Disclaimer; I do not own Lost Girl, their characters, their plot, theme or names, and I do not claim ownership to them. Those belong to Showtime. However, I DO claim ownership to my writing, so please don't steal =)
Authors Note: The setting of this fic takes place directly after season two, episode 12 'Masks'. Nadia is awake from her coma, but she and Lauren never leave on their 'road trip'.
I've really taken to this story. I have a lot of interesting things planned, both for the Lauren x Bo x Nadia dynamic as well as the general plot. I hope you'll love it as much as I love working on it.
Rating; M, for content introduced later
Featured Pair; Bo x Lauren
The air in the nearly abandoned Dal was thick as her friends stood gathered in front of the bar. Bo took a deep breath to steady herself, Kenzie at her side. The Goth was shifting uncharaistically, her usual air of arrogance and confidence all but dissipated as she followed the older woman when the succubus stepped forward.
Time to face the music...
Dyson, Hale, Ciara and Trick only watched her approach with cautious and curious faces, waiting to hear reason Bo had called them here.
"Hey guys!" The succubus began, a cheery false smile on her face, but none of her friends smiled back. "Well...um..." Bo continued awkwardly, "I guess I should explain why I asked you all here..."
"It would be nice," Dyson said in his typical gruff voice.
"Well...um..." Bo began, wringing her hands and casting her eyes to the floor as she searched for the words to explain her situation. It was funny, she thought with very little amusement, how she had her entire speech worked out the night before, yet she couldn't seem to remember a word of it now.
Thankfully, Kenzie saved her. "We're leaving town." The Goth stated tensely.
"What?" Hale, the only one to find his voice after few moments of silence, asked in surprise, his eyes flicking between the Succubus and the Goth girl. "Where? Why? When?"
Bo took a deep breath and prepared to answer. "We're going to Montreal, leaving tonight. It's not going to be permanent...I just need a little break...New scenery, ya know, get away for a while. As for the why...it's...complicated."
Dyson stepped forward, even as Hale and Trick remained silent and Ciara had her eyes focused on the floor. Though she and the Succubus hadn't had the greatest start they had, surprisingly, became good friends after the whole 'body switch' situation and the blond fairy looked slightly disturbed by Kenzie's revelation. "Complicated?" The wolf-man asked slowly. Bo nodded. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
The succubus shot a questioning look toward her best friend, who smiled uneasily and moved toward the small gathering of the people she considered family. Bo and Dyson moved in tandem toward some couches situated in a corner, both taking a seat facing each other.
"Bo..." Dyson began, and the succubus sighed, already knowing what was coming. Dyson really did know her too well. "You can't let this get to you." At the succubus' surprised glance, he chuckled. "I saw how you looked when Lauren showed up with Nadia at your birthday party. I've seen that look before. But you managed to move on after what happened between us, why can't you just do the same now."
"Dyson..." Bo paused, picking up one of the man's large hands in her own, looking down at it to avoid his blue eyes. "I just...can't do it anymore...you and Lauren..." She trailed off, knowing she didn't have to explain any further. "I need a fresh start. I already lost you and now..." She sighed, "At least, with you, I had a right to be heartbroken...we were actually together. But with her, we never were. We didn't even get the chance. And I can't stay here, seeing her every day, knowing that we could have had something that's impossible now and seeing you every day knowing that we had something that we can never have again. I know I don't have any right to, but I...I can't bear to see them together. I can see it in her eyes every time I look at her. I can see it in her aura every time we touch. I can't bear knowing the effect I have on her - and that she feels something for me -, and then see her with Nadia. And, even though I put on a strong front and pretend like its okay, it hurts to see you with Ciara too. "
She sighed heavily, finally lifting her eyes to find Dyson's as she continued. The wolf-man looked slightly pained and guilty, but Bo forced herself to continue, "You once told me 'animals like to lick their wounds in private', and that's exactly what I need to do, Dyson. I need to heal; I need time to find myself again. I can't do that here, constantly reminded of the things I want most but I can't have," Bo explained, as evenly as she possible could, playing with the wolf's fingers in an attempt to keep herself put together as she thought of Lauren with Nadia and Dyson with Ciara.
Dyson sighed heavily, squeezing the succubus' hand before he pulled her into a tight embrace. "I get it, I do." And he did, completely, but it didn't change the fact that he would miss her. He might be unable to love her intimately, but he did love her a great deal. Like a hurricane, Bo had swept into his life, wild and untamed and, in the process, changed so much about him, in a very good way. She had taught him that there was so much in life to love, so much to live for.
Bo clung to him, burying her face in his chest. "You know I'll always love you, even if you can't love me back," The succubus whispered almost painfully against her former lover's hard and muscled torso.
"I know," the man rumbled, pulling Bo closer in an act of comfort. Dyson pulled away, breaking their embrace to look his friend in the eye. "You shouldn't go. You should fight for her."
Bo smiled a sad smile and lifted a lazy eyebrow. "Since when do you want me to fight for Lauren?"
The wolf-man's lips quirked a tad and his eyes shined, but he never returned her smile. "I know I've never been a big fan and we don't really get along...but you love her," he explained softly, now avoiding Bo's eyes. "You're a fighter, Bo, and right now you're giving up. If you do that now, you'll never forgive yourself. You fought for me, why not for her? "
"That's the thing, Dyson. I had a right to fight for you but she's not mine to fight for. She might have feelings for me, but her feelings for Nadia are stronger. She's made it clear when she pretty much told me to my face. So I need to step back for a while, just let them be."
"Humans are stupid creatures. We both know they say things they don't mean."
Bo smiled, but it only lasted a second. "I think she meant this." With that, the succubus sighed. "Well, we better get back. Kenzie and I have to leave soon." She stood, Dyson following, and the large man engulfed the succubus in another hug. "I'll miss you, DyDy."
