Lauren was a dream, at least to Bo, with a smile brighter than anyone's, a mind sharper than she could believe. Her body was more exquisite than any fantasy Bo could imagine; she was brave, charming, funny... So, yea, Lauren was Bo's dream, but not a dream her reality, and Bo couldn't believe how lucky she was to have her as her wife. She couldn't get enough of her, seconds felt like hours when Lauren was away from her. And hours felt like seconds when she was touching her.

Bo's body covered Lauren's body, and she could feel Lauren's strong muscles when her fingers ran over one of her long, smooth legs. Bo had all the curves of Lauren's body memorized, and she couldn't keep her hands off her. Lauren's head was tilted back her blonde hair tumbled around her face, sweat forming on her brow, her lips parted. And Bo couldn't help but think that Lauren was someone who should be revered, she was so beautiful it made Bo's chest tighten. Was it so bad if she wanted nothing more to make love to her wife, all night, all day?

She was lost in the taste of Lauren's lips, intoxicated by the small chi she pulled from her. It was easy to lose herself in Lauren, the world disappearing around her, all that remained was her soft, yielding body and the soft murmurs escaping her parted lips.

Lauren dug her fingers into the back of Bo's head, gently pulling her hair. She rocked her hips into Bo's fingers, until at last, she couldn't stop the swelling pleasure from crashing over her. She came with a release of a deep breath and tightened her grip on Bo's hair.

A surreal mix of thoughts and emotions took hold of Bo feeling Lauren release under her body. Love was the primary emotion, of course, but she churned with so many different feelings at once. She was amped up by the energy that flowed through her from Lauren's chi, from Lauren's warmth.

Satisfied, Lauren pulled Bo into a kiss, wrapping her arms around her body, pulling her impossibly close. She eased back and gave Bo that, heart-pounding smile. Something in Bo stirred and she had to fight the urge to pull more chi from Lauren's body. As her succubus was becoming stronger so was her desire for Lauren, it was, slightly overwhelming. She was unsure if her love for Lauren made that desire stronger, crave her more or if it was simply normal succubus stuff. And whom could she ask? Not Trick or Aife. She was on her own to figure it out. Aife's training mostly focused on finding feeding partners, using her powers, never once did the subject of love ever come up.

After several moments, Bo regained her control, and her urge vanished, replaced by contentment she merely gazed at Lauren's smile and relaxed features. Lauren was happy, and Bo could read that on her face, it made her heart swell.

"You are so beautiful my heart stops…you don't know how beautiful and sexy you are do you?"

Lauren pressed their lips together to suppress a smile. "You tell me that all the time." She wrinkled her nose at her and slanted her head. "You're laying it on pretty thick. Do you want me to make you dinner or something?"

Bo chuckled and looked at her with an innocent expression. "Would you please?" She gave her a silly grin that made Lauren laugh.

Lauren wiggled away from Bo and out of bed. Bo's breath caught in her chest. Lauren looked devastatingly beautiful, she couldn't breathe. She wanted nothing more than to pull her back into bed. "Could you cook…naked?" Bo asked with a mischievous grin.

Lauren shook her head. "No, way." She answered pulling on her shirt. She stopped abruptly and looked at Bo with wary eyes. "Do you think it's strange the Morrigan hasn't sent anyone here after me?"

Bo pulled her close and hugged her waist. "I don't know, but I'm going to enjoy it."

Bo tugged on Lauren's body, trying to pull her back into bed, and Lauren gripped her shoulders tight. "I thought you wanted food?"

"I want only you." Bo didn't pause, she shed Lauren's shirt and pulled her down into a kiss and onto the bed.

XXXX

It was still cold when Nick finally woke. He'd been in and out of consciousness for what seemed like days. His mind was a blurry haze. He wasn't sure what was a dream and what was the reality.

The computer screen went from black to bright white, as the barrage of images started again.

Sick. Nick felt sick looking at the images in front of him, watching as they flipped across the computer screen quickly. His body shook, and his head ached, but strangely the images were familiar and jerked at a secret part of his mind like locked away memories.

It felt like countless hours since they began bombarding him with pictures and stories about what, they claimed he'd done. And now the first actual hint of a memory flashed through his mind-his sister's terrified face and the smell of blood.

