Bo and Tamsin probably had one of the best naps ever. It was still late afternoon when Bo first woke up.
Bo, before even opening her eyes never felt so at peace before but she was still a little confused at where she was and what happened but she knew she was in the arms of someone she deeply cared about. Then right as her lids reluctantly opened, she remembered what happened and a huge smile of satisfaction came across her face. Tamsin happened. Bo would have never guessed this would happen but it did. Not only that, Bo now felt connected to Tamsin at a level they probably both thought was impossible. She proceeded to hug Tamsin harder to even get closer to her if that was at all possible on the cramped cot. Tamsin must be exhausted Bo thought. She already fed off her twice today and above that, Tamsin was doing things that showed she had a heart and that was saying a lot. Valkyries don't cry they barely show emotions, but Tamsin changed for Bo and finally let them shine through. Bo could gather that Tamsin was feeling emotional highs which were great, but with a high there will always be a low. Emotions made decisions, actions and consequences more real. They made you reach heaven and at times hell. If Valkyries suppressed their emotions they reached neither plane, heaven or hell. But then the question was then how do you live with passion and zeal when emotions were not present. Tamsin was now alive because of rebel inside her. It took a succubus to push her to throw caution to the wind and override instincts and training that was amassed and reinforced through the centuries. A pang of guilt hit her in the gut at the thought that Bo was responsible directly or indirectly for Tamsin becoming a Fallen Valkyrie, responsible for making her feel, responsible for her going against her god. Bo knew there was a middle point in which emotions and cold reasoning met to produce a good balance in one's life. Bo was more on one side and Tamsin was on the extreme other. Bo had to get more toward the center so she could make better decisions, for both of them if need be. She turned her attention to Tamsin again.
How could Bo do this to her? She felt selfish confessing everything to Tamsin who was still trying to get a grip on things as everything was new to her. She knew Tamsin would not admit it, but she knew it was happening. Worse yet, Tamsin had still yet to experience the emotional lows and if Arin could not strike her down due to Tamsin's feel good vibes for Bo, that would happen if those feeling changed for the worse? Shit she thought. Bo had to now keep Tamsin 'stable' with her new found feelings as well as coping with the loss of her powers. They would just have to talk it out before things just blew up in her face. It was then she noticed that Tamsin batted open her eyes. A look of fear at first was in her eyes followed by calmness and warmth. Bo immediate hugged her and said very close to her ear "Please don't wake up just yet." She asked.
Tamsin still in a daze of what just happened but in her normal snarky manner said "Why is that succubus?" Tamsin felt uncomfortable in this very situation because of the way she was trained, but she was slowly calming herself down so as not to repeat the incident from this morning in which she just blamed Bo for everything when it was her burden to carry.
"Because you'll turn into a bitch again." Bo cooed and smiled brightly at Tamsin.
Tamsin just looked at her and smiled back. "How did you ever guess Bo?" she let out sarcastically. She was still trying to find that right balance between protecting herself inside and not pushing Bo away too hard. She also wondered why she even cared, but after what just happened it was impossible not to.
'She called me by my name not my species. That is promising' Bo concluded internally. Bo kissed Tamsin on the forehead then the cheek and finally her lips. She wanted this moment to last a little longer with them intertwined in each other. Tamsin did not resist.
Tamsin relished Bo's affection she knew Bo was trying to stall and delay and Valkyries just took things head on so she slowly untangled herself and was about to get dressed, but seeing Bo's puppy dog gaze toward her made her pause. Perhaps before she transitioned back to the 'real world' when she put back on her uniform, now was time to talk. Oh how she hated talking, but she knew that if they never broached the Lauren topic, a lot more hurt will come for everyone involved. Tamsin already had plenty to pain and regret in her past life times and this was one she needed to avoid for both of their sakes. She tried not to feel as she was trained to do, but you can't shut it out all the time. It will just crop up later as something else like as uncontrollable rage, self-loathing, and avoidance at best. She just sat up not even attempting to cover herself with the sheets and said tenderly "You know I am supposed to bring back Lauren, your girlfriend, alive and unscathed right? I… "Tamsin never really talked about Lauren and her feelings before to Bo but it made her pause to find the best way to phrase it. "I don't know exactly how I fit in to your life Bo, but what we just shared, I think it would be a good idea for us to stop it … for now." Bo's face just went all serious and was borderline frowning. "I am sorry for pushing you over the edge for my own selfish needs" Tamsin apologized but also she needed to deflect the blame away from Bo to make the delivery more palatable.
"Tamsin, I did not realize how much you compliment me. What we just shared was amazing and I refuse to let that go." Bo said solemnly.
