Chapter 7-Lost
Dyson and Bo arrived back home, Bo's soft brown eyes red from crying for hours. Dyson wrapped his arm around her and tenderly guided her to the jeep waiting for them.
A military man opened the door to the jeep, saluted Dyson, and said "I heard what you did in Mexico. Thank you Sir." Dyson nodded and helped Bo get in the jeep. She leaned on his shoulder, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Dyson, I can't go home, I have to go see Lauren," said Bo between sobs.
Dyson stiffened at the Doctor's name, "Do you want me to go with you?"
"No," said Bo, "I failed her, I have to break the news to her alone and be there for her." Dyson tapped the driver on the shoulder and redirected him to Lauren's. He reached down wiping Bo's tears and kissed her, capturing her lips between his own.
Bo pulled away. "Don't wait up, but don't worry either," she said kissing him gently. Dyson nodded with sadness in his eyes.
Bo was just about to step on the last step of Lauren's house when the door opened. "Bo," greeted Lauren moving quickly to embrace her which the succubus eagerly returned. "I'm so glad you're safe."
Lauren took a step back searching Bo's face and realized something was horribly wrong, "Bo? Where's Danny?" Bo's eyes started to well up unable to speak. "Bo?" repeated Lauren starting to shake, tears running down her face uncontrollably.
"She fell," whispered Bo, her heart crushing with sadness.
"What? No, you promised you would bring her home," sobbed Lauren shaking her head and grabbing the porch pillar to steady herself.
Bo moved toward Lauren "I'm sorry." She reached out but Lauren angrily pushed her away.
"No, shaking her head, you promised," argued Lauren unable to breath.
Tears were streaming down Bo's face and her chest was heaving, "I'm sorry Lauren." The doctor slid down the post unable to stand, tears pouring down her face, gasping for air. Bo wrapped her arms around her and holding her tight.
After an hour, Bo got to her feet, lifted Lauren in her strong arms, carried her into the living room and sat with her in silence on the couch. Lauren rested her head on Bo's shoulder tears still rolling down her face.
Breaking the silence Lauren asked, "Kenzi?"
Bo shook her head. "She fell too," whispered Bo as she struggled to maintain composure thinking about her young Goth friend.
"I'm sorry Bo," whispered Lauren, her eyes filled with sadness.
Bo nodded, "I've had a couple days to come to grips with it."
"The Ancient? Smithson?" asked Lauren bitterly.
"Both dead. Danny killed them both. She was the chosen one Lauren." Bo got up to retrieve something. She returned carrying a large pearl handled sword that glistened magnificently in the light.
"It's beautiful, what is it?" asked Lauren numbly.
Bo laid the sword on Lauren's lap. "This is the chosen one's sword, Danny's sword. I think she would want you to have it."
"Thank you," whispered Lauren feeling her throat tighten. As Bo sat back on the couch Lauren rested her head on Bo's shoulder until sleep finally relieved her of her suffering.
Several hours later...
Lauren leaned against the window watching the sun kiss the horizon, the dawn of a new day. She picked up her phone. "This is Dr. Lewis, I won't be in today," said Lauren leaving a message at the clinic before setting her phone on the counter.
"When is the last time you called in sick?" asked the succubus taking a sip of coffee.
Lauren looked down frowning, "never."
"Is there anything I can do?" asked Bo leaning on the counter. Lauren shook her head, sadness consuming her lifeless eyes again.
Bo put her coffee down and wrapped her arms around the doctor. "I'm here as long as you need me. We'll get through this."
"Is Dyson okay?" asked Lauren cautiously.
"He's beat up but he's okay," replied Bo squeezing Lauren's hands.
"They died heros," smiled Bo trying to put on a brave face for Lauren. "Danny was amazing she saved us all at one point or another and she killed the Ancient. She fought bravely and never hesitated to put herself in between us and danger."
Lauren smiled weakly, her heart overwhelmed with sadness thinking about the wolf. Her heart was still too raw to feel anything else.
"Kenz was great too, her usual smart ass self but, she pitched in when things were desperate and no one else could," continued Bo, her eyes welling with pride and fond memories of her best friend.
"I'm sure you and Dyson were amazing too and we owe you both a debt of gratitude," Lauren with admiration.
Bo smiled, squeezing Lauren's hand affectionately, "Thank you."
"Go home to Dyson, I'll be okay," said Lauren forcing a smile to reassure Bo.
Bo nodded, kissed Lauren on the cheek and said, "I'll call you later." Lauren closed the door as Bo left and felt a sickening emptiness in her stomach.
She turned on the TV so the silence wasn't overwhelming laid down on the couch, pulled the blanket over her from the back of the couch and curled up into a little ball. Lauren woke with a start, the phone ringing on the counter. "Let it go to voicemail," she thought not having the energy or desire to talk to anyone. Looking around she realized it was now dark and wondered what time it was. She ran her hands through her hair, sighed, and looked at the sword lying on the coffee table. She reached out and lightly brushed her fingers over the blade feeling the coolness of the steel, as she thought of Danny and this being the last thing she held. Her eyes filled with tears again, the grief overwhelming. She flopped back on the couch and closed her eyes again begging sleep to come for her.
