A/N: Thought I abandoned this story? Nope. Longer update intervals means longer chapters. This is part of a 2 chapter update. Yes, not one but 2 chapters for about 22K+ words total. So IF you do follow this story but just go to the last chapter, you may want to go a chapter back.
"God, I need to text Hale and have him add Dyson as my K-9 dog," Kendra pulled out her phone and began to type of away ignoring Dyson who was jumping up and down on Kendra. Kendra did her best to avoid.
"D-man! A minute please," Kendra turned away from the overly excited dire wolf.
Mia was at the door with Kendra and Dyson and zipped up her duffel bag for the precinct. She had arranged for weapons and other items at the 101st to be driven there via Jim. She had to brief him after all since he would to stepping in for her in her absence. She still did have to go shopping that day for cloths since she only packed a day or 2 worth of items.
Mia noted that like clockwork, Dyson barked at the door to his place in the early AM right as they were about set to leave. Dyson seemed excited to see Kendra like he had to tell her something. It wasn't that she was in danger; it looked like it was something more trivial but important to him and maybe Kendra.
Mia just walked over to pet Dyson and to allow Kendra to finisher her text message.
Mia just knelt down to pet Dyson and soothingly said, "Hey Dyson. Calm down. Are we in danger?"
Dyson just piped down but remained standing.
Kendra finally got off the phone and peered to Dyson and Mia. Kendra was glad Dyson was ok with her because no doubt, Dyson could probably smell her in his bed.
"D-Man, you freaking smell like the outside. BATH for you when we get back," Kendra smirked.
Dyson looked down and whined.
"Awwwww doggie scared of a little water?" Kendra jeered walking over to pat his head.
It was a short ride to the precinct and in no time productivity grinded to a halt when Mia entered the room.
Immediately 2 guys ran into each other and one ran into a pole gawking at Mia.
Kendra knew Mia was a legend among law enforcement. Not really for her decorated service or on the MMA fighting front which she was really good at, but more along the lines that every single one of them probably had the issue of MMA Fit with her in an out of uniform. Not even Bo had that kind of star power.
Kendra as always wore loose fitting more conservative attire which was her uniform and heavy vest. Mia was in uniform but it hugged her body well. Her curves were on display for everyone, that and she was toting her thinner vest and rifle over her shoulder.
Kendra saw several guys in their walking path stand up and some take out a marker and a magazine and that was all it took for Kendra to just go off and yelled to everyone in the room, "STOP drooling and NO FUCKING AUTOGRAPHS! All of you! CAPTAIN Mia Tate is here to assist in my and Dyson's absence and NOT to fulfill your crazy stupid misogynistic fantasies. If you were at the 69th, I'd have you disciplined or fired by now!"
All of them quickly scampered to their desk and sat back down.
Mia softened the blow a little by addressing all in an even tone, "We are all here, myself included, to serve and protect the public. Stay focused on that mission while you are on the clock please."
They made it to their back area and Dyson even growled at several of the officers for just continuing to stare. One of them got to see Dyson's fangs for looking at Kendra's backside.
Kendra chuckled knowing that Dyson was really protective of her.
Mia sat down at Tamsin's desk and Kendra facing her at Dyson's.
They settled down and once they got in the groove began talk about the cases for several hours.
Hale even called in over a speaker phone welcome them both briefly.
"Hey, so when are Drake and Alex coming in?" Hale asked.
Kendra replied glancing at the phone, "Tonight."
"OK, I'll have their places ready by then. I hope," Hale mentioned a little unsure.
"Problem?" Mia inquired swiveling her chair to look at the phone.
"Well it seems that we had an influx of Fae refugees seeking asylum in our district. I had to give those apartments up in the mean time," Hale explained.
"Oh. I forgot Hale, I'm sorry," Mia replied stopping what she was doing on her laptop. "Mia is staying at Dyson's place for now. So I guess Mia's apartment is free now."
"Good. So that takes care of one," Hale mentioned.
Mia smirked, "Unless I am mistaken, you can house both Drake and Alex there. They won't mind."
Hale paused probably a confused at first but figured where they were going.
Kendra just assured, "Just trust us on this one, OK?"
Hale just agreed, "OK, that settles it."
"OK angels, I'll catch you later. Ash business is never done," Hale announced ready to hang up.
"Bye Charlie!" Mia called to him and went back to work.
Kendra went back to work on her laptop and just shook her head mentioning to Mia, "I can't believe you played into his Charlie's Angels fantasy. Just an FYI, there are only 2 of us here not 3."
"Nope 3 once Alex gets here," Mia teased observing Kendra.
Kendra was all hard core business when she was at work Mia observed which only made Kendra even more attractive. Mia got to see the real Kendra. Dyson was a lucky guy.
"It will be 2 again when I leave," Kendra said as a matter of fact.