The worst part of all this, was what they said he did to his sister, his little sister, the innocent, kind, gentle, loving sister of his. That's why he didn't believe anything they said. He knew he would never do anything to her. It was starting to drive him crazy, insane listening to these stories-fantasies-what else could they be? Not the truth, it wasn't the truth.

He became consumed by thoughts of choking the life out of this Dr. Everett and her little assistant. They'd abducted and experimented on him like he was an animal, and they deserved to pay-to die.

That's where he'd find the strength to survive this-torture. He'd do the work so that he could make these two suffer for what they'd done to him. Yes. He'd learn to shift, make them believe he'd obey and then when the time was right-he'd kill them…all.

A few feet away Dr. Everett and Katerina watched Nick, as he was strapped to a chair with the computer in front of him. Katerina stared at her grandmother with a cautious expression. "Why are you so sure this will work?"

Dr. Everett wasn't in the mood for Katerina's doubts. There was too much planning to do, but she did her best to keep a gentle tone. "Because the Light and Dark are so arrogant that the only defensives they have in place are for Fae threats, but nothing against human weapons."

Katerina sat with absolute stillness. It was a self-discipline she'd learn long ago. "So, you think strapping a bomb to Nick's back and sending him at the Morrigan and Ash will work?"

"Of course. Nick's a rat. It's fitting for him to shift into a rat. Small. Unassuming. It's perfect."

Katerina sighed. "Is this the only way?"

"If we want to see change, we need new leadership. After centuries of prejudices and rigid rules, Evony and Trick will be unable to change. It's funny that for some Fae, despite their long lives, they are incapable of changing with the times."

"What about the collateral damage?"

Dr. Everett scoffed. "How many Fae lost their lives in the last Light and Dark conflict? I think about the lives we'll save, sometimes a few must be sacrificed for the many."

Katerina met her grandmother's gaze. "How will you get them together? It's not like they're ever in the same room."

A smile crept slowly over her face. "Oh, they'll be together and soon."

Katerina started to argue, but a close look at her grandmother's face told her it was better not to.

Dr. Everett watched Nick closely, "Two days, he was two days and then he needs to be ready. It's our only chance."

XXXX

Bo stretched out on her side on the floor, taking a large bite of food. Lauren sat crossed legged with her laptop resting on her lap across from her. "How can someone look so sexy staring at a computer screen?" Bo asked with raised eyebrows.

Lauren nudged her shoulder and continued working, without comment.

Bo scooted closer. "I'm serious." She kissed Lauren's forehead. "When you concentrate you get the cutest little frown on your face." Lauren peeked her eyes up at Bo and rolled her eyes. "Rolling your eyes is also sexy as hell." She bit her bottom lip and grinned.

Lauren shook her head. "Oh, Bo. Be serious."

"I am serious. You deserve to have someone tell you how amazing you are, every day, every minute."

Their lips met in an eager kiss. Lauren tilted her head back. "Bo, I'm working on something important here." She said against Bo's lips and Bo, unable to stop herself, pressed them together again.

Desire threatened to overwhelm Bo as she pushed her tongue passed Lauren's lips and caressed their tongues together. She pressed her body into her gently, deepening the kiss. With great reluctance, Bo drew back, pushing Lauren's hair behind her ear. "What are you working on?" She whispered, eyes locked on Lauren's lips. She remained calm, despite how difficult it was to keep her hands and lips off Lauren.

"I told you before, I want use my father's research to change things." She turned her laptop around to face Bo. "I've found the missing pieces."

Bo squinted at the screen. It looked like gibberish to her, but she trusted Lauren that it was important.

"Everything's going to change for us, for the Fae, humans." She paused and searched Bo's eyes. "Maybe we can get a normal life out of this. Be together freely."

"Ok. What's the plan?" She asked, propping herself up on one elbow, watching Lauren with thoughtful eyes.

Lauren hesitated and clicked away on her computer for a second. "What do the Fae fear more than anything else?" She looked up and regarded Bo expectantly.

"Change." Bo said promptly.

"Besides that."

"Revealing our existence to humans."

"Exactly. And what do you think they would give up to keep this formula, of turning humans Fae, out of the hands of humans?"

"Probably, a lot."

