The formation forged its way back through the dense wood back to Laurens.
Kendra was still in shambles both mentally and emotionally but took point with Anjali and Drake.
Bo and Tamsin were in the center and the remainder were in the rear.
The birds, crickets and other wild life were back to making their noises which was a good sign Kendra concluded. She was low on ammunition still but Anjali helped in at least giving her a full magazine for her Glock. As for her custom AR with BeoWulf rounds, she just had to live with fact that it had no more ammunition left since no one else carried that ordinance on the team.
Never the less she thought it wise to just use and have ready the blood soaked Holy Lance. If any Aswang dared attack her, this would still inflict grave damage on them even in their more harmless forms. For anything else, the team had enough fire power to take it down.
"Drake, how's Alex?" Kendra glanced to him briefly.
Drake was too busy concentrating on the task at hand to get out of there but just formally responded, "She's ok. Lauren said she is stable for now and she is addressing her burns."
Kendra just glanced back to Mia who took middle rear right behind Bo and Tamsin but in a terse manner mentioned, "Be careful oh her Drake."
Drake followed her eyes and just nodded.
"Hey, I'm Bo," She mentioned turning to Mia. Bo had no weapons out but Destiny was sheathed on her leg ready to go.
"Mia," she smirked lightly but looked a little uncomfortable.
Bo knew she dropped the ball on purpose and just asked, "So what brings you here?" She looked human but knew Dyson somehow.
"I was requested by my superiors to secure and bring Dyson to Doctor Lauren Lewis's place," Mia reported formally dropping the ball again.
Bo knew to not press her since Mia probably had her reasons so she just said, "Thanks for saving Dyson back there."
"I just stabilized him, but you healed him. I never saw a succubus in action before," Mia responded looking about with her high tech AR ready.
Tamsin huffed out a short snicker shaking her head slightly and doing quotations with her free hand and mumbled, "'ACTION'. You have no idea."
Dyson, the Dire Wolf, all of a sudden ran off who was next to Tamsin.
"Dyson!" Tamsin called out, "Get your puppy ass back here!"
Bo called out too, "Dyson!"
But he was gone.
All of them stopped briefly and Kendra called out for him too, but no sooner had he left, he came back with a crow in its mouth.
He deftly made it to Bo and set it down in front of her as an offering.
The crow was still alive since it tried to fly away but couldn't due to its inured wing.
Bo was quick to pick it up and stare at it face to face and just talked in a serious tone to it, "We have lots of questions for you."
Bo was oblivious to the full gravity of the situation, but Kendra, Tamsin and even Mia knew what this simple action meant from Dyson.
Dyson would protect his pack but he served Bo and not Kendra. By Dyson reverting to this Dire Wolf state, his thoughts were more primitive.
Kendra just tried her hardest to swallow her pride and concentrate on getting out of there. It was nagging her however that she was Dyson's life mate, but from what it looked like, Bo was it.
They left the forest without incident and all crashed at Laurens place and her lab was busy with activity.
Kendra, although mostly healed, still had to get checked up in addition to her whole team.
She spent that time in her hospital gown in bed submitting a short repot to Jessica.
Talan was finishing up and just asked off handed, "How is the journey with your Owl Animal spirit."
Kendra forgot all about it but opened up her vest front pocket on top of all her gear next to the bed and fished it out and showed it to him.
"I don't know Talan. I can't turn it off and on so see the difference," Kendra mentioned putting it back into her vest pocket.
Kendra was never really into superstition, but ever since Dyson proved that she didn't miss, gave Talan more credence to what he told her about the Great White Owl but added, "I'll miss one day, I'm only human you know."
Talen finished and just locked onto Kendra's eyes, "Any Spirit when you trust in it will guide you most of the way. It by no means is flawless. But a little help sometimes goes a long way."
The curtains opened slowly and it was Mia. Talan nodded to Kendra and took his leave.
"Mia," Kendra just nodded formally.
Kendra had no idea why she was here but knew by the fact that she blurted out that she swore to her God Father to keep Dyson safe, she needed to know more.
"Kendra," Mia stated back also formally.
