Kendra got out of her truck with Dyson trailing behind and to her surprise Vex and 2 of his people were already there waiting just outside.
She'd already informed Mia and Tamsin that she was coming back to meet the Boston PD in another area of Hale's light compound. She didn't tell them why exactly, but Kendra wanted to see what Jane had to say before then.
She walked up to Vex who was dressed in all black, leather pants, matching jacket and a tight spandex type shirt. He was also wearing body armor over his shirt and a Glock holstered on his right belt and an ID badge for a federal marshal on his left.
To 2 others behind him look ex-mil and maybe special forces. They were dressed in matching grey suits and body armor as well with Glocks and MP5s.
Kendra found it almost funny that Vex always had to make some sort of fashion statement.
Vex addressed this off the bat motioning to her gear, "Wot? This was the best I can do in 20 minutes."
Kendra just moved on and introduced herself to the man on Vex's right, "I'm Kendra and you are?"
"Scott," the tall red head replied.
The other came forward, "Toby," the shorter dirty blonde replied.
"OK," Vex clapped, "Shall we get Mia?"
"Not yet, I need to survey the area so that Boston PD doesn't get curious about the crime scene," Kendra replied adjusting her AR over her shoulder pointing her barrel down and forward.
"OK Love, lead the way," Vex bowed.
Kendra walked in a side entrance, the same one Jane and Mura would take and then down the halls with Vex and company. Luckily they were empty minus Laruen's team walking by every now and then.
It was then she came to an open area right before a small study. Kendra was about to enter the study when she noted boots and a dagger strewed on the floor in front of a leather couch. The dagger looked like Bo's and so did the boots.
Why would Bo be running around without her dagger and boots? Was she disarmed and kidnapped? Was she feeding? Was Tamsin playing more games with Bo?
She didn't know.
Dyson sniffed the boots and traced it to the study room door.
Kendra put her ear to the door and heard nothing but that was the only logical place to be since all the other places nearby were public and Kendra could see no other signs of Bo. Also this door was normally open she remembered.
Kendra got her rifle ready and signaled everyone else to take offensive positions flanking the door with the MP5s ready. Vex was one step behind Kendra and just nodded for her to open the door.
Dyson as usual was by her side wagging his tail.
Vex knew he didn't need a gun, so he just stood behind her crossing his arms.
She reached for the handle but then had a thought. 'This area is secured and I may be barging in on Tamsin and Bo's quiet love making. Also Dyson don't seem to be in a heightened state of alert.
She had Vex's whole formation hold then stealthily crept to the discarded boots then knelt down and gathered more clues. The dagger and boots looked like they were pulled off and dropped to the floor lazily. Same with the dagger. What caught her attention was that several drops of fluid still had yet to dry up from the boots. It was clear.
There were no drinks around so she brought the boot up to sniff it but the leather smell overpowered everything.
It was then she dabbed her finger on one of the drops and rubbed it between her thumb and index finger. Kendra felt this fluid to be a little slick and just to confirm, she sniffed it.
Kendra knew exactly what it was and knew her response would have been over kill had she just executed.
She felt a little sheepish for being so gun hoe and told everyone to just stand down.
Vex just commented, "Congrats Kendra. So you're that keen on detectin' Bo's love potion eh? I wonder how?"
Kendra just ignored him and strode over to the door and requested to all, "Just stay out here and I'll be back."
"Okkkk just don't get caught in her siren call," Vex wandered to the couch and was about to sit down but mentioned off hand looking it couch suspiciously, "I cringe to think about all the succubus excretions on this, so I guess I'll stand."
Toby and Scott still just stood by the door.
Kendra like a cat, fluidly opened the door and entered with Dyson.
Bo, Olivia and Liv were just lounging in an ornate cherry wood framed couch all trying to catch their breath.
Everyone was still naked all relaxed with Bo sat in between them. She put her arms around both of them and brought them in and asked, "So are you two still enemies?"
Bo looked to Olivia who had the most issues with Fauxlivia.
Olivia thoughtfully mentioned, "On a professional level, I don't fault her. She did what she was ordered to do, which was to infiltrate my team in this universe and get some missing items they needed but didn't have in theirs."
Bo asked trying to divert the hidden sting which was to follow, "And that is where things get tricky but can you work with her on that level now?"
