AN:

Hello!

Going forward the story will now be a mature rating as things are picking and getting darker. If I start it go too dark and make anyone uncomfortable feel free to let me know.

This chapter goes right into the flashback timeline.

It maybe 2 or 3 days before the next update, but hopefully not longer.

Thanks for reading, enjoy!

XXXX

Lauren stood looking in the mirror, she didn't even recognize herself. Dark circles underneath her eyes, she was tired, beyond tired, exhausted. The headache she had for days was still pulsing behind her eyes.

She rubbed her eyes, trying to relieve the pressure. It didn't work.

She splashed water on her face not that that helped either.

She sighed, her eyes falling on her mother's things still scattered around the bathroom. She guessed she was in such a hurry she couldn't be bothered packing-anything, odd.

Lauren always knew she was a disappointment to her mother. She wanted a beauty queen- she got a scientist. She wanted Lauren to talk to her about boys- Lauren only wanted to talk about girls. She was nothing she wanted in a daughter.

Ellen Lewis was a woman born out of time, she should have been a fifties housewife or something, Lauren always thought.

Whenever she saw Lauren doing an experiment, she would shake her head, and tell her that a woman's place was to make her husband happy, and that all this science was a waste of time for a girl. Boys like girls that are pretty and that smile, that's how you'll get a husband. When Lauren would respond that she didn't want a husband, her mother would just smile and say, 'you're young give it time'.

What people see on the outside is all that matters. Appear happy, look perfect-it doesn't matter what you're really feeling. A woman should never let her mask slip. These are the things Lauren heard as young as the age of four.

Ellen's whole life revolved around her husband. He made all the decisions, about her, about the family-everything. She smiled and did whatever she could to accommodate him. She put him first always, turns out that's not the healthiest way to live, especially when the one thing you live for is taken away.

After his death and her drinking increased, her mask fell away. And Lauren discovered how much her mother resented her father, her life and Lauren by proxy.

Lauren realized how, reflecting back, how easy it became, how normal to lock bits and pieces of herself away.

While Nick let his anger and rage over their situation consume him, she shut down. But knowing something and changing it are very different things.

Maybe that's why she didn't call Bo that night. She was unconsciously, or intentionally, sabotaging that relationship. Pushing her away before she got too close before she fell too hard.

But look where she was now, alone. She destroyed the one person-the one relationship she had. Bo cared for her like no one else, took care of her whenever she needed it. And despite that or maybe because of that she ran from it.

Bo gave her so much and what did she give Bo besides hurt, sadness, and disappointment. She knew that, in the end, her love would just end up destroying Bo.

She would end up taking Bo's kind, pure heart and twisting it until it was nothing but an empty shell.

She couldn't let that happen.

You can't love someone who's broken, without breaking yourself. That was the truth that she knew.

She sighed bitterly.

Lauren ran her hands through her hair. She heard voices downstairs. It sounded like they had a lot of guests over. She locked the bathroom door. She wasn't going down there. She would hide away in here as long as she could.

XXXX

The house was filled with many Light Fae members. Walking throughout the house, taking pictures, rummaging through all their belongings.

Trick walked the length of the living room. Nick sat quietly.

"So you're saying you have no idea where she went?'

He shook his head, "None, sir, she only left a note."

He handed it to Trick.

"Did she take anything?"

"Nothing, sir."

"This is disappointing. If she contacts you, at all, you must let us know immediately, understand?"

"Yes, sir."

XXXX

Bo was walking home from work. She didn't want to drive, she needed to clear her head. She saw Lauren sitting alone on a park swing.

Bo tried to stop, she couldn't, she had to go over and talk to her. She looked so troubled, so alone.

"Lauren, what are doing out here?" Bo asked as she walked slowly up to the blonde.

Lauren starting laughing, "Bo what are you doing talking to me, you hate me," she said as took a long drink of the beer that was in her hand.

Bo knew she was drunk. She had never seen Lauren drunk, actually she had never seen Lauren take a sip of alcohol before.

"Let me take you home, you're drunk."

"Oh, sweet Bo, you're always taking care of me." She rolled her eyes upward and began to swing, "I don't think I'm that drunk I can still recite all the elements on the periodic table, Actinium, Aluminium…"

"I'm not leaving you here alone, come with me," Bo said firmly.