There was a really tense silence that ensued but Mia finally spoke up strolling up to Kendra's bed to which was sat on the edge, "Dyson broke an Armistice from what I gather protecting you, his life mate. I wanted you to know that word has already reached back to the Dire Wolf Council on this. I just got informed."
Kendra knew Mia was human, but this was odd, she was connected to the shifters somehow and just asked gently, "How do you know this? Do you know one of the council members?"
Mia darted her eyes away, "I was given the task to keep Dyson safe from a council member since there was rioting at the Dire Wolf compound because of his presence. So I got him here but this is about as far as I go. I leave tomorrow morning. I wish you well Kendra."
Kendra knew she was keeping her distance for a reason but it was good she was going. Kendra didn't trust her and it just made things more complex with Alex and Drake.
Mia turned to walk away and then her cell phone rang and she just answered it there, "Tate. Yes father." Mia looked over to Kendra briefly.
The conversation was about her, Kendra realized, and then became aware that she felt naked not having any weapons on her person, but Mia was still in full gear.
Mia just paused and blinked both her eye's slowly showing the gravity of the situation, "Of course, I am with her now and I will let her know."
Kendra knew Mia was a fellow SWAT member, but didn't know if she was a contract killer too. Even then Kendra still kept her cool.
"Yes father I will meet you here tomorrow at oh nine hundred. OK, I'll let the security teams know. Bye," Mia slowly slid the phone off her ear not even paying Kendra any more attention.
"Mia?" Kendra asked trying to get her attention.
Mia didn't respond. She just kept staring off into space in deep thought.
Kendra switched tactics and then more formally requested raising her voice more sternly even though she didn't like to address her by her rank, "Captain Tate, do you have something you need to share with me?"
Mia finally slowly turned her attention to Kendra but backed up ready to leave but stammered out, "Kendra, It's no secret that you and I don't get along well together and that is one of the reasons why I am leaving so soon but also, with my connection to my God Father who is a shifter on the council, you have less reason to trust me. I kept my affiliation with him secret so that I can stay in the human only districts."
Kendra just rebutted knowing that she herself was stretching the truth a little, "Mia, I am sorry you feel that way but that does not stop us of from working well together. You saved Dyson, Mia. He is my life mate and I owe you a debt I can't possibly repay. So let's cut to the chase ok? What is happening tomorrow?"
Mia backed one more step so she was up against of the curtain slit and finally just blurted out, "Grizzal is my God Father and now dire council member. The council has convened an emergency session already and Grizzal would like to talk to you and Dyson tomorrow here at 9AM in regards to their action in terms of the beach in the armistice. He has requested that I be here to mediate since I am associated with you both but neither at the same time."
"OK. Thanks Mia," Kendra nodded then smiled trying to not make it look fake. At least Mia wasn't given orders to kill her.
Mia just nodded and quickly left, skittering away.
Kendra shook her head in totally disbelief. Mia talked to Grizzal like he was her real father over the phone which meant that Mia was ultimately here to protect Grizzal.
Grizzal hated her and Dyson, so WHY did Grizzal order Dyson to be protected?
Also if Grizzal was coming here to see Dyson, she would need Dyson by her side and didn't know if that was possible or not given his disposition to Bo.
"Lauren," Bo approached her in the hall of her lab with the crow in hand and Dyson walking stoically next to her, "This is an injured Aswang. Is there somewhere you can treat him or her and also confine it?"
Tamsin walked up behind Bo and just elaborated, "We need to ask it some questions later." She said in an aloof manner making a sign of a gun in her hand and shooting it in the air. "Bang Bang! If you get my drift which equals FUN FUN."
"Sure Bo," Lauren said ignoring Tamsin and taking the crow inspecting closely. "Never held an Aswang before. I'll have to run a battery of test on it and then confine it to…."
Bo just cut in and reached out to hold her upper left arm to get her attention, "We have a bigger problem," Bo pointed to wolf next to her, "He's not shifting back."
"Oh I'm … I'm sorry Bo," Lauren stutter out, "I was so busy treating Alex, Kendra and team that I forgot about Dyson. This way."
Lauren gave Bo, Tamsin and Dyson a room while she put away the crow.