"Yes. I found," Olivia mentioned seriously, "that she's a lot like me. She didn't blindly follow orders now she's here without authorization to make peace with us. She put the puzzle pieces together herself and wants help both our worlds."
Fauxlivia added, "My boss, Walter, believed that Olivia and team were the reason why our world was falling apart. But it was not so after I worked with her team for a time. I felt… guilty for using Olivia's family like that."
Bo then mentioned directing it again toward Olivia, "And personally?"
Liv was the first one to speak, "We haven't really sorted that out."
Olivia although all serious began to shut down and clam up.
Bo told them, "I thralled both of you just enough so that you are bluntly honest with each other and to numb the stings of emotional hurt. It by no means will take it all away. This thrall effect will wear off in a day and what you do now will forge how you will see each other from that time forward. It will determine if and how you move forward with each other."
Olivia nodded and knew Bo was referring to her since it seemed that Liv came here to patch things up too.
Fauxlivia got it and was the first to come forward, "I'm sorry Olivia. I used Peter. He was getting too close to me and I needed to keep my cover."
"You SLEPT with him!" Olivia spat out accusingly her voice quivered with anger. "He was MY Peter!"
"He wasn't supposed to be in your world! He was taken from mine!," Liv bit back, but knew this wasn't helping any. She then took a deep breath and added, "Peter KNEW I was slightly different. Deep down I knew he caught onto that my personality was slightly different. I listened to different music, my sense of humor, even the way I walked. I could only explain away so much."
Olivia just blew up growling viciously at Liv, "So you not only fucked him, you effed with this mind too! He STILL THINKS about you!... NOT me!"
Liv was stunned. She didn't know. Somehow Peter had fallen in love with something that made her uniquely her.
"He wanted YOU Olivia. When I first met him in my world, he never looked at me the way he looked at you. I realized that after spending time with him here, I saw, how much he loved you," Liv offered as justification.
Olivia finally looked away deeply hurt. She was immensely jealous that Liv got Peter, "Now I want what you HAVE! Fucking whore!"
Bo rubbed Olivia's back and just said, "Breath. I know you're mad, but name calling won't bring us any closer to fixing this."
Olivia just replied trying to control herself, "I don't know how to fix this! If Peter kisses and holds me, is he thinking about Liv?"
Fauxlivia quickly replied, "Do you even ALLOW him to even do so? I know Peter and he is trying to move heaven and earth to make amends for your relationship but knowing you, you won't accept."
Olivia almost yelled but she stopped short and just mentioned, "I'm not like you in the fact that you're care free. I'm not an open book."
Liv replied, "I know and hasn't Peter been patient with you all the way? He wanted you and I just so happened to get there faster but YOU are in me and I am in YOU. We are one and the same person just shaped slightly differently by our experiences. You can CHOOSE to be more like me and you can choose to be vulnerable to him. I'm not saying be someone you're not, but let go a little. You take life so seriously but what fun is that?"
"So you just expect me to go up to him tell him that I want what you have and ask him how I can do that?"
"Yes" Liv responded spartanly.
"Easier said than done and you know it," Olivia cut in throwing up mental road blocks.
"OK, do you allow yourself to be freaking vulnerable for once? Allow Peter to be your rock. Also Peter MEANS rock. Give him another chance. Let him back in. Play it by ear."
"OK. So how did you get to my Peter so quickly," Olivia asked both as a question but her voice lined with hurt.
"I'm sorry Olivia AGAIN. Do you want me to answer that without you clocking me?" Liv asked backing up a little even with Bo's arms around both of them.
Olivia mustered up all her energy and put her hand hesitantly on Liv's in a leap of faith and said, "I just need to know so I can have what you have. Please."
This hurt Olivia that she had to share Peter. That and she needed advice from her enemy or former enemy.
Liv finally put forward carefully but felt a little better that Olivia was asking a serious question, "I invited him over to talk after a case and right after I opened the door and let him in, I told him that I lied about talking. Then ummmm sparks flew."
"That's it?!" Olivia asked as if Liv was playing some cruel joke on her.
"Yup."
"NO WAY. Peter fell in a matter of seconds?"
