Living Situation

by LostAtTheCarnival

Lauren is Tamsin's new assignment, much to Lauren's dismay. While Tamsin has changed, is it enough for them both to move on and work together? What has fate got waiting for both of them? And are they ready to be the chosen ones? Everything to season 4 has happened, AU after that. Story is COPDOC, with the rest of the gang there, bromances and all - very Lauren and Tamsin centric.

4. Chapter 4: It Shall Come To Pass

Author's notes

My goodness you guys! You'll make a girl blush! Thank you so much for all of your reviews, follows, favourites and lovely private messages - they all help me stay motivated and enthusiastic about the story!

A nice long chapter here, I'll try not to keep you waiting too long between updates, I don't like having to wait either, but just so you know, I'm no chapters ahead at the moment. Never fear! I will be trying to get a few extra chapters done this weekend so I can keep uploading regularly.

The story is going to move along now - although I do see this gearing up to be a long fic, gotta trust the muse and whatnot.

Please keep reviewing, you give me life! COPDOC doesn't isn't the most popular of ships, but boy do we have a fantastic crew!

See you after the jump!

Chapter 4 - It Shall Come To Pass

'In the frailest of forms the healer is born,
By deceit, to others her life will be sworn.
When chains do break, when freedom is found,
When the heart of the chosen is to a warrior bound,
Her heart thought lost will at once be restored,
Both heavenly halls will be joined in accord.
Fallen warrior will rise to bring peace on the earth,
Led by valkyrie and healer, victory will birth.

Though unwilling to battle, the healer must fight,
With shifter, with siren, with theif at her right.
The unaligned will swear faelty to see victory is won,
Through the pages of history her name already spun.
From dark clans will come forth allies unexpected,
Leanan sidhe and mesmer make the alliance perfected.
Joined in one purpose, the willing be armed,
Though mission pure, many are harmed.

The healer will mend all ills between clans,
No more will division be allowed in the lands.
The blood kings false treaty will at once fade away,
Replaced by true peace to be won on that day.
To seal this fate, a sacrifice must be made,
The ultimate price by the healer be paid,
A perilous road to the glory ahead,
All is not done until the human is dead.'

"Who else has seen this?" Evony replied with a serious tone void of any joke having read the scroll laid out before her.

"No one. I am the last of the blood sages and therefore the only holder of the sage prophecies." The Ash looked across The Morrigan's desk with a serious expression "it is of course clear to you who this prophecy refers to, yes?"

"Lauren? I have my doubts." Evony continued to peruse the scroll as she replied "and how do we know your little rhyme is even accurate?"

"As you can see the prophecy is written in english. Well, how old would you guess it is?" Trick posed the question for Evony to ponder.

"By the looks, it is a few thousand years old, yes?" The Dark fae leader answered, studying the scroll.

"You are correct. Roughly two thousand and three hundred years old. Do you see my point?" Trick tested, wondering if Evony was following his logic.

"Long before the English language was even around. Well to coin a term from our favourite goth, shit a brick! It's as if it was written specifically for our time!" Evony exclaimed causing Trick to frown at her outburst. "But what are these Heavenly halls referring to? And if it's meant to be Lauren, why have her and your granddaughter called it quits?"

That I am yet to decipher, I don't know to what halls she would be linked to. I am also apprehensive that a human would be the one to bring about the peace we have for so long failed to accomplish. You are also correct that her discord with Bo does not seem to be conducive to her being the one. It is however interesting that the rest of the powerful fae of our time are mentioned, including you and I, and I believe the thief could even refer to Kenzi. It would seem to name all of those surrounding her" Trick was musing aloud. He had been sure enough about the identity of the healer to bring it to the Dark compound, but having now discussed it further, he was questioning himself. "If it is her, what do you suggest we do?"

"What is there to do? We can't avoid it" The brunette was now fumbling through the drawer beside her before producing a scroll of her own "This might give us a better idea of the timeline though" Evony handed the scroll across the table to Trick's outstretched arm.

Unrolling and reading the scroll, Trick furrowed his brow in concentration.

