A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing! As promised... Chapter 10 before I sleep... And now... the moment... drum roll... well... sort of... read! read!
Chapter 10: Is It You?
It had been two weeks since Bo had her first real fire lesson with John and water lesson with Madge. She was getting stronger every day and had equaled her mentors in many areas. They had been right – Bo was powerful and a quick study. She was more focused as the days had passed, but they both knew that it wouldn't be long before she was going to go blue banshee if she didn't get to at least speak with Lauren soon. John and Madge had not told Bo that it was Lauren who felt she was not ready to see Bo but assured them that she would tell them when she was ready. Any discussion about Bo caused the doctor to struggle. If they remained on the topic of the Succubus for more than five minutes, she would ultimately shift and run. It was funny, really. Lauren had once told Madge that Bo was the one who always avoided having 'talks'. Now it seemed that Bo was the open book and Lauren was the one avoiding.
Bo had gone back to her motel room to shower and change after her lessons with John. She was helping again with the dinner rush. John and Madge had finally asked her about how she was paying her Motel bill and she explained that she was almost out of cash and was going to have to find a job. They told her they would pay her for any hours she worked at the diner, so she had been a paid worker for the past week and a half. As soon as she entered the diner she was immediately called over to a booth by the window for dinner with the boys.
"I have to work – I'll eat later, okay?"
"Nonsense, Bo. You've spent every hour either training or working for the past two weeks. You're part of this family, so it's time you sat down and spent some time with us outside of the have-to's, you know?"
"Do you know what the have-to's are, Bo? Do you? Huh?" Joshua asked enthusiastically.
"I'm not sure, Joshua. Can you explain it?" Bo couldn't resist this little man. He had really grown on her the past two weeks. If they were around, he was not far away from Bo.
"The 'have-to' is the thing you have to do or you get punished. The 'want-to' is the thing that you really want to do, so you do the 'have-to' so you get to do the 'want-to'… get it?"
Bo laughed as she caught on to the family discipline code that the boys obviously lived by, "Well then I guess I better sit and eat dinner with the family so I don't get punished!"
"Yea – missing family dinner is a really serious thing. You would have to like… clean your room or go to bed early or get no video games for a week or something."
"Well, it smells fabulous. I can't say I'm not hungry. Your GranPa and GranMa worked me hard today."
Apparently, Jake and Josh had come in unexpectedly with fresh crabs and clams, thus the unplanned family dinner. John cooked and they all ate together while the actual hired help handled the dinner crowd. Bo watched the happy faces of the people around her and listened to the conversations and laughter. She was eating dinner with a family. For the first time in her life, a real family… parents, siblings, children… she could feel the bond and oddly, she felt welcome. She fell back into memories of her past as she thought to herself,
'I really had missed this in my life but in all fairness to my foster parents, I'd had a good life until that night with Kyle. I didn't have siblings, but I had Midnight. I miss that beautiful black horse. We would get up in the morning to go racing through the fields up to the mountaintop that gave us a view of the entire farm. Usually, we would stay too long looking out over the valley. I had to get to school, so we'd have to sprint back to have time to cool Midnight down properly, muck her stall, feed her and get her back in her stall…'
"Earth to Bo… where'd you go, girl? Are you gonna eat your last crab leg?" Jake asked, grabbing the crab leg off her plate as she shook her head. Bo chuckled – his appetite reminded her of a certain petite brunette with a raging appetite. Kenzi…
"Bo? Are you okay? Lauren gets that look sometimes too." Little John stared at Bo awaiting a response.
"Sorry, Little John. Sometimes my mind just drifts off – Lauren's does too sometimes, I suppose."
Bo tossed her napkin on to her plate, consciously making an effort to be present with this wonderful family.
"Well, I'm stuffed. That was great, John really."
Bo turned to the youngest little men,
"And my compliments to the crabbers and clammers… you must have searched hours to find the best crabs and clams in the land. They were excellent, boys. Thank you so much!"
"Really, Bo – it's nothing. We were happy to do it. Any friend of Lauren's is a friend of ours. I'm sure she wishes she were here with us for dinner tonight. She told us the story of how you saved all the Druids, and the Humans and even the Faes from the Garuda. Was that a true story? Was it? Huh?"
Gods, she loved this little man. He was just so adorable and enthusiastic for knowledge – they both were.
"Did she tell you she helped?" Bo asked.
"No – it was all about you, but I figgered if she knew about it and you being friends and all that she probally did sumtin' right? I mean, even when she heals our cuts and stuff she doesn't think it's a big deal but we know to say thank you anyway."
Bo chuckled, typical Lauren…
"Well, did you guys know that Lauren is actually a real doctor from the human world?"
"Really?"
Bo was not surprised that Little John spoke up since he was completely enamored with the doctor.
"Like with the stuffascope and that thing they stick in your ear and all?"
"Yup, just like that. I guess she's sort of used to helping people – think of it as her 7th Fae – The Doctor."
They all laughed.
"I think that is actually the strongest Fae of all of them. Lauren loves to help people feel better and she hates to see them hurt. I guess that's why she thinks healing you is no big deal."
"I guess I understand that… sort of… but it is still a really cool thing. Sometimes she does it with her tears and sometimes she does it with a glowy hand thing."
Little John seemed a bit confused over how either of those two things happened.
"Well regardless, I couldn't have slayed the Garuda without Lauren's help. She's the one that extracted the Naga Venom and figured out how to use my blood to give me extra strength with the help of my friends. Lauren is the hero, boys."
