A/N: That's right, I'm back. And with a new story to boot. Also, I will be posting updates for What Could've Been. There's no shortage of episodes to write alternative plots for unfortunately. So if anyone has requests, let me know.
Chapter 1: The Incubation Period
Clinic
One job.
All she had to do today, was one job.
And yet, all the years she'd spent in the Fae world hadn't prepared her for this. It was just supposed to be a routine collection mission. In the years since Bo banished Jack, the Colony had been enjoying relative peace. More and more people were taking their rights back.
More importantly, their right to choose a side.
If they wanted to, they could. But, if they didn't then they could choose to be Unaligned. Everyday, people came forward for the latter. There would always be some people who didn't like the new regime, and would do everything they could to stop it from happening.
But Bo wasn't letting that happen. She had a good system worked out. In the last three years, she had cleaned up her region. With the help of Dyson, of course. Yes, Bo knew a few things about the community but she was still relatively new to the Politics side of the matter. He'd been around for a millennium and a half, so he knew everything.
With his guidance, she was able to clean up the mess the Ash and the Morrigan had made in the centuries before. It was going well. People looked to her as a leader, but she didn't want to be called a Queen. That was what her Father wanted her to be.
And whenever she associated herself with that label, she just thought back to her Darker days. When the Darkness inside of her would beg to be let free. Fortunately, she was in full control of that part of herself now. Of course, it was a bonus that her love for a certain Blonde genius helped that cause.
Not long after they sent Dagny off to be with Kenzi, Lauren cracked the code on her faulty serum and created a safe way to expand her life force. She had no powers, and couldn't channel anyone's abilities through touch like last time. But that wasn't her goal. Her goal, was to age slowly so she could have a life with Bo.
An eternal one.
And now they had that.
But, they also had bad days. Like this one. Bo had been conferring with a few Clan Leaders when their meeting was attacked by a group of zealots. Dyson had been tracking them for a while, but couldn't get a lead on where they were based. Otherwise he would've dealt with them.
A few Elders from various clans were killed. The Zealots weren't a fan of anyone who dared to conform to Bo's new rules. And Bo herself was struck with a bullet, it wouldn't have been a big deal except it was lodged in her shoulder.
By the time Dyson got a handle on things, four members of the group had fled but he managed to injure one enough to contain. He was going to bring him back to the old Light Compound which was now Bo's personal Compound, and throw him in the dungeon while he tended to Bo.
A little over three years ago, the new Ash they appointed for the Light Fae was murdered. And after all the attacks, the Dark's leader jumped ship too. So, Bo thought it wise to acquire the Light Compound in the craziness. She needed a base of operations for her own agenda and this way she had all the resources she needed.
Plus, nearly every Fae in the region looked to her as their Queen, even though she had no crown. The staff and guards left over from the Ash all pledged themselves to her.
It was a good deal.
Once the prisoner was dealt with, he carried Bo up to Lauren's clinic. He sat her down on a bed in one of the private rooms, only to see that Bo wasn't looking happy. "Is something wrong?"
"Yeah, I'm in big trouble!" Bo was kind of fearing for her life at the moment. "Do you know how mad Lauren's gonna be when she gets here? I told her this was a routine meeting?" Her Girlfriend had quite the temper.
"And it was, until we were attacked. None of us could've seen that coming. It's no one's fault" he didn't blame her.
Bo had to laugh, "You think that's gonna make a difference to her? Have you met Lauren?" She actually wasn't joking. If he thought she was going to be fine with this, then he was stupid. "She nearly bit my ear off when she had to stitch me up the last time, after that Gremlin slashed my leg" that wasn't fun for her.
And it was made worse when her Girlfriend yelled at her for being careless with her safety.
"Bo, calm down. It's Lauren" he smiled. "She loves you. Trust me, the only thing she's gonna care about is that you're alive—" he stopped talking when Lauren entered he room with an awful look on her face. "Or not" He took a step back.
Lauren picked out her gloves from her lab coat pocket, placing them on each hand slowly. "So, I heard it was a gunshot" she let the latex snap against her wrist as she put the last glove on.
It was enough to terrify them both.