The wolf chuckled. "I thought we agreed you never call me that in public."
"Yeah, well, we're having a private conversation so that's not really public, is it?"
"Indeed," Dyson said a smile clear in his voice even though Bo couldn't see it. The pair pulled apart, Bo's hands resting on her former lover's shoulders.
"This isn't goodbye, Dyson. I will be back, I promise. But I need you to promise me something too."
Dyson eyed her with caution. "And what would that be?"
"Well, firstly," Dyson raised his eyebrows, but the succubus continued, "Don't tell Lauren where I've gone?" Bo asked hesitantly, making her request come off as more of a question. The wolf-man hesitated to answer, seeming to consider her request for a moment before nodding reluctantly. Bo nodded in return, both in thanks and acknowledgement to his silent pledge. "Thanks. Secondly..."
Dyson sighed heavily. "You're testing your luck, Bo."
The succubus pulled an envelope from her black jacket and handed it to the wolf-man, her brown eyes pleading. "Can you give this to her?" At the Shifter's questioning look, she elaborated. "It's a letter," she explained.
Dyson's brow furrowed and he gently shook his head, pushing her outstretched hand away. "No, Bo. You need to talk to her. In person," he added firmly before the succubus could protest. "If you leave her with a letter and nothing else, she'll never forgive you. You know that."
Bo gave a humorless snort. "Maybe that's what I'm counting on."
Dyson shook his head again stubbornly, a stern look in his eyes. "Go to her and talk to her."
She sighed, hanging her head partly in shame, partly in annoyance and frustration. "Why are you asking me to do this? You know she's part of the reason I can't stay here anymore and you're torturing me by asking me to go and see the woman I'm trying to avoid? I can't, Dyson...She'll want to know why and where I'm going, and those are things I just can't answer, not to her face." Her eyes bored into the man's blue ones, begging him to understand her plea and just do as she asked, but Dyson still refused with a firm shake of his head. Bo sighed heavily.
"Bo," Dyson tried to explain softly, furrowing his brow in thought, his eyes intense as he stared at her and gathered his thoughts, "She has a right to hear it from you, face to face. How did you feel when I just left after the Norn?" The succubus' face clenched slightly as she remembered the painful weeks Dyson had been missing, and the wolf placed a large hand over her own sympathetically. "It would be the same thing. Even giving her a letter, it's the same thing. She deserves to hear the truth from you, just like you did. Don't make my mistake, Bo. Don't do the Lauren what I did to you."
Bo inhaled deeply, understanding where her friend was coming from but still not liking it one bit. Still, now that she was seeing things from a different perspective, a perspective that she had once experienced, she knew Dyson was right. Lauren did deserve to be confronted face-to-face, no matter how much it hurt. She just had to suck it up, grow some balls and face her fears.
Easier said than done, right?
"Alright, Dyson. I'll talk to her." With a sigh, she reached into her jacket once again, replacing the letter for Lauren and pulling out another, this one with his name scribbled on the envelop. She handed it to him with a smile, and the Shifter's forehead crinkled in confusion as he flicked his eyes between the letter she held and the succubus herself. "Don't read it until I'm gone," She requested as Dyson hesitantly took the envelope from her hand. Dyson smiled slightly, nodding once and grabbing the succubus' hand. "Okay, Thirdly..."
Dyson chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "What is it this time?" The serious look on the succubus' face, however, quickly killed the shifter's amusement.
"I need you to take care of her," Bo said softly, meeting Dyson's eyes head on with no hesitation. "Make sure Lachlan doesn't get out of hand. I know...I know it's a lot to ask, but please..."
The Detective placed a soft hand on the succubus', squeezing it reassuringly, "Don't worry, Bo. I'll keep an eye on her until you get back." She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. "Let's get back." Bo nodded and stood, the two of them moving slowly back towards the small group hand in hand as the pair basked in the last few moments they would have together in the near future.
They joined their friends, who were sitting at a round table reminiscing and laughing, Bo taking a seat next to Kenzie as Dyson took his spot beside Ciara. The Goth slid Bo a beer and the succubus smiled, taking a long swallow as she jumped into the conversation. The group teased Kenzie about all the messes she had gotten herself into and laughed about all their face-palm moments and mind fucks. They drank their beers and told stories about the times before they met.
"I'm feeling this...feeling. It's a depressy feeling. I don't like the depressy feelings," the Goth whined as her succubus best friend bumped her shoulder reassuringly in the midst of the foursome.
"Aw, come on," Hale said with a wide smile, "It aint' like you're leaving us for good. You'll be back."
"Siren," Kenzie chirped perkily, "Oh Siren! How I shall miss your washboard abs and creamy milk-chocolate skin. Oh! And I can't forget your magical hangover-be-gone whistle skills. God, I'll definatly miss that. You should bottle that stuff and sell it. I'm sure Trick could find a way to do it, I would be more than happy to help you market it for a 60/40 cut," the Russian prompted with an eager, hopeful smile while the Blood King rolled his eyes and smiled.
"Um, somehow I don't think that's possible, Kenz," Bo teased as she looked at her bestie with a fond smile.
The Goth muttered a soft 'dammit' under her breath before she turned to the succubus. "You're right. If it was possible, I would already have bottled up your Vag and would be rich by now."
"I'm not quite sure whether I should be intrigued or disgusted," Ciara spoke from the opposite side, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Dyson lightly patted her upper arm, murmuring, "Don't think about it. It's better to never actually think about anything the human says."
"Hey!" Said human protested, pointing a finger at the wolf-man as a smirk curled his lips and Bo chuckled softly at her side. "And you!" Kenzie exclaimed, whirling on her best friend. "You're supposed to be on my side!"