"She left that night, you know. Gone. Haven't heard from her since." Lauren said flatly, she stopped the swing abruptly almost slipping off it, "Nothing but a short little scribble about needing to go."

"Who?" Bo asked although she was pretty sure she knew the answer.

"I don't think she could handle being trapped in that house without my father- to live without him. Run away. That's what the Lewis' know best." She paused. "I think now that my father really was the glue that held my family together. We've fallen apart without him."

"Lauren…."

"What kind of mother leaves her kids and never looks back?" She stared at Bo with glassy eyes. "Leaves only a damn little note, why didn't she take us with her?"

"Lauren." The sight of Lauren's broken and pleading features was enough to drive the breath from her. She wanted to hug her tightly but remained where she stood.

"I'm so sorry about your party Bo. But I came home, and the house was trashed and mother was gone. I didn't know what to do. I was fanatic. I thought she might be dead. Then…I should have called you, I know." Lauren rushed it all out in one breath afraid this was her only chance to explain.

"Lauren…"

"Nadia was there and Nick…" she paused, "I didn't know what to do. I am so sorry." Tears were streaming down her face. "Bo, she's just gone. She left without a word."

They stared at each other for several minutes; Bo genuinely didn't know what to say. This was the most Lauren had ever spoken of her mother, her family. It was a subject she avoided like the plague. It pained her to hear it.

"Lauren, it's ok." Warm quick flashes of warm tingled her face, as she looked Lauren up and down, embarrassed and ashamed. If only she had not been so stubborn and let her explain sooner.

They were both silent for a long while. Bo's mind was racing over what Lauren had just told her; she was staring down at her feet. She didn't even notice that Lauren was now standing inches from her, picking up her shoes; she hadn't even noticed Lauren was barefoot.

When Bo did look up she found Lauren staring at her, her eyes dark and deep, shadows from the moonlight dancing across her face.

"Bo, I've missed you," she said, her voice low almost a whisper. "So much."

Bo stepped closer, "Me too," she said, her eyes not leaving Laurens.

Lauren let a short laugh and rolled her eyes skyward, self-mockingly, "What a pair we are, huh?"

Bo grinned, "Indeed."

Lauren stepped even closer to Bo, she wasn't laughing or smiling anymore. They stood there. Their breathing seemed to synchronize. Bo was mildly aware of that familiar flutter in her stomach, her heartbeat quickening.

Bo's eyes danced from Lauren's eyes to her lips. Lauren silently studied Bo's face, after a moment she pushed a stray hair off Bo's face, her fingers lingering on Bo's skin longer than was necessary. Lauren swallowed hard, pressed into to Bo, until the fronts of their bodies touched, her hand slide down capturing Bo's hand in hers. She lightly brushed her lips against Bo's.

A surge of energy shot through Bo's body, she wanted nothing thing more than to melt into Lauren.

They pulled apart and stared at each other, neither saying a word. Then Lauren leaned in her lips on Bo's ear, her warm breath gentle against Bo's face. "You're my best friend." She whispered, her fingers now softly stroking Bo's arm, "I'm not sure I could handle losing you. I'm so sorry I hurt you."

Bo wasn't even sure if her heart was beating anymore, it was hammering so fast in her chest. She couldn't believe she was still standing.

Lauren tilted her head back, slightly. Her eyes studying Bo's face again, her lips touched Bo's, and a whisper of a moan escaped Bo, as Lauren's tongue brushed her bottom lip.

It was remarkable how well they fit together. It was as close to perfection as Bo thought possible. Bo had never felt as she did now, she seemed to be overwhelmed with all things Lauren, her scent, her taste, her body, the pressure of her lips.

Bo grabbed Lauren pulling her closer. The heat of their bodies seemed to grow around them, blanketing them in warmth. She brought her fingers up to Lauren's hair, tangling her fingers in the soft long blonde locks. They remained in the middle of the park, exploring each other mouths, kissing hard, deep, with an all-consuming, urgent need.

Lauren slipped her hand underneath Bo's shirt, lightly stroking her back. She moved her fingers slowly up and down. Lauren's touches sent bursts of scorching heat through her entire body.

A new strange stirring was building deep within Bo, an aching pressure, starting in her stomach, spiking all her nerves.

