing out that right now they were each others best and worst friends. And so a deal had been made. It was a bad one, based at best on a delicate and fragile foundation that Lauren knew wouldn't last a moment longer than it had to, but then again that wasn't a new feeling for her was it? Her life has always been based on deals and bluffs and double bluffs or at least that's how it seemed sometimes.
But even all those hours that followed the deal making, hours of pouring through old books and rather disturbing research and only brought her to where she stood now, a small badly lit alley well in Dark Fae territory that normally she would have avoided if she had been given the chance. She had even considered calling Tamsin to come with her as back up but had second guessed herself thinking that the Valkyrie would probably draw more attention to her, and often in situations like this, more attention was a bad not a good thing.
This particular part of the Dark part of down was consider the 'old quarter' dotted with buildings that like the Dal had probably been there longer than the city had, and had just stood there and watched as the metropolis sprung up around them. Indifferent to the hustle and bustle, nonchalant to the changes in humanity and Faedom alike. Indeed the building she focused on even had runic symbols carved into it's stone work facade, it's meaning unclear to the blonde, but she knew that to at least some older Fae the simple scratchings would say more than any street sign or even GPS listing ever would.
Taking a deep breath, Lauren pushed herself inside, looking up to see the small brass bell that chimed to announce that the door had been breached, it's tone surprisingly bright considering the dimness of the interior of the store. Though the absent of bright over head flouresent lighting was the second thing that struck the blonde about the shop, the first was the smell. The unmistakable 'old books smell' one that lingered in the basement of university libraries, and museums, and old book stores, permeated every inch of the dark store and filled Lauren's sense with her very first breath. To the point that even if it wasn't for the fact that there were books literally everywhere, stacked up in leaning piles, filling old wooden shelves, holding up uneven tables, anyone would have known what the store was selling.
The only thing in the place that didn't look at least twenty, or even thirty years old was a metal cabinet directly next to an antique counter that held a cash register that Lauren swore she had seen once in a movie, that Kenzi had made her watch, a western with aliens was it? Not to mention at least fifty or so books. This metal cabinet had a bright orange sign cut in the shape of a badly proportioned star, with the words 'New Releases' written on it in black marker. Lauren found the addition almost comical, and found herself wondering if there was really much call for John Grisham, Stephen King or Danielle Steel typically with those who frequented the place.
"Well hello, welcome, I have to say its a surprise to see anyone in here so late on a Friday." A petite dark haired woman seemed to suddenly step out from behind one of the tall wooden bookshelves that ran into the shadows of the long shop. "How can I help you?"
"Hello." Lauren had been a little lost in her own thoughts initially and been somewhat startled by the greeting, but she managed to give a pleasant greeting back her mind instantly returning to the task at hand. "I was looking for a book, a very old book, rumour seemed to suggest you might be in possession of a copy." She reached into her pocket and took out the small folded piece of paper she had written out the full title on and handed it over to the other woman when she approached.
"Dr Harshalbiens Guide to the Inbetween." The clerk read the title and then looked back up at Lauren, giving the doctor the first view of oddly grey eyes. "There's a title I've not not heard for a long time." She continued moving past Lauren but not towards the shelves behind her but rather to the cluttered desk where the register stood. "Indeed you're not even asking for it are you..." She referenced the fact that the doctor had just almost mysteriously handed her the note contained the required book title. "More enquiring after it." She held up the folded paper with a smile. "Tell me do you often go about your daily purchases by way of folded notes, carefully penned on..." She paused again and then brought the paper up to her nose for just a second, the smile on her face growing ever so slightly before she continued. "Dark Fae archive stationary?" She closed the note in two again and held it between her fingers out towards Lauren again for the blonde to reclaim it. "Or is that smell just coming from your fingers?" She added the question as Lauren reached to pull the note back.
"You're right on both accounts." Lauren felt herself bristle slightly at the response tht had been so much more than she had expected, though she was angry more at herself for not expecting it, that at the response itself. Which is why she gave the immediat response after all there was was little point in dancing around admittances as simple as this. "Do you have the book or know where I can locate it?"
