Present-Dyson

Dyson punched the bag, harder, harder, sweat pooling on his back.

After 10 minutes of a vigorous workout, he kicked the bag and walked away.

He sat on the edge of the boxing ring.

Kenzi was really laying the guilt on thick, he thought.

He loves Bo. Didn't everyone see that? He was there from the beginning, before the humans.

He and Bo had grown up together-done everything together. They were each other's first kiss. Well, they were little kids but still.

And he always waited for her to see that he was the one that was there, all along.

But she didn't.

She fell in love with a human. Not any human but an impossibly difficult, know-it-all human.

Bo pushed him to the side, first with Kenzi, but that didn't bother him, a girl needs girlfriends. What upset him the most was being brushed aside for Lauren. Why her? What was it about her? Why put yourself through the pain of loving a human? None of this made sense to him, none.

He could give Bo so much didn't she see that? Why couldn't she see that?

In spite of everything, he didn't hate Lauren, he didn't like her, no, he'd never like her. But he knew she didn't deserve what was happening to her, and neither did Bo.

He grabbed his keys, kicked a bucket, and headed out the door to find Kenzi.

XXXX

Making it up the staircase with their lips locked together was actually very difficult. But neither was willing or able to break away. So they made their way up the stairs slowly and stumbling.

After what seemed like an unbearable amount of time, they reached the bedroom. Lauren struggled briefly with the door, and Bo couldn't help but smirk at her. They finally collapsed together on the bed.

It was frantic, feverish, and all consuming how they both pulled, grasped and touched each other. Their bodies were interlaced together, hands massaging whatever they could reach.

Bo had to fight the urge to shudder whenever Lauren fingertips brushed across her skin, her body tingling wherever the blonde made contact.

Bo's lips traveled down Lauren's neck, kissing and lightly licking her as she went. She pressed herself into Lauren's neck. She inhaled, breathing in Lauren's distinctive scent. It was blissfully overpowering, to take in so much of Lauren, only Lauren there didn't seem to be anything else.

Bo's whole body began to tremble, starting deep within her stomach than spreading out to all her nerve endings.

She wanted to ripped Lauren's clothes off, to touch and taste every inch of her, craved Lauren all over her.

Her thoughts clouded. She felt light-headed like the entire room was spinning.

She stopped and drew back from Lauren, pressing their foreheads together, both breathing heavily.

"We should stop," Bo whispered, her voice shook faintly.

"Uh huh," Lauren replied before she tightened her grip on Bo's shoulders, pulling Bo back into her and pressing her lips hard against Bo.

Bo tightly closed her eyes trying to suppress her inner turmoil.

She wanted more of Lauren, but she knew she should stop. Had to stop. But every time Lauren rubbed against her skin, or a jagged breath escape her, those thoughts of stopping disappeared.

Bo shuddered as Lauren's fingers slipped beneath her shirt and brushed over her bare skin. She lightly stroked Bo's back, and her fingers moved up and down her spine. She let out a small moan, pulling Lauren into a deeper kiss.

So many undisclosed rousing desires swirled within her. She never imagined she could feel so comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time.

Time seemed to slip away, to become non-existent, as they wrapped themselves together, exploring each other, the warmth of their bodies merging.

Electric shock waves coursed through Bo's entire body. It made her burn as Lauren's tongue caressed hers. Bo became intensely aware of everything, her heartbeat, her breathing, she could almost feel the blood rushing through her veins.

Cold and hot sweats blanketed her body, simultaneously. But she couldn't stop. Lauren was too much for her to resist. She couldn't resist, didn't want to stop.

Her movements became delirious as pulled Lauren closer as if trying to absorb the blonde into herself.

Her control was slipping as the pressure within her built. She wanted, needed to possess Lauren, to devour her, to consume her.

It was almost unbearable she pulled away again suddenly. She stared into Lauren's eyes.

Blazing blue eyes met light brown eyes.

Meeting Lauren's eyes cleared her mind, almost instantly, it as if she was shoved back into her body abruptly.

Lauren's expression was shocked and bewildered, her brow furrowed. "Bo…are you ok?" Lauren asked her breath hitching in her throat.

Oh god, Bo thought, no…no…no, she knew her succubus was out, that her eyes had changed from dark brown to blazing blue. Shit, shit, she thought.

Bo jumped off the bed quickly while Lauren sat up giving Bo a questioning look.

Bo was terrified. This is not how she wanted this to happen. Why hadn't she stopped, she should have stopped. She knew she couldn't control herself around Lauren.