"Yes," But then Liv expounded. "He was always ready to fall for you. You just didn't allow yourself too. Olivia, I know you had a messed up childhood and that is why you have all these walls. But your walls are so high that the only way Peter will ever see the real you, is when they come crumbling down. By that time, your whole universe is gone."
Bo finally added, "Olivia, you can keep your walls but can you tell Peter what you need, which will give him a path to your heart?"
Olivia nodded after digesting this for a couple of seconds.
Bo turned to the red head, "Liv, can you give Olivia tips on how better to get along with Peter?"
Liv nodded.
Olivia finally asked a glaring question to Fauxlivia, "If I ask Peter to be mine, what about you?"
Liv knew this question was loaded and answered firmly, "He is YOUR Peter, Olivia. I don't belong like my partner Link is so fond of saying. I will help you any way I can on the personal side if you let me and I will also help with fixing our worlds."
"Promise me," Olivia demanded. "Give me your word that what you just said goes above and beyond everything you hold dear."
"I swear it."
Bo was touched, they were both able to make up and it showed when they hugged another.
It was then both Olivia's swiftly reached down to their cloths and pulled out their respective guns and Bo knew something was up and grabbed a letter opener she found ready to throw.
They faced their Asian woman armed heavily in full body armor just striding calmly towards them. She was quiet and had her weapons on standby but not in the ready position.
They also noticed a Grey Wolf hop up on a table to flank them.
Dyson licked his lips excitedly at the sight before him. He may be a Dire Wolf, but Bo and 2 other beautiful women nude piqued his interest to say the least.
Bo was the first to put down the letter opener and smiled and just greeted, "Hi Kendra. Oh ladies, this is Captain Kendra …"
Liv tossed her gun aside and jumped up excitedly and ran to Kendra with open arms to get a hug even being in the nude.
Kendra nearly backed up when they collided. She was stiff and had no idea who she was but knew that the Blonde trying to cover up grabbing her clothes was Agent Olivia Dunham and this one looked like her twin with red hair. Kendra didn't return the hug but was surprised the red head pulled her off the ground slightly in the bear hug.
"Oh my GOD Kennie! It's me Liv! How have YOU been?! God I missed you!" Liv mentioned to a very stiff Kendra. "No MMA or BJJ moves ok?"
Kendra just chuckled after seeing Bo just nodded to let Liv be. For all Kendra knew, Liv was under a thrall. "That thought never crossed my mind," Kendra mentioned sarcastically.
Bo knew Olivia was still getting dressed pulling on her button down shirt to look presentable. Bo just dove into her tank since she couldn't find her bra and clarified to Kendra motioning to Liv, "This is Agent Olivia Dunham of Fringe from another parallel universe like ours but things played out slightly differently there. She is visiting us a couple days before she needs to return."
Liv finally separated from Kendra and slapped her arm playfully, "Hey we gotta catch up."
Kendra looked at her oddly.
Liv clarified, "Look Kennie, I know you probably don't know me in this universe but on my world, you and I are good friends. I take them down, you prosecute. That is if they survive."
Kendra looked confused. This just kept getting weirder by the minute.
Olivia had just pulled on her pants when she came forward to greet Kendra, "Olivia Dunham, FBI Fringe. Just call me Olivia. We are assisting with an ongoing investigation at this site. Good to meet you again."
Liv tossed Olivia her shoes and just teased, "Awww come on. Lighten up. This is Attorney Kendra Shaw, one of the greatest darn prosecutors in our universe. She is also voted the most dangerous woman in the world. Her MMA and BJJ skills are off the charts and in a courtroom, same applies."
Liv started to hastily get dressed.
"Oh" Bo who was now fully dressed sans her boots and dagger raised a brow curiously as did Kendra.
Kendra knew her MMA and BJJ skills where good but how good did she have to be if her skills were 'off the charts'? She found it almost comical how Liv saw her.
Kendra just finally stated formally changing tact, "Everyone, I need this study in an hour or so. We have 2 Boston PD personnel coming here to brief Mia Tate about developments in a separate investigation. I need BPD to be clear of the current area under investigation."
"Done," Everyone said in unison with Liv hopping on her pants.
Kendra looked about the room with books and other items strewed across the floor, "I also need this room to not look like a crime scene as well."
Before Kendra even completed, Olivia was already tidying up and then Bo and Liv joined in.
When all was set, Kendra radioed ahead to expect Jane and Maura.
