Disclaimer: I do not own Lost Girl, the plot is of my own imaginings, and any characters that are unfamiliar. (This is set AU of S3 episode 11—Lauren's job was not Fae related, and Bo's father has not yet gotten involved)

20 December, 2013

Kenzi shook her behind as she danced behind the bar. Trick had begged for a little help. It was the pre-weekend rush. Well, at least at the Dal. After informing Kenzi that yes, the Dal was quite similar to the airport rush at this time of the year. Apparently it was the start of the family visitations. And of course, each Fae that entered the city had to report to the Dal to sign in. It was just the way things were. Security, while not tightened, was certainly not lax. Both the Ash and Morrigan had assigned a guard to help Trick keep track of everyone and watch for fugitives.

Having been relegated to bartending, Kenzi was happily spinning around and serving beers and cocktails with ease. It was another of her little skills.

"Wench," one of the rather Neanderthal patrons at the end of the bar called, "my glass is empty."

"Yeah, yeah," she grumbled under her breath. This was why she had never gotten a job as a waitress or a bartender. She wasn't going to put up with the grabby hands or the douchey commentary. In this situation, however, Kenzi was going to put up with it, because the guy had been shoving extra money her way and winking. She sauntered over to him and his pals, leaned over the bar top and smiled as she cocked her head, "Same?"

The man grunted and pushed the tankard across the rough wooden surface, "Yeah."

The 'same' happened to be a Pabst with a trace of slime from a pipe under the sink. Not that anyone would really be able to tell the difference. The wily Russian turned away and began to fix the man's drink. It only took a moment, and she knew his eyes certainly were not going to be focused on her hands. It had always been a part of her cons, she knew what her strengths were, and she utilized them. This was no different.

So with a toothy smile, Kenzi set the beer down in front of the man, "Can I get you anything else?"

"At the moment, nothing," he told her, lifting the mug to his lips and swallowing a heavy mouthful. Kenzi resisted the urge to grimace.

"Just let me know if you do," she pushed away from the counter and retreated to the other end to pour another round of shots for a group of elemental Fae.

"Everything alright, Kenzi," Trick checked in on her, one eye still at the line at the door.

Kenzi nodded and began to close out a tab for a table, "Peachy."

"Okay," he nodded, "there's another group coming through in an hour so be ready."

"Yes, sir," Kenzi sassed trick, saluting and moving on to yet another customer.

She couldn't help the deep frown that itched its way across her face. Neanderthal's buddy had arrived and was actually licking his lips like a dog staring at a t-bone. Kenzi's footsteps faltered but she never stopped. It was at times like these that Kenzi really wished she had some kickass powers to turn on these idiots. Although, she considered, sometimes that was exactly what attracted some people.

"You have a friend," Kenzi smiled tightly, voice hardly joyful.

"Vodka, and one for yourself," the new 'man' tipped his head down, long hair brushing his shoulders.

Kenzi nodded stiffly, "Thanks."

Like hell was she not going to have a drink on this idiot, and it was going to be a good long one.

Neanderthal number two had disappeared, likely to the floor, somewhere around drink seven. Neanderthal number one was still drinking, albeit a little slower. His movements were becoming sloppier too, and so were his methods of persuasion. He had begun to get a little grabbier, touching her hand, her arm, her hair when he managed to get his fingers moving.

"Hey, Chica," Bo smiled as she dropped down onto a barstool. "Trick conned you into helping out today?"

"He asked you too," Kenzi returned.

Bo's eyes widened as she laughed abruptly, "Hell no, I told him I was coming down the whooping cough."

"And he bought that," she asked in disbelief.

"I don't know," the succubus shrugged, "I heard something about a 'pipe' and a 'cavity search' then he hung up."

"That would explain the guy they have strung up in the basement," the sole human in the bar muttered as she dragged her rag down the bar top, soaking up an errant liquor.

"Whoa," Bo leaned against the wood counter, "I thought he was just being dramatic."

"Me too!" Kenzi tossed the rag down, "And then I got here and it was like a piñata at six year-old's birthday party had busted open."

"Holy crap on a cracker," Bo exhaled sharply. "So dumb and dumber flanking Trick are?"

"A light and a dark Fae guard," Kenzi informed her. "Apparently there are actually some pretty bad Fae that come here to visit family."

Bo spun on her stool so she could get the full picture. The bar was full. There was barely walking room between people. It really was like a club or a party rather than a usually half-empty bar. It was strange to say the least. It felt less like their hangout and more like…a waiting room.

"So…I kind of need to tell you something," Kenzi set glass filled with vodka in front of the other woman.

Bo twisted back to face Kenzi, smile fading at the serious look that had taken over her best-friend's face. "What's up?"

"I know you said you would be fine with me and Dyson hanging out and all, but okay, it's sort of…he said something to me yesterday and I don't…I just…"

Bo couldn't help but smile and lean over to grip the much smaller hand of her sister, "Kenz, whatever it is, just tell me."

With a deep sigh, Kenzi verbalized the words that had been bouncing around her head for hours and hours. "He said he loved me."

Bo's eyes shot open, her face dropped a little, the color and humor fading, "Oh."

"Oh," Kenzi repeated.

"That's," Bo paused, searching for the words, steeling herself to say what she needed to say, "that's great, Kenz."

"That's not what your face is saying," Kenzi offered the stunned Bo.

"Well," Bo swallowed before taking a sip of the vodka, "I guess I just wasn't expecting that. I mean I thought, I knew you two liked each other, but I didn't…" The dark haired woman shifted in her seat, throwing her shoulders back and forcing a smile on her face. "I'm happy for you, Kenzi."