"I hope the doc can help Dyson shift back," Tamsin murmured to Bo
"Bo," Tamsin rested her hand on her shoulder in and mentioned in a low voice so that Kendra or anyone else would not hear her, "Kendra's not stupid. She knows more about shifters than most Fae. Involve her so that if it can't be done, you won't be stuck in the middle. Besides, if she is his life mate, then she should be the one making decisions on Dyson's behalf."
Bo nodded and appreciated Tamsin looking out for her and left to find Kendra. She also almost ran into Mia who brushed by her quickly.
"Kendra? It's Bo. Can I come in?" Bo asked behind the curtain.
Kendra was still deep in thought about several things as she was getting dressed but just had managed to snap on her bra when Bo asked to come in. "Yea, come in," Kendra just said without a thought trying to figure out what to do about this meeting with Grizzal.
Bo hesitantly came in realizing that Kendra was just in her underwear trying to put on her gear but did so acting naturally.
Bo had never seen Kendra without all her gear on and even without her gear she was well covered by her clothing. Her skin on her torso was slightly pale and lighter than the rest of her body like it never saw light and it was apparent why.
Kendra, Bo deuced, had several scars on her upper body. Most notably a scar from a bullet wound almost center chest. All others seemed to be a result of bladed objects of some sort. Bo respected that Kendra was a warrior and had no qualms about getting down and dirty.
"Hey, Lauren will be checking Dyson soon, so see you there?" Bo asked rhetorically.
Kendra realized a little late that Bo just took in her full form but she really had bigger issues at hand. First and foremost Dyson, but Dyson was stable. She needed to see Alex first and since Bo was there, she might as well kill 2 birds with one stone if need be.
"Let's drop by and see Alex first," Kendra suggested pulling on her pants followed by her sports shirt.
"Sure," Bo quipped and waited for Kendra to finish up putting on her gun belt. Kendra just carried her vest.
They made their way to Alex's room and she was being monitored closely by Talan and Drake was sitting by her side just talking to her softly.
Alex's body was blackened all over from what could be seen and Drake showed a kind of caring towards her that showed they were still a couple even with this setback which was a good thing, Kendra mused.
Talan nodded to Kendra and departed the room and Drake proceeded to stand at attention.
"WHOA. Take it easy Alex," Kendra rushed over to her since she tried to sit up. "How are you doing?"
Alex relaxed back into bed and just, "I'm fine Captain. Dr. Lewis tells me I can be healed in a couple of months."
Bo interjected and in a soothing tone mentioned, "I hear you saved everyone's collectives asses today."
"Kendra told me a long time ago to take risks and do what needed to be done. That is what I did, nothing more," Alex smiled the best she could.
Kendra hated to see Alex this way. Even with severe burns on her face and arms she was brave. However, it was Kendra fault that she led them inadvertently into an ambush.
Drake seems to read Kendra's mind and asked, "Bo, can you do something for her? If you need, please take chi from me."
Bo just smiled and walked over to Drake and grabbed him and inhaled his red chi.
Drake's chi tasted a mix of both human and Fae but more on the human side. While she was pulling it, she felt his emotions for Alex and they were true. She also knew that Drake was still recovering from this most recent mission and reached him limit quickly.
Bo broke the connection and Drake stumbled somewhat weakly back and then chose to sit in a chair for a moment.
Bo knew it was not enough but should get Alex most of the way there. She walked over to a hesitant and nervous Alex and within inches of her face breathed Drake's chi back into her and also included some of her own. Bo was at her limits as well when she stopped but Kendra was fast and yanked her to her.
"Bo, I need you to heal Alex all the way. By the way, you have never tasted my chi before and you're in for a surprise," Kendra told her before their lips crashed together.
It was true that Bo never tasted Kendra's chi but Kendra was right. The moment the chi started to flow from Kendra, Bo was shocked at how powerful it was for a human.
Bo tasted unwavering strength, unabated love, an abyss of sorrow and brash determination but also felt at its core a human who was actually quite fragile because of all these juxtapose emotions. Oddly enough, the emotions she did not taste were hate and retribution. It seemed that Kendra did profess her love to Dyson in her language, even it seems, forgive to an extent those that wronged her, since she heard it through Drake's radio when they were in the woods.
