hey, you guys. sorry i didn't post last week, this chapter was harder to write than i thought it would be! it's hard to concentrate on proper characterization when literally all i want to do is write bo snuggling kenzi on the couch forever (if that appeals, though, i can try to make it happen). anyway, this is it! last chapter. thanks for reading :)
Kenzi looped her arm through Bo's, pressing her chin against Bo's shoulder. The warmth of Bo's aura settled like a mantle around her, soothing the ragged edges of her soul.
"God, I missed you," Kenzi murmured.
Bo, who had been talking to Trick, turned to her. "I missed you too, Kenz," she said, pecking Kenzi's cheek. They were all at the Dal, which Trick had closed early for the night so they could have a quiet celebration for Bo.
"I thought you didn't remember anything while you were on the train?" Trick asked. He'd grilled Bo when they first arrived at the Dal about her time on the other plane, but she couldn't remember much of anything except the smoke and the rescue.
"I don't. I didn't," Bo fumbled. "I mean, except for today, it's kind of a…black hole," she said with a frown. "But earlier, right before Kenzi found me, I was trying to pick the lock on my door and I said her name. I couldn't place it, but it was like this ache in my chest that wouldn't go away."
"So I'm a pain to you, Succubus? Is that it?" Kenzi gibed lightly.
"A tiny, loveable, pain in my ass," Bo agreed.
"Am I the only one that didn't forget?" Kenzi asked. "If so, why is that?"
"That's a good question," Trick said. "It's possible that you were excluded because of your absence, but that would not explain Bo's memory loss…unless hers was either separate, or the one who took her was behind the Recuerdo coils and only spelled those of us who remained where she'd been. We may never know."
"I don't think I could've forgotten, anyway," Kenzi said. "Once you go Bo, you never go back."
"Thanks, Kenz," Bo said with a grin. Then she furrowed her brow, looking at Trick. "Wait, did you say absence?"
Trick nodded. "Yes, Kenzi was—"
Kenzi cut him off, making frantic slashing motions at the man behind his granddaughter's back. "You remember, you called me before you went to Taft's. I was crashing in the sewers for a while when the Elders were out for blood."
"You were gone the entire time I was?" Bo asked incredulously. "Trick, how could you let that happen? Why didn't you bring her back once everything had calmed down?"
"Bo—" Kenzi tugged her arm, trying to interrupt. But Bo stood, shaking out of Kenzi's embrace.
"Even if things hadn't calmed yet, you could've kept her here or found another safe place for her! Why would you let her be unprotected, out there alone? She's one of ours, Trick – she's family!"
"Bo!" Kenzi cried again. "It wasn't Trick's fault. I, um…I went on a mission. On my own. I had to go, I didn't know what was happening, and Hale kicked me out, and then Bruce and I sprung the Morrigan's car because Massimo said—"
"Massimo? Massimo the Druid, Massimo?"
Kenzi's eyes widened. "You know him?"
Bo laughed darkly. "Um, yeah. He's the one that got me into this whole Wanderer mess in the first place – he made a potion to try and kill me!"
"He what?" Kenzi growled, livid. "That rat bastard! That dickless little punk! That—"
"Whoa," Bo said, placing calming hands on Kenzi's shoulders. "Tell me, Kenz. How did you get involved with him?"
Kenzi blushed, embarrassed. She lowered her eyes. "He, um…on Hale's inauguration day, he came to me and told me I could be Fae, if I wanted to be."
"What?" Bo hissed. Kenzi raised her eyes fearfully, and she saw Bo's face drain of anger. "Oh, Kenzi," she murmured. "Sorry, go ahead."
"And I mean…" Kenzi got off her stool and started to pace. The others were by the pool tables, playing a few rounds, so Kenzi felt comfortable that they weren't listening in. "Everyone is always telling me to go, you know? Telling me not to stay and fight, but to run away."
"We just want to keep you safe," Bo explained.
"I know that, but it is so frustrating to keep hearing that you're worthless!" Kenzi said. "I-I'm always the useless human, the pathetic pet – I'm weak, or…or I'm a liability, or I'm a distraction, or helpless, or expendable." Kenzi's fists clenched as she gathered steam.
