just a note, this is Doccubus through and through, i am mixing things up to keep the story going and bring a little more plot possibilities. huge chapter for you kids! i post as often as i do because you guys are awesome and i write for you just as much as i do for me! enjoy

After we both had our turns in the shower and the hospital staff had magically located my bags from Afghanistan, Bo went to go grab us coffee as I waited for my bags to brought up. They had been sent back on a second transport and arrived a day ago. I smiled as the large man who carried the giant duffle bags under each arm, dropped them to the floor as if they were tiny bags of flour. He then looked at me with a gentle smile, "the ash sends his best." I knew then Finnegan was behind my prompt and thorough care in retrieving my personal belongings.

I dragged one of the bags over to the couch and sat down as I dug in, rooting around for clothes. There were handfuls of uniforms and t-shirts. I tossed them off to the side in a pile to be laundered later. Finally at the bottom of the bag I found a pair of jeans and a linen button down shirt. I shook both items out and as I put them on, it became painfully obvious how thin I had become. Clothes that were once form fitting now hung off me. I stood in the middle of the room, running a hand down the sleeve of my shirt, trying to smooth out some of the larger wrinkles. I felt very awkward and self-conscious as Bo walked into the room, two cups of coffee in her hands.

She smiled hard when she saw me, "it's nice to finally see you in some normal clothes." She handed me a cup, grabbing it, I enjoyed the sting of the heat against my palm. The smell was intoxicating. I had not had decent coffee in a long time. Bo tilted her head at me, "We do need to fatten you up, Lauren. You look almost homeless in these baggy clothes." Her rand a hand down my arm, taking the same path my own just did moments before. "You ready?"

"Yes I am, the smell of this coffee is making me ravenous." I held the cup out to Bo, "hold this? I need to grab a jacket." Bo took the cup, laughing, "Lauren it's like seventy five degrees out, you won't need a heavy jacket."

I dug deep into my bag again, "I know, but that's chilly for me. Months in a deserts heat skews a person's internal and external ability to properly respond to temperature changes."

Bo was still laughing as I wrapped fingers around my favorite beaten up brown leather jacket. I pulled it out and sighed as I settled it around my shoulders; it now also hung off me. I made a note in my head, I did need to fatten up. There was no way that I would ever get rid of the jacket. I took my coffee back from Bo. She then offered her elbow to me, "shall we?"

I said nothing, just slipped my arm through hers, feeling her pull me close.

We walked through the hospital and I was able to get a full scope of exactly how massive it really was. Ancient and beautiful, I admired the building as Bo navigated me out of the main front doors.

The first breath of fresh air hit me and I took a deep breath. Enjoying the small scents of nature in the molecules of air. Pine trees, grass, flowers and lastly a delicate smell of the salt of the sea that I was sure was close by. I inhaled deeply, replacing scents I needed to forget. It was warm like Bo had said, the sun was bright and the feel of it on my skin, filled me with energy.

Bo leaned into me, pressing us closer together, "you look beautiful, doctor."

I blushed and looked at her, "thank you…so do you." Bo was looking at me through her sunglasses, and I knew she was hiding her roaming eyes. She was beautiful as she stood in the sunlight, dressed in a light lilac colored jacket, a grey tank top underneath and the usual black pants. Bo looked softer than she had in days. It put me at ease.

Bo nudged me, "youre staring." She then pointed to a small red British sports car parked off to the side of the main entrance. "So, do you want to ride or walk to lunch?"

I wanted to walk as much as possible, but I would tire far too fast. "Ride, but later you owe me a long walk."

"Done and done." Bo walked me to the car and helped me to sit. I felt feeble having someone help me, especially when it was Bo. She had already done so much. Bo sat in the driver's seat, turning the car on and revving the engine to life. She gave me a smirk and threw the car into drive, spinning the tires as we headed out of the compound.

As Bo drove, I stared out the window, watching the greenery around us blur into a color wheel of varying shades of green. I was caught up in it and didn't hear Bo say my name, "Lauren? Are you zoning out on me?"