Lauren woke to someone pounding on her door. She grabbed her robe and opened the door finding a worried looking succubus standing at the door.
"Bo, what's wrong?" asked Lauren suddenly concerned.
"I have left you several messages, and you haven't returned any of them. You haven't been at work for three days." Bo sighed, "I'm worried about you."
Lauren tipped her head back, ran her hand through her hair, stepped aside to invite Bo in. "I'm sorry Bo, I just haven't felt up to talking."
"You need to eat something Lauren." Bo rummaged through the refrigerator. "I'll make you some eggs, sit," said Bo pointing at the island stool.
Lauren sighed, "I'm fine Bo, I'm just really tired."
"There's a memorial at Trick's tonight, and you're going," said Bo.
Lauren put up her hand to protest, "I can't…"
"You're going. I'll pick you up at 6pm, and don't make me drag you there in your pajamas. Wear something nice to say good-bye," insisted Bo, putting a plate of eggs in front of Lauren.
"Eat," said Bo sipping her coffee. Lauren grimaced, and started picking at the eggs.
When Lauren finished her eggs, Bo put her coffee cup in the sink, and kissed her on the cheek. "At least get dressed today," she said giving Lauren an understanding smile.
"Call me if you need me, I'll be back in a couple hours" said Bo closing the door.
XXXXXXXXXX
Bo arrived at Lauren's house right at 6pm. The doctor opened the door surveyed her best friend dressed in black, her hair neatly pulled back and her eyes heavy with sadness. Lauren reached out and hugged her, needing the support that only Bo could provide.
"You look nice," said Bo noticing that Lauren was dressed in black slacks with a red blouse, and a long black sweater.
"Ready?" asked Bo.
"No," replied Lauren with sadness welling in her eyes, "I'm not ready….." Bo nodded grief raw in her eyes as she took Lauren's hand and led her to the car.
Trick's bar was set up with a front stage and chairs lined up as they would be in an auditorium. There were big bouquets of flowers everywhere and soothing music playing quietly. The place was full of people wishing to pay their respects, many of whom Lauren had never seen before. Some were elders, some royalty and some from other lands. Lauren's heart was ready to burst with emotion and she couldn't breath, she felt like she was having a panic attack and needed to get out. Her brain was screaming at her to run and get as far away from the sadness as possible, but Bo guided her to a seat near the back with Dyson, and Hale, trying to not draw attention to themselves.
Lauren jumped as The Ash's voice startled her from her thoughts. "Danny and Kenzi were heros. They gave their lives for mankind. They destroyed "The Ancient" and sent it back to hell where it came from. They were ordinary in their day to day lives but they rose to the challenge that they were faced with and became legends. We will never forget what they have done for us, for human kind and for the world as we know it. They will always be remembered for their generosity, kindness, and heroism."
Lauren was trying desperately to maintain composure in a public setting such as this and after many years of hiding her true feelings she had become an expert. Inside she was dying but on the outside she remained professional and unemotional. Bo squeezed Lauren's hand knowing the pain she was suffering silently as she was forced to hide her true feelings.
The Morgan then took the stage and by this time Lauren had stopped listening and was running a video through her head of her time with Danny and Kenzi.
When it was done Trick came over and gave a big hugs to Lauren and Bo. "Drinks are on the house tonight."
Lauren shook her head, "I can't. I can't stay, not tonight."
The Ash overheard the conversation and said, "Lauren can I speak to you a minute?" Lauren nodded but Bo kept a protective arm around her.
"Very well," he said, "here is fine. Lauren I'm worried about you. You haven't been at work in a few days which is very unusual for you despite what has happened."
"Sorry Sir, I just haven't been feeling well. Might have the flu." replied Lauren dryly.
"Will you be at the lab tomorrow?" asked the Ash.
Lauren replied with her head down, "I will try Sir."
Bo bit her lip, squeezed Lauren's arm thinking, "wrong answer, stay home until you are well, don't let this guy bully you."
"Good. I overheard you wanting to leave for the evening, can I offer you my car service?" asked The Ash.
"No thank you Sir," replied Lauren.
"As you wish, take care and I hope you will be back at work soon," replied the Ash already looking for someone in the crowd.
Bo waited for him to leave and then whispered, "Douche," in Lauren's ear which made her smile just briefly.
"Stay for a least one drink," coxed Bo. Lauren looked into Bo's loving eyes and really wanted to stay because she had asked, but she was just so broken that she wasn't really living right now.
Lauren shook her head, "I'm sorry Bo, not now, not yet. I just need to go."
Bo nodded, her eyes filled with understanding as her own heart was breaking. "Okay, I'll call you tomorrow?"
Lauren nodded sadly, her eyes meeting Bo's, feeling the overwhelming flood of emotion welling up again and quickly left the bar.