This is the last chapter of the fanfic. Again, I split it into two parts for those who have an issue with reading longer chapters all at once. I might write another Bo/Tamsin fic or maybe one for Bo/Lauren/Tamsin. Whatever I get an idea for. It will definitely be less angsty though. I hope you enjoy the chapter and if you do let me know! Thanks for reading.


Politics complicated everything. Tamsin missed the days of the 9th and 10th centuries when it had been less meetings and more physical combat. Riding into battle and beheading your opponents and seizing their territory for your own. It was much simpler than making small talk and trying to reach a compromise. There was a disgusting false civility to it all that Tamsin abhorred and it didn't suit her in the least. Hale's meeting with The Ash and the High Council only led to yet another meeting being created. It would be held in three days time with Vex and the dark fae elders. Tamsin supposed it was progress but she rather they just got to it and invaded Odin's realm already. The longer they waited the more time he had to plot.

Shortly after they arrived at the Dal, Trick disappeared into his study with Bo following behind him. Tamsin sat at the bar, contemplating the bottle of akevitt and the beers Trick had on tap. She had decided on a German lager and was standing up to fill her glass when Dyson approached. Peering at him as she filled the stein, she arched an eyebrow. "Beer?" she inquired.

"It's barely noon," said Dyson in reply.

"That's your light fae judgmental tone," Tamsin mimicked his disapproving voice. She plopped back down on the bar stool, the full stein firmly in hand and took a drink of beer. "None of that needed here, wolf-man."

"Tamsin," Dyson said her name somberly and Tamsin arched an eyebrow. "You and Bo-"

"Not the talk," groaned Tamsin in what could pass for a whine. Grabbing the akevitt, she screwed off the cap and complained, "I don't want to do this with you, Dyson. We're good, aren't we? Let's not try and bond over this sort of shit."

"I don't know about bonding but things need to be said," said Dyson. He had that abominable serious look on his features. The one he got when he was particularly determined about something and felt what he was doing was right. Seeing it made Tamsin miserable because whenever he wore that face he was usually right. And she didn't want to have this conversation.

"Fine," Tamsin griped and she poured a shot of akevitt. Downing it in one gulp, she slammed the shot down on the bar and stared at her fingers gripping the glass. "I'm not sorry," she said bluntly. "I want her, I took the chance to have her, and I'm not sorry I did it." Tamsin lifted her gaze to stare at him head on, her gaze unflinching. "It's shitty, I know that. We're partners and I actually care about you, something I didn't think would happen at the start of this, but I didn't expect to want her either." Shrugging her shoulders, Tamsin reached for her beer, taking a drink of it before she muttered, "Que sera, sera."

"Whatever will be, will be," Dyson finished the lyric and a smirk formed on his features.

"The future's not ours see," said Tamsin gravely, offering him a shot of akevitt, laughing when he took the shot and drank it quickly. She released a snort of amusement, looking away from him to stare at Trick's selection of top shelf alcohol. Tamsin absently noted that he had an elderberry wine made by nymphs in Sweden. That was some rare shit. "I had a girl once," Tamsin offered and she watched Dyson move next to her, his gaze lidded as he studied her. "The best girl in the world. A fucking bad ass samurai who loved to fish and fuck and she even knew how to get blood stains out of clothes," she scoffed, her fingers tracing the top of the beer stein. "She was supposed to be it," Tamsin said plainly, looking at Dyson now. "You know what I mean? You live for eons and nothing matters for shit then you meet the girl and she's everything."

"Yes, I know," said Dyson and something in his eyes told Tamsin he wasn't thinking about Bo as he said this.

"My girl, Tomoe," Tamsin provided with a laugh and an elegant twirl of her hand, "she got taken from me. I didn't want her to die so I struck a bargain with Odin and he kept her alive but he stole her soul and she did some bad things for him." Tamsin became quiet, staring at her beer, watching the bubbles form and she sighed deeply. She was so very tired of this. Of having Odin in her life and feeling this weight on her heart whenever she thought about the last thousand years. "Genocide type bad," said Tamsin, drinking her beer until the glass was nearly empty. "There was almost another war because of it." She offered him a wry smile, broken in its amusement as she observed his confusion. "In Asia," she supplied. "That's when I was having my little field trip in the far east. Seeing the sights and falling for the lovely maidens."

"Just one maiden though," said Dyson knowingly.

"Yeah, just one," said Tamsin in acerbic tones.

"What happens when you make a bargain with Odin?" asked Dyson and she grimaced.