'The beginning is marked by the healer released,
her loyalty changed yet her mission the same.
4 Kings of evil will rise up to lead the armies against peace,
Sworn enemies of the healer, to their purpose they are called.
One rises from each of the sides of the fae,
Joined by one shunned from his own kind,
A child of earth will complete the alliance.
Lacking in wisdom, the attacks shall begin.
Five failed attempts hail the time drawing near,
The healer protected by those she holds dear.
Lead by hate, drawn to battle, bloodlust will consume them,
To Hel their allegiances will be sworn,
The doomed army will rise to follow to war,
Joined by soldiers, traitors of earth.
Should they be victorious, Queen Hel will reign,
Bringing torment to all until the end of days'

Trick read the scroll multiple times to confirm what he was seeing.

"Don't frown dear, you'll get even more wrinkled!" Evony exclaimed when she was done waiting for the Ash to respond "I know it doesn't rhyme all pretty like your one, but I assure you it is accurate. So accurate in fact that it was prophesied by all 8 of the dark elder... Simultaneously, in different parts of the world." The Morrigan emphasised the last sentence to highlight the legitimacy of the scroll.

"I have no doubt. Clearly these two scrolls are related." Trick paused for a moment, considering his next idea as a fae of his age and wisdom often does "there have been no attacks, nor have any kings arisen. If it is Lauren, it isn't time yet. We can hope she is not the one prophesied and the time is far. I suggest we keep this information to ourselves to avoid panic and alarm... Until the time is right, of course."

"Of course. You read my mind" Evony wholeheartedly agreed with Trick's assessment. While they often argued, it was mostly to keep up appearances, there was a great mutual respect between the two. However, she would never miss an opportunity to insult the leader of her opposition "well, if that's all, off you toddle!"

Trick huffed and shook his head before making his way out of the Morrigan's office. Maybe this was all nothing. Maybe in his old age his blood senses were simply out of tune.

...

"TAMSIN! UP! If you're not down here in 2 minutes I'm leaving without you!" Lauren yelled up the stairs. She had already showered, eaten and taken her signature hangover remedy and was frantically rushing around gathering her supplies for the day "We're already late dammit and I need to get my blood cultures out of the centrifuge or they'll be worthless! NOW TAMSIN"

Alright, alright... Quit the shrieking Dr. Jekyll. Damn, you're antsy in the morning!" Tamsin grumbled as she shuffled her way down the stairs pulling her black leather jacket and stowing her dagger in her waistband on as she descended. "You sure you're not part harpy? You're making my spidey sense tingle... Or maybe it's the left over Buckthorne..."

"Whatever, we don't have time for chit chat, let's go" Lauren replied half way out the door with the valkyrie on her heels.

Once in the garage the valkyrie snorted at the sight of Lauren's car "this is a joke. Could you be anymore cliched?"

"Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?" Lauren raise her eyebrow in warning as she pressed the button to unlock the doors to her white Prius.

"A scientist driving a Prius. I'm sure nobody has thought of that before" Tamsin rolled her eyes slowly and intentionally as she got in the car.

"Cars are bad for the environment - even this car lets off harmful emissions into the atmosphere, that's why I always take public transport" Lauren scolded while the engine started silently. "But, seeing there are two of us, it counts as carpooling, so it's fine"

"Well thank goodness for that!" came Tamsin's reply in the best mocking 50's woman voice she could muster, accompanied by a dramatic hand over her mouth.

Lauren didn't bother to respond, electing to turn the radio volume up and tune out her driving companion for the rest of the journey.

As soon as they pulled into the Dark compound Lauren was out of the car with her leather satchel slung over her shoulder. Moments later the valkyrie was running after her to keep up. "Whoa doc! Wait up!" Tamsin yelled as she realise the doctor was far ahead of her.

"No time! I only have a few minutes before my cultures are useless - my paper requires for them to be spun 10 times over a period of two hours! I set it to start an hour and 57 minutes ago! If it spins another time that's a day of work and a months worth of samples lost! HURRY UP!" Lauren yelled in response as she readied her keycard to pass through the side doors.

Tamsin caught up as she was heaving the large door open and continued to jog beside the darker blonde who was muttering incoherently. Tamsin was so focussed on the blonde who was so focussed on hurrying that neither of them saw Trick until it was too late.

