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The Next Morning
Lauren had been awake for the past hour, grateful that the sedative she'd given Tamsin allowed her a full night's rest, her head still on the doctor's shoulder, her breaths slow and deep. Turning slightly, Lauren ran a hand down the side of the Valkyrie's face, taking in the taller blonde's beauty that brought a smile to her face at how much the other woman meant to her. It soon faded though as her thoughts of yesterday's trauma replaced her happy ones. If she had been a moment later, she would have found Tamsin's corpse, her skill set as a doctor wouldn't have been able to bring her back, that thought alone caused her to take in a trembling breath, calming herself to prevent anymore tears. She didn't want her girlfriend to wake up to her grief over the situation, not when they both needed her to be the strong one.
Carefully, she removed herself from Tamsin, headed towards the bathroom, a shower was needed along with a moment to collect her thoughts. Her heart hurt for Bo if she was who she claimed to be, it wasn't the happy reunion that she had hoped for, and Lauren knew that a Fae that unhinged had little hope for recovery. The fact that she might be Bo's mother is the only thing that stopped her from wishing her dead, but just barely. Now that she was captured, it was one less obstacle before the pair could make a run for it. She would find the cause behind the escalating tensions, she would do her part, knowing it would be the last thing she did for the good of the Fae. Moving back into the room, she saw that Tamsin now held her pillow in her grasp, a sign that she would be up soon. Placing a gentle kiss on her head, she moved downstairs to start breakfast. Her only plans of the day would revolve completely around what Tamsin needed.
After starting the coffee, a knock on the door surprised her. Closing the door to the fridge she was confused to a see a subdued Dyson. She assumed it was the shock of everything that happened yesterday, especially with Tamsin being his partner.
"Lauren, hi, how is she?" The Shifter asked after Lauren had opened the door wide enough for him to come inside, leaving it open out of habit.
"As well as can be expected, I suppose, I gave her something to help her sleep."
He let out a sigh of relief, still trying to process yesterday's events, "Well, if anyone can take care of her, it would certainly be you, Doctor." Even though he smiled it wasn't enough to mask his discomfort.
Lauren studied him for a moment, this was more than a visit to check on the Valkyrie. "Dyson, what is it?"
"I need to tell you something, but please hear me out. I never thought..." he sighed deeply "...I never thought that this would happen. I should have said something, but I didn't know what to say, honestly. It's important that you know that I never meant for any of this to happen."
"For what to happen? Wait," she held up a hand to stop him, the look of guilt that flashed across his features caused her nerves to twist, "are you telling me that the attack on Tamsin could have been prevented?" She was floored by someone who she considered a dear friend could have kept something that put them all in danger, sitting down on her couch as she tried to process the information. " Why would you keep something of that magnitude to yourself? I thought we were friends, Dyson."
"Lauren," he pleaded, moving to the couch to kneel in front of her, "we are friends. You saved my life and I trust you more than I do most, I had no idea that you or Tamsin would have been a target. I wish that I could tell you more, but I'm bound by oath." He continued talking despite the glare she gave him. "I promise you that measures are being taken to ensure-"
"Measures?" She scoffed. "Where were these so called measures yesterday as Tamsin lay dying on the floor? And all because of an oath?" Lauren knew that a Fae could not break a blood oath, but it was another thing to know that a death was almost caused because of it. "I think it's best if you leave now."
"Lauren, please," he reached out for her only to have his hand pushed away. It pained him to see her like this, but an oath was an oath, and he would not betray his king.
"I'd listen to the good doctor if I were you," Lachlan stated as he swept into Lauren's loft, leaving his two men outside as he sat down in the arm chair, adjacent to the couch. He watched as Dyson gave Lauren one last look before he turned around to leave.
Taking a deep breath to compose herself, she turn her attention to her new visitor, "Ash, I'd like to request the day off in light of recent events. I know that-"
"Take the day, Doctor, and tomorrow too if you feel that it would help. Consider it my thanks as I understand I have you to thank for last night's capture. I take it you recognize her as the one who had enthralled you to kill our resident Succubus?"
"One and the same."
"As crazy as she is, she was telling the truth, she is Bo's mother. We ran her through our Fae database, but there was also something else that I'll think you'll find of interest." Seeing that he had her full attention, he continued, "I want you to know that had I been in charge things would have been different." He shifted in the chair as he pulled out an envelope from his inside coat pocket, laying it down on the coffee table. "Word has it that Bo won't even talk to the Wolf, but I don't know if she is aware of all the information," nodding to the sealed document, "so please exercise caution. It might be best if she hears it from you." They both turned their attention toward the stairs as movement was heard from that direction, "I'll take my leave now. Good day, Doctor."
Lauren watched as he left, one of his guards closing the door behind him. She sat there in a sort of stunned silence, feeling betrayed by a good friend, briefly worried about Bo. It didn't make sense why Dyson would keep the fact he knew Bo's mother, what purpose did that serve. Eyeing the envelope, she reluctantly picked it up, turning it over, her curiosity being outweighed by knowing that once the truth was out, it had the potential to change everything.
