Crystal
Crystal had walked in and out of the room watching Lauren sleep. The doctor was in the same position, so she knew she had not woken up yet. Position. What position will Crystal be in once the Doctor does wake up? Where will they stand? She sat wondering about that. She remembers the day she met Lauren. She was new to the diner and was already changing the condiments around. It was weird but adorable. From then on, they had practically been inseparable.
She was never clingy with the Doctor though. Lauren needed time to work on things she thought up out of the blue. That is adorable too. The woman is always thinking. Always planning something. That is what brought them here. In her sleep Lauren was thinking about that brunette. Bo did not look threatening. She did not sound threatening. But there is something about her that Lauren does remember in her subconscious. Crystal was woken up many times by a tossing doctor. Lauren never said a word in her sleep, but her body moved angrily.
She settled in again turning her focus back on the blonde. She could wake her. But that is an unbelievably bad idea. Who would she be waking up, her Lauren or Bo's? She is 99.5% positive that Bo is telling the truth. That she knows Lauren. But the Lauren she knows could be a completely different woman.
She sighed hard. She loves Lauren. So much that she is risking their lives on Lauren's latest experiment. Which brought on more worry. What if what Lauren has done has damaged her to the point, she will not remember Crystal either? With that, she stood up and walked out of the room. It was time for a cold drink of water and another round of pacing back and forth.
Kenzi and Bo.
Kenzi climbed out of the bed at their rental and walked to Bo's room. It was getting later and later, and the brunette had not made a sound. What she found, broke her heart. "Aww, Bo." She climbed into bed with the brunette.
"She made herself forget me Kenzi. What could I have done that was that bad? Bo sobbed into her pillow.
"I don't know sweetie. I wish I did. I wish Lauren did so you would have your answers." Kenzi wanted to curse Lauren. But she is not the one that is in love with the Succubus. Was in love with her. She is just as confused as Bo is.
"Only Lauren can fix what she's done. But this Lauren doesn't care enough about me to try." Bo sobbed again.
"I understand, sweetie." Kenzi rubbed Bo's back.
"How could you? I have never told anyone." Bo wiped her face and sat up. "Kenzi you know how the Fae works. Humans and Fae were never supposed to be couples. But I never cared about her being human. I only wanted Lauren because of who she is. She is everything that is good about me. Everything. She has treated me like an equal from day one. She never talked down to me even though the Fae screwed her world up. She thought if I settled into the Fae world, I would not be so scared of who I am. She was right. I settled into this life for her. When I rescued you in the elevator, I was ready to run again. I am so glad I did not because Lauren makes me feel safe. She keeps me sane. You do too, but not on the level that Lauren does. Because I love her. We both know I have spent months running around looking for her. Then I found her, and she does not remember me. I am afraid again. Afraid I will not win her back. Afraid of being lonely in this life and world again. I know Dyson mated with me and he loves me. But he is not who I want. He is not who I love. Who I will love for as long as she lives. Probably well past those years too." Bo stood to grab something to drink.
"Wow. I know you love her. I just never knew it was to that extent, before." Kenzi cleared her throat. She almost felt even sorrier for Dyson. He is stuck mated to Bo, and she does not even remotely love him like she loves the blonde.
"Now you understand. She is not just Lauren. She's my better half.." Bo gently shrugged. She suddenly felt like Kenzi is her psychiatrist, and her bed is the couch. "If she remembers me and Crystal is still who she wants, I will back off, for good." Bo choked on the last two words.
"I know you, Bo. You did not search all those months and years for nothing. You love her too much just to give in. Fight for her. Think of her. Maybe that will make her think of you. You never know. It might work." Kenzi pulled a blanket around Bo. It was getting chilly, and the sight of this Bo is breaking her heart too.
"Thanks, Kenz." Bo spoke softly.
Kenzi nodded. She took in Bo again and it was worse than before. The brunette's face was flooding with tears. Something the Fae have never been known for. But this Fae grew up with humans. If there was ever a picture of a broken heart, Bo's face should be framed.
"Bo. Get up. Get showered." Kenzi gently nudged the woman.
"What? Why? Bo looked up. Her eyes were almost red from crying.
"We're going back. You can't live like this, and you need answers." Kenzi picked up around the bed.
"Without Lauren, there's nothing to go back for." Bo wiped her eyes.
"You're going back for Lauren. You still have Trick in your corner. Maybe the old blood king can write her memory back to where it used to be." Kenzi replied as she pushed Bo towards the bathroom.
"No! Nobody will force Lauren's mind like that. I tried with my Succubus and even she shot that idea down." Bo put her hands on the sides of the door to stop Kenzi's motions.
"Then we'll think of something else. I agreed to go away with you. I didn't agree to watch you fall into a deep depression." Kenzi pushed harder and Bo finally gave in. Once she heard the water turn on, she ran to the other bathroom to shower. She showered quickly and waited for Bo to emerge.
"Now what? Bo asked softly.
