A/N: Hi, everyone. Thanks for the reviews, favs, and follows. :} I appreciate 'em all.

So! Last chapter, a guest asked what a half-breed was. I edited the chapter to include an answer for future readers, but I decided I would include one in this update as well.

A half-breed is what Abbadon (the original half-walker, half...human? Fae? I've yet to reveal that. ;}) creates when he infects/turns other humans and Fae.

Another thing to note: A caladrius is technically a snow-white bird that refuses to look at anyone who's ill and dying. They're able to take the illness upon themselves, flying away to disperse/purge the illness while curing themselves at the same time.

Here we go! This'll be a chunky chapter.

Chapter 11

Tamsin ambled casually through the woods, kicking the now-crunchy leaves that had fallen to the ground. Autumn had arrived which meant winter would come and eventually, the walkers would be unable to move. She hefted out a sigh, pursing her lips and twisting them to the side a bit in a contemplative manner. The blonde tilted her head, listening for something before she stopped her walk. She stood in a small clearing, surrounded by dead silence.

"So, either you all can show yourselves.. or I can come to you," she said in a clear, loud voice before turning on her heel to throw a rock in a specific direction. A blur of movement occurred, and someone dodged the rock, letting it smack against a tree. The person entered the clearing now, staring at her before raising his hands.

"Look, we just want to talk," he said, his eyes darting around the area that surrounded the clearing.

"Talking doesn't exactly require six of you," the valkyrie replied, her nose scrunching for a brief moment.

"We didn't know what you were capable of.." The man said hesitantly.

"I'm a lady. What do you think I'm capable of doing?" She asked in a faux innocent tone, watching the man circle around her.

"I heard about how all those half-breeds ran from you, and that's all the proof I need for what you can do. You work for that monster."

Tamsin's forehead wrinkled in confusion. "Work for whom?"

"You know exactly who I'm talking about. Don't make me say his name."

"Unfortunately, you resemble a homeless mutt. Oh, also quite unfortunate, I still don't know what you're talking about," the blonde said in a sarcastic tone.

"Shut up. We're bringing you in. No more talking."

"I don't think so," Tamsin said before her eyes darkened, and she directed enough doubt to bring the guy to his knees. She watched as he clutched his head while on his knees, yelling in pain. She sensed the next person before she saw them, turning around to clothesline them with her arm. They slammed into the ground, hitting their head hard to enough to knock themselves out.

Two people now came running at her, and Tamsin let her eyes darken again. Their eyes widened in fear before they found doubt gripping their brains, turning them against one another. The pair drew back their fists before swinging them forward into each other's jaws, effectively knocking each other out. They crumpled to the ground in a pile.

As Tamsin turned around, she found a metal chain being wrapped around her body. She watched as a woman pushed off the trees surrounding her, looping the chain over and over. Finally, the lady stopped, holding the end of a couple of feet of chain that was leftover.

"Hah!" The woman yelled out, turning towards the rest of her companions. "I got her before any of you dweebs!"

Tamsin smirked before taking off in a sprint, tugging the female behind her. The valkyrie spun once, unwinding the chain some before she took one last step, putting all of her weight down and twisting her body. The attacker's feet left the ground, and she found herself being swung by the Nordic warrior through the air. Just as she was about to let out a yelp of terror, her body slammed harshly into the trunk of a tree, and she passed out instantly.

The valkyrie heard an angered cry behind her, and she turned just in time to see a guy recklessly running at her from a distance away. She started running at him, still bound by the chain. As he neared, he brought up a bat, swinging at her. Where he thought he would hear the sound of impact, he heard nothing. In the moment he blinked, she had already side-stepped out of the way, jumping now. Having already swung, he stared at her helplessly, unable to dodge. Tamsin brought her feet together now, and she drop-kicked the man before slamming onto her back on the ground, the chains digging into her flesh.

