Bo, Lauren, and Kenzi entered the Dal like long lost heroes. The patrons of the Dal were boisterous tonight and it fit their moods as they weaved through the gallery and sat at the bar together. It was busy so Trick feathered drinks in front of the women without so much as a word.
Bo scanned the room and spotted Dyson playing pool by himself. She looked back at Kenzi and Lauren, "I'll be right back."
Walking through the liquor soaked masses, Bo crossed to the pool table. The light shone brightly against the green felt and the clacking of billiard balls could be heard from across the room as she approached.
"Dyson, hi," Bo smiled at him.
Dyson lined up another shot and snapped the cue ball. "What do you need now, Bo?" he said gruffly.
"Just thought I'd ask if there was any new information in those succubus killings?"
"What succubus killings?"
"What?"
"I took care of it, Bo. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"No," she shook her head. "I didn't ask y-"
"I know you didn't," Dyson interrupted, lining up the eight ball. With a loud crack, the cue ball snapped it into the corner pocket. "You're welcome, by the way." He stood to face Bo. "Can we cut the bullshit for a minute?"
Bo's expression changed to a mix of apprehension and dread. Being honest with Dyson was a terrible challenge for her. "I guess."
"I want you back, Bo," he said matter-of-factly. "Ever since Kenzi got my love back from the Norn, I can't stop thinking about you. About us."
"Oh, Dyson." Bo shifted uncomfortably.
"We can go back to the way we were. We were great together, weren't we?"
Bo looked back to the bar, suddenly wishing she hadn't ventured over. "We were, but…"
"But what?" he asked, stepping closer. "I miss you."
Bo closed her eyes and took a step back. "I can't, Dyson," she said, her hands held up. "I loved you and… it took a lot to get past that. But I did." She shook her head. "I can't do that to myself again." Dyson wasn't a man of many words, but Bo knew there was a fight in him for anything he felt passionate about. She touched his arm. "Thank you, for your help."
Bo turned away and walked towards Kenzi who was sitting on the end of the bar much to Trick's dismay. When she looked back at Dyson he had returned to the pool table, pulling the balls from the pockets. His eyes flashed up at her before he looked away quickly. By the time Bo had made it back to Kenzi, Lauren was chatting with Hale at the other end of bar. Bo stood beside Kenzi who turned and smiled at her.
"I'm gonna miss my super powers." Kenzi drank her pint eagerly.
Bo leaned against the bar and clinked glasses with Kenzi, "I've got more than enough for both of us," she smiled.
"Poor Bo, all powerful, and a vag on lockdown."
Bo made a disapproving face. "It's complicated."
"Listen, babe. You're a fighter. You fought to be unaligned, you fought like ninety guys tonight and you fought the Garuda," Kenzi chuckled excitedly. "I mean, who does that and lives to tell about it? But you beat their asses down and now? Now you fight the darkness and, I know you're not going to want to hear this but you fight for Lauren, too. She needs you."
"I need her."
"So go forth and make it so!" Kenzi took a hearty swig of her beer.
Bo looked to the end of the bar where Lauren sat with Hale. Trick was refilled their drinks. She was happy. Hale had her laughing and she was so beautiful. Bo wished she didn't have to disturb such a perfect moment but felt compelled to crash it nonetheless. She walked towards the merry duo.
"Hey," Bo smiled at Lauren. Hale looked between the women and loosened his collar. "Can we talk?" Bo touched her shoulder.
Just then Kenzi swooped in to pull Hale away from the pair. "C'mon, Siren, it's time to earn your money."
"I told you I can't gamble with you anymore."
"Shhh…" Bo's eyes followed Kenzi as she pulled Hale by the tie to the other end of the bar and dropped a stack of cards in front of him.
Bo turned back to Lauren. "Hey," she said and laughed at herself, "I said that already." A smile touched Lauren's lips but remained elusive. "I just wanted to thank you for all of your help with the Kenzi thing and," she stared into her drink, "the other thing, too."
"How are you feeling?"
"Compared to what?" Bo smiled uncomfortably.
"Are you hungry?"