"Drake can be an honorary one," Mia smirked knowing she was getting under Kendra's skin.
Kendra just stopped what she was doing and gave her a WTF expression, "Mia really?"
Mia's laptop then beeped. Mia glanced at it and then just sang out, "ooooooooooohhhhhh shit."
"What is it?" Kendra perked up expecting some sort of major development.
Mia smirked and leaned forward like she was getting ready to gossip but paused.
"WHAT Mia... crap just tell me!" Kendra blurted out since the suspense was killing her.
Mia turned her laptop for Kendra to see mumbling in secretive tones, "Remember a couple hours ago we were just kinda shooting the breeze at the water cooler? Yea. Camera phones. Go figure."
Kendra read the headline of the tweet, 'Mia Tate and Kendra Shaw, mortal enemies in law enforcement kiss and make up.'
Kendra was shocked. That tweet was going viral and being shared at an exponential rate. There was a picture of them just talking casually at the cooler with cups in hand.
What was more shocking were the replies.
Mia just elaborated, "IIIIIIIIIIIII'm sorry Kendra. It seems that us being in even in the same room together has sparked and fueled a fan base that has always been out there."
Kendra just kept reading the comments which had to deal with them primarily being a hot couple. Some were explicit.
"FUCK! I'm here less than a couple hours and dammit! Why does everyone think that when 2 women are friends, that means they are LLBFFs?" Kendra sat back but right before she did, she noticed that Mia had a minimized search in progress. It was a broad search across all the data bases on hand and it didn't look like it had to do with any cases they were working on. Kendra kept it cool however and leaned back putting her hands up to cover her face.
Mia, turning the laptop back to her, looked confused as she dissected the acronym and finally asked, "Life ... Long .. Best Friends Forever?"
Kendra just droned out, "Bo taught that to me. She referred to Detective Jane Rizzoli and Doctor Maura Isles as that. It means Lesbian Lovers, and you got the rest."
"WAIT. Jane Rizzoli from Boston PD? Yea, I grew up near that area. Wow. Are they an item? I didn't think so or at least they didn't go public with it," Mia glanced up in thought.
"No," Kendra took the hands off her face, "Bo seems to think that Jane is in denial about her feelings for Maura and vise versa. NOT that I follow. Now, on to more pressing matters. I want to know WHO took this picture, find them and then kick them in the twigs and cherries."
"No don't do that. You know doing that may produce the opposite effect like you are trying to hide our PASSIONATE, heated, and heart racing relationship," Mia giggled. She thought it was amusing that Kendra didn't like to be in the lime light.
Kendra gave up doing work for now and just wittily replied in defeat, "Oh yes. Like we can't keep our hands off one another... even at work."
"Oh yes," Mia's mind went to lala land imaging but saying out loud sarcastically. "Oh and I like nothing better than to ravage and tear your clothes off."
Kendra just chuckled and just in an aloof manner added waving a hand in the air, "Oh yea, in the interrogation room with the blinds open no less."
Mia was so into it she just, still with her eyes closed, blurted out, "Touching and caressing every part of that firm, tight, body of yours and tweaking your hard nipples with my tongue. Then ... "
Mia stopped abruptly knowing that she went too far with Kendra who was just staring at her flabbergasted.
Kendra knew she was being sincere since that imagery was way too specific. She was joking, but Mia wasn't, and that was the awkward part.
There was a tense silence that hung in the air and Mia just replied sheepishly, "Sorry Kendra."
Kendra just let it pass but then she just could not stop thinking about Mia's search she just executed and it probably dove tailed into what Grizzal told her.
Finally Kendra just asked getting up to close the door to their area for a little bit of privacy, "Mia, can I talk to you please?"
"Sure," Mia replied automatically.
Mia knew she was in trouble. Had she gone too far with her sexual comments? Probably so but it seemed a little more than that.
Kendra took Hale's seat and scooted to be in front of her.
"Mia, don't take this the wrong way. I'm trying my hardest to trust you. I know we aren't in a serious relationship, but I would like to be your friend," Kendra began. She paused to see how best to proceed.
"oookkk" Mia looked confused at what she had done to discount that.
"I need to trust you, do you understand?" Kendra put her hand on Mia's gently. She didn't want to do that, but it was necessary so that Mia didn't get defensive.
"Of course," Mia replied and then it hit her. Kendra could have picked up on her minimized search on her laptop, Mia then thought. Although Kendra was never a detective, her skills seemed sharp. They had to be to have survived this long. She bided her time and let Kendra talk.
"I need to know what Grizzal told you to make you accept this assignment. I know he is your father figure and I respect that but..." Kendra rattled off but was at at loss for words.
Mia just filled it in pulling her hand back abruptly, "You don't think I have your back? Is that it?"
Kendra just replied, "I didn't say that."