She had no will to fight against it- the only thing that seemed to matter was yearning within. She wanted Lauren, to take her there, to mark and taste every inch of her.

But she couldn't…

Bo pulled back suddenly, fearing her succubus was awakening within her, "Wait," Bo's voice shook, "You're drunk. I think we should stop," although she wanted nothing more than continue kissing and touching Lauren. She couldn't. She couldn't trust herself.

Lauren stared back at Bo, eyes half-lidded, breathing heavily, "You're right," she whispered as she gently pressed her forehead against her, "Can you take me home?"

Bo wanted to move. They needed to break apart, to go. But she was held there in place, unable or willing to step away.

Bo leaned in for another kiss but stopped suddenly as raindrops began hitting her face.

In unison, they looked up into the sky as rain showered down on them.

XXXX

Bo took Lauren to her house. She didn't want to leave the blonde alone.

Bo gave her a spare shirt and shorts to sleep in and slipped into the bathroom to change out of her wet clothes.

Bo watched from the doorway as Lauren struggled with get out of her wet shirt and into the dry one.

Bo walked over, squeezed Lauren's hand, "Let me," she whispered.

Lauren put her hands down and watched Bo as she gently unbuttoned her shirt, twisting each button carefully and slowly. When her shirt slipped open, Bo delicately pushed it off her shoulders. Bo canvassed her body, and she swallowed hard, hands trembling slightly.

Bo concentrated on her breathing to ignore the stirring pressure building from inside her.

Lauren brought her hands up, resting them lightly on her waist. Bo's body was tingling all over, her breath caught in her throat as her mind flashed with memories of Lauren's soft lips, her taste, her warmth. She bit the inside of her cheek, trying to suppress the thoughts and the desire to take Lauren right then and there on the bed.

Bo was afraid of her succubus surfacing, she wasn't sure that she'd be able to control herself right now.

After she had gotten Lauren into the shirt, she laced their fingers together and pulled Lauren up off the bed. Staring into each other's eyes, she unbuttoned and unzipped Lauren's jeans. Slowly pulling them down off her body. Lauren stepped out of them, Bo's eyes danced up and down Lauren's body for a brief instant. Finally, Bo helped her into the shorts.

"Thanks," Lauren said in a low voice then she slumped onto the bed lying on her side. She turned and looked at Bo, "Are we ok? Do you hate me?"

"We're fine. I'm sorry for everything," Bo said gently. It was the truth she was sorry about how she had handled the situation, she had let her jealousy cloud her emotions. "But it's time to start opening up to me Lauren."

Almost instantly, Lauren was asleep. Bo sighed, brushed a piece of hair off the blonde's face tucking it behind her ear.

XXXX

Nick Lewis sat in his house, alone. He didn't know where his sister was but honestly he didn't care at the moment.

He was reading over his journals, his rage growing. He knew he was right. He just needed more proof.

He ran his fingers through his hair, it's them, I know it is, the McCorrigan's were responsible for his father's death. What was he going to do now? After all this years, he was closer than ever before.

Putting his journal down, he picked up a picture of his family. They were happy once, but some much had happened, the Fae destroyed them but if his plan worked it would be worth it if he could get his revenge.

Too bad his mother had been snooping and discovered his journals. How dare she look through his things? He had to take care of her. Really he had no choice. Anyone could see that-he couldn't let her ruin his work. Risk his revenge. He was still in awe, it was so easy it was to choke the life out of her-how strong he felt-how powerful.

It was only too easy to fool Lauren and the Fae. So naïve his sister, so trusting, that is going to get her in serious trouble one day.

He stared at Lauren, his only family left. He would protect her no matter what. But he needed to keep her away from Bo and her family. They were dangerous monsters.

He needed to keep planning, at least for now, but his desire for revenge was becoming too strong. He had a taste for killing now, and he had almost slipped up that night at the Dal and acted hastily with that Fae woman, but he couldn't. Planning was too important.

XXXX

Bo and Lauren woke up interlaced together. Bo pulled Lauren closer and kissed her cheek. "Morning." She whispered softly.

Lauren turned her head, smiling.

"How are you feeling?" Bo asked, sitting up.

Lauren sat up resting her weight on her elbows. "I feel fine. Thanks for taking care of me last night."

