Characters aren't mine. I've taken the liberties I wanted for the storyline, but the characters belong to Showcase and Lost Girl.

No plot. Just Valentine's Day fluff…I'm a sucker for this holiday

R&R appreciated. Enjoy!

Chapter 18

KNOCK KNOCK

Lauren smiled as she smoothed out her dress and walked over to the door. It was Valentine's Day and she wasn't sure if Tamsin wanted to do anything, or even if she knew about the holiday, but she had been happily surprised when the Valkyrie told her to be ready by six o'clock that night as they were going out. According to Tamsin, all the shit going on around them didn't matter and dammit they were going to have a night to remember.

Lauren was satisfied with her appearance so she walked over to the door and opened it with a smile. "You know you're…not…Tamsin…"

A large muscular man dressed in a tuxedo that Lauren suspected had to be tailor made to fit his muscles, stood and gave her a slight bow when she opened the door. "Good evening Miss Lewis. My name is Bruce."

Lauren looked surprised. "Nice to meet you Bruce. Can I help you with something?"

Bruce smiled as he held out a cell phone for Lauren to use. She saw that it was on so she picked it up carefully. "Hello?"

"Hey Doc."

Lauren smiled when she heard Tamsin's voice on the other end. "Hey babe."

"So the big guy there is my buddy Bruce. Don't worry, he looks terrifying but he's a big softie."

Lauren laughed and nodded even though Tamsin couldn't see her as she waited for the Valkyrie to continue. "So he should have a package for you. Now I'm pretty sure whatever you got on right now is bangin, but I wanted to get you something special since it's a special night."

Lauren looked at Bruce and he took that as his queue to hand her a large box. "What is it Tamsin?"

"Well duh, you gotta open it to find out. But, before you do that, just know this. I fully expect you to show up wearing what is in the box and I don't want to hear any complaints. Now go get changed, Bruce will wait for you."

Tamsin hung up and Lauren looked at the phone curiously before shrugging and handing it back to Bruce who gave her a small smile. "Please go get changed Miss Lewis. I'll be out here when you are ready."

Lauren looked down at her strapless navy blue dress and rolled her eyes. She had been kind of excited for Tamsin to see her in it but she figured she could save it for another night and she nodded at Bruce as she invited him inside to wait. He politely declined and said his orders were to wait outside and that if he entered her loft that Tamsin would gut him where he stood. Lauren raised her eyebrows in surprise but just nodded and told him she would hurry.

She took the box upstairs to change her clothes and fix her makeup if necessary and part of her was nervous as she looked at the unopened box. Something about the way Tamsin gave her the order made her excited and she wondered what was in there. Finally after staring at the box for a few minutes she opened it and her mouth fell open in surprise.

Wrapped in tissue paper was the most gorgeous dress she'd ever seen. It was a cream color that was light enough to highlight her skin tone but not so light that it made her look washed out. She took it out of the box and held it up in front of her full length mirror as she looked at the intricate design of the beading and black lace frills along the seams. It reminded her of a 1920's formal dress and she thought it could have literally come right out of the pages of the Great Gatsby. Also inside the box were matching cream colored Jimmy Choo's and long black silk gloves that really highlighted the black lace on the dress.

Lauren smiled as she put on the dress and was only slightly surprised to see it fit her like a glove. She'd never worn a custom fit dress before and as she looked at herself in the mirror she could see how it fit her body so well that it really highlighted her curves and she decided she may need to get her dresses custom fit more often. The gown had a plunging neckline and an open back and Lauren shivered as she immediately felt like a vintage Hollywood movie star in it. She put her hair up in a simple twist as she curled the ends and her bangs letting it fall around her face in a soft frame to match the style of the dress. Her makeup was okay given the outfit so she sat on the bed to slip the heels on and laughed as of course, they also were the perfect size.

Lauren reached into the box to retrieve the gloves but when she picked them up a long black box caught her eye. She opened the box and gasped at the matching diamond necklace and earrings that were laying in there. Lauren held the jewels up and looked at them in disbelief. They were impeccable and she didn't fail to notice the small Harry Winston symbol on the inside of the box letting her know these were the real deal. Lauren put the earrings in her ears and clasped the necklace on before slipping her hands into the gloves and looking at herself in the mirror.

"Wow…"

She had to do a double take as she took in her reflection in the mirror. After looking at herself for a second, still not totally believing what she was seeing, she grabbed her clutch purse and headed downstairs. She opened the door and Bruce turned around with a large smile on his face.

"You look stunning Miss Lewis."

Lauren blushed and nodded a thank you as she locked the door and followed him to the luxury town car that was waiting. He helped her in and got into the driver's seat and told her to sit back and relax. After about fifteen minutes of driving she looked around and saw they were at the same airfield they had been at when they went to France. Bruce parked next to the sleek personal jet they'd taken before and in a moment of dejavu Ryan stuck his head out of the plane and gave her a wide smile.

"Well don't you clean up nicely."

Lauren blushed again and accepted his hand as he helped her up the steps to the plane. He told her to get comfortable and finally her curiosity got the better of her.

"Where exactly are we going?"

Ryan smiled and gave her a wink. "Montreal."

Lauren looked surprised but didn't say anything as she settled in and Bruce took a seat at the back of the plane. It was a short ride, about an hour or two, and after a few glasses of champagne they were touching down and Bruce helped her deplane before ushering her into another luxury town car. On the seat next to her was a long stem red rose and a note with a blindfold telling her to get comfortable and no peeking. Lauren laughed as she looked at Tamsin's messy handwriting and she complied as she sat back in the leather seat.

Thirty minutes later the car pulled to a stop and Bruce helped the still blindfolded Lauren out of the car. They walked up a few steps and Bruce made sure she was steady before he let go and told her to remove the blindfold. Lauren smiled and followed his direction and when she opened her eyes she gasped in amazement.