Bo turned away from Lauren, buried her head in hands and closed her eyes tightly, "Lauren, I think I should go." She said weakly, sobbing.

"Bo?"

Lauren walked up behind Bo and squeezed her shoulder firmly but gently.

Bo turned to face her, tears streaming down her face, "Please."

Lauren pulled her into an embrace and held her without saying a word as tears continued to fall down Bo's face.

XXXX

Bo had not said anything in an hour. She rested her head on Lauren's stomach, as Lauren played with her hair.

Lauren wanted to ask questions, but she decided to wait until Bo was ready to talk, so she just sat quietly waiting, trying as much as she could to calm her.

Bo looked up at Lauren, stiff as a statue. She couldn't seem to find the right words to say, "I'm sorry about what happened."

Lauren wasn't sure how to respond to that, so she answered as simply as she knew how, "It's ok. Whatever it is I'm here for you."

"I…" Bo's voiced cracked, she got up from the bed and walked toward Lauren's desk, suddenly needing to put some distance between the two. "I can't believe I let that happen." She fought back more tears. "I mean, I knew what was happening, what was coming," she paused, "I put you at risk, and I'll never forgive myself for that."

Lauren sat silently watching and waiting for Bo to speak again.

After what felt like an eternity to Bo, Lauren finally decided to speak.

"Bo, you don't have to hide that side of yourself from me. It's who you are."

Bo stomach was in knots. "I could have lost real control and hurt you."

Lauren got up from the bed, moved close to Bo. She grabbed Bo's hand, and Bo recoiled and moved her hand away.

Lauren brought her hand up to Bo's face and lightly stroked her cheek.

"Bo, this must be so hard for you, learning to control such an important part of yourself," Lauren said, her voice almost a whisper. "Being fearful of who you are."

Tears started forming in Bo's eyes, "I'm so sorry I shouldn't have lost control, but it's …when I'm with you…." Bo paused her voice strained. "I'm so afraid of putting you in danger."

Lauren wiped the tears away with her thumb, "Don't worry about me. I know you would never hurt me."

Bo closed her eyes tightly and let the warmth of Lauren's touch on her face calm her.

Lauren firmly took Bo's hand, this time Bo didn't draw back, led her to the bed.

Lauren put her arms around her from behind, tenderly tracing her fingers up and down Bo's arms until she drifted off to sleep.

XXXX

Nick stood in the kitchen, taking in the sight, the mess. This was very unlike his sister to leave such untidiness.

He slowly made his way up the stairs toward her room. He knew what he'd find… her that damn succubus.

Very quietly, he opened the bedroom door, just enough to confirm his suspicions.

He saw them lying together, bodies twisted together, sleeping.

Quietly he slipped into his study.

He began rubbing his forehead trying to ward off the incoming headache.

His sister could not be reasoned with about the succubus, he saw that now. The succubus probably had her thralled by now. They were manipulative and cunning creatures.

She was taking advantage of his sister, turning her into a mindless slave. He knew that.

Lauren was not food for anyone, especially a filthy succubus. He needed speed up his plans. To save Lauren.

Something needed to be done about the succubus, and soon.

XXXX

Bo woke up, the next morning, to the smell of Lauren. That clean smell, the smell that was hard to define, that scent that was just Lauren. She felt like tiny pin needles were being pushed into her, all over her body as she inhaled deeply to take in Lauren.

It was almost addictive. Bo craved her scent like a drug.

She really didn't want to go, leave Lauren, but she knew she had to get home.

"Lauren." She whispered softly into the blonde's ear.

Lauren opened her eyes and looked slightly startled, "When did we fall asleep, I don't even remember."

Bo leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I should probably get home, walk me home?"

They walked the block to Bo's house, shoulder to shoulder, Bo wanted so badly to reach out and grab Lauren's hand. But she couldn't. Someone would probably see them. It wasn't a good idea.

So when they stopped in front of Bo's door, she couldn't kiss her, not like she wanted.

They just said goodbye to each other. Without touching, without kissing, without hugging.

XXXX

Lauren's mind was racing as she walked back to the house. She was in love with Bo, a love couldn't fight against, couldn't resist, not any longer. She needed Bo and Bo needed her.

She was so anxious about what all this could mean, what would happen. How could they make this work? If she stepped back and looked at this logically it was clear that they were headed for disaster, it would only end up with both heartbroken or worse…

She opened the door to her house still lost in thought, thoughts of Bo. She didn't notice her brother sitting in the dark in the living room.

