Lauren paced restlessly. She glanced to her desk. "Could you not look at me like that?"
The dark haired woman smirked. "Like what?"
"Like I'm something on a buffet table," Lauren scoffed. "I asked you here out of desperation."
Evony gracefully lifted her feet onto the desk. "I know what you've been doing, Doctor," she drawled. "You've been a very bad girl."
Lauren groaned. "Will you help me or not?"
"Naturally I will, for a price."
"Anything."
"Anything?"
Lauren sighed. "Anything but that."
"Aww, you know I've been longing to complete my collection," Evony pouted.
"Bo won't go for it," Lauren said defiantly.
The Morrigan kept her gaze steady, though her voice turned to ice. "If you want me to help you, you will give me what I want."
"Then I guess you won't be helping," Lauren said, equally icy.
Bo lifted her fist to knock when the door to Lauren's office was thrown open. She stood in shock as Evony passed her with a dirty look.
"Bo?"
The succubus stepped into the office, turning her back to Lauren as she shut the door. "What have you done?" she asked, her back still to the doctor.
Lauren shuffled her feet uncomfortably. "Bo, I can explain everything."
Bo turned around slowly. Her expression was unreadable. "So explain. Tell me what the hell you were thinking!"
"I- I'm sorry, Bo. I just- I didn't think it would- I'm sorry, but this seemed-" Lauren took a deep breath. "Bo, do you know what this means for us? Do you understand what's happening?"
"Yeah, you're killing yourself," Bo said quietly. "You're killing yourself for me."
Lauren crossed the room and took Bo's hands in her own. Immediately, an electric spark ran through both women. Bo shivered.
"See? This is what I mean. I know you felt it too."
Bo closed her eyes. "Lauren," she whispered.
"I'm right here," Lauren answered. "Bo, look at me."
When their eyes met, it was as if the world stood still.
"How is this possible?" Bo asked.
Lauren shrugged. "Does it really matter?"
"It does to me. I won't let you hurt yourself like this."
"I'm not hurt, Bo," Lauren gripped Bo's hands tighter. "I'm feeling great."
Bo shook her head. "When was the last time you really looked at yourself? You're not... You aren't you anymore."
"I've never felt more like myself," Lauren said strongly.
Bo slipped her hands out of Lauren's and took a step back. "You don't see it, do you?"
"See what? Bo, I'm fine!"
"No, you're not!"
Lauren reached out, but Bo evaded her.
"You've changed, Lauren. And I don't think I like it."
"I'm still me," Lauren said, getting agitated. "Why can't you just accept that I actually succeeded?"
Bo's eyes glittered with unshed tears. "Because you've lost yourself, and now you're losing me."
Lauren watched the door slam. She let out a frustrated groan. "Idiot!"
Bo was gone, and Lauren was alone. The slamming of the door was ringing in her ears and it set her off. Lauren let out a loud growl, her eyes flashing bright blue.
She fished out her cell phone and dialled furiously.
"Evony. I've reconsidered your offer. You're still in the building?"