The boys smiled widely at the knowledge their friend was a co-slayer of the Garuda.
"Okay, Boys – it's time the Dads got you home. You've got homework to do!" Josh stated flatly.
As expected, the boys whined in unison, "Aww Dad, can't we stay with Bo…"
The boys stopped immediately when they saw the look in the eyes of the brothers Martini. They knew that look and it said stop your whining and get in the damn truck before we throw your asses in the bay with a flick of our wrists. The boys stood and slid out of the booth before turning to Bo,
"Good night, Bo." said Joshua.
"Good night Bo," said Little John.
Bo moved from her seat to squat down between the two boys, one arm around each of their waists.
"This was the best day I've had in a very long time, boys. I will fall fast asleep tonight thinking of both of my favorite fisherman."
She gave them each a peck on the cheek as she stood.
"Now, go get that homework done – Lauren would tell you that school is your most important job until you get out of college. Knowledge is power!"
"That's what makes Lauren's 7th Fae so strong, right?" Little John exclaimed.
"That's right little man, so go get that homework done and then get a good night's sleep."
"Will we see you tomorrow, Bo?"
Joshua asked as he shoved his hands in his pockets and lowered his eyes as she turned her big brown orbs to his. Bo looked up to the Dads who were looking at Joshua, a knowing look on their faces. Little John may be crushing on Lauren, but Joshua was now crushing on Bo.
"You never know what tomorrow will bring, Joshua."
"That doesn't mean you're leaving town tomorrow, does it? I mean – you would never leave us without saying goodbye, right?" Joshua suddenly seemed to have a certain fear in his eyes.
"Hey, little man – I'm not going anywhere right now. I'm here to help Lauren and I'd be a fool to leave the incredible Martini family now…"
Bo knew this was going to sound sappy, but she went with it anyway,
"…because there is entirely too many great recipes for me to sample!"
They all laughed as the brothers turned their sons towards the exit. They all yelled back a final good night and quiet quickly fell over the restaurant.
"Well – I think a bit of a run is in order. If I go now, I'll get to catch the sunset at the end of my run. If I don't go now, I won't have the energy."
Madge made a suggestion to Bo, "Why don't you head back to that secluded little spot I sent you your first night in town? In my younger days as a child, I used to run on that beach at sunset – it's a nice place to gather your thoughts. Bo, the Elders may give permission for you to see Lauren tomorrow now that her Druid is under control. If her succubus loses control, we trust you will see to… uh… those… needs."
Madge blushed silently thanking the Fae Gods that Bo was actually here. The healer that had been helping Lauren with her succubus needs was getting weaker every day trying to keep up with the good doctor's needs. The Elders had agreed it was time to introduce Bo into the mix. If things worked out between them, it would only help Lauren. If the doctor was not willing to use Bo to meet her needs, then they knew they would have to find another to help since a single Fae was no longer sustaining her. They hoped that if the prophecy were true, Bo would be enough to sustain her on her own. The three Fae of Lauren's that had passed their Dawning were now helping to temper the succubus, unicorn and Nereid in Lauren, but the succubus was clearly becoming more dominant each day. They had noticed Lauren's eyes flashing that distinct succubus blue at random moments during the day – even if she was fully fed.
"Uh… okay… whatever they decide is best for Lauren…"
Bo sat down on the nearest stool, seemingly weak in the knees all of a sudden.
"Madge, you should know that I will only feed with her IF Lauren agrees BEFORE she goes succubus blue. No sex between Bo and Lauren unless it's consensual – I won't push or try to seduce her. Is that understood?" Bo felt sick.
"Bo? Are you okay? I'd swear your face just drained of every ounce of its color, girl."
John's voice was light but his face expressed every ounce of concern he was feeling.
"Bo?" Madge seconded John's concern. "Bo? Talk to us, please… what's wrong?"
Bo looked up at the pair with watery eyes, "I… I… I'm… nervous."
Madge and John burst out laughing. John looked at Bo with sympathy as his laughter died down to a smile.
"I'm glad you think it's so funny. You do realize that there is a distinct possibility that Lauren could totally friend zone me, right? None of us know if she has deeper feelings for this woman that has been feeding her than she has for me. Finally, I am all too aware of how much I've hurt her in the past and that she may never trust me enough to try a relationship with me again! I am terrified of having to live my life without her as my mate."
"We're sorry, Bo. We just aren't in that frame of mind when it comes to the two of you."
"I know, I know… the prophecy and we're meant to be and all of that stuff. Nevertheless, you just don't know our history. We've tried this before… I hurt her!"
"Well, she is no longer the Lauren you knew all of those years ago. Maybe she has it in her heart to forgive more than you give her credit for? Maybe your love is stronger than even you seem to realize? The truth is, you just won't know until you try, will you Bo?"
"I guess you're right Madge."
John jumped in to shake his pouty student by the shoulder,
"Come on, Bo. Seriously… man up, Succubus! Are you sure you are the same determined unaligned succubus who has been ripping her way around the whole of the North American continent to find her one true love? Where's that cocky confidence that Lauren fell in love with in the first place?"
"Actually, I think she fell in love with the human side of my Fae first, but you're right John… this is what I've wanted… hell, this is what I've lived for… I can't lose my shit now. "
"Good girl. Get back to that motel room and put on some sexy succubus running outfit so you can go burn off that nervous energy of yours. Then get a good night's sleep and we'll see you for mid-morning training. Okay?"