"mmm. No, I just missed seeing trees. What did you say?"

Bo smiled, placing her hand on my knee, "I asked what you would like for lunch?"

I took a quick inventory of my body and energy level. "I think I need red meat for protein, some bread for carbs and some starches. I am craving French fries."

Bo giggled, "You do love your science-y stuff." She winked at me, "burgers and fries it is."

Bo stopped at a pub in the small town right outside of the compound. I stood in front of the pub as I waited for Bo to park the car. The pub was older than time itself and looked as it once served the knights of the roundtable. The stone was covered in thick vines of ivy; a large wooden sign was affixed over the door. A hand painted bear was sharing a mug of beer with a knight. I heard Bo's footsteps crunching behind me on the gravel; she stopped next to me, "the black knight pub. Sounds quaint, I like that sign."

I nodded, "me too, it reminds me of the pictures in my travel books. I had always wanted to come to England. But never made it until now, I just wish it was on a more of my choice set of terms."

My brain was filling with excitement over the history of the country I was standing in. It held an immense about of history, both architectural and scientific. I sighed, maybe if I pretended to be sicker than I was I could stay longer and sneak in some tourist things.

I felt Bo's hand on my back, "it's my first time here too, let's say we explore it together? And maybe get you some new clothes as we are at it?"

I looked at her, "you won't mind going to castles and museums, watching me nerd out on an unheard of level?"

Bo's infamous smile appeared, "there's nothing more I'd like to see, But! First we need to get you the proteins, carbs and fries you requested." Bo pulled me towards the pub, holding the door open for me as I eagerly headed in.

The first bite of the thick burger was amazing; I devoured the entire meal in a matter of minutes. My shrunken stomach protesting how much I had just forced into its tiny space. I leaned back in the chair, "I feel like Kenzi, food overload." I closed my eyes, remembering when Kenzi passed out on my couch from the massive pizza I had bought for her. I suddenly missed her, and her crazy antics.

I opened my eyes, looking at Bo who was still slowly eating. "Kenzi. How is she?" I had abandoned her too. For all of her strange characteristics that defied all of my logic and sensibility, I had grown to love and respect Kenzi as if she was family. I knew my quick departure had hurt her.

Bo set her food down, "Kenzi is Kenzi. She won't admit it to me, but I can see how much she misses you and I'll warn you now. When she sees you be prepared for a tiny angry Russian attack." Bo took a sip from her drink, "she was angry at you for leaving. She had stayed with me in the cabin for two days. Fighting with me to go after, fighting to pull me out of the succubus haze I was in. She turned me into a pin cushion, every time I turned to get her to leave me, she was jabbing another one of your injections into me."

I smiled, "brave girl."

Bo cocked her eyebrow, "very brave, considering I was at level ten of self-induced misery and hunger. But Kenzi was relentless, she was your number one cheerleader and dragged me after you and back to the apartment." Bo paused, "the note, it was more than I had, but it hit her hard. She didn't show her emotions to me. But she was quiet for a few days after, which is unusual for her. In time she regrouped and when I told her about the necklace, she did whatever she could. She helped me sneak onto planes, steal uniforms and even made me a fake id card. Kenzi made me promise that if I found you, that I was to kick your ass till your eyes turned brown to blue and back again, and second that I was to give you the letter."

I winced. The letter had been lost in the hustle of that day. I asked, "What was in the letter?"

Bo shrugged, "she wouldn't tell me. Just said to deliver it to you. I will tell you this; Kenzi likes you more than she will admit to either of us. When she sat with me and told everything you had confided in her, I knew she had taken you in as her family. You trusted her and never mistreated her. You always treated her as an equal and I can tell you that meant a lot to her….and to me."

I sighed, Bo reached across the table and put her hand on top of mine, "she will forgive you, it may take a lifetime of pizza, but she will."

I looked up at Bo, locking eyes with her, "but will you?"