"YES it is inferred," Mia got up agitated and walked a couple paces away.
"Mia please," Kendra calmly mentioned. "It's me. It's just a hang up I have."
Mia just spun around quickly and yelled, "Dammit Kendra! I am doing my best to forgive you for making my life a living hell, single handedly I might add, and NOW you question me!"
"I'm just asking and if it's too personal I'll do my best to understand," Kendra voiced trying to keep the conversation under control.
"Screw you!" Mia yelled. "Forgiveness takes TIME and I don't trust you with my more personal details!"
Kendra knew this was bad and just asked one question, "Will you betray my or Dyson's trust ... EVER? That is ALL I need to know."
Dyson was under Kendra's desk and peaked his head out to see what was going on.
Mia paused and yelled back pointing to the ground and stamped solidly on the floor, "NO! I will not betray you or Dyson's! OK! I was to meet with Grizzal the day Dyson was attacked at the Dire Wolf archives to receive orders to kill you by sniper rifle. I NEVER GOT THEM, EVEN TO THIS DAY. Grizzal had a change of heart. Even then, I don't know if I could go through with it. I was asked instead to safeguard Dyson."
Kendra knew Mia was piping hot. She was already past angry, so Kendra put up her hands defensively and just deescalated the conversation the best she could, "I'm sorry Mia. That is all I need to hear. Is there anything I can do to make us right?"
Kendra realized that they were in a relationship by the way she just replied.
Mia backed down and plopped back into her chair still really upset but finally droned out, "Kendra, you screwed me over more than IA ever did. I am still having trust issues with YOU too. Somehow, in the back of my head, I believe what we have is too good to be true. Will you BETRAY me EVER Kendra?"
"No. I made an egregious error and I admit that I screwed you over. I'm SORRY. Relationships are a give and take and I'm sorry I ask a lot of questions when I kind lost that right a while back," Kendra got up and then sat back in her desk. "I... I'm sorry and I don't know how to make it up to you."
"PROMISE ME. I want your word. That is the ONLY way I know that what I tell you will not be somehow used as ammunition against me," Mia demanded sternly.
Kendra immediately replied confidently, "You have my word that what you tell me will never be used against you or to hurt you in any way."
Mia realized that Kendra was in full retreat. It was unlike her but seeing as how she was trying to genuinely communicate and make amends finally asked, "How far down the rabbit hole do you want to go with me Kendra?"
Kendra didn't know what to say.
Mia continued, "Because once you do, you will know. Once you know, it will be your burden as well when you claim you want to be my friend. I have told others but they end up running away from me because of how fucked up I am. Even if I don't, it affects all my relationships indirectly. DO YOU WANT THAT? Now is your only chance to stop."
Kendra thought about this. She would get inside the mind of Mia and she did want that, but how messed up was she? No one was more messed up than her since she had the vendetta against all shifter kind and was stupid to not see or worse, refuse to accept love from Dyson.
Kendra looked Mia dead on locking onto her bright blue eyes and just said confidently, "Lay it on me Mia. You can't get more messed up than me. Besides, you gotta be a little messed up to like working for SWAT."
Mia just nodded, then carefully and slowly began, "Grizzal told me that if I took the temporary assignment here, I may be able to find more information on my birth parents. I have not been able to find it with the resources I had as a human, in an all human district. Even Grizzal, my now dad, found nothing but even then, he only had access to the Dire Wolf Fae archives."
Kendra got it and just completed, "So by joining a Fae precinct here at the 39th, you would be able to access most, if not all of the Fae databases, in addition to human ones as well."
"Yes," Mia replied and paused.
Kendra knew there was more to it and just sat quietly.
Mia then added looking down to her desk deep in thought, "I ... I was initially trying to find them out of curiosity when I joined the force but it consumed me. In my quest to find them, it actually messed me up even more, if that was even possible. Grizzal did his best to be my father figure when my adoptive parents passed. I... I was raised in up stated New York, but I traced my paper trail to an adoption agency near Boston. Access to their sealed records proved the most damning. Instead of finding something to quell my soul, I ended up instead opening Pandora's Box. It turned out that my dad just hastily dropped me off at a hospital when I was but 2 . No mom. He was in a rush and could not WAIT to get rid of me. My dad's only statement before he tossed me off to a nurse was, QUOTE 'We can't care for her. Take her away!'"
Kendra now saw not only a shaking and tearful woman, but now she was looking at a woman whose entire life was shaped around this ONE event. Kendra empathized with her and automatically held her hand.
Mia just began to sob uncontrollably when she just barely croaked out, "What did I do wr... wrong?! Why wasn't *I* ... GOOD enough!"
Kendra just wrapped her arm around her. Mia was broken too and it turned out just by that one event it probably ruined her whole life. She read that children that were adopted had deep seated issues and now she was just about to find out how badly.