"Interesting..." The grey eyed woman arched her eyebrows and looked away from Lauren for a moment. "I do." She made her own response just as quickly. "The question you must ask Dr. Lewis, is do you really want it."
"How do you know who I am?" Lauren took a half step back, knowing she'd done nothing to reveal her identity or made her decision to come here known to anyone, even Bo.
"That's not the question I asked doctor." The smaller woman shook her head. "I asked whether or not you wanted the book that you spent all those hour going through archives that you have not right scouring through considering you have no place in the Dark Fae considering the things your have done. You have no place among the Fae at all."
"Yes, I believe it has the instructions I need." Lauren seemed to steel herself and move back up closer to the counter.
"Let me save you the hour or so it will take you to read it. It doesn't." She shook her head, her grey eyes fixing on to Lauren's brown ones. "It is a guide book, not a how to instruction book for would be necromancers." She let a smirk play across her lips. "Are you not happy with your already considerable medical breakthroughs Doctor?"
"I'm not looking for the book because I want power, I just want a friend brought home." Lauren put her hand on the scared wooden counter top. "But I'm starting to get the feeling you already know that too."
"Mackenzie Malikov, the thief who stole the heart of a Queen." A soft chuckle accompanied the words from the smaller woman.
"Is there any book here that can help me?" Lauren glanced at the extensive collection.
"I didn't say the book couldn't help you, I said it couldn't tell you what you need to do to get her back." Stepping back from out behind the counter, the small figure moved off down one of the en shadowed bookshelves. "For a woman who understands science and the shades of definition, you do not examine the words that are spoken to you."
"Excuse me." Lauren moved to follow after her. "But I am a scientist with no desire to be Dr. Frankenstein, I just want to get Kenzi back to Bo where she belongs."
"What makes you think she belongs there." In the dimmer light the other woman's grey eyes began to emit a soft glow, evidence enough if she needed it to pinpoint her as Fae.
"She is the heart of the Queen, and that heart should be with that Queen." Lauren made her mind narrow itself down, upping her game of Fae word play.
"Oh please Doctor." The Fae scoffed, "You know your Fae, what use does a Succubus have for a heart? They are born to lust, to enjoy sex and pleasure. It's what they are built for, what they are designed for. They have a body created for one thing, and that thing is not love."
"It seems that even if you know much, you do not know Bo." The blonde made the soft line in the sand.
"Really?" The short Fae turned and looked at Lauren, her eyes glowing a little brighter as she arched her eyebrow. "What if it is you who do not know she who is The Queen." She challenged. "Have you ever considered that your friends act was not one of heroic martyrdom as you all believed, but rather just one more mosaic piece that needed to slot into a larger beautiful picture."
"Unless you have a book that outlines a prophecy ahead of time, I will never believe that Bo was meant to lose Kenzi forever. And even if I did accept it, she won't." The blonde gave a soft shake of her head. "Could I at least know your name? Since you seem to know more than enough about me."
A soft laugh broke from the dark haired Fae.
"You know my respect for you is so high that I forget you are human at times, forget the need for such little formalities. You may call me Lida." She looked away for a moment a frown crossing her brow for a moment. "And I find it disappointing that you turn away a hypothesis before even considering it Doctor, especially considering what and who you are." She shook her head and with it removed the look of displeasure from her features. "I would however ask you to consider this. The Valkyrie was not able to take the young one through the gates into Valhalla, Valhalla will only accept the soul of a hero, it cannot take one who was fooled, or tricked into sacrificing herself as one. Could that not be an answer to that question that I know you have asked?"
"You mean that Kenzi dying possibly didn't close the portal but just stripped her away from Bo?" Lauren's eyes widened as the new slant caused a cascade of ideas to begin running through her head.
"I am saying nothing, just offering new viewpoints and possible avenues for you to think on. But one thing I do know as a fact is that The Queen of all, The Queen Succubus could not rule if she had a heart." Lida replied her voice soft.
