A/N: Lots of reviews for the last chapter! Thank you so much! I'm happy to read all of them. Most people are now pro- Lauren/Morrigan, but this is still Doccubus you guys, sorry. Lauren and the Morrigan have a very different relationship in the making. You'll see.
About the ending omake, that was just a little plot bunny that demanded to be written and I'm glad you liked it. I thought it managed to communicate Lewis' relationship with Devlin more than that little description I did in the actual body of the chapter.
Anyway as promised, Bo is finally here! That means there'll be some changes in the POV. Brace yourself... winter is coming. Haha. Sorry, couldn't resist a GoT reference. But no wait, actually, angst is happening next chapter. Still mostly fluff here.
Also, this chapter is a cliffhanger. Early warning.
Oooh, also, I have a beta now. All my thanks to Narcis7 for helping with this chapter, catching my goofs and ensuring that I present the characters faithfully as they were portrayed on the show. :D
Chapter 9
This shindig was really fancy.
That was Kenzi's first thought when they first stepped in on the hotel ballroom. Her second thought had been There's a buffet! Yay! but then the nerves hit again when she noticed that everyone had stopped to look at them.
She had automatically taken a step back but gotten hold of herself before she could do something like hide behind Dyson's back. Even though it was really broad and a very good hiding place for her tiny self.
Then she got a bit distracted by how broad Dyson's back was because if so, why was his wolf self so skinny then?, and forgot to be nervous. And really, she didn't have anything to be nervous about, Kenzi told herself. After all, she was part of the team that brought down the Garuda. The Big Evil Monster Eater of Fae, himself. She deserved to be here more than any other fae because she was awesome.
And this party was supposed to be a celebration of the Garuda's defeat one year ago, which she helped achieved. Right.
Kenzi looked around curiously then. The event was actually not just about the Garuda's death but also about "bridging the ties between all fae, Light and Dark, so that we may never forget the sacrifices of our people and..." something about not letting chaos and fear get to them anymore. She only really glanced at the invitation before she and Bo started worrying about the fact that the Light and Dark Fae were supposed to mingle together peacefully.
As far as they know, it was only done on La Shoshain, which Kenzi thought was super holy and only enforced by like the Blood King's, well, blood.
Speaking of which, she could see that Trick was still greeting people around him politely. Their whole party was actually trying to mingle, except for her, because as the only human here, every fae was pretending she was a moving room ornament. Which was fine with her really, she didn't want to waste her fake smiles with this bunch.
But since they were a large group - consisting of her, Bo, Trick, Dyson of course, also Dyson's new partner Tamsin who was actually cool, and Dyson's old partner Hale, and finally Hale's sister Val, who they're pals with now and also helped defeat the Garuda - they were moving far too slowly for her taste. The buffet table was practically miles away from her standpoint!
Fortunately, a passing server came and Kenzi managed to grab a champagne flute for her and Bo, who took hers distractedly.
Kenzi didn't notice immediately because she just discovered a silver lining to this whole affair: the booze was really, really good. She would just bet that it was one of those labels that cost a thousand dollars per bottle. One good thing about the fae, their snobbery meant they had good, expensive tastes.
When Kenzi had finished her drink and snagged two more from another passing server, she noticed that Bo hadn't even finished half of hers yet. Slightly concerned, Kenzi turned to her best buddy and found that she had gotten distracted by something in the far-off corner of the room.
And her face had taken on that look that Kenzi had learned to dread.
Okay, so this whole celebration thingy was nifty and all but it didn't really address the other consequences that went down after that flame-y big bird died, she thought.
Meaning, all these people thought they were being noble by commemorating their dead or whatever, but in the end they actually got off nicely without lasting effects.
Not like they, the team, did.
Especially Bo.
Kenzi frowned at that, her thoughts suddenly filled with what her best friend had gone through this past year.
Binding all of them under the succubus' blood had been a cool trick but it had been a dangerous maneuver too. And even though she managed to un-bind everyone from Bo before her alter ego - which they have now taken to calling: Queen Bitch Bo, or QB Bo, because the nickname was short and catchy - could take over, it became clear to them afterwards that Bo hadn't completely escaped unscathed.
Their first clue had been the eyes first. Bo's eyes used to flare blue whenever she was really hungry or really angry or really horny, but after the Garuda thing... Kenzi had suffered near heart-attacks whenever Bo's eyes took on that unholy blue glow just because she left a mess on the kitchen again, or refused to wake up early.
That was only the beginning, and there were other "attitude" problems that had cropped up.
It didn't help that She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had conveniently done a runner that just added to her best friend's stress, she thought bitterly.
Speaking of which, Kenzi shot a surreptitious glance at her friend, suddenly afraid that Bo could hear her thoughts about the doctor.
She really didn't want to trigger Bo right now. She was just very unpredictable when it came to that person and they so didn't need a weepy succubus in this party. But Bo wasn't just prone to weeping, though. She could start to brood or be angry or the absolute worst reaction: get horny.
And no one wants a horny succubus in their parties. They'll turn them into orgies quicker than you can say "Where are the appetizers?", Kenzi's mind unhelpfully added.
Kenzi would have brushed the behaviour aside, because yeah, she was familiar with that coping technique. Humans did it too.
But in Bo's case, she had refused to feed even when she was legitimately hungry. It was like cooking all these delicious meals and then just letting it spoil untouched. It had been bizarre and worrying but Kenzi just pretended that it was probably a succubus thing.
That, or it was some misguided form of punishment on the memory of the doctor, carried out on the unsuspecting strangers that crossed her path. Like saying, "I'll take you because I can, but I won't feed from you because you're not really worthy of me."
It was faintly disturbing to think that way about her best friend but thankfully that type of reaction had only happened twice. The first time was when Bo finally accepted that the doc wasn't coming back and the second was when they thought they had a possible lead on her whereabouts that turned out to be a dud.
And then Bo and Dyson had gotten together again, and while it wasn't exactly smooth sailing for the two, Bo had slowly begun to stabilize.
Seriously though, Kenzi had already promised that if ever that doctor came back again, she'd get an express delivery of a Kenzi-Knuckle-Sandwich in the face, just for all the crap she put Bo through.
Shooting another look at her best friend only to see her still gazing at someone, snapped the last of Kenzi's control over her insatiable curiosity.
Also, the second look on Bo's face made Kenzi realize that she was actually sporting a new look. It