"What are they all doing here?" Lauren asked hugging her children.

"I was at the Dal meeting with everyone on a case Julia is chasing and Bo was there and had the children with her. I was heading back here and Bo thought the children should see their great-grandpa as they have not seen him in a while." Tamsin replied.

"It has been a week." Trick amended.

"Splitting hairs, Your Excellency." Tamsin quipped. "So Bo asked me since I was coming ahead if I would bring them here for a quick visit with you before our meeting."

"Why didn't Bo leave them with Maddy?" Lauren asked.

"Bo said she wanted to be with the children today, and let Maddy have the day off, but then she was called to the Dal, so she brought them with. No matter, you know how they love jumping all over Bruce, and Kenzi never misses an opportunity to hop them up on candy." Tamsin replied.

"I know." Lauren replied.

"Kenzi and I want to know if you, Bo and four amigos can come over for dinner tonight. It has been a while." Tamsin inquired.

"It has been a week." Lauren said as she smiled.

"That's awhile." Tamsin replied. Lauren chuckled

"Let me speak with Bo, but I am almost certain she will say yes."

"Your Excellency, I was to ask you as well. Dyson is coming over after his shift is done." Tamsin said to Trick.

"I would love to, but I have to prepare for a trip."

"A trip?" Tamsin inquired.

"Yes. I will explain when everyone arrives." Trick answered.

About fifteen minutes later Dyson walked into the Ash's office and the four children who were split between Tamsin, Lauren and Trick saw Dyson enter and decided to pounce on Dyson at once. Dyson kneeled on the ground, and hugged each one in turn. One of the girls patted his face which meant she wanted to see his teeth. Dyson obliged and shape-shifted just enough to flare his eyes and bare his teeth. The first time he did that Lauren thought it would scare the children, but it did no such thing. They just stared for a long while and patted his face and tried to pull at his teeth. Now whenever they see him, they know to pat his face so he could bare his teeth, and they all smile and giggle.

They were the same way with Bo; to acclimatize the children to her Fae form she would turn on her baby blues as each child watched, and they had the same reaction. They would just stare at their Mummy's eyes, pat them to see if their patting would turn them off which Bo would do just to play with them, and they would pat them again to turn them back on. They would always pat Lauren's face hoping for a reaction but Lauren would always say, "No lights here." Lauren noted that ever since the children were born she has seen more of both Bo and Dyson in their Fae forms now that she ever did before the children were born. As everyone were being entertained by Dyson and the children Bo and Kenzi walked in.

"I never tire of this scene." Kenzi commented as they looked at Dyson surrounded by the children patting on his face. Bo smiled. When the children heard Bo's voice they slowly peeled off Dyson and onto both Bo and Kenzi.

Trick then called out for Beverly to come take the children while he met with Bo, Kenzi, Lauren, Tamsin, and Dyson.

"Come along now, children" Beverly called for them as she led them to the outer Ash Office.

Trick surveyed the assembled group: Dyson and Tamsin were sitting in separate chairs next to one another. Bo, Lauren and Kenzi occupied the couch in that order. Trick started the meeting.

"Thank you all for coming. I wanted to meet with you because as you know I have been concerned about the challenges and conflicts we have faced here in the County over the last few years. Upon my assumption to office of County Ash it was clear to me that we could no longer react to conflicts that showed up on our doorstep, rally to conquer them, and then return to business as usual until the next attack. We needed to be more proactive in not only in anticipating potential conflicts, but also be prepared to tap assets to meet and overcome any challenges the County may face without the mad scramble. In course, I have employed what you may call a triangulation strategy, in re-structuring the County's Light Fae governing organization and its supporting elements. Meaning, the Dal and its intake, settlement, and tracking of all Light Fae entering and exiting the County. The 39th Police Division, in mitigating Fae exposure, and expanding protection of the Fae coordinated through Tamsin's office as Head of Operations for both Light and Dark Fae here in the County. It was clear to me long ago that, on a long-term level we needed to extend our outreach to The Morrigan in efforts to continue the joint Light/Dark partnerships Hale started with an expansion into the business, security, medical and the intelligence arenas. And I must commend you all in successfully meeting the challenges I have placed before you."

