The Dal
Lauren walked slowly as she turned the knob on the door. The squeaky old thing was always a tad heavy. But tonight, it was more so. She slowly walked the short entryway until the aromas of liquor and stale beer teased her nostrils. She made her way to the bar and tapped her fingers on the counter.
"Lauren? Trick called behind her.
The Doctor swallowed hard as she turned to acknowledge him. "What do you know of this?
"Getting right to it I see". Trick walked back behind the bar.
"Let's not do this Trick". Lauren said softly.
"Do what? Trick stopped.
"Pretend that you and I are friends. We were barely colleagues". Lauren answered and declined a beer.
"It's cold". Trick offered again.
"The human will not be intoxicated tonight. Thank you for trying though". Lauren snapped.
"Lauren I can tell you are upset. But your grief is not with me". Trick wiped his hands on a towel.
"Did you really just say grief to me? Lauren snapped again.
"Forgive me for my poor choice of words. I will cut the pleasantries and ask what can I do for you? Trick stepped backwards to put some space between them.
"Does this book really exist? Am I Bo's mate on the condition that I sleep with her? Lauren asked.
Trick sighed tiredly. "It does exist. I had just discovered that it exists before it was stolen from me. Vex had to return it to me. But nobody will get it Doctor. Your mind can rest on that. As for if Bo is your mate. Yes, she will be once you sleep with her, or her Succubus. But time is quickly slipping away on that part". Trick noted the hour. It had already been a few days. If Bo wants this to come to fruition, she had better work quickly. Lauren looks as angry as the old barkeep has ever seen her look.
"Can you undo it? Lauren asked.
"He probably could, but he won't". Bo walked in unnoticed.
"How did you get in here? Trick looked around.
"Nevermind Trick". Bo's voice was ripe with annoyance.
"Thanks Trick". Lauren said as she stood to leave.
"Lauren don't". Bo reached out for her. But the Doctor yanked her arm away.
"How could you do this to me!? Lauren screamed.
"I was trying to help. I was trying to help you become free. To take the Fae necklace from around your neck. So, to speak". Bo replied.
"You only tightened it didn't you? Lauren bristled.
Bo bowed her head and took some deep breaths. "Lauren would it really be that awful being mated to me?
"Yes". Lauren swiftly replied.
Bo gasped. "What? Really?
"We didn't last long as a couple. How long do you think we would last as mates? Lauren half laughed.
"That is not funny Lauren. You broke up with me. I never left you". Bo stepped near the blonde.
"And you never asked why. Not once. And you did leave me. You walked out". Lauren replied.
Bo fired back. "You said you weren't happy. I had no recourse to that. I was about to break down. My succubus was about to surface, and she did too. Late that night when I was alone in my bed."
Lauren shook her head. "This is pointless. You assumed that I wanted to be your mate and put this hell on me. But you won't get the rest". Lauren quickly walked out.
Bo stood shocked. Nothing she said tonight is going to get Lauren to listen to her. To hear her. "What have I done?
Trick stood quiet. If Bo's Succubus did not like Lauren breaking up with her, she sure as hell is not going to be happy right now. "Give her time".
"I don't have time Trick! I have less than a week! Bo screamed as she looked at the calendar.
Trick scratched the top of his head and gestured for Bo to have a seat.
"Just tell me". Bo shook her head.
"Bo, Dyson is upset about this too. You know I have never preferred a Fae/human relationship. But if you want that one, you had better step up to the plate and now." Trick answered.
Bo sighed hard. "I don't want Dyson. I want Lauren".
"He's not under that impression Bo". Trick gently tapped her hand.
"Did he do something to her? The Succubus bristled.
"Not that I know of. Bo he is stuck to his mate. There is nothing he can do about it." Trick stepped away again.
"Maybe not but there is something I can do about it". Bo took an entire bottle of vodka and threw it against the wall in anger and frustration.
This is all on her. How is a Succubus going to convince a Fae wolf that he is not her mate if she could not convince a human that she is hers? Bo jumped into her car and sped off. She knew she might blow the motor, but this is important. She needs to prove to everyone that her choice is infinite. First Dyson and Kenzi. Then Lauren. Lauren's going to take a hell of a lot more convincing considering the huge gap between them.
She was home in no time at all. She sighed in relief when she saw Dyson's motorcycle outside. It means he is there, and it will save the Succubus time that is slipping away from her. Lauren is slipping away from her. As her mate there would not be such a disconnect between them. Lauren would feel the love that runs warm inside of Bo. Strong. Pure. Forever and back again.
The brunette walked into the old building and found Kenzi passed out on the couch. "Shit". Bo whispered.
"Kenzi wake up". Bo gently slapped her cheeks.
"What? What? Kenzi groaned.
