Lauren and Isabeau

Lauren had called Isabeau early that morning. The Succubus was insistent that the Doctor eat before they do or said anything else. After a hearty breakfast they walked out to Lauren's patio deck and took their seats.

"Okay now that you are fed and relaxed what do you want to talk to me about? Isabeau stretched and smiled.

"What did the Ash tell you? Lauren asked.

"Not much. I asked what he had on you, he never answered but I took care of him for you". Isabeau replied.

"Then we have much to talk about". Lauren said quietly

"Whatever it is Lauren, you can tell me". Isabeau said throwing back her drink.

"I have a girlfriend. Her name is Nadia and she is in a pod at the Light Fae Compound". Lauren rambled off and waited for the anger. The fire. To be thrown across the lawn.

"Why is she in a pod? Isabeau asked.

"She's been ill for years, and I have never found a cure for her. I thought you should know before you found out from someone else". Lauren quickly moved away from the Succubus and stayed that way.

"Do you love this woman? Isabeau asked.

"I do. Well as much as you could love someone you haven't touched and has not touched you in years." Lauren drank her water and looked everywhere but at the Succubus.

"Take me to her". Isabeau stood and waited for Lauren.

Lauren gently nodded, and followed her back into the house, locked up, and they jumped into her car. Lauren felt horrible. Here she was with a brand new house, her freedom, and how did she thank the Succubus? By telling her about her gf. That guilt is what had her up and calling her so early that morning. She didn't say a word on the way to the compound. But Isabeau didn't either. She just stared ahead while Lauren drove. After two agonizing hours on the road, they pulled up a mile from the building.

"There is a secret tunnel that leads to it. I figured that would be easier than just going up and knocking on the door". Lauren parked and looked around.

"They are not going to remember you. It's okay for you to take me through the doors. Besides a tunnel sounds dirty". Isabeau said quietly.

Lauren started the car again and within minutes, they pulled up to the building. Lauren found a parking spot and jumped out first.

Isabeau walked ahead of her, knocked on the door and they were let in without much fanfare. The doctor was shocked to learn that her handprint still worked on the door leading to Nadia's pod. She took some deep breaths and turned the lights on. She gasped when she saw the pod again. It seemed like it had been years since she saw it last.

Isabeau waited for Lauren. Lauren noticed she was stalling and walked over to the pod with the Succubus matching her every step.

"This is Nadia". Lauren whispered.

The Succubus froze. She opened her mouth and closed it again.

"Are there chairs nearby? Isabeau asked.

"Just outside the door is all we have on this floor". Lauren replied.

"Then come and sit with me". Isabeau said.

Lauren nodded and they hurried out and found two seats just inches from the pod room.

"I'll be right back". Isabeau jumped and ran down the hall returning minutes later with two large bottles of water.

"Are you okay? I didn't think Fae ever got thirsty or were squeamish". Lauren said softly.

Isabeau licked her lips and slowly turned to Lauren.

"Lauren I don't know what they have told you, and I am so, so sorry to be the one to do this, but Nadia is dead". Isabeau said tearfully.

"What? No. No. She's just in a coma. Her eyes are open. She just can't speak that's all". Lauren shook her head in disbelief.

Isabeau tried to keep her composure as she spoke again. "I have seen death more than I ever wanted to. I have seen humans die too. She's dead Lauren. There is nothing human in that pod".

Lauren sat stiff. She was sure Nadia had been alive all this time, she wondered if she had missed something or if she was too personally involved to see whatever the Succubus had just seen.

"And you're sure she's dead? Lauren asked.

"I wouldn't lie to you Lauren. Especially about this". Isabeau spoke as softly as she could. Lauren's tears were breaking her down.

"I want to see her again". Lauren immediately stood and walked back into the pod room.

Isabeau swung at the pod, and it opened. She nodded for Lauren to walk over. The Doctor slowly walked and tried to touch Nadia but couldn't. She took a good long look at her. The Doctor in her saw a body. The lover in her didn't know what she was seeing.

"We can run her blood. I know Scientists like physical proof". Isabeau said softly.

Lauren bent over Nadia. When she finally touched her, she screamed. Isabeau jumped at the sound.

"Lauren". She said softly.

The Doctor screamed again and turned and swung at the Succubus.

Isabeau ducked and readied herself as Lauren collapsed in her arms. She touched the pod with one hand, to close it back. Tears fell as she picked Lauren up, and carried her out of the pod room and out of the building. She tucked Lauren into the passenger seat, and gently pulled out of the parking lot.

They arrived at Lauren's home. Isabeau sighed as she looked at Lauren. She was still passed out. Tears had stained her face, and she looked tired. The Succubus jumped out of Lauren's car. She walked across the street to her car and pulled a bag out. She ran back to Lauren and removed her from the car. Carrying her into her house, she tucked her into bed and left her to sleep.

She walked downstairs and into the basement, she pulled her phone out.