"Aw, Kenz...I'm always on your side. I love you," The succubus said sweetly with a wide grin.
Kenzie's glare morphed into a large beaming smile, patting the brunette's cheek gently, "I love you too, Bo-bo. Flattery will certainly get you everywhere...except my pants," she added in afterthought with a pointed look to her BFF, who smiled brightly. The others looked at her curiously, and she shrugged, "We all saw how her 'strictly platonic' worked with Lauren, and you are so not playing that angle with this girlie, succubum."
Bo's grin widened. "I'm sure I could convince you," she purred seductively, leaving against her best friend and resting her head on Kenzie's shoulders as she stared up at her through her eyelashes.
Kenzie shook her head adamantly. "Nuh-uh, I love you too much to enable your addiction. Twelve steps honey. Just twelve small little steps."
"Hey! It's not an addiction! It's my biological imperative!" The succubus protested with mock anger. The other's had long sense tried to interrupt the best-friend squabble and just resorted to watching them bicker with amused and fond smiles.
Kenzie looked at her best friend blankly for a second before blinking rapidly, "Um, channeling Lauren, much? Quick," She shouted, leaping from her chair and tossing a hand animatedly into the air and adequately startling Ciara as she did so, "someone get me some leather pants and a sword of some kind!"
"Oh shut up," Bo grumbled, slapping her friend's arm. Dyson laughed outright, trying to cover his amusement when the succubus sent him a glare. Ciara hid her smile by taking a sip of her wine while Hale just starred open-mouthed - his mind still picturing Bo and Kenzie making out - and Trick watched them all like a disapproving father.
"The first step is admitting you have a problem," Kenzie sing-songed as she sank back into her chair.
"She does have a point," Dyson admitted with a grin.
"I hate you all," Bo sulked, crossing her arms indignantly over her ample cleavage and resting her chin on her chest.
"No you don't," Kenzie beamed, looping one arm through her bestie's and placing a kiss on her cheek. "You lurve us."
Hale reluctantly raised his hand and the small, amused, gathering turned their attention to him. "Okay, I'm just gonna jump right out there and ask the question that I'm sure is swimming around everyone's mind," he started, looking toward Bo. "You trying to get into Lil' Mama's pants?"
Bo's brow scrunched in a mixture of outrage and disgust. "Of course not. She's my best friend," she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "That would be way too weird."
"But...You said...and then..." The Siren stuttered in confusion, oblivious to the smile and secretive knuckle-bump the best friends shared in his distracted state. Trick chuckled and shook his head while Dyson's shoulders shook with silent laughter and Ciara tried to hide a smile by clearing her throat.
"Besides, out of the two of us, if anyone wants into anyone's pants, it's Kenzie that wants into mine. She's the one always smacking me on the ass," The succubus pointed out.
"Yes," Kenzie admitted, "But it's a very perky and cute ass. It calls to me. I just can't resist," The Goth said dramatically.
Hale was once more rendered silent with a dreamy look on his face and his mouth hanging open, and the best friends shared a pleased smirk. "Girls," Trick chastised as Dyson shook his head.
Ciara poked the dazed siren in the shoulder, which received no reaction what-so-ever, and turned her eyes toward the human and succubus pair, clearly impressed. "You have to teach me how to do that."
"It's an art, really," Bo commented offhandedly with a small shrug. "All part of being a badass succubus."
"Siren, oh Siren, How I shall miss you," Kenzie repeated, jolting the detective from his daze, "With your washboard abs and creamy milk chocolate skin!"
"Can I vote to not go down this road again?" Ciara cut in with a slightly awkward half-smile, "I'm not quite sure I completely like or understand where it went last time, and I'd rather not find out where it'll go this time around."
"I second her motion," Dyson grumbled at her side, one corner of his lips upturned.
Hale chuckled. "Don't bother me any," he drawled, taking a long, satisfying swig of his beer.
"Yeah, only because she's talking about your body and girl on girl action...I wonder why you're not bothered," Bo added sarcastically.
"Can you really blame me?" The siren asked with a smirk.
"I suppose we can't. After all, he is just a man." Ciara added in airily, a smirk on her face. Bo and Kenzie laughed, the succubus leaning over the table to give her friend an enthusiastic high five.
"Buuuurn," Kenzie drawled, "You want some ice with that burn?"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Hale drawled dismissively, shooting a glare to his best friend, who snickered into his beer. "You act like you haven't thought about, man."
"Ah, that's where you're wrong," Dyson corrected, raising an eyebrow and hefting his glass toward his partner. "I know better than to let thoughts like that even enter my mind."
"Damn right, you do," Ciara confirmed with a sharp nod and a pointed look toward the shifter.
Bo, in the meantime, glanced at the clock and a frown tugged at her lips when she read what it said. It was getting closer and closer to the time Kenzie and herself had decided to be on the road, and she still had one more stop to make, one she dreaded: Lauren. The way time was flying by, the succubus and human needed to say their goodbyes and leave soon, or they were going to be behind schedule.
Kenzie, sensing her best friend's unease, followed the brunette's eyes and noticed the time as well. Lightly, she bumped Bo's shoulder, drawing the Fae woman's attention and smiled a small smile. "Gettin' that time, Bo Bo."
The succubus' frown grew more defined. "I know."
The Goth lightly slapped Bo's thigh, giving her an encouraging, but pained, smile. "Whelp, let's get this show on the road." Bo nodded.
Both girls turned back toward their friends to find the foursome starring at them with forlorn and sad faces. Bo smiled, looking at each in turn. Grasping her best friends hand in an act of comfort and reassurance both to herself and Kenzie, the pair stood in tandem, prompting the other's to do the same. The only sounds in the Dal for many moments were the screeching of the wooden chair legs scraping against the lacquered floor and the breathing of its six occupants. The silence was awkward, their eyes shifting from one another to the floor, until Kenzie broke the trance and stepped around the table and moved toward Hale.
