Disclaimers: All original property is owned by Showcase, and we do not infer that any characters, creations or the concept of 'Lost Girl' are our property and the following fan fiction has been written purely for entertainment purposes only.
Pairings: Bo/Lauren Set directly after Episode 2:21 'Into the Dark'
Rating: M (Contains scenes of violence, sexuality and mild nudity)
Faethful : Chapter Ten by The Rainbowwriters
"I have absolutely no idea what I am going to wear." Bo walked into Kenzi's room in just a black push up silky bra and a pair of matching panties. "I mean do I dress up like a lady, or go more champion-y?" She huffed as she dropped down on to Kenzi's bed looking over to where the younger woman was stood just looking at the succubus, blinking.
"You're asking me this now, at five thirty, less than two hours before we are the guests of honour at a celebration of your greatness?" Kenzi shook her head. "Girl what are you doing to me?" She asked with a playful huff. The younger woman was dressed in just a robe, with a towel wrapped around her head and a green mud mask covering her face.
"Well I hadn't panicked about it until right now, when I started thinking about who was going to be there and exactly what was going on really." Bo admitted the depth of the reason why she had appeared needing Kenzi's input. "So which do you think dress up or dress fierce?" She looked somewhat pleadingly at Kenzi, "What are you wearing?" She asked sitting up on her elbows enough to look around hoping the younger woman had laid out her outfit somewhere.
"I was going to wear my steam-punk dress coat and a pair of leggings." Kenzi filled in with a frown. "But I'm just a human so no one will be looking at me." She reminded her best friend. " I think fancy, make it look like you expect no problems, just adoration."
"Yes but is fancy a dress, or is it fancy pants and a tight top?" Bo lamented with an even harder frown.
"It's definitely a dress, not a boob top." Kenzi moved over to her wardrobe, actually having expected the Succubus to have had this meltdown much earlier in the day. She had sent an order with Hale for Bo's outfit and as always the dapper young man had not disappointed. "I think this one." She pulled out the long black dress she was hiding, it was made of a shimmery but smooth material; with a halter top and a high thigh slit. "You're the conquering succubus after all."
"Hair up or down?" Bo asked standing up to take the dress, her frown losing some of its depth as she realized Kenzi had again had her back. Clearly the younger woman had thought ahead, because there was no way the shorter woman would have had this dress aside for herself.
"Down, you look sexier that way. There is just enough time to throw in the big curlers, volume will piss off the Morrigan. Her hair is thin and brittle." Kenzi grinned at her best friend, the look they exchanged saying everything that didn't need to be said. "So start on that, while I clean off my facial and then I'll help you deal with curling the back." She stopped in the doorway. "We want you to look good for Lauren more than anyone."
For the first time Bo's frown melted completely as she took a moment and glanced at the clock. She took a long breath but the next moment the frown was back and she hated herself for it.
"Kenzi." She paused and waited for the younger woman to look at her. "Do you think..." She stopped and shook her head. "No, forget about it." She held the dress in her hands and shied suddenly from saying anything.
"Tell me what's on your mind." Kenzi walked back closer to her. "You know my telepathy for dummies isn't going so well."
"It's just something Dyson said this morning." Bo admitted pausing again.
"He seemed quiet at the truck stop, what did he say?" Kenzi moved to sit on the bed taking a small towel from nearby and lightly wiping off some of the green facial. She could only imagine that her alien appearance wasn't helping Bo open up about what was bothering her.
"Lots of things," Bo admitted with a hard breath out. "Do you think Lauren would ever..." She stopped again, almost afraid that saying the words might make it true.
"Would ever?" Kenzi urged her coming up with a dozen things she could think of that the doctor wouldn't do but most of them were illegal or immoral.
"Join the dark." Bo whispered her fear finally.
"Lauren? Dr. Hotpants? Miss Don't touch my microscope it's precious? Join the dark?" Kenzi's half cleaned face looked at Bo in disbelief. "No." She said ever so simply, her head giving a stern shake.
"That's what I said but..." Bo breathed in. "Then I started thinking." She admitted swallowing hard. "Why wouldn't she? Apart from the obvious dark fae thing. The light have treated her like crap, lied to her, used her and she doesn't even know all of it." She breathed out thinking of the deception Llachlan had created about who had forced Nadia's curse to be lifted and why he had tortured Lauren like he had just to get at Bo.
"The answer is simple Bo." Kenzi finally wiped off the majority of the mud, making her look more normal. "It's simply Bo." She smiled more. "Unless you've signed up to join the dark, Lauren isn't going to."