"Probably, everything."

Silence hung in the air, for a few seconds before Lauren continued, "We need to get our freedom first. Once we do that we can work from the outside to change the whole system."

Bo opened her mouth to retort but stopped. Lauren had her worried that she was putting herself in danger, but she didn't have any plan for dealing with the Fae. The only thing she had was her instinct to protect Lauren at all costs. She feared Lauren was playing a risky game with the precarious Fae, and ultimately facing more threats. But then she realized that they had just gotten married, and that was a pretty dangerous thing to do. Yet they'd done it together, as one. So, despite her desire to protect Lauren she would go along with whatever Lauren wanted to do.

XXXX

Bo walked back into the living room, realizing four hours had past and Lauren was still in front of her laptop clicking away.

"Hey." Bo bumped Lauren's foot to get her attention. "You're going to pass out from exhaustion. You need to take a break."

Lauren peered her head up from the screen and simply smiled at Bo before her eyes strayed back to the computer. After a few minutes, Bo poked Lauren again, and Lauren playfully swatted her foot away. Bo took it as a challenge and poked her again. Lauren laughed and set her computer down and grabbed Bo's arm pulling her down onto her lap, so Bo was straddling her legs. Bo leaned forward and gently licked over Lauren's bottom lip before pushing in for a kiss.

The front door burst open, shattering their embrace. Bo jerked away from the kiss with a look complete outrage. "Get out." She exclaimed.

Aife sauntered into the apartment, flinging her arms wide into the air and pushed passed Bo. "What do you think you are doing?" Aife hissed into Bo's face. "Are you mad?"

Bo crossed her arms over her chest and stepped back from Aife. "Get out." She repeated.

It took Lauren a few seconds to grasp with was happening. Her eyes drifted to Bo and watched her attentively, but she didn't move from her sitting position.

Aife didn't respond right away. Her attention turned to Lauren with a disgusted look. Bo turned furious and moved in front of Aife, blocking her view of Lauren. Aife finally dragged her scowl from Lauren to Bo.

"What do you believe this will accomplish, taking this girl from the Morrigan? She belongs to the Dark." She pointed harshly in Lauren's direction, and Bo grabbed her wrist.

"She does not. We belong to each other, now. We're married."

Aife laughed dramatically. "You're Fae, Bo. A human marriage is meaningless."

Bo scoffed. "I don't care what you say. Lauren and I are a family now. She's not going back."

"That's not your choice."

Bo fixed all her fury on Aife. "I swear if you don't leave-"

They, in unison, walked forward, standing a breath apart sizing each other up. After a few seconds, Aife was the first to back down. She threw a piece of paper at Bo. "Here." She walked quickly to the door. "Me and your grandfather are the only reason you and your little human aren't in a cell right now."

Bo ignored her and read the paper in her hand. "What is this?"

"You're safe for now. In two days, you..." She pointed angrily at Lauren, "and her will have a meeting with Trick and Evony to discuss this matter properly."

Aife turned briskly and without turning back, she said, "You may hate your family, but we just saved you. Remember that."

After she was gone, Lauren and Bo were left alone. For a few loaded moments, neither spoke, both their hearts were pounding, their minds racing. Then, with a sigh, Bo walked over to Lauren and sat beside her. She rested her head on Lauren's lap; she was shaking faintly, and Lauren gently ran her fingers through her hair. "We're fine. It'll all work out." Bo whispered at last, but her bravado faltered with a quiver in her voice. "They can't hurt us."

XXXX

The Light Fae compound was quiet as they crept through the hallway, hand and hand. Apparently, they were taking this meeting seriously. Most of the Fae were tucked away in various rooms. Everything around them was still and silent, the only sound was their footsteps echoing off the walls.

Two guards were posted outside Trick's office, one Light Fae, one Dark Fae. They stepped into Trick's office, and he, along with Evony, sat staring at them with confident, superior expressions.

"Well, look who it is, the star-crossed lovers. Arrogant succubus and lover, defying Fae laws for…" Evony stopped and smirked at them disdainfully. "Love. How precious."

"Ysabeau, do you have no common sense at all?" Trick asked stiffly. "This is the most reckless thing you've ever done." His tone was harsh and cold. "If you have any dignity left, you will surrender the girl and forget all this foolishness."