She didn't want to tell him this. Fuck, she didn't want to tell anyone this. Bo, Trick, Kenzi, Dyson, and all the merry men. Tamsin didn't want to tell him but a part of her felt like she owed him something. Bo was her own woman, she didn't belong to anyone, and Tamsin would laugh at anyone who tried to say otherwise, but she knew how Dyson felt. Tamsin could have made some sort of effort to try and put him into consideration before acting on whatever it was she was had with Bo but she didn't. Tamsin didn't feel guilty because why should she? She didn't owe him anything. That wasn't the type of relationship they had but all the same, the decent thing would've been to give him a heads up.

Maybe Vex was right. The light fae and their polite niceties were rubbing off on her. She was starting to believe their line of bullshit in some ways more than others. If she didn't she wouldn't be answering Dyson. "You become his bitch," said Tamsin shortly. "He only wants Valkyries to be under contract. We're the delivery system for the awesome hero dead and that's who he's after for the most part. We contract ourselves to him and we bring him the fallen warriors instead of taking them to Valhalla. He gets them, he warps them, and he sends them back out into the world as his messengers."

"He did that to your girl," said Dyson quietly.

"Yup," said Tamsin, popping her lips on the word, giving him a twisted smile. "I'm the one who brought her to him. Of course, I didn't know that's what would happen but I knew it was her time to die. Destiny, fate, and all that predestined load of crap that Oracles feed you. He kept her from dying and I brought her to him as part of the payment. I don't know how long we were in his realm and she was in his fucked up training but she came back different. Wrong. Like in fucking Pet Sematary."

"What happened to her?" asked Dyson and Tamsin could see in his eyes he already knew the answer.

All the same, that didn't stop Tamsin from responding, "I killed her so she couldn't come back." Tamsin snorted and finished off her beer. "Pissed Odin off and that's when I became his special project." She looked Dyson in the eyes and continued, "It's why I had you burn my body. If there was nothing left of me but ashes and bone he couldn't resurrect me. My life cycle would finally be over and it would end with my contract to him."

"He killed then resurrected you as a form of punishment," Dyson murmured with certain understanding.

Tamsin didn't look at him after he said this. She didn't want to see the sympathy on his face that she could hear so clearly in his voice. It wasn't what she wanted, him feeling that way, but she had to explain. He deserved that at least. "Yeah, it's kind of his thing," said Tamsin in droll tones. "It's crap but you get used to it after a few years. You become numb."

Dyson didn't say anything for a long while. They just sat, side by side, in comfortable silence, staring at Trick's liquor bottles and reflecting on their thoughts. Then Dyson said, "Some shifters like to pretend they have the exact characteristics as their animal forms. As if they are the animal but we aren't. We can change our bodies to match theirs but we don't have their minds and we don't fully share their instincts." Tamsin looked at him with confusion, wondering where this was going. "Wolves mate for life," said Dyson earnestly and Tamsin nodded. "But I'm not a wolf," he continued with a half smile. "I'm fae and I'm a shifter who can turn into a wolf, not a wolf itself. It's not the same thing. I have a choice in what I am and what I become. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"

"Yeah," said Tamsin roughly. "I do."

"When you live as long as we do, it's best to learn how to let things go," Dyson said wisely. He reached for the akevitt and poured himself a shot. "I had my time with her then it was over. I just want to settle it, to let her know I'm still here."

"I get it," Tamsin murmured and she did get it. If she was in his position, she couldn't ever give up on Bo totally. Not until she heard from the succubus herself that she wasn't what Bo wanted. Dyson had been with Bo and they had been in love and at one time they had a future together then it was stolen from them. The Norn took it from them just like Odin had taken Tamsin's future with Tomoe and she couldn't blame him for wanting to try and get it back. "We're cool."

"Good," Dyson released a breath of air and he looked at Tamsin steadily. "What happens next is up to her." He turned from Tamsin and drank the akevitt in one gulp, slamming the shot glass on the bar much like Tamsin had earlier. "If it doesn't work out for me I'll get over it," he said frankly, looking Tamsin in the eyes.

"Not completely," said Tamsin softly. She understood all too well what Dyson was telling her in his own cryptic way. That he wouldn't interfere in whatever was going on with her and Bo beyond telling Bo about his own feelings. Whatever Bo decided he would respect the outcome. Even if that meant she wouldn't be his. It was very reassuring and nice to hear but Tamsin knew the type of love Dyson had for Bo and letting her go entirely was a next to impossible concept. It was the reason why she clung to Tomoe's memory like it was a security blanket. "No one could do that."