Kenzi woke up with a headache and dizzy. She looked around and just saw Bo sitting at the edge of her bed with a tight smile.
"Whoa, holy hang over Batman," Kenzi tried to get up but Bo stopped her and eased her back into bed.
"Hey easy Kenz. Just give yourself a minute. Ok?" Bo mentioned with concern.
Kenzi just flopped back down and a wave of uncomfortable silence fell over them. Kenzi knew this was her fault for blaming Bo for Hale's death. She felt really bad for lashing out since she just wanted to belong.
Bo on the other hand was still too distracted and numb.
She was destined to kill almost everyone she cared about and it looked like there was no way of avoiding it. She was however, here to stay. Everyone needed her because without her things would just fall apart.
Most of all however, it was Tamsin. She saw the vulnerable look on her face when she said she was having a baby and she knew Tamsin was essentially begging her to stay. Tamsin was vulnerable to no one but Bo. Most of all, Tamsin hated to beg especially in mixed company.
For better or for worse Bo would stand by Tamsin's side and fight. What to do about everyone else was the question.
Bo's mind kept trying to find ways around this hopeless situation but Hale's demise just proved that she was wrong.
Doubt was flirting with her and it was working. She was barely holding onto hope and she was sure glad Tamsin had enough hope for the both of them.
Bo was so deep in thought that she had no idea that Kenzi had gotten up and hugged her tightly.
Kenzi finally murmured with her ear to Bo's heart, "I'm sorry Bo that I blamed you. Can you forgive me for being irrational …. JUST this once?"
Bo pulled her sister in a little more and just said with a slight smile, "Of course. There's nothing to forgive."
Bo then took a deep breath and tried to sound somewhat excited with a pasted smile, "So, Trick is the new interim Ash."
"Good," Kenzi broke the hug and expounded, "We can now hold meetings at the Dal. Alcohol always helps negotiations go better."
Kenzi was joking but saw Bo go back to holding a stoic and long face. It was unlike her. Even in the darkest of times, Bo was able to see the humor.
Bo just clarified moving forward, "Trick has taken care of everything for Hale, so you don't have to. He will be laid to rest in the Grand courtyard alongside the greatest leaders of all Ash time this weekend. I'll be by your side every step of the way Kenz."
Kenzi replied knowing full well that Bo had something bigger on her mind than Hale but knew Bo was doing her best to keep the family together.
Kenzi cradled both of Bo's hands into her lap and finally asked, "Are you ok Bo Bo?"
Bo nodded putting on her picture perfect smile with ease and nodded, "Yea, I'm ok. We now have the Fringe division of the FBI onsite to help us. They are humans that investigate the unexplained, but they have agreed to keep our Fae secrets."
"Like the X-Files?" Kenzi backed up showing a hint of humorous disbelief.
"Yea just like that. Mia is hoping to find who did this within a day or 2," Bo replied still holding a tight smile.
Something was REALLY wrong with Bo, Kenzi surmised. Bo was putting on a show. Bo was trying to give what she needed even though Bo herself had nothing left to give.
Kenzi switched tactics and told Bo, "Ya know Bo-ba-lish. I know you hate it when people hold out on you supposedly for your own good. You're big girl and have more than proven that you can take the heat."
Kenzi paused seeing Bo's expression break for a moment and then continued, "I'm the same. Sisters right? We don't hold out on each other. I can deal with Hale, but I can't deal with you being miserable."
Bo darted her glance away wiping her eyes. She had cried enough so she dropped her smile and frowned stammering forth, "Kenz, I saw my father in Valhalla and all the premonitions he had were spot on to what Trevor saw as well. I also saw several others."
"Sooooo tell me about it," Kenzi pried.
Bo tried to pull her hands away but Kenzi was holding tight, "I saw all those close to me die when I was attacked by a sea of Fae."
"OK, who?" Kenzi asked curiously.
"Everyone I hold dear and then some. Kenzi I … I do… don't really want to talk about this now," Bo stammered.
Kenzi thought about this and knew ALL or everyone was a lot of people. Also if Bo listed them off, she'd probably lose it. Kenzi knew she could ask Tamsin, but she may even not give her a straight answer. She took a different approach and asked, "After the attack. Just tell me WHO made it?"