"I am here aren't I?" the air grew heavy around us; Bo brushed it off, "let's go look at a castle."

A castle was found. Down the road past the small town was a castle that was falling apart, but it was still beautiful. Bo and I walked around the edge of the giant stone wall that once kept people out. I reached up and ran my fingers over the stone, the roughness telling me that they had survived much. I took small inspiration from it. Bo was two steps behind me and I could feel her staring at me as I walked through the courtyard wide eyed and excited. I was an adult doctor, with the IQ of multiple geniuses, but the castle made feel as if I was a kid again. I looked back at Bo and smiled; she had her arms crossed, sunglasses on and was definitely watching me. I stopped and turned to her, and held out my hand.

"Come, let's go inside."

Bo looked up at the castle, pushing her sunglasses up so she could get a clearer look, "Are you sure, Lauren? It looks like a game of jenga about to go wrong."

I waggled my fingers at her, "I'll keep you safe." I beckoned her to come. She sighed and stepped towards me, sliding her hand into mine. I froze for a minute, out hands fit perfectly together and I had not noticed until now. I smiled and felt more of the cloud around my heart thin. I squeezed boss hand and pulled her behind me as I rushed into the castle.

We walked up brittle stairways until we found a stable dais to stand on; the view from the dais was incredible. It looked out onto the rolling mountains that dropped below the castle. I heard Bo speak in an almost whisper, "this is beautiful."

I was still holding her hand and I looked down at out two hands together, then up at her. She was staring out into the endless expanse. Something overwhelmed me, "I love you, Ysabeau."

The sound of her full name broke her attention on the scenery, I felt her squeeze my hand as she looked at me. Her eyes turning glassy and a soft smile on her face. "What did you say Lauren?"

"I said," I turned to face Bo, reaching for her other hand so I could hold both at once, "I love you." I felt calm as I continued to speak, "come what may, I know that I love you. I needed to say it, because I have been thinking about it and I usually always keep my thoughts to myself. I have to change that, along with other things. But in this moment, as I stand in front of you and nothing but the mountains here to interrupt us, I have no reason not to say it out loud." I stepped closer to Bo, "I also have to tell you that I am not quite done with the army, I found out a few days ago that after I am cleared and released from the hospital, I have to finish out the last months of my service. I hesitated to tell you, but the more I look at you, the more I spend time with you, and experience proper dates with you. I don't want to go back. I want to go forward, with you."

Bo's face had shifted when I mentioned the army, but she didn't stop me. I kept on, the words exiting the thoughts fluidly, "I will figure something out, ask for a favor….but I will not leave you, never again no matter what, nothing will ever separate me from you. Because I love you, Bo."

Bo was silent; I began to fill with panic. I looked in her eyes, searching for anything. She caught me off guard. She was quick in her movements, hands were on the sides of my face and I was being kissed. Both gently and intensely, we melded together. This kiss was none like any of ours previous. It was a kiss of purpose and desire. I missed the soft feel of her lips against mine, the way she was able to take my breath away with just the simple brush of her lips against mine. I moved my hands onto her hips, pulling her closer to me. Long ignored desires surging through my body, I wanted to finish what she had started in the bedroom earlier. Before I could think any further Bo ended the kiss, leaning her forehead against mine, "I like this new talkative Lauren." She moved so she could look me in the eyes, "I love you, too Lauren, till the end of time and beyond. I am forever linked to you; the necklace I gave you has bound us together. I was afraid to tell you because of the weirdness that was between us."

I leaned back, "what do you mean?"

"I am not good at the science nerd talk like you, so I will do my best. The necklace, to be given with true love to a true love. I left out that it would only work as it did if the two were bound together, soul mates so to speak. There was a chance that you would reject me when I finally made it to you, that if you did I would never be able to love like I do for you ever again for anyone. That's why I am here, by your side and letting you take your time. But you also have to know that in front of these mountains and jenga like castle, there is no one else I will ever love as much as I love you, doctor. I fell for you the minute you walked in all awkward, hands in your doctor coat and stumbling over your words. You were such an unexpected love. " Bo smiled as she faded off.