"We all carry a torch for someone," said Dyson curtly. He rose to his feet and Tamsin suspected their conversation about feelings and women was officially over. While it had been enlightening Tamsin couldn't say she was sad to realize this. "It's just a matter of making sure we don't burn down the remainder of our life because we're holding it."

"All right, Master Yoda," drawled Tamsin as she smirked at him. "That's enough with your pearls of wisdom."

"Come on," Dyson said, heading for the door. "Let's get out of here and shoot some rounds at the range."

Following after him, Tamsin realized this was why she wanted back on the force. Why she wanted to be a detective again. It wasn't out of some fucked up love for truth and justice and putting the fae bad guys away while hiding their existence from humans. Tamsin wanted the camaraderie she shared with Dyson. The sense of having a true partnership. Where you had your differences but ultimately it didn't matter because they had your back and you had theirs. His reaction to her thing with Bo was the reason why she trusted him like she did. It was blunt and honest and now that it was over the issue was settled between them. Nothing more needed to be said on the topic and they were both united in their desire to protect Bo.

Making them partners in more ways than one.


Two hours later, she returned to the shack and found Bo wearing an apron and kneading dough. Tamsin blinked at this and removed her holster, gently setting her gun down on the side table. "Hello, Betty Crocker," said Tamsin with dry humor. "You want to explain to me what's going on here? Did you get body snatched?"

"That happened once," said Bo absently. "I got stuck in this gross bounty hunter's body." She looked up from kneading the dough. "Did you or did you not want to eat a strawberry rhubarb pie? Because that's what I'm making here, lady."

"I want," said Tamsin, smiling and sitting down at the kitchen island.

"Chop rhubarb then," said Bo, nodding to the vegetable that sat on the island.

Grabbing a knife, Tamsin cut the vegetable into small pieces. As she worked, Tamsin considered what Bo was doing. It was a small thing but it was incredibly thoughtful and it spoke of someone who cared about another. Tomoe had done things like this for her when they were together. Having Bo do something similar was bewildering but in the best sort of way. It made Tamsin wonder yet again what she was to the succubus. "You didn't have to do this," Tamsin offered. "I was joking around."

"I know," said Bo playfully, lifting her head and retrieving the bowl of strawberries. "I felt like making a pie and this happens to my favorite kind. It's just lucky for you that you like it too," she said with a grin, flicking some flour at Tamsin.

"Nice," Tamsin drawled, her nose scrunching up, wiping the flour from her face. She watched Bo fit the dough into the pie tin, taking in her easy and practiced movements. "You baked a lot, didn't you?"

"My mom used to enter bake-offs," said Bo, very matter of fact. "She had me help." Fitting the dough inside the tin expertly, Bo continued, "It's not a big deal. You cook, don't you? I mean, you served up venison during your rebirth trial."

"You want to eat, you learn how to hunt and cook," said Tamsin plainly. "Didn't have much choice in the matter. It's not like this," Tamsin nodded to Bo who had finished fitting the dough to the pie tin and was chopping strawberries. "Measuring and figuring out ingredients. I toss whatever into a pan that I know tastes good together then eat it."

"I don't measure either," said Bo wryly. "I guess if you do something enough, you know when it's right."

After she said this, Bo looked Tamsin in the eyes and the valkyrie got the feeling she wasn't just speaking about recipes. Tamsin swallowed hard and dropped her head, staring at the rhubarb as she continued to chop it into equal portions. "What did you find out in your meeting with Trick?" asked Tamsin, trying to divert the topic, whatever it was.

"Not much," said Bo, shrugging her shoulders and dumping the strawberries into a larger bowl filled with flour and sugar. "He dug up this spell we can use that will free Aife's thralls the next time we see them."

"Good," said Tamsin in a murmur and finished chopping the rhubarb, she pushed it towards the other woman. Bo smiled at her and added it to the bowl, stirring the mixture. She sighed, wiping her hands on the apron, and Tamsin figured it had to sit for a while. She considered Bo for a moment then she moved, reaching out for the succubus, pulling her forward by the pocket on the front of her apron. Bo smiled and stood in between her legs, her gaze was introspective and her touch light as she picked up the silver-gilt pendant that rested against Tamsin's collarbone. Bo's gaze was dark and she frowned. At first, Tamsin wondered at it then she realized how similar to the symbol of The Ash it must look to the succubus. She didn't have any in depth knowledge of the fae and their clans. It was simply an all too familiar design that reminded her of the mark of ownership Lauren had to wear. "It's the crest of the Clan Lundr," said Tamsin quietly, reaching up to clasp Bo's hand. "This is a totem, all Valkyries have one. We need it to gain passage into Valhalla."