"Okay, Abe Lincoln. What is going on?" Kenzi asked. Trick smiled and took a deep breath.

"In order to sustain this strategy, and ensure protection of this long-term strategy for the County we need backing." Trick replied.

"Backing from whom?" Bo asked.

"The Presidium." Trick replied.

"The Presidium?" Lauren repeated. "I have heard bits and pieces about it. It is supposedly a larger Fae organization, Thought it was a myth."

"What is the Presidium?" Kenzi asked looking at Dyson and Tamsin then back at Trick.

"The Presidium is no myth. It is the ruling body that governs all of Fae kind as we know it, both Light and Dark."

"Another one?" Kenzi quipped. They all smiled at that comment.

"The Presidium is comprised of The Regency, The Tetrarch, a body that oversees the four Dynastic families that rule the Fae Realm. The Grand Strategum which oversees the Four Pillars of politics, law, business, and intelligence, The Parliament of Fae, The Seneschal who support the ruling household, and The Regnant Guard, who provide security. The Presidium is comprised of nearly 200 billion Fae all ruled by The Regnant." Trick replied. He comments were met with wide eyes and agaped mouths.

"200 billion Fae implies this Presidium exists on another plane." Lauren said breaking the silence.

"You are correct." Trick replied.

"There is some governing body that rules over 200 billion Fae on another plane of existence?" Bo asked again stupefied.

"Yes." Trick answered.

"Are you kidding me? Where have these people been? We have been slogging it out, apocalyptic battle after apocalyptic battle, throwing ourselves into abysses, while they what? Watch us from the cheap seats, eating popcorn?" Kenzi said equally stupefied.

"I agree. Where the hell have these people been? Bo joined.

"And more to the point, why hasn't anyone said one word about this so-called Presidium?" Kenzi added.

"Or for that matter attempted to bring them into the fold long ago!" Bo said.

"Yeah, and who is this Regnant guy?" Kenzi said as she kept up the drum beat of questions.

Trick felt like he was watching a ping-pong match, moving his head from Bo to Kenzi as they fired questions at him. Trick decided to advantage of the brief respite in the barrage of questions to respond.

"The Regnant is a 'she,' who has ruled over the Fae Realm for over 1400 years. The term 'Regnant' is a title of the Sovereign to identify which of the Ruling Couple is the direct heir to the Throne. Lachlan tried to engage the Presidium in our fight against the Garuda. He reached out through the Regional Ash, the Parliamentary Council, and The Regency who declined to send support. Their reasoning was that the Garuda was a…local matter." Trick replied. This made Bo, Lauren and Kenzi's mouths go agape again.

"Are you fu…?" Kenzi said but then quickly stopped herself, stood up, raised her hand up to face level, made the push away gesture, and went off into a corner pacing.

"Did you guys know about this Presidium?" Bo asked Dyson and Tamsin and then realized she asked an obvious question. "Of course you did! You have been around for hundreds of years." and collapsed further back on the couch with her head in her right hand.

"I only know they exist. I have never been there." Dyson answered.

"And I have only been there once." Tamsin said "On official Valkyrie duties of course." Tamsin added.

"What did this Presidium mean by their statement that the Garuda was a local matter?" Lauren asked.

"The Presidium is composed of ancient Fae…" Trick replied.

"That is a nice way to put it." Kenzi interjected.

"What I meant is that, in their experience they have battled enemies far greater than the Garuda. If I recall Lachlan's exact words, the Presidium considered the Garuda problem 'pedestrian.' That is when Lachlan decided to try and force me to write the problem away with my blood until Bo and Dyson rescued me just in time." Trick continued.

"Well, that 'pedestrian' problem cost Lachlan his life." Bo shot back.

"I was there, remember." Trick exhaled and continued. "You may not understand or agree, but the Presidium expects the leadership oversight bodies to handle their problems, by any and all means necessary. If leadership cannot resolve their problems then they should not be in leadership. Lachlan responded the best way he knew how with the resources available to him. Unfortunately, he felt he needed to sacrifice himself in order for us to defeat the Garuda using his venom."