"I am so sick of not having a place in this world, Bo! All I am to the Fae is claimed, a possession. And you're my best friend, Bo, my sister, and I would do anything to protect you, but sometimes I just feel so inadequate. And you left," Kenzi's voice cracked, and a tear rolled down her cheek. She scrubbed it away, angry at herself for getting emotional when she was trying to prove that she wasn't weak. "You left me, and I know it wasn't your fault but I…I've always been alone. My entire life, there's been no one in my corner. 'Cept you. And without you, without that tether, I'm just lost. I belong nowhere."
Bo had been silent throughout Kenzi's speech, but rushed to her side when Kenzi began to cry in earnest.
"Kenzi," she whispered, rubbing soothing circles on her friend's back. "Oh, Kenz, it's okay. I'm here, it's okay."
They stood like that for a few minutes, Bo caressing Kenzi and murmuring reassurances into her ear, and Kenzi began to calm down. When she was able to downgrade her sobbing to sniffles, Bo relaxed her hold. She still gripped Kenzi's arms, letting the physical contact comfort them both, but she allowed Kenzi a little more personal space.
"You are not a liability, Kenz," Bo swore vehemently, unconsciously repeating her words from after the first time they fought the Garuda. "Who ever said that you were, or made you feel like you were any of those things?"
Kenzi tensed, and Bo whipped around to see who she was looking at. Trick was busily wiping down the bar, but the guilty look on his face gave him away.
"Trick?" Bo asked coldly. "Do you know something?"
"It's not his fault, Bo," Kenzi said quietly.
"Why are you defending him?" Bo asked, her voice echoing the incredulity painted on her face. "He obviously hurt you – he should apologize, at the very least!"
"It's okay, Bo," Kenzi whispered.
"No, Kenzi, it's not okay!" Bo paused, then, reading Kenzi's face like a particularly dense news article. "Oh my god," she muttered. "You believe it."
"It's fine," Kenzi tried again. "I'm fine, seriously. No problemas here, chica."
"You're lying. Trick, come here," Bo ordered. Kenzi felt her face heat up as Trick shuffled out from behind the bar. "Apologize to her."
"Trick, you don't—"
"Not another word, Kenz," Bo barked.
"I am deeply sorry, Kenzi," Trick said, taking Kenzi's hand in his. "At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing, for you and for Bo, but I see now that I was wrong. I am ashamed that I judged you so inaccurately, and that it hurt you the way it did. You are truly remarkable, especially for a human, and I know that we are all lucky to have you as an ally. I do hope that you can accept my apology."
Kenzi's eyes were bright, and she squeezed the man's hand in thanks. "Oh, Trickster, of cou—"
"She'll have to get back to you," Bo interrupted, still glaring daggers at her grandfather.
"Bo, c'mon," Kenzi said in a low voice, reaching out to grasp Bo's arm. "It's over. I forgave him a long time ago. I don't need you to do this."
Bo's shoulders slumped, and she deflated. "No, I guess you don't," she admitted. She stepped back slightly, appraising Kenzi. "So that's it," she muttered.
"What's it?" Kenzi asked nervously.
"That's the change. You're…you're Fae, now," Bo said quietly. "That's why your chi tasted so strong, that's why you took down those baddies like it was no sweat."
"No, Bo," Kenzi shook her head wildly. "No, I'm not. I'm still your everyday, neighborhood Kenzi."
"But you—" Bo frowned. "How else could you have…?"
"Well, I kinda was Fae," Kenzi backpedaled. "But it was only temporary. A little, uh, gift, from Massimo, for totally trying to pull a fast one."
At Bo's baffled look, Kenzi clarified. "He sent me on this glorified scavenger hunt, making me do all the dirty work to get his little treasures, and then he tried to tell me he could only make me a certain kind of Fae. It was lamer than lame," Kenzi rolled her eyes. "I mean, he basically wanted to make me either you, Dyson, or Hale. And how much sense does that make, because obviously we already have you, Dyson, and Hale. So I said I'd rather not, and here we are."