Bo didn't need to know what she said exactly since love and devotion to her was a universal language no matter the dialect.
She broke the connection quickly and brought Alex the rest of the way. She was now fully healed of her burns and Alex and Drake smiled brightly.
"Thanks Bo," Alex stated with a grin of satisfaction looking at her arms and feeling her face.
"No problem." Bo replied returning the smile. "Hey we'd better get to Dyson," Bo glanced to Kendra who was still a little wobbly, but managed to nod.
"Excuse me Captain?" Alex called out just as Kendra and Bo opened up the curtain to leave.
Kendra didn't like to be called by her title but again let it slide since it was just the way Alex communicated to her.
Kendra looked over her shoulder to Alex expectantly.
"Kendra, I overheard you call someone Captain Tate. I can only assume you were talking to Captain Mia Tate. If I may be so bold, why is she here?"
Bo turned around and so did Kendra slowly. Kendra took a step forward and paused for a brief moment. Bo could feel the tension in the room from Drake, Alex and Kendra.
Kendra needed to know how much she should tell her since most of it was her business with Dyson and the Dire Wolf Council but Alex did need to know what Mia's intensions where as it concerned her and Drake. She was probably jealous that Drake worshiped the ground she walked on.
Finally after some seconds of intense silence, Kendra stated formally, "Mia was requested to keep Dyson save by her father who is a member of the Dire Wolf Council. She will probably depart late tomorrow after her business here is completed."
"Thank you," Alex tersely replied back without expression or emotion mulling over the new information.
Bo followed by Kendra entered into the room and Dyson was just sitting down in front of Lauren on her knees assessing him physiologically by palpating him.
Tamsin just stood nearby and just mentioned scrunching her face, "Dyson did even want to stay much less get on the exam table. Yea, he's kinda heavy."
Kendra just strolled over to him and knelt down next to him too to which the Dire Wolf looked to her and wagged his tail. Kendra just talked to him gently petting him, "Hey Dyson."
What do you say to someone you love them when they really couldn't understand you anymore?
Lauren finished up and relayed to Kendra, "I need to run some blood test on Dyson to assess how much and at what concentrations the Awsang toxins are in his system but I need him on the exam table."
Kendra really hated to do this and treat her lover like a common house dog. Never the less she made her way to the exam table and patted it and directed it towards the dire wolf observing her closely.
"Come on Dyson. Up! Up!"
This hurt Kendra to know that he was this way because of her.
The dire wolf whined a little but looked at Bo, to which Bo just said, "Don't be a pain Dyson and just do it."
The dire wolf seemed to understand and just leapt up on the table and then lay down.
The blood drawing process was quick and without event and Lauren just mentioned, "Dyson in his current state is physically fine, but depending on the test results will give me a better idea of when his system will be able to clear out these toxins so that he may shift back again. I may also be able to help it along with an advanced form for dialysis but it may or may not get rid of it all."
"Thanks Lauren," Kendra said sitting at the end of the table petting Dyson.
Tamsin had come over to Bo and put her hand around her hip to keep her close.
"So give me 15 minutes and I will let you know the treatment plan. Ok?" Lauren picked up her rack of test tubes of drawn blood and was about to leave when Kendra asked.
"Lauren? How much does Dyson remember in this current state? I read that it is more rudimentary and basic."
Lauren paused not knowing what she was getting at, but it had to do with Kendra's and Dyson's bond. "Dyson remembers everyone to a fundamental degree, whether they are friend or foe, whether to trust them or not," she said factually holding her chin in thought.
"So then how did Dyson know to protect me and not someone else during the Aswang attack?" Kendra queried to verify.
"Well that reason why shifters stay in their bipedal form is that in their dire wolf from, they can only remember simple objectives passed from their bipedal form. So it is reflexive for shifters to go back into their Fae form after they either succeed, fail, or otherwise need more thought on a specific goal. In… In this case, Dyson can't …. At least for now," Lauren looked up rocking her shoulders slightly while relaying the knowledge on the matter as succinctly as she could.