"How does it do that?" asked Bo curiously, looking at Tamsin as she lay her hand flat on her skin, her fingertips caressing Tamsin in a leisurely movement.

"I don't exactly know," said Tamsin wryly. "It's made from our essence during rebirth. The left over bits and pieces from the shells of our bodies that get burnt up and reformed in the sacred fire. Each time it comes out looking different."

"You don't know something," Bo teased and Tamsin huffed, making the brunette laugh. Bo smiled sweetly and cupped Tamsin's face in her hands, leaning in and kissing her. It was soft and delicate with Bo's lips tenderly feeding on her own, her tongue pressing for entrance and tasting from her deeply. Tamsin groaned and moved into Bo's touch as she cradled Tamsin's breast in her hand, thumbing her nipple, smiling as it became stiff at her touch. They separated slowly and Bo's voice was low as she questioned, "Have you been there yet?" Tamsin blinked, she was in something of a daze and was confused as to what the other woman was speaking about. "Valhalla."

"No," Tamsin said, her brow furrowing. "Why?"

"Because, isn't that where Tomoe is?" asked Bo and Tamsin frowned. Her first instinct was to pull away from the succubus but Bo held tight, keeping her in place. Tamsin averted her gaze and clenched her jaw. "Hey," Bo's voice was painfully gentle, just like her fingers as they lightly pressed onto Tamsin's skin, turning her head so their eyes could meet. "You can see her if she's there," Bo said and Tamsin frowned again. Why was Bo telling her this? "You should see her," encouraged Bo and Tamsin stared at her, trying to figure this out. There had to be a reason behind it. Some sort of plan or logic that the other woman had that was driving this conversation but Tamsin couldn't comprehend what it was. "I think it would help."

"With what?" Tamsin challenged and she quickly found herself becoming angry.

No response came from Bo at first. Instead, she ducked her head and bit her lip, forming a contrite expression on her features. It gave Tamsin pause as she considered it and Bo's motives for bringing all of this up. Then the succubus looked up at her and she held Tamsin's face in her hands. "It would help you move on," Bo murmured.

"Explain," demanded Tamsin and it was Bo's turn to be anxious but Tamsin wouldn't let her look away. She held Bo's chin in her hand and looked at her with a furious gaze. "I want to know what you meant by saying that."

Bo shook her head and ducked down, nuzzling her face into Tamsin's neck, and the valkyrie shivered upon feeling Bo's breath on her skin. The succubus pressed closer, her arms wrapping around Tamsin and they melted into one another. There was a certain security in this embrace, it was soothing, and Tamsin felt her bristling anger begin to melt away. "You shouldn't live with that guilt all of your life," said Bo eventually, her voice practically a whisper. "I let it eat me up for years, the awful things my mother said to me when I told her what happened with Kyle. She wasn't the same when I went to see her, she had dementia, and she didn't even know what year it was but I told her everything I needed to and I don't feel guilty anymore. I made my peace with everything that happened and I moved on." Bo pulled back and peered up at Tamsin, kissing her cheek and touching it with a tender caress. "I just want the same for you."

Fucking hell, Tamsin thought. What was it with them? Bo, Dyson, Kenzi, and even Trick. They never failed to stop Tamsin short with their consideration and their caring. Tamsin used to loathe any sort of interference in her life and her decisions but she couldn't stay mad in the face of their genuine concern. It didn't help that everything they said tended to be the honest truth and Tamsin was never one to ignore the truth. In the end, that led to far more problems.

"Okay," said Tamsin after a long moment of silence. Bo was right. She wouldn't ever fully let go of her guilt until she saw Tomoe again. Met with her and apologized for everything that happened. The prospect of seeing her was daunting but Tamsin knew it couldn't lead to her feeling any worse than she already did. "Not now," Tamsin said, holding Bo's gaze steadily. "After we're done kicking Odin's ass. I'll see her then. All right?"

"Good," said Bo almost breathlessly and the smile she gave lit up her entire face. She seemed at a loss for words and she laughed happily, darting forward to kiss Tamsin. When she pulled away, Tamsin returned her smile and Bo looked to the bowl of ingredients. "I think it's set for long enough."

With that, she walked away from the valkyrie and returned to preparing the pie. Pouring the contents of the bowl into the pie pan and smoothing it out with a spatula. Tamsin watched Bo's easy movements, cutting the remaining dough into strips and placing them on top of the pie filling. It was strangely mesmerizing and Tamsin was struck by the domestic feeling this whole scenario had. The only thing they were missing was a fucking white picket fence and a golden retriever puppy. Releasing a humorous snort at her own joke, Tamsin leaned against the kitchen island, resting her elbows on the surface.