"When Lauren comes back, you need to focus on her to whatever end. If we keep heading down our current path, the scars we will get will be deep and probably never heal." Tamsin huffed out a laugh not believing what she was about to say, "It will tear anything good we built apart. Emotions just amplify our experiences, and while they are great in the good times, I need to look after you and us and prevent or soften the blow of the bad." Tamsin stated wisely. "I want us to at least have something good we can carry forward in our lives. Ok?"
'When the heck did Tamsin become such a deep thinker?' Bo looked at her astonished. What Tamsin just said made sense and was very big of her. Bo just nodded as she said "Just please don't tell me you are breaking up with me… ok?" she pleaded. She had enough heart break and this was one book she did not want to close.
"Nope." Tamsin answered and then hesitated. She found it odd she was talking to the daughter of Odin, a goddess in her own right. Possibly one of the most powerful Fae out there, but she acted like she was Tamsin's equal and even looked up to her at times. "Bo, I don't know how long my… emmmm .. condition will last, but I am just … ummmm … happy, with you actively in my life somewhere even if you do go with someone else. So no, breaking up we are not." Tamsin let out finally getting off her soapbox. She then took a deep breath signaling the change of topics. "Besides I would love hear the story to how you came to know my dagger in a public setting. Hallmark moment. " Tamsin said with an evil smirk as she slid the thin sheet off Bo's thighs to reveal her smooth skin in the area. "Annnd every time you use it, it will remind you of how intimate you were with this blade in my hands. The bonus of course is if I find the Doc fast enough, you may have to fess up to how I totally clear cut your field. *That* would be even more interesting." Tamsin stated with a click at the end.
Bo was still taking all of what the Valkyrie just said and despite the jabs, she lunged forward and hugged Tamsin tightly for a long time. "Thanks Tam-tam for being so understanding and for .. um.. everything." Bo mumbled into her ear.
"You bet succulette. Alright, enough self-talk and pep talk ok? I believe I have filled my quota for the next century or so." Tamsin got up and gathered her clothes again and tossed Bo the navy short sleeve sport shirt since she totally destroyed Bo's tank.
Tamsin and Bo both picked up their phones even before putting on their clothes to check to see if they missed anything. Tamsin called a number that seemed to be her point of contact Kendra Shaw as she made a time to meet her at a bar after work and Bo just called Kenzi who wanted to know where she was. From the looks of it Kenzi was going to have Bruce cook Italian food and already bought ice cream for tonight in an obvious attempt to get Bo to spill the beans about her and Tamsin. Bo and Tamsin stole glances at one another as they got dressed but when was all said and done, they just locked up and walked quietly out to their respective vehicles.
As they approached their cars parked side by side, Bo grabbed Tamsin's shoulders and made her face her. Then Bo pushed Tamsin against her truck. Tamsin was about to let out a snarky comment and maybe a defensive move but soon realized that Bo had put her forehead to her own keeping their shoulders at arm's length apart. It was the Valkyrie greeting and farewell. Tamsin was taken off guard by this as she did not even practice this amongst her sisterhood that often. Her and Arin did it because they were sisters. Tamsin missed it because now that she was a Fallen Valkyrie, she was theoretically no longer allowed to do it. Also in her current status she would be avoided like the plague by her now former sisterhood. It warmed her to know Bo took notice and gave her the same respect and dignity she was use to if not more. It also hurt her at the same time to be reminded of how much she lost. Sometimes however we are so concerned with holding onto things we have or have just lost, that we can't fathom or even take the chance to grab a hold of something better. Tamsin was still getting use to this, but she brought her arms up as well and completed the formation by extending her arms and putting them on Bo's shoulder blades as well.
"Come back to me my Valkyrie." Bo barked out almost like an order, but quickly her demeanor changed to one of pleading as she whispered "Please." Bo did not break the hold at all. She wanted Tamsin's response although she had already promised her earlier. A part of her wanted to make ensure that she was coming back as Bo was responsible for her safety too.
Bo's statement stunned Tamsin. Valkyries belonged to no one but the god they served as that was what they were created for. Tamsin belonged to Odin although that item was in question as she was now excommunicated in a way. Now Bo was essentially claiming not just any Valkyrie, but a FALLEN one as her own and she probably did not even know it. The only time in history in which a normal Valkyrie pledged her allegiance to another Fae but not their god(s) the repercussions of the decision sent ripple effects across the sisterhood. This was centuries ago and the effects were still fresh. Tamsin did not know what to say, so she just nodded lightly and said "Yes I will". The question was not really if Bo could claim a fallen Valkyrie or even a full Valkyrie as one of her own. The bigger question was would she allow it or run away knowing Bo's nature as a succubus. She broke the hold with Bo and unconsciously saluted her.
