Author's Note: Yes, it has been awhile. No, I don't plan on taking such a long hiatus again. Sorry about the delay in writing but I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's filler but I promise some really interesting stuff is going to go down soon.
"Okay, so explain to me again why we're going to Russia?" Kenzi said on the edge of Tamsin's bed fiddling with the clothes the Valkyrie was placing in a duffle bag.
"We are not going anywhere," Tamsin said snatching a shirt out of Kenzi's hand. "This is just a quick thing I need to do, in and out."
"Right, except you don't speak Russian and I do. So it's pretty obvs that I need to go with you," Kenzi said getting up and walking across the room. "I don't know if you're aware but having a display of swords on your bedroom wall is like the opposite of sexy."
Tamsin stalked across the room and grabbed Kenzi's hand just as she reached out to touch one of the swords.
"Kid those are extremely sharp; you don't want to touch them. They are one of the few items I took from Valhalla. They never get dull, just as sharp as the day they were made."
"Like I said, maybe they shouldn't be in the bedroom," Kenzi said rolling her eyes. "Unless you're into eviscerating your lovers."
"Who said I wasn't," Tamsin replied with a wink.
Kenzi made a gagging sound as she left the bedroom causing Tamsin to laugh. She went back to the bed and finished throwing clothes inside the duffel bag and zipped it up. She grabbed it and went into the livingroom area and saw Kenzi pouring herself a drink in the kitchen.
"Please make yourself at home," Tamsin said sarcastically.
"Already have," Kenzi mumbled as she stuffed a slice of cheese in her mouth. "I can't believe Hale gave you this place and neither one of you mentioned it. Hello, housewarming."
"Well you know about it now and I didn't want to make a big thing out of it. It's just an apartment, its not like he gave me a kidney."
"Yeah right, you and I both know this means you're going to stay," Kenzi said plopping down on the couch. " That is what it means right?"
Tamsin's eyes scanned the room. The apartment was like a loft, similar to Dyson's place except she had a separate bedroom. The layout was open with the kitchen and livingroom encompassing one large space with the walls lined in brick. She had purchased small pieces of furniture, a couch, a table with chairs and even a bar area. It surprised her how good it felt to go into a furniture store and pick out things for a space that was her own. She even had a large television that she knew subconsciously had been purchased with Kenzi in mind. The little human was big on movie nights and reality TV.
"It means that for right now, yes I am staying," Tamsin yelped as Kenzi jumped up and grabbed her into a tight hug.
"I knew it," Kenzi said as she pulled back and planted a kiss on Tamsin's cheek.
Tamsin tried not to smile too hard at the gesture. Instead she patted Kenzi on the head and went to start gathering weapons to bring with her on the trip. The corner of the living area was a workout/ combat training space. It had a punching bag, a cork wall for knife throwing and some other equipment. Everything had cost a pretty penny but when you lived in your car for years and minimally it was amazing how much money one could accumulate.
"Tammers, I know you're trying to avoid it but I totally have to come with. I promise I won't be in the way and I won't go with you on the mission. I'll just chill at a hotel while you find the object," Kenzi said flipping through channels on the television.
"It's not that simple. I don't know what we're going to get into and I can't risk it. Besides Stanley knows where we're going, I doubt we need that much translating."
"Stanley," Kenzi said sucking her teeth. "First off, how can you trust someone named Stanley, sounds like the name of the guy next door who kills people. And secondly, he does not know Russia like I know Russia. Stayed there for two years living with my Uncle Yuri and his mean wife Dina, but that's a story for another day."
"He's thousands of years old, I'm guessing he knows Russia better than you Kenz."
"Yes, but he didn't explore it escaping from my evil Aunt. Trust me, when you want to get away from someone, you discover alot of shit," Kenzi said with a chuckle.
Tamsin stopped what she was doing and looked over at Kenzi. She was still flipping through channels and snapping on gum. The human had a point, she would probably be useful. And as long as Tamsin could keep her away from where the trouble was, she would be fine. Ignoring the instinct to protect she sighed.
"Okay Kenzi, you can come but I swear you had better do everything I say..." Tamsin was cut off by another tackle hug from Kenzi. This time she embraced the girl instead of stiffly accepting the hug.
"You won't regret it Tamsin. I will totally not get in the way, scout's honor" Kenzi said as she attempted to do some sort of hand sign.
Tamsin pushed her away with a laugh and continued to pick out weapons. In the back of her mind, the Valkyrie hoped she wasn't making a mistake involving the young woman. She was like a little sister and the thought of her getting hurt pained her. But she had to admit, it was nice having people who wanted to help instead of expecting her to do everything on her own. She would never admit it but she was beginning to think she finally knew what it was like to have the one thing she had been missing for many years, a family.
Tamsin stood waiting by a privately chartered plane in the airport. She had been pleasantly surprised when she got there to find out Vex had put out the money for them to travel in such a manner. She wasn't sure how clean his methods for procuring the plane were but it beat flying coach. It was pretty obvious he really wanted her to find the item.
"Oh come on," Tamsin mumbled under her breath.
She rolled her eyes and folded her arms giving Kenzi a deadly glare as she walked up to her. The human shrugged her shoulders and mouthed sorry. Bo was at her rear with a duffle bag of her own slung over her shoulder. She had the same annoyed look as Tamsin.
"I swear I didn't tell her. She already knew when I got home," Kenzi whispered sheepishly.
Tamsin just grimaced and gestured for her to get inside the plane.