Quickly, Tamsin scrambled back onto her feet, breathing heavily. The chains were tight around her ribcage, and she found it harder and harder to draw breath. She heard approaching footsteps behind her now, and the rest of the group came barreling at her. Before she could respond however, she heard the whiz of a dart gliding through the air before it found its target: her neck. The blonde let out a choked a gasp, but refused to go down so easily. She kicked the feet out from under someone, tripping them to the ground before another whiz sounded. This time, a dart made its home in her calf.

Whiz. Another dart in her thigh. Angrily, Tamsin lashed out, head butting someone. Whiz. Another dart lodged into her neck. She clenched her teeth, hissing in pain. She fell to her knees, watching as the ground seemed to shift beneath her before the rest of her landed on the cold ground. Her eyes looked up blearily, searching for answers. And answers, she certainly found. Tamsin made eye contact with Dyson as he stared down at her impassively. She grit her teeth, wanting to get out one last word before she lost consciousness.

"How's it.. goin', pup?" Tamsin sneered before passing out.

"How the hell did she take down the first half of our group?" Dyson asked to no one in particular, looking at all the injured people. "We should've equipped the first group with tranquilizers as well. I didn't think she'd be able to fight all of them."

Dyson furrowed his eyebrows now before barking out commands. "Alright, everyone, I'll take her back.. the rest of you tend to the wounded, and I'll be back just as soon as I drop her off." With that, he picked Tamsin up, throwing her over his shoulder and making his way back to the settlement.

::::

A couple of weeks had passed since Bo's encounter with Tamsin yet each morning she woke up with thoughts of the blonde. This morning, Bo lay in her bed longer than she usually did, and she stared at the slant of the tent that currently acted as her home. She stretched, letting out a drawn-out yawn as she listened to sounds of the settlement coming alive. Mmm, it's probably around 8 o' clock. Heaving out a sigh, the succubus rolled out of bed, slipping on a red kimono similar to the one she owned before skipping town with Kenzi and Dyson. She brushed her teeth and hair before tying the latter into a high ponytail. Afterwards, she slipped on her usual attire of tight jeans, a low-cut shirt, knee-high boots, and her dagger belt.

Bo slipped out of her tent, breathing in the fresh air. The sun shone brightly, birds were chirping, and not a single cloud spotted the sky. She made her way to the tent next to hers, sticking her head inside to check on Kenzi who was snoring soundly.

"Psst, Kenzi. Wake up. You're gonna miss breakfast again."

"Fuck breakfast, Bo-bo. It's all about carbo-loading at lunch time," the Goth girl murmured before her soft snoring started up again.

Bo rolled her eyes, closing the tent flaps tightly before she set off towards the dining tent to eat breakfast alone once more. She sighed out loud, thinking about how she knew Echo would be there to smother her with affection. The clingy nymph "fell in love with her at first sight" when Bo offered a smile on a day when the nymph was sad. Ever since then, Echo took every opportunity short of stalking the succubus to show how grateful she was.

As the brunette neared the dining tent, she looked around, hoping Echo was following Kenzi's lead and sleeping in. Her hand reached out to open the tent flaps but before she could do it, an ivory hand darted out, doing it for her.

"Good morning, Bo! You look beautiful today. I mean, you look beautiful every day," Echo gushed, beaming at her. Her deep green eyes sparkled with joy.

"Thanks, Echo," Bo replied politely, taking in the sight of the lithe, pale red-haired nymph in front of her before walking into the tent.

Luckily, the line was short, and Bo instantly found herself with a plate full of food. She took a seat at one of the picnic tables outside the tent, opting to enjoy the beautiful weather before autumn and winter really set in. Predictably, Echo followed her outside like a shadow, sitting next to her without eating anything.

"Aren't you hungry?" Bo asked, making a bit of small talk.

"Mmm, not in that way," Echo replied with a sweet smile on her face.

"Ah.." Bo trailed off, eyebrows raised. She shifted away from the woodland creature a bit.

Bo ate, staring at the hustle and bustle of the settlement as it came alive. Eventually, she forgot that Echo was even sitting beside her at all.

"So," the nymph interrupted her thoughts, "Have you heard about our prisoner?"