"Once I see her, we'll go on our date," Tamsin volunteered in a sincere promise.

Her words made Bo freeze in her tracks and then she looked up with the brightest smile on her features. It was wide and glittering and filled with so much hope it caused Tamsin's heart to skip a beat. "I'd like that," said Bo and her voice was laced with emotion. This was such a small thing to promise but it meant so much to the both of them. It was a pledge to survive all of this and a vow to look forward to tomorrow because of everything that would be waiting.


When the day of the all important meeting occurred, it's much what Tamsin expected. Paranoia, armed guards, and bickering as Bo quickly lost patience with trying to make both sides see the very real threat. Tamsin kept out of the discussion for the most part, only offering her opinion when needed, stressing Odin's powers and the fact that he won't just be wanting to enslave the dark fae. He'll be coming after everyone, including the light.

They've finally reached some sort of agreement when the doors to the warehouse burst open and Aife appeared, complete with her enthralled fae army in tow. Certainly, it isn't all of them, but it's enough and Bo barely has enough time to process this before Aife is set upon by the light. Defeating them was something of a laugh and Tamsin would have been impressed by it if she wasn't concerned about the situation as a whole. Bo managed to fight her way through the chaos to reach her mother who responded in her usual glib manner. She wasn't the problem, Aife claimed, Evony was.

There were just seconds to process this and then the explosion came. Walls falling down and people screaming. It descended into utter mayhem and none but Aife was pleased about it. She laughed long and loud, directing her army as Evony appeared through the smoke with an attack force of her own. Shit, fuck, damn. That was all Tamsin could think before she sprung into action. This wasn't a normal fight, it was something comparable to the old days, when she had fought with Tomoe against the rival dark fae clans in Japan. The fire fae and the explosions, the dark cloud of smoke that burned your eyes and obscured your vision. It was all too familiar and Tamsin instinctively slipped back into her old mentality.

Kill or be killed and Tamsin launched herself into the fray decisively. Her arsenal of weapons weren't available, all she had was her pistol, her fists, and her feet. As she attacks Evony's muscle, Tamsin kept a close eye on them. Trying to see with her own eyes if they're under Odin's control or they're muscle for hire. Their eyes are clear and their movements smooth, they're missing the tell tale signs of not knowing your own mind and Tamsin decided then and there not to hold back. She released her powers of doubt on three of them and breaks the back of a fourth. It's a bloody and brutal thing, this battle they're in, and Tamsin barely has time to register the giant behind her when he grabbed her by her neck.

"Not smart, buddy," Tamsin wheezed, tearing at his hand as it tightened around her neck, lifting her off the ground. She dropped her facade, revealing her true face. "You don't want to do this," she hissed. With that, his grip loosened just enough for her to pry his fingers back, breaking them, and as she did, she kicked him hard, sending him crashing to the floor. Tamsin landed in a heap, taking in deep gasping breaths. The battle raged on and it didn't look good for the light fae. One of their elders had been injured and The Ash didn't appear to be all that great at combat. Narrowing her eyes on seeing a Dullahan heading towards the light fae leader, Tamsin muttered, "Fuck this shit."

Her colt was quickly retrieved and the shots fired, turning the Dullahan's attention towards her. Tamsin knew this wasn't the smartest thing in the world. She had no idea where its head was and killing a Dullahan wasn't the easiest thing. Still, she dodged his punch and kept him far from The Ash as she tried to figure out a way to kill him. Distantly she can feel that same tug she experienced before, in the backwoods of No Man's Land, and the air is heavy with power. Bo is syphoning chi from their enemies but that doesn't help her with the Dullahan and Tamsin cursed as he managed to cut her in the side. It's not an especially deep wound but it slowed her down and it was better to end this sooner than later.

Pipes aren't the best weapon in the world but Tamsin made due with a large one, kicking the knife from the Dullahan's hand, and running him through with it. She watched him collapse to his knees and fall forward and Tamsin dropped the pipe. Her side is bleeding and a feeling of dizziness started to seize her. Then she returned her attention to Bo who was still drawing chi from Evony and her followers. They were almost drained completely and were at death's door. Tamsin grimaced and made her way to the succubus just as Kenzi administered one of Lauren's shots.