"Sounds like a plan - and again… I can't thank either of you enough. You've been so good to me and I…"
James waved Bo's comment off,
"Bo… really darlin'… we are happy to help you. We just really wish you would take us up on our offer to stay with us. I've been friends with the owner of that motel for years, but in all fairness to you – it's not the greatest and you could be saving your money."
"I know and I just may do that – let's just see how things go with Lauren first. I don't want to crowd her or make her feel like I'm invading her home. This place is hers, John."
Bo's eyes moved to her shoes as she continued,
"I'm the guest here… and I'm guessing she will see me as a bit of an uninvited guest at this point. Since we're not sure if she really wants me to hang around, I'd rather just wait. If it turns out that she is okay with me staying, then I'll consider ditching the motel with her blessing. If not, I'm not sure how long I'll be sticking around – I just don't know if I could… I mean… you can imagine seeing Madge with someone else… well, I'm sure you understand… it would be…"
"Actually… no, I can't imagine seeing Madge with someone else. It would kill me. We understand, Bo… especially when you make that comparison. Hang in there, Bo. We don't know anything yet. Now get yourself to the beach for that run."
"Thanks – see you mid-morning." A slightly deflated Bo turned and left the diner.
"All we can do is pray to Gaia now, my love."
John said as he wrapped both arms around his wife as she stared through the storefront watching Bo head across the street to her motel.
Lauren awoke in her tiger form on the side porch. She stretched her front and hind legs, extending her claws and then retracting them. The sun was warm on her fur and she felt so relaxed and comfortable. In this form, she never felt the weakness or fear she had felt as a human. She always felt safe and strong. Suddenly, she realized she didn't remember when she had shifted or even how she had come to be on the porch.
"Shit! I thought I'd mastered this form! When did I shift?"
She thought back over the events of the evening. She was reading Bo's journal… she was talking about… oh, God… she had been in Boston… the Red Sox game. She had traveled the entire eastern seaboard of the U.S. and had just happened to meet Maive, Reid, Chase, Aunt Shelley and James… James. Oh, shit! Did she know? Lauren felt the panic starting to rise. If she didn't get herself under control, her Fae would protect her and she would shift into something else. She didn't want to run… she wanted to stay here… stretched out in the sun, relaxed and calm in her tiger form. Lauren thought to herself,
'Just… breathe Lauren... Let your tiger have control. Talk to your Phoenix… she will keep the others under control.'
Lauren slowly allowed the memories of the previous night to move through her mind as she felt her tiger and Phoenix resume control over the others who had threatened to awaken from within. She spoke to herself as if it had all been a dream,
'She was here… Bo… she came… the journals… I had read almost all of her journals in just a few hours…'
Lauren realized she had apparently stopped reading when something she had read caused her to shift. She would have to calm herself down and re-focus in order to finish reading from where she had left off. Suddenly she became aware of something leaning against her midsection. She sniffed the air and was not surprised to catch the scent of her favorite young Druid boy. She carefully rolled over and, using her massive paws gently pulled the little man into the warmth of her embrace.
November mornings were cold despite the warmth Lauren pulled from the sun. She looked down at him, making sure he had put on his winter coat, hat, scarf and mittens before coming out with her. She chuckled when she noticed the down comforter he had wrapped around himself as well. She had reprimanded him last night for coming out and spending the night with her without the extra warmth. While he assured her that her tiger's fur was a great blanket, the doctor in Lauren did not want to see the young Druid become ill. She looked down at his beautiful face and thought of her conversation with Bo back in Hecuba prison,
"Ethan if it's a boy and Charlotte if it's a girl."
Bo had said she had never thought about kids of her own. Well, at least she knew that Lauren wanted them. Maybe that would… She shook her large head as she thought to herself,
'who am I trying to kid… I probably won't even be alive in another year.'
The side porch door opening interrupted her thoughts as Little John's dad appeared.
"Good Morning, Lauren. I see we had another sleep over last night. At least you can't yell at him for not wearing his outside clothes and grabbing his down comforter. You're going to have to come up with a better argument to keep him in his bed. Do you want me to take him in so you can go feed?"
Lauren pulled her massive paws from around the sleeping child, letting Jake know that would be appreciated. Jake moved to pick up his son,
"He really does love you, ya know? Not having a mother is tough… hell… it's tough on me. He looks up to you and listens to you. I could never get him to do his homework or dress for the weather. He doesn't want to disappoint you."
Jake paused as Lauren lifted her head and cocked it to one side as she waited for him to finish.
"I guess I'm trying to say thank you for letting him into your heart. I know you care for him and I know you are torn about getting too close to us because you fear having to leave us. But we're all…"
he corrected,
"Me… I… am counting on you to fight this, Lauren. It'll crush him if he loses you too. Please, just tell me you're going to fight until your last breath."
Jake looked at Lauren, tears pooling in his eyes, for some sort of acknowledgements from the face of the gentle giant. Lauren nodded in affirmation, telling Jake all he needed to satisfy his fears. He picked up his young son and, with a nod to Lauren, moved him back into the warmth of his home.