I couldn't help it; I reached up and put my hand on her cheek, my thumb on her dimple. She leaned into the touch, "as for the army, no favors. We will figure it out, but I don't want you to owe the fae anything." She closed her eyes tight, I worried for a second.

"Bo?"

She shook it off, "I am fine, you aura is killing me. I need to wait, until you are better. I don't want to hurt you because I am a hornball."

I couldn't help but burst out in laughter and pull her into a hug, "trust me, if I could speed it up, I would have so yesterday."

Two days later I was sitting on the edge of the bed, my dress uniform jacket sitting lifeless next to me. Today was the day I had to meet with the section head of my unit down in London. Bo and I had not come up with a solution to getting me out; contacting Finnegan was out of the question because of Bo.

I was half dressed in the uncomfortable formal uniform, it was huge on me and I had never liked the way the polyester felt against my skin. Bo came out of the bathroom, stopping in front of the formal jacket. All of my decorations and military flare rested in its proper spots on the jacket. My jacket looked ridiculous, at least to me, the brightly colored ribbons felt like a mismatch rainbow, my gold rank and other notations of my career felt gaudy. I was a highly decorated officer but after everything I had gone through, I felt uncomfortable wearing it. I felt like I was advertising that I had lived when so many others did not. I knew it was survivor's guilt. Bo looked down at the jacket; she reached out and ran fingers over my ribbons, "what are all of these Lauren?"

I sighed, "They are the smaller version of the commendations I have received over time."

She smiled, "can you tell me about them? You have a lot of them."

I sighed, I didn't want too but when I looked in those brown eyes, I would do anything. I stood up next to Bo, both of us looking down at the lifeless jacket that held my entire story. "Sure, most of these are just commendations everyone gets."

Bo proceeded to point random ones out, followed by the question of what is this one. She pointed out my meritorious service ribbon, my marksmanship ribbon, my good behavior one, the Afghanistan campaign ribbon, the other random ones I got for being an outstanding officer. Bo had gone over them all until she found the two I hoped she would skip. "These two, they are different from the rest."

I looked at the two she was questioning; a burgundy with silver stripes, the second was a red one with a black middle. I took a deep breath, "that one, the burgundy one is the star of military valour and the other is the sacrifice medal." I paused and before Bo could ask, "the star of military valour and the sacrifice medal I received on the day Cate died. I left out some details when I told the story to Kenzi. Cate and I had come under attack while in the village and as she ran to the jeep for cover; I followed closely and was shot in the thigh. A clean through and through, left no eventual scarring, but it brought me to my knees and I couldn't keep up with Cate, I was five feet away from the jeep when I fell and on my knees I could see the IED under the jeep. I screamed at Cate but it was too late she had tripped it. The explosion sent small shrapnel all around me. I forced myself up and ran to the jeep, Cate was still alive. I started working on her as the small group charged at us. I defended us as best as I could until they took cover; I then got Cate in the jeep and drove us out of the village. She was bleeding out faster than I could contain it; I was losing blood and couldn't drive well because of my gunshot wound."

I stared at the ribbons; I picked up the jacket and put it on, my hand pushing on the two at the top of the ribbon set. "My commanding officer put me in for the star because of what I did; the sacrifice medal was because I was injured. I didn't even go to the ceremony they held for me, I received them later on in the mail after I came home with cate." I button up the jacket and tugged on the bottom to straighten it. I turned to Bo; she had tear streaks down her face. I smiled and reached up to wipe them away, "Don't cry. I honestly believe that it was cate who brought you to me, so I could love again." I pulled her into my arms; Bo laid her head on my chest. Neither of us said anything, we just held each other.