Tamsin had woken up to the smell of coffee, but she wasn't quite ready to go downstairs yet. She needed a moment to herself. As the events of yesterday rolled through her mind, she could feel her stomach threaten to churn again, instead she focused on the care Lauren had given her. She didn't look at her in disgust or even with pity, no her girlfriend had looked at her in a way that wished she could take the pain away from her.
In a few past lives, she had sought her revenge on those who wronged her, or self destructed in such a way that those memories were drowned out. Valkyries were made to be strong, to live, to serve, and repeat. They were a sisterhood, always having each other's backs when possible, but Tamsin was never really a team player, preferring to go out on her own. She had meant it when she told Lauren that she wasn't like anyone she had ever met before, and last night further proved it. The part of her that felt ashamed wanted to run, but the thought of walking away from Lauren was too painful to consider.
She sat up in bed once she heard a knock on the door, not surprised when she heard Dyson's voice. She couldn't make out the words, but was surprised when she heard the Ash talking. Again, she couldn't hear what was being said. Tamsin decided to get up once she heard the door close after refreshing herself in the bathroom. As she made her way down the stairs, she took in Lauren who kept turning a white envelope in her hands, too engrossed in thought that she didn't notice her until she moved towards the couch.
Lauren finally looked up and noticed Tamsin, tossing the document on the table, "Hey, you," she smiled as she curled into her side, head on her shoulder. "Can I get you anything?" She asked as she pulled back. "Anything at all, you just tell me, okay?" Lauren leaned over, giving Tamsin a kiss on her forehead, her eyes reaffirming her words from last night, "We should probably get something to eat. Anything sound good?" She made a move to get up to prepare breakfast when she was tugged back onto the couch, Tamsin taking one of Lauren's arms to wrap around her.
"You," the Valkyrie breathed against her ear, "I just need you, Lauren."
The doctor tightened her hold around her, understanding how this was unfamiliar territory for Tamsin. "You already have me," softly stroking the taller blonde's back to help soothe her. "If you want to talk about what happened, then we'll talk about it. If you just need someone to sit in the silence with you, well, then I can do that too."
Lauren could see that Tamsin was struggling. During her time in the war, she had treated female soldiers, a few men too, that had been assaulted by their fellow soldiers, too afraid to file a report. It was one of the times she felt so helpless. Among the battered bodies that she tried to repair, there was nothing she could do for a shattered soul. It was one of the reasons she couldn't leave the military fast enough.
They didn't move for the next little while, Tamsin holding on tightly, the doctor's warmth a balm for her soul, allowing herself to be comforted for the first time in all of her lives. She had never been a touchy feely Fae, she found it obnoxious, but here in her uncertainty, Tamsin felt herself clinging to Lauren. Giving herself a mental shake, she leaned away from her, "Gods I feel so pathetic right now, I just..." She moved her gaze to the floor, this whole opening of raw emotions was terrifying for her.
"You're anything but," Lauren stated softly, using her hand to guide Tamsin's eyes back to hers, "you're the strongest person that I've ever met. It's all most Fae can do to get through one life, but you've had several. I can't imagine the experiences you've had. I don't see you as weak, the fact that you're here with me right now proves how right I am about you."
The look in Lauren's eyes was this wonderful mix of love, compassion, and even admiration. It was hard not to get lost in them. During her first few life cycles, she had fallen in love once or twice, but not one of them had ever looked at her like Lauren did in this moment. She was safe. Maybe not from the outside world but when she was with the doctor, all felt right in the world, and that's how she knew she was home. The attack last night did stir up old wounds that never fully healed, but for the first time she finally felt that she would be okay.
"Just when I think I couldn't love you any more, there you go proving me wrong," she teased with a somewhat bashful smile.
The darker blonde watched as her words had washed over Tamsin, relieved that she didn't dispute them, if anything something seemed to settle within her. "Mmm...well far be it from me to disagree with you then," she teased back, the weight around her shoulders lifting slightly.
Tamsin watched from her place on the stool next to Lauren as they ate breakfast, an easy silence between them, and the Valkyrie reveled in the simplicity of it all. This is how she wanted to spend the rest of her life. Now if only people would stop trying to kill them. Her brow furrowed in thought as she mentally checked all three times attempts had been made. All because of some deranged Fae. Even though she was captured, Tamsin wouldn't rest easy until she knew that she was no longer a threat. Looking up she caught Lauren's questioning gaze, knowing that the doctor wouldn't press her. Her breath seizing for a moment when she realized how close she had come to losing Lauren twice, and as much as it bothered her how she was assaulted, it would have been worse Lauren had been the target.
Reaching out, she softly grasped one of Tamsin's hands, a gentle reminder that she was there.