"Yeah, just in the shoulder" Dyson answered for Bo because she was too scared to talk.
"Exit wound?" Lauren spoke while she went to the other end of the room to grab some supplies. Dyson seemed to be the only one talking, so he replied with a no. She came face to face with her injured Girlfriend. "Does it hurt?"
Bo cleared her throat, "A little" it came out in a whisper.
Lauren began feeling around the back of her shoulder for the bullet, she hovered her finger over something hard so she decided to have a little payback. "How about now?" She pushed it in and heard Bo groan. "Well, good news is I've found it. Bad news, I'm gonna have to cut it out"
"Can it wait? Maybe it's not a good idea to arm you with a blade right now" Bo meant it as a joke but it didn't do her any favors. "Lauren, I'm sorry. We took every precaution, none of us saw this coming"
Sighing, Lauren began wiping the back of Bo's shoulder with iodine. "That doesn't matter. I'm just waiting for that phone call to tell me you've been killed. What'd you think that'll do to me? Why do you have guards, if they can't protect you?"
"It was a freak accident, and it won't happen again. I'll make sure okay? You will never get one of those calls, I promise. So, are we good?" Bo didn't want to fight with her. She'd just been shot.
"Not really but we both know I can't stay mad at you for more than ten minutes. I'm glad you're okay—" Lauren kissed her. "But, I've gotta get this out while it's at the surface. So, ready?"
Bo nodded, "I'm in your capable hands" she sat as still as she could so Lauren could cut out the bullet.
But as Lauren was pulling it out, she noticed two things. "It's not as big as I was expecting. You might not even need stitches—" she used her pliers to pull the rest of it out, and when she did she saw something strange about it. "It's made of wood. And, are those etchings?" She squinted her eyes, trying to see.
The only problem was, it was soaked in Bo's blood so much that she couldn't see the markings properly. "I can't tell, so I'll wash it out and check back later. But you're not feeling any pain or anything?"
Bo shook her head, "Nope, nothing more than an ache. Which feels a lot better now that you got the thing out" she felt fine.
"Okay, that's good" Lauren placed the bullet in a silver bowl with some water and left it there. "Time for the gauze" She began cleaning out the wound, and then taped it up with gauze and finally sealed it with a kiss. "Better?"
That kiss certainly helped matters, "Much, thanks. So, am I clear to leave? Because I've still got a few meetings to finish up. One with a Vampire Queen, and another with a Troll Commander"
"You seriously think I'm gonna let you go back to one of those awful meetings?" Lauren was shocked she even asked. "No! You are most definitely not cleared! You can either go to the Dal, or go home. Your choice" she folded her arms.
Bo knew this was just Lauren being worried but it was a little over dramatic. "Lauren, this is my job. I can't stop doing it because someone tried to hurt me. It comes with the territory"
This wasn't something Lauren was going to be able to talk her out of. "Okay. If you think it's safe to go back, then you should go—" she went to grab the steel bowl with the bullet in. "I just hope you don't end up back here in an hour suffering from something even worse" she left without another word.
And just like that, Bo was back in the dog house.
"So, is that a no-go on the meetings?" Dyson didn't know what the clear answer was.
Bo sighed, bowing her head. She just couldn't win. "Take my advice Dyson" she hopped off the bed, holding her injured arm close to her body. "Never date a Doctor" she said it to him on her way out of the room.
At the end of the day, she loved Lauren more than anything. Even after all this time, their connection remained strong. But sometimes Lauren worried a lot more than she should've. She knew what Bo's role in this world was, and she knew what the cons were that came with it.
Yes, Bo would get injured. But wasn't stupid enough to let someone get enough of an upper hand to actually kill her. A few scratches and bruises here and there, were a small price to pay for a better world.
As she left the room, she tried to find Lauren but one of her assistants said that she'd gone to the Testing Lab and didn't want to be disturbed. Normally, Bo would ignore that demand and go right in. But she knew the Testing Lab was a clean room, and Lauren already bit her head off the last time she went in without permission.
It was just a white room to her. How was she supposed to know she had to wear a special suit?
So, Bo had no choice but to leave it. She made sure to tell the assistant to relay a message to Lauren. Bo wanted her to call when she exited the Lab, and if she didn't then that would only go to show how mad she still was. "What's our next stop again?" She needed Dyson to remind her.