"Mom it's me. I need you to find Lachlan, and I need him found by morning. Remind him that he owes me a favor and I intend to cash in". Isabeau said seriously.

"That bastard should be easy to find. What's up? Aife asked.

"Just find Lachlan. I will explain everything else later. By the way I will be staying at Lauren's, we are not to be disturbed and nobody from the bullshit bar better try to reach her either". Isabeau said as she stared at the stairs.

"Isabeau. I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong." Aife turned in her chair and looked at the time.

"Just find Lachlan. I need him by morning. If I have to find him, I won't be nice about it". Isabeau said.

"Ok. I will get right on it. Where do you want to meet him? Aife asked.

"I won't be meeting with him because I won't be leaving Lauren's side. Just let me know when you find him, and I will instruct him on what I want done". Isabeau said.

"Okay. I got this baby. Just call if you need anything else". Aife stood and walked over to a small desk.

Isabeau hung up and it left the older Succubus time to think. They have both known Lachlan a long, long time. He knew his place and never to fuck with them. If Isabeau needs him, it must be big and emergency style important. She pulled on her jacket and left her hideout. She smiled thinking of Isabeau. That succubus is as take charge as any Fae Aife had ever met. Knowing that's her daughter filled her with pride she never thought she had. Every Fae that they have ever met is scared to shit of Isabeau. The young Succubus had long mastered her skills and had swag and style the almost matched her mothers.

Aife smiled thinking of how she left her baby with Lou Ann to be placed with humans. She didn't need to do that because Isabeau is fully capable of protecting herself. She would pull her fathers balls from his nostrils if she ever needed to do that. She certainly saved her mother. For that the older Succubus would and will do anything for Isabeau. If it means finding Lachlan, she will. She'd pull him right off the toilet if that is where he is.

The Dal Riata

"Trick you owe me beer…forever". Kenzi laughed as she stormed into the bar.

Trick and Dyson were huddled up in a corner when Kenzi walked in.

"You found something? Trick said walking over to the young woman.

"I found your ice-cold Doctor, and your granddaughter". Kenzi smiled as she waited for her first beer to be poured.

"What did you find Kenz? Dyson asked as he walked over to the bar to join her.

"The bad doctor and the Succubus were just at the Light Fae compound. Seems ole Lewis is ill and needed to be carried out of the building". Kenzi smiled at how big she had just come through for Dyson and Trick. They were almost like family to her, so if and what they wanted was important to her to help them get it.

"And where are they now? Trick asked.

"That I don't know. All I know is they were there. The Succubus carried the Doc out. I figured since it was the Light Fae compound, you and Dyson can take over from here. Now for that lifetime supply of liquor and beer". Kenzi slapped a piece of paper on the countertop.

"That is a good lead. More than I have at the moment". Dyson took the seat next to Kenzi. They watched as Trick paced back and forth.

Trick stopped and turned to the wolf. "Hale should know something. He spends quite amount of time there. Call him Dyson and get him over here".

Dyson nodded and stepped away to call his old friend. Hale wasn't exactly part of their clique, but he has known Trick almost as long as Dyson does.

"What do you want with her anyway? She doesn't look like she would know much. She looked lost". Kenzi asked quizzically.

"She is my granddaughter. Someone that I never knew about. I need to get her here. She needs to know how it works around here. She needs molding. Aife couldn't have taught her anything good". Trick explained. What could Kenzi do with what he had just told her? The girl practically lives off of Fae scraps and booze.

"Hale's on his way. But he doesn't know much". Dyson said taking his seat again.

"What about the mother? Can't we get her through this, Aife? Kenzi snorted. What the hell kind of name is that?

"Don't ever underestimate Aife. She's far too unstable to be thought of as an innocent. The bottom line is, I want Isabeau. Away from her mother and under our influence. Do you understand Dyson? Trick asked.

"I do". Dyson nodded.

"What about me? I helped you just now". Kenzi scoffed.

"We'll handle this Kenzi. It's best you stay out of this. It could get dangerous. Really dangerous". Trick said softly.

"He means it could be dangerous for humans". Dyson stood and grabbed a bottle from behind the bar.

"That's bullshit. Doctor dork is a human. She's involved! Kenzi snapped.

"We will handle Dr. Lewis, when the time comes. We might even throw in her loft so you can live there and not in my trash bins out back". Trick turned his back and grabbed some papers.

He needed to draw back a bit and think of what he is really doing. Isabeau is a Succubus like her mother. But her father is unknown which makes her extremely dangerous, and even deadlier than Aife. He doesn't think either of them could or would kill him. So, he was going to have to take some precautions.

"Hale's here". Dyson said before the man even walked into the bar.

"What's up guys? Hale said as he removed his hat.

"Succubus wrangler". Kenzi replied.

"Hold up. I am not about to tangle with Aife". Hale said holding his hands up.