The Goth held out one hand and the Siren smiled before he took it, the pair falling into the easy routine of their secret handshake. Once that was done, Hale enveloped the petite human in a fierce hug while Kenzie clung to him in return.
"Guess we're just gonna have to be lone side-kicks from now on, huh Siren," Kenzie whispered in a moment of rare seriousness, and the detective smiled.
"Just a call away, Lil' Mama. Just a call away."
"Take care of Dyson, okay? You know how crazy he gets and he's all broody and moody wolf-man, so you have to cheer him up for me because I won't be here to do it. And you have to be sure to kick his ass at pool for me too, cuz he always cheats when we play and-"
Hale's chuckle and his hands placed firmly on her shoulder cut off the Goth's rambling, "Easy, there. We got along alright before you and Bo came along, and we'll be just fine until you get back...just a lot more bored."
Bo smiled fondly at the pair, giving them a bit of privacy as she turned to Ciara, noticing the blond woman watching her with a sad smile. The pair met in an embrace and Bo fought against the familiar wave of ever-present desire that welled in her at the feel of another woman's body against her own.
"Keep Dyson in line for me, okay?" the succubus requested, giving Ciara a gentle squeeze before they broke apart.
Ciara smiled. "I will." The blond hesitated and Bo gave her the time she needed to collect her thoughts. "I know we didn't have the best start, Bo," the fairy began, "but you've done so much for me, from saving my life to letting Dyson and I have a chance and I just want you to know I will miss you. You're one of the finest people I've ever had the fortune of knowing, and in all my years, that's saying quite a bit. I'm lucky to call myself your friend."
The succubus smiled at the sincerity in the blonde's time, and gently squeezed her shoulder. "Thank you. You're a great person, Ciara. I'm the lucky one. Take care of him, k? God knows he needs it." She requested with a soft smile and a nod in Dyson's direction. "And I promise when I get back, I'll let you spend massive amounts of money on me as a 'welcome home' shopping trip."
Ciara laughed softly. "Agreed." The pair shared another quick hug and a small smile before Bo turned toward Hale, who was watching Kenzie say goodbye to Dyson with a fond smile.
"Hale," she called, pulling him into her surprise embrace. "I'll miss you, you crazy siren. Who else is going to give Dyson hell for me?"
"You mean, besides Ciara?" Hale chuckled in her ear, tightening his hold. "Be careful, Bo," He warned, his voice taking on an uncharacteristic seriousness, "You and Kenzie are trouble magnets...take care of her."
Bo smiled, pulling away to look at her friend. "Always. Kenz is my family. You know I would die before I let anything happen to her."
The Fae nodded. "Yeah, I know. But you can't keep her safe if you're dead, so you stay alive too, aight?" His eyes flicked toward Kenzie, still holding fiercely onto the wolf-man, fighting the tears pooling in her eyes.
"You luurve her." She drawled with a wide smile. "But Hale," She stated teasingly, her voice taking on a scandalous lilt, "She's a Human!"
He shrugged. "She's cool...for a human..."
"She grows on you, huh?" Bo said knowingly, watching her best friend with a fond smile.
"Yeah," the siren drawled, "Like a fungus."
She laughed, holding out her right arm in a diagonal line, fist clenched. Hale grinned, bumping his forearm with her own so their arms formed an 'X' in a typical Fae gesture of friendship. Their eyes locked for a moment before they both nodded and Bo turned to see Trick waiting for her.
She smiled widely, bending over a bit to give the shorter man a fierce hug. The Blood King seemed surprised at first but quickly returned the embrace, smiling fondly at his protégé. "I'm gonna miss you, Trick. You've helped me so much, taught me so much. I don't know what I would have done without you. And I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you."
The Fae gave a small laugh, patting the succubus on the back gently. "You don't owe me anything, Bo. It's been my honor to call you a friend."
Bo studied the man, her mentor, for a long moment before lightly grasping his hand and pulling him away from the main group to give them some privacy. They each took a seat on the same couch her and Dyson had occupied, and Bo took a deep, steadying breath before finally speaking. "You know, my father and I were never close...He was very strict and hard on me, and apart of him never really accepted me as his daughter...especially after I-" She abruptly cut off, clenching her eyes shut for a second to rid herself of the horrible memories that flooded her mind at the mention of that fateful day that was the beginning of her own personal hell.
She remembered it like it was yesterday, how in love she had believed herself to be as her and Kyle made out in the back of his truck and as their making out had progressed to making love. She could recall how he tasted as she drained his life force from his body, like mint toothpaste, bubblegum and Cherry Coke and how exhilarated and strong she had felt as his Chi flowed into her. She could still picture his cold, lifeless body, eyes glazed over and a smile on his face as she woke up from her exhausted slumber in the wake of their lovemaking and turned to give him a soft kiss and mummer her love for him. She could practically feel her throat burn from her screams of horror and her sobs when she realized what she had done, and the feeling of the rocks cutting into her bare feet as she stumbled from Kyle's truck in a panic. She could hear her father yelling at her after she had told her parents what she had done, calling her a demon and a whore so many times she actually began to believe it. She could see the look in his eyes as he called her those things, the look of hatred even as her mother cried on the couch holding an album of Bo's baby pictures in her lap. Bo had sobbed, begged her father on her knees to help her and all he had done was look at her with disgust and tell her he rued the day he and his wife had found her on their doorstep with nothing but a soft pink baby blanket and a picture with her name on it.
It was the admission that changed everything for her. But she forced the thoughts away and her attention back to Trick.