"UMPH" Trick cried out as he was knocked to the ground by a running Lauren who didn't register what had happened until the Ash was standing and dusting himself off. "Would you MIND watching where you are going?" Trick said in a calmer tone than would be expected from one in his position.

"Shit! Fuckballs! I mean... Trick. I am so sorry, I didn't see you" Lauren rambled looking nervously down the hallway towards her lab "are you alright? Is anything hurt?"

Tamsin snickered at Lauren's outburst while she helped Trick rise and dusted off his jacket for him before having her hands waved off by the man whose eyes were now squinted in annoyance.

The blood king huffed but shook his head no "nothing but my pride. You obviously have somewhere to be, I trust you'll be more careful next time my dear. I'll be on my way - I hope to see the two of you at the Dal sometime soon" with that he nodded to both of the women and was on his way still shaking his head.

Lauren continued away red faced, her stride intentional but this time just short of a run. Tamsin kept pace beside her trying to hide her amusement from the flustered doctor. She realised she had failed when Lauren narrowed her eyes at the taller blonde as they entered the lab. Without a word the scientist ran into the lab and across to one of the machines sitting along the wall. To Tamsin, it looked like a fancy ice-cream maker, her suspicions weren't lowered when she heard it whirring away just like a dessert appliance would. However, Lauren quickly shut the machine off and pulled out a holder filled with test tubes.

"Ugh! What is that?!" the warrior fae exclaimed wincing towards what the doctor was holding "THAT is what we rushed here for?! It looks like sludge and pee separated by off cream! Gross!"

Lauren crinkled her nose at the valkyries description of her samples "I'll have you know that the sludge is actually the red blood cells or the erythrocyte, then here is the buffy layer" she said pointing to the thin layer in the middle.

"Buffy slayer?! Now I know you're just making shit up" Tamsin interjected in confusion.

"Buffy LAYER you... You nonce!" Lauren replied with a faltering and frustrated tone.

"Nonce? You wound me" Tamsin placed her hand over her heart and acted out an injury "sorry, buffy the vampire LAYER - what's that made up of?"

"Humph. You really want to know?" Lauren didn't take kindly to being mocked, but she rarely had an audience to her science so if asked, she would have to admit she enjoyed it, despite the immaturity of her captive audience.

"Ain't got nothing better to do, set phasers to stun Dr. Lewis" Tamsin grinned at her Star Trek reference to which Lauren straightened and mock saluted.

"As you wish. It is luekocytes or white blood cells mixed with platelets, that's the tiny red flecks you can see if you look very closely" The doctor held out the tray in front of Tamsin's face who pulled away in surprise and mild disgust before she continued with her explaination "and finally, the 'pee' as you call it is actually the blood plasma which I will now skim and then fracture to study the different proteins present for each of the fae blood samples here" Lauren finished her lesson with a smile waiting for her student to respond.

"Okay. I think I get it, it's all the different bits of blood, and you're going to break down the pee... Plasma, into it's little bits" Tamsin repeated what she had learned to which Lauren nodded enthusiastically "I get that, but I have to ask...Why? Seems like a lot of work for.. Icky results"

"Icky? Tamsin, really. If you're going to spend your time in a science lab, you'll have to be a bit more adult with your descriptions. I'm just going to laugh at you, the other scientists, well, they're going to think that you might be a little... slow..." Lauren scolded the proud woman in front of her.

"SLOW?! More like awesome. Sorry I don't have time to come up with exciting words for body fluids... I have a life!" Tamsin taunted in response.

"A life huh? You're going to be in this lab as much if not more than any of them are, so if they don't have a life... Neither do you" Lauren smirked at her comeback while she put the tray down to prepare for the next phase.

Tamsin grunted at the doctors insult but replied calmly "whatever. You still haven't told me what you're up to..."