Tamsin saw what she was getting at and rested her forehead on a top of Bo's and just whispered in her ear, "Bo, YOU are Dyson's life mate first and it is ingrained into his being. That is why this puppy dog follows you. Kendra, she really his and .. and … oh shit… this is so fucked up."
Bo heard this and knew she was in deep trouble. Kendra just professed her love to Dyson and Dyson to her but in this state, he had no higher order thinking that could counteract it.
"So he will remember who is life mate is?" Kendra asked dropping the final shoe.
Lauren locked onto Kendra's stare and almost acted like everyone knew that but formally mentioned, "Oh course. A life mate is everything to a shifter no matter what form they take, they will remember. Kendra, so there is no need to fear, Dyson remembers you since you are his life m….."
Lauren then realized her error and cut herself short as Kendra looked toward Bo and Bo looked on at Kendra.
No words were exchanged as Kendra had a heated death stare at Bo and Bo did her best to hold her ground.
Bo had no intension of taking Dyson's wolf but he offered and at the time she just accepted it whole heartedly. Right now, even though she already apologized to Kendra for taking it, it was totally different when it was directly blocking Kendra's and Dyson's relationship.
Tamsin just closed her eyes tightly and just kept her head on Bo's since she had no idea that this situation was about to blow up but she now had to balance the needs of Bo, her bonded partner, and her sister, Kendra.
The tension was so palpable, Lauren thought it best to exit stage right and just stuttered out pointing her index finger up to the ceiling with red apparent on her cheeks, "Ahhh let.. let me get the tests started on this blood samples." Lauren quickly whisked herself out of the room closing the door behind her.
As soon as the door closed Kendra just spoke up first, "Bo, Gizzal from the Dire Wolf council will be here tomorrow probably to talk to Dyson and me about the breach in the armistice and probably also to let me know about my life mate status as well. I need Dyson by my side as MY life mate and I don't think he will be able to shift back in less than a day."
Bo just did her best to stay calm and retreat, "Let's just see what Lauren comes up with ok? We'll just be right outside."
Bo pulled Tamsin along and opened the door to leave when Dyson just whined a little but otherwise let her leave.
"Awkward…. ", Tamsin sang out with an aloof smirk.
Bo just whacked her lightly on the arm and just mentioned, "Come on Tamtam, we gotta find Laruen now."
Kendra just sat with Dyson and continued to pet him and just said to him, "God Dyson, this is so fucked up. You don't even remember who I am anymore."
She just mulled over the situation but decided not to think about it too hard since until the results were back, she wouldn't have definitive options. Also she knew that Bo was probably talking to Lauren on how to get the real Dyson back.
She did take the time to lean over and lay on top of him and stoke him to show her support. Kendra also hoped this would jog his memory.
The wolf let her and he wagged his tail lazily.
"Hey Dyson, whatever happens. I love you," Kendra whispered into his ear and he transitioned to his side and wagged his tail even more.
Kendra hugged Dyson and transitions to listening to this heart. It beat strong and Kendra just hoped that somewhere, it still was beating for her.
She really was just confused. Her and Dyson were supposed to be dead by now, but by some twist of fate they just ended up alive and still messed up.
Yet another twisted joke fate played on her. She felt cursed in a way to just have this existence. Dyson loved her and finally she loved him back but now Dyson in his current form may never even remember who is true lover was.
"Lauren," Bo smiled and walked into her lab area as she finished putting the test tubes in the centrifuge then flicking it on. "You gotta fix Dyson or Kendra will kill me."
"Not far from the truth," Tamsin clicked with an evil smirk coming up right behind her. "Best case we got is Dyson might end up dry humping Bo's leg all the time."
"Well," Lauren relayed and didn't even look up, "I thought I needed 15 minutes, but to run the full spectrum of tests it will take 30. I think it would be best to run the full spectrum to get a better idea of what we are dealing with."
"BUT," Lauren mentioned looked up to Tamsin, "It is time that can be done checking on patients."
Lauren strolled smoothly over to an exam table and motioned to it, "Tamsin? You seem to have some minor abrasions with need to be cared for."