"But you know The Morrigan Kenzi, you know how persuasive she can be." Bo didn't relax or smile as the younger woman did. "Even you couldn't get out of making a deal with her."
"I see your point but totally different." Kenzi pointed out. "Bo, when Lauren came downstairs and literally volunteered to go with the Morrigan... I know it seemed like she was doing it for me but I know in my heart ultimately she was doing it for you. That crazy cougar could promise her the world, but the only thing that would make Lauren deal is you. Besides I might have made a deal with her but us humans in the know, we know the dark fae think of us as food, period. She knows she'd be trading the devil she knew, for the devil she didn't know."
"You're right." Bo nodded gaining strength from Kenzi's confident answer. "I want to have faith in her, I do have faith in her, why am I even doubting her?" She admitted another worry to her best friend.
"You're not doubting Lauren, you're trying not to underestimate the Morrigan." Kenzi refocused her brain. "And Dyson should have never even suggested the idea that Lauren would turn sides. He was wrong to think that, he's so fae." She admitted painfully knowing the wolf wouldn't have known to keep his mouth shut. "The fact is that the Morrigan mostly wants Vex, she's not going to do anything to Lauren until there is another round between you and her, and that is tonight. What she doesn't know is that you have the winning punch already in the air."
"And people wonder why you are one of the best things in my world." Bo smiled and moved to give Kenzi a brief hug. "We have a party to get ready for." She added pulling back slightly.
"Heat up the curlers girl, we gettin' fancy." Kenzi started to dance her way out to the bathroom.
-x-
By eight fifteen that night everyone on the guest list had arrived, with one exception. Clearing wanting to be fashionably late, the Morrigan was the fae that everything was waiting on. Under the streamers, and happily separated at distanced tables, the representatives of clans from the upper echelons of both light and dark society waited impatiently.
An unwritten fae law had each high clan representative having several subordinates or family members present and helpers that had already tested and served all drinks being enjoyed. The sheer number of the gathered made the main bar crowded but in the back alcove there was more than enough room for the five team members.
Dressed formally both of the police officers looked uncomfortable in their suits, Hale carried it off better than Dyson, who truly looked uncomfortable. Vex however, who typical to his fashion had chosen a suit made of leather, with an undershirt that looked like it was made of chain mail. He was squatting in front of Trick's mirror to admire himself and muttering things about heroes and rewards.
Kenzi as she had said to Bo was wearing a gorgeous steam-punk dress coat that came down to her mid thigh, it had straps and buckles all over it, and a high stand up collar. She paired it with a pair of what could have been painted on leggings in a dark shade of brown that were only really visible when she moved because they were mostly covered up by knee high black leather boots that had as many straps and buckles as the coat had, and heels that were at least five inches high. She had chosen to wear shocking white highlights in her jet black hair, which was up in two elaborate pony tails. Her make up like always was dark and vivid, making her honestly look stunning.
Bo, who was standing more at the back of the room was looking at an etching that was up on a high mantle above a small fire place. The succubus' hair was in large luscious curls that fell over her bare shoulders and down her more or less naked back. The black halter necked dress she wore clinging to her figure like a glove, the figure of eight peep hole directly over her bosom giving a perfect and tantalizing view of her 'award winning' cleavage. The thigh high slit flashing a mile of skin when she shifted a little in place or moved. The heeled roman strapped sandals she paired with it making her and Kenzi about the same height.
Pushing her hands into the high pockets of her stylish coat Kenzi walked over to Bo and gently nudged her in the hip.
"How ya doing babe?" She asked softly.
"Trying not to worry about why the Morrigan is so late arriving with Lauren." Bo admitted the obvious reason as she glanced over to the archaic desk clock Trick had on a mantle nearby.
"She has to have her entrance, you can only do that when you're late, or you look as good as you and I." She grinned so very pleased with the fashion arrangements she had made.
"Can I book, once tonight is over and I've got Lauren back, that we're going to take a few mental health days and stay at home in our pj's'?" Bo leaned closer to make the question just between the two of them.
"Hell yeah." Kenzi nodded. "I plan to live on take out and wine for at least a week."
"Buy lots." Bo had to smile. "You look... hot by the way." She giggled at Kenzi stepping back to look her up and down.
"Why thank you." Kenzi did a twirl and then gave a curtsey. "And may I say you look like a veritable sexubus."
"I'm not sure it was fair to put Dyson in here with me." Bo looked over to catch the wolf's eyes looking at her even as he spoke to Hale, he did immediately look casually away.