She started up the stairs when his voice called her back.

"Lauren," his voice sounded odd to her, like an echo.

"Nick, what are you doing sitting alone in the dark?"

"Waiting for you." He got up and walked toward his sister.

When she was younger, her brother was whom she went to for everything. They shared a love of science, of learning. He could soothe and calm her by being close. He always encouraged her love of science; he pushed her to learn and explore answers on her own, not to rely on books alone. But things changed, he changed, she changed, everything changed after their father's death. Now it was just the two of them. And he was so distant, so different.

Lauren had lost her entire family, although her brother was still here; he wasn't the man she once knew. He wasn't the friend, the protector, the confidant he once was. She knew nothing about this man that stood before her.

He pulled her into a hug. It felt strange, odd, maybe only because they hadn't been this close in so long. She told herself.

"I'm so glad you're safe."

Safe? Why wouldn't I be safe, she thought. She said nothing. She sensed something was wrong. The same feeling she always got around him these days.

He was quiet. His cold, damp skin brushed against her arm. His body seemed limp, rubbery not as she remembered. She had so many memories of being held in the warm, safe arms of her brother…but that was before. A lifetime ago.

She pushed back from his grasp and looked at him. "Nick, what's wrong?"

He cleared his throat, "Nothing, Lo, I'm happy to see you. Now, off to your room, I have work to do in my study." He gave a forced smile.

Lauren knew, of course, there was so much he wasn't telling her, but that the Lewis way.

XXXX

Watching them fumble around and panic was delicious. Their fear. Nick, invisible Nick, could watch from the shadows, hidden. Hidden among the others.

He needed to remain undetectable to these creatures. He had so much pleasure watching them expose his art, his revenge. The disbelief, the chaos. He closed his eyes, savoring the fear in the air.

He dumped that monster behind a busy bar. He knew that would be the best spot. That's where so many of them spent their time. He stroked his fingers as the memories of what he'd done came back.

He wasn't afraid of being caught, it was perfect, and there would be nothing that could be traced back to him. Not that they'd suspect such a dull, harmless human, anyway.

He watched as they worked to keep the scene contained. He knew which one of those "officers" was actually one of those creatures. They all played their parts so well, lies. Nothing but deception.

He inched closer, only slightly, to listen to their prattle. They were so simple, so dumb. His only interest was in hearing how they planned to cover this up because he knew they had to.

He felt powerful, knowing that he was going to make them scrabble. He let his thoughts wander as he scanned those around him, looking for someone he recognized. He knew a few from the lab saw them every day.

But he couldn't linger. The longer he stayed, the greater his chance that one of these imprudent creatures might recognize him and put the pieces together. But observing them work was what he needed, seeing the fear in their eyes.

He drew back into the shadows and away from his hypnotizing work.

Today was an excellent, exciting day. He had what he needed to fuel him to continue his plans, his revenge.

He walked with a smile on his face.

XXXX

Bo got home from school, and she was tired, drained. So much had happened over the last week kissing Lauren again; not just kissing…what they did was way beyond just kissing.

She'd lost control and let her succubus loose. How could she have been so ravenous, so careless? She'd known for months that her succubus was stirring and would awaken any moment. She risked the one person. She never wanted to risk.

Since then, she'd been working hard control her succubus powers. To tame it. She needed to if things were ever to go further with Lauren. And she wanted that, she wanted all of Lauren.

But at this moment she wanted nothing more than to climb in bed and sleep, to end this day.

But nope, she wasn't that lucky. Her grandfather was sitting in her kitchen. Great, she thought.

"Hello, Trick." She said as she walked to the refrigerator for a drink.

His appearance was off, his eyes sunken in, hollow. She could tell something was definitely going on. There wasn't much that rattled her grandfather.

"Ysabeau, there's a lot going right now. Sit. We need to talk."

Bo grabbed her drink and sat.

"A Light Fae has been murder." He said. "Her body was dumped behind The Dal."

Bo was shocked. Their town was so peaceful, so boring. She couldn't remember ever hearing about a murder before. She sat silently letting him finish.

"Things are going to be very tense around here for awhile, at least until we figure out who did this."

"A Dark Fae," Aife said walking into the kitchen.

Bo looked at her mother. "How do you know that?" Although Bo wasn't surprised the light and dark Fae are always getting into petty disagreements.

"This Fae woman was a known trouble maker. Always going into the Morrigan's territory." Trick continued, "Parts…were taken from the body. We suspect it might have been done to send a message."