Mia just kept weeping but stammered out through her hitched breathing, "Now I crave ... yearn other people's acceptance... more so than I did before... because of a fear that they WOULD just LEAVE ME just like my birth parents! My fr friends... my boy friends... all gone. I can't seem to hold on to any.. anyone. The ones that try burn out and keep their distance!"
Kendra just held her tighter so that Mia knew that she wasn't going anywhere.
Mia just sobbed for a long time in Kendra's arms. Because of this confession, things started to make sense about Mia.
"Because of the MMA titles I have acquired and my service record in Iraq, I'm famous. I am desired by a plethora of men but my clingy tendency is self destructive to my relationships. I can't hold relationships for more than a year. I'm cursed. On.. .on top of that ... I can't trust them since... it was my father that gave me away... Jeeez... I... I'm so fucked," Mia was still crying, but her hitched breathing had stopped. Mia calmed down because Kendra was holding her.
Kendra had no idea what to say but added, "No you're not. I think you're quite brave to achieve what you have achieved despite that painful event."
"I... I ... Kendra?" Mia finally said to get her attention.
"Yes?" Kendra stated stoking her back to comfort her.
"I know that other people's opinion about me shouldn't matter but it still gets to me," Mia started drying her eyes. "But I want to belong. So I want the media attention but it doesn't help..."
"Mia, sometimes we want to fill that void in our lives with something else. It won't work. It's like wanting lasagna but eating spaghetti instead. It's close, but that wouldn't quench your hunger. I thought that killing every shifter that moved would make me stop feeling the pain of Eric's and my brother's loss. I thought by killing some shifters, I'd feel better, but after I took out hundreds of them, I am still empty. Not only that, it caused a feedback loop where I probably walk around with a bounty on my head and I don't blame your dad, Grizzal, for thinking about taking me out. I also don't blame you for trying to be a good daughter. He is very lucky to have you," Kendra confessed and it finally hit her why Mia was attracted to her. Mia couldn't trust men in general due to the fear of them leaving her like her father did.
"How can I move past this?" Mia sobbed lightly.
"Forgive. It's hard for me to forgive but Bo forgave Tamsin for all her evils deeds across all her lifetimes. I forgive your dad, Grizzal. As messed up as that is, it doesn't say that it was right what he did to me, but it wasn't for your dad, it was for me. *I* need to move on. There is more to life than pain and hurt. I need to be there for Dyson and I can't be HIS if I keep seeing him as a shifter."
"I keep trying but it still bleeds into my life," Mia explained.
"Stop searching for your birth parents Mia because you already DO belong. Your adoptive parents never left you. Grizzal is now there for you and now so am I," Kendra smiled.
Mia latched onto Kendra's deep brown eyes and smiled slightly. She was looking at the glass half empty this whole time that she forgot to count the blessing she did have. Most of all, Kendra was now in her corner and that helped even after her confession.
Kendra saw her beautiful smile and then mentioned, "I love you Mia."
Mia melted. She knew that type of love Kendra meant. It was a platonic love and that was far better than anything she could have hoped for give the fact she was Dyson's. Mia was locked onto Kendra's eyes and could not break her deep expressive gaze.
"Please forgive me Mia. I messed up with you and it was wrong of me. If you can put up with my idiosyncrasies, then you are more than welcome to be my BFF," Kendra stated.
Mia bear hugged Kendra back and just replied, "I love you too Kendra. I... I do forgive you. I already did. Just please me patient with me. I need time."
It was odd, Kendra mused. Mia needed the same thing she wanted as it pertained to their friendship.
Patience.
Also, now Kendra realized the glaring irony that Grizzal and her, even being mortal enemies were now bound to each other by love too. Hate was easy to feel, but now Kendra cared for Mia as did Grizzal. This was a really weird arrangement to say the least. What would happen if Grizzal, Mia and her were in the same room again?
Mia finally let Kendra go but changed topics, "Kendra, I'm sorry about this morning and my slip up about the interrogation room thing."
Kendra just played dumb an inquired lightly, "This morning?"
Mia turned all red and just nudged Kendra playfully, "You KNOW that I mean!"
Kendra finally winked at her at said, "I did have a good dream about Dyson taking me during a picnic at the park."
Mia just could not help but added, "It was probably a great dream and maybe it was better than the real thing I hope?"
Kendra just giggled and replied, "Yes it was actually. For once Dyson didn't try to be all dominant on me. He took me slowly and he had patience which I liked."
It was good they were talking about a dream or else the conversation would have been awkward to broach both mused internally.
Mia laughed with her and then queried to get a feel of how she felt concerning the 'benefits portion' moving forward, "So do you mind having more dreams like that?"
Kendra didn't know how to answer that so she just avoided, "I wish Dyson was back to his old self then I wouldn't need to dream. I really miss his touch and his voice you know?"