"Prisoner?" Bo spoke through a mouthful of food before quickly minding her manners and swallowing the rest of it. "What do you mean?"

"Oh yeah, we've got us a prisoner. People are saying she works for the big A out west."

"She?"

"Uh huh. She's super beautiful. Doesn't smile much from what I've seen.. but that doesn't amount to much since they're torturing her."

"Why?!" Bo asked in alarm. "I could just charm her into telling us what we need to know!"

Echo bit her lip, eyes widening and suddenly realizing she shouldn't have told Bo about the prisoner at all. She shook her head.

"What is it?"

"I.. shouldn't tell you. I'm not supposed to. Dyson told me not to." Echo looked away, unable to make eye contact.

Bo sat there, thinking before getting a brilliantly horrible idea. "How about.. I give you a kiss on the cheek if you tell me?"

The nymph's eyes widened in surprise, and she started to shake.

"Er.. Are you alright, Echo?"

"S-sorry. I just do this when I'm too e-excited."

"So, do we have a deal?"

"Absolutely!" Echo nodded enthusiastically as she said this.

"Prisoner info first. Kiss second," Bo declared, pushing away her empty plate.

"Uh.. well, she's a valkyrie. She's blonde. She has lovely.. lovely long legs. She can withstand a lot of pain from the small peeks I get. She's some distance away from the camp, but if you climb the pole on the east side, you can see her. She's tied to a post, sitting on the ground."

"A.. valkyrie, you said?" Bo questioned, wanting to make sure she heard the nymph correctly.

Echo nodded.

"What's her attitude like?"

"Mmm.." Echo thought, her eyes turning skywards. "She's kind of mean.. real sarcastic. Definitely not as nice as you. Or as pretty. Or as pleasant-smelling.. Or as curvy.. Or-"

"Okay, okay. I get it. You've gotten close enough to smell her?"

"Not as close as you think.. mostly just what carries on the wind."

"Uh, not to be weird, but what does she smell like?"

"Wildflowers." Echo scrunched her nose in distaste. "I don't like the smell. I have allergies, y'know."

Bo paused for a moment, forehead creasing in confusion. "Hang on.. you're a nymph yet you're allergic to wildflowers?"

The nymph shrugged. "I was just as confused the first time I rolled in flowers and my eyes came out puffy."

"That's.. Just.. Okay, nevermind. She's tied to a post on the east side?"

"Mmhm."

"How long has she been here?"

Echo tilted her head, pondering the question. "I think today makes it a week and one day."

"Thank you, Echo!" Bo leaned in, giving the nymph a light kiss on her cheek. Instantly, Echo melted at the gesture, swooning.

Bo put her plate in the dirty dishes pile, breaking into a jog as she headed for the east side of the settlement. Echo simply sat there, sighing happily. She pressed her fingertips to her cheek, smiling.

"Never gonna wash my cheek again~," the nymph said in a sing-song voice.

::::

Just as Bo reached the edge of the settlement, she spotted a wooden post in the distance. As she ran towards it, her heart stopped at the sight that met her. There, hands and arms bound to the post was Tamsin. A very dirty, worn-out Tamsin, but Tamsin nonetheless. Bo slowed to a walk now as she neared the battered blonde. She opened her mouth to speak, but found no words escaped. Without even looking up, Tamsin took care of the silence instead.

"Look, even if you're going to start torturing me in the mornings, it won't make any difference. My answer is still the same, and you all still suck ass at torturing."

"Tamsin.." Bo whispered, just a few steps away from her.

Tamsin's head tilted up, confused at hearing the familiar voice. She breathed in, taking in the familiar scent, and her mouth dropped open in surprise for a brief moment. She hastily composed herself, giving a small smirk. Even blindfolded, she still knew who it was. "How've you been, succulette?"

Bo didn't answer. Instead, she dropped down next to the valkyrie, cupping her face and pulling her in for a kiss. Initially, Tamsin was shocked, but she gave up on that, opting to lose herself in the softness of Bo's lips. Just as the valkyrie relaxed, Bo pulled away, slapping the blonde woman across the face.