"Right! Well, what's interesting is that all fae and even human blood takes the same basic form. Red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. Also, as far as I can tell, the proteins in the plasma are basically the same with very few noticeable variations, and yet, it is these variations that seem to mark each species. It's actually very interesting because even in humans these proteins vary in type and quantity in the body and yet we see no variation in strength, species or powers" Lauren paused checking to see if she still had Tamsin, she was pleasantly surprised to find that the valkyrie hadn't totally zoned out, although her eyes were slightly glazed "so my hypothesis is that along with the DNA variations of the fae that are built into their very genetic coding, the combinations of proteins in the blood play a role in determining the fae genes, or at least the intensity of their powers and sometimes the manifestation of them.
Take Hale's family for example, they all have voice related powers, Hale is a Siren, Val a Pombero, Sturgis draws his speed by latching onto the trail of sound and so on and so forth. Why are they all so different? How are the variations occurring?
I'm trying to see if the answers lie in the blood proteins, and this is where I start.
This along with the fate factor and I'm almost certain I could know how a fae is, well, for lack of a better term... Made"

Tamsin's eyes widened at all the information she had just heard, she nodded very slowly before another question was raised "I think I get it. Sort of. But what do you mean by the fate factor?" Tamsin tilted her head to the side with questioning eyes.

"Well, as a scientist in the human world, everything is quantifiable. If it's not, it just means we haven't figured it out yet. But when it comes to the fae, the second I have something all figured out, a spanner will be thrown into the works, usually in the form of 'destiny' or the bane of my whole existence 'prophecy'" Lauren shook her fist at the sky highlighting her dislike of both concepts "no matter what I discover, there is always some ancient text that either beats me to it in a way that is undecipherable until after the fact, or seems to create an impossible exception to the rule that I have just discovered. That, is the fate factor. The one thing the fae have that can't be tampered with."

"Don't I know it" Tamsin mumbled, remember the many times in her life cycles that her path was pre-chosen by the gods long before she had a say "so basically, for all your science and work, we're still at the hands of the gods?"

"I suppose you could take it that way, although I am a firm believer in making your own way" Lauren mused.

"Hmmmm, seeing nothing we all do here matters, I'll be over in that corner on the couch catching up on the sleep I have been deprived of lately, wake me up if you're being murdered... Severely that is" Tamsin was still tired from her early start and the confusing science lesson hadn't helped at all "oh! And wake me if you're going anywhere, especially if it's food related. Have fun with you're test tubes, don't blow us up!" The valkyrie quickly made her way to the couch positioned beside the door to the lab in what looked like a waiting area of sorts with a coffee table, scattered arm chairs and magazines and ungracefully allowed herself to fall into the comfortable cushions. Placing a magazine over her eyes she drifted off while Lauren began her day fully.

Lauren really wasn't sure what to make of the fae woman's antics, sometimes she was relatively pleasant company and seemed genuinely interested in what Lauren had to say, other times she was a downright pain in the ass. Shaking her head to clear her mind for the day ahead the doctor returned to her samples whilst gloving her hands and began her work.

...

Tamsin woke with a start at the sound of her stomach grumbling. Looking up from where she lay she noticed the once empty arm chairs near her were now filled with all sorts of fae with all sorts of ailments. One older looking woman with an angry red mark on her forehead shot Tamsin a dirty look which she returned ten fold before moaning and rising up off the couch. Looking at her watch she noticed it was well and truly past lunch time and having skipped breakfast her body was groaning for a remedy to the situation.

Making her way through the lab, Tamsin noticed a great increase in activity from when she had arrived earlier. Passing a handful of scientist, doctors and nurses all going about their day seeing patients and doing research she sought out Lauren who was occupying a workstation at the very back of the large area that was mildly secluded and sectioned off with rolling curtains. Still, the valkyrie caught glimpses of flowing blonde hair and thin arms moving about, and as she got closer the distinctive smell of honey and flowers marked with a hint of disinfectant filled her nostrils making her grin unintentionally.

The valkyrie approached unnoticed by Lauren so she made her way behind the doctor who was busy staring into the microscope and leant down over her allowing her body to lightly brush against the doctor's back as she put her mouth near her ear and her hands on the workbench on either side of the sitting doctor "Paging Dr. Lewis..."

Lauren jumped at the contact and turned on her metal stool to face the woman who had invaded her personal space. Tamsin took a small step back but still didn't leave much distance between them. Gulping nervously, Lauren removed her gloves and rubbed her eyes. "You scared me. What can I help you with Tamsin?"

