Chapter 23

Nevada was a long drive. The group had spent most of it sleeping and trading turns driving, but Kenzi had remained in the back of the SUV asleep. The group had tried to make her as comfortable as possible. They'd laid down the seat and stopped off at a Bed, Bath, and Beyond to get pillows and blankets to pile in the back for her to sleep on. She'd protested of course, but after lying in the back for a few moments, she'd quickly given in to her exhaustion. The sign that read Bakersville was very small and Dyson was incredibly thankful the good doctor had decided to relocate to a small town. It would be much easier to find her that way. Lauren wasn't fae, she'd chosen to relocate on her own, but if whatever was messing with the group knew that Lauren was a part of it, she was likely in danger as well. Goblins didn't travel by vehicle like their group did, it was only a matter of time before they reached Lauren.

"So what's the plan?" Kenzi asked. She'd woken up about ten minutes ago. The hours of sleep she had did nothing for the exhaustion and pain in her body. She still felt terrible, nauseas, exhausted, sore, and just all around uncomfortable.

"I say we park on Main Street and split up. It's a small town, flash her picture around and someone is bound to recognize her." Tamsin said. Kenzi nodded in agreement.

"Sounds like a plan." Bo said. Hale nodded as he pulled the vehicle into a parking spot in front of City Hall.

"Kenzi you're with me." Bo said. Kenzi nodded and slowly climbed from the vehicle. Dyson looked over at her and gave her a small nod. They split up quickly, Tamsin with Trick, Hale with Dyson, and off they went. Bo was used to walking fast, hurrying along, and Kenzi could tell that she was trying her hardest to keep a slow pace so Kenzi could keep up.

"How are you feeling?" Bo asked.

"Just a little tired." Kenzi lied.

"You don't look like you're just tired."

"Why do you say that?"

"You're walking like a 90 year old woman."

"I'm getting old." Kenzi said with a small laugh. She could see all the worry etched in Bo's features. She didn't hide her feelings well, and Kenzi knew exactly how to read her.

"It's ok Bo. I'm going to be fine. Lauren is coming home with us and she'll know what to do."

"I know." Bo nodded, but her face didn't show any relief and Kenzi didn't feel any relief at her own words. They went into several small stores as well as a few hair salons, with no luck. Kenzi was getting more worn down by the minute. It was getting hard for her to catch her breath and she didn't know how much further she could walk. She was determined to keep going though, she wasn't going to show her exhaustion, she had to keep going for Bo's sake. They stepped into a small diner and the young girl at the hostess stand smiled at them. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a bun and she was chewing gum like a cow chews grass, but she was cute, and very young.

"What can I do for you ladies?" she asked.

"We were wondering if you'd seen this girl around here?" Bo handed her the phone with Lauren's photo on it. The young girl shook her head but then paused and put her finger to her cheek as if she were thinking.

"She looks really familiar, hold on a minute?" she turned and waved her hand at the brunette waitress who was handing a couple their ticket.

"Ally, come here." she said. The girl hurried over and the blonde hostess handed her the phone.

"Is this that girl that works down at the hospital? Dr. um…"

"Lewis?" Bo asked.

"No, no, her name is…" the brunette pointed at the phone and then snapped her fingers.

"Felicity Jones, except she doesn't have blonde hair, this must be an old picture because she has brown hair now." the waitress said.

"Thank you so much. Can you point us in the direction of the hospital?" Bo asked.

"Of course, you go to that stop sign right there and turn right, and it's right in your face. It's only one story, probably why you can't see it from here." The hostess smiled and handed Bo her phone back. while the girl was talking and saying goodbye, Kenzi shot off text messages to the rest of the group telling them where they were. By the time Kenzi and Bo walked out of the diner, they were waiting at the corner by the stop sign.

"There it is." Hale pointed to the small one floor hospital. Kenzi smirked, she'd never seen a hospital so small in her life, but there it was in all its tiny glory. The group moved quickly towards it and Kenzi struggled to keep up. She felt like she was going to fall down at any point, her legs wobbled with every single step, her heart pounded harder than before, and her head spun. She licked her incredibly dry lips as they reached the hospital. Kenzi was staring at the group, trying to keep her composure.

"You alright?" Dyson's hand landed on her back and she leaned heavily against it, seeking some kind of relief from her tired body.

"Tired." She said, giving the same answer she gave Bo.

"You should've stayed in the vehicle. You look like you're about to pass out."

"I'm fine. Promise." She gave him her best smile, which was less than extraordinary at the moment. The group approached the nurse's station and a perky redhead smiled up at them, her smile was much more convincing.

"Can I help you?" she asked Bo.

"I need to see Felicity Jones." Bo said.

"Felicity Jones?" Dyson asked, pulling a face. Kenzi chuckled and nodded.

"Name?" The red head asked.

"Nicole Taylor." Bo lied and batted her eyelashes in an alluring way.

"One second." The woman beamed, lifted the phone, and dialed a number.

"Dr. Jones. There is a woman here to see you, a Nicole Taylor." She paused, "Yes Ma'am." She hung up the phone and stood.

"Go right down this hallway and it's the last door on the right." She said. Bo touched the woman's hand and Kenzi knew she was using her mojo.

"We're all going to go see her. And after we leave, forget we were here, ok."

"Of course." The woman slipped into one of the loopy smiles Kenzi had seen on several occasions. But she didn't focus on that, because her head was becoming fuzzy and her legs were wobbling beneath her. They all walked down the hallway quickly, trying to get to Lauren as fast as possible. Bo knocked heavily on the door and what was less than five seconds felt like five minutes to Kenzi. She reached out and braced herself against the wall. Dyson gave her a concerned look as the door opened.

"Oh my god." Kenzi heard Lauren's voice, but she didn't see her, she couldn't lift her head.

"Kenzi?" Dyson asked, leaning down in her face. Kenzi's legs and body gave out, she dropped to the ground like a rock, too fast and sudden for anyone to catch her. A gasp went around the circle but that was the last thing Kenzi heard.