Bo paused.
Kenzi patted her hand to goad her to spill, "Come on. Does me knowing affect what will happen?"
"No….."
"Then who did you see come out of this?"
"I only saw Alex, Trick, and Arin. I'm not sure about Drake. Kara," Bo finally fessed up.
Kenzi paused and knew there had to be more but by the sheer fact Bo was including extended family like Drake painted a grim picture off the bat. This couldn't be.
After a long painful pause Bo listed one more name with both hurt and anger lining her voice yanking her hands back and turning her back to Kenzi,
"Me," Bo stated nearly boiling over in distain. She hated herself already and the events still had yet to happen.
Kenzi hugged Bo from behind and she felt Bo's anger feeling her muscles tighten up.
"Have Trick rewrite history. Have you told him yet?" Kenzi offered as a simple solution.
"No. I've been thinking about this and came to the realization that it is the reason WHY we are here now Kenz. Every time he uses his blood to rewrite history, it will come true but there will be a hideous price that will manifest itself later. It's like the tale of the Monkey's Paw. No, I have not told him for fear he will write a version of history that will somehow not have us together and nor will you or anyone else for that matter. The only way out now is through to make us right history once again. I also promised Tamsin I'd be there for her and our daughter and I will. I can't afford to lose Tamsin if history is rewritten," Bo mentioned adamantly.
Kenzi picked up on something that didn't sound quite right and carefully corrected, "Arin is Tamsin's sister."
Bo shook her head and took a deep breath, "Tamsin and I need to see Lauren. I need to find out everything about Valkyrie pregnancies. But this is the first instance of this for all Valkyrie kind. I just hope…. I didn't see her in the premonitions ….. I … I don't know…."
Kenzi 's jaw dropped scampering to the front of Bo holding her shoulders trembling with excitement and a smile that could light up the room, "You mean Tammers is preggers with your baby!"
Bo saw how excited Kenzi was and she chuckled too. This was something to be celebrated and Bo forgot to do just that. "Yes Kenz, somehow through the bond and my powers to create life, she's going to have a girl."
"OH MY GOD!" Kenzi hugged Bo but then paced the room as a barrage of thoughts came rushing forth, "Did you choose a name? Is she a Valkyrie? When is the expected? God I'm gonna to be an Auntie! I have so gotta tell everyone!"
Kenzi skipped around the room barely containing herself and kept going but stopped long enough to ask, "Can I be her god mother?!"
Bo was still catching up but replied thinking about it quickly nodding, "Of course."
"Oh gosh! Did you name her?"
"No, not yet. I'm sure Tamsin and I have to get a list together," Bo clarified trying to keep up.
Kenzi pulled her to her feet and energetically proclaimed, "Let's get started!"
Kenzi dragged her into the hall, "So any superhero name has to be based in her powers."
Kenzi whipped around and stopped all of a sudden with a dead serious face, "So, do you know what super powers she will have?"
"No but I tasted her chi combined with Tamsin's. She's going to be part Valkyrie and part succubus. I guess she will have powers from both," Bo was unsure what names Kenzi would come up with
"OK. Then let the Kenzi-nator work her magic!" Kenzi pulled Bo along.
Kenzi knew she'd have to face the fact she lost Hale, but in all this there was hope. Hope for a new life even with death beating down their door.
It was then she stopped abruptly again and told Bo changing gears quickly but in the same excited tone, "Bo, have everyone that's going to have tales and fables of their greatness written about them meet here ASAP. If we know what and about when those events happen, we deserve to make plans accordingly. For me, I have to make sure I have on my Jimmy Cho Boots! AND get a mani – pedi before then!"
Bo nodded and was thankful for Kenzi, even knowing her own demise was coming was brave. Kenzi was right about letting those that didn't make it at the very least make preparations.
Kenzi then pulled her along, "Let's see Mulder and Skully! I need to see Tamtam too."
Bo pulled out her phone and dialed Lauren.
Kendra decided to hang back with Vex's team in her area of the compound. She did pop her head in to see how things were going but Alex was right, it was in good hands with Mia.
Dyson was a riot giving Bo her bra in front of everyone. It seemed that Dyson had a couple seconds to grab it before the threesome noted her presence.