"Always."

They heard a rapid knocking on the door. "BoBo, I'm coming in. Hope you're dressed." Kenzi quickly entered the room. "Wow, ok, what's going on in here? Did you guys…you know bow chicka wow wow."

Bo and Lauren quickly got up. "No, Kenzi."

"Ok, sure. Guess you two made up, then." She crossed her arms. "I think you better go, Lauren. Aife seems to be in a shitty mood this morning. She might lose it if she sees you."

"Ok," Lauren said picking up her clothes from the floor.

"No Lauren, don't leave." Bo begged, "I don't care what Aife says."

"Bo, I don't want to start any trouble."

"Hotpants is right."

Bo walked over placed her hands on Lauren's shoulders. "Lauren you don't have to sneak off. We didn't do anything wrong."

"Bo."

"Seriously let's go downstairs for breakfast."

Kenzi slapped her knee, "Far be it from me to argue with the lady of the house. Breakfast it is." She rushed out of the room.

"Let me handle Aife."

"Ok, Bo." Lauren conceded following Bo from the bedroom.

XXXX

The three of them sat in uncomfortable silence eating breakfast.

"This sure is fun," Kenzi added.

Bo gave Kenzi a meaningful look, and several more seconds of silence passed.

Aife entered the kitchen, her eyes dark and glinted critically upon seeing the trio.

Here we go. Bo thought.

"Ms. Lewis what brings you by so early?" Aife asked her voice exaggeratedly courteous.

"She was sick last night, she slept over," Bo answered.

Aife fixed Bo with a skeptical look. "How nice."

"Yes. Bo was very kind to take care of me." Lauren offered with a polite smile.

Aife scowled, "Remarkable recovery, as you appear be in tip top shape now."

"It was probably something she ate. Happens to me all the time." Kenzi offered diplomatically.

"I bet," Aife said without taking her eyes off Bo. "Well, as you appear to be fully recovered, why don't get home now Lauren."

"Yes. Of course." Lauren said in a quiet voice, rushing out of the kitchen, Bo following behind her.

Bo gave Lauren puppy-dog eyes, pleadingly, "Lauren you don't have to leave. I can handle my mother."

"Bo, please. I should go." She looked at Bo. "It puts me in a weird position if I stay."

Bo responded hesitantly, "Ok, I'll call you later."

Lauren started for the door. Bo grabbed her arm pulling her back into a tight hug. She held her there, longer than she meant to. She wanted to soak up every bit of her she could while she could.

XXXX

Aife entered the room and starting eying Bo carefully.

"I want you to tell me why she was really here."

Bo stiffened and slowly turned around to look back at her mother. "I did."

"It's not to happen again."

Bo rolled her eyes and started to leave, Aife grabbed her wrist.

Bo pulled her arm away and started to leave but Aife spoke, her voice stern "Bo, let me be clear, Lauren Lewis is off limits to you. Do you understand?"

Bo clenched her jaw.

"You will not touch that girl and if you do I will send her away. You will never see her again," Aife said seriously, taking a forceful step toward her.

Tears started forming in Bo's eyes.

"You wouldn't."

"Oh, I assure you, I most certainly would." Her eyes fixed on Bo. "The Lewis' are here only because the Fae allow it. One word from me to the council and they would be gone. Forever."

Bo took a step back, away from her mother, and Aife mirrored it, moving toward her as if stalking her like prey. "The Lewis' are on thin ice here Bo after that woman left. It would be so easy to convince the elders that Lauren needed to be relocated."

And with that Bo walked briskly from the room, away from her mother and her threats.

XXXX

Nick sat in his lab, staring. Staring at the wall for hours. Thinking. Thinking. Only thinking. Well planning…

Trick entered the lab without knocking. Why would he knock, Nick thought. This is a Fae lab, and I'm just their prisoner. They liked to show their control…to keep him in line. Play the part, he thought.

"Good morning, Trick." He said, hoping his voice sounded as mellow as he wanted it to be. He knew it was easy to fool the Fae because humans weren't important enough pay attention to, especially lab geeks like himself.

"Nick we have a problem."

"Um…yes sir."

What did he know…panic started setting in. Calm. Remain calm. He thought.

"It's about your sister."