"Yea. Don't worry, he'll be back soon before you know it," Mia replied with a practiced smile since she was disappointed that she didn't get an answer she was hoping for.
Kendra knew this and just replied a second later before the moment slipped away, "Please be patient with me. You have done nothing wrong. I am just so messed up right now. It's like I was on a certain path, I knew the roads ahead of me and even my destination. Now those choices are all wrong and I have to find my way again."
"Just like the rest of us," Mia put her hand on top of Kendra's.
"Just like the rest of us," Kendra repeated like a prayer putting her forehead on Mia's and there they stayed with their eyes closed.
After a couple minutes of silent bliss passed, they both went back to work again for several hours.
Mia had to leave to brief Jim, her interim replacement, and also get her stuff she asked him to bring.
Kendra mused on what Mia said about her birth parents and finally she pulled out her phone and quickly dialed a number.
After a couple rings a woman with a slightly husky voice picked up and answered formally, "Detective Rizzoli, Boston PD."
"Jane? This is Kendra. Do you have a moment?"
"Oh hi Kendra! Oh course. What do you need?"
Kendra knew she COULD do something for Mia after all, but would need to enlist the help of someone else. In this case, she needed both Jane and Maura. It was a long shot, but it was better than nothing. After all, that's what good friends do for one another. In a way, this was also Kendra's penance for her unjust actions against Mia.
Arin sat next to Bo eating voraciously. She was a growing Valkyrie after all. She loved American breakfast food. It was unhealthy but it tasted great, especially when Lauren had a hand in it. Cream chipped 'beef' kicked up a notch on fluffy biscuits was her favorite.
Bo looked at and told her in a motherly fashion, "Relax Arin and slow down. The food will still be here later ok?"
Arin frowned and with food in her mouth replied, "But Valkyries grow exponentially until adulthood so I need my food."
Bo laughed, "First off, it is polite to not talk with your mouth full. Second of all, where are you vegetables and fruits?"
Arin quickly replied, "Tofu, it's a vegetable. The 'beef' isn't real."
Bo didn't know that.
Arin then quickly reached out retrieving 2 grapes from the center of the table and popped them in her mouth. She gulped and then said in an aloof manner with a click, "THERE: FRUITS and VEGETABLES. Happy now mommy?"
Tamsin was on the other side of Bo and just observed. She found it hilarious that Arin already had a smart mouth. On the other hand Bo, like a switch, turned into a mother because just a couple moments ago she was entangled in a five some.
Tamsin finally leaned forward in full view of Bo and Arin and just admonished Arin, "Arin, listen to your mom."
Bo smirked and dead panned to Tamsin, "I wonder WHERE she gets her sarcastic and smart mouth from?"
"I have noooooooo idea," Tamsin teased.
Bo put her hand on Tamsin's knee and whispered, "Too bad Arin's not fully grown yet because I know a sure fire way..."
Tamsin felt Bo's hand go up her leg and wondered how far Bo would go.
"to fix that smart mouth of hers," Bo concluded with her hand rubbing Tamsin at her intersection.
Tamsin snarled, "Don't make me punish you here for being bad succubus. NOT when Arin is around. We had a deal."
"I know," Bo stated in a sultry voice then kissing her on the cheek.
Bo however kept her hand on Tamsin's lap.
Arin got up and reached over to get hash browns and a bagel.
Arin grumbled lowly to Bo, "I need to go to Valhalla and get my dagger back Mom."
Bo looked at her raising a brow to question without word why.
"It would be so much easier to spread the butter," Arin replied and flashed her signature selfie smile.
'Oh my gods Arin. You don't need it yet. You don't use weapons until a couple months from now,' Tamsin thought. 'Trying to get away with things ALREADY? ... that's my sister...'
Bo just smiled and replied, "Arin, don't you think that is over kill? Really? A dagger to spread butter?"
"No such thing as OVER KILL. I'm a Valkyrie. I'll show you, give me your dagger," Arin justified with the most innocent expression ever. She knew she could get away with it since she was a kid.
"NO. Train first without it, then we'll see," Bo clarified sternly holding her ground against one of the cutest expression she had ever seen.
"Awwwwww moooooooom... PLEASE!" Arin pouted.
Bo was melting but knew better than to cave, "NO. You make me say that one more time, I will not allow you to touch weapons for YEAR."
Arin pouted and glancing at the floor. She looked like she was going to cry.
Bo just ignored her, as hard as it was and went back to eat.
Tamsin smirked and liked the fact that Bo didn't cave. She was a strong mother and that was great. Valkyries needed that strong parental figure.
Tamsin just thought to her, 'ARIN! You stop that now. You want to grow up fast to be an adult? Act like one.'
Arin just nodded and took a deep breath and went back to eating.