"Now we take our bags to your car, and we get the hell out of here. I am sure Lauren is in Toronto or not far from it." Kenzi hurried with the bags. Bo half smiled and grabbed the heavier ones.
Kenzi jumped into Bo's car and waited for the woman to pull off. They were just on the outskirts of town. Bo wanted to leave but she could not bring herself to go too far. Probably the pull of the Doctor pulling at her heart strings. Kenzi thought of Lauren as much as Bo was. She wondered after so much between them, what could have caused her to wipe her memories of Bo. They often fought at the beginning but Bo's and Kenzi's hearts softened when Lauren proved herself, and then some.
Kenzi was very skeptical of the doctor at first, for good reason. She broke Bo's heart, but that was child's play considering how broken Bo is now. She is so broken, she is currently breaking speed limits driving back to Toronto. She is so broken, she has not said a word to Kenzi since they started off. She is so broken tears are steadily flowing down her face again.
Doc, I hope you know what you have done. Kenzi whispered.
The Dal
"Trick, I can't believe you won't tell me what happened to Bo and Kenzi." Dyson shook his head. He had been there for hours, and Trick had done everything he could to avoid the wolf.
"I gave Bo my word. If she wanted you to know, she would tell you. Now, unless you are going to buy a drink for your friend here, get out of my bar. I do have customers waiting to sit down." Trick gestured towards the door.
"That's his new partner, Trick." Hale laughed as he walked in.
"New? Trick raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah see, Dyson here has become more lazier than normal. I got tired of covering for him and requested a new partner." Hale replied.
"Nevermind that, where is Bo? Dyson asked.
"Gone. She is gone! Trick screamed. Dyson was a broken record, and he broke all of Trick's resolve.
"Where? Dyson asked.
"She left because of Lauren, right Trick? Hale asked.
"She did. She is not coming back for you Dyson. You need to move on." Trick rubbed the top of his head.
"Fine. I will find Lauren. Finding Lauren means finding Bo." Dyson pulled at his jacket.
"See man, that's another reason I changed partners. You are dumb. Do you not remember what Bo is? Who she is? Hale shook his head. All those years as Dyson's partner are proving to be embarrassing.
"You guys don't get it. Bo's my mate. I can't just turn my nature off." Dyson growled.
"Bo's nature will kick your ass if you go near Lauren. Just let them be. For once in your life, listen to me." Hale took a beer from Trick and took a long swig of it.
"Trick, you know something don't you? Dyson asked.
"I know nothing." Trick walked off. He never looked at Dyson. He had watched Bo suffer for years as she looked for Lauren. She would often fall asleep at the Dal after a long day's search. Then there is Lauren herself. Lauren has suffered longer than Bo just being in the Fae world. She lost her girlfriend. She lost her entire family. Bo is Trick's family. The only sane family he has. He has no idea where Aife is, and that scares him. So, he knows them both enough to keep his head down and his mouth shut.
Dyson sat back in his seat. Bo just left. Left with Kenzi. She did not bother to say bye to him. She just left. He could track her down, but Hale's words about her Succubus were starting to sink in. He shook his head and ordered some drinks.
Bo and Kenzi
"We will go in and book a suite. But nothing too fancy, Kenzi. I need to keep as much money as I can." Bo spoke softly.
"Bo! Lauren is not going to care about that." Kenzi patted the woman's shoulder.
"I know she won't. I do." Bo climbed out of the car and called for a bellhop.
They walked in, got a suite, and settled in. Bo spent most of her time, sitting on the couch, looking out the window. Kenzi took a seat across from her. She flipped the tv on but kept the volume down. She loves Bo, but she does not want to annoy her Succubus with loud noise.
Bo sighed. Her mind could only think of Lauren. What she is doing. If she is warm and safe. If she is getting enough to eat. These things are something Crystal would be taking care of. Her eyes almost turned full blue thinking of someone else taking care of the woman she loves. The blonde seems nice, but she is not who Lauren belongs with. She belongs with her, Bo.
She meant every word that she said to Kenzi. She is going to allow Lauren to choose between her and Crystal. A true and public choice. Unlike the one Bo made. She just said it was time, kissed the Doctor and that was that. She did not scream her love for the doctor from the roof. She did not tell Dyson to his face. He had to find out when he and Kenzi spotted them kissing in Hecuba Prison. She almost feels sorry for the wolf. Like him, she cannot help who she wants. Forever.
Crystal and Lauren
Crystal sat panting. Any minute now. At any minute now, her life as she knows it could be over. Lauren will open her eyes, and everything will have changed. One way or the other. If she truly knows this Bo, Crystal could already be single. It would suck too. But she smiled thinking of the life they have had together. She is successful. Lauren is successful. They could have anything or live anywhere in the world that they want to live. But right now, they are stuck in what could be Lauren's old world. Crystal is not dumb. That short guy they met with last night knew Lauren. So, Lauren must have known him at some point in her life.
She has had many relationships and none of them has she ever had to share a lover. She will not. Not even for Lauren. She will fight for her. Which is why she suggested Lauren listen to them about injecting herself to reverse the memory wiping serum. Part of Lauren is hers, but the sleeping part of Lauren is not. That part of her belongs to Bo.