"I'm always hungry now." She looked worried.
Lauren's expression turned to concern. "I brought you something."
"You didn't have to-"
"I've been working on your serum."
"Oh." Leave it to Lauren to be practical.
"Given how powerful you are now, there's no telling how this will work, but it's a start." Lauren reached into her bag and pulled out a syringe. "May I?"
Bo slipped out of her jacket and offered an arm to Lauren who injected the serum into her. After a few moments, Bo's eyes closed and an expression of relief spread across her face.
"How'd I do?" Lauren's sweet smile made Bo crumble a little more.
Bo dipped her head and kissed Lauren. A soft sigh escaped Lauren's lips as Bo's hand delved into her hair. For all the Fae to see, Bo kissed her without apprehension or regret. She kissed her for love. As they parted, Bo smiled and said, "Better."
It took a moment for Lauren to register that Bo was talking about the serum and not her kiss. "Good," Lauren's voice was shaky. "It's a work in progress so it might not last long but it will certainly help when you've got the urge to feed."
"Thank you for this, but I've still got the Morrigan to worry about now."
Her sly smile was infectious and Bo found herself grinning as she asked, "What is it?"
"I have an idea about that, too."
The elevator dinged and Lauren stepped out of the car. The wall to wall windows let in enough natural light to blind her with its reflections off of the city's surrounding buildings. She squinted for a minute, trying to get her bearings before rounding the corner.
"Dr. Lewis, what a surprise!" Evony exclaimed as she got to her feet. "What brings you here today?"
Lauren approached The Morrigan's desk. "I wanted to talk to you about the other night."
Evony grinned. "That was fun, wasn't it?"
"You were lucky to have seen Bo's new powers."
"Bigger, badder, bitchier," she smiled. "I think we should talk about you." She cocked her head. "Poor Dr. Lewis awaiting yet another Ash to mistreat her. Ever think of working for the Dark?"
"My interests-" Lauren started.
"Wouldn't it be in your best interest to not let the Light lock you up? If you were my doctor, I would let you have the run of the place. No locking you up in the catacombs and torturing you when you get bossy."
Lauren's hands began to shake at the suggestion. She didn't let herself think of the things they did to her when she was locked away. The pain inflicted without leaving a mark was the worst, all of the agony but none of the proof that it happened. They had almost broken her spirit but Lauren was still free in her heart.
"I'll tell you a secret," Evony grinned, "I like it when you're bossy."
"How's this then? You get the Ash to release me from my contract and I will freelance for both sides."
"I'm afraid that's not going to work for me." Evony fingered the desk calendar disinterestedly.
"You're forgetting that you owe me."
She put a hand on her hip. "How's that?"
"For redirecting Bo when she had you down and out."
The Morrigan regarded her with an expression she knew well: hunger. "I wish that I could taste your talent, but," she tsked and licked her index finger, "what a waste that would be."
"This is how it's going to go. You're going to free me and in exchange, I will keep Bo from going supernova and sucking the life out of the Dark Fae."
"You come work for me."
Lauren shook her head. "Don't lowball me, Evony."
The Morrigan stared at Lauren for a long while. "Well, I don't suppose shaking things up a little is such a bad thing. You have your deal," she conceded. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to explain to the Fae elders how a rogue succubus and human slave were able to kill twenty men on my watch."
Lauren couldn't contain the smile that broke loose when she turned away from Evony and walked to the elevator.
"And Doctor," Evony called, "don't be a stranger."
She pressed the elevator button and waited. It was an endless moment before the doors were opening and she was silently riding the elevator to the ground floor. The elevator dinged as the doors opened and Lauren walked across the lobby's expanse to the front doors. She pushed out onto the street, took a deep breath and hung a left. It was a nice day for a walk. Lauren was screaming on the inside. Had she just made a deal for her own freedom? One that would keep her with Bo? She spotted the battered yellow Camaro at the end of the block. Bo was leaning against it, ankles crossed, sunglasses pushed down her nose as she looked up at the approaching blonde.
"How'd we do?" Bo asked.
"We did it," Lauren grinned.