For a moment Kenzi didn't say anything but instead looked at Dyson and then back at Bo.
"You might be right, take it off." She teased with a wide grin.
"Because that would so help." Bo shook her head and had to laugh lightly. "He's... not understanding how I could be in love with Lauren." Her voice and face darkened.
"I'm not sure it's that he doesn't understand." Kenzi whispered back, honestly trying to understand the wolf.
"Months ago I would have never believed that I'd ever be turning down Dyson." She made the whispered admittance to her best friend.
"Exactly." Kenzi agreed and the younger woman may have been about to say more, but a sudden hush fell over the entire Dal.
"The Morrigan is here." It was Bo who spoke the words loud enough to get everyone's attention as she looked to the curtained doorway to the Dal. "Now we just have to wait for the introductions."
-x-
Dressed in his finest Trick moved to the front of the bar as everyone adjusted to the arrival of the final guest and as he took his place a hush once again fell over the gathered crowd. His dark green dress suit was perfectly tailored, right down to the elaborate ascot in his clans tartan that sat at his throat.
"Gathered dignitaries, distinguished families, honoured fae." He looked around and nodded to the various groupings, making sure not to let his gaze linger on any one for long, lest this be taken as favouritism. "First I thank you for attending this gathering in what have been such troubling times." He chose a neutral point in the room to look at and then continued. "But it is my duty and indeed my pleasure to make the official announcement, that yesterday the battle with our ancient powerful and most feared enemy the Garuda was fought and won by a small army of defenders, taken from our midst."
As Trick spoke soft murmurings began in the crowd, some spoke of disbelief, others of whispered bets as to who had been the one to be the killers. A smug smile played over the lips of Valerie Santiago where she stood beside her father sipping something from a martini glass.
From her place on the other side of the room however, The Morrigan's stance wasn't so relaxed or as relieved. The dark fae leader's eyes were busy scanning the room, easily picking up on the fact that Bo and her little crew were missing, obviously missing, which in turn smelled to her like a trap. Now what kind of a trap it could be, she wasn't certain, but she new she didn't like it. With a very small side step she threaded her arm through Lauren's. The blonde doctor, dressed as she had been asked, in her perfectly fitting burgundy tails glanced at her quickly having been surprised at the touch. Her focus completely on Trick before then.
"And so in compliance with age old tradition, I have asked you all here to bare witness to this momentous event," Trick continued, and then made motions to his right and left, to which servers appeared carrying silver trays fully laden with crystal flutes filled with champagne. "And to formally acknowledge those responsible for our renewed safety and continued liberty."
At these words the muscles in the Morrigan's arms tensed against Lauren's, and the dark fae's whole body stood a little taller and straighter as her jaw locked, though her face outwardly showed no change in emotion.
"And so as the champagne is distributed among you, I ask that you welcome our heroes, and recognize their place among us." Trick moved a little and stood up on a small two step platform. "First I present to you, from the clan Zamora, William Haley Francois Santiago."
As soon as Trick had said his name, Hale came through the door into the bar. A bright confident look on his face as he approached and stood to the barkeeper's left.
"To the annals of history let all who bare witness to this the sword of the fallen Garuda." Trick reached behind him into a wrap of satin and pulled out the very unique weapon. He held it out for everyone to see, another wave of murmurs erupting before he turned and handed it to Hale.
With a great sense of pride, and belief that he had truly served his people the way he had always hoped to, Hale put both of his hands around the hilt and raised the sword over his head in triumph. An instant round of applause went through the bar, his father the most enthusiastic of the gathered. A fact that made for one of the first times in his life Hale feel as if his father was truly proud of him.
"I now present, Dyson Thornwood of the light fae." Trick announced the officer's name and Dyson made his way out. As always the look on his face unreadable to whether the spectacle actually brought him any feelings of pride.
Hale handed him the sword, and just as dramatically he took it in his two strong hands, to hold it above his head. When he did however, unlike Hale, he tipped his head back his eyes going yellow and gave out a loud howl.
Any and all with any Celtic affiliations, tipped their heads back and joined in with him for the fitting salute before the crowd again looked to Trick.
"If I may now introduce Dr. Lauren Lewis, doctor to the light fae." Trick looked to where the blonde was in the Morrigan's vice grip but as all eyes started to fall on Evony's companion it became clear that the peer pressure alone would stay her hand.