"Well, most of the day is gone and you still haven't eaten. Isn't it time that we took a break?" Tamsin pointed to the bare spot on her wrist where a watch would go to make her point.

"You've been asleep and drooling on that couch most of the day, you need a break from that?" Lauren was actually appreciative of the interruption, but she wasn't going to let that show.

"You're telling me that you aren't hungry at all? Couldn't go a nice, big, greasy cheeseburger and fries right about now?" Tamsin was almost drooling at the thought of her favourite meal, especially after a night of drinking.

Lauren's stomach groaned in response betraying her outwardly stoic demeanor. When Tamsin smirked knowingly the doctor slumped her shoulders in defeat. "Fine, I could eat, but I still have a few things to finish up. I usually just work until it gets dark, it's easy to get caught up and forget about eating"

"Well, not anymore you don't! I never forget about food, and plus, I'm meant to keep you safe - it'll be a bit hard if you've wasted away to nothing! From now on you're eating regularly... Like a person... got it?" Tamsin felt a little bit sorry for the doctor. She knew this habit of working herself to the bone was not only because of passion for her work but also built into her from years of harrowing slavery at the hands of the light. While Tamsin wasn't completely familiar with her schedule at the Light, she knew they had a reputation for having little concern for the well being of their servants. Even the ward of the Ash was only as important as her latest results which must have left Lauren fearful and exhausted most of the time. "Up you get, let's move!"

"Hang on!" Lauren argued "I have to get this finished now or I'll lose my momentum... I'll make you a deal" Lauren knew she should take better care of herself, but old habits die hard. "Give me another half an hour, then I'll pack up and we can call Dyson and the others and meet them at the Dal for an early dinner - what do you think?"

Tamsin was reluctant to allow the doctor to work herself any further but agreed nonetheless. Breaking the doctors routine that had been set in place by years of indentured servitude wouldn't happen in a day. Tamsin was astonished that she cared at all about the doctors well being but she chalked it up to just being thorough at her job, although she had to admit, thinking of the doctor held against her will and forced to work herself near death definitely pulled at her heart in a way she was not used to. Conceding to Lauren, Tamsin replied "I'll make the calls, you finish up and then we can head off - deal?"

"Deal" Lauren replied before pushing her eyes back to the microscope.

...

Lauren hadn't stuck to her half hour, but Tamsin gave her a grace period, this was her first full day after all. Once she had overshot by more than an hour, and the rest of the lab was emptying for the day, Tamsin made her move, propelled on by the cries of her empty stomach.

"That's it! We either go now, or I start knocking things off counters until we leave" Tamsin warned hovering her hand over an empty glass beaker whilst eying the doctor seriously.

"You wouldn't..." Lauren replied, although she had a sinking feeling that Tamsin definitely would.

"Wanna bet?" the valkyrie challenged while edging the beaker towards the end of the counter.

"Fine! Fine! I'm done!" Lauren raise her hands in defeat however made no moves to pack away her work. "I'll just come back after and finish this off" the doctor mused aloud.

There was a loud smashing sound as the beaker hit the floor and shattered into tiny pieces. "Beep! Wrong answer doc! Looks like you've lost a lifeline"

"Tamsin! This is a laboratory! You can't just go around breaking things! Dammit!" Lauren fussed about with a dustpan clearing up the mess the stubborn fae had made.

"And you can't go around skipping meals and making me do the same. Pack your shit and let's go. We'll be back in the morning." Tamsin demanded "oh, and you have 2 minutes or another one bites the dust!" The valkyrie waited with arms folded as the dark blonde moved about packing her area haphazardly, giving Tamsin a dirty glare the whole time.

"Don't break another thing! I'm coming!" Lauren whined walking towards the taller woman while putting on her jacket and her satchel. "You're a nightmare. There, I'm ready, happy now?"

"Very, let's get going! There's a plate of grease with my name on it and you're holding up the line!" Tamsin exclaimed pushing the doctor out the door.

Lauren drove them to her loft explaining that they'd be better off leaving the car there and walking the three blocks to the Dal, so that they wouldn't have to drive after drinking, which she knew with Dyson around, they would be doing plenty of it.