Her brow scrunched and she swallowed stiffly, feeling tears well in her eyes. "I...I can't even count how many times I would be dead now if not for your help...Kenzie too. You've done more for me than anyone has ever cared enough to. You've given me someone to run to when I had nowhere else to go. You helped me find myself after being lost for so many years. You've accepted me and supported me, made sacrifices for me and covered my ass more than once even though you knew it could get you in a hell of a lot of trouble. Because of you, I'm a better person." She paused again, taking a deep breath to gather herself and steady her voice. "What I'm trying to say is that you're been more of a father to me my real father ever was...either of them," she added with a bittersweet smile.
Trick cleared his throat in an attempt to hide the tears welling in his own eyes from Bo's moving revelation, "It was the least I could do after what I did to Aife...but I'm proud to have had a part in making you the wonderful person you've turned out to be. You might have given me a headache or two, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. And Bo," he paused, waiting for the succubus' full attention before continuing, "I know why you're leaving."
"You..." Bo began, both in surprise and confusion as she wondered just how the Elder knew. Was she really that easy to read?
Trick nodded. "I know it's not just because of Lauren or Dyson."
Her face fell. She should have known better than to try to hide anything from him. Trick knew her better than anyone with the exception of Kenzie. She whispered, "I'm afraid, Trick...of what I might become...of what I might do to you."
The old man smiled gently, "Don't be. I don't believe you have an evil bone in your body and I know you would never intentionally do anything to me or anyone else you care about."
She smiled softly with just a tad of melancholy. "I hope so...but one always needs a contingency plan, and this just so happens to be mine," she said with false enthusiasm
Trick nodded slightly, but his brow was furrowed as he answered her, "You can't always run away from your problems, Bo."
The brunette barked a humorless laugh. "It's what I do best."
"Yes, but running doesn't always solve everything. You have people here that love you and support you. Besides, Lauren is nothing if not pig-headed and stubborn. If she gets it in her mind to go after you, she will."
"She won't," Bo reassured, "If anything, she'll be happy I'm gone and she won't have to deal with feeling like she's betraying Nadia every time we look at each other. Me being out of the picture will give them the space they need to reconnect...fall in love again." Her last few words were spoken in a whisper, as if the very thought of Lauren falling in love with anyone but her, again or otherwise, was painful.
"Maybe she needs you to fight for her," Trick proposed gently.
Bo frowned, meeting his eyes. "She needs me to let go. She loves Nadia, Trick. She enslaved herself just to find a cure for her. I can't compete with that kind of love, and even if I could-" She forcefully cut herself off before she worked herself into a rant, and Trick squeezed her hand briefly in an act of comfort. "Even if I could, I have no right. Nadia was there long before I was, so I need to step away. I can't do that if I'm here."
The Elder Fae nodded in understanding, the look in his warm brown eyes regretful and sympathetic. "You've got a big heart. You're such a caring and selfless person, Bo. It takes a very strong character to do the things you've done and refuse to let them wear you down. You proved it when you removed the curse on Nadia to free Lauren from the Ash, and you're proving it now by not interfering with them, by giving them space."
Bo started slightly. "How did you know I-" she cut off at Trick's amused smile and gave him one of her own. "Of course you knew." Trick somehow knew everything.
He chuckled, "Yes, I knew it would be you."
"How?" The Succubus asked curiously.
"Because," Trick explained in a gentle tone, "You love her, and you want her to be happy, even if it's not with you. You didn't like watching her suffer, so you did what you had to to stop that suffering, no matter what the cost to yourself."
Bo once again found herself fighting back tears. "It hurts, Trick. I could get over Dyson. I know what he did for me, and I'm very grateful to him for it. But with Lauren, I always held out hope that once Nadia woke up, she would have the closure she needed and she could move on...move on with me," she added with a tearful chuckle.
"I know," the Blood King said gently, patting the succubus' back, "but you're strong, Bo. I know you'll get through it. I have faith in you. And," Trick began again, more softly this time, "If the time does ever come, I forgive you."
Bo knew without her mentor having to elaborate that he was forgiving her in advance for the possibility of her killing him. All at once, she was overwhelmed with emotion - Sadness and despair, love for this man in front of her - and for Kenzie, Dyson, Hale, Ciara and most importantly, Lauren - heartbreak and guilt, desperation and drive, pride and gratefulness. Overcome, Bo once more pulled the Light Fae Elder into her arms, clinging to him as a few tears slipped from her eyes. This time, Trick didn't hesitate to return her embrace, holding her tightly. "Thank you, Trick, for everything. What am I going to do without you?"
"You're making it sound like you're not coming back, Bo."
Bo's lips twitched ever so slightly. "I'm coming back. I just don't know how long I'll be gone for...and you never know what could happen." There was a cryptic, foreboding undertone to the succubus' words, one that Trick didn't like one bit.
But Bo didn't offer up any other explanation, and he didn't ask. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an old, worn rectangular jewelry box, smiling when he saw the look of surprise on the Succubus' face. "I have something for you," he explained, passing Bo the prize. She took it gingerly, almost hesitantly, caressing the velvet cover reverently for a few moments before opening it. A small gasp passed her lips as she studied the pendant encased in the silken lining of the case, gently stroking the design. "It was my wife's," the Elder stated, watching the play of emotions on the Succubus' face fondly.
"Oh Trick, I couldn't," Bo said softly, her eyes never leaving the piece of jewelry, even as she tried to hand the jewelry box back to him.