"So what were the Una Mens? Training practice?!" Bo asked incredulous.

"The Una Mens was a creation of this planes' existence, not the Presidium's. The divisions between the Light and Dark are also a creation of this planes' existence. At the Presidium, there are no such distinctions." Trick replied.

"Really?" Everyone said in near unison.

"Really." Trick replied.

"Wow! No Light/Dark divide." Bo commented.

"So why is this Presidium suddenly responsive now?" Lauren asked.

"They aren't." Trick responded. "I intend for the Presidium to hear me, and the only way I know how for them to hear me is for me to show up on their doorstep."

"Wait, didn't you say there was a Regional Ashole that Lachlan had to work through?" Kenzi queried.

"Yes, and he has provided me with clearance to travel directly to the Presidium." Trick replied.

"I bet he did." Kenzi said.

"What is your plan?" Lauren asked.

"It is three-fold." Trick took in another deep breath, and moved behind his desk.

"One, I mean to ask The Presidium to consider a new governing structure, or at minimum, acceptance of greater oversight over matters here on this plane of existence. I am not following in the footsteps of Lachlan and looking for help when it was too late. Two, I mean to ask the Presidium to reconsider Fae laws regarding the marriage between Fae and humans." Trick's statement caused Bo and Lauren to take each other's hands. "Fae law does not prohibit the siring of children between Fae and humans as Fae history is replete with such couplings, but but does against marriage between Fae and humans. Unfortunately, the prohibition of Fae marrying humans exist on the Presidium's plane of existence as well."

"Okay, so what is the last point?" Kenzi asked. Trick looked squarely at Bo.

"It's time."

"It's time? I don't understand. What do you mean 'it's time?'" Bo asked.

"It is time for you to face your destiny." Trick replied.

Bo rolled her eyes. "Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt."

Trick gave Bo a stern look.

"Good grief! How many destinies do I have?" Bo said with exasperation.

"Only one. The one that matters." Trick said keeping his tone even.

"Which one is that?" Bo said a bit smartly.

"The one where you will be Queen." Trick responded.

"Again, I have heard this before, Trick, that I will be "The Queen', 'The One.'"

"Yes, by the 'The Queen', 'The One' I mean that you will be the next Regnant." Trick's reply was met again with shocked looks and agaped mouths.

"Excuse me?" Bo said in disbelief.

"Your concept of being 'Queen' has been confined to the limit and extent of your experiences here within the County. You have no idea of the scope and scale that awaits you, and what you need to do to prepare for your eventual role as Sovereign of the Fae." Trick replied. Dyson's eyes narrowed.

"You plan to present Bo to The Presidium?" Dyson asked.

"I plan to present Bo to her future. Trick replied.

"Trick, what or whom is driving all of this?" Kenzi asked. Trick smiled.

"Time and opportunity. I requested an audience with Saladin Azanin, the Regent of the Presidium. He is one of the most accomplished statesmen, human or Fae, that I have ever known; exceptionally shrewd, deft, and downright dangerous when it comes to managing the affairs of The Regnant. He has been Regent as long as The Regnant has ruled. And while our local concerns may be pedestrian they did not, however, go, unobserved. I hope to capitalize on that window of opportunity to advance our interests, and at the same time expose Bo to the world she will one day inherit." Trick replied.

"This Saladin sounds kind of menacing." Kenzi said.

"I would be remiss if I conveyed an understanding less than so." Trick replied. "I also intend to bring Vex with me as Security."

"Why not me or Tamsin?" Dyson asked.

"I need you here to cover down for me as Acting Ash, and Tamsin to take over for you as Acting Regent." Trick replied.

"So what is your intention?" Kenzi asked.

"I have done all that I can to help Bo prepare for her destiny, but what she needs now is evolution, and if all goes to plan, Bo will not be coming back to the County."

Now it was Lauren's turn to be outraged. "Excuse me?"