"Where's Dyson? Bo asked.
"He better be the hell out of here. The way he was acting! Kenzi sat straight up.
"Wolf come to me". Bo commanded in her Succubus voice.
"He's not here Bo". Kenzi put a pillow between them.
"He is now". Bo's voice dangled between hers and her Succubus. She could feel her restlessness. She is not happy at all.
"Bo! Dyson smiled as he entered the building again. His wolf felt threatened and growled at the Succubus power.
"Dude. Get out of here! Kenzi screamed.
"He will not leave. We are going to get a few things straight". Bo said in her own voice. Dyson dropped to the floor and could not much move. "Now listen to me Dyson. I may be your mate. But you are not mine. Get over it or do not. But you will never touch me again. In fact, you will stay far away from me and as if I needed to say this, but you will stay far away from Lauren too. It is my fault for giving you false hope. But I am positive that you will follow my instructions and never approach either one of us again. If you need something, you go through Trick and another Doctor. I lost Lauren once, I am not going to lose her forever". Bo grabbed a bag near the door and walked out.
"I warned you". Kenzi spoke softly.
"That's not Bo. It was her Succubus! Dyson growled in anger.
"Her eyes were brown Dyson! That was Bo! Kenzi screamed.
"Then I still have a chance! Dyson smiled with glee.
"No, you don't". A deep voice shook the entire building.
"Dude I have to live here if Bo doesn't. Don't make her bring the whole building down". Kenzi closed her eyes until the shaking stopped and she heard their doors open and close again. At least her ties to Bo saved her from sleeping on the street.
Bo drove headed nowhere. She did not know where Lauren had run off to. It was embarrassing not knowing. Because she really does not know Lauren. Not this Lauren. Not the Lauren that preferred to stay with the Dark and not trust in Bo's protection of her. How could she not believe in the Succubus? Believe that she loves her. She does not even know about Nadia and she never will. That secret died with Nadia and Lachlan.
She drove and drove until she pulled up to yet another corner. She looked left. She looked right. Her only hope is the Morrigan but Evony would laugh her ass off at Bo's misery. She jumped when the car behind her turned on its fog lights. She watched with bated breath as it pulled beside her. She swallowed hard when she noticed Lauren was driving.
The Doctor sped off and Bo followed her. They drove for hours before she finally made her first turn. Bo looked at the building. It looked far better than the clubhouse.
"Are you coming or not? Lauren asked after Bo faltered to follow her.
Bo sped up her steps and waited as Lauren was buzzed into the building. The doors shut behind the brunette as the long hall awaited them. The whole place was clean. There was not a single hole in any wall. They reached the middle of the hallway when Lauren turned to open a door. In front of her was a huge office. She walked over and opened another panel. She pulled out a few bottles and offered Bo a drink.
"Yours doesn't have as much liquor". Lauren said quietly.
"Aww come on Lauren. Do you really think I would harm you?! Bo flared up.
"Lower your voice or you can leave". Lauren said quietly.
"I'm sorry. I just….I do not know what to do Lauren. It is just you and me, and I don't know what to do". Bo said softly.
"Well then we are here for nothing. I will gather a few things and we can be off". Lauren stood and put her empty glass on the desk.
"Wait. What was this then? Bo asked.
"This was going to be your chance to try and tell me why you really did this. Why you thought it was okay to put the rest of my life into your hands. What made you think this would bring me back to you, when I was yours, you left me for them. For Dyson. For Tamsin. Probably others. But we were over before I asked for that break". Lauren replied.
"We were not over Lauren. I did not leave you for them. Tamsin, I'm still a little lost on that, but if she was a reason then you must have had a good one". Bo stepped forward. She was almost in Lauren's personal space. She needs to be this close. To make eye to eye contact. If she falters, Lauren will not take anything seriously.
"You are a Succubus Bo. I will never be enough for you. You cannot even kiss a Fae without feeding or for just kicks". Lauren took her seat again. Bo stepped to the chair directly in front of the desk and sat in it.
"I have never kissed anyone during our relationship for kicks Lauren. Not one. I slept with Dyson to feed but that was it. Tamsin and I kissed but that was not my fault. I do not even know how that happened. If she made it out to be more than that, she lied". Bo stared directly into the eyes she could drown in.
Lauren stared at Bo. She never flinched and she often saw that quiet innocence that she first saw in her years ago. "I still don't know".
"Damn it! Bo stood angrily. She blew out hard breaths. Lauren does not trust her. That is what their break is about. Somewhere she lost Lauren's trust. This is more than Dyson or Tamsin. This is probably Bo's entire world. Her actions. Her inactions. Her nature. All of it. She felt her Succubus flare up at the last thought.
"It's not about your Succubus, Bo. I would never blame you for what you are. There's more to her than you think I know". Lauren spoke up.
