I think the last chapter had the quickest review response time than any other, lol! Elektra20, your review of calling Tamsin a "noble idiot" made me laugh so I had to use it. To all that have continued to support this story and have left reviews, I cannot thank you enough! It means more than you know :)
Bo was enjoying a drink with her friends in the kitchen when she heard her phone chime. Seeing that it was a text from Tamsin, she grinned before stepping away near the stairs. Once her eyes read the final next, she let out a sob as she placed a hand out on the rail to steady herself.
Startled by Bo's reaction the couple looked up from their spot; concern etched on their features.
"Bo?" Kenzi asked as she quickly moved towards her.
"It's Tamsin! She...she..." Turning around she encircled her friend in a hug as her emotions overtook her in the moment.
"Tamsin?" Lauren questioned "What is it, Bo?" She slowly walked towards them, her heart growing heavier with each step. She scanned through her thoughts about what could be the issue. Surely the valkyrie had no issues taking an unconscious Morrigan to wherever she was taking her. Really aside from her dying...shit...surely she wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. Taking Bo's phone she read over the message as the truth delivered a harsh blow. The doctor slowly walked towards the couch falling on it in a state of shock, her vision slightly blurred by the tears that now formed in her eyes. "It's all my fault."
Hearing Lauren's statement brought Bo out of her own feelings. "No, Lauren, it's not." Moving away from Kenzi she joined the blonde on the couch facing her. "You didn't do anything wrong." Reaching out to hold one of her hands "We both know that she wanted to go out her own way. Did you read the part where she didn't want you to blame yourself? If anything, you made it easier knowing that she'll have you to look out for her in the next life."
"You could have had more time with her though." Letting out a frustrated sigh "I just...I never thought outside of what would happen once I turned Evony human. I never meant for Tamsin to sacrifice herself for my mistake."
Sitting on the coffee table in front of them both, Kenzi reached out a hand to rest on her girlfriend's knee. "Babe, you can't beat yourself up over this. As smart as you are, even you can't think of anything. Besides who knew she was going to do the noble idiot routine?"
Bo shook her head at her friend's words. "Noble idiot? Really, Kenz?"
"I'm just saying." She said with a shrug of her shoulders. "Besides look at the big picture. Yes, we lost someone who we care about but she's coming back! How many people can say that? Lauren, I know you feel guilty but how many times can we say besides Bo here that a fae loved us enough to want to protect us? She'll be gone for what? A month?" Kenzi didn't mean to come across as cold but felt the need to bring levity into the situation to help them through this transition. Then when Tamsin came back maybe ground her for a day or something.
"Yes," Lauren nodded "she'll spend a month in Valhalla then it will be year before she remembers everything. I knew this was going to happen sooner rather than later, but I still..."
"Wasn't ready for it?" Bo finished for her. "Me either. I don't know if it was wise for me to start anything with her," she said as she rolled her eyes to the ceiling "but there was just that draw to her." Gripping Lauren's a hand a little tighter, "I'm not upset with you, Lauren. I saw how weak she became today and she lost more hair than usual. I'm sad, yes but in year's time...she'll be mine again. A second chance that I will not mess up."
Her words weren't lost on either of the women, and Lauren squeezed her hand back in response. "You more than deserve it, Bo. I do want you to realize that I may develop a protectiveness over her. So if you hurt her, you'll have me to deal with too." Even though she finished her warning with a smile there was no doubt to her words.
Bo laughed lightly, "I wouldn't have it any other way." Although she didn't want to admit out loud she was somewhat unnerved by Lauren's pointed look. Nothing like having your ex raise your very recently dead lover who she would be with again.
"Good so why don't you stay with us? You don't need to be alone. We can order some take out, get drunk, and let Kenzi pick out a horrible movie?"
"Hey!" Kenzi objected "I have excellent movie tastes and consider myself a connoisseur of horror films. Besides I don't think anyone is in the mood for a documentary. So what do you say, succubabe? Want to stay?"
Touched by the offer and not wanting to be alone Bo agreed.
Two Weeks Later
Lauren sat at her desk going over the latest results on a few new trials before leaning back in her chair. She and Kenzi had decided to delay their vacation so that Bo wouldn't be alone, and to finish a few lab related projects that had been neglected. Now that Evony was no longer a constant threat Kenzi was free to move about once again. She had spent her days with Bo even going on a few cases, which delighted Lauren as she knew her girlfriend had been going stir crazy. The last few days though Kenzi had decided to stay with Bo at the clubhouse. She knew it was partly on her as she had begun putting in long hours once again in trying to deal with the sliver of grief that haunted her. She was upset at herself when her thoughts strayed to what might have happened had Tamsin not intervened. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, but she wasn't ready to open her eyes.
"Yes?" She called out slightly irritated that she had been interrupted.
"Sorry to interrupt Dr. Lewis but your um..assistant is here to see you."
That answer caused her to look up immediately. "Assistant?", she questioned before her eyes moved to the figure behind the technician only to open even wider as Kenzi walked into her office. Turning to the light fae employee the brunette said, "Thank you for seeing me to her office. I'll let you know if anything else is needed." Turning to a now happily surprised Lauren she closed the door behind her.