It did nothing. Bo continued to drain them and her eyes were horrible and bright. There was an alien look to them, as if Bo was otherworldly, and Tamsin didn't fear many things but she feared her in this moment. She could see why Odin wanted to use Bo because she held a truly frightening power. Kenzi was there, trying to snap her out of it, and when Tamsin reached them, she was in something of a panic as her own chi was being taken. Tamsin moved in front of Bo and slapped her hard. This made Bo stop draining their chi but in an instant those blue eyes were focused on Tamsin and she swallowed hard.

This wasn't her Bo, this was somebody else, it was what Odin would make of her. "No," Tamsin muttered, grabbing Bo's face in her hands and staring her down, dropping her mask to reveal her true face. "You don't get to do this."

How long they remained that way Tamsin had no idea. Looking into Bo's eyes in this moment was like losing a piece of herself and she started to shake, becoming weak on her feet as she felt her chi being syphoned. No, this wasn't right. This wasn't how it was meant to happen and she didn't know what to do. How to bring Bo back to herself and all she could think was that if she was going to die this way then she would do it with a kiss. Gathering the last of her strength, Tamsin pulled Bo forward and kissed her as if it would be their very last. She put everything into it. All of her love and all of the emotion she wanted to share but she kept hidden because it hadn't been the right time. Tamsin gave Bo everything she was and just before she felt herself begin to black out, she watched a semblance of sanity return to those glowing blue eyes.

Good, Tamsin thought, her eyelids were as heavy as her limbs and she collapsed onto the ground. Her Bo was back. She had managed to do something right after all. They still had a chance of winning.


Shouting and the slam of furniture being broken woke Tamsin from her rest. Her head is pounding and she feels weak. It's worse than the other times that Bo drained her. She started to push herself up but a firm hand is on her shoulder, keeping her in place, and she's met with Kenzi's concerned gaze

"Hey," said Tamsin roughly, falling back onto the couch. They were in Trick's study, she realized, looking at their surroundings. It took her a moment to recognize the angry voices belonged to Aife and Trick. "What's going on?"

"Bobalicious drained you," said Kenzi frankly, sitting on the couch and staring down at her. "You should be wiped."

"I'm getting there," said Tamsin with a groan, pushing herself up by her elbows. She poked her head up enough to look into the bar where Aife and Trick were in the midst of their confrontation. Bo was with them, standing in the middle, trying to stop their argument with a look of clear frustration. "What's with the family feud?"

"Aife's pissed Trick put the axe on her thralls," said Kenzi carelessly. "Mama Succubus says we need them to take Odin out and she's making her point with migraine inducing volume." She tilted her head and studied Tamsin for a minute then asked, "How are you really feeling? No lying because I can so spot that shit a mile away."

Tamsin paused to consider the question and the moment she did, she frowned, lifting her shirt to look at where her wound should be. The skin only showed a faint red mark at where she had been cut. "Tired and confused," Tamsin said, lifting her gaze to stare hard at Kenzi. "Why am I healed?"

"Bo," Kenzi's lips popped on her name and she formed a mischievous grin, resting her chin in the palm of her hand, and gleefully watching Tamsin's reaction. "She freaked big time after you snapped her out of it with your self sacrificing heroics. Pumped her magic succubreath into you and healed you up good. She drained you then refilled you. Nifty, ain't it?"

"They weren't heroics," Tamsin grumbled irritably, not at all pleased with how Kenzi was trying to describe her. She pushed herself into a sitting position and held back a groan. Whatever Bo did healed her but it didn't take away the aches and pains that came from being drained of your chi to the extent it left you close to death. Still, she had been through worse. Tamsin grimly thought of her battle with Tomoe and the years of torture that followed at Odin's hands. Standing up, Tamsin waved off Kenzi's help and gingerly walked into the main bar, where Aife and Trick continued to bicker. "We don't have time for your fucked up family issues," said Tamsin bluntly, raising her voice as she entered the room. Aife and Trick turned to look at her, Trick with a wide and worried gaze, and Aife with something akin to admiration. Bo instantly rushed to Tamsin's side and she tried her best to maintain her mask but it was difficult in the face of Bo's concern. "I'm fine," Tamsin reassured, taking Bo's hand that was resting on her hip and squeezing it in a tender hold. "We get anything out of Evony?"

"Vex took her for questioning," supplied Trick and Tamsin nodded. Most likely she would be executed once he got everything he wanted out of her. Tamsin wondered if he would do it privately or make a public spectacle out of it.

"Valkyrie," Aife said in silky smooth tones, walking over to Tamsin and wearing a fetching smile. Tamsin raised an eyebrow and next to her, she felt Bo bristle in response to her mother's flirtation. "You agree with me, don't you? Odin will have his slaves and we need ours. The battle is already severely weighed against us. We need bodies to level the playing field."