"Damn it!" Lauren turned and put the palms of her hands up to rub her eyes. "Every time I think I'm starting to figure this out." She gave a noise that showed her frustration.
"As for the portal..." The smaller Fae reached up and pulled a tiny book from the third book. "Smoke and mirrors my dear." She held it out. "I can make it look like the world is about to end with a few cheap tricks, some undead and a little fire and brimstone, but that doesn't make me more than an old Fae running a second hand book store now does it?"
"No, but it could give you something over Bo, take something important from her." Lauren looked back as she reached out and closed her hand around the book. Her mind almost spinning, trying to decipher all that she was being told. "Anything, everything you can tell me... you know I can't pay you enough but I think you understand that Bo cannot be led down this path, made to become Queen." She heard the pleading in her own voice.
For a long moment the Fae stood close beside Lauren held the blonde's eyes.
"Do you fear you would have no place in a world that would have the Succubus as it's Queen?" Lida asked, her voice low and considerably darker than before.
"No." Lauren's answer was honest and fast. "What I fear is that being Queen would destroy the best parts of Bo."
"But you can save her from that already. Strip her of her Faedom, make her human." As Lida looked at Lauren large round dark pupils in her eyes shrank become narrow slits, as the pale grey that coloured her irises flooded out to fill her entire eye, her hand flared out and gripped Lauren's wrist tightly. "Stop the Savage Beast before it can be birthed."
"I can't do that." Lauren's own eyes widened as she watched the small but significant transformation in the women in front of her. "Not unless there is no hope."
With an indiscernible curse Lida released Lauren's wrist, pushing the blonde back away from her with surprised force.
"How many more will have to die for you to believe there is no hope? How many lives will be lost?" She spoke with her back to the blonde. "Neither blood that forged the creature you love was pure, the Beast that was spawned out of the union can bring with it nothing but sorrow."
"She is more then the sum of her parentage." Lauren contradicted, her natural defensive protective feelings for Bo rising to the surface. "As long as the good part of her is fighting, there is hope."
"And fighting for her, with her is a Doctor, whose first moral and conscious choice in life was to create a weapon that ended eleven others?" Lida threw out the jibe, her tone acidic.
"What are you?" Lauren's eyes narrowed as she began to look for anything other than the woman's eyes to give her an understanding of what kind of Fae she was dealing with. "My memories are my own thank you and I live with the burden of them." She spat the words back out.
"No you don't Karen, you hide them away, like you do everything you don't like, every thing you fear, every thing that doesn't fit what the way you want it to." Lida's tone darkened again. "You are a murderer and you are a coward and I am wasting my time."
"Aunt Lida, that's quite enough." A much younger woman, about Lauren's height with long dark hair emerged from behind another of the book shelves, a look of annoyance on her face. "I apologize for her abruptness Dr. Lewis, but sometimes she's too old and too emotionless for her own good." She purposefully put herself in the gap between the two women to shield Lauren. "She also forgets that it's impolite to divulge information that our abilities naturally show us. My name is Nan, well actually no, it's something all together more ugly than that, one of the downfalls of being Fae and being x number of hundreds of years old, you get saddled with a name that no one has heard of for years and hardly anyone can pronounce." She smiled brightly. "So please in the interest of friendship call me Nan." She blinked light grey eyes at Lauren. "As an apology, take the book, no charge and perhaps we could go get a coffee and talk about..." She glanced at her still fuming 'Aunt' and quickly looked back at Lauren. "things?" She offered the inadequate definition.
"Coffee." Lauren had to dial back down all of her inner reactions to the older Fae's words and cradling the book in one arm she began to back track towards the main door.
"Your meddling will only make this worse Nan." Lida hissed the words at her niece, her head seeming to have settled into a constant shake of disagreement and disapproval.
"Just like it did with your fudge recipe." Nan threw a quick look back at her over her shoulder. "But that was inedible to begin with so there wasn't anything to loose then either now was there."