The evening chill started to pick up as the duo made their way to the neutral pub, when a cool breeze pushed past them. Tamsin, who as a fae is never as effected by temperature chose that moment to close the gap between her and the doctor and link her arm through the crook in the doctors elbow forcing them to walk very closely together.

Lauren was taken aback by the affectionate action, but dismissed it thinking that the valkyrie must have mellowed in her new lifecycle, after all, she was raised lovingly by Kenzi as opposed to being left to fend for herself. She also had to admit that she welcomed the physical contact as she rarely experienced it much in her day to day life working amongst fae scientists who saw no value in fraternization between co-workers. Tamsin just liked the idea of touching the doctor so took the opportunity as she saw it.

The two walked arm in arm while the valkyirie regaled the human about the fae she had encountered at the labs waiting area. The entered the Dal still arm in arm both laughing at the description Tamsin had given of the woman who looked like she had some faepocolypse style STD on her face. Lauren's laughter stopped dead and she quickly extricated her arm from Tamsin. As soon as they were through the door she had taken in her surroundings, her eyes were immediately drawn to an angry looking Bo with blue eyes glaring at the entering pair from the end of the bar.

Tamsin noticed the change in the doctor and followed her gaze to the blue eyed woman glowering across from them. "Great. The blue bitch is out. C'mon doc - everyone's waiting this way" Tamsin grabbed Lauren's elbow and guided her away from the succubus an towards a booth in the back where Dyson, Hale and Kenzi were all sat sharing what looking to be their fourth or fifth pitcher of mead.

"Tam Tam! You made it! Finally!" Kenzi yelled excitedly while clapping "and Hotpants! Good to see your bad self on the outside!"

Lauren smiled and the girl and greeted her warmly "hey Kenz... Good to see you too"

"Wasn't easy - this one will not leave a microscope unless threatened!" Tamsin joked apparently too soon as she was met with Lauren's narrowed eyes before the doctor shook her head and huffed.

"Well, sounds like a story there" Dyson chuckled deeply "come sit here next to me doc, I'll protect you from the mean one!" He patted the seat beside him while gesturing towards the valkyrie with his other hand. As Lauren slid into the booth beside him he opened his arm to give the doctor a tight squeeze on the shoulder, Lauren smiled and patted the wolf's hand, glad to see her friend again.

Kenzi put her fingers to her mouth in a gagging motion and said "stop it you two! People might think you're friends and not sworn mortal enemies!" She joked, although it warmed her heart to see the two of them so kind to each other. Tamsin squeezed in next to Lauren sandwiching her between the two fae.

"I know better than to make an enemy of the doctor who could mix any number of killer concoctions to slip into my drink!" Dyson waved his hands in front of himself in a a surrendered motion.

"Don't you forget it wolfy!" Lauren elbowed Dyson in the side to make her point.

Tamsin joined in the joke "actually, weren't you just telling me today you were working on a serum that would make fae junk shrivel and fall off?" the valkyrie smirked.

Lauren grinned and went with the idea "absolutely, and they wouldn't even know it was happening until too late, I would just need to wipe some of it on their skin" she said as she ran a finger up the shifters arm causing him to yank it away from her.

"WHAT?! You didn't!" Dyson yelped before being met with an uproar of laughter from the two blondes.

"Oof, that's cold doc! Have I told you that I think you're looking great lately? And that I appreciate all that you do?" Hale complimented whilst grinning slyly.

"Oh please! Flattery won't protect you from the evil genius!" Kenzi pinched Hale causing him to jump. "Besides, where are my compliments?"

"Hey lil' mama, you know I only got eyes for you! I liked it so much I put a ring on it" he soothed causing more laughter to erupt from the table.

"Oh gee, I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Came a curt interjection. The five at the table look up to see Bo smirking with her hands on her hips. She was dressed in tight leather pants accompanied by a low singlet and even lower cut, tight leather vest that she was practically falling out of. "Just thought I'd stop by and say hello to all my friends" Bo drawled leaning down and resting her elbows onto the table giving everyone seated a full view of her well endowed chest.

Tamsin rolled her eyes but stopped when she saw both Lauren and Dyson take big gulps of air whilst openly staring at the succubus.