Evony tapped her long fingernails on the desk. "It'll be so much easier on you both if you do." Evony almost growled the words, staring at Lauren.

Lauren's posture stiffened, and Bo rubbed her back in small circles soothingly.

"Enough." Bo snapped. "We're here to make a deal."

Evony was aghast. "You are in no position to make any deals. You are in possession of stolen property." Her eyes stayed on Lauren as she said it and lingered there with intensity.

Lauren dared a look at Evony then turned her attention back to Bo. They had agreed that it was better if Bo took the lead and did most of the talking.

Bo ignored her completely and kept her eyes locked on Trick. Her throat tightened, and she didn't reply immediately. "If you want this information, you better listen."

"What information do you have, exactly?" Trick asked clasping his fingers together and regarding her severely.

Lauren stepped forward with her laptop and turned it to face them. "I have research on a formula that would turn humans Fae." She said and stepped back beside Bo. Bo squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"You wouldn't want this information getting into the wrong hands, now would you?" Bo said bluntly. "Imagine what would happen to the Fae, if the human militaries and governments got a hold of this information. Seems, to me, humans like to turn everything into a weapon. The Fae wouldn't stand a chance."

Evony scoffed, and Trick put his hand up to stop her. "What do you want?" That told Bo, Trick believed them, and he didn't want this information getting out.

"Amnesty for Lauren, Kenzi and me, you will let us go off wherever we want, live a normal life-if we choose. No spies, nothing, you'll leave us alone. In exchange, we will not reveal this information to the public. And we won't give it to the human governments of the world. Unless, of course, you violate the terms of this agreement."

Trick gave a sharp intake of breath and leaned back in his chair staring the pair down.

Evony laughed outright. "Impossible. Never going to happen." She shot back. "We'll simply kill you now, and take the information."

Bo didn't look at her, but a smile held on her face. "Then the information will be sent out and you won't be able to stop it." She leaned closer to Trick. "If we don't return safely in two hours, this information automatically gets released."

"I'll be honest," Trick finally spoke again. "I question why we should believe that you won't reveal this information even if we agree."

"Why would we do that? We'd lose all our leverage, and you'd kill us." Bo said and crossed her arms, looking as poised as she could.

After considering this, for a few minutes, Trick spoke, "Fair enough. But we need a copy of this information. To prove it does what you say it does."

Bo and Lauren exchanged glances and Lauren nodded.

Bo pulled out a flash drive from her pocket. "This is half the information. It should be sufficient to prove it works, but we will not give you all of it. We don't' trust you." She placed it in front of them and waited.

"You can't seriously be entertaining the thought of agreeing to this, Trick?" Evony asked horrified.

"Quiet." He snapped and picked up the drive and studied it. "Once we confirm it works, you'll get your absolution."

Bo and Lauren nodded an agreement, holding each other's hands tightly.

XXXX

Kenzi paced around the abandoned warehouse with her phone clutched in her hand. She glanced at the time every couple seconds with a lump in her stomach. She knew what to do if she didn't hear from Bo. She sat down in front of the laptop. It would only take a few keystrokes, and it would be done, the information sent.

Although, she hoped she would hear from Bo soon. She needed her sister to be ok and safe. This was a crazy plan that Lauren and Bo had come up with and she hoped it worked. Negotiating their freedom with the Fae seemed like a long shot at best. There was no telling what Trick and Evony would do, probably throw them in a cell without hearing them out.

She prayed they'd listen, and she wouldn't have to release this information.

Nervously, she checked the time again, tapping her foot on the hard floor.

XXXX

Nick, in rat form, scrambled through the ventilation system with the bomb on his back. He knew where to go, and he was close. He paused when he heard voices from below.

"Trick, this is outrageous. I can't believe you agreed to this!"

"Would you like this information falling into the wrong hands? We need time to control the situation. We don't want them doing anything foolish."

"You let this granddaughter of yours get away with far too much."

"We'll deal with Ysabeau and the human, but one step at a time. Control and contain, that's our first priority."

Nick continued to listen to the exchange, with the faint beeps from the bomb in the background, waiting, waiting for the exact moment to release it.