Lauren didn't look sideways at the Morrigan, she just started the motion of taking a half step forward and when she felt Evony's arm letting her slip away, she knew she wasn't sure what was going on but she was sure Trick was up to something.
Dyson as required passed her the sword, and in the tradition of the doctor Lauren held the sword blade down and merely pressing the hilt to her forehead before she lowered it. A polite ripple of applause in recognition both of who Lauren was and what she had done filled the Dal as she rested in her place next to Dyson.
"I now present, Vex of the dark fae." Trick made sure to keep his eyes on the Morrigan, who had been fuming since his request for Lauren. When the dark fae saw her nemesis saunter in with his arms over his head in triumph, Trick was almost sure she was going to forget protocol and lash out. To her credit she crossed her arms over her body and remained outwardly calm.
Never one to miss an opportunity at publicity, Vex was winking at all the beautiful dark fae women and giving signs of solidarity to many of the elders who could ultimately influence his fate.
When he reached the forming line, Vex took the sword from Lauren, purposely putting on a little of a sword fighting show before he finally held it over his head in a flourish receiving riotous applause, specifically from the dark fae camp.
"I now present, Kenzi, human ambassador of the unaligned." Trick tried not to show his dislike of the pompous title the younger woman had insisted on.
With almost as much flourish, Kenzi threw back the curtain and walked into the room with unwavering confidence. She moved beside Vex, taking the blade from him with a smile and then she held it up over her head, not even realizing she made a little 'grr' face when she did so. The reception was more one of slight confusion to Kenzi's title and appearance than anything, but in fae tradition she was welcomed with applause and cheers.
"And finally..." Trick had to shake his head at the typical Kenzi slip. "I now present Bo, the unaligned succubus and champion of the Fae."
As Bo slipped past the curtain and into the room, it was clear that Kenzi had been completely right about what she should wear and how she should have her hair. She knew that in the future she would say that it felt as if time had slowed down as she walked to her place. Her eyes mostly on the gathered crowd, but then finally when she was able to look at Lauren they didn't move anywhere else.
The entire plan almost fell apart right there for her, as the sight of the blonde's outfit made her body flood with pleasurable endorphins. Bo watched as in turn the blonde took a quick breath, having surveyed the outfit she was wearing now with the rest of the room.
Keeping her composure, Bo took her place beside Kenzi and carefully took the blade.
"Let all Fae, both the light and the dark know the Garuda is dead." Bo held the sword up in one hand, looking out over the gathered faces and having to stop on the Morrigan, whose eyes were trying to burn a hole into her.
"Let these names..." Trick's voice made everyone's attention move to him as he picked up a glass of champagne from nearby and held it up. The others took their flute as the whole room joined him in the raising of their glasses. "And the names of those who fell on this quest forever be remembered in our history, may these heroes be spoken of for all the years to come and may our children be taught to be as brave and strong as they have been."
There came a rousing chorus of 'here here' and yet another standing ovation, then with a signal from Trick, the band that he had arranged as entertainment struck up a bright and energetic number, instantly informing everyone that the formal part of the evening was over and it was officially time for the festivities to begin.
Hale's sister Val was one of the first people to move towards the assembled group of 'heroes', hurrying over she quickly claimed her brother and pulled him somewhat unwillingly over to the table where the rest of his family and clan member were gathered.
Kenzi moved to Dyson and instantly initiated a conversation as Vex jogged passed them and slipped into a milling dark fae crowd only to be instantly groped and manhandled by over eager excited fans. Trick moved off and around to the back side of the bar to work very obviously leaving Bo and Lauren standing there, two people less than three feet away from each other. Their eyes were locked on one another as they just looking at each other for a long, long moment.
Finally Lauren's brown eyes traced down over Bo's body starting at her head, lingering on the twists and hoops of the curls on the succubus shoulder and then slowly she took in the soft curves of her body. Smiling at the thin straps of black leather that wrapped over Bo's feet and over her ankles in the small criss-cross pattern of her sandals.
At the same time Bo literally studied the cut of the black and burgundy pants that accentuated the length of the blonde's legs, smiling herself at the fact that beneath them Lauren was in heels, putting her inches taller than Bo. She couldn't help her bodies natural reaction to how, well, positively edible Lauren looked, in the well fitted but elegant jacket with its long tails and simple lace chemise beneath.
The succubus ran her tongue over her suddenly incredibly dry lips and took a half step to close the distance between them.
"I hope you don't think this somehow fulfils the condition of returning Vex to me." The Morrigan's edged voice interrupted any advance towards the blonde Bo had been going to make. The irate fae had made a beeline through the crowd as quickly as she could.