She gasped as the grandfather clock ticked away. Time is slowly passing by. She looked at the clock again and noted the time that Lauren predicted that she will or should wake up. She gasped again at the thought.
Shaking her head, she gathered her thoughts and stood up to prepare for the moment. She hurried to the kitchen to fix the Doctor something to eat. When she was done, she placed a few plates and a huge water pitcher on a tray. Her hands shook as she walked back to the bedroom. The plates and pitcher rattled on the tray. Taking another deep breath, she stepped into the room and immediately looked at the clock again.
"Five, four, three, two, one." Crystal counted down. Literally like clockwork, the Doctor was right. She started to stir in her sleep.
Crystal walked over to the nightstand and set the tray down. She pulled the blankets up to Lauren's shoulders and pulled the chair closer. "Lauren? She cleared her throat.
She watched the blonde slowly move her eyes, but she had not opened them yet. "Water." She mumbled.
"Right here, babe." Crystal gently leaned forward and poured the liquid into the Doctor's mouth.
Lauren's hand gripped Crystal's hand as she downed the entire glass. She laid back down and closed her eyes.
"No. Don't go back to sleep." Crystal pleaded softly.
Lauren opened her eyes again. She gently sat up and nodded for the tray to be given to her.
"I wasn't sure what you would want to eat, so I made a few of your favorites. From all of the food groups." Crystal rambled off. She felt like she was interviewing to be Lauren's girlfriend. She does not know what the Doctor knows. What she remembers.
"Thank you. That is extremely sweet." Lauren smiled as she took her first bite. She devoured it all quickly and drank more water.
Crystal internally shook her head. Lauren had yet to make eye contact with her. That is a red flag if she ever saw one. She just watched the Doctor eat and helped with whatever she needed that was not readily available.
The Doctor wiped her mouth with a napkin and nodded that it was okay to remove the tray. Crystal nodded and took it back into the kitchen.
Lauren for the first time, laid eyes on Crystal. The woman is beautiful. Her hair had seemed to grow overnight as it flowed down her back. She sighed as she stretched. She sniffed and knew she needed a shower and jumped up to go grab one. When she emerged in a robe and blotting her hair dry, she could not help but look Crystal in her eyes for the first time.
"Oh no. It is bad isn't it? Crystal swallowed hard.
"What is? Lauren asked.
"You remember her." Crystal spoke softly. The hairs on the back of her neck and arms stood up.
"I do." Lauren nodded without emotion.
Crystal stood and walked over to Lauren. She gently pulled her head into her hands and stared into her eyes. After a few minutes, she stepped back.
"I'm sorry." Lauren whispered.
"Sorry for what? You cannot help what is in your eyes or in your heart. She is in both. Deeply." Crystal turned to drink her own glass of water.
"Crystal…." Lauren started.
"No." Crystal replied.
"No? Lauren asked.
"I will not be second, Lauren. To anyone. I remember the first time you told me you loved me. It was in your eyes before it ever came out of your mouth. You have never looked at me, the way you looked when thought of her just then. I love you. I do. But I cannot. I will not be in a triangle. I'm too square for that." Crystal tried to make light of her breaking heart.
"Crystal, I love you. I do. I am not going to let you talk yourself out of this relationship. I'm not ready for it to be over." Lauren stepped towards the woman.
"Lauren, you have never lied to me. Do not try to start now. It is not in your DNA. But she is. Bo is." Crystal said.
"I do remember her. I remember everything that we were and everything that we are not. We are not friends. We are nothing. Nothing to her." Lauren replied.
"What does that even mean? Crystal asked.
"It means that I'm not going anywhere but everywhere with you." Lauren grabbed her hands.
Crystal gently let go. "Get dressed Lauren."
"What? Why? Lauren asked.
"We are going to find Bo. So, you can say your peace. You are angry and we aren't going to get any rest with you like this." Crystal sighed into her hands. This was worse than anything she predicted. Lauren is in denial. She feels something for this woman. It is not anything she has seen in Lauren before.. It is something she cannot explain other than anger. Either way the Doctor is a sitting time bomb and Crystal knows it is just a matter of time before she explodes.
"Crystal." Lauren called.
Crystal turned and the woman was dressed. She pulled her hair into a tight ponytail, and she never looked more beautiful.
"Let's go." Crystal reached her hand out. "How are we going to find her?
"I'll call Trick. He's her grandfather." Lauren pulled her phone out and dialed.
"Hi." Trick said as Dyson and Hale lingered in the short distance.
"You know who this is? Lauren asked.
"I do." Trick spoke softly.
"Get her there. Now." Lauren replied.
"She'll be here when you get here." Trick replied.
"Good." Lauren hung up.
"We don't have to do this." Crystal spoke. She was coming off cold and she never wants to be that way with Lauren.
"I do. I need to do this. Besides, you were right to push me to do this. Until I deal with Bo. None of our lives will ever be the same again." Lauren replied.
TBC