Bo observed Tamsin communicating to Arin and thought to Tamsin, 'Were you this bad when you were a kid?'
Tamsin was impressed that Bo was getting really good at using the link but responded, 'WORSE. We always fought to be the FIRST at everything. I won BTW."
Bo replied using the link, 'I think I'd end up spoiling you rotten since I'd give in.'
Tamsin just huffed out a laugh and put on a conceited look and mentioned to Bo aloud, "Iiiiiiii knnnoooow! I win at EVERYTHING."
Arin spat her food out and snickered but clarified, "Nu uh Sis!"
"Everything?" Bo asked rubbing Tamsin's inner thigh lightly brushing against her clothed flower.
"Yes and you do this, I'll ... I'll" Tamsin stuttered trying to think of a comeback.
"Do what? Since you are a SORE loser." Bo mentioned upping the ante.
Buffy clinked her water glass gently and got everyone attention at all the tables.
Tamsin breathed a sigh of relief since she was saved by the bell.
'Until next time,' Bo thought to Tamsin but her attention, like everyone else's rest now on Buffy.
Buffy stood up and announced facing all the tables in the room, "Thank you all for having me. I have evaluated all the information provided by Tamsin on behalf of Kendra. This include the comm logs, video even email correspondences before during and after the event. I have also looked over electronic testimony and email records from dozens of Aswangs involved. Finally I have even pour over the records pertinent to the event from the Burning Cypress clan. Thank to all for your cooperation."
There was a tense pause as Buffy look down momentary on what to say.
Her strong voice echoed, "This was nothing short of a tragedy for ALL parties involved which now has also managed to engulf the Dire Wolf Shifters and even the Vampires into this mix."
There was another pause with the tension mounting.
"I wish I could say who or whom were the victims where but it turned out the primary parties involved where both the victims AND the aggressors."
"From the Burning Cypress clan, Captain Kendra Shaw with the approval for Major Jessica Flanders went into a probable Aswang gathering in peace, but she and her team were heavily armed. Kendra was EXPECTING and maybe even counted on a fire fight. You don't go scouting that heavily armed unless you plan to engage. She didn't even try to keep the peace by trying to send in an unarmed messenger, contact their council elders, or follow the terms of the armistice. Kendra Shaw jumped the gun. She may be human but ignorance of FAE laws and prudent steps to preserve the peace is NO excuse, especially since she was a lawyer."
Malaya and Analyn just nodded in agreement. Analyn just spat out in a low disdainful voice but all heard her, "Widow Maker."
"From the point of the Aswangs: I do respect your culture however your chain of events claim that Kendra and team ambushed your kind for no good reason. It is easy to come to that conclusion when, by the naked eye, both parties engaged each other at the same time. HOWEVER, video and audio footage from Kendra's and team's body cameras in addition to the comms show otherwise. Kendra and team did not approach you in a combat formation also her team had the weapons stowed. She was also asking questions to Grace to gain clarity on WHO gave the Aswangs permission to feed at a peaceful event. That was when the solar event occurred. Both you and Kendra were privy to it but it was Grace who threatened Kendra in her native tongue, Tagalog, and then shifted to feed. Kendra was ready and responded in kind for survival. The video and comm logs are authentic. I checked their security algorithms for tampering and there was none. So it was Grace that instigated the fight that broke out. ALL OF YOU could have walked out of those woods that day but Grace was overconfident and took what looked like and easy feed. She may have paid with her life, but she also paid it with the lives of her friends and family too."
Malaya didn't finch but held her rigid posture.
Analyn however stated, "I still want justice. Kendra's killing spree has to come to an end... first the shifters, now us. Which Fae specie is NEXT?..."
Buffy just interrupted and continued, "From the point of the Dire Wolf Shifter clan. Dyson Wolfbane KNEW the armistice by heart but chose to ignore it and engage despite that. He is YOUR responsibility Grizzal. Granted Dyson put a motion into the council to make Kendra his life mate, it still does not excuse his behavior. IF Kendra was really his life mate, WHY did he let her go into the forest that day? Granted he tried to deescalate the situation, but it was too late since the slaughter already began. "
Grizzal spoke up loudly, "He didn't expect a hostile encounter that day and nor would any of us since Aswangs don't shift until night fall. They started it, they have to deal with the consequences. Besides, Dyson is a LONE WOLF doing his own thing. How is that our problem!"
Buffy just replied simply, "I don't think he is. At least not entirely. He would have never put in a motion to make Kendra his life mate instead of Bo Dennis if that were the case. As a member of the Dire Wolf Council, you are responsible for the actions of ALL shifters in your region and beyond because the way the armistice was written, it does not distinguish regions and whether or not they are a lone wolf. It only specifies Dire Wolf Shifters, Aswangs, and Vampires as a whole."
Grizzal just grunted and shook his head.