They were standing at the entrance to one of the old castles in the Montreal area. With a heavy French presence residing in and around the city, the history and architecture of the area had always been something that Lauren loved to explore. The castle she was at appeared to be still used today as it had been fitted with a few modern conveniences like the lights adorning the exterior as well as a working elevator on the interior. Aside from that though, the exterior was the original material the building had been constructed with and Lauren thought it was absolutely beautiful.

Making it even more stunning though was the tall blonde standing at the top of the steps holding two glasses of champagne and sporting a wide smile. Tamsin walked down the short flight of steps and leaned down to give the still dumbstruck Lauren a gentle kiss as she handed her one of the glasses.

"Happy Valentine's Day…"

Lauren smiled widely. "Tamsin this is beautiful. I can't believe you did all of this…"

Tamsin shrugged and gave her a sly smile. "I told you I didn't do the courting shit…not that I wasn't good at it."

Lauren rolled her eyes at the smug look of the Valkyrie and nodded her head. She took a second to look up at the woman and let her eyes wander over the long, similar style dress that Tamsin was wearing. Hers was mostly black except for the white fringe adorning the seams and it had a much more conservative neckline than Lauren's did. Tamsin's hair was pulled up neatly and she had on long white gloves and wasn't wearing any jewelry which left her neck and jaw to be prominent at first glance.

Tamsin held her hand out for Lauren to take and the pair entered the castle where Tamsin gave her a short tour of the property before leading them to the upstairs dining hall where a table was set for two near the large glass French doors. Lauren had been in total geek out mode as Tamsin described the architecture to her as well as the various pieces of art that hung in the large hall and she described what the rest of the grounds looked like. Lauren had a feeling the castle was either a part of Tamsin's past, or she knew the rightful owners very well, but either way she was amazed that once again out of nowhere the Valkyrie was sharing a part of her without having to be asked.

After getting settled Bruce and apparently his twin brother Steve furnished the women with more champagne and a series of food courses that Lauren absolutely fell in love with. The evening was light and fun and Lauren was amazed at how normal yet surreal this all was. I mean really, who gets dressed up, whisked away to a magic castle and shares an amazing dinner with the one they love on the cheesiest of holidays? Apparently Lauren that's who.

"Would you like to dance?"

Tamsin was now standing next to Lauren's chair and she had one hand extended in offering as she had the other hand tucked behind her waist and Lauren pictured her looking like a gentlemen from those old black and white movies she loved so much asking his date to do the waltz. Lauren smiled and nodded and accepted Tamsin's hand who led them out the French doors to the large balcony under the clear night sky. Lauren noticed there were some portable heaters set up strategically around the balcony to provide enough warmth to ensure they wouldn't freeze in the cold February night and Tamsin smiled as she bowed slightly before putting one hand on Lauren's waist and bringing their joined hands up to her shoulder so Lauren could rest her hand there.

Out of nowhere music started playing and Lauren laughed as it was in fact slow, classically inspired music and Lauren felt like the queen of the court as she was led gently and expertly around the balcony all the while laughing and nodding as Tamsin carried on a light conversation with her. Lauren was beyond floored at the entire night but this moment, dancing with the Valkyrie at the castle under the stars, well this was her favorite moment ever. They stayed out there for a few more songs before Lauren yawned as the excitement of the day caught up with her. Tamsin nodded to her to follow and the pair went up another staircase to the large master room that took up the entire wing of the castle.

They got settled for bed, which Lauren found amusing as her clothes were mysteriously there and she kind of wondered when Tamsin took them, and as she climbed into bed next to Tamsin the smile that had been on her face the entire night wasn't even close to going away.

"Tonight was perfect…thank you."

Tamsin smiled and pulled her close. They lay in silence for a few seconds before Tamsin chuckled slightly. "I'm glad you enjoyed it but if you tell anyone about this I will kill you."

Lauren looked up at her and gave her a soft kiss on her chin. "Your secret is safe with me."
Tamsin rolled her eyes and smiled as she pulled Lauren closer to her body. Lauren ran her hands along the arm that Tamsin had wrapped around her and sighed happily. She looked up at the taller woman with curiosity as there was something that had been on her mind all night.

"Tamsin?"

"Hmm?"

Lauren rolled her eyes at the almost sleeping form of her lover. She nudged the Valkyrie lightly causing the woman to grumble and pull her even closer. "What doc?"

Lauren laughed. "How did you get the sizing of the dress so perfect?"

Tamsin didn't even open her eyes. "I got my ways…"

Lauren smirked. "And the diamonds?"

Again, Tamsin didn't even open her eyes. "Dark Fae."

Lauren's eyebrows went up in surprise. "Really?"

Tamsin nodded. "Mmmhhmmmm…anything else?"

Lauren smiled as she snuggled down into Tamsin's embrace. "Nope. That's all."

Tamsin huffed. "Good…now go to sleep."

Lauren laughed at Tamsin's crankiness. She knew when the taller blonde had her mind set on sleeping that she could be very difficult if she was denied that sleep. After laying there for a few minutes in silence Lauren finally felt her body settling down for the night as she listened to the soft breathing of the woman holding her protectively. Lauren let her eyes close slowly and she had a smile on her face as she drifted off.

"I love you…"

It was a ghost of a whisper from Lauren and she'd surprised herself by saying it but nonetheless she relaxed as sleep overcame her. Behind her the Valkyrie kept her steady breathing going as to not alert the doctor that she was in fact awake still. Tamsin smiled when she heard the whisper and she knew eventually, she would be able to say those words to the one person in all her lifetimes who ever made her want to.

And this is what happens when I can't sleep…cheesiness ensues. Let me know what you thought and thanks for reading!