"With Allegra Harken. The Vampire Queen uptown, she's open to the prospect of what you have to offer. But she's still hesitant. Everyone is, after going so long doing it the old way. Honestly, she'll be easier to win over than the Troll Commander" he wasn't looking forward to that.
Bo rubbed her forehead, she had a splitting headache all of a sudden. "Yeah, remind me of his name again. Turk? Kirk?" She felt like her mind was fuzzy.
"It's Roark, actually" he noticed she was rubbing her head. "Hey? You okay? Do you want me to call for Lauren?"
That wasn't needed, "No, I'm good. It's probably from the blood I lost. It's a familiar feeling. Besides, she's still pissed at me right now. It'd just make things worse. Let's just go, finish the meetings, and then I can go home. Sooner the better" she grabbed her jacket and followed him out.
Allegra's Den, Uptown – Later
Luckily, Bo's headache seemed to go away after she got some food and a refreshing drink. Stupid blood loss. So, she was more than ready to take on the Vampire Queen for this meeting.
The den was dark, and musky. Bo could barley see in front of her own face let alone anything else.
Hundreds of years ago, the Vampires decided to nest themselves uptown to a part of the city that didn't get much sun because it was shaded by the mountains. They could walk in sunlight thanks to evolution, but they would avoid it whenever they could.
Back in the eighteen hundreds, there were a lot of empty plots where the building were being built. Allegra acquired one and built a large den for her future Vampire brothers and sisters to join her and feel safe. The hallways were lit with flaming torches, and there was little to no heat in this place.
Vampires liked it cold.
Bo was led into Allegra's private Chamber, where she sat at the head of the table in nothing but a black silk robe. "Seriously? No one wants to see that" she didn't care for it.
"I'm hurt" Allegra said. "To be turned down by the Unaligned Succubus herself. You're saying nothing about me sparks your interests?"
Sitting down, Bo gave a smile. "I don't know what you've heard about me, but my heart's spoken for. As is my body, so let's drop it. And Dyson here?" She looked to her friend. "Well, he basically hates your guts. Warring species' and all" there was always something about Werewolves and Vampires.
It was so last year.
"Yes—" Allegra looked at the Wolf, eyeing him suspiciously. "I could smell the stench of Wet Dog as soon as you got to the front courtyard. Does he really have to be here?" She didn't want him in her presence.
But Bo didn't care. "Afraid so. When it comes to meetings, we're a package deal. How about we get down to why we're really here? Have you thought about my offer?"
Allegra gave a nod. "I have, though I must say; you're not offering much of an incentive for my people. Say I wanted to expand into another district of the city. My kin crave fresh blood, and this town is slowly dwindling in numbers"
Uptown wasn't frequented by many young people. It was more of a retirement town now. Elderly people came here to live out the rest of their days, or to have a break from the city.
"Expand?" Dyson let out a dry chuckle. "You mean infect another healthy part of the city with your Vampiric blood. Turn more humans, end their lives?! No way! Bo, if you allow this it won't be long before you have an infestation on your hands!" He didn't like it.
Bo raised a hand, telling him to calm down. "I will allow you to expand into the next district over" She watched her smirk. "However, I forbid you to turn any humans. One thing not dwindling in numbers, is your Clan. In fact, you're already exceeding capacity. You wouldn't want me to order a cull, would you?"
Allegra couldn't argue with her. Forbidding her to turn new recruits was harmful, but killing the members she already had would destroy her. "No, of course not. I accept your terms, and you may add it to your treaty. I'm prepared to sign it"
That's what Bo was here for.
The sound of Allegra's compliance was music to Bo's ears, so she snapped her fingers at Dyson. He reached into the briefcase he brought in and pulled out a thick document. He dropped it in front of Bo, along with a quill. Deals like these, had to be signed in blood.
That way, it was binding.
Bo quickly used a normal pen and added the stipulations she just agreed on with Allegra. She'd left a space for each person she had to meet with in the document just in case they needed to have something in return for signing. But whatever it ended up being, it would never be out of Bo's control.