"I insist. May I?" Trick asked, holding out a hand. Bo obliged, handing him the box. He gently lifted the silver chain from its silken throne, expertly working the clasp before leaning toward the Succubus. Bo lifted her hair from her neck, allowing the Blood King to fasten the clasp around her neck and the pendant to fall onto her cleavage. "It means 'love'. I gave it to my wife before we wed, as a symbol of my devotion. She wore it every day until she died. It makes me think of you. Your gift is love, Bo, and I'm not just talking about being a succubus. You bring love and light into people's lives, make them realize that there is something worth fighting for. You make them see how much we have to live for. Just like my wife did. I've forgotten how it felt to...well, to feel. To care. "
Bo gently fingered the pendant, caressing it reverently, "Trick, I can't accept this."
"Yes, you can," The Light Elder agreed with a fond smile, "She would have wanted you to have it. She would have adored you, Bo. You're so much like her. You have her strength, her spirit and her relentless drive to do the right thing. If she and I had ever had a daughter, I like to imagine our child would be just like you." The Succubus found herself tearing up as her mentor talked so lovingly about his wife.
"Thank you," she said sincerely, "I can't tell you how much this means to me. I'm honored."
"It is I that is honored," the Elder stated.
Before Bo could reply, Kenzie called Trick's name and swept him into a massive embrace, plopping down on the couch next to the Fae. "Oh Trickster, I'm gonna miss you so much!" The Goth practically screamed. "Just so you know," Kenzie stated matter-of-factly as she pulled away and looked the man in the eye, "Just because Succubum and I are hittin' the road for a little crazy 'Screw-the-world Drink-all-day-party-all-night' road trip doesn't mean our little lifetime-of-free-drinks deal is chucked out the window, got it T-man?"
Bo chuckled, even as Trick and Kenzie began to argue about the terms of their agreement, and stood to give them some time alone. She found herself working back to Dyson. "Well, Wolf-man, I guess this is it, yeah?"
Dyson half-smiled sadly. "Guess so." The pair stared fondly at one another for a few moments before Dyson took a deep breath and spoke. "Look, Bo, I know you're doing what you think you need to right now, but don't be reckless." When the succubus opened her mouth to protest, the wolf quickly cut her off. "You're not the most level headed person, we all know that. Don't go looking for trouble. Montreal is a new town and you won't have anyone you trust to watch your back besides Kenzie."
The Succubus smiled. "I know, Dyson, and I won't," she reassured. "I'm not going to do anything stupid...well, any more stupid than usual, at least," she added with a grin at Dyson's skeptical look. Bo pulled him closer, enveloping the large man in her arms. "And besides, if I get into too much trouble, you'll just have to come and rescue me, won't you?" she added teasingly.
"I would prefer to visit under normal circumstances, if you don't mind," The wolf grumbled in her ear.
"Aw, you're gonna miss me," Bo teased. She pulled back slightly, just enough to brush a soft kiss against his cheek before clinging to him fiercely. "I know I'm gonna miss you."
"Don't stay away too long. A couple of years, and I'm coming to get you. I don't care if you've 'found yourself' by then or not, I'll drag you back kicking and screaming," Dyson commanded sternly with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes when they separated.
Bo smiled widely, looking around at her small group of friends. "I couldn't stay away even if I wanted to. I would miss you guys too much."
"Damn straight," Hale drawled with a smirk. Bo noticed that both Trick and Kenzie had rejoined the group, both looking as if they carried the weight of the world on their shoulders, making Bo wonder just what they had discussed.
The succubus smiled, trailing her eyes from one friend to the next, studying them each so she wouldn't forget a thing in the time her and Kenzie were away. By the time her eyes made it to her best friend, she smiled sadly, knowing how much the Goth would miss everyone too, and held out her hand to her. "Ready to go?"
Kenzie nodded dejectedly, reaching forward to take the offered appendage as Bo pulled her close and wrapped an arm around her shoulders for comfort. The Human sighed, leaning her head against her friend's shoulders. Bo chuckled at the sad looks on her friend's faces, her voice catching slightly as tears again welled in her eyes. "Don't be so sad, guys. We're not going away forever."
"If you ever need anything, anything," Trick stressed as he looked at the two girls that had wormed their way into his heart, "Just call."
"You know we will," Bo agreed.
"As if we would call anyone else, Trickster," Kenzie added.
"We've gotta go. I don't want to get on the road too late, and we have another stop to make," the succubus said, her eyes on Dyson who gave an approving nod and a small smile. Trick, too, smiled, no doubt figuring out her intentions.
"We do?" Kenzie asked in confusion, turning to look at her bestie. Bo nodded and the Human asked again, "Where?"
"Lauren."
X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X
She was nervous, that much was obvious. Her clenched fist was still poised in front of the door in an attempt to knock, but she couldn't bring herself to - not at the moment, at least. What exactly was she going to say? 'Oh, hey, Lauren. So, here's the thing. Kenzie and I are leaving town. Why? Oh, well, because I'm in love with you and I can't bear to see you with Nadia every day. What a cluster fuck, right?'
Yeah, what a plan.
She was more than a little tempted to just leave the letter she had written on Lauren's doorstep, knock on the door and take off, but the chances of Nadia getting a hold of it and reading it was just too great for her liking.
She sighed deeply. She was stalling...something Kenzie would slap her in the back of her head for. She could almost imagine what her best friend would say right now if she had chosen to accompany Bo to the front door instead of waiting in the car.
With an exasperated sigh, she turned away from the door and buried her face in her hands. "God dammit, Bo, get a grip. It's just Lauren. Just a friendly talk between two friends," she muttered softly to herself, "Yeah, just friends. No big deal. It's not like you're in love with her or anything...UGH! God Dammit! You can do this..." She gave a sharp bark of ironic, humorless laughter, failing to hear the sound of the door opening behind her.
"Do you talk to yourself a lot?" A familiar voice said from behind her, a voice that haunted her dreams and nearly every waking moment.