Of course Lauren. It was always about Lauren. Never Nick, invisible Nick.

"What's the problem?"

"Aife is very upset about how much time Bo and Lauren are spending together."

"Oh…well I thought they weren't speaking."

"Lauren apparently spent the night in Bo's room last night."

Rage, panic rising. He wanted to explode.

"My apologies, sir. I was not aware."

"That's the problem isn't it? You're not aware of what your sister is doing. Just like your mother."

Nick clenched his jaw.

"I've been busy with lab work."

"No excuses." He handed Nick an envelope. "Lauren will be leaving town for a few days. Bruce will be accompanying her on a college visit."

"Shouldn't I take her?"

"No. I need you here." He paused. "Wouldn't want all the Lewis' gone, now would we."

"Yes, sir. But I thought Lauren wouldn't be allowed to attend college?"

"Ah yes, well it seems Aife has come up with a brilliant way to keep those two apart. If Lauren wants to go so bad, let her. As long as, she's away from Bo nothing else matters."

"Won't she be in danger?"

"Don't worry about it, the Fae protect their property. And don't bother rushing home. Bruce has already collected Lauren. She should already be gone."

Trick walked quickly from the lab.

Nick stood staring again. He began pacing up and down the lab. Over and over thinking about how they took his sister…just like that. Prisoners, he thought, not even that slaves. Any freedom they had was an illusion.

XXXX

Lauren sat staring out the window of the car.

"Bruce, do you think I could send Bo a small text, to let her know I'm safe."

"Sorry, Lauren. But they said no phones."

"Maybe you could send it. I don't want her to worry."

"I don't know."

"Please." She pleaded. "A small message. Tell her to delete it after."

"Okay."

Bruce to Bo: Lauren is with me. She's safe. Don't text me back. Delete this message.

XXXX

It was one of those nights where the moon was absent and was easy to get around unnoticed. The neighborhood was shrouded in darkness as he made his way through the houses, headed toward one large house a block away.

The dark helped to mask him, which he knew he needed, to become almost invisible. These creatures were dangerous, that much he knew. Of course, he couldn't be completely concealed. A passing light always revealed him, he would then just pretend to be going for a brisk walk, nothing wrong with a human taking a walk down the street, right?

He approached the large house. It looked like every house on the block, a lie. His sister spent countless hours under that roof, with those monsters, with that monster. The thought made him sick.

He watched the house, not sure what he expected to see, but he just had to be there to watch this house. He knew they would never expose their true natures openly, no, they were too clever for that, but he couldn't help himself.

He crept up the long driveway, peering into the interior of the yellow Camaro parked in the driveway. Bo's car, he knew. It looked like an ordinary teenagers car, another lie. This Bo had plans for his sister, he knew it, the way she looked at her, the lust, it wasn't friendly, not friendly at all.

He knew perfectly well what a succubus was. They were dangerous creatures.

He would protect his sister, though, he couldn't protect his father, but he would protect Lauren that much he knew. Bo and her family needed to be stopped.

Suddenly the front door opened, and figure stepped out. It was Bo, of course. She headed toward where he stood.

He put on his best nice-guy appearance as she got closer, "Good evening, Bo."

He saw hesitation and confusion on Bo's face as she looked at him. "Um…Nick, hello."

"How are you this evening," he asked, his practiced voice sounding as harmless as he possibly could. These creatures needed to feel in control. They craved it. He knew how to play the part of the innocent human. He laughed silently to himself at the false sincerity of his voice.

"I'm fine, what are you doing standing by my car in the middle of the night?" She seemed very suspicious. She's smart, he thought, but not smart enough.

"Just going for a jog," he looked her right in the eyes, "I thought I saw someone looking into your car, I decided to check it out."

Bo wrinkled her nose. "Oh, ok." She responded, unsure.

She doesn't believe me, he thought. "But, thankfully, it was nothing. I think dark shadows were playing tricks on me."

They both sat in silent for a moment. Bo spoke first, "Well, thanks, Nick," Bo said, flashing a forced smile.

He knew how to play this game. He mirrored her smile, trying his best to look harmless and friendly. "Of course. Can never be too careful."

"Goodnight, Nick." She said, walking back toward the house.

"Goodnight, Bo." He watched her enter the house.