"We are not going to tangle with Aife. We want her daughter, Isabeau". Dyson smiled. A woman. A new woman for him to play with. That's usually how Trick paid him for his services. Trick said he didn't want Dyson touching her, but what Trick doesn't know won't kill him. That Succubus wants him. He could smell her lust and her hunger. It is only a matter of time.

"I need everyone of you to listen to me and to listen to me good. This is how we are going to play this". Trick said as they trio gathered around him.

Aife

"Lachlan you look like shit, but then again you've always been a shit". Aife laughed and turned stone serious.

"And you look desperate. What happened? Your baby Succubus step in shit she can't get off of her boots? Lachlan laughed.

"Isabeau sent me to get you, she didn't say I have to bring you in one piece". Aife moved closer to the man.

"Now, now Aife. I owe Isabeau. I do not owe you". Lachlan smiled.

"Look she wants you by morning. Either I take you now or I take you now". Aife's eyes flashed blue, and she smiled when Lachlan flinched.

"This better be good. I do have plans of my own". Lachlan sighed as he pulled his jacket on.

"Hurry up. We have a long drive ahead of us". Aife said as she turned to walk about of his house.

Once they were on the road, Aife pulled out her phone. Isabeau had texted her about a girl in a pod that she wanted removed from the Light Fae compound and to be kept under the highest security. Her text also told the Succubus how to find the woman.

Isabeau

Isabeau had been watching Lauren sleep for hours, until she found it rude and left the room. She paced back and forth wondering if her plan is going to work. She worried about if it wouldn't. Lauren would be even more upset than she is right now. She shook her head. Of course, it is going to work. She never did anything and failed at it. She worried about Lauren though. If it didn't, would she hate her for trying? Would she hate her like she does the Fae right now? Isabeau can't help what she is, but she can and will help Lauren.

She looked at the time, clocked another hour the Doctor had been sleeping. She needed to wake up so that she can eat something. The Succubus had seen many hungry humans before, they looked deathly ill, until she bought them something to eat. Those that don't eat, pass out. She thought of the pickpocket she ran into at the bar. Had she passed out, Lauren would have attended to her. She wanted Lauren all to herself, so she bought her something to eat too. Or this Fitzpatrick did. Isabeau snickered at the thought and stopped when she heard steps on the stairs.

Lauren looked like she hadn't slept at all. Her hair hung loosely in her face. Her face was spotted by her makeup. Her eyes were bloodshot. She walked over to get a bottle of water and took a seat at the table. Isabeau kept her distance and stood near the far wall.

"I have nothing. Nothing but this bottle. This house at your expense. But nothing that is my own. I have worked for years and years for people that hate me. People that hated Nadia. I didn't even know about these people until Nadia fell ill. Now that she's gone, I have nothing left to give. I'm tired. I'm hurt. I'm vulnerable. I don't even know what you want from me. I have no money. No job. Nothing. My spirit is as almost as empty as this water bottle". Lauren turned the bottle in a circular motion. She stared at it as fresh tears began to fall.

Isabeau struggled to keep her composure. Falling apart in front of Lauren is not going to help the Doctor. Her tears fell too. Lauren did look lost, angry, hungry, and empty. The Succubus almost felt single-handedly responsible for her misery. But she would never lie to Lauren. Never pretend something is what it wasn't. They had conned her with Nadia.

"Lauren. I am so, so sorry about Nadia. I know you have spent years working on something that wasn't even required. I know you are hurting. I know you feel betrayed and that is completely understandable. But those bastards don't know what I know. They aren't capable of what I am. They weren't raised with humans like I was. I know your pain. I have seen your pain. And if we are lucky, I might know how to heal your pain". Isabeau said.

Lauren raised her head. "A Succubus pulse only lasts for so long. Or so I've read".

"I have no plans to pulse you. In fact, I won't have to touch you at all." Isabeau said softly.

"Then what are you planning to do? I told you, I don't have anything of use to the Fae". Lauren said.

"Lauren please don't hate me for what I am. I didn't want you to live one more minute thinking they were trying to help you. They were using you. I am not trying to use you. I am not trying to make it worse. I am trying to make it better. All of it". Isabeau said as she moved in closer.

"And what will I owe you for it? Lauren asked.

"Nothing. Not a cent. Not a favor. Nothng you need to exchange. Nothing". Isabeau said.

Lauren nodded. She was getting tired again. Her energy was draining. All of her hard work for nothing had drained her too. She hadn't examined Nadia, but it did make sense if she was dead. She had likely been on Fae style life support. There were no tubes going into her arms, only the pod for oxygen. She didn't look like Nadia when the Succubus opened the pod. It hadn't been open at all since the day she was put in there.

"For now, I do want you to eat". Isabeau said as she went to answer the door.

Lauren sighed. She did need to eat. She waited for the food to be brought inside and was waited on as they ate.

"So, what is this plan that you have? Lauren asked.

"I've sent for a Naga associate of mine to be brought here". Isabeau replied as she took her seat to join Lauren.

"I'm all ears". Lauren said as she set her fork down to listen.

TBC