She whirled, her surprised eyes drinking in the sight of Lauren, leaning against the doorframe dressed in nothing but a pair of short sleep shorts and a barely-there tank top. Unbidden, her eyes swept along the doctor's form, her mouthwatering as she spotted the strip of exposed flesh displayed between the bottom of Lauren's tank top and the top of her shorts and the expanse of cream colored legs that went on for miles - legs she had felt wrapped around her as she had her fingers buried to the hilt inside the doctor.
Her eyes screwed shut, both to rid herself of the images flooding her mind and in an attempt to ignore the way her eyes flashed an unearthly blue as Lauren's energy spiked from an easy four to a ten just from her ogling. This was exactly why she had to leave, because this was exactly what happened every single time they were around one another. Lauren's aura would brighten almost instantly at her presence and it took everything she had in her to let her hunger overwhelm her.
"Lauren. Ah...how...how long have you been...standing there?" The Succubus asked softly as soon as she had gotten what was left of her control back.
The flushed doctor followed Bo's lead, clearing her throat even as she crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to hide her pointed nipples, aroused from the Succubus' piercing gaze, "Not long...I was coming to lock up when I heard you cuss. Is everything okay?"
Bo could the concern thick in the blonde's voice, and her heart clenched. She shifted her eyes away from Lauren's own brown ones, unable to look into them at the moment and see all of the doctor's feelings on display. "Actually, no, everything's not okay. Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Lauren's brow furrowed and she stepped aside, holding out one arm in welcome for the succubus to come in. "Of course. Come in." Bo hesitantly stepped across the threshold, her eyes searching the apartment silently for Nadia. The last thing she wanted to see at this moment was the girlfriend of the woman she loved.
Noticing her actions, the blond smiled very slightly, "She's not here." Bo turned, surprised, and Lauren gave a soft chuckle, "You wear your thoughts on your sleeve, Bo. Do you want anything to drink? Coffee? Wine?"
Bo shook her head. "No. I won't be here long."
The doctor's brow furrowed but she nodded nonetheless. "Okay. Can I ask what brought you here?"
"We need to talk," Bo stated quickly, trying to get to the point.
Lauren's frown grew more pronounced. "Okay," she said slowly, "Well, do you want to sit down?" She asked, motioning toward the couch.
"No!" Bo's frustration was obvious and she took a deep, steadying breath to calm herself at Lauren's surprised and slightly hurt expression. "Sorry. I just...No. I won't be staying long. I just have a few things I need to tell you and then I'll be out of your hair...for good," she added too softly for the blond to hear. "You can sit if you'd like, but I'd rather stand."
"Okay," the Doctor repeated just as slowly, taking a hesitant seat on the arm rest closest to her. Her hands folded in her lap and she waited patiently for Bo to begin saying whatever she had to say. Her heart was pounding furiously in her chest, both from the presence of the succubus and the really bad feeling she felt blooming in the pit of her stomach.
She remained silent, even when Bo began pacing her long, elegant fingers tangling in her mane of dark, unruly hair as she muttered unintelligible words under her breath. A few minutes passed as thus, the succubus trying in vain to gather her thoughts as Lauren simply watched, enraptured by the woman's wild beauty.
God, how she wanted her. Lauren had thought, even hoped, that when Nadia had awoken that she could bury her feelings for the succubus but, if anything, they had only become more intense and all consuming. She was attracted to Bo, yes, devastatingly so, but it was more than that. Lauren cared for her, much deeper than she had ever expected or anticipated. It certainly didn't help the situation when Bo was nearly constantly in her thoughts.
At the moment, she did as she always did when thoughts of Bo consumed her: Lauren reminded herself that it wasn't meant to be. The doctor in her was a realist, forcing her to acknowledge the cold, hard facts - Bo was a succubus, someone who thrived on sex and fed on Chi. She was just a human, not nearly enough to sustain Bo's needs, to keep her fully satisfied. Besides, Succubi were not meant to be monogamous, and she didn't think she could bear knowing that Bo was getting in her kicks on the side. Not to mention that she was the property of the Ash and was Bo was unaligned. There was no future for them, not now and not anytime in the future. No matter how much Lauren wanted Bo, no matter how much she craved for her - and more than in just a sexual way - she just wasn't enough. Never would be.
No, it was better - safer - just to stay with Nadia. Nadia loved her; Nadia would remain faithful and true. There was no risk that Nadia might drain her of her life-force in the middle of making love. There was no reason to fear that being with Nadia might cause a war between the clans or even result in her death because it was against Fae laws for a human and a Fae to be together. She could have a future with Nadia, the white-picket-fence-and-kids-playing-in-the-front-yard package, but she could never have that with Bo.
Nadia was the safer choice, yes. Lauren's scientific mind had gone over every pro and con multiple times and proved this to be true. But it didn't stop her from yearning for Bo. It was her guilt and her sense of responsibility that tied her still to Nadia. After all, her girlfriend had lost five years of her life because of Lauren's ambition and her scientific curiosity, not by any fault of her own. Then there was the fact that Nadia had woken up still very much in love with her, even though - if Lauren was completely truthful with herself - she had given up on Nadia ever waking up and moved on long ago.
So it was, as all of these thoughts burned through her mind, that she was adequately shocked when the succubus finally spoke, "I'm leaving."
"Wha-what?" Lauren was unprepared for the searing pain that stole through her at Bo's words, nor was she prepared for the feelings that welled inside of her at the intense look in the brunette's eyes.
"I said I'm leaving. Well, Kenzie and I. We're leaving town." Bo repeated, slower and clearer.
"Why?" Lauren asked, forcing the first thing that came to her mind out of her mouth as she fought to regain her composure. Though it pained her to see the succubus day in and day out, the thought of not seeing her at all was worse than death.