"Tell me more about these tasks he set for you, Kenzi," Trick asked, drawing their attention back to him. "I still cannot believe that you conquered the King of Beasts and the Doomsday Hound, not to mention cheated Death itself!"
"Say what?" Bo asked. She grabbed Kenzi by the wrist and dragged her back over to the bar. "Sit," she directed. "Spill."
"Well, it all started with the prettiest car…"
"So, lay this out for me again," Bo said for what seemed like the fifth time. "After I got smoke-napped, you and this Bruce hit the road, went to see Massimo – AKA the douchenozzle who got me abducted in the first place, just so we're clear – who sent you on a mission to some mystical island so you could become Fae? And then you chose not to become Fae, opting for some temporary powers just to throw the Una Mens guys off your trail, and you and Dyson came to rescue me."
"That about sums it up," Kenzi nodded.
"Wow, Kenz," Bo said softly. "That's…I'm really proud of you."
Kenzi flushed, looking at her hands. "Yeah?"
Bo tipped Kenzi's face to hers, looking her in the eye. "I always knew you were strong, Kenzi. You're my best friend, and you have always had my back no matter what. But now…I think you might be the toughest kid on this playground, and I am so honored to be your friend."
"Oh my god, you're so freakin' mushy," Kenzi griped, an errant tear slipping down her cheek. "Something terribly wrong happened on that train, for sure."
"Drink your beer, Kenzi," Bo said, kissing Kenzi's cheek. "I'm gonna go talk to Dyson."
As Bo walked away, Kenzi felt a warmth in her soul she hadn't realized she'd missed until it had been taken. When Kenzi was gone, she'd been terrified that something had happened to Bo. It had been over three years since they'd met, and barely a day had passed when they weren't together (Nate-touring and Inari-abduction notwithstanding). And now Bo was back, and things had…changed, maybe, and Bo would take a while to heal. But Kenzi knew that even if they grew and changed, they would never grow apart from each other. Bo was her platonic life-mate, and that meant that they'd stick together through thick and thin.
"She's right, you know," Trick said as Kenzi absently sipped her drink.
"About what?"
"About you being the strongest amongst us."
"I think you take that prize, Trickster," Kenzi said lightly.
"It's not about power," Trick corrected. "You have conquered more than anyone gives you credit for. I'm sure that there are many things you've faced that we still have yet to know about."
Kenzi hid her face, silently confirming Trick's statement.
"And yet, you have optimism, and love, and fervent allegiance with the people in this room. You trust, Kenzi, and that takes more strength than anything."
"I think I'm allergic to this beer," Kenzi said with a quiet sniffle. "I'm gonna go hang with Bo."
But as she got up off her stool, Trick's hand stayed her own. "We are all proud of you, Kenzi, but I hope you are proud of yourself."
Kenzi nodded, and he let her go. Bo was talking to Dyson as Hale cleared the pool table and put up the cues. Kenzi wrapped her arm around Bo's waist, and Bo automatically opened up the space under her arm to tuck Kenzi into her side.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Little Miss Trouble," Dyson said with a smirk.
Kenzi glared at him. "Shut it, furball, or I'll turn you into a hearth rug."
"What's up with you two?" Bo asked.
"Nothing!" Kenzi said, a little too quickly. Bo raised an eyebrow, looking to Dyson for more details.
"I told her she couldn't come with us to rescue you, and she came anyway."
"He threatened me, Bo," Kenzi whined, pouting as pitifully as she could. "And he hit me."
"You what?" Bo's eyes were still brown, but they burned with rage.
"Big mouth," Dyson hissed. "I didn't hit her, Bo, I gave her a love tap. She could use a good whoopin', it'd keep her in line."
Kenzi's cheeks went bright red, and she buried her face in Bo's neck. Bo's throat vibrated against Kenzi's cheek as she said, "Oh. Well, just keep your hands to yourself from now on. Got it?"
"Got it," Dyson said meekly, but Kenzi could tell he was still smiling.