Bo was surprised they were telling her all this usually she was kept in the dark about the big things.

"We, all, need to be more cautious than ever now, so maybe you don't see your human friend for awhile," Aife interjected.

Bo rolled her eyes. She never misses a chance to go there.

"Why? You think Lauren's strolling the streets, killing random Fae?"

"We need to be cautious at this moment, for both your sakes." Trick offered.

"You can't keep me from seeing her. She has nothing to do with your Fae shit."

"Ysebeau, be reasonable," Aife said.

Bo got up to leave the kitchen, "I am. Lauren Lewis is never not going to be in my life, either deal with it or not."

After Bo had left, Aife turned to Trick. "I told you she would never agree to stop seeing that girl." Aife narrowed her eyes on Trick. "Maybe we should send the Lewis' away. Now would be a perfect time. A perfect excuse."

"Perhaps. But I need Nick to continue his work in the lab." He rubbed his forehead. "Let's not make any decision without careful consideration. Sending the girl away will only push Bo further away, and we don't need that at the moment."

XXXX

Bo climbed into her bed.

Finally, she thought as she put her arm over her eyes.

She wanted to sleep. If everything wasn't complicated enough, now a Fae had been murdered, and she knew her mother wouldn't stop until she agreed to stop seeing Lauren.

Thinking about Lauren, caused a sharp shiver down her body.

Then, her mind drifted back to that night. She licked her lips, subconsciously, as she thought about how it felt having Lauren underneath her, the sound of her heavy breathing, the taste…

She sat up suddenly trying to shake off those thoughts. She exhaled deeply, knowing she wouldn't be able to sleep now.

She knocked on Kenzi's door, needing to talk about everything that happened over the last week.

"Entrée," Kenzi called from inside. "Yea BoBo, some crazy stuff going on downstairs, huh?"

"You have no idea."

"Your family seems pretty tense over this murder. Did they know her?"

"She was Light Fae so probably." She paused. "They think a dark Fae did it."

"Why?"

Bo shrugged.

"Yikes, ok. Maybe it was your bitchy boss, Tamsin."

Bo laughed.

"Something else going on? You look stressed?"

"It's um…Lauren..."

Kenzi rolled her eyes. "Of course. It's always Lauren stuff."

"Hey," Bo said throwing a pillow at Kenzi. "Stop."

"Well, it's true. That girl." Kenzi shook head dramatically.

"Don't," Bo said more starkly than she intended. "I'm tired of hearing that from everyone."

Kenzi let out a snort. "Have you talked to her since the whole succubus reveal?"

Bo shrugged. "We've texted."

"Bo, I love you, and I know you have feelings for her, but it's pretty shitty that she keeps kissing you then running away."

"This time's a little different, Kenz. It's not everyday you're kissing your best friend, and they go all succubus on you."

"Yeah. But I think it's time Lauren tells you how she feels. You deserve to know."

"I don't want to push after what happened."

"It's not pushing. It's talking about where you two stand. You know like normal people do."

Bo threw another pillow at Kenzi, "I'm so glad I have you to talk about all this with."

"Maybe I'll start charging by the hour," Kenzi said, rubbing her fingertips together.

XXXX

Lauren awoke to find her house empty again. She glanced at the clock it was 2am. She found it very strange that her brother wasn't home yet.

She made her way downstairs to his study. It was locked. Odd. Why would he lock his study? She wondered. She stared at his door for a long moment, an uncomfortable feeling growing inside her; something was going on, but what.

Suddenly, she heard the front door open, so she hid and watched as her brother entered the house. His movements were shambling. He looked exhausted. She watched as he slowly climbed the stairs.

She stayed hidden listening as she heard the shower turn on. She tacitly made her way back into her room, her mind racing with what she saw.

XXXX

The next night Lauren sat in her bed, spending countless hours thinking about what she had seen. Her mind stuck in an endless cycle of what-ifs about her brother, something was wrong she knew it.

She was exhausted from her inner chaos and decided to go where she always went when she couldn't sleep, Bo's.

Bo had called her several times, recently, and as much as she wanted to talk to her, she had avoided her calls. She was avoiding the situation. It wasn't healthy or right she knew that. Bo didn't deserve to have her shut down, but it was all too much.

She knew once they had that conversation there was no turning back, and she wasn't ready, but she needed Bo.

As she made her way to Bo's, she'd done this countless times, she felt like she was floating, her legs weren't part of her body. But she knew being close to Bo was what she needed to divert her mind away from everything.