"There is MORE than enough fault to pass around. Grace, representing the Aswangs took the first step into the battle. Kendra, who represented the Burning Cypress clan was too gun hoe to try other means to keep the peace. Dyson, representing the Dire Wolf Clan didn't STOP his life mate from going and Jessica didn't do anything to quell her anxiousness to go to war," Buffy put forth strongly.
Jessica just shouted as Alex stood behind her, "NO, that is NOT true! We take precautions because as a CLAN we are always on the brink of extinction so we proceeded READY to fight. We are NOT going to be lambs for the slaughter or disappear quietly into the night. Kendra was sent on a recon mission in peace but THEY attacked us first! We have the RIGHT to defend ourselves!"
Analyn was incensed and she stood up pointing accusingly at Jessica, "So you ADMIT you came to us armed to the teeth to KILL US ALL! Why else did you have Fire Sprites, a human with a flame thrower, and the fucking Spear of Destiny. YOU SET US UP BITCH!"
Jessica pounded her fist on the table and Alex slowly brought her right hand down to her Tazer.
Drake made eye contact with her and just shook his head ever so slightly. He knew that if Alex made any hostile moves now, the place would just erupt into chaos. He knew the cost of war and was relieved that Alex just put her right hand by her side. She could still draw, but her body language was not that threatening.
Jessica yelled, "No we didn't! That is called being prepared and being a good tactician!"
Tamsin looked at Mayala. She exhibited a smile and a calm demeanor but Tamsin learned that there is no animal more dangerous than a silent woman holding a smile. She was ready to kill.
Tamsin just thought to Bo, 'OH shit. Get ready to grab Arin. Mayala is ready to go.'
Bo immediately knew she had to protect Arin and put and arm around her ready to sweep her away.
Arin put her hand on Density's handle holstered on Bo thigh. She was ready to go too although Bo didn't know that.
Mayala glanced quickly to Tamsin.
Tamsin smiled back. The same type of smile Malaya was holding.
Mayala brought her attention back to the ensuing argument but heard Tamsin loud and clear reading her eyes, 'If she starts a fight, Tamsin will end her or at least try to.'
"We will deal with your puny rag tag misfit clan later but I want Dyson's and Kendra's head on a PLATTER NOW! I will overlook those other players like that Succubus and Valkyrie who joined in late for scraps..."
Jessica just yelled back and pointed in warning with a growl, "Did you just threaten our entire clan! You watch your mouth Awang! I don't need Kendra here to cut out your tongue out for hearsay!"
At the same time Tamsin yelled still sitting, "I fucking owned your Aswang asses even in bear form. I don't need scraps, I kill you JUST FINE!"
Bo put her hand on Tamsin's shoulder, "No Tamsin. Please."
Buffy was yelling for all to calm down when Grizzal's voice boomed over hers, "You can't touch Dyson! He is in exile ever since this event. He is not to be touched or interacted with! As for Kendra, until the council rules, she has exile status too."
"You PATHETIC mangy pooch! You are protecting KENDRA! Widow Maker killed hundreds of your kind and you want to welcome her into the family! Go back to your human owner Kendra before I do something rash like put you and your entire dog pound to sleep!" Analyn spat pouring out hate.
Grizzal began to hulk out and snarled, "I was hoping you'd say that bitch!"
Malaya put both her hands on the table ready to spring into action.
Tamsin pulled her dagger out of her boot.
Alex unsnapped the thumb safety that held her Glock in the holster. She was in arms reach of her mom ready to extract her and kill anyone in her way.
Jessica slowly reached behind Alex in a motion that looked like a move to reassure her, but in reality, Jessica was unarmed but Alex had another Glock mounted on her belt. She held its handle.
This was no ordinary Glock since it was configured for burst fire where every trigger pull resulted in 3 bullets being fired. It also had a high capacity magazine. Jessica had arranged for Alex to hold it for her just in case and now it looked like the right time.
Drake knew that look that Alex had and he put up his hand as a signal to hold fire as his security team flooded into the room.
Bo's eyes turned red pulling Arin into her. Normally she would be ready join the fight but Arin was her priority now.
Arin drew Destiny out of Bo's sheath slowly. She had to have Tamsin's and her mom's back.
Trick backed Lauren up to an exit ready to depart.
Evony held a smile of delight at the carnage that was about to ensue and she had a front seat to it.
Vex whispered into Evony's ear, "Bet a 'undred smack'ers that Grizzal 'ere will kill Analyn even wit' Mayala 'ere to protect 'er."
Evony, without a word, slowly extended her right hand to shake on it.
Hale just swept Kenzi off her feet even with her kicking and screaming since she didn't want to go.
Spike looked at Buffy who was yelling to get everyone under control but no one was listening to her. He then turned to Faith who had her dagger drawn and just chuckled, "Are you familiar with the term, 'Hell in a hand basket?'"