"Whoa! Holy blindness batman! Turn down those tatas and cuff your muff woman!" Kenzi exclaimed motioning with both of her hands towards Bo's chest. This pulled Lauren and Dyson out of their trance as they straightened and looked to each other for support.

"Hello Bo, it's nice to see you" Dyson said politely.

"Oh I'm sure it is. See anything you like in particular" Bo husked licking her lips and winking at Lauren.

Lauren shot up straight in her seat at the motion before calming herself and responding "you look lovely tonight. Thanks for coming to say hello." All eyes were on Lauren as she reluctantly added "would you, well, would you like to join us for dinner Bo?"

Bo smirked again, enjoying the effect she was having. She was so caught up with the reaction she was getting from Dyson and Lauren that she didn't notice Tamsin flexing and gearing up for a fight.

Hale, however, did notice. He looked on at the situation unfolding with concern before nudging Kenzi under the table. "Hey lil' mama, didn't you have that thing, for the wedding?"

Kenzi took his lead and jumped out of her seat "that's right! Dresses and shit! Bobo! You have to come with me, maid of honour duties and such!" Kenzi began to drag Bo away who whined in response.

"Doesn't Tamsin have to come too? She's a bridesmaid after all!" Bo was pleased she had thought of it, knowing that where Tamsin went, Lauren went too.

"Nope! She's all fitted, just the two of us tonight! Let's go!" Kenzi winked over her shoulder at the three left sitting at the booth. "Hotpants, I'll come visit you soon about you marrying us! Later skaters, don't be haters!"

Bo was dragged out of the pub protesting the whole way. "Way to crotch block Kenz. I was in with a chance there!" Bo whined as the exited the Dal.

"No honey, you were making things worse. You'll thank me one day. Now come on, pizza and booze at the shack" the goth said, taking charge of the rest of the night to avoid Bo returning and causing more trouble.

...

Inside, the four still left shuffled around the booth leaving Dyson and Lauren on one side and Tamsin and Hale on the other with the women on the inside of the booth facing each other. Tamsin noticed Lauren was still quite so she gently reached out and touched Lauren's hand raising her eyes in question.

Lauren knew she was asking if she was ok. After a deep breathe she perked up "well, that was... awkward"

With those four words, all of the tension from the earlier moments left the group immediately. "You can say that again Doc, I have to say, lil' mama is the only one who can get through to the succubus on a mission!"

They all laughed, thankful for Kenzi having their backs. They now missed her presence but knew she had saved them from an unpleasant evening.

"Hang on - what was that Kenz said about you marrying these two? What, like a three way thing?" Dyson grinned at the idea that had popped into his head. He eyed Hale "now that, brother, is something you should have let me in on! What's your secret?"

Hale and Tamsin laughed at the doctor's expense while Lauren turned bright red "gods no! Wash your snout out wolf! I would never!" Lauren was mortified at the idea, she wagged her finger in front of Dyson sternly "I'll have you know that I am to be the celebrant for their wedding. It's going to be a combination of human and fae tradition, so naturally, I'm the best option" Lauren puffed out her chest proudly.

"Yeah, you're also the only one who will do it for free, and my baby loves a bargain!" Hale responded chuckling.

Yeah, well...There's that too" Lauren replied sheepishly causing the rest of the table to break into laughter again.

Once the laughs died down, Tamsin's stomach made yet another grumbling appearance "that's it! If someone doesn't feed me RIGHT NOW, I'm going to be eating Wolf for dinner with a side of Siren and a Human desert!"

"I got your back Slamsin! Cheeseburgers all round?" Dyson was met with all nods as he got out of the booth to go order their meals.

The drinks flowed as easily as the jokes and conversation between the four. Before long the plates were cleared and they were ordering yet another round of drinks. Hale took the opportunity to excuse himself tipping his fedora saying he wanted to check on Kenzi. The three left in the booth decided that it would be a good time to start doing shots. Well, the two fae peer pressured to doctor into doing shots, not that she was all that unwilling to begin with.

They moved from the booth the one of the pool tables and Lauren teamed up with Dyson against Tamsin to drunkenly battled it out on the felt, making ridiculous and what to Lauren seemed rather dangerous drinking bets on each game.