Kenzi frowned. She knew Bo wasn't telling her the whole truth. Bo wasn't happy, she was being a good sister and friend, but she wasn't happy. "Don't lie, please."

Bo brushed her hair behind her ear, "Okay." She took another drink, "It's a bit of a shock, I never knew really that Dyson was that…serious about you. I should have seen it. I guess I'm a little jealous."

"Why," Kenzi asked, she didn't think there was anything to be jealous about, angry sure.

"Because he loves you," Bo stressed, a faint smile forming, "he loves you, and you don't ever have to worry that it isn't true."

Kenzi frowned, "What does that mean."

"My powers, they can take a hold of the will of a person. I always wondered if Dyson really cared for me, or if I was making him care for me. I don't think I would have been happy not knowing why he was there," Bo explained slowly, halting when the words became too heavy.

"He cares, Bo-Bo," Kenzi squeezed her friend's hand.

Bo let out a shuddering breath, "Thanks, Kenz. For what it's worth, I am happy for you, and him. And if he ever hurts you…let's just say I have a few friends that owe me rather large favors."

"Bo," Kenzi gasped in mock horror.

"So tell me everything," Bo grinned, her normal demeanor returning quickly.

"He took me into the woods," Kenzi started only to have Bo gag.

"Ew, this isn't a porno!"

Kenzi stuck her tongue out and stole a sip of Bo's drink, "No, he took me to a forest where there was this huge tree with tons of carvings, and he carved our names into the tree."

"Oh my god," Bo giggled, "that is disgustingly romantic."

Nodding, Kenzi bit her lip, "And then he told me and then we kissed."

"Freeze," Bo sat back, "you said it back, right?" Kenzi didn't respond. "Right," Bo repeated.

"No," Kenzi whispered, her voice rising as though it was a question.

"Oh my god," Bo exclaimed. "Hot guy takes you out to the woods, shows you a sickeningly sweet carving, tells you he loves you and you don't say it back! Why not?"

"I don't know," Kenzi pouted, "I just couldn't."

"Well do you," Bo prompted.

Kenzi sighed long and slow, "I guess."

"There is no guessing," Bo scolded. "What's holding you back?"

It was a number of things, really. The lack of definition, the lack of people knowing, the lack of support. Okay, Kenzi sighed, it was really that she was unsure of everything except for the one important thing.

"I do," Kenzi finally admitted, "but that's not all that matters."

Bo shook her head, "That is all that matters. You need to tell him."

"Thanks, Bo-Bo," Kenzi murmured as she tried to hug Bo across the bar.

After Bo had left, Kenzi was dragged even deeper into the mess that once was the Dal. Neanderthal One had passed out and woken up with a second wind. So, Kenzi was once again at his beck and call.

"Let. Go," Kenzi ordered darkly as the 'man' in question held tight to her wrist. She didn't dare attempt to yank it free, the dude honestly had a bit of a Hercules thing going on.

"Let the lady go," a low, warm voice commanded, "or I will rip you limb from limb."

Kenzi looked up into Dyson's eyes, she mouthed a thank you as the man scrambled away from them, releasing Kenzi's hand with an almost audible snap.

"Well, well, well," Dyson smirked, "look what I found, a damsel in distress."

Her green eyes rolled, blue flecks fading away, "Ha-ha."

"So when do you get off," Dyson leaned against the counter and smiled charmingly down at her.

"I don't let customers pick me up," Kenzi rejected him with a dismissive laugh.

Dyson leaned down and kissed her cheek, "Then it is a very good thing I'm not a customer."

"So you're loitering and harassing the staff," Kenzi scowled playfully.

"Maybe," Dyson laughed. "So when do you get off work?"

Kenzi glanced down at her bare wrist as if looking at a watch, "Mm, just about now." With a quick laugh, Kenzi tossed her apron on the back counter, let another waitress take her place and allowed Dyson to escort her out of the bar.

Kenzi reclined half under the Christmas tree she and Dyson had managed to put of the day before. It was still unsettlingly bald, no garland, no lights, and no ornaments. "We have so much to do," she moaned.

"Well," Dyson grinned and dropped a bottle wrapped with a red bow into her eye line, "maybe this will help things along."

Kenzi's face lit up like the proverbial Christmas tree, "Blue Label whiskey."

Dyson lifted it just out of her reach, "Work first."

He set the bottle aside just long enough to help Kenzi to her feet. Her back to his chest he clutched her to him, Dyson kissed her neck softly pleased when she shivered in response. Kenzi leaned back against the strong man a smile firmly in place.

"Dyson," she whispered, "can't I have just a little sip now?"

His laugh rumbled through her back and lit the fire in her belly. "No," he informed her, "we need to start getting the garland and the lights up.

They argued playfully, Kenzi always reaching for the whiskey and Dyson always a step ahead of her and pulling it back. They worked in tandem, stringing the lights up and talking as they went. When the last of the lights and garland were in place, Kenzi stood back and watched as Dyson turned the lights out. Even though the day was still young, the white lights blazed brightly. Leaning against the tall, firm, man, Kenzi couldn't help but feel happy, content.

"I love you," she told him softly, gazing up at him as an uproarious smile overtook him. He lifted her up into his arms and spun around, holding her to him, Dyson was elated…this was…it just was.

"A man has more character in his face at forty than at twenty-he has suffered longer."

-Mae West

A/N: 20/25. Managed to whip this up while my AP kids worked on their final, so here we go, nice and early. I love all of the feedback, and some of it helped construct this chapter. I was skimming through them as I wrote and was so filled with love. Well have a happy Friday!