"Lauren? Isabeau whispered.
"Hmmm? Lauren replied.
"It is time to get up and get going". Isabeau answered gently.
Lauren blinked a few times and looked around the room. They never made it off of her couch. Her bones felt stiff a bit as she pulled up and off of the Succubus. She groaned as her feet hit the floor. She stretched her arms out and yawned. She looked at the clock and headed upstairs to shower.
Isabeau stood and walked out locking the doors behind her. She practically ran to her own house and jumped into her own shower. She put the water on cold to calm her arousal for the Doctor. Then she turned the water on high and hot.
Once she was dressed, she checked on the arrangements for Lauren. Everything was in order. She took some time to herself to cry. She cried for Lauren. She cried for Nadia. They are humans that did not deserve this. She could only imagine how and what Nadia must have felt like when she was near death. Not able to tell Lauren. To say goodbye like Lauren had been doing to her for days now.
From what she had learned from Aife, Fae rarely cry. It is not in their genetics. They have to really care about someone to do so. But the younger Succubus cares. She cares about Lauren and her pain. She cares about not knowing exactly what to do other than to give the Doctor space to grieve.
She cares about Lauren's mental state being around her, a Fae. It was the Fae that took Nadia from her, and why? Because they wanted Lauren under their thumbs and numb. The Succubus bristled at the thought. Finding time had passed, she freshened up and drove over to Lauren's house to pick her up, when she was ready. She sat in her car tapping her fingers on the steering wheel. Lauren had not emerged yet, and it was starting to worry her. She breathed in relief when Lauren finally opened the front doors and stepped out to lock her house back up.
She slowly walked down the stairs and to Isabeau's car. The Succubus unlocked the door automatically and waited for Lauren to climb in. She would have jumped out and opened the door for her, but she did not want to come off like she was hovering. She pulled off slowly but gained speed once she was on the road. Here they were with a comfortable silence between them. This is Lauren's time. Isabeau will not intrude on her thoughts with small talk. But nothing she wants to say to the blonde would be small.
Lauren leaned her head back on the headrest to rest it. She stared out the window as they passed by trees and small houses. She inhaled Isabeau's scent and it drew her out of her thoughts. The woman had recently showered, and the scent was wonderful. She jerked when the car started to slow down.
"Easy breaths Lauren". Isabeau said gently as she made her final turn.
The Doctor looked out her window and saw a large canopy with a casket beneath it. She closed her eyes and opened the door. Isabeau watched her get out and walk over. Once she stopped, she said a few words to the men before they stood down and backed far off.
"Take your time". Isabeau dropped a single tear from her eyes before she turned away.
Yes, she could leave Lauren with her car and allow the Doctor to drive herself wherever she wants to go afterwards. But the Succubus wanted to be available if she was needed. Lauren likely would not be in any shape to drive. So, the brunette stayed where she was and turned the engine off.
Lauren
This is going to be so hard to do. I am sure wherever you are, you have already spoken to me and I never knew it because I cannot hear you. But I hope you can still hear me.
I am so, so sorry Nadia. It was my ambition that drove us both to the Congo. I am sure that was the last place you ever saw. You never would have died had I not applied for that grant. There is nothing I can say or do that will make it up to you. So, the best thing I can do for you right now is to say goodbye and allow your body to finally rest.
I did not pick this spot, Isabeau did. I know you do not know her and probably would not like her if you were still alive. But she has been good to me in the short time that I have known her. No other Fae would have done half the things she has done for me. She freed us both. We would not have been captured if it were not for me. I will always love you and that includes me letting you go, right now.
The Doctor nodded and stood far back. The men walked over and started to lower Nadia's body into the ground. She watched the casket disappear from the surface and her tears surfaced too.
This is the best thing she could do for the woman. Her body anyways. As a Doctor she had lost a few patients but never knew she had lost the one she had been treating the longest. She took a few moments to look around the graveyard. It was filled with tombstones. The grass was neat. The Succubus had done well in picking it out for them. Nadia had her own private spot. She also had a tombstone. Flowers adorned it. Her date of birth had been filled in, but her death date was left blank. It is understandable because none of them knew when she died.
Throwing some flowers on top of her casket before they closed it up, Lauren wiped away a few tears and turned to leave. She cannot stay here. Nadia would not want it. She would want her to go on. And the Doctor will, in time.
She turned back for Isabeau's car. The brunette jumped out to help Lauren into the car when she faltered in her steps. The Succubus gently lifted her and carried her the rest of the way. She opened the door with one hand and used both hands to fasten Lauren into her seat. Wiping her own tears away, she walked around to the driver's side and gently opened the door. Once she fastened her own seat belt, she drove away.
She drove faster this time. She wanted to get Lauren home in a hurry. She pulled up to her house and carried her to the front doors. She opened them and placed Lauren on her couch. She turned and went to lock the doors again. Half an hour later, she had cooked Lauren something to eat. She gently woke her up and waited for Lauren to join her for lunch.