"That's for leaving me the first time," Bo said, tears forming in her eyes. She leaned in again, kissing Tamsin roughly on the lips. Again, she separated after a bit, slapping the valkyrie once more as tears streamed down her face now. "And that's for leaving me a second time." Afterwards, Bo took off the blonde's blindfold.

Tamsin stared into Bo's eyes, ignoring the tingling sensation in her cheek and the blinding sunlight. "Guess I deserved that.." she murmured.

"Yeah, you sure as hell did. I needed you," Bo replied softly before the guilt set in. She reached up, cupping the blonde's red cheek as she soothed it with her charms. She watched the blonde close her eyes, relaxing into her touch. She used her other hand to wipe away her tears.

"You didn't need me, Bo. Trust me," Tamsin muttered. "We only spent a week together."

"I don't care how long it was. You can't deny we had something, a connection. Hell, we still have something."

"I can deny whatever the hell I want, succuslut.." Tamsin opened her eyes now, staring out into the distance. "Besides, aren't you back with the pup?"

"No.. Definitely not. It's over with Dyson. He knows that."

"Hmm, did you happen to feed a couple days ago?" Tamsin inquired, taking on the tone of a curious student.

"Uh.. yeah. How did you know that?"

"Well, your pup hit me extra hard that day when I brought you up.." Tamsin smiled bitterly at the memory.

"He's the one torturing you?" Bo asked incredulously. "Why? Why didn't he tell me you were here?"

Tamsin shrugged as best as she could with her arms restrained. "I dunno, but he frequently muttered something about protecting you.."

"Goddamnit!" Bo yelled, punching the post before quickly withdrawing her hand. She recoiled from the pain, shaking her hand.

"That definitely wasn't the smartest idea, sweetheart," Tamsin remarked in a sarcastic tone.

"Shush."

"You should go, Bo," Tamsin said, suddenly serious. "You don't need to get in trouble by being here with me."

"Like hell I'd leave you here.." Bo said as she started working on Tamsin's shackles, using a bobby pin from her hair to pick the lock.

Tamsin sighed, watching her work. "You're still a trouble magnet, I see."

"Yeah, yeah.." Bo muttered, too busy concentrating to formulate a more articulate response.

Before Tamsin could speak, she heard the sudden click and a sudden weight dropped from her wrists and arms. "Hah!" She heard Bo triumphantly yell. Tamsin stretched out her arms in front of her, the feeling of pins and needles spreading through her arms from being in one position for so long. She wiggled her fingers, staring at them.

"Coulda sworn I didn't have these anymore," Tamsin murmured before stretching her arms skyward. She brought them back down, rubbing her wrists. She followed Bo's eyes and found that she was staring at her broken leg. "Ah, that."

"'Ah, that'? That's all you have to say? Tamsin, your leg is broken. Why didn't you tell me?" Bo asked, on the verge of bursting into anger.

"Wellll.." Tamsin drew out the word, contemplating. "You got here.. surprised me.. kissed me.. smacked me.. kissed me again.. added another smack.. Yeah, I wasn't really thinking about it," she finished, nose scrunched.

"How can you not feel the pain?.."

"As a valkyrie, I was taught to deal with a lot of pain. It's just a faint buzz in the back of my mind honestly. Well, it'll be a faint buzzing until I stand up.."

"Let me heal you, Tamsin.." Bo murmured.

"No, thanks. I don't want to be viewed as the succubus's new pet. I just need someone to set it, and I need some sleep."

Bo mulled it over before relenting. "Okay, fine. Let me help you at least get to the medic." She stood up now, extending her hand.

"Like you'd leave me alone if you didn't get to.." Tamsin said, taking hold of her hand. She stood up now, her arm wrapped around Bo's shoulder as she used her as a crutch. Her good leg wobbled at having to work after doing nothing for so long.

"Okay.. Let's do this one step at a time," Bo said quietly as they began moving.

"Oh, no. I thought we could start running about now," Tamsin said sarcastically.

