When Bo asked Lauren to marry her, she knew there were a hundred different reactions she could have, so Lauren's wide eyes and silence didn't surprise her. Heck, Bo would have been just as surprised if Lauren had asked her.

"Look," Bo said cautiously and softly. "I love you and you love me." She wrinkled her face. "Maybe I should have gotten on my knee or something I dunno…or had a ring ready…"

Lauren studied Bo's eyes, and Bo was having a difficult time reading her expression. Suddenly, she felt anxious that Lauren might say no. She wasn't prepared for that.

Another moment of hesitation and Bo sat her face decisive. "Lauren, human-Fae. Light-Dark, none of that matters to me, all I want is you. To see you happy and safe and I can give you that."

"Wouldn't this just put us in more danger?" Lauren finally spoke still holding her gaze on Bo with intensity. "It's forbidden." She added her voice almost a whisper.

Bo took a deep breath and pushed as much confidence as she could into her next statement. "We're already in danger, all the time. Wouldn't you rather be in danger for something we want then just be pawns? We need to take control and show them they can't dictate our actions."

"Bo." Lauren looked away as tears started forming in her eyes. "There's no way they'll allow this." She stopped and met Bo's eyes again. "I can't even leave this complex without The Morrigan's permission."

Bo held her face brushing off a few tears. "I'm unaligned they have no authority over me. They can't stop me…us."

"I just don't see how this will do anything but put us in more danger."

"We're in danger, no matter what, let's face these threats, together, for something that means something to us. Our love is worth fighting for." She kissed her and smiled with conviction. "If we're married we can be together and face this as one." She stood and paced in front of her. "Not with you stuck here with Dark Fae and me off with Kenzi." She knelt down taking Lauren's hand again. "But together."

Part of Bo was starting to think that it was unfair to ask this of Lauren, to put herself in more peril. Honestly, Bo didn't know how the Fae would react to this, but to her it was worth taking the risk so that Lauren could be close and with her. Add to that everything Lauren had been through with the Fae, sometimes Bo didn't understand how she hadn't broken down over everything. A weaker person would have crumbled under, even half, of what had happened to her. She needed someone to be there for her-to take care of her-and that was Bo.

"Bo," Lauren said, a few moments later. "Put aside everything else, we're still very young. I can't imagine wanting to marry anyone else, but…"

"Ideally, we'd wait until everything was perfect. With both of us free and older and away from here, but we don't fit in any boxes, we do things our way. I believe that no matter what dangers we're in, we'll be stronger together and ok, as long as, we're together."

Lauren didn't answer for a long time, and her wry expression told Bo she was unconvinced about everything, and that unnerved Bo. She knew Lauren was probably thinking through every detail, trying to see all the angles and all foreseeable problems. Maybe Bo's logic was debatable. But she didn't see how what they were doing now was any better than her plan, at least they wouldn't be owned by the Light or Dark, they could be free together.

"Tell me, what you're thinking, Lauren." Bo urged after searching Lauren's face longer.

"It's just…" She closed her eyes tight. "One thing we've never talked about is..." She swallowed hard. "That you're a succubus and what that means down the road."

That caught Bo off guard. The biggest barrier she assumed would be the Fae rules, not her biology. There would be difficulties yes, figuring that part of their relationship out, but that didn't seem as important as everything else. But honestly, she hadn't thought through enough to think about Lauren's side of things. There were no easy answers when it came to dealing with her succubus she knew that.

"Lauren, I don't know what to say about that. I do know that I love you, succubus or not. And I would never love anyone else." Now tears were forming in Bo's eyes. "This isn't a deal breaker, right?"

Lauren's brow furrowed. "Oh, Bo, no. That's not what I meant. It's just…something we've never talked about really."

Bo nodded and deliberated for a moment. "I know it might be hard at times-for a variety of reasons. But I think our love is strong enough to face those challenges together." She paused. "Lauren, when we were apart, and I was feeding off a different person, almost every night, I felt so empty and sad." Her voice cracked. "Perhaps, there are succubi out there that want that, feeding partners only, but not me. I want love, and I want to commit my heart to one person-you."

Lauren's face cleared, and Bo could visually see her toughening up, working hard to crush all her worries. "We can't get married tonight. Where would we go at this hour?"

Bo's eyes sparkled and gave her a half grin. "Are you saying yes?"

Lauren glanced down and then back up meeting Bo's eyes, she was tearing up again. "I can't imagine my life without you, not again, and I guess I had hoped that this would happen one day, at least silently to myself." She laughed at herself for over explaining her feelings. "So, yes. I think we should do it. Get married."

Quickly, Bo gathered her up in her arms and kissed her passionately. "I'll take care of all the details." She said kissing all over Lauren's face. "Leave it to me."

XXXX

Bo paced around the room, looking up a few details on her phone. Lauren packed a few things into a single bag and watched Bo curiously. Within a few minutes, Bo took her hand. "Are you ready to go?"

Lauren flung her bag over her shoulder and nodded.