Bo noticed that Tamsin did a kind of salute to her but it was one she had not seen before. Tamsin put her right hand flat on her chest over her heart and then extended it forward palm up in a cupped formation. This was weird to Bo as she already saw both types of salutes in Valhalla. One seemed to belong to Freya and one to Odin. What was this one? She decided to not overthink it and let it go.
"Later succubus" as Tamsin sang out as she got in her truck. "I'll be in touch especially if I find Lauren." Tamsin said through an open window.
"Watch your back over there Tam-tam." Bo waved as Tamsin pull away.
After watching the truck disappear down the road, Bo drove back to the crack shack. The trip was shorter than expected as Bo was in deep thought the whole time. How was she going to talk to her best friend Kenzi about this one. Kenzi would probably think she went off the deep end.
Upon entering, she saw Bruce in the middle of cooking up a feast and Kenzi helping out with setting the table. Bo just took off her vest and helped get everything out. It was good to be back home. It looked like everything was going back to some sense of normal if that was what you called their very unusual life style.
As the 3 ate, Kenzi told Bo that Trick was on his way back in a week and that in the meantime, she was going out with Casey and Amanda to hone her skills as a Kitsune. She was so excited to be Fae to gain all those new untapped skills. Bo was happy for her. She did wonder how Tamsin dealt with losing all her powers. She seems to deal with it well. She was probably one of the bravest people she knew. Had roles been reversed, Bo would be balling her eyes out. Bo then found out that Bruce was a scholar in ancient mythology and that peaked her interest.
"Bruce, what do you know about Valhalla, Asgard, and the Valkyries that serve Freya and Odin?" Bo asked toward the end of the meal.
"Well" Bruce paused, "I've read most of the books out there having to deal with them. Are you looking for something in particular?" he asked.
"When I visited Valhalla to see my father, I saw Valkyries do salutes to their gods they serve. How many salutes are there?" Bo asked trying to figure it out.
"There are only 2. One for Freya and one for Odin." Bruce then stood up then said "This is Freya's" as he crossed his arms across his chest and pushed his right hand out. He continued "This is for Odin's Valkyries" as he tapped his chest with a closed fist 3 times and then pushing his right hand out.
"Yea, I heard the Freya's meant something like " Bo looked up and tried to recollect " to serve, protect and fight for the just. Does Odin's have a meaning?" Bo looked on with interest.
"Yes, it means, An honor to live, to fight, to die for Odin's glory. Well literally translated it means, it is an honor to live to fight, and to die for the glory of my god." Bruce said as he sat down again.
"So are there any others you know of in use?" Bo asked without actually coming straight out and asking him.
"No. All my scholarly material and contacts in Valhalla confirm it is only those 2." Bruce leaning back in his chair then stopped deep in thought rubbing his chin and then said "Now if you are talking historically, yes there was one other salute only used by a Valkyrie named Hildr over 2 centuries ago but no other Valkyrie dared to use it as it would risk the wrath of the gods in Valhalla as well as probably their own demise. Her salute was not to a god, but to another very powerful Fae with whom she fell madly in love with. So much so that she disobeyed her god and spent the rest of her life protecting her lover. She originally saluted him with Odin's salute but it angered not only Odin but the sisterhood. She then changed her salute to reflect her new allegiance and I think it was like this" Bruce did not even get up but he put his right hand flat on his chest "I will give you all the essence of my being, my heart and soul," he then formed a cup with his right hand slightly and then extended it out palm up "and I freely choose to serve you *unconditionally* with every breath until eternity ends." Bruce concluded smiling at the beauty of that gesture looking up at the ceiling to ensure he got it right. He was a sucker for good romance novels at times.
Kenzi was wondering where this was all going but was busy chowing down on food when she noticed Bo had a blank zombie like looking stare in space with her mouth slightly open. "Ummmm earth to Bo-bo! Come in!" She then snapped he fingers in front of her.
Bo could not believe it. Tamsin essentially professed her undeniable love for her and was probably not even aware of it. Actions and not words express what the heart truly feels. Could it be that Tamsin was already hers? Unconditional love from a Valkyrie? Unconditional love from Tamsin of all people. Was Bo even capable of returning it in kind? "Uh fine, I'm fine Kenzi. I was just thinking about bringing over desert." Bo got up and went to the kitchen for the tiramisu. "So Bruce, you seem to know a lot about this. It sounds like some sort of love story." She asked innocently.
"Yea, it rates up there with Romeo and Juliet but the major difference being is that in this story Hildr is still alive today. She is still a Valkyrie of some sort, but is in isolation and has taken a vow of silence. She now salutes Odin again but will not follow him if those duties conflict with her being with her lover in the Hall of Warriors. But I hate to bore you ladies as we can get into the details another time." Bruce concluded.