What did surprise her was that Mia walked up to her from the other side of the room and answered a question she had directed at Peter. It wasn't loud enough for her to hear, but then of course the area did echo a little.
In the end, she sat in the study with Vex's team just outside who were hanging around on their smart phones, while she reviewed what she had on Mia. What could Jane need Federal Marshals for? Was Mia that important of an asset?
Nothing stood out until she picked up that her adopted mother was a teacher for sign language and reading lips. Then it hit her, Mia could read lips in addition to signing. It wasn't listed as one of her skills. Needless to say, she'd have to find out more.
It was then Liv sashayed into the study and broke her attention.
Dyson was rolled up in front of the table and opened his eyes lazily to track Liv.
"Hey, Kennie. Can I join you?" Liv asked.
Kendra snapped to and just motioned to the chair across from her. "It's Kendra. Sure Agent Dunham."
"Red, just call me Red or Liv," Liv sat down and leaned back.
"So what brings you here?" Kendra asked the red head.
"Nothing. Just need a brief mental break. Olivia and Peter are stealing kisses every now and then when they think no one is looking. Walter and I are waiting for test result and I think we're onto something," Liv lazy put forth.
"Oh really," Kendra questioned but had no idea how to follow up. She didn't know Liv after all.
Liv finally said, "Must be weird huh? I know a version of you in the alternate universe and here I am starting where we left off."
Kendra froze for a second but just mentioned, "It does. But you can still talk to her since you will be back in a couple of days."
Liv's cheery face faded away.
Kendra immediately surmised that something bad happened to Kennie and Liv in the alternate universe.
Liv spoke carefully, "Kendra was ambered in the alternate universe. There was a spontaneous rift in our world and it needed to be sealed. Hundreds of people were caught in it which is like being frozen in a block of ice that doesn't melt. They, the ambered, are dead for all intents and purposes. In any case, my Kendra or Kennie stayed back to clear the area and save who she could."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Kendra blurted out. How else was she supposed to respond seeing the loss all over Liv's face.
"She was part of A-FRET, the Amber First Response and Extraction Team. It was made up of volunteers. She signed up to do some good so that every time a rift formed, her team would be responsible for getting as many people out as possible before the Amber was released to seal it. Last year, she got caught at the edge of an Amber deployment. Since you can see though the amber, I see her every week when I go for a walk. There is now a memorial to her at that location as well. She's a hero to A-FRET and all of us," Liv finally concluded.
Kendra realized that Liv was probably a good friend of Kennie and to see her friend caught in amber every week was probably some sort of purgatory. She was probably talking to Kennie in the Amber although she was dead. Liv was trying to have a conversation with her since Kendra was a spitting image of her.
Liv straightened up and the smirked regaining her composure and stood up, "Hey, I gotta check on Walter and get him some red twizzlers."
"Wait," Kendra stood up as well. "I'm not your Kennie, but can you tell me about her? Please."
Kendra knew she could always listen.
Liv laughed and sat back down to tell the tale.
Dyson caught up on some light sleep while the 2 talked away.
Vex noted that while the investigation was going on the dynamic between Drake, Mia and Alex was off. Drake and Alex alone were just fine. They were both professional and worked well together but also saw snippets of them being warm to each other. That was expected since they were engaged.
When Mia came into the picture however, both of them became a little bit stiff and rigid. They became formal, almost uncomfortably so and Vex had a suspicion that it was caused by Alex. By Alex getting rigid, Drake reacted in kind.
Finally Mia and Alex were talking to one another while Drake worked with Fringe.
Vex noted the when Mia and Alex were talking, things eased up a little but there was still strain visible. They were all still able to work on a professional level though.
Vex finally decided to do something about this and sashayed over to them.
The both looked at him expectantly stopping their conversation.
"Do Eu two know 'ow Drake got 'is nick name, 'Commander'" Vex opened.
Mia noted, "Vex, we are trying to narrow the list of suspects and Peter is trying to recover some video footage that we can use. How does this pertain to …."
Vex put his finger up to silence Mia a little impatiently, "JUST 'umor me for a bloody minute. K"
Alex spoke up, "Drake doesn't know exactly. I asked him the same question."
Mia finally added, "His nick name 'commander' was already his by the time I met him in Afghanistan. He noted that he got that moniker 'commander' weeks before I met him but doesn't know how the exact details."