They left Lauren's room and walked purposefully towards the security guards at the front gate. Lauren held back while Bo continued, walking up behind them. She put a hand on each of the guard's bare necks and sent a wave into their bodies. Dazed, they both, looked at her with desire. "Hey, fellas you don't have a problem with Lauren and I going for a little walk do you?" She blinked innocently pulsing them again.

Their mouths fell open, and they shook their heads. One guard opened the gate and Lauren hurried to join Bo by her side. "Thanks," Bo whispered pulsing them again for extra reassurance. They exited the complex and walked straight to Bo's car. Neither noticing any signs of being followed and not hearing any alarms bells, Bo relaxed and wrapped her arm around Lauren's shoulder.

They drove to a neighborhood Lauren had never seen before. "Where are we?" She asked surveying the surroundings through the window.

Bo shot Lauren a grin. "This is the only place around that offers 24-hour marriages."

"It's charming." Lauren turned to Bo and matched her grin.

"I know this isn't probably how you envisioned your wedding day," Bo said her voice with a hint of sadness.

Lauren held her hand. "It's not the place that matters. It's the person."

They parked in front on a tiny chapel, whose appearance suggested the type of place that gave quickie weddings to anyone. Within a few minutes, Kenzi pulled up beside them.

"I knew you were eccentric, Bo. Just not this crazy." Kenzi nodded a greeting to Lauren and handed Bo a bag. "I guess it's romantic in an 80s teen movie, kind of way." She gave them a wry smile, shaking her head.

Bo took the bag and playfully swatted at her arm. "Thanks for coming."

Kenzi put her hands on her hips and looked them up and down. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."

They walked together to the front desk, and Lauren and Bo offered up their IDs and money to the clerk. The large woman behind the counter yawned and slowly entered their information into the computer.

Bo kissed Lauren's forehead as they waited. The clerk handed them their paperwork and gestured to the other room, where they could wait.

They entered the next room and nervously looked at each other not speaking.

Kenzi rolled her eyes. "Lauren, go change in that room." She pointed to a far door. "And Bo you change in the other."

They kissed and parted ways each carrying a bag. Lauren hurried after Bo and caught her arm, holding her in place. "Bo, you don't have a ring." She took off her own ring. "I have this one, but what about you?"

Bo kissed her again and fished into her pocket and pulled out Lauren's necklace, a birthday present from long ago. "I'll use this. Who says rings are a requirement?"

Lauren looked at the necklace and Bo and back. "I didn't know you ever opened that."

"I love it, Lauren. It's the sweetest, most special gift I've ever gotten."

A lump climbed in Lauren's throat, and she smiled happily at Bo. "See you in a minute."

Bo slipped on her blue dress and stared at herself in the mirror. She was surprised that she wasn't nervous at all. She should be nervous, she was getting married, but she felt calm, a calm she'd never felt before. She stepped out of the room, and it was a little surreal standing there in her dress watching as Lauren stepped out in her white dress. The dress was simple understated and very Lauren. It was all white with a low neckline, delicate straps rested on her shoulders showing off her bare toned arms, and it flared, just a bit, at her hips. Lauren's expression was innocent and her arms were swinging at her sides. Bo had difficulty speaking or thinking gazing at her, and the longer she stared, the more her heart raced.

Lauren held Bo's gaze, she was awash in feelings of love, desire, and contentment. Her eyes drifted down Bo's body, she wore a blue dress that was snuggly wrapped around her, showing off every curve, and of course in true Bo fashion the tops of her breast were exposed. She looked beautiful, perfect, radiant, and Lauren's heart fluttered and held in a breath.

They walked hand and hand into next room. Bo's stride faltered a little. She was still mesmerized by Lauren's beauty, and Lauren squeezed her hand and Bo stabilized herself. They stepped inside and walked up to the podium that was lined with flowers. The clerk that helped them before stood behind it. "I guess it's a little late for multiple staff members," Kenzi whispered strolling behind them, carrying Lauren's ring and Bo's necklace.

They reached the podium and Kenzi stood behind them. Lauren and Bo clasped their hands together and stared into each other's eyes. The clerk kept the service as short and basic as possible, mostly sticking to the bare minimum of requirements. Bo slipped the ring back onto Lauren's finger and added a few of her own words. "Until now, we've been controlled by others living our lives adrift. But today we begin our new journey: one our choosing. Now, and forever, we are tied together as a family, as a team. We are one…united and indestructible."

Tears streamed down Lauren's face listening to Bo's words. It was powerful for her to hear. Someone, like her, who'd lost her own family and was owned by others, to be gaining a new family, a partner of her choosing filled her with a happiness she knew she lacked the words to describe. She was ready to take this step with Bo and, no matter the dangers, build the life they wanted-as one.

Lauren slipped the necklace over Bo's head and said a few words herself. "Bo, you give me a strength I've never known. Everything we do now, is for each other, every choice, every decision affects us both now. You are my family, my team, and together we are unbreakable. My life may be short, but our love is everlasting."