I smoothed out my uniform before I reached for the door to the Canadian embassy in London. Bo had dropped me off, she was going to do some shopping and return for me later. I steadied myself and went inside. The building was bustling with activity. I stopped at the receptionist desk and was point to the elevators and up to the sixth floor to the offices. I found the office I needed to be at and was directed to sit in cold plastic chairs as I waited for the Commander to see me.

An hour went by before the older lady who was obviously the commanders secretary came for me, "Captain Lewis? The commander will see you now." I nodded and followed the woman; she took me to a large office with a large desk and leather chairs facing it. The secretary motioned to a leather chair, "have a seat, it won't be more than a minute." I nodded again and sat in the large plush chair. I couldn't relax as much as the chair begged me too.

I occupied my nerves by looking around the office; there was nothing spectacular about it or personal. It was very stoic and bland. As I was staring at the books on the bookshelf the door opened and I saw a green uniform. I stood up immediately, standing at attention as the commander walked to the desk.

I was caught by what I saw. I was expecting an old male commander, instead I saw a woman walking behind the desk to sit. She was tall, thin and very beautiful. Blonde hair pulled up into a tight bun and when she looked up at me, I was received with cool ice blue eyes and a raised eyebrow. I immediately snapped into a salute.

The commander chuckled and waved off my salute, "oh honey, I don't do that formal bullshit. Sit down." Her voice was gruff and strong but still very feminine. She flopped down into the chair behind the desk, throwing long lean legs up onto the corner of the desk. I was confused but slowly sat back down. I looked for a name badge, there wasn't one.

The commander picked up a file from the corner of the desk, "hmmm, the infamous Captain Lauren Lewis. I finally get to see you up close and personal." She skimmed the file then tossed it to the corner. She looked at me, "you want a drink?"

I shook my head, "uh no thank you commander…" I trailed off hoping she would fill in the blank.

"Just call me tamsin. I don't do the formal bullshit, so let's cut the shit." Tamsin reached down and pulled open a drawer, dipped her hand down and came up with a full bottle of whiskey and a shot glass. With legs still up on the desk, Tamsin downed a shot in the blink of an eye.

I was now beyond confused, "um I am here to get a briefing on my progress and the rest of my time left in this deployment."

Tamsin rolled her eyes, "uh yea I know, that's why I am here." She kicked her legs off the desk and leaned over it, staring at me. She cocked her head a little, "you know, up close, you are really kind of cute."

I furrowed my brow, what the hell was this? "Is this a joke, Commander?"

She dropped her head, "its tamsin, get it right." She stood up from the desk and walked to the front, leaning against it and stretching her legs out. "Look you obviously are clueless about a lot of things, so I am going to break it down for you, but first, how's the succubus?" Tamsin smirked at me.

I felt a jolt run through my body, I swallowed hard, "you're fae."

"dark fae, baby."

I stood up quickly, took quickly for my still broken body, I had to grab the arm of the chair to steady myself. "I have to leave, this is some cruel joke."

Tamsin stood up and walked towards me, her smirk still on her face, "it's not a joke, honey. I am here for you because of you." She paused and looked me up and down, "that uniform looks good on you doctor, but sadly you aren't my type."

I was beginning to get infuriated, but I could tell it was making tamsin happy to see my reaction, I clenched my jaw. "Who are you? What do you want? Bo is unaligned and I am not a part of your world."

Tamsin made a tsk tsk sound, "oh you became a part of this world as soon as you got googly eyes for the succubus." She stepped close to me, "I had heard of you, but light fae shit doesn't interest me. Then you called for me, and I grew interested."

"Call for you?"

She smiled and reached out, dragging delicate fingertips across my stomach, touching my wound. Her touch was electric and I felt the charge against my still healing wound. It was if she was touching my bare skin, "yes, you called for me. I am a Valkyrie and you were supposed to die that day, I was waiting for you. When you left your love nest when Bo went off her meds, and you made the choice to go back to war, I was selected to watch you and bring you home."