"She has the means to change destiny but she will not use it, coward." Lida seemed to spit out the word as a final decision and moved slowly away.
Nan pulled open the door and held it for Lauren.
"Believe me so did the fudge, it was one step away from sentience, or being the one shot cause of instant diabetes." She said in a whisper so only the blonde could hear. "I had a hell of a time trying to make it inert." A slightly lopsided smirk crept onto the younger Fae's lips. "There's a kick-ass coffee place literally around the corner." She added nodding towards the main street. "Let's put a better taste in your mouth."
"You're both Eternals aren't you?" Lauren made sure her voice was low as she walked so the conversation would remain between the two of them.
Nan gave a slow but deliberate nod as they slipped out of the small door. "That is both our pleasure and our curse. To never die, yet to never live, to never sleep, to never rest." She smiled more as she let go of the door and let it fall closed. "To know at a glance every little thing someone like you has ever done and yet to never really know anything." She looked at Lauren as the blonde put a little distance between them.
"To be able to throw the truths we hide from ourselves in our faces." Lauren's tone showed just how much the older Fae's words had affected her.
"If we let the years embitter us." Nan nodded. "Or time whittle away our patience." She offered a different view. "Or we lose hope that that which we fear is coming cannot be averted, no matter how much we believe it can." She offered a third possibility.
"You're scared of what Bo will become if she ascends to the throne?" Lauren continued to catch sideways glances of the Fae she walked with. Letting herself make a broader impression of her, it was easy to say that Nan was quite beautiful. Her long hair dark and wild, her grey eyes mysterious, with high cheekbones and full red lips against barely sun kissed skin.
"The Fae being ruled by a heartless monster who lives driven by desires of lust, greed and power." Nan summed up her tone deliberately filled with question. "Yes, you could say that bothers me."
"It scares me too, mostly because it wouldn't be Bo, not the Bo I know, that those who love her know." Lauren gave the small agreement to the fact. "The last thing she would want to become is a monster."
"Maybe but that is the Bo that you know." Nan stressed the word softly. "She's already one step away from that Bo."
"Rainer took her there, then losing Kenzi." The blonde again gave her agreement. "I know she's fighting but I'm not sure she even knows what or how to fight."
"Do any of you?" Nan asked the question gently. "No offence Doctor but what you did to The Morrigan though impressive in so many ways was... foolish... in as many others."
"I know, I've made a bigger mess of it." Lauren pulled her feet to a stop and looked into grey eyes for a moment. "I thought knowing how to create Fae was bad enough, now I can strip them of their powers. With everything your Aunt just said to me, reminded me about myself, I can't help but start thinking I have some part in all of this as well. That I'm going to become another of the Queen's weapons in time."
"I know you know what I am talking about when I speak of the Helskor." Nan took a small breath as she too stopped and looked at Lauren.
"Of course I do." Lauren gave a nod.
"And without pushing for details I am also as convinced that you know where the Succubus keeps the one she does have." The dark haired Fae continued.
"Yes." Lauren began to wonder where this was going.
"I am going to give you just one piece of actual advice today Dr Lewis, no matter what else we talk about or discuss." Nan paused. "Take it. Put it somewhere and don't tell her. Don't tell anyone, not the wolf, the Valkyrie, no one." She frowned slightly as she looked into brown eyes. "It is not for them."
"If Bo finds the second and puts them on, I loose her don't I?" Lauren whispered the terrifying question. "She becomes Queen."
"The answer to that is not a simple yes or no, though it should be I suppose." Nan shook her head. "And I cannot make you follow my advice." She added, "But please." She took a breath and narrowed grey eyes as she kept them locked onto brown. "Think about it."
"I will." The doctor gave her word that she would at least think about the suggestion.
"Thank you." The Eternal seemed to breathe a little easier the moment Lauren gave her an answer. "Now I believe I promised you coffee." She relaxed her face into a smile and motioned down the street towards an obvious cafe.
-x-