She took in Kenzi's appearance surprised to see her in one of the business suits that she had worn as Natasha. The blonde noticed with a blush that the skirt was certainly a lot shorter, and instead of heels she wore a pair of her new boots. Kenzi rarely wore her hair up but did so today along with a pair of black glasses.
Content with the effect she had on Lauren, she walked towards her as she sat on the desk; crossing her legs in front of her.
"Dr. Lewis." She greeted her watching as the blonde's eyes had become focused on her boots as they trailed up her legs.
Swallowing visibly, Lauren could only stutter out an "Ms. Malikov? Um..what can I do for you?"
"I think it's more of what I can do for you." Leaning down she placed her hands on the arms of Lauren's chair; affording her a revealing look down her blouse "I have fielded calls left and right from your girlfriend demanding to know what is so important that she hasn't seen you the last few days. I think she's starting to worry."
"Worry?" Lauren repeated with a furrowed brow.
"Mmhmm...it seems that she has barely heard from you and as much as she has enjoyed her time with this Bo person; she wanted me to convey that she has really missed you." She finished as she moved to straddle Lauren's lap.
"Then I will have to find a way to apologize because if I've caused her to question how important she is to me, then I have let her down." Lauren said sincerely looking into her "assistant's" eyes.
Caught off guard by the response Kenzi leaned forward to kiss her slowly; cupping her face as she did so. "You don't have apologize for anything, Lauren. I wanted to give you some space as crazy as everything has been lately. I just don't want you to let what we have fall by the wayside." Seeing that she was about to respond, the goth placed a finger over her lips. "Let me finish. It's not lost on me or Bo for that matter that you feel guilty. You took a risk and it paid off. Can we please celebrate that we're alive? That as trying as it's been that once again Team Human kicked fae ass? It's time to plan this vacation that we've talked about and get on with our lives. Lets enjoy this time before Tamsin comes back ready to raise hell and especially before we start trying for a family our own."
Smiling up at her she was once again reminded how lucky she was to be with her. Taking a deep breath she finally let her words settle over her. "You're absolutely right. I didn't mean to pull away it's just a lot to process, but I agree that our trip will very much clear it all way. In fact, I think we should start now. Don't you?" She asked placing kisses along her neck.
"Mmm...I like the way you think."
"Good," Lauren replied as she gripped the younger woman's legs before standing up to move her back on the desk "because I think that you're going to like this" removing the desk of all contents with a sweep of one of her hands "a whole lot more."
Delighted to see the return of her Lauren, Kenzi hummed in agreement wrapping her legs around her; kissing her fiercely as words were no longer needed.
Valhalla
As Tamsin reviews her current life, she watches as the images play out in the viewing room. She opted to replay her moments with Bo. Especially the ones leading up towards the end; it was one of the rare times in all of her lives to where she felt wanted. Not for what she was or her power but for who she was as Tamsin. Maybe that's why her and Bo connected on the level that they did. She also enjoyed her moments with the doctor too as it had been forever since she trusted someone with her life. The valkyrie looked forward to being brought up with someone who valued loyalty and would see that she had a balanced upbringing. Maybe then she thought, she could be someone who Bo deserves.
"Tamsin."
The blonde turned to the voice that commanded her attention. Dropping to one knee, fist over heart, she bowed her head in respect to Odin.
"You may rise, Valkyrie." He said as he came to stand in front of her. "It is my understanding that a request has been made, and I am here to either grant or deny it." He glanced on the screen catching sight of the succubus.
"Yes, my lord. I know that I have two lives left but I wish to sacrifice one for another." She said looking for permission to continue.
"For the succubus? I see no ending to her life cycle for centuries." He asked confused.
"Not her, but the human who will see me through my next life."
"Explain, as her life will not end for decades. You are aware that I will not make a human immortal."
"I am aware and am not making such a request. The human has been one of the strongest that I've ever met, and her loyalty to others knows no bounds. She had a life taken away from her without her permission by the fae; I wish to honor her so that she may once again know that happiness with the one who holds her heart."
Smiling to himself he was impressed that Tamsin had grown by leaps and bounds given how she had spent a majority of her life. She had proven her committment and honor by dying to save her friends.
"You understand, my child, that should I grant this wish that this will be your last life?"
"Yes, I understand completely but if I'm to be honest" she paused "I don't think I would want to after this one. I finally found my one." Tamsin glanced back at the wall that showed her last day with Bo.
"Very well. After you have regained your memories, I will take your last life and allow the humans to conceive a child of their own. I will leave it to you to tell them once that time comes."
"Thank you, Odin." She said bowing once again as a sign of gratitude for granting her request as he turned to take his leave.
A smile lit up her features knowing that while she could not undo the pain of the past, that she could help give her friends the happiness that was deserved. Turning once more to the screen, she continued to review her life before joining her sisters in the dining hall.
I hope that it doesn't seem like I brushed off Bo's feelings over Tamsin. They were only together a few times, and she made Bo aware that her time was limited. I think there is some level of acceptance that she only has to wait a year before Tamsin remembers her. With that in mind and to have a circle of support I feel that the blow was a bit lessened. Feel free to let me know your thoughts! :)