The massive white tiger rolled over and peered out towards the woods. The beast had no craving for meat this morning, so Lauren stood, stepped off the porch and moved to the grass. Lying down on the soft soil, she called on the good mother earth to help her to fight for her life, fight for her new family and to fight to do the right thing by Bo – whatever their relationship may become. She watched the sun almost fully rise as she pulled chi from the earth allowing her strength and control to return. Her smooth human skin appeared as she slowly shifted back into her upright human form, soft blonde hair hanging over her shoulders, the white fur of her tiger now replaced by smooth sun-kissed skin.
She turned and walked back to the porch, pulling on the Yale hoodie and sweatpants that Madge always put out for her when Lauren wasn't home before she went to bed. She looked back up at the sun and smiled. If she only lived for another day she was glad it was around people who had truly showed that they loved and cared for her. She hoped she had more time so she could re-unite with Bo. For now, that would have to happen through her journals. They would have a lot to talk about before they could be anything beyond people who once knew each other. She knew she would have to tell Bo the whole story… and soon… because if she did not survive, Bo would have decisions of her own to make.
Bo awoke with the sun, a bit of soreness in her muscles. Yesterday had been divided between Druid training, fish hauling and a family meal. She had capped it off with a great run on the beach. It was amazing what the water, wind and sand did for her now – for her entire life, she had never known her Druid half. Now that she was learning how to connect with it, she was amazed at how much the elements could calm her when she was anxious.
Today, John and Madge were training her together. She was sure she would hurt even more after today. The way they had worked together to thwart her succubus' water spout weeks ago let Bo know that they were powerful as individuals, but a true force to be reckoned with as a team. Separately, Madge's most powerful element was wind although Bo had learned she was almost as powerful a protector with water. John was all about fire, though he was also quite skilled with wind. She wondered what they were like when their powers combined. She knew they both had skills with the earth and sun as well, but had not seen them yet. Would they be off limits today since they hadn't trained her with them yet? I guess she was about to find out. She stood and moved into the bathroom to take care of the basic essentials. There was no sense in taking another shower since she was going to be sweating in a matter of minutes. Coffee… she needed coffee.
"See ya, Ma!" Jake yelled as he turned to find Bo waiting for him to exit.
"We've really got to stop meeting like this, Jake."
"Well, at least you didn't run me over this time." They both chuckled. "Have a good time with your lessons today, Bo." Jake winked as if something was up.
"Ok Jake, help a girl out… what are you not telling me about what your parents have planned for me today."
"Hey – family secrets, Bo. I can't tell you what you're up against… you have to go through it just like Josh and I did. It's only fair, sis. Good luck, Bo." Jake winked again and gave Bo a brotherly punch on the shoulder as he walked back to the dock.
Bo's heart warmed at the sound of Jake calling her sis. It was a sudden reminder of Kenzi but the Succubus pushed through the sudden surge of emotion to enter the now very familiar dining room. It was empty except for Madge behind the counter and John at the grill. Neither one looked up to see her. Hmmm… Bo thought, are they mad at me?
"Hi Madge. Hi John. I'm going to grab a cup of coffee and a short feed. I'm a little beat from yesterday and I forgot to feed last night."
Madge and John looked at each other and smiled as Bo walked towards the coffee pot. Before she could get to the pot, she was lifted upside down by what felt like a strong gust of wind and moved quickly through the back of the kitchen, right into the bay. Her head came above water, eyes blazing blue. She was pissed. What the hell was that? She was barely out of the water when she saw Madge and John emerge from the back door. John's hands were holding two large fireballs. Madge flicked her wrists and they became white-hot flaming projectiles headed right for Bo's head. She ducked one but was hit square in her chest by the second. She had managed to engage her fire druid just before it hit, so the force of the impact hitting her chest hurt her pride more than hurt her physically. She looked down to see the scorch mark on her shirt.
"Are you both crazy?! You could have killed me!"
"Now, now Succubus. You should know by now that what is to come for you and those you love will be much, much worse than a couple of fire balls to the chest. Today you learn to never – ever let down your guard. You will also learn that because you could be faced with danger at any time, you must always be at full strength. Forgetting to feed, baby druid cannot happen. We love you, Bo and because we do, we will not go easy on you. You will learn or die trying. We have placed a shield around our training area today so that humans will not see what we expose. Feel free to… what is it you kids say today, 'bring it'…"
Bo watched as John's entire body burned with flames, his eyes glowing a brilliant red-orange. Before she could move, a massive jet of fire was moving towards her. She pushed all of her energy to her hands, her eyes glowing a brilliant blue as she managed to use the wind to push some of the fire away from her while she caught the rest in her hands. She focused on the hues of orange and red to gather the fire between her hands. She smiled at her success as she moved to push the fire back at John when suddenly she saw Madge standing next to her.
"Hi." Madge said as she flicked her finger towards Bo and a gush of wind pushed the fire up and into Bo's face. It burned… for the first time, fire burned.
"Aaaarrrgghhh! My face! My eyes! I can't see! You've blinded me!"
Madge whispered, "Be calm, Bo. Your succubus can heal you in seconds to ready you to fight again."
Bo was panicking, "I don't have the energy! I'm too tired. Gods it burns!"
"Feed Bo, pull chi."
Bo was now on the ground, writhing in pain. She focused on pulling chi to clear her vision. Her succubus kicked in, eyes burning a brilliant blue. She stood and turned to face John and Madge, burns still covering most of her face. She began to pull chi from them, healing her face almost instantly. What she didn't realize was that as she pulled chi from them, they pulled from the earth so it did nothing to weaken them.
"Madge!"