"I will drop you, Tamsin," Bo threatened.

"Drop me, baby. I was having a lot more fun tied to that pole."

"You annoy me."

"Likewise, succubus."

Bo rolled her eyes, but secretly, she enjoyed the banter between the two of them. If she was completely honest, she was over the moon at finally having Tamsin near her again. As they neared the edge of the settlement, Dyson appeared out of nowhere, walking quickly towards them.

"Bo, what are you doing?" He demanded in a low voice, not wanting to draw attention to them.

"Taking her to a medic," Bo said defiantly.

"You can't do that."

"Oh," she said, taking a few more steps with Tamsin. "It looks like I'm already doing it."

Tamsin smiled at her snarky tone.

"Put her back, Bo."

"Make me." Bo squared her body in front of Dyson's, chin up.

"I wouldn't do that, Bo, but you should know she's probably dangerous."

"I'll be the judge of that."

"Bo.. I'm just trying to protect you. Ever since we learned they're after you, I can't have you with someone who might be working with them."

"Dyson!" Bo finally burst with anger. "You kept her from me for a week! You didn't even TELL me she was here. You just acted like everything was okay. You lost your right to use protection as an excuse when you put your secrets above our friendship. Now move, so I can get her to a medic."

Dyson stepped to the side, stunned. He had a dazed look on his face as they passed.

"That was kinda hot," Tamsin spoke up now, hoping to lighten the succubus's mood.

"It's just the truth," Bo murmured. "I'm glad I've got you now, though.."

Tamsin hummed in response.

After walking for a bit, they arrived at the medic's tent. Bo walked right in with Tamsin, searching for the tall, elegant white-haired medic. Seemingly out of thin air, she appeared next to Bo, smiling sweetly.

"How may I help you, Bo? I'm going to guess it's your friend I'm helping since you're a succubus." The medic's golden eyes glittered with amusement.

"Yeah. Kya, this is Tamsin. Tamsin, this is Kya, the head medic of the settlement."

Tamsin nodded as a greeting, taking in the woman in front of her. "You're a caladrius, aren't you?"

Kya grinned in return. "Very intuitive. A valkyrie, I presume?"

"Yep."

"I could tell from your facial features. Very Nordic.. Anyways, what do you need done?"

"Got a broken leg. Need it set so I can sleep it off," Tamsin replied succinctly.

"Yikes. This will certainly hurt. Do you want to help her with the pain, Bo?" The caladrius asked, motioning for her to set Tamsin down on a cot.

Before Bo could respond, Tamsin cut in. "No. She'll keep her succubus charms away from me during this."

Bo pouted. "And no amount of pouting will change my mind," Tamsin pointed out.

"Fine, but lemme hold your hand."

Tamsin rolled her eyes. "Whatever." Bo happily held her hand, lacing their fingers together.

"Now," Kya began, snapping on latex gloves before feeling Tamsin's leg, "It's a clean break, just displaced. I'll count to three, and snap it back into place. Are you ready?"

Tamsin nodded, a stoic expression on her face.

"One.. two.." Kya counted, forcing the bone back into place before ever reaching three.

Tamsin gritted her teeth hard and gripped Bo's hand tightly. Inevitably she gripped the cot with her other hand even tighter. The cot's support beam snapped under her force before she loosened her grip. She heaved out a sigh of relief, ignoring the pain pulsating in her leg now.

"Thanks, doc," Tamsin said.

"No problem.. Though I don't know why you didn't just ask Bo to heal you. It would've saved me some time.. and it probably would've saved the cot."

"She's a stubborn child," Bu muttered under her breath. However, Tamsin still heard it.

"Yeah, you're one to talk, succubus."

"Anywho," Kya interrupted cheerily, "You're all good to go. Take a pair of crutches and rest up. Come back if anything unusual occurs."

"Thank you, Kya," Bo said gratefully, smiling at the tall woman.

"Always happy to be of service. Have a nice day now."

The two of them exited the tent, and Bo lead the way to her tent.

"Where are we going?" Tamsin asked, easily moving with the crutches.