"I do." Vex sat at the edge of the table relaxed while both women stayed standing both wondering about the myth surrounding it. "Eu see we Mesmers 're a sol'I'ary specie. We are 'unted because of what we can do and 'e or she who controls a Mesmer is considered by Fae pow'erful. It got so bad we 'ad to go to a war zone to 'ide. In the bat'le field crap 'appens an not a freak soul cares. Crap 'appens, it does. We were at a base in the green zone, mindin' our own business gettin' lunch in a tent wit everyone else when we's hear arguing outside. It was Drake, a contractor, tellin' a lowly NCO to lock down the place. Drake mind you already 'ad single 'andedly just taken down a suicide bomber who dressed impeccably in army fatigues to blend in. 'is mission was to blow 'imself to pieces and take all us blokes wit 'im while eatin' supper. Bloody wanker 'e was."
Vex paused and he noted he did capture the undivided attention of both women and after a pause he continued.
""eu see, we already knew Drake was part mind reader Fae since he ALWAYS wore gloves. He was so xenophobic and barely talked to anyone 'cept 'is team if 3. You'd think 'e was a misfit, but 'e 'ad sharp situational awareness. In this 'ere case, Drake took off 'is gloves to shake hands with that wanker and read 'is mind. Without a word, Drake drew his Glock and shot 'im straight between thee eyes but not after getin' a hold of wot they planned to do. 'e was not alone. Drake showed the MP his explosive vest and ordered a lock down ASAP since 'e knew 'is friends were coming."
Vex shook his head and smirked, "Me and mi blokes approached 'im but kept distance and the MP would not lock down the base the way Drake wan'ed and 'e was seething mad since 'e knew what those buggers planned. See, thee MP needed direction from a more superior officer to do what Drake suggested."
Vex laughed and imitated Drake but careful not to be too loud, "Drake yelled at an inch from 'is face, ''I am your fucking commander for all I care! Now do it and save some lives and stop being a fucking tool!"
Vex laughed some more, "Thee MP nearly crapped in 'is pants but did it. That MP was later credited for saving hundreds of lives that day due to 'is," Vex then did air quotes, "QUICK THINKING. Everyone else at that base knew who was the real 'ero but no one knew 'is name at first but they did remember his rank of 'commander' that 'e gave 'imself."
Mia spoke, "Then why was Drake never acknowledged?"
"Because love, the MP could not say he broke prot'o'col and when 'e finally fessed up, thee army alread'y broke the story. Not only that, 'ow would it look if an effing private contractor saved the day. " Vex clarified.
Mia looked down, "Yea, just like the time they covered up that Drake was the unit that saved my ass when we were ambushed a month later."
Vex clapped his hands together and noted, "We mesmers owe Drake. 'ad 'e not stopped that wanker with a bomb vest, we 3 would all be dead and with it 75% of all us mesmers."
Vex paused and then added, "Commander was first just his nick name but as word spread, it really became 'is rank too in a way after 'he rescued Mia. 'im saving our arses is why all of mi blokes are 'ere for 'im. 'e just 'as no idea why."
Alex nodded.
Vex finally said, "Well since we owed 'im. We sent a siren nurse to 'elp 'im sleep and deal with his powers bet'er while on base. I worked for a time. 'e was able to face the 'ostile world again and then 'e saved you arse Mia but the story doesn't end there. Mia I guess eu can take it from 'ere about what 'appened to Drake and team a month la'er after 'he rescued eu."
Mia looked for Drake and we was now working with Tamsin at the reviewing test results with Astrid.
Mia faced Alex and said, "You know the part about my unit, well it was 2 units actually in total that got ambushed. My unit since it was in the front took most of the causalities. Drake flanked the enemy and he held position until air support and medical choppers came in. Again Drake took no credit. He was humble and went back to protecting the electrical contractors who were running cable in the area. I told everyone about Drake's role but no one listened. They just wanted to hear my story of how I held position took charge of the other unit. In reality, I froze but Drake yelled to me what I needed to do."
Mia hung her head down and shook it in disappointment.
Alex realized how much that hurt her ego to admit that.