"We do," allowed Tamsin and Aife smirked in triumph, "but what good is it to beat Odin if we use his methods to do it? We'll be no better than he is and isn't that why you took Bo from him? Because you knew she could be better?" Aife looked away from Trick, no longer gloating as the smirk fell from her features and her eyes narrowed at Tamsin. She felt Bo press closer, they were shoulder to shoulder and Bo entwined their fingers. "Don't try and change her into him now."

"You're very good," said Aife and Tamsin had the definite feeling she was being sized up again. She strode over to Bo and flashed her a glittering smile. "I'll return in time for the attack, darling," she promised, kissing her cheek. Aife then directed her gaze, hard and unfeeling towards Trick and she said, "Try to not send any assassins after me, would you? The civil thing would be to wait until one parent is dead before you attempt to kill the other."

"Aife," Trick's voice was exasperated and pleading.

"No time to chat," Aife dismissed him with a flick of her wrist, walking out of the bar. "Toodles!"

They descended into awkward silence and Trick gave them something resembling a smile but it was small and painfully awkward. "Kids," he offered lamely and he stared at them for a moment before disappearing into his study.

The instant they're alone, Bo's hands are on her, moving over the skin where the wound had been and Tamsin can see the guilt in her eyes. "I'm fine," Tamsin said, reaching for Bo's hands and drawing them away from her midsection. "You fixed me right up." The guilt didn't leave though. It remained in her eyes and Tamsin sighed, moving closer, and holding Bo's face in her hands. "Hey," she said this in a soft command and Bo looked at her with wide eyes. "Tell me what's wrong."

"I almost couldn't stop," said Bo faintly, her gaze darted away from Tamsin's and she bit down on her lip.

"You did though," Tamsin enforced and she gave into temptation, her thumb moving across Bo's cheek in a gentle caress. The succubus released a shaky breath, focusing on Tamsin, a plaintive look in her gaze. "That's what really matters," Tamsin murmured, holding Bo's gaze and trying to get her to recognize the truth in her words.

Nothing but silence and Tamsin frowned. She wasn't having any effect and Bo was lost in her thoughts, tormented by her actions, and Tamsin didn't know how to help her. Then Bo said decisively, "I need to see Lauren." It was such a small thing. Saying those words but it meant so much. Lauren could help Bo in ways that she couldn't. Whatever she had to offer it wasn't enough and something in Tamsin broke on hearing this. It didn't reflect on her features though. They were kept purposefully blank and she nodded, stepping backwards as Bo continued, "The shot it worked but it wasn't good enough. There has to be a way she can make it stronger." Tamsin understood Bo's reasoning but it didn't remove the feeling that she was a failure. That she hadn't been good enough, strong enough, to help Bo when she needed it the most. "Tamsin," said Bo emphatically, stepping forward and reaching out for her. "I can't let this happen again. If it does I might end up killing you."

"You wouldn't," said Tamsin adamantly, clenching her jaw after she said this, "but you should see her." The words were stuck on her tongue, coming out at a slow and reluctant pace, and Tamsin hated herself for saying them. It was the right thing. That was what she told herself. Bo needed Lauren and Bo should go to Lauren. While it stung her pride and hurt her in a way she couldn't quite understand, Tamsin knew full well you couldn't be everything to everyone. There were things that Lauren could provide Bo that she never could and Tamsin would never deny Bo what she needed. "Just be careful," Tamsin swallowed and she allowed herself this small foolish weakness, stepping forward and touching Bo's cheek. "Okay?"

"I will," Bo promised and she rushed forward, kissing Tamsin soundly.

Then she walked into Trick's study, to presumably tell him about her plans to visit Lauren. Tamsin stood in the middle of the bar, staring into space, when she felt a familiar presence at her side. "Hey partner," said Tamsin in droll tones. His shirt was ripped and yet again, he was showing off his toned abdomen. Sometimes Tamsin swore he did things just so he would wind up shirtless. It happened way too often for that not to be the reason. "How'd you make out?"

"Five kills and I got to hand over Evony to the dark," said Dyson, flashing a vicious smile that made Tamsin laugh. She nodded her head agreeably, thinking she'd be pleased with those results too. "What's going on?"

It was always Bo with the two of them. Tamsin really shouldn't be surprised by it but sometimes it got tiresome. Looking to him, she considered what Bo had told her and the undercurrents to the conversation. The succubus was going to Lauren for help but Tamsin wouldn't doubt something else would be settled between them. Dyson's words echoed in her ears, that he just wanted a chance to let Bo know how he felt and then he would let the chips fall where they may. It was only fair that he got to have his moment on the same day as the good doctor, thought Tamsin.