I searched my mental files about the legend of Valkyries, I only knew they selected those in battle who were to live or die. Tamsin held her hand against my stomach, the feeling of electricity growing stronger and it was slightly painful "that day was the day of your death, it had been foretold long before you even thought of returning to the war…I was waiting for you off to your right…calling you home."

The flash of the out of body experience I had when I died, the calm soothing voice calling me sounded a lot like tamsin. Tamsin moved her hand and went back to her seat at the desk, "you sure you don't want a shot? I always get the best shit." She bypassed a glass and took a straight swig from the bottle.

I sat down in the chair, and whispered, "Are you taking me now?"

Tamsin let out a huff, "no, I am not. The succubus changed that whole plan when she brought you back to life, she changed your fate. I am here now…well because I have grown quite fond of you, you are an incredible warrior and I admire you." In that moment I could see the sincerity behind the cold blue eyes. "I am not taking you. I am actually offering you freedom."

"I won't accept a fae favor, especially a dark fae favor."

Tamsin rolled her eyes again, "stop being pretentious, doctor. What I am throwing on the table has nothing to do with either side, or shit all with the fae." She set the whiskey bottle down after another swig, "I am cutting you loose from the army, free and clear, all done with your contract."

I stared at her hard, "what do I have to do for you in return."

"Are you deaf? You have to do nothing, it isn't even an offer. I have been keeping tabs on you and its time you left the fighting to others; you have served your time and call it a religious experience on my end. When Bo brought you back to life, it changed fate, it changed me. I have been alive for thousands of years and seen many warriors and taken many back to Odin. You? You need to stay here, and continue on as you have. All the boys you saved up there talked me into it, they also want me to tell you thank you." She shrugged, trying to pass it off as she really didn't care. "Maybe I am getting soft in my old age….but now is not your time. You are too good of a human to sacrifice." Tamsin met my eyes and held them, I felt something pass between us but I could not place it. Whether it was respect or admiration or just plain pity, I couldn't place it.

Tamsin picked up the file and tossed it at me, "sign these and you will be officially released from the army with an honorable discharge, with an extra no return clause. You will officially be a civilian once again and can return to your dorky lab life."

I picked up the file on the floor, opening up I saw tamsin was not lying, my discharge orders were there awaiting my signature. I looked up at her, "this is no trick?"

"You think I would sit here this long if I was going to "double cross" you? I honestly don't have time for that kind of crap." Tamsin was brash and aggressive but there was something about her that made me feel that somewhere at some time she had a heart and loved.

I read over the orders again, and signed them. I stood up and placed the file on the desk. Pushing them towards tamsin. "Can I leave now?"

"Yup." She picked up the file and scanned it, then scribbled her name on it in a few lines, "but fair warning, Doctor Lewis, you and I will meet again…twice now, you missed your ride with me. I can't promise anything more, but just a fair warning." She grabbed the whiskey bottle and moved towards the door, she stopped and turned to me, she pulled out a copy of the discharge order and stuffed into my jacket pocket, "one thing, no one knows shit about me being here and pulling these strings to get you out of this human army. Keep your mouth shut; I don't need the morrigan or the ash up my ass." She then stepped close to me, "make your new life as glorious as this one was." She then reached out and tapped at the burgundy ribbon with silver stripes, "I'll see you around." Tamsin winked at me and barreled out of the door.

I was left standing there; I pulled out the crumpled discharge order and held it in my hand. I was overwhelmed with confusion, some of the things tamsin said had me thinking and more importantly I was in a what the hell just happened daze. A daze that never left me as I walked out into the city streets and saw Bo leaning against the sports car, smiling at me.

"How did it go?" her smile was bright and it eased some of the confusion in my head. I looked around still confused, I didn't know where to start so I just handed the discharge orders to her. Letting her read it, when she was done she squealed and wrapped her arms around my neck, mumbling against my ear, "no more! Can we go home now?"

I nodded; I could finally go home and start a new life. I felt happy, but there was still something about Tamsins words to me that held me back.

TBC...