"Signed in blood, and bound for eternity. Got a problem with that?" She asked her.
Allegra smiled, shaking her head. "Not at all" she asked one of her minions for a cup. "You know me. I'm all about the blood" she used her own fangs to bite into her wrist and began filling the cup. When it was enough, she dipped the quill in it and started to sign on the dotted line.
Once she was done, Dyson rounded the table to retrieve the treaty form her. While he did that, Bo got up from her chair and felt a little woozy. "Whoa" She took a second.
Dyson was back at her side in a flash, "You good?" He touched her arm.
Allegra began to smell something strange, "You don't look well Succubus—" It was very strange actually. "Is there a human in this building?!" She turned to one of her people.
Taking a second, Dyson smelt around and he smelt the same Human scent Allegra was picking up on. Only, it was coming from Bo. That wasn't good. He had to get her out of here. But he also had to throw Allegra off. So, he quickly took off his jacket and placed it around Bo's shoulders. "You look a little cold"
Bo frowned. "No I don't. I'm fine!" She went to remove it but he told her not to with a serious look. "What're you doing?" She whispered to him.
He shushed her, and just pulled the jacket around her further making sure it stayed on. "Let's just go. We're done here anyway"
"Is she alright?" Allegra began walking towards them trying to follow the smell but now all she smelt was the Wolf.
"She's fine. Just a little accident at an earlier meeting. With rest and recuperation, she'll be good as new by morning" he really hoped that was true.
Bo just gave Allegra a nod. "You won't regret coming on board with us. We're gonna make the world a better place for all Fae. I appreciate your cooperation" she raised her hand ready for Allegra to shake it.
But Dyson quickly pushed it down before Allegra had the chance. "Remember what Lauren said?" He blurted out suddenly. "No straining the wound. Best be on our way" he turned Bo around and began walking her out.
Bo's Compound, Private Quarters – Later
Dyson hadn't spoken to Bo the whole ride home. He just had to process what was happening. It wasn't possible. At least, it wasn't supposed to be. By the time they got back to Bo and Lauren's personal Quarters, he knew he had to explain to her what happened back there.
"I don't understand any of this" he began to pace back and forth.
Bo on the other hand, was so confused. "Understand what? What's your deal? You could've compromised our truce back there. Who cares if she could smell a human? It was probably someone from the street outside"
"It wasn't" Dyson turned to her. "Bo, have you used your powers since you got shot?" He had to ask.
She thought about it. "Uh, no. I don't think so. Why's that important?"
"Try it" he told her.
"Try it? On who? You?" Bo laughed at him. "You know I can't do that with you. I follow the one rule Lauren gave me. You and me, can't do the chi thing. Only in dire emergency, her words!" She wasn't going against her Girlfriend.
Dyson approached her. "Trust me, this qualifies. And she'd understand. I'm not asking you to kiss me. Just, try and sway me" he held out his hand for her.
Bo rolled her eyes, this was so stupid. "If it'll shut you up!" she slapped her hand down on his, holding tight as she began to sway him. Only, it didn't work. There was no tingle, no glow, nothing. "I don't understand" she looked at her hand.
"Try taking my chi" he said.
She didn't want to, but if her touch wasn't working then she had to try taking his chi. So, she got close to him and grabbed both sides of his face. She didn't kiss him, only brought her mouth closer to his. She expected to feel the flow of chi begin, but it didn't.
That wasn't good.
She backed away from him. "What the hell? What's happening to me?" She was panicking. "My powers—what happened to my powers?!"
"I'm not sure yet. But until I do, you have to stay here!" He made that clear to her. "You can't be near anyone who could sniff you out. If we'd stayed in that Den a second longer, Allegra would've known"
Bo realised now. "That's why you put your jacket over me? To throw her off my scent. Smart move. You probably saved my life" She was grateful.
Dyson touched her arm. "Hey? We're gonna figure this out, okay? I tried leaving Lauren a message but she's not responding. So, I'm gonna go down to the Lab and get her myself. Maybe she can fix you"
"Dyson? What if I can't be fixed?" Bo was actually scared right now. She was human. Her powers had gone. It was almost like the person she'd been for the last three decades had been erased.