"She's going to see Lauren," said Tamsin finally. "Wants her help with cooking up a harder, better, faster, stronger formula to neutralize Odin's effect on her." There it was, the subtle twitch in his jaw and the stiff set of his shoulders. Tamsin didn't know what it was about the doctor but Dyson clearly had a problem with her in a way that didn't associate itself to Tamsin. She wondered if it was the fact that Lauren was human or was it that they were both there at the start. Rivals in romance from the very beginning. "You should talk to her before she leaves."

"Really," said Dyson in a rumble and he looked at her with those eyes that always saw too much.

All of this would be easier if she could just hide again. Bury herself underneath that smart ass facade and just say a few fucking witty lines and that be the end of it. Only she couldn't do that because now everyone around her seemingly could see beyond it and it was infuriating as hell. Especially when all she wanted to do was not deal with them knowing her feelings and all the bullshit that went with them. Heaving a sigh, Tamsin studied the decorations of the bar again, trying to find something from Asia this time. "Me and you, we're simpatico," said Tamsin with dry humor, gesturing to herself and then Dyson, whapping him lightly on his chest. "I'll make my peace with whatever happens but first the lady's got to know she has options." Tamsin arched an eyebrow significantly. "So I'd get your ass in there and let it be known, huh?"

For a second, it seemed like he was going to say something to her, but instead he nodded and grabbed her, pulling her to him for a fast and fierce hug. Tamsin grumbled in protest and he laughed in a happy rumble, ruffling her hair then turning on his heel and walking into Trick's study. Tamsin wandered over to the bar and contemplated the beers while Trick and Kenzi entered the room. Trick disappeared into his supply room and Kenzi sidled up to her at the bar.

"You know what D-Man's doing in there, right?" Kenzi inquired, looking at her.

"Yup," Tamsin drawled, deciding on a pale ale, and standing up to pour herself a glass. "I told him to get in while the gettin's good. The doc's about to have her chance so I figured, hey, let the wolf in on it too."

"Jean Valjean," Kenzi said somberly and Tamsin snorted, sitting down on the bar stool. "Seriously!" said Kenzi emphatically, clasping onto her arm and shaking her. "What the fuck?! I mean, what in the literal fuck? I thought you were all in."

"They love her too," said Tamsin simply, drinking her beer, "and Bo is a succubus."

"What's that mean? You're going to time share her?" asked Kenzi incredulously.

Tamsin released a bark of amusement, smirking at Kenzi, thoroughly entertained by the other woman. "No," she said slowly, shaking her head. "I might not be everything she needs. I don't think anybody could be that and I'm not going to waste time being jealous over shit I can't change. Dyson loves her, Lauren loves her, they should be able tell her that and Bo should be able to decide what she wants to do about it." Tamsin shrugged her shoulders and took a long drink of beer.

"You are being scary mature about this," said Kenzi, squinting at her as if she was an extraterrestrial.

"I'm a couple thousand years old," said Tamsin acerbically. "I should be scary mature." Kenzi continued to stare at her as if she was some sort of anomaly and Tamsin heaved an irritated sigh and faced her. "Look," she said strongly, "I want her but wanting her doesn't mean I have a claim on her. Bo's her own woman and she's got to make her own choices. Do I want her choice to involve me? Yeah. But if it doesn't then I'll deal and move on. The same for Dyson and Lauren."

"Right," Kenzi said this slowly, tones of utter disbelief lacing her voice. "What if BoBo wants a foursome?"

Tamsin eyed Kenzi and broke into a half grin, seeing the mirth in Kenzi's eyes. "Then I guess we'll have to get a bigger bed," Tamsin offered and Kenzi laughed, bumping shoulders with the valkyrie. After a moment, they calmed down, and she looked to Kenzi, well aware of the role she played in Bo's life. "I just want her, Kenzi," Tamsin murmured, her voice just as solemn as her expression, letting Kenzi plainly see the truth of this. "I'll take Bo however I can get her."

"Damn, man," said Kenzi heavily, standing up to reach for two shot glasses and some vodka. She filled them up and pushed one towards Tamsin, lifting it up for a toast. When they clinked the glasses together, she said, "To the bottom!"

Knowing this toast and the meaning all too well, Tamsin smirked and replied, "Skaal!"

They drank their shots and slammed the glasses down on the table. Ignoring Trick's look of reproach as he joined them in the bar. After all, they were about to go to war and if that wasn't a time to drink then what was?