After winning two games in a row, Dyson and Lauren put their arms in a X shape and bumped them against each other while giving their best and loudest wolf howl to the horror and embarrassment of the valkyrie being seen with them.

"That's it. I'm splitting you guys up, one at a time now... And Lauren, you sound less like a wolf and more like an injured cat... My ears!" Tamsin protested.

"That's fine. I whooped you anyway! I'm out!" Lauren retorted.

Dyson and Tamsin continued to play pool while Lauren sat on an stool and watched, joining in on the laughs and conversation.

After another few rounds Dyson sidled up beside the doctor and nudged her shoulder "having fun smarty-pants?"

"Y'know, usually that's an insult, but I'll take it as a sign of deep, deep respect from you, fur-ball" Lauren giggled, the alcohol definitely set into her system.

"So you should! Over playing pool now huh? What does a pub need to do to keep you entertained?" The shifter asked the human.

"Two words. Mechanical Bull. I keep telling Trick..." Lauren mused causing both Tamsin and Dyson to crack up and the woman's antics.

"Mechanical bull huh? You'd ride one of those things?" Tamsin asked.

"Absolutely! And I'd be damn good at it too!" Lauren beamed confidently.

"Yeah? Think you can handle a bull" Dyson smirked as he closed in menacingly on Lauren "what about... A WOLF!" Dyson yelled as he lifted Lauren over his shoulder in one fluid movement and began running around the emptying bar making bucking movements and howling sounds.

Tamsin was double over laughing as she watched Lauren pounding on the shifters leather vest covered back yelling "let me down! I swear to God! PUT ME DOWN!" arms and legs flailing in all directions while Dyson continued to spin and thrust her about.

"Dyson! Put the good doctor down!" Trick yelled from the other side of the bar.

Dyson froze and placed Lauren gently down on the ground, helping her to find her balance. "Sorry Trick, just mucking around" the wolf awkwardly apologised.

Lauren punched his chest before turning to Trick "thank you Trick, nice to see SOME people still understand appropriate public behaviour!" She eyed Dyson but couldn't help the sly grin forming on her face.

"Anytime my dear, good to see you here by the way. Nice to see you relaxing and not rushing around" Trick smiled knowingly to which Lauren bowed her head.

"Yeah, again, sorry about that" the doctor was genuine, despite her advanced drunken state.

"No matter. I really am glad to see you out, please, come by anytime" The bartender replied warmly before nodding his head and going back to polishing his glasses.

"Will do" Lauren replied while walking back over to the pool tables to a waiting Dyson and Tamsin.

"Oh-oh. Someone's in trouble!" Tamsin spoke with her signature sarcastic tone as Lauren walked right up to Dyson and stood toe to toe with him, her face only inches from his.

Dyson left his smirk plastered on his face until Lauren reached up and and with her thumb and forefinger yanked a single beard hair out of his chin.

"OW! No fair!" Dyson rubbed his beard to get rid of the sensation now in his face. Lauren blew the hair into his face causing him to splutter again. "You humans have no honour" it was hard to take him seriously when he ended the sentence by poking out his tongue at Lauren who just laughed in response.

"Alrighty, it's late and time to go! Say your goodbyes!" Tamsin said to the doctor and the wolf patting Dyson on the back before heading towards to door.

Dyson opened his arms as Lauren accepted the hug from her friend "it was good to see you doc, let's not leave it this long again" he squeezed his friend tenderly.

"You got it. Take care and call me!" Lauren responded as she released the shifter and made her way to the door where Tamsin was waiting.

The two women walked back the loft arm in arm again, stumbling and laughing through the darkened streets, Tamsin making more jokes at Lauren's expense and Lauren holding her own against the sarcastic valkyrie.

They were so caught up in the fun they were having in their drunken state that they didn't notice two other sets of heavy footsteps following closely behind them, they didn't even take notice when they were followed into the elevator still laughing and leaning on one another.

...

Author's end notes

Dun dun duuuuuuuuun! I know I have a habit of cliffhangers, but I promise they won't stay long.

What did you think of the prophesies?

I hope the science speak was quality enough to keep my fellow microscope jockeys happy :-) It is not easy linking science to fantasy!

Until next time, much love.

LostAtTheCarnival