"I can't believe you would bring Kenzi on this trip and not me. She isn't like us Tamsin, she can't just go into dangerous situations and live to tell about it," Bo said stopping in front of the Valkyrie.
"Bo, I am well aware of Kenzi's limitations. She is just coming as a translator she won't be involved in helping me get the item so bring it down a notch."
Bo sneered at her and let her eyes roam over Tamsin's body. The lascivious look in her eyes contradicted the anger in her voice. It was becoming more and more obvious to Tamsin that this version of Bo wasn't sure if she wanted to kill the Valkyrie or fuck her. Tamsin was disturbed because she found herself feeling the same way.
"Well no matter, I'm coming with. And before you protest I was informed by Vex that it is necessary to have another person with you to get this item who is of equal or greater strength to you. Stanley's not going to cut it."
"Vex, I should have known," Tamsin replied with a sigh. "Fine we do this together, but I swear succubus, do not start shit with me because I will surely finish it."
"I hope so," Bo said with a smirk as she looked Tamsin up and down again while licking her lips, "How have you been, we haven't...talked in awhile. I miss our stimulating conversations," Bo said with an emphasis on stimulating.
"Dear Gods, is this going to go on the whole trip?" Tamsin said furrowing her brow.
"If it keeps getting you to blush, probably," Bo said with a wink as she brushed past Tamsin.
The Valkyrie moved her hand up to her cheek and could feel that she was a bit hot and knew she was in fact blushing. She mumbled a curse under her breath and waved at Stanley when she noticed him across the runway. He jogged over pulling a small bag on wheels alongside him.
"I'm here mist...I mean Tamsin," Stanley said with a grin.
Tamsin had to firmly insist he start using her actual name despite his proclivity for calling her mistress. They were becoming friends and it was weird. Then again Stanley in general was a bit odd.
"I am very excited that I get to help you with this mission. The life of a sylph can be a bit... boring sometimes," Stanley said following behind Tamsin into the plane.
"Yes, you must tell me a bit more about that while we're on the plane," Tamsin replied signaling to the pilot they were ready to go. "It's going to be a long ride," she mumbled under her breath.
"I'm pretty sure there is some kind of mistake. There should be two rooms booked, each with double beds," Tamsin said sounding exasperated.
They had arrived after a nine hour flight to their hotel only to find that they were booked for only one room. Vex had assured Tamsin that everything was already set up so she had assumed she didn't need to check behind him.
"Okay, so give us another room then, I can cover the cost."
"I'm sorry but we are full. This time of year is the winter festival so we have alot going on in Moscow," the hotel attendant said with a shrug.
"Allow me," Kenzi said nudging Tamsin out of the way. "Пожалуйста, мы путешествовали очень далеко, и нужно другую комнату."
Kenzi and the clerk began going back and forth in Russian as the rest of the group watched on. They alternated between being congenial and borderline arguing. Finally after five minutes they seemed to reach an agreement. The clerk came around the desk and kissed Kenzi on both cheeks and gave her a hug.
"What just happened?" Bo asked looking perplexed.
"I just discovered that Alexi over here is a distant cousin. And he does have one room available, the penthouse suite. We get it on a discount," Kenzi replied grabbing her bags. "Told you I'd come in handy," she said to Tamsin with a wink.
After settling into their room which contained three bedrooms and a massive Jacuzzi, Kenzi thought it was a good idea if they went out on the town.
"I know this club that is totally boss, some of the best Russian vodka you're ever going to taste," Kenzi said dancing around the livingroom.
"Not to burst your bubble but we are here on business Kenzi. Partying will have to wait," Tamsin yelled out from her room.
"It never ceases to amaze me what you wear underneath those clothes," Bo said appearing beside the Valkyrie and lifting a pair of lace underwear from Tamsin's duffle bag.
"I'll thank you not to touch my stuff," Tamsin said yanking it from the succubus. It didn't escape her that she instantly felt warmth at the contact of their hands. It felt like an eternity since they had last made love and even then it was a dream.
"Well then, what can I touch?" Bo asked grazing Tamsin's hand with her finger.
"Stop," Tamsin said trying to sound forceful but instead it came out weak and on the verge of begging.
Bo moved behind Tamsin and gripped her hips pulling her into her body; she then leaned into the Valkyrie and kissed her in the hollow of her neck. Tamsin shivered and tried to pull away but Bo's grip was strong.
"I think you and I both know where this is going Tamsin. The sooner you give in the better it will be. And it can be so good, you know that," Bo said bringing up her hands to cup Tamsin's breasts.
As good as it felt, Tamsin snatched the succubus's hands down and spun around gripping Bo's forearms. They stood facing each other and Tamsin could feel herself leaning into Bo. She couldn't tell if she was being compelled but suddenly all that occupied her mind was how soft Bo's lips were and how much she wanted to kiss them.
"I know what you want Valkyrie, your aura speaks for you. Just give in."
The smugness in Bo's voice forced Tamsin out of her reverie and she stepped back, dropping Bo's arms. Bo just smirked as Kenzi came bouncing into the room.
"So, drinks? Yes please," Kenzi said coming behind and wrapping her arms around Bo.
"Yes, let's go and have some fun Kenz," Bo said patting her cheek. "Drinks on me."
"Uh, duh. Like they would be on anyone else," Kenzi said laughing. "Tammers are you coming? Ol Stanley said he needs to prepare for tomorrow."
"I'm good kiddo, have fun."
Tamsin felt her body relax after they left the room. The tension between her and Bo was becoming almost unbearable. The sooner they got the vessel and handled things the sooner she could get Bo, her Bo, back.