She tapped lightly on Bo's window, hoping she was still awake.

Bo was shocked to see Lauren at her window.

"Hey, sorry about the late hour. Can I come in?" Lauren asked when Bo opened the window.

"Of course."

Lauren gave Bo a nervous smile. She knew Bo was probably upset with her. "Can I have a hug?"

Bo smiled despite herself and pulled Lauren into a hug.

Bo's presence made Lauren feel safe, and all her stresses seemed to wash away at that moment.

They broke apart.

"So what's going on? Did something happen?" Bo asked, concern written all over her face.

Lauren didn't know how to explain about her brother, about why his appearance that night unsettled her so much. She wanted to tell Bo everything but didn't know what to say, so like she always did she decided to say nothing.

"I wanted to apologize for not taking your calls. I'm stressed about some stuff lately." Lauren said.

"About the succubus stuff?" Bo asked quietly, her face strained.

"No, not that." Lauren paused, god she didn't want to lie to Bo, but for some reason she just couldn't tell her about what was really happening. "It's just…I don't know." She looked down at her hands, ashamed about not being able to open up to Bo.

Bo nodded as she sat down on her bed. "I wanted to talk to you about what happened between us."

"Ok. Yeah, I think we should."

"I was worried that all this succubus stuff was too much for you to handle and…"

Lauren sat next to Bo and grabbed her hand, brought it up to her mouth and kissed her fingers, "No, Bo. None of that changes anything between us. It's who you are. You don't need to hide it or be embarrassed about it."

"So what is going on between us? I mean first you kiss me, and then tell me it was a mistake, and we end up doing it again. You always run away. I'm just really confused."

Lauren was shattered with guilt hearing that, although she knew was right.

"Bo, I'm scared." Lauren started, "Not because you're a succubus but because you're my best friend."

"But why scared?"

"I'm afraid that if we try for a relationship and things don't work out. I'll lose you forever."

"Maybe we shouldn't worry about the future and focus on the now," Bo replied, her face hopeful.

Lauren smirked. "Well, we are really living about 80 milliseconds in the past." She paused. "Because that's how long it takes our brains to process information." She stood in front of Bo. "If I touch you on your face and leg at exactly the same time." She placed one hand on Bo's face and leg. "You will experience them as simultaneous acts. But clearly it takes more time for the signal to travel up your nerves from your legs to your brain than from your face." She kept her hands on Bo staring into her eyes. "Our conscious experience takes time to assemble information. Thus, we are really just experiencing past feelings."

"Lauren…please…" Bo swallowed hard, she moved her hand up to Lauren's hand and squeezed. "Let's do this for real. Be together."

Lauren was silent for a few seconds.

"What about our families, about the rules?" Lauren questioned, "What would Trick or Aife do if they found out?"

Bo took a deep breath and answered honestly, "They'd send you away. Or worse."

They sat in silence not meeting each other's eyes.

Saying it out loud to Lauren made it realer somehow. She had heard the threats, but it wasn't real until this moment. Bo knew she couldn't ask Lauren to risk so much to be with her. It was selfish and reckless…

Lauren affectionately stroked Bo's jaw with her thumb then pulled her forward and kissed her.

It was full of so much longing and desire. Bo brought her hands up to Lauren's face, pulling her closer. Bo felt lightheaded, in a good way-in the best way-and she let herself go with it, enjoying every moment, every enticing caress of Lauren's tongue against hers.

After several minutes, they pulled apart. Bo held her breath, waiting for Lauren to speak.

Lauren leaned closer into Bo like she was telling her a secret, "Bo, whatever is going on between us is going to keep happening. So it seems we only have two choices, stop seeing each other completely or say fuck it and be together."

Bo pursed her lips together to suppress a laugh. She couldn't help it. Lauren rarely ever cursed. It sounded so odd.

Lauren grabbed Bo's hand. Her tone serious and confident, "I'm scared of losing our friendship, I'm scared of getting sent away, I'm scared so many things." She paused briefly staring into Bo's eyes, "But what I'm most scared of is losing this," she kissed Bo softly, "Of never getting to be with you fully because of that fear."

Without hesitation, Bo grabbed Lauren into her arms as her mouth covered hers, she whispered, "Ok. Fuck it," between kisses.

Bo was sure of only one thing, at that moment. She never wanted this feeling to end.

A/N

Huzzah! They're finally together.

Since this marks the end of Act 1, updates may come a little slower (not too slow) as I have to work out Act 2.

Thanks again for coming along on this journey!