Kenzi doesn't know how long she's been lying on the floor crying out for Dyson. Begging him not to leave her as he kissed her forehead and told her goodbye. Her eyes are squeezed shut as the memory of what happened with her step father plays in her mind. Every now and again an anguished cry escapes her lips as she tries to get the phantom off her. "No, I don't want to, where's my mummy? Daddy please no, I don't like that. It hurts."
Every second is replayed in technicolour, to make sure she doesn't miss anything. She struggles to her hands and knees as her stomach expels it's contents as the nightmare continues. She grips her stomach as another wave of sick is hurled across the floor.

"Oh deary, deary me. What we got ere then? That's a right mess, ain't it!" The voice sounded near and also familiar but she couldn't think straight enough to place it. She's buried in her own private hell, under the memories, and never noticed anyone approach her.

"What do you want?" Kenzi manages to rasp out when she notices she's no longer alone. Her world is tilted, nothing makes sense anymore. She misses her constant, her person who she so stupidly threw away with the friendship.

Looking up through tear stained eyes Kenzi sees a slim man with scruffy hair and a goatee beard. He's dressed all in leather like he's come from a BDSM play date. "Wow, I must have been hit on the head harder than I..." she's interrupted by him...

"No, already established that. Pay attention! Soul eaters, you remember?" He suddenly appears in front of Kenzi and taps her childishly on the head. He's grinning until he notices the puddle of puke at his feet. "Oi, you're not planning on any more of that are you? I just had these boots spit polished. Well I spat and he polished," he says laughing.

With her stomach still churning, Kenzi answers weakly, "I'll be sure to aim for your spit shiny boots next time." The memories are fading now. They're going back into the dark recesses of her mind. She shuts the big steel door mentally that guards them with a loud bang.

"Oh, I like you. We're gonna have fun. Now up you get sweetie. Time to go!" he tells her dancing around like an infant that's had to much orange soda.

"Go?" Kenzi replies. "Uh, no I don't think so," and she staggers unsteadily to her feet. She sways a little until the room stops spinning. Reaching down for her bag, which miraculously hasn't been stolen...she stops. Kenzi can't move, she's bent over and frozen in place like one of those stone garden statues. Her breath speeds up as she struggles to get free of whatever invisible force has her. "Why can't I move?" she asks him as the helpless feeling encases her.

He dances around Kenzi laughing, then when she's not expecting it he puts his face right in hers startling her. "Oh yeah, that's right. We only met briefly. I was um, well I was, you know, torturing Bo at the time. Not my idea, the boss lady said to," he added quickly. "Dyson told me to go and I went, but not cause he told me to you understand. Vexy here, he does what HE wants, not what others tell him."

Kenzi looks sideways at him frowning, trying to place him.

"Vex?" Kenzi repeats testing the name on her lips and tries to remember. "Vex, hey wait! You're that Fae that makes people do whatever you want. You killed that vampire..." she trails off afraid to say anything else in case it angered him.

Vex takes a step back, smiles seductively and answers, "Well, he did have it coming. Can't be all like selling secrets to the other side now can we! She took offence and well the rest you know...or did you see?" he asks smiling. "Not some of my best work, but it was bloody handy having that waste disposal there, you get it...bloody handy?" He's laughing like a maniac once more dancing around Kenzi, NOW, she's afraid. She remembers what Dyson had said about Mesmers, to be avoided at all costs! But here she was, stuck literally, with one!

For the first time since meeting him, Kenzi feels in real danger. He could make her do anything. She is not able to move either her legs, arms or body as Kenzi struggles to get free, but it's pointless. It's like she has been set in a concrete body bag, she's terrified and is wondering what he is going to do to her.

"So you're the ghost of my Christmas present?" she asks him.

He replies glibly, "Well I'm not about to show you my bleedin' Christmas am I!"

Before Kenzi can speak again he's says, "Actually love, I'm here to help. If you can believe that." He's stopped circling and is poking her nose like a puppy being told off. "Now, it's getting late and I have other people to er...torture...nah just kidding love," he winks at her and waves his hand. Kenzi falls to floor when the invisible force releases her as she overbalances. Turning and looking up at him from the floor she asks hesitantly, "Where are you taking me?"

Vex offers his hand and Kenzi doesn't move at first. He shoves it at her frowning and making tut tut sounds, so Kenzi lets him help her up. After all he doesn't need to ask her to do anything, he can just make her. That thought terrifies Kenzi beyond words. She's seen the sick fun he had with Heinrich, until Vex tore the heart out...while he was still alive!

"Right then, you ready? Haven't got all bloody day you know. C'mon let's leave this crap hole, get this show on the road." He grabs her arm painfully in his grip. Kenzi tries to pull away but he's too strong. Expecting the floor to disappear or the walls to start bubbling she closes her eyes. She opens them when she feels herself being dragged. He starts pulling her towards the exit. Once again her bag lies on the floor, and she watches it get smaller the further she is forced away from it.