John signaled towards the water. Madge nodded in agreement. Madge moved her hands bringing a massive wall of water over Bo. The wave pushed Bo to the ground and carried her away from the couple. John moved to stand in front of Madge, moving his arms from his sides upwards, palms raised to the sky. With his arms came a huge wall of fire separating them from the surely enraged succubus.
Bo moved to walk through the wall of fire, using her Druid skills to welcome the fire rather than fear it. Once on the other side of the wall, she smiled at the pair. Now, to finish them – she began to glow a brilliant red, eyes blazing blue as she began to pull more chi. Unaffected, Madge began to make a circling motion with her finger over her palm drawing her mate's wall of fire into a circle around the succubus.
She then pushed all of it – fire and Bo – again into the bay.
Bo emerged from the bay coughing and angry. "Seriously? What is it with you throwing the succubus into the bay?!"
Madge laughed, "When you threaten me and mine with your succubus, I'm going to dump you into the bay to cool you off every time, my dear Ysabeau!"
John spoke, "Okay, my girls. Let's pause and talk about what we've learned so far."
"I learned that I'm going to get my ass kicked by the latest big bad that is coming for me." She grabbed at her shirt squeezing the moisture from it as she simultaneously kicked off her now soaked sneakers.
John chuckled, "Come on now, Bo. Unless this big bad shows up today, that's not going to happen. Positivity, remember?"
"I know, I know. Okay, I learned that you can throw friggin' fire balls and fire torpedoes. Oh, and then especially great, I've learned that your mate can manipulate that fire with wind or protect you with it if you're in danger. Oh yea, did I forget to mention that she can make me fly? More specifically, she can make me fly through the air or into water… over and over and over again. And if that didn't make the two of you strong enough to think you were freakin' Druid Gods, you were completely unaffected when I pulled huge amounts of chi from you both at the same time! I've killed rooms full of people with that move and yet it didn't even distract you from throwing your next fun-tastic move at me!"
Madge moved to Bo and placed an arm over her shoulder, "The question is, Bo. Do you believe that you can do all of those same things? You were born of one of the most powerful succubae and one of the most powerful druids to ever walk the earth, Bo. You will be more powerful than we, but you have to remember that you truly are a baby in our world."
"So everyone seems keen on continually reminding me."
"The difference now is that we are here to teach you. No one who called you a baby Fae before ever bothered to take time to teach you. They feared you and the power they knew you possessed. Our guess is they feared you becoming stronger than they were, thereby taking their power and positions. You speak of things the Fae do not want and with your power they are well aware that you could accomplish your hearts desire – especially if others share in your beliefs – as we know they do."
"And just what do they think my desires and beliefs are?"
"Your relationship with Lauren demonstrates your desire to eliminate the laws preventing the joining of Fae and humans in intimate bonds which will mean the birth of hybrid children. Your relationship with your friend Kenzi demonstrates you wish humans to be free and paid for the services they agree to provide to the Fae as food or workers. As the only truly unaligned Fae, your distaste for the sides is obvious. And soon others will know that you are half Fae and half Druid… that… well let's just say that will be interesting."
"And you don't fear me?"
"No, Bo. We don't fear you. You would have a very hard time hurting us because of what we are – especially when we are together. Why do you think the Dark King wanted your father so badly? Druids can change the course of wars, Bo. It is hard to fight creatures that never tire because they can continually pull chi from the most powerful energy source in the universe."
"Of course. That's why it didn't stop you when I chi sucked you. You were pulling chi the entire time."
"That's right Bo. We love you and have pledged to protect you until such time you can protect yourself. Even then, if you falter, we will be there to protect you with our lives if we must. We wish to teach you the powers that will help you to save us all while developing the control you will need to avoid hurting those you love."
Bo turned and stared out at the bay for a moment. She had been in the 'save the world' scenario before with the Garuda, the Pyrippus, the Origin Seed… she had no desire to be there again and the thought of it was exhausting. Why couldn't she just live a peaceful life with the woman she loved? Wasn't life supposed to be easier than this? Apparently life had a few more battles in store for her. She would have to earn her happiness.
Madge was right on every single one of the points she'd made. She always knew that she would have to take on the Fae in order to change the blood laws. With the Una Mens gone, Bo hoped that there was no one else to enforce them except the leaders of the two sides. She would have to fight – only this time she would have powerful help. And hopefully, this would be the last battle. Everyone would get what they needed rather than being forced to live a certain way by the power hungry Ash and Morrigan. She turned and looked at the pair.
"Okay, let's do this."
"Okay, so I'll repeat my question. What did you learn?"
"I didn't have the strength to repel your fire. I didn't know how to counter the wind." Bo said, sounding a bit defeated.
"Ah, my young Druid but you DO know HOW to repel fire, so the lesson is?"
"I can't let my energy levels get so low that I can't use what I've been taught."
"Very good. And countering the wind?"
"Well, I know how to manipulate fire and water… I guess wind is the same. So I didn't get beat because I don't know how to harness the wind, I got beat because I panicked… probably because I was so weak from not feeding."
"Again, very good. Now, let's focus on being prepared. What of it?"
"I have to practice using the elements. I can't avoid it anymore. Right now, I have to think to use my Druid powers and they have to be more of a reflex like pulling chi with my succubus."
"And why do you think that Madge has consistently been able to stop your succubus with water?"
Bo thought for a moment. That was a tough question – no one had been able to stop her succubus except Lauren.