After desert and cleanup was done, Bruce got up and said good night as he was going home for once now that Bo was with Kenzi. He promised Kenzi to stop by tomorrow to swing by the Ash's compound in the AM.
Kenzi brought Bo over the ice cream in a bowl and they sat on the couch together. "I am soooo freakin full right now… but I think we need to keep Bruce around more. He can do sooo many things with just a couple items in our cupboards!" She said as she nudged Bo. "It's not like we live on a liquid diet like a Valkyrie we know." She deadpanned to Bo with a coy smile resting her head on her hands "Sooooo speaking of. How many times within the past 2 days? What is scary? Were you permanently scarred?" Kenzi said getting to the point.
Bo knew where this item was headed as soon as they broke into the ice cream. "What? No. It was good… well great. Oh 3 times unless you count bringing someone to the peak as one." Bo smiled as she remembered all of the encounters. "If you count that. *DOUBLE* it at least." She purred out smiling knowing that she was about to get an avalanche of questions.
"WHAT!" Kenzi jumped up her knees on the couch shaking Bo's shoulders gently "You mean you *let* the detective defile you and you returned the favor? You know detective Tamsin the terrible the one that has been trying to put you in jail since.. ummmm like… FOREVER!. Are you feeling ok? Do I need to find the doc? What the fuck, is this Bo opposite date week? You are just doing rebound sex 'cus you can do better. Believe me." Kenzi blurted out and was still trying to find more questions but she also had to take a deep breath.
"Kenzi" Bo said calmly, "She pledged her unconditional love and servitude to me less than a couple hours ago".
"So you charmed her into that huh? You are just soooo evil" Kenzi grinned hoping that the reason for all this was due to other external causes.
"I did not use my powers on her at all. She was going to turn me into my dad, we fought in hand to hand combat, Tamsin had a change of heart, lost her powers only to find via Arin then Tamsin herself that she had *feelings* for me the whole time." Bo summarized quickly. "Then she seduced me into bed with her and … wow…. From that time on… let's just say it only got better" Bo smiled in conclusion.
"Wait, Tammy Fae can't even seduce a rock much less a person with a pulse. Are you sure you are feeling all right? How did *you* let it happen as you are the succu-love queen." Kenzi still asked confused. Everything Bo was saying was in English, but it did not make sense in the context Bo was using it. Tamsin wanted Bo the whole time? Tamsin seduced Bo? Tamsin pledging her life to Bo? That was messed up.
"Well I did not see it coming. She was doing all these things for me like …." Bo paused trying to find the right words.
"Helping you save me from the Kitsune gone wild episode" Kenzi filled in.
"Then helping me through my dawning invitation. She did not have to do any of those things for me but they were very important to me. And actually if Tamsin really wanted me behind bars, she could have easily done it already. So I guess she was playing the part of the bitch trying to put me behind bars, but her actions were otherwise which is why I did not put any thought into her and I." Bo concluded.
"Ummmm wait, do you have feelings for her too?" Kenzi looked at Bo with a pained face knowing the answer and to that Bo just nodded. "Do you lurve her?" Kenzi kept prodding.
"I don't know!" Bo put both her hands up to cover her face. "We had a moments together where everything felt right and we weren't having wild succu-sex either. I knew I was in trouble when I started to compare her to Lauren. How the heck can this be happening?!" Bo let out tiling her head back to the ceiling using the couch back as support.
"Annnnnd you just sent detective wonder snatch to find Lauren, your recent ex-girlfriend. Keep her safe, and bring her back to you. Nice." Kenzi added pointing her index finger to the ceiling.
"YES!" Bo yelled while she raised both of her hands to the ceiling in frustration. Then put them on her face again still leaning back on the couch. "What is *WRONG* with me Kenzi! One moment we are fighting to the death, the next moment she has me cuffed and bringing me to new heights of ecstasy and I enjoyed every bit of it. Now she has no powers because of me but she is still willing to fight by my side and *NOW* I find out through Bruce, that she *LOVES* me through a salute. Have you heard of that! Tamsin…. LOVE?! This is soo fucked up." Bo said ending her diatribe.
"Sooo what are you going to do?" Kenzi asked after a long silence.
"Tamsin suggested we put things between us on hold temporarily to allow me to get with Lauren first to sort my stuff out. And get this. She still wants me to be in her life even if I go with someone else. The worst part is that it came from her mouth and not mine. She actually has a heart but is willing to sacrifice her happiness so I can have mine. Does this shit sound like her?" Bo asked rhetorically and Kenzi just shook her head.
Kenzi was at a loss for words for once. She then handed Bo the whole container of ice cream and then proceeded such rested her head on Bo's shoulder. "We'll work this out ok? We will work this out." Kenzi sighed and rubbed Bo's arm.