"All too well," Faith replied shouting over the cacophony.
Bo knew things were spiraling out of control and yelled in her over octave voice which reverberated around the room in a last ditch effort to save the tribunal, "STOP!"
Grizzal then roared and lunged in the air from across the room to kill Analyn.
Mayala quickly reacted, jumping high into the air to intercept the fiery charging menace. In the middle of the air, she shifted into a fierce 400 pound lion.
Alex drew her Glock pulling her mom behind her to protect her.
Jessica retrieved her weapon and began to track Malaya who was the biggest threat amongst the Awsangs present. She would then move onto Analyn. No one ever terrorizes her clan and gets away with it.
Drake issued commands frantically to get order restored but the domino effect had already started.
Meanwhile, at the edge of the woods bordering Lauren's mansion, several brown bears and tigers emerged into the clearing. Eagles circled above them. Their roars could be heard for miles.
At the other side of those same woods came an answer. Several long drawn out but deafening howls in unison. Then emerged several Dire Wolves and Hulked out shifters. They growled, barked and gnashed their teeth.
They both formed up in a line as more and more came out of the woods to fill in the ranks.
Naomi was guarding the rear of the mansion and saw this through her scope and uttered to herself, "Oh shit..."
She knew she probably only had time to transmit one thing before all hell broke loose.
She grabbed her radio and barked, "COMPANY at rear! Get Lauren downstairs to lab and secure it!"
Lauren heard Naomi and realized that an army was probably waiting outside ready to go to war. No one lives in a vacuum and our lives, no matter how hard we try, Fae or human, are intimately intertwined.
It was then Lauren knew that the fragile armistice which allowed Shifters, Aswangs and Vampires to coexist and prosper was on the verge of breaking and a war would throw the entire Fae and collaterally the human community as a whole into chaos.
Lauren watched in slow motion as the Tiger swiped hard at Grizzal in his hulked out form as the crashed together in mid air.
Grizzal didn't expect Malaya to shift during the day and was gashed deeply across is torso.
Lucky for him, he had a bigger head start during the charge and with his momentum slammed Mayala into the wall.
The room shook violently.
Bo got up with Arin in her arms to run and Tamsin had her back dagger drawn.
Tamsin need time to allow Bo and leave with Arin, then it was time to kill the Aswang assassin like she promised.
Spike and Faith ran in front of Buffy to protect her.
Spike was ready to feed getting a head rush.
Faith was ready to kill anyone that dared to hurt Buffy.
Grizzal landed on the ground bloody and knew that Malaya in her tiger form could kill him easily in his bipedal form even hulked out. He did have another choice however.
Analyn backed up and laughed manically jeering Grizzal, "Didn't see that coming did you!"
"Fuck you! Let's dance BITCH!" Grizzal roared shifting into a 140 pound Dire Wolf tackling the tiger who was still recovering.
Tamsin knew that Grizzal's friend was missing, but deduced why after hearing Naomi's message through the radio. He was probably leading the attack outside. Tamsin sized the situations up and Grizzal was probably outgunned. Dire Wolves are efficient in packs but not solo against someone over 3 times his weight with the agility of a cat.
Lauren was mad. She wasn't going to go into the history books as the human that allowed an over two thousand year armistice to lapse.
NOT ON HER WATCH.
The now bloodied tiger kicked the dire wolf off of her and he flew to the other side of the room slamming into a wall.
Both pounced to their feet ready to end this.
Lauren broke free to Trick and sprinted then slid in between them to stop it the fight but STOP it with what?
Lauren froze as the tiger and dire wolf charged once more. She was right in the middle.
"Noooooooooooo!" Bo screamed to Lauren, but had to make a hard choice. Keep Arin safe or keep Lauren. It was a horrible choice but stayed the course to keep Arin safe.
If Lauren was killed, Bo mused, how would she be able to face Arin when she grew up?
Lauren saw Drake sprint to her shoving people out of the way but he would not make it to her on time.
What could she, a human, say or do to avert an all out war?
A/N: Anyone want the next chap? Comment, fav and follow!
OK, now we are seeing more for Mia Tate's character, lemme give you a little background on her creation. She is LOOSELY based off a combination of 2 people.
If you Google 'Mia Tate', you will find that it tries to auto correct you, and give you results for someone else who IRL "is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Primarily known for her grappling ability. " Currently number 2 in official UFC women's bantamweight rankings but was number 1 for a time. With the exception of the blue eyes in my story, that is the way I imagine her. Kendra better not go onto a ground /grappling situation with her is all I can say. I wonder what would happen? *wink wink*.
Some of Mia's experiences in the service are loosely based from a couple events surrounding a PFC who was in resupply battalion which went under fire during her time in Iraq. Again LOOSELY. Drake saved her in mine where she was captured and subsequently rescued IRL.