"There's always a way. And it's Lauren" he chuckled. "If anyone can find a solution, it's her. Hang tight okay. I'll make sure to tell all the staff that you're not to be disturbed. No one will come knocking, and if they do; ignore it. Lock the door behind me" he ran out of the door.
Not wanting to waste a second.
Bo did as he said and locked the door after him. Lauren had a key so they could get in when they came back. Right now, Bo had to get a drink and calm herself down. Or maybe more than one.
Later
As Dyson was rushing into the Lab, Lauren was also in a rush on her way out. She finished analysing the etchings on the wooden bullet that she pulled out of Bo's shoulder. And the result was not promising. It turned out, that the marks belonged to a very powerful curse. A curse that rendered any Fae it was forced upon, mortal.
So, in panic mode much like Dyson was; she high tailed it as fast she could back to her Quarters. She was actually loving the fact that they moved in here now, if she was at her other clinic she would've endured traffic. She used her key to open the door and found Bo on the couch.
In the weirdest position.
Bo sat with her legs in the air, and her head hanging off the edge of the seat. "Babe? What're you doing?" Lauren approached her calmly, and saw half a bottle of scotch on the coffee table. "Are you drunk?"
Suddenly, Bo began weeping. "Yes. After three glasses!" She exclaimed in disbelief. "Three! Who knew I would be such a lightweight as a Human? I used to be able to drink two bottles and be on the verge of tipsy. Now look! The bottle isn't even finished, and I'm hammered!"
"Get up, come on!" Lauren picked her up, and sat her on the couch properly. "Everything's gonna be—" she intended to say okay, but she fell victim to witnessing Bo vomit on the living room rug. "That's just great"
Bo wiped her mouth, groaning. "Sorry"
Lauren debated calling the cleaning staff but half of them were Shifters like Dyson. They'd smell Bo's newly human scent and then it would be game over. "I can't let this linger. It's gonna smell, and not to mention stain!"
It wasn't something Dyson wanted to do, but clearly Lauren had other things to worry about than cleaning. "I got it. You just get her into bed so she can sleep off those two drinks"
"Three!" Bo corrected him, then relived the experience. "It was three! Kenzi would be so ashamed of me!" She cried again.
"Kenzi's the least of my concerns right now. Bo?" Lauren got her attention. "Come on, I'm gonna put you in bed. Up you get, that's it!" She literally picked her up, and threw an arm over her shoulder. "You sure you're okay with this?" She looked at Dyson.
He wasn't. But, what else was he supposed to say? "Honestly, I just wanna get it over with and never speak of it again. Cleaning products?" He needed everything she had.
"Under the kitchen sink. Just be careful!" Lauren wanted to warn him. "I made some of those mixtures myself so they're very strong. And if mixed with others, they can have an unstable chemical reaction. You could end up gassing us if you're not paying attention"
Dyson understood. "Got it, just take care of her" he walked to the kitchen while Lauren dragged Bo into the bedroom. The first thing he was looking for, were rubber gloves.
He was about to go up against his most formidable foe.
Vomit.
Bedroom
Lauren got Bo onto their lovely Queen-sized bed, and began taking her shoes off as well as her jeans because they would be uncomfortable under the covers. "All this after three drinks?" She whispered to herself. "Wow" She couldn't believe it.
"Are you still mad at me?" Bo blew hair out of her face with a tired sigh. "I really am sorry for getting shot. I know how much you worry. I never want to make you upset, because I love you" she mumbled drunkenly.
Smiling, Lauren pulled the covers over Bo's legs and sat beside her. "I love you too. And I'm not mad, I promise. I'm gonna find a way to get your powers back. I won't stop until I do. Okay?" She wasn't going to let Bo remain vulnerable.
Bo was seconds away from passing out, but she couldn't help but take in her Girlfriend's gorgeous sight. "You're so pretty. Do I say that enough?"
"No, but it's okay. We're both busy" Lauren wasn't holding that against her. But she had to admit, it was nice to hear.
"Well, we should make time for each other. Like, we should go on a date! When's the last time we went on a real date?!" Bo loved the thought of that.
Honestly, Lauren couldn't remember. They'd both been working so hard. "I don't know. How about you get some rest, and after you wake up we'll talk about going on a date? Okay?"