"Fire… my succubus is attached to my fire element. Water beats fire… if only for a moment, it's enough for me to take back control from my succubus."
"That's what we believe as well, Bo. So, shall we practice now? I'm going to start first while Madge watches the diner then we'll switch. We're not going to allow you to stop to feed, Bo. You'll either have to pull chi from the earth as you move or fight in your weakened state. For that reason, you should leave your shoes off."
"I'm going to cut my feet on broken shells."
"And you will heal, Bo."
"But if I am using my chi to heal and fight, I'll run out of energy."
"Not if you can continually pull chi."
"But… that's too many things to focus on at once."
"And that's why we're practicing. The coming battles will not be a convenient one on one, Bo. You will need to use all of your senses to fight, focusing on multiple battles at once. Do you understand?"
"I'll be fighting in the middle of chaos… got it."
"See you soon, Bo." With that, Madge moved back inside.
John spent the morning throwing fire of all sorts at Bo while she learned to catch and quell, catch and throw or gather and re-direct everything that came at her. She learned to spin it, frame it and turn it. To use it to attack or defend. It was late morning by the time they finished and Bo was exhausted as Madge emerged. She started to roll her eyes when she remembered not to let her guard down, but it was too late. Madge already had her upside down and off her feet laughing at her.
"I thought we already learned the 'always prepared' lesson?" Madge said, laughing.
"Yeah, yeah. Very funny." Bo said in a defeated voice, but she wasn't rolling over that easy for Madge. She managed to generate a small fireball behind her back and threw it at Madge's arm.
Madge dropped Bo on her head and moved her arm before the fire made contact. "Bo, when you use fire, your eyes glow orange. It's a dead give-away of what's coming."
"So how do I stop that? Isn't the fire within me?"
"It is, so be sure not to make eye contact until you actually have to see to take aim. Eventually, you'll be able to use your Succubus to throw fire."
"When will that happen?"
"That, my dear, will happen when your Druid and Succubus learn to get along… to become a team, so to speak. The problem is that Fae and Druids are at odds… you must teach both to be unaligned with your human spirit so that all three have the same goal. Peace and balance within is just as important and peace and balance in the world."
"Stubborn and stubborner working together to save my sorry ass? Yea, that'll happen."
"It will, Bo. You see, neither your Druid nor your Succubus want to die. They'll learn to work together or they won't survive. They will come to realize that."
"Whatever you say, Madge. I trust you and John."
Madge looked at Bo as if she didn't really believe what she was saying.
"Really, Madge. I do."
"Okay, then. Let's work on your wind and water control."
Madge spent the next several hours enhancing Bo's water control. She needed to learn to manipulate a larger body of water than a glass. When Madge was satisfied with the size of the water spout and water wall Bo was able to raise, the moved her on to wind. She first taught Bo how to use the wind as a conversation tool. Wind talking was how she and John were able to combine their strongest elements to work as a team to defeat their enemies. It is how Abigail spoke with the Druid clans at the border of their land. It was how Bo would eventually hear her Father's voice.
Madge and Bo worked until just before the lunch rush. They had successfully communicated through the wind and the young Druid had successfully created a thermal by combining wind with the heat she used to generate fire. Madge explained that thermals are what birds use to fly higher. She had pulled out a kite and had Bo push it up with a thermal rather than run with it to get it up in the air. Now, Bo and Madge were seated watching the colorful dance in the air.
"Okay, Bo. Break is over. The lunch crowd is about to get her and John will need help. Are you working or heading for the shower?"
"I feel… energized somehow. It's strange – you've been kicking my ass for hours, but I'm not tired."
"Having the ability to draw chi continuously will allow you to move through a full day no matter what you have to accomplish physically. You'll probably still have trouble getting to sleep, but once you turn off your mind, you will."
"I wasn't really pulling chi continuously, though."
Madge gave a knowing smile as Bo caught on, "You were pushing chi into me, weren't you Master Yoda?"
"That is true my young Padawan, that is true. I needed you to learn the lessons and I couldn't teach you if you were too tired to continue. You will learn to draw chi, Bo. Just keep at it."
Madge through her arm over Bo's shoulder and pulled her in, planting a kiss on the young Fae's temple.
"Now, let's get in there and help John on the front lines of his customer battle."
"Yes Ma'am."
Bo and Madge worked through the lunch hour with John to serve the crowd before Bo went back to take a shower with instructions to come back to feed as soon as she finished. Rather than have more lessons tonight, she was told to go for a run before dinner - in bare feet - practicing pulling chi as she ran.
Bo had run for a little over an hour, trying to pull chi as she ran. She had not been very successful on the move. She sighed, frustrated with her lack of progress in learning to fully feed. She slowed her pace to a walk. She would try to pull chi as she did her cool-down. She tried to focus on her surroundings rather than on what she couldn't do. The colors of the sky began to change as the sun moved closer to the horizon… brilliant orange, light pinks and a hint of purple. It was beautiful and she had to stop and watch.
She sat on the sand, head tilted towards the sunset, wind in her face. She thought about the wind… the connection she had to Lauren two nights ago when she helped her to calm her storm. She spoke aloud into the wind… hoping her words would reach Lauren…
"Lauren, I know you've read my journals by now and hopefully you've come to know and trust that my heart is and always has been yours. When we were last together, I was so young – my powers overrode my emotions most of the time and I had never been in a mature relationship. Hell, I was 16 when I was with Kyle – hardly an adult relationship. I carried so much guilt and I felt like a monster… so I tried to please everyone and in the end, pleased no one. I know that everyone thought I was selfish, but I now realize that if that were really true, I would have ignored everything Kenzi, Trick, Dyson – hell even Tamsin, Hale and Vex were saying and followed my heart… because it would have led me straight to you." Bo sat thinking of the regret she felt in allowing so many others to influence her to the point where she had hurt Lauren so many times.