"What does that mean? Bo asked as softly as she could under enormous anger and frustration.
"I've seen her Bo. More than anyone. She does not need to do all that I assessed when I gave you that exam. She can heal without sex. Without any contact at all. I had to get my bearings and my head out of the clouds to realize that". Lauren replied.
"Then why. Why don't you want to be our mate? Bo asked as she took her seat again.
"Because she didn't stop you either. If you will not stop each other, you will not stop for me. For my consideration. For my feelings. I was done being the laughingstock of that little group you call a family". Lauren replied as honestly as she could.
"You hate them, and you don't trust me. Any part of me". Bo nodded in understanding.
"They hate me Bo. They always have. Sure, Kenzi puts on airs like she cares. But she's just waiting to see when the old Doctor will die". Lauren shrugged.
"They know Lauren. They know that I love you. I told Dyson and Kenzi". Bo leaned forward. She tried to reach for Lauren, but the Doctor sat back. She bowed her head. "There's nothing I can do". Bo whispered.
"This is as much as we have ever talked about us. I expect you to stomp out of here and onto the first Fae you see". Lauren admitted.
"Ouch Lauren". Bo sat back.
"I'm just being honest Bo. You are a runner. You run to Dyson when anyone upsets your norm. He's probably patting his bed waiting on you". Lauren crossed her arms and watched the brunette. Bo looked so troubled. But giving in now would be like giving permission to be pounced on and walked over.
"So, what's this place? You live here? Bo asked.
"This is Evony's building. She owed me one last favor after she released me. You will not see where I live. That's where I sleep and work". Lauren replied.
"She released you? What? When? Bo asked.
"The day you wrote in those books". Lauren answered.
"What the fuck? Why didn't you tell me? Bo asked.
"She just told me and I didn't need to. Just like you did not need to write in those books. I do not need to be your mate to be free. Evony cared enough to finally let me go. The Light have no hold on me either. You saw how easily I walked in and out of the Dal. I am nothing to them but Dr. Lauren Lewis now. My work is the only respect I will receive. One rude Fae, and they will be forced to find another Doctor to help with their idiotic boo boos". Lauren popped her knuckles.
Bo sat bewildered. She had nothing to offer Lauren. Nothing that she would want. After all they had been through, she is not enough. She is probably boring and amusing the woman at the same time. There is nothing holding Lauren here. Nothing but deep satisfaction of knowing she is free and can walk the Fae world untouched. Not that anyone would touch what is theirs.
"I guess we are done here". Lauren stood and pulled her jacket on. It was late in the month, so it was getting a little cooler outside. But not as cold as the room was at the moment.
She did not want to hurt Bo, but she is done having people speak in her place. She is done being put in her place and having her mouth demanded shut because she is a human in the Fae world. She laughed internally thinking of Kenzi. That girl never shuts up. She has said things to the Fae that would have gotten Lauren murdered. All because she knows her place in Bo's life. She is her human. Full protection. Protection with stones like a man.
"I love you Lauren. Do not do this". Bo whispered as she sat stiff as a board. Any movement would likely scare the Doctor and she does not want that.
"I'm not doing anything to you Bo. I wanted to talk, and we have". Lauren replied as she walked around the desk.
"I can fix this. We can fix this. Together". Bo sobbed. They felt more final than when Lauren asked for the break and that thought was crushing her.
"There's nothing wrong with you Bo. You cannot help who you are. We are just not in sync and I had tried to tell you that. But other things and people took precedence. You have wants and needs that I am not a part of". Lauren waited for Bo to follow her out so that she could lock up.
Bo wiped her eyes and followed the Doctor down the long hall and out the building. The air was a tad bitter when it hit. She watched Lauren walk to her car and climb in. She did not wave as she left Bo standing there.
Perhaps because she knows Bo will make that last longer than she planned on staying there. Perhaps because it was getting late and the Doctor needs sleep in order to work tomorrow. If she still works. She had not been keeping up with Lauren's schedule. She just wanted her free. Free for herself. Free for them. None of what she did mattered. The Doctor had been officially free before the ink dried in those books.
Bo felt like she was new in the Fae world again. There is nothing for her here but Kenzi and Trick. She cannot even run to Dyson because he is part of the reason she is single again. She can make anyone in the world love her but the one person she wants to love her without having to use her Succubus. But this Succubus would not entertain the thought of doing that to Lauren. Not for one second.
"I don't know". Bo whispered.
"She has every right to be upset with the both of us. But get the fuck out of your pity party. I share your face but not your cowardice. We need to plan. Right now,". The Succubus snapped.
"Let's get out of here then. I do not want to see her again until we have a foolproof plan. This time love won't be enough". Bo jumped into her car and sped off again.
TBC