Tamsin squeezed her hand back, then let it go so that Lauren could continue to eat. "So, uh, was that Dyson I heard earlier?" She was surprised to see the darker blonde tense, clenching her jaw in the process.
"Yes."
"And I take it from the way you're stabbing your eggs..." she trailed off as Lauren seemed to realize she was taking her frustration out on her food. Tamsin was glad that she was sitting down because the wave of emotion that poured off of Lauren would have forced her to. Her Valkyrie itching to get out over her girlfriend's distress, "Did something else happen?"
"None of it had to happen, that's just it." Seeing Tamsin's confusion she continued, "Dyson came by to apologize, telling me that he never knew that we would be targets, but just the fact that he knew something, and didn't warn us? All because of a blood oath? That's bullshit!" The fork that she held rang throughout her loft as it made contact with her plate. She tried to take a few breaths to calm herself, not wanting to make this about her. "I almost lost you because of it and that's what enrages me. I'm sorry, Tamsin, I'm supposed to be here for you and-"
"You are here for me," scooting closer to Lauren, "I remember how scared I was when the explosion happened, then when I saw you dressed as Succubus bait. Anything could have happened. I'm sorry that I didn't try harder, I just thought you had changed your mind about us." She remembered seeing Lauren breeze right by her in the Dal that night as though she didn't even exist. Before she could even question her, the doctor had dragged Bo into the storage room.
"I can't remember a time that I've been that scared. The look in her eyes, if it hadn't been for Bo she would have killed me then, fed my body to some underfae. Being under her thrall, it's just pieces, like being a passenger in my own body. Everyone was upset, well except for Trick, he looked panicked."
Tamsin eyes narrowed in thought, her mind playing over that night, how she felt Trick was keeping something from them. "Lauren, right before he undid the thrall, you were giving him a message."
"I wish I could remember but-" Her attention soon snapped to her earlier conversation with Lachlan. Trick had been acting differently lately but she had attributed it to the escalating tensions. Even Kenzi had mentioned that the barkeep was being more secretive than usual. She looked over her shoulder to the envelope still resting on the coffee table, a sinking feeling taking over. "Lachlan was here earlier," she sighed deeply before meeting Tamsin's gaze, "after telling Dyson to leave he gave me that envelope, he confirmed that she is Bo's mother, and that there is something else."
"Why haven't you opened it?"
"Ignorance is bliss?" She chuckled with a shrug of her shoulders. "I have a feeling when I do that it will change everything, and I just want to focus on you for the next two days." She explained that the Ash had granted her a two day leave for her part in getting the other Fae captured.
Tamsin laughed lightly, "Leave it to you to take down a crazy ass Fae with a letter opener, and for little ol' me? I'm touched. I wonder if they'll have a parade in your honor." It was her attempt to lighten the mood after Lauren's eyes had welled up during the retelling. She knew though that with the Succubus' biting words of another dead girlfriend still ate away at the doctor. "Seriously, Lauren, you need to open it."
"Tamsin"
"Avoiding whatever is says isn't going to help you. At least this way, we can read it together, if you want?"
Lauren had to smile at the vulnerability in her voice, of course that's what she wanted. Standing up, she pulled Tamsin along with her to sit on the couch, reluctantly grabbing the envelope. Carefully she until the Ash's wax seal, unfolded the paper, and after all that she had witnessed in her life, before and after the Fae, even this caught her off guard. "I don't believe it," she muttered, handing the paper to Tamsin to see for herself as her words failed her at the moment.
Quickly, Tamsin scanned the paper. She saw the paper link Bo to Aoife, but it was the third Succubi that caught her attention, the one who had been killed during the Fae Wars, married to the Blood King who bore a striking resemblance to Trick. "No fucking way," she whispered, "so this entire time that Bo has been trying to figure how who she is, the bar keep just let her flounder." Even for a Valkyrie she felt that was a cold move especially considering that Bo had control issues when she first arrived in the Colony.
"How am I supposed to tell Bo this? Why can't Lachlan just be the one to tell her?"
Setting the paper down, Tamsin took both of Lauren's hands in her own,"Because Bo trusts you. Did you mention that he said Bo was pissed at Wolf boy? Face it, you're the only one, besides Kenzi, who has been completely honest with her. Let's take today to shut the world out, and tomorrow you should tell her." Tamsin knew, well, anyone who knew Bo would realize her reaction would be a strong one, and rightfully so. She had been lied to from day one and in hindsight, Bo had been even more right to choose humans over picking a side.
Lauren nodded in agreement, she would make the most of this day, help Bo as much as she could along with Kenzi. "When this is all over, Tamsin..."
The Valkyrie said nothing in return, already aware that Lauren was just as eager to leave this all behind.
Feel free to let me know your thoughts, I hope I did this update justice. I didn't want to dwell on Tamsin's attack, but at the same time didn't want to dismiss it either. Thanks again for reading! :)