"Look, I don't know what you want with me, I've had one hell of an evening and I really don't want to go anywhere with you." She kicks him in the shin and he lets go. Kenzi takes off towards the exit door almost tripping over her own feet when he shouts after her, "Ow, bloody hell. Dyson said you'd be a handful." Kenzi stops, turns and sees him hopping on one foot, whilst holding the other and hissing in pain.

"How do you know...?"

"Dyson? Oh me and wolfy, we go way back. I mean way, way over the hill, beyond the rainbow, in another galaxy back. Too much?" He smiles at her. "I never quite know when to shut me trap. Let's just say we're old friends." He stops hopping and looks at her.

"You're crazy," she tells him hoping Dyson will come back any second and save her from this moron. She just wants to go home to Bo...Ha, but you can't, you stuffed that up...real good. She has to agree on this, she's made a big mess, there's no going home now. Kenzi is so close to the door, she could take a few more steps and be outside, but he could make her stop anytime. It's only a few miles to the sewers, Kenzi is sure she can make it.

"Nope, you won't make it. Dyson warned me you were feisty, I like em fiesty, makes the chase that much more...mmm" he licks his lips grinning at her.

How the hell does he know what I'm thinking? Kenzi looks away a little afraid. He's talking about sexual things and she's here in the factory, alone, at night...with him! But somehow...she can't explain it, she doesn't feel like her life is in danger anymore. The more time she spends with this idiot she realises he gives off the same warm feeling that Dyson had. Maybe Dyson did send him?

"Look love, you don't know me from Adam, I knew an Adam once, nice guy. Well, he was until he was caught cheating on his dark Fae wife and she hired me. I really enjoyed that one...I made him eat his own peni...ah I didn't say that," he looks sheepishly at Kenzi when she makes gagging noises, then continues, "Now, where was I? Oh yeah...you don't know me...yadda, yadda...right then, here's the deal...it's not really a deal, cos you have to do it, so I'm just humouring you. You have, and I can't stress that enough girly, you h..."

"Kenzi, my name...is KENZI you overdressed goth wannabe!" She yells at him finally letting her fear and anger take charge. "Not love, or girly, or anything else...just Kenzi...you got it?" She's in no mood for this moron. Dyson found me once, it's still a bit hazy...he's probably gone back to get Bo. I really need to get moving. The sewer tunnels are still a good five miles away. And now I've got this dick to deal with.

"Ooh get you missy," he says to get a reaction out of her. It doesn't work, she just glares at him.

Kenzi takes charge of the situation, "Right, so you're the ghost of Christmas dudes sent to piss me off, by showing me stuff I can't change...did I get that right?"

He laughs and answers, "I never asked for this gig love, this is all you. I'm only a bit player in your life, don't even know why I'm here to be blunt. But here I am. Now purlease, can we just go already?"

Reluctantly she walks towards him, "Okay, but no funny stuff." Vex looks her up and down and licks his lips appreciatively, "Wouldn't dream of it lov...Kenzi," he corrects himself. "Follow me then," he says as he walks past her towards the door.

"Wait up then," she calls after him as she walks towards what she knows is a very bad idea!

When they reach the door Kenzi notices it's not the same exit door she was heading for just a few moments ago. It now looks like the door to the Dal. Thats not possible she tells herself, but then remembers all the other stuff she's seen tonight. Vex stops and puts his hand on the handle, "Now I have to warn you, what you're about to see might be upsetting for your sensitive eye..."

Kenzi cuts him off and grabs the handle from him, "Get out of my way, the sooner this is done, the sooner I can..."

"What, run away?" Vex challenges her. Kenzi ignores his comment and opens the door. She steps outside, and straight into the Dal.

There sat at her favourite table was Bo and Lauren. No sign of Dyson, which meant he probably was out trying to track her. She had to hurry, to get away, hide, be gone.

Lauren had her arm around Bo to comfort the crying succubus. Kenzi felt bad, but Bo had Lauren and Dyson, she didn't need her. No, she doesn't need you, she's better off without you she could hear herself think. Just then Bo spoke...

"I'm not better off without her Lauren, she's a part of me." Kenzi watches as Bo pushes out of Lauren's hold. Kenzi is glad, she's never really liked Lauren, Bo could do so much better. But Bo loves Lauren, and as much as Kenzi disapproves of the dr, she would never get between them.

"That's not what I meant." Lauren is trying to reason with Bo but it's just getting Bo more worked up. Kenzi has seen enough and opens her mouth to say something rude to Dr Lauren but, vex puts his hand over her mouth and whispers, "Nuh uh darling, they can't hear you."