"My tent."

"Ooh, takin' me back to your place already, succulette?" Tamsin winked, smiling.

"You're hurt. I'm just making sure you get better," Bo defended herself.

"Mmmhm," Tamsin hummed.

"Whatever, we're here now." Bo held open the flap for Tamsin, allowing her to go in first.

Tamsin looked around, slightly impressed with her accommodations. "Nice digs, succubus."

"I get by. Now.. Let's get you out of those dirty clothes, and we can clean you up."

The valkyrie smirked but instead of pestering the succubus with dirty jokes, she started taking off her clothes. The worst part was getting off her pants and underwear, having to ease them off slowly to reduce any pain. Soon, she sat on a chair naked.

"Alright, how would you like me?" Tamsin asked.

Bo openly stared at the blonde's body, having somehow forgotten how good she looked without clothes.

Tamsin snapped her fingers a few times. "Hey now. Nurse, you shouldn't be eyeing up patients."

Bo bit her lip, focusing on the task at hand. "Okay, okay."

Eventually, Bo managed to clean the valkyrie up, having to do it by herself since the blonde decided she was "too tired and too hurt" to help out. Bo knew she was just being lazy. She gave Tamsin a spare t-shirt and some shorts to sleep in, and she helped her into the bed. Bo tugged the blanket over the blonde before taking off her boots and pants. She let down her hair as she walked over to the tent door, tying it shut to provide some sense of privacy. With every step and action, Tamsin watched her intently, appreciating the curve of her thighs and the swing of her hips. She breathed in deeply now, basking in the succubus's scent that surrounded her. After Bo finished, she slid into the bed next to the blonde, wrapping her legs around Tamsin's good leg as she snuggled close.

"Shouldn't you be doing my laundry or something?" Tamsin asked with her nose scrunched.

"That can wait," Bo murmured, breathing in the blonde's sweet scent.

"You'll miss lunch."

"There's still dinner."

"What about your human pet?"

"She'll understand."

"Won't she wonder where you are?"

"I'm sure Dyson will tell her where I am and what I'm doing."

"Well, shouldn't you—"

Bo stopped her question mid-way by softly pressing her lips against Tamsin's. She reached up, gently caressing the blonde's jaw with her fingertips. Closing her eyes, Tamsin kissed her back instantly, their lips melding together in a familiar dance. Bo pulled away, lightly sucking on the valkyrie's bottom lip.

"Listen," Bo spoke in a quiet voice now, "I haven't held you in over 6 months, and I've missed you, okay? I just want this moment with you."

Tamsin swallowed nervously, uncomfortable with the suddenly intimate atmosphere.

Bo continued, "And don't worry. You don't have to say anything. Just deal with me holding you, okay?"

Tamsin nodded, letting out a small sigh of relief.

Bo chuckled lightly. "It wouldn't kill you to say you missed me too."

"Pfft. Fat chance. Now be quiet so we can both sleep."

The succubus instantly quieted, comforted by the strong and steady heartbeat of the valkyrie next to her. Her breathing deepened, and she found herself drifting into sleep. But before she completely succumbed, she heard a few choice words from the blonde.

"Of course I fucking missed you.." Tamsin muttered to herself, thinking Bo had already fallen asleep judging from her breathing pattern.

Bo smiled sleepily, snuggling into Tamsin more. The valkyrie was finally back in her arms, and she wasn't letting her get away this time. As Bo pondered ways to keep Tamsin with her, she slipped into the most blissful sleep she had experienced in months.

A/N #2: This was getting too long, so I cut it off here! Sorry this chapter and the next chapter won't be really moving the plot forward, but I wanted to devote a couple chapters to their reunion.

Also, sorry I said in the last chapter that there'd be a song accompaniment. Since I cut this one off, it'll be in the next chapter.

Excuse any grammatical mistakes.

Oh, and if you're wondering what the tents look like in the settlement, imagine the tents from Harry Potter.. minus the whole magic thing making the tents bigger on the inside.

Feel free to ask any questions! :}