"Really?" Bo stopped short and breathed out, obviously more than annoyed at the interruption and suddenly lacking the usual courtesy she put into their interactions. "I don't even get to say hello." She looked at the Morrigan and forced herself to take another slower breath.
"Get to say hello to my property when you're trying to pull some comic book fast one, no you don't." The Morrigan sneered glancing at Lauren. "Pet, go to the car with the boys, this one doesn't have the manners for us to stay at this party."
"Actually." Bo made a quick side step putting herself closer to Lauren than ever, she put her hand back to tuck the blonde in behind her. "You don't get to say that to her on two accounts." The succubus smiled sweetly at the dark fae leader. "One, you have Vex back, he's right there." She pointed over the Morrigan's shoulder. "In the middle of a dozen or more elders who will no doubt be more than willing to be your witnesses when you slap irons on the new Hero of the entire dark fae line, the only dark fae brave enough and wise enough to stand with the unaligned, to share in her great accomplishment, to insure that the dark got a slice of the praise and the fame for the achievement of ridding the world of the Garuda. Go ahead Evony, arrest him." She baited her.
The Morrigan momentarily looked back to see indeed that Vex was surrounded by the whose who of dark fae and she turned back to Bo with a sneer. Indeed she did have the jurisdiction to arrest Vex, but if she did there would be questions about his crime and those were question she didn't want to answer.
"Or you can try attempt two and that is removing a light fae hero, from a party full of light fae, because to me, and several others here, that would probably look like kidnapping." She leaned in and whispered the option to the Morrigan with a smile. "The Dal might be neutral territory, but the second you try and take Lauren out of here, there will be war." She smiled and held her hands up. "And it won't even have anything to do with me." She added sweetly.
"You're learning." Evony looked at Bo, with a deep unreadable stare, almost into the Succubus' soul if the dark fae had the skill. "Fine, well done then." She made two very loud but obviously sarcastic claps of her hands. "Garuda Slayer, Champion of the Fae." She looked at Lauren who was a half step behind Bo's shoulder. "Enjoy your glorified librarian but this won't be forgotten." She snorted and then twirled on her heel making a beeline for where Vex was.
It was clear as soon as she arrived, the Morrigan was not only congratulating him but making sure everyone knew it had been her idea and her permission to send him that had turned the tide in the fight.
Once Bo was sure that the dark fae leader was going to retreat for good, she turned to look into brown eyes.
"You're safe now." She couldn't stop herself as she closed the distance between them to hug the blonde. Lauren found herself holding Bo possibly tighter than she ever had before, her eyes closing as she just held on and took a few long, slow breaths.
"Oh Bo." She breathed out the succubus' name as she eased back a little opening her eyes to look at Bo before hugging her again. "I had to do it." She said the words almost as an apology.
"I know." Bo assured her hugging her tighter again. "It's okay, I know." She underlined again as she pulled back and brought their lips close together, stopping just short of kissing her. "None of that matters now."
"Bo, we're in the Dal." Lauren reminded her bringing her hand up to rest lightly on Bo's cheek, literally being able to feel the heat of the other woman's breath on her lips. But this was the Dal, this was public, to the 'enth degree. More than that this was a public celebration in front of the combined elders of the light and dark fae. "A hug." She tried to guide the other woman.
For a second the brush off had confused Bo, but then as she followed Lauren's eye to the collected group she kicked herself. Her a fae, an unaligned fae kissing a human, technically owned by the light broke one of the few fundamental rules both sides agreed on. Something no doubt the Morrigan would have jumped on to condemn them both instantly.
"Sorry... I might not agree with there rules but some have to be faked sometimes at least." Bo hugged her again, feeling the blonde's hands slide up and down her bare back.
"You're wanted." Lauren whispered in Bo's ear as they hugged again, letting the closeness linger before she pulled back from Bo and smiled. "And you're wanted by every elder in the place, dark and light Bo, you are the champion." She added, the pride in her voice more than evident. "Go talk to them, be the star you are." She eased another step back, tossing her hair a little over her shoulder as she stood up straighter.
Bo held the doctor's eyes for a moment, knowing that never in her life had she felt this light and triumphant. Everything now was finished, well everything except for the lines of elders that wanted a moment of her time.
-x-
No this isn't the end :) There are two more chapters to go - we hope you enjoy them. Many thanks to all of you who have read our story and have given us your feedback, it makes it that much more worth while.