Kenzi is disgusted and bites on his hand making him snatch it back and howl in pain. "You little bitch," he snarls at her. "I'm going to..."

"Shut up, I'm trying to listen," she replies unfazed by his threats now. If he wanted to, or even could hurt her, he would have back in the factory. But all he did do was freeze ray her and taunt her a little. She's seen his handiwork, she knows what he's capable of. He looks at her and shakes his hand to ease the pain, "If I were anywhere but here, you'd be a stain on this pretty floor." He says it in a menacing voice, but Kenzi isn't listening, she's trying to hear what Bo and Lauren are talking about.

"Look Bo, all I'm saying is Kenzi gets into dangerous situations and you put yourself on the line to save her. If she just listened to one of us to start with, her life and yours would be better...and I wouldn't be sat alone wondering what state you're going to come to me in, or if you're even going to make it home." Lauren is crying now and Bo moves sideways so she can wrap her arms around her. Kenzi never looked at it from Lauren's side before, the dr really loves Bo and is scared that Bo is going to get hurt, or worse...get dead! The thought terrifies Kenzi, and she wonders how many times Bo has survived a near death to save her.

Kenzi turns to Vex, "That's what I overheard. Lauren telling Bo that I always need saving. I don't think that's true is it?"

Vex looks away when Kenzi meets his eyes with her questioning ones. "Oh," is all she manages to say as she leans on the wall for support.

"Look Lauren, I don't care what she's done. Something is wrong and I'm going to find her. You didn't see her tonight. I know in my heart she's in trouble, I understand what you said the other day, but Lauren she's my sister, I would die for her as I would die for you or Dyson. I love her, it's not a case of claiming her, I just want to make sure the people I love are safe. Look, I know the Fae world is no place for a child as you say, but Kenzi is not a child, she's a confident young woman and she's saved my ass on occasion too. The world in which we live in is a dangerous place, she is more than capable of looking after herself!"

The words coming from Bo warmed Kenzis heart. To hear her best friend say she can look after herself was all Kenzi wanted from Bo. Obviously she's not on the same level of expertise as Bo at fighting, but she could teach her, or Dyson.

Lauren sighs deeply and says, "Bo, I hear what you're saying, and I'm sorry if I come across too mean on this. But she is just a child, in our world she is just a child. A slightly annoying bratish child..."

Bo was about to say something to object no doubt, but Lauren cut her off...

"Before you say anything, I like Kenzi. I just want you to see the danger she's in, and the danger that puts you in as her protector if you will."

Wow, Lauren likes me. I thought she hated me. Maybe I've been too hard on her? Kenzi thinks about all the times she's clashed with Lauren, but now she can see it's just because Lauren is looking out for Bo. Crap, what have I done? Kenzi slumps to the floor sliding down the wall.

"Nah ah, up you get. You're not finished yet," Vex tells her grabbing her arm and forcing her back to her feet.

"Get off me!" Kenzi yells at him and shrugs out of his grip. "Don't you get it? I've made everything worse. Bo would have listened, she would have understood. I never trusted her, now look what's gonna happen. She's gonna know I went all run away brat and that's harder to forgive! I'm so stupid Vex!" Kenzi turns away from him and tears slip down her cheeks.

Vex smiles at her when he turns her around to look at him, "Watch," is all he says.

"Now, you can either come with me or stay here, I'm hoping you'll come because she might need you," Bo asks, interrupting Kenzis pity party.

"Of course I'll come with you," is the Drs reply. She continues with a shocking announcement that stuns Kenzi, "Maybe we should ask Dyson to help, he can track her?" Then the two of them leave the table and walk out the exit, with Lauren calling Dyson on her cell phone. If Lauren is calling Dyson then that means she really does care about her. Dyson and Lauren are always at each other's throat when it comes to Bo, both equally jealous of each other's part in Bo's life.

Kenzi needs to sit down, she's been a bloody idiot. Running away was not the answer. She knows this now, she also knows that Dyson isn't tracking her...yet! There's still time to run away Kenzi, get far away so no one finds out the voices tell her. "SHUT UP" she screams at them through her tears, effectively silencing them.

"You talking to me love?" Vex has a shot of whiskey in his hand. Kenzi looks at him disgusted and dries her tears.

"Thirsty work luv," he downs the shot in one. "Well it was nice meeting you, until I see you again," he adds cryptically.

"Can't say it was fun, but I guess thank you," Kenzi tells him. She knows he's helped, she's just not going to admit that to him.

"Oh it was me pleasure, luv," he says laughing as he fades away.

The gesture worries Kenzi, but there was no time to ponder it. She had to get back home before Bo finds her gone. With a new sense of hope that things will be okay, she starts running back towards the Dal's door. But the nearer she gets the further it seems away. Frustrated and out of breath from running she looks up when she hears Lauren's voice, "Kenzi?"