"I didn't know what you would want, so I cooked a little of everything". Isabeau said softly.
"It all looks great, thank you". Lauren cleared her throat. The food and table really did look wonderful. A Fae cooking for her was really nice too. She dug in and ate everything in front of her. Isabeau had done a wonderful job with the food. She even baked a cake. A white cake with chocolate icing. Lauren was extremely impressed. She thanked the woman and excused herself to shower.
Isabeau watched as Lauren climbed the stairs and returned to the kitchen to clean up. Once everything was done, she called her mother.
Kenzi
Kenzi paced back and forth. Dyson had left hours ago, and it was giving her a lot of time to think.
She could use someone like Isabeau. She could open doors and take down Fae that Dyson and Trick were too afraid to mess with. Dyson had always obeyed Trick. He had to being Fae. But Kenzi is a human. Fae rules do not apply to her. Besides, they know better than to upset her, she could blow up their whole world with one phone call.
Dyson is her best friend and they have been in messier situations before and came out unscathed. After what they witnessed the Succubus do, it is better to get her on their side before she turns to the Dark Fae. Word on the street is they were already trying to get her on their side. But Kenzi wants her on the Light Fae side. She could be her best weapon. She just needs a way to make it happen.
Lauren is the way. She needs a sure-fire medical situation to lure the Doctor to her. But she needs to be smart and make sure it does not draw any other Doctors to her. She does not want to take away from other patients needing medical attention. If she gets Lauren, the Succubus will surely come. Then she would have to listen to Kenzi's proposal.
"But how to do it? Kenzi tapped her chin. She smiled when an answer finally came to her.
Dyson and Trick
The wolf sat with a bottle of whiskey in front of him. He had half of it left to drink as he watched Trick tend to the other customers. He smiled. He had never been just a customer to Trick. The old man is like a father to Dyson. He is trying to be a good son by not getting caught up in whatever Kenzi was planning for Isabeau. Lauren wasn't his concern at all. Humans can't handle sleeping with a Fae. But Isabeau would be the best Fae he ever takes to bed.
Kenzi wants the Succubus on her side, but Dyson wants her from other angles. If he plays the nice guy, he will get the girl. He licked his lips thinking of the young Succubus. She looked ripe for the picking. And he is going to pick his spot to get her.
Aife and Isabeau
"So, they want us do they? Who are these idiots? Isabeau bristled into her phone.
"Nobody you need to worry about sweetie. Mama's got this, you just take care of your doctor". Aife cooed.
"Mom! Tell me. I can multitask! Who is fucking with you? Who is trying to come after me, which means they will come after Lauren too. You know the fuck that will not happen! Isabeau snapped the pencil she was holding in two.
"They are nobody Elders Isabeau. I have them all under control". Aife said seriously. She was touched how protective of her, her daughter was being.
Isabeau took a breath and snuck outside. She had forgotten she was standing in Lauren's house and using foul language. She breathed and spoke again. "Mom you know you mean a lot to me. Just like Lauren. If these people think they will touch one hair on your heads, they are woefully mistaken. Now tell me who they are and what you have. If I have to come and pick you up to get it, you know I will".
Aife smiled. This is the Isabeau the Fae does not know. She can turn on a dime and they would all die in seconds. She had saved her mother's life many times over. She owed it to her to protect her from the bullshit the Dark Fae had been planning. While none of them could hold their own against any Succubus, a threat is a threat and she is going to handle it.
"Isabeau I owe you everything. You will not have to deal with these people because I have already put my plan in place. Most of them will be dead by nightfall and the others. Well Mama needs toys to play with. Now breathe baby. I got this". Aife laughed.
"Okay. Okay. I just love her mom. Nothing better touch her, but me". Isabeau blushed after her confession.
"I know you do. That is why I am doing all that I can to handle every threat I find. You deserve some happiness. Especially since you worked so hard to get where the two of you are right now". Aife turned serious.
Isabeau turned back. "Lauren probably needs me again. Let me know if something else comes up. There won't a piss hole they could hide in that I can't drain them from".
"Then go to her and trust your Succubus to handle the rest." Aife spoke softly and hung up. If she kept talking, her baby would keep talking. But that's how Isabeau is. She cares hard for the people she loves. Her Succubus loves like she does and will surface in a second at the immediate sign of a threat. She imagined her eyes were blue the whole time they were talking. Her voice was deep a lot. So, Aife is sure she was talking to her Succubus too.
Isabeau paced a few steps before she stopped. She needed to gather herself before she went back inside. An upset brunette would bring out an upset blonde. Lauren does not deserve to have her shit on her shoulders too. Well it is not exactly shit. The Succubus knew she needed to make her presence felt in the crappy town again. But Lauren is her priority, so she is going to trust her mother to keep them safe and guarded.