Mia continued, "Well a month and a couple days later, while I was swept up in the fame of being heralded as a 'hero', Drake was taking R&R but the insurgents already knew that it was Drake and his team that stopped their plans at the base and even to an extent my convey. His team was ambushed and all 3 of his closest friends were killed along with all the electrical contractors. The aftermath was gruesome with Drake's teaming being beheaded after they were killed and the electrical contractors being shot in the head execution style. That wasn't news even but everyone knew this was personal to the insurgents. Drake however lost it. To him, those 3 were not just his family but a part of him since he read them all because he had no choice, he could not at that time turn off his abilities. When I found out, my new pull allowed me to take time off and be there for him like he was for me."
Mia paused and it was Vex that chimed in.
"So we gettin' into personal stuff are we?"
Alex spoke up, "It's ok Mia. Drake told me that you helped him deal while he was there and now I know why. However which way you did it, I am just glad you did. You don't have to go into the details."
Everyone there knew Alex implied that Mia slept with Drake.
Mia took a deep breath and formally relayed, "I wanted to talk to you, but never found the right time, and now is a good of a time as any. YES Alex, I did sleep with him fully clothed at all times. He could not take reading another soul since he had seen enough horrors reading everyone else. He just wanted to be 'normal' and free of the curse. Men tend to bottle everything up and just pretend that everything is ok. Drake took time to open up to me with his emotions and that is what saved him. He also went on because I told him that a couple weeks after my convoy was ambushed, the 2 sole remaining members of my unit were taken off life support. I convinced him that we had a bond since we shared something in common which was that both of our units were wiped out."
Mia glanced to the ceiling to compose what to say next, "As for my relationship with Drake, the front lines of war is a terrible thing to experience. Only someone else from there can make that connection to that dark place which we all desperately try hide or run away from. It's a place which haunts us and we need one another to pull each other up when we fall into it."
"So no, Drake and I never made love nor were we ever in that type of relationship," Mia concluded.
Alex did have a question and finally put it out on the table even with Vex there, "Then why did Drake have a shrine to you in his room until recently?"
Mia flicked her hair back and stated, "He had a crush on me from what I gather and it was after he said he had the ability to turn his powers off….."
Vex interjected, "Thee one and only thing that bugger, Taft, did right."
Mia carefully kept going, "I didn't oblige since my life was already so messed up and fame didn't help any. All the intimate relationships I had failed because of issues stemming around my adoption I guess. I didn't want him to leave my life and he wanted me in his, so this is about as far as we go, good friends. You have nothing to fear from me Alex and I am happy for the both of you."
Alex just smirked feeling better and said, "Thanks Mia."
Vex added bringing everything together, "Alex? Drake is thee last person that deserves your wrath or jealously. Don't pun'ish 'im for some'in 'e is not. 'e chose to love once more and 'he chose you. No one else. And eu need to know 'ow extraordinary 'e is and 'ow lucky you are… 'ell 'ow lucky we all are!"
Vex got animated and just jumped up and passionately without attracting too much attention announced, "If 'he wanted me to pose for 'im in a Chipper-n-dales tong. I'd give it to 'im! If 'e wanted to do the tango with eu in the mid'le of the field at super bowl 'alf time. Give it to 'im! If he wanted Mia to join in. GIVE IT TO 'IM! I'd be more than 'appy to get 'is coffee."
Alex now got the full picture. Drake never talked about his time in Afghanistan but this allowed her to see just enough to know that she was judging him too harshly. She also realized that Mia was no longer a threat.
Vex put his hand on both their shoulders and just said, "Come come come now, I feel a 'ug coming between eu two.'
Alex and Mia sheepishly hugged and Vex trotted away to check on Kendra and his team proclaiming proudly to all, "Ta-Dee-Da! My job is done 'ere!"
"Thanks for being honest with me Mia," Alex said after they broke the hug.
"If there is anything you need from me to help your relationship with Drake along, let me know," Mia replied.
Alex then like a giddy school girl leaned in and whispered several things into her ear and Mia just nodded and turned a slight hue of red.
Mia response while backing up was, "That IS a novel idea Alex. Sure."
Alex then leaned in and whispered, "I hope things work out for you and Kendra."
Mia replied, "I hope so too. All I know is that I have some explaining to do when Dyson shifts back."
"He'll understand."
"I know, but what to do moving forward will be the ultimate question. They are life mates," Mia concluded with Peter ushering them over to a room to review his findings.