Tamsin just resisted. She didn't like doctors and she never needed one but finally just waved it off, "Just give me some time with Bo and they will be ALL healed."
Lauren just persisted, "It's the least I can do. Please."
Bo just nudged her towards the table telling her silently to obey.
"Fine," Tamsin huffed out in defeat and powerfully strode to it and sat on its edge. Lauren just remained standing and got the necessary supplies.
It was then Bo's phone rang. "Oh gosh, it's Trick. He's probably all worried about us. I'll give him and update," Bo said bothered walking to the other side of the room.
"Yea Trick… Yes, we're fine….. YES we ran into Aswangs…."
Lauren just proceeded to clean Tamsin's minor cut on her forehead and Tamsin decided, since Bo wasn't with her, to fill her sister in.
"Emmm Lauren? Bo found out we faked it."
"Oh… Oh really? How?" Lauren said looking puzzled but still proceed to clean her up.
"Bo senses that with all out spanking going on, we should have both had red welts all over our asses at the very least," Tamsain confessed.
"Crap," Lauren stopped her work, "Leave it to Bo to find a loop hole. Was she mad?"
"Emmmm a little, she ummmmm made me fess up in the car ride over," Tamsin looked down and away.
"Oh gosh, she used the thrall on you?" Lauren asked concerned since it was not like Bo to do that.
"No," Tamsin said finally locking to her eye's again with an aloof expression, "She dominated me and kept me near peak until I just give it up. She hinted it and didn't force me."
"But… but you were driving," Lauren followed up since there was no way Bo had time to make love to her like that.
"Emmm I had issues keeping the car straight?" Tamsin hinted. "Just DON'T ask. OK?"
"Oh… oooookkk," Lauren stated unsure of how Bo pulled that off.
Tamsin cut to the chase, "Bo is going to dominate you too and make you confess. NORMALLY, I'd let Bo do whatever she wants, BUT *SISTER*, I kinda need to look after you too and ALSO we can turn the tables on that succubus we both know and love."
Lauren returned a genuine smile and felt pretty fortunate that Tamsin had her back after all. She wasn't just a sister in name.
"So," Lauren glowed, "what do you propose sister?"
That answer didn't come verbally but Tamsin started to unbutton Lauren's blouse.
Lauren was confused but didn't back up, and asked as soft as she could without drawing Bo's attention who still has her back to them on the phone, "WHAT you are doing?!"
"I think if Bo can hold me and you hostage and torture us by seducing us and not letting us come, IIIIIII think we can hold Bo hostage to her nature be making us extremely attractive feeds and NOT allowing her to join us until she give into OUR demands," Tamsin clicked. "Undress me doc."
A/N: Normally this would be a longer chapter which included a Cop Doccubus Scene (or BLT) w/ more Kendra/Dyson developments. But I just can't seem to complete it just now. So I will post what I have right before that point. I may update this chap later and I will tell you so if and when I post the next chapter (54).
I guess I should have written the entire chapter BEFORE I watched S05E07. Hmmmm on second thought I should have stopped watching LG all together on S05E06. I felt something bad brewing then.
In a sentence, that one episode took all the wind out of my sails. So currently, I am up in the air on what to do about this story.
I just found out a couple days ago that this story is the longest work on ff thus far for team Tamsin. Currently third when you consider all other LG fandoms. I'm still a little peeved, so I will not name the LG fandoms.
Spoilers below ... SKIP below if you have not seen it (S05E07)
It was rather devastating that Tamsin was never in the equation in Bo's view (aka the visit from the oracles). It was either Dyson and Lauren.
LG kinda rushed the Valkubus and now we got a whiny Tamsin who quite literally spilled her guts out to Bo and Bo just rejected it all as a figment of her imagination.
Yes, Bo dumped Tamsin HARD and that hurts.
I don't know that T will do next. One side of me wants Tamsin to just help her out on this last mission and then leave with her head up high never to be seen by the gang again. Another side seems to want her to stick around and just grin and bear it, and be civil (as best as can be) but what is the point since it would be the same hell hole Dyson and Lauren are in. At least they have a chance (in hell). What I don't want Tamsin to do is to scurry off like a chicken and leave immediately without closure. But... what do I know.