She cleared her throat and held the doorknob in her hand before taking one last deep breath. She saw her own reflection in the door glass and watched as her eyes returned to brown. She finally opened the door and walked into the living room. She did not hear anything and took a seat on the couch. She did not need to talk to Lauren to be there for her. She lifted her head when she heard footsteps.
"Hi". Isabeau said softly.
"Hi. I am just going to watch a movie. If I can find one". Lauren plopped down on the couch. She had changed into fluffy pajamas. Isabeau thought she looked beautiful.
"Okay. I will pop some popcorn". Isabeau smiled as she stood and walked into the kitchen.
Lauren did not do anything but nod and flipped through the tv channels. She did not want the company but did not want to kick the woman out either. She smiled when she heard the machine going. The Succubus momentarily returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses. She had already popped the cork and handed a glass to Lauren.
"How did you know I like wine with my popcorn? Lauren asked.
"I do with mine. So, I guess I overstepped". Isabeau gently shrugged.
"Hey. It's okay". Lauren leaned forward and squeezed the woman's arm as she set the bottle down on the coffee table.
Isabeau nodded and returned to the kitchen to get the popcorn. Lauren smiled at the Succubus discomfort, even though she did not do anything wrong. The Succubus returned and they both settled in. The sun was still out so they had a nice view of the tv and everything else they snacked on. She kicked her boots off and set back.
As expected Lauren fell sleep first. She stood up and took the glass out of the Doctor's hand. Grabbing a blanket off of a chair, she draped it over her. She smiled at how the Doctor snuggled up with it. She grabbed her boots and walked out of the house. She just could not relax even with Lauren so relaxed now.
She jumped into her car and peeled away with the motor running as softly as possible.
The Dal
Kenzi and Dyson were deep in a game of pool. She stopped to take a shot as Dyson took his next shot. Trick stood behind the bar occasionally watching them. Kenzi had not said much when she arrived, and it was just the three of them inside the bar. His other customers had left early.
Dyson knocked a ball into a pocket and the sound was loud. "Two more balls and it's over Kenzi".
Kenzi froze in place. She stared into space as an idea had popped into her head. She took her shot and stood back when it missed. She needed to miss so Dyson would focus on his next shot. She needed time to think. To plan and holy Fae if she did not come up with a good plan at that moment.
"I win! Dyson smiled as Kenzi missed her following shot on purpose.
"Walk me to my car? Kenzi asked.
"Kenz there's nobody here for you to need me to walk you to your car". Dyson looked around.
"Walk me to my car". Kenzi smiled and waved at Trick.
Dyson looked to Trick who shrugged. He followed Kenzi out to her car and climbed inside at her insistence.
"Kenz…". Dyson started.
"Just listen and don't interrupt me". Kenzi asked.
Dyson bowed his head in agreement and listened.
"I have a sure-fire way of getting Lauren to see me. As a patient. But I need your help and I need you to be in on this. Now it will not take much effort on your part, so you will not exactly be betraying Trick. This will be just between you, me and that boring as hell Doctor". Kenzi explained.
"What do you want me to do? Dyson lifted his head.
"I just need some of your boys." Kenzi replied.
"I don't have my pack anymore Kenzi. I left them a long time ago". Dyson shrugged.
"Dude I didn't mean those boys. I met those boys". Kenzi poked him.
"Kenzi you can't be serious! I will not sleep with you! We are too close for that! Dyson growled.
"You won't have to sleep with me. Just give me a few samples. I will take them with me to force Lauren into seeing me. She will think I am pregnant with your child. No Fae wolf or human have ever conceived have they? Kenzi asked.
"No. Not that I know of". Dyson rubbed his chin.
"Then Lauren will marvel at me being her first test case". Kenzi slapped him on the back.
"I have to be aroused to do that Kenz". Dyson shook his head.
"So, go out and find someone just make sure and bring me some sperm when you are finished. I will handle the rest on my own". Kenzi poked him again. Dyson rolled his eyes and climbed out of the car.
In a way he would not be betraying Trick. He said to stay away from Isabeau. He did not put that same warning on Lauren. He turned to find a woman walking the streets. He smiled when he found one. This would not just be for Kenzi. She looked good enough to sleep with for any reason.
Isabeau pulled up beside Aife's car. The Succubus waved her inside of hers.
"What's up? The young Succubus asked after she was inside.
"Listen to this". Aife gestured towards her equipment.
"I have a sure-fire way of getting Lauren to see me.
"Who the hell is that? Isabeau bristled.
"It is Kenzi". Aife replied.
"That cheeseburger human from the bar? Isabeau asked.
"Yes. It is her. Now listen to the rest". Aife said.
Isabeau listened to all of it. Her blue eyes were like flashlights in her mother's car. She sat stiff when it finished.
"What are we going to do about these two? Aife asked.
"We are going to get them what they want, and they won't like how they get it". Isabeau said coolly.
TBC