"Well, I've finally done it, Lauren – I've followed my heart for all of these years and it's led me here. I love you and miss you terribly. I'm ready to see you whenever you are ready to see me. It's been a long time – maybe you've gotten over me. Maybe you've even had other lovers – hell, maybe the one you have now means more to you than the Martini's are telling me. They don't tell me anything except your Fae progress – everything I've been told about you has been very… factual. So, I'm waiting, Lauren – waiting to know if you've heard the message my heart has been sending out. I want you and only you, Lauren… in whatever form that may be… I want to live and walk by your side and someday – hopefully after a very long, full life together – die in your arms because I don't think I could bare to lose you first."
Bo laid back, her arm under her head and continued to watch the setting sun, not realizing as she relaxed that she was drifting off to sleep.
It had been two weeks since John and Madge had kicked Bo's ass in their first real combative training session. Every day had been harder, but she had settled into a pattern of training, working at the diner and going for runs to watch the sunsets. She fell asleep on the beach most nights exhausted, but the routine had helped to take her mind off of the fact that Lauren had not yet asked to see her. Her mentors had tried to assure her Lauren just needed time, but the more time passed the more Bo became concerned the doctor had no intentions of seeing the her ever again.
Today's training session had been especially difficult. Bo's focus was off and she had grown frustrated easily. She was still having difficulty pulling enough chi to sustain her while fighting or on the move although she was getting better at pulling it while stationary. If she was being honest with herself, she was distracted and hurt. She had hoped all of the years apart would have been time enough for Lauren to move on from their past, but apparently not. Bo was starting to lose hope that she and Lauren would ever reunite. All of these years of searching and dreaming had concluded in the realization that her greatest fears had come true. Her one true love would never be a part of her life again.
When Bo had arrived at the beach, she began to run – slowly at first – but as the emotions kicked in and the realization of her lost love began to settle into her heart she picked up the pace. Before she knew it, she was running with reckless abandon – sprinting along the water's edge, screaming into the wind as the tears streamed down her face. She finally collapsed, clutching her chest – the pain of missing Lauren just too much for the succubus to take for even another minute. She pounded her fists in the sand, cursing herself for taking so long to realize what she had lost. Staring out at the setting sun, she begged any God who would listen to take away the heartache in her soul.
"I can't… I just… I can't do this without her… Oh, Gods… Lauren I'm so sorry. You'll never know how much I love you… how sorry I am for everything I've ever put you through. I'm so sorry… so sorry."
She felt something inside of her break in that moment as she curled into a ball, fists filled with sand… and wept.
Bo awoke to water rushing up over her legs. She sat up quickly… whoa… too quickly. Her eyes hurt and her head was pounding. What had happened? The last thing she remembered was running. She sat up, straightening her legs…
"Ow! Son of a bitch, my legs are sore!"
Bo extended her legs into the cold waters. She knew she wouldn't be able to stand the temperature for too long, but she wanted to take the edge off the soreness. She tried to focus her attention elsewhere, turning her gaze out across the ocean to see the wide reflection of moonlight across the water. The shimmering trail of white seemed to go from breakers to horizon with no end in sight. It was so quiet and peaceful... beautiful. As she sat, she remembered… she had lost hope… the pain in her chest at the thought of having lost Lauren forever was excruciating. She couldn't give up yet… why had she suddenly been so desperate? Actually, she realized she had been edgy all day. Why today? Why tonight? Bo closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She felt the wind in her face and tried to connect with it as she had been taught to do with fire and water. She pulsed the earth around her and was instantly connected to pull a little chi. She felt full and welcomed into nature's warm embrace.
'I'm coming.'
Bo's eyes popped open… she looked around for the source of a voice. There was no one. She did a double take as she looked to her left down the coastline. There was a disturbance in the distance. Bo looked harder… and harder… straining her eyes against the darkness as a form began to materialize. She stood and watched as the image became clearer as the distance was closed… it was a wild white stallion galloping fast toward her, long strides, water splashing up around it, wind in its long mane. It was about forty yards away when it stopped short and reared up, pawing at the air with its massive hooves. It was beautiful… Midnight… you're back, Bo thought… then remembered that Midnight was black. She stood, staring at this amazingly beautiful creature as it seemingly stared back at her.
Bo was not sure how long the two beings faced one another, but she suddenly began to hear Madge's words… they seemed to travel to her across the wind…
"We've seen her shift into a phoenix, tiger and a beautiful white stallion."
"Oh God…"
Bo stands and walks slowly towards the magnificent stallion…
"Beautiful,"
Bo whispers as she slowly moves toward the unbridled animal, tears running down her face. She drops to her knees, casting tear-filled eyes upward. Strong white legs stepped cautiously nearer as Bo struggles to get the words out…
"Is it you?"
She swallows hard as the tears fall down her cheeks,
"Oh God Lauren, is it finally you?"
The horse went to turn away.
"Lauren… please… you read my journals… you know… please don't walk away."