Bo nodded, "Okay, I guess that's fair. Maybe we could go to TGI Fridays—" it came out as a murmur because her eyes closed and she was out like a light.
It just made Lauren laugh, "Sweet dreams babe" she pressed a soft kiss to her forehead as she left her to sleep soundly.
Living Room
In the time that Lauren had gone to put Bo to bed, Dyson had managed to clean up her mess. It was disgusting, and thanks to his heightened senses he could smell everything. But, he was done. So, he was thankful. He was just disposing of his rubber gloves and washing his hands again when Lauren exited the bedroom.
"How's she looking in there?" He shouted it, but Lauren quickly shushed him.
"She's not looking so great, actually" Lauren hoped Bo would stay asleep for a while. Maybe enough time for her to find a solution for this. "Those three drinks really did a number on her"
He couldn't help the laugh that escaped him while he dried his hands. "That still cracks me up. How does anyone get hammered after three drinks?" Surely that was a mistake.
Lauren stopped him from talking, "This isn't a joke Dyson. I have no idea how to help her. That bullet was carved with ancient runes that belong to a really shitty curse. That attack this morning wasn't meant to kill her, they just wanted her wounded so the curse would take effect" she reached into her pocket and looked at the bullet again.
It was carved with runes she'd never seen before.
At least not in any Fae text she'd read.
"Why would a Shaman create a curse to turn someone mortal?" He didn't understand it. "Curses are meant to make people suffer, to cause pain. Other than the hangover she's gonna have, she's not in any pain"
"Judging by the glyphs I analysed from this thing, this kind of curse was made to take down Fae of immense strength. Like ancient Gods, or anyone with ancient blood running through their veins" she looked at him, hoping he would catch on.
And he did. "Like the Daughter of Hades? Well, I guess the shoe fits huh?" That was unfortunate. After Jack was banished, people figured out that Bo was his daughter because only a blood relative could've banished him. Some were impressed, others were scared.
What if she turned out to be as evil as her Father?
"So, we should start with the Shaman who created the curse right?" He stepped towards Lauren. "He made it, so he can stop it. Is there anyway to use that thing to track him?" He looked at the bullet in her hand.
Surely there was a way.
But Lauren didn't share his idea. "Doubtful. These runes predate the ones we use now. The Shaman who created this curse would've died off centuries ago. All he did was make the curse, he didn't carve it onto this bullet. Someone else did that" that was he difference.
Finding the Shaman wouldn't solve their problems. And if Lauren was right about how old this curse actually was, then she would also be right in assuming the Shaman was dead.
By her estimate, about three thousand years dead.
"Then we need to find the asshole who took the shot. We know the group of Zealots are run by a guy named Kragen. He's dead set against this treaty being held up. If Bo stays Human for too long, everyone will find out. And then there goes our hope for a free Colony" he was so mad.
Why would anyone want to keep the old ways?
"Okay, here's what we're gonna do!" Lauren had thought of a plan. She just hoped it would work. "We're gonna make an announcement in the courtyard that Bo was taken ill after that attack this morning—"
"Wait! You want to tell everyone she's been shot by the cursed bullet? Aren't we supposed to be keeping this under wraps?!" He wasn't up for that plan.
She shoved his chest, "Let me finish! We say she's been slashed in the abdomen, and is taking a while to heal. I also want you to put a bounty on Kragen. You're gonna get a team together and hunt him down" she wanted him found.
He was the only one who would know of a way to fix this.
"Then what?" He asked.
"Then, we question him and make him tell us how to reverse the curse. There has to be a way. I'll keep looking while you do all that. Call for a Compound wide audience, then you can tell everyone" Lauren was about to walk away when Dyson told her she should be the one to give the news. But that didn't make sense to her. "Why? I'm not Bo, and I'm not technically Fae either. So, why would they listen to anything I have to say?"
That was simple. "Because you and Bo are together. You've been together this whole time. People know that. Trust me, it's you they need to hear this from. I'll call for the announcement, but you're gonna give it" Dyson took out his phone and began making the arrangement.
With Bo incapacitated, Lauren had to step up.