XXXXX

Bo and Lauren walked down the hallway away from Trick's office feeling relieved. "It's a first step at least," Bo said squeezing Lauren's hand tightly. "I'm shocked it worked, honestly."

"I feel good about this, Bo. Like there's a real chance we'll get our freedom." Lauren was surprisingly relaxed and used an upbeat tone.

"I hope you're right." They paused in the lobby and Bo hugged Lauren, kissing her cheek. Despite Bo's uneasiness, she felt better with how sure Lauren seemed to be. "Are you ready?" She asked with a grin.

Lauren nodded but paused. "Shoot. I think I dropped my cell phone." She patted her pockets. "It was just here." She looked behind her searching for it.

"Let's go find it," Bo said grabbing her hand.

"You get the car and I'll retrace my steps." Bo frowned. Her immediate reflex was that she shouldn't leave Lauren alone. "I'll be fine." Lauren lightly kissed her lips. "I'll see you in a second."

Bo started for the exit and Lauren looked at her over her shoulder. She smiled and mouthed 'I love you'. Bo held her stance, for a moment, and a smile grew on her lips that match Lauren's and after a brief pause, she left the building. Happiness and love flooded her as she walked away.

It only took Bo five minutes, five minutes to get the car and when she returned the compound was in a blaze of fire. The entire building smoldering in fire, gray smoke swelled out in all directions. Disoriented and numb she jumped from the car, the smell of burning wood, blood, and hair hung in the air.

In a frantic dash, she ran for the building, only thinking of Lauren. She reached for the door, a cloud of smoke billowed out into her face and she rubbed the sting and soot from her eyes. Blinking quickly trying to clear her vision through the smoke, and ash she rushed forward.

She entered the building, a wave of flames leaped at her singeing her skin and clothes. She barely felt a thing; her mind was focused on Lauren and nothing else. As the fire seemed to race toward her, not stopping to think, she ran in its direction. A blast of fire hit her in the shoulder; pain seared through her body as the fire ate away at the flesh. She shook off the pain and pushed on. Red, crimson flames spread out and shot up around her, growing bigger and bigger.

She blinked away the sweat and kept moving. The fire had eaten through most of the compound. Without stopping, she held her breath, closed her eyes, and thought of her wife, she pulled her jacket over her mouth to stop some of the smoke from entering her lungs.

She couldn't see anything, her eyes searched in every direction. But nothing. Lauren's face flashed through her mind and thousands of emotions, memories, touches, smiles, looks, feelings flew through her mind in a blast.

"Lauren!" She called out into the flames, and her lungs filled with thick smoke. She coughed it out and shouted Lauren's name again and again. Tears ran down her face, her body quivered with dread. Pieces out the compound collapsed around her as she continued to search and shout Lauren's name. She swallowed her pain and pushed on. Lauren couldn't die, she wasn't dead, she wouldn't let that happen. She just needed to find her, and everything would be ok. Fine. Lauren was fine. She would save her, she always did. She told herself over and over again.

Nothing. She heard nothing but the fire consuming the building around her. The heat assaulted her body and face. She could smell her own flesh and hair burning.

She fell to her knees, dizzy, feeling the smoke burning her lungs. She couldn't think clearly, she couldn't see anything but smoke and fire. "Lauren, please." She sobbed and coughed again. "Where are you?" She closed her eyes and wept into her hands. She couldn't even hear her own voice over the roar of the flames. She trembled, the smell of smoke suffocating her, her thoughts only on Lauren.

Three Fae circled her, shouting at her, their voices were lost in sounds around her. Her eyes fluttered opened. An intense heat flashed through her body and reflexively she bolted upright. Her mind was blank, her breathing and heart slowed, her eyes a blue flame. She opened her mouth and sucked chi from all three of them at once. A stream of blue light left their bodies and entered her mouth and body quickly, after a few seconds, they collapsed to the ground limply. Fully healed, eyes still burning blue, full of more energy than she thought possible, she pushed on through the fire and smoke to find her wife.

AN

One chapter left and this journey comes to its conclusion.

Thanks again for reading and supporting this story.

This is the first fic I posted and I'm a little sad to see it end and it's still my favorite, but I think it's a good time to end it.

I would love to read your theories about the ending and see if anyone gets it right :)