The vows were done, and they were announced as wives. They reached for each other and kissed, a kiss full of love, happiness, hope, longing, and fearlessness. When they finally pulled apart, they stared at Kenzi, who was wiping away tears. "You two." She sniffled and shook her head.

XXXX

Kenzi stayed with a friend, so Bo and Lauren could have the apartment to themselves for their first night as wives.

Neither were relaxed when they got back. They were too full of adrenaline to be calm. Needing to be close to Lauren, Bo patted her leg, and Lauren approached and took a sit on her lap. Bo wrapped her arms around Lauren's slim waist and kissed her neck. "Do you feel any different?" She whispered against her skin.

"Happier," Lauren answered simply. She reached down into a bag and pulled out an unopened bottle of champagne. Bo took the bottle and reluctantly, she didn't want to move away from Lauren's warmth, got up to get a pair of glasses.

Lauren watched Bo pop the cork and pour their drinks. They tapped them together and drank slowly.

"To us," Bo said after another sip and Lauren nodded taking her own drink.

After another sip, Lauren tilted her head and studied her face. "What now?"

Bo sat her glass down and brushed a light kiss over Lauren's lips. Her heart swelled, realizing that this beautiful, smart, brave, funny, amazing woman was her wife. "Oh, whatever we want." She responded after taking in Lauren's beauty for a long moment.

Lauren touched her cheek, hoping that for the rest of her life she would remember how Bo looked at that moment. Earnest. Happy. In love. Beautiful. Innocent. Courageous. She trailed her fingers down and along Bo's necklace. "I love you, Bo. And honestly, I'm not afraid because I have you." She gave a content sigh and rested her head on Bo's chest, listening to her heartbeat. "You heart is as strong as you are." She said after a pause.

"Let's enjoy tonight, we have plenty of time to worry about everything else in the morning," Bo said and inhaled deeply taking in the scent of Lauren's hair.

Bo got to her feet and dimmed the lights. She lit a few candles and turned on her music. A smile crept over her face and she reached out her hand for Lauren to take, which she did. Bo drew her close and Lauren wrapped her arms around Bo's body and Bo did the same. Long moments passed as they slowly swayed to the music, the world and worries around them a distant thought.

"I should have taken you to prom." Bo said.

Lauren laughed outright. "I dunno prom night was kind of perfect, in the end."

"I never did get my pizza, though." Bo joked back.

They laughed together and Lauren rested her cheek on Bo's shoulder. "Now we have a lifetime of pizzas ahead of us."

That simple statement managed to make Bo's heart leap and her stomach drop, at the same time. The fact that she would out live Lauren, that her life was so much longer, was not something Bo ever wanted to think about, but that statement brought it to her mind. A heavy, dark sadness threatened to take her over, but she forcibly buried those thoughts. She wouldn't allow anything to shatter this moment of complete joy.

They stopped dancing and kissed, they find themselves sinking into each other's bodies and slowly moving to Bo's room. They fell onto the bed, at the same time, still kissing, hands working quickly to remove all their dresses.

Afterward, Bo clasped their hands together and played with Lauren's fingers. They were both drained from the night, it was late after all, so they curled up together. Bo pulled Lauren tight and her last words before drifting off to sleep were, "I love you, my wife."

Lauren already half-asleep answered back. "I love you, too, wife."

XXXX

Cold and naked, in the middle of the woods, Nick heard Katerina shout. "Try again." Her tone softened. "It gets easier every time."

Nick wept and focused with all his strength. He felt like he was being shredded, his skin pulled, and twisted unnaturally. He gave up and cried harder. He forced down the vomit that was threatening to come up and fell to his knees.

Katerina lightly patted his shoulder, and he flinched, his entire body shaking. "We have to keep trying." She knelt down in front of him. "You're a shifter, now. You can do this, but it takes practice to learn your new skills."

He curled up in a ball and cried into his bare arms.

Katerina sighed and walked further into the woods, to where Dr. Everett stood watching them.

Dr. Everett shook her head. "He's as useless as a Fae as he was as a human."

"He is trying, but it's difficult. I don't think he was the inner will to succeed."

"He's only alive so he can carry out the mission." She rested her glasses on the top of her head and rubbed her eyes. "I need him to do this."

Katerina shifted her weight and looked uneasily at her grandmother. "Do you really think you can get him to kill the Morrigan and the Ash?"

Dr. Everett nodded. "He'll do it. But first he needs to learn to shift, without that the plan won't work."

Katerina was silent. She knew not to argue about this plan.

Dr. Everett sighed. "We need to get him to remember. If he recalls his hatred for the Fae that would give him the strength to complete this task."

"How do you plan to do that?" Katerina finally asked when her grandmother didn't offer more details.

"Torture, I suppose." She tapped her fingers into her palm. "We'll shock his system until he remembers. His subconscious wants him to remember, we just need to give it a push."

Katerina cleared her throat. "What about Lauren?"

"There's no reason Lauren should have to know about any of this. She believes her brother is dead, there's no reason that should change."

AN

Next update, Trick and Aife return to the story.

Thanks for reading!