The succubus barked a short, unamused laugh. "I told Dyson she would want to know why," she muttered under her breath, her eyes avoiding the blond doctor at all cost. "I guess when you run for so long, you get used to it. I'm gettin' kind of stir crazy staying in one place for so long, so me and Kenz are gonna hit the road for a while, see where it takes us," she said loud enough for Lauren to hear, the lie flowing almost too easily from her mouth.
The doctor's brow furrowed and she stood from her perch, approaching the succubus slowly. One pale hand lifted, intent on grasping Bo's hand, but the brunette took a hurried step back. "Is...Is everything okay, Bo?" she asked softly, trying to keep the hurt from her voice at the rejection.
Bo gave a tense nod, running a nervous hand through her hair and looking everywhere but the doctor in an attempt to ignore the pained look on Lauren's face. "Yeah, everything's fine. Perfect, even. I just...you know, wanted to let you know I was leaving before you heard it from someone else."
Lauren nodded slightly, gulping audibly to ease the thick dryness in her mouth. "I...appreciate you letting me know," she croaked, somewhat hoarsely. A few moments passed in thick awkward silence, neither woman knowing just what to say. Lauren wrung her hands, the bad feeling in her stomach having long grown into a full-blown catastrophe even as she fought against the stinging in her eyes that promised the threat of tears. But she wouldn't cry. She willed herself not to. "How...how long will you be gone? Are you coming back? Where are you going?" The questions ripped almost frantically from her throat before she could stop them.
"I don't know how long we'll be gone, or where we're going. Maybe across the border, back to the states. I hear New York is nice this time of year, and I've always wanted to visit the Big Apple. Kenzie and I will figure it out as we go once we get on the road, I guess." She once more ran a hand through her hair, trying to hide the nervous shaking of her hands as she inhaled deeply, "We're coming back, I just don't know when." Bo trailed off with an awkward laugh when she realized she was rambling, looking everywhere but the good doctor.
"Why does it feel like I'm never going to see you again?"
Bo felt a pang in her heart at Lauren's softly spoken, pained words and she lifted her eyes to find the blonde's already waiting for her, filled with un-shed tears. Slowly, almost hesitantly, she closed the distance between them, cupping her former lover's cheeks in the palms of her hands. "Hey," she whispered, wiping away the tears that had spilled from Lauren's cheeks with her thumbs, "I'm coming back, I promise. I just need some-" she cut off, not willing to reveal the true reason she was leaving to the doctor just yet. Instead, she redirected, "I won't stay away for too long. Someone's gotta keep you out of trouble, right?"
Lauren laughed a teary laugh, and Bo willed herself not to break. Everything in her screamed to take the doctor's lips with her own, to will Lauren to understand how much she loved her and how much she wanted her. But she remained strong, forcing her willpower into iron. She had to remind herself just why she was doing this. For once, she needed to do something for herself.
'You don't have to pretend to be okay with it, you know. If it hurts to be around them, then don't be. I know you want to be the good friend, but you need to take care of yourself for a little while, Bo,' Kenzie had said to her the day they made the decision to leave, and she repeated the words in her head now. She needed to take care of her own needs for once...like she used to before Lauren had told her she was Fae.
"I'll just...I'll miss you," Lauren said softly, leaning against the succubus' hand. In that moment, Bo could almost make herself believe that it was true, that the emotion shining in Lauren's eyes actually meant something.
But it doesn't, Bo reminded herself, She has Nadia now. Aloud, she said, "I'll miss you too. Don't worry; I'll be back before you know it." The lies seemed to come easier and easier from her lips. She didn't know how long she would be gone, but she knew it wouldn't be anytime soon.
"What am I going to do without you, Bo," the doctor whispered, nearly throwing herself into the succubus' arms.
Bo clung to her, burying her face in Lauren's jasmine-scented hair, breathing in deeply in an effort to ingrain the scent in her mind. "You don't need me anymore," the Fae whispered in return, "never really did."
"I'll always need you, Bo. You're my best friend." The words were spoken with a bit stronger this time, and it made Bo realize that Lauren's rare moment of vulnerability had passed and she was pulling herself together again. Best friend, the succubus thought bitterly, that's all you are to her. Her best friend slash former fuck buddy.
Reluctantly, she pulled out of the blonde's embrace, finding Lauren's typically masked face in front of her once again. A soft smile graced her lips and she brushed her thumb once more against the doctor's cheekbone. Her eyes locked with Lauren's, she leaned forward and brushed her lips across the path her thumb had taken, delighting in the way the blonde's body hummed at the gentle touch before she withdrew and stepped out of Lauren's arms.
"I have to go. Kenzie's waiting in the car," she stated, her own walls reconstructed and her will once more turned to iron.
Lauren nodded, crossing her arms across her chest and staring dejectedly into the succubus' eyes, her own brown ones lifeless. "If you need anything...call me," she offered, admirably keeping the desperation from her voice.
Bo shook her head, "I'm not going to call you while I'm gone...and I don't want you to call me." She made sure her tone was even, not showing an ounce of desperation. Take care of yourself, take care of yourself, she repeated the mantra over and over again, using Kenzie's words to reinforce her own discipline. Lauren said nothing as her last possible hope of having some contact with her former lover was crushed, but she forced her face to remain impassive as she gave a short, sharp nod. "Goodbye, Lauren."
With one last long look, the succubus turned on heel, closing the distance between her and the door with a few long strides. She managed to make it out the door, down the steps, into her car and into Kenzie's arms before the tears fell.
Lauren, however, only lasted long enough to collapse to the floor after the door closed behind the succubus before the sobs wracked her body.
Parting Words; Heartbreaking, right? Don't worry, Doccubus fans, things will work out, I promise. This will be a long one, so buckle down the hatches and get ready, alright? ;D Don't forget to leave me a review and let me know what you thought of the first chapter!
-Lux