"It isn't funny, Dyson!" she said into Bo's collarbone. Bo laughed and said,
"Kenzi, that tickles!"
"C'mon, Kenz, it's a little funny," Hale said, coming up behind her. Kenzi raised her face to glare at him, but his attention had turned to Dyson. "But seriously, dude, paws off."
"Hale," Kenzi said warningly. She knew they needed to talk, but she just wanted to relax with Bo tonight.
He shrugged. "Sorry, sorry, I just thought—"
"I know," Kenzi sighed. "Later, okay?"
Hale nodded calmly, but stuck close to Kenzi's side. Kenzi could feel Bo's gaze boring a hole in her head, but she didn't acknowledge it. This was private girl-time talk, not pals at the Dal talk.
"What else changed while I was away?" Bo asked pointedly.
"Well, Tamsin's back. She was reborn, and she's…a little different than you might remember her." Dyson said. "She doesn't remember too much about her past."
"What about Dr. Lauren?" Kenzi asked. "Any word?"
"We're still looking for her," Dyson said seriously. "But don't worry. We're going to find her, and bring her home."
The mood had suddenly darkened, and Kenzi could tell it was making Bo uncomfortable. "You must be tired, Bo," she said casually. "You've had a long day."
"We all have," Dyson agreed.
"You wanna call it a night?" Kenzi asked.
Bo's relief was palpable as she nodded. "Yeah, if you guys don't mind."
"Not at all."
"Of course not."
"Nope!"
"Okay," Bo smiled. "Let's go, Kenz."
They bid goodnight to Trick and the boys, and Kenzi grabbed the keys to the Camaro and headed home.
When they stepped inside, Bo made a beeline for the couch.
"It's so good to be home," she sighed, flopping down tiredly. Kenzi collapsed beside her, curling into Bo's side.
"You're tellin' me, sister," Kenzi agreed. "There ain't no place like home." Kenzi thought of something, and laughed a little.
"What's funny?" Bo asked.
"Well, when I was gone, I was kind of in Oz," Kenzi mused. "Buyan was this beautiful, colorful island, and I had my own quest and everything. And Massimo was the Wizard, cause he ended up being totally impotent, and Ivan was Toto."
"Ivan?"
"Oh, this cat I met up with. He was pretty cool," Kenzi said.
"What about your friends, Dorothy?" Bo quipped.
Kenzi bit her lip. "Well, let's see. D-man is obviously the Lion. I mean, he's already an animal! The Tin Man…is Hale," Kenzi blushed. "Because…um…he's the one with heart. And you're my Scarecrow."
Bo whacked her arm. "Hey!"
"I'm not calling you dumb, Bo-berry," Kenzi placated. "There's a part, in the movie, where Dorothy tells the Scarecrow she'll miss him most of all. You're my number one girl, Bo-Bo. Also, they were friends first."
"Aw, Kenz, you big softie," Bo teased. "I always knew you cared."
"Shut up," Kenzi griped, but laid her head on Bo's shoulder. "I missed this," she said, after a beat.
"What, telling me to shut up?"
"Just sitting, feeling you. My personal Succu-snuggler," Kenzi confessed with a light blush.
"Well, I am definitely not complaining," Bo said, pulling her fingers through Kenzi's hair. "We can snuggle any time you want."
"Can I…" Kenzi was embarrassed to even ask. "Can I sleep with you, tonight?"
"Oh, Kenz," Bo said softly, her hand stilling. "Of course."
"Thanks," Kenzi said gratefully.
"What are friends for?"
"Oh, speaking of which!" Kenzi shot up excitedly. "I got you presents!" She grabbed Bo's hand, pulling her up off the couch. "Come see!" At the foot of the stairs, she stopped, and turned to look at Bo seriously. "But there will be no usage of any of these things tonight, do you understand? No funny succu-business on my watch!"
Bo tried and failed to stifle a giggle. "Aye aye, Cap'n!" she said with a mock salute.
Kenzi rolled her eyes. "Why do I even bother," she muttered, dragging Bo along behind her.
"Oh, baby, we're back!"