The stallion turns back, eyes on Bo, glowing an ethereal blue. It's her unicorn and succubus - together, Bo thought. No… there's no horn… but there's certainly a… uh… male… the shifter… white tiger – blue eyes – unicorn… it's the shifter and the unicorn together. Beautiful.
"I owned a horse growing up, Lauren…. a gorgeous black stallion much like you. His name was Midnight. We would ride every morning and every evening before school from the time my parents bought him for me. I road him right out of town when my parents rejected me after I told them what happened with Kyle. Midnight was the only one who ever understood me. He was my best friend."
Bo paused, looking down at the sand under her knees. We knew each other for over six years. I knew every quirk, twitch and response, but they were all human. Even so, as she raised her eyes to look upon her Lauren in this form, all of her movements were the same.
She stood and approached her,
"Madge told me you have trouble controlling your shifts. You don't have to walk away because you can't shift back. Please, Lauren. Just… just… please… stay. I'm begging you not to walk away. I've been searching for so long. I've heard there is another woman you are with… if you don't want me… if she is… I… I'll walk away if you want her… it's okay… I… I want you to be happy… and if she can do that for you… I'll let you go, Lauren… I won't interfere."
She moved to hide her blue eyes by lowering her head towards the sand as white hooves remained planted,
"I… I'll leave you alone to run… I'll go back home… I'm sorry… so sorry for everything you've suffered…"
Bo continued to stutter, looking back up as deep brown eyes finally returned and, one step at a time, the beautiful white steed closed the distance to Bo. The succubus cautiously… ever so slowly… reached her hand up to the stallion's head and ran her hand down along the neck, wrapping her arm up and under to the other side as she realized this was, indeed Lauren. Bo pulled her close as Lauren's strong head dropped into the crook of Bo's neck. Bo whispered,
"You're beautiful, Lauren. Even in this form, you take my breath away. Your eyes were blue, so I'm a little surprised to see your stallion and not your succubus."
Bo paused trying to piece together what had just happened.
"I tried to talk to you on the wind earlier. I'm guessing you heard and your succubus reacted which in turn, made your unicorn side decide to shift to prevent the succubus from taking control and getting... well, out of control. You ran to avoid hurting the Martini's, right? Can you nod yes or no for me? Am I getting any of this right?"
Lauren nodded her head.
"Well, believe me, I know how losing control makes you want to run. If you recall, I was a master at running away from things."
Bo let out a soft chuckle, not knowing if Lauren would find the humor in the statement since Bo had run from her as well.
"Well, I've learned that running towards something is always better than running away, Lauren. I didn't run from Toronto because anything bad happened there. If you read my journals, then you know they tried to stop me for a year. Our family back home has finally accepted how I feel for you, and even though I realize it may be one-sided, I wouldn't change my actions over the past four years… they led me here… to you. Don't worry, I can wait… it just feels good to feel you near."
As Bo wiped the tears that had trailed down her face, she was shocked to find Lauren snuggle into her again. She smiled as she spoke,
"So, a stallion, huh? You couldn't shift into the pony I always wanted?"
Lauren nodded and then pulled away from Bo who instantly missed the contact as fear spread across her face. Lauren was leaving.
"Okay… I won't push… if you want to go, that's fine… I understand. If you want me to leave town, I will – whatever you need."
Bo's tears began to fall again as she dropped her head towards the ground and turned to face the ocean. She just couldn't watch Lauren walk away. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew towards Bo, her long black hair dancing with the breeze. She closed her eyes as she felt Lauren's presence fill her followed by her voice,
'Bo… you had me at 'is it really you?'
At first Bo thought she was hearing things, but she turned to face where the white stallion had stood just moments before to see eyes staring down at hers. Bo's eyes were wide as she thought about what she had just heard… was that really Lauren's voice she heard spoken through the wind? She took a chance and asked. At least Lauren couldn't laugh at her in this form.
"Lauren… did you just say 'You had me at is it really you'?"
The tall stallion nodded its head steadily to confirm what Bo already knew in her heart was true. Bo smiled as Lauren lowered her head, moving her right leg to kneel as her left leg extended out in front of her giving Bo access to mount her back.
"Lauren, are you sure?"
Lauren tilted her head up and to the side looking at Bo.
"Okay – but only if we go fast! I want to see what you've got."
She chuckled and accepted the offered shoulder as Lauren let out a light whinny. Bo settled onto the stallion's broad back taking a gentle grip of the beautiful white mane. Lauren turned her head back as if to ask if she was ready.
"Am I ready? Are you kidding? I've waited over four years for this… well, not to ride you… um… I didn't mean… geez… well, what I actually meant is… I've missed riding Midnight. You read about him in my journals… and don't get jealous… no one could call him Dr. Hotpants… and while I definitely prefer your regular form, this will work for now. There's no need for talk – I just want to spend time with you."
Lauren started to walk, then trot, then broke into a gallop. Bo leaned into Lauren's neck as they rode in perfect rhythm together. The feeling was incredible as Lauren gained speed. The wind and spray of the water in their face and hair as they moved down the beach felt incredible. Bo tightened her legs as her beautiful ride moved even faster,
"This is incredible, Lauren – you are incredible… and faster than Midnight!"
Bo chuckled as she braced her legs when Lauren seemed to go into yet another gear. The doctor may not be in her human form, she may not have said much to the succubus, but she hadn't run away. They were together, and having fun. They had a lot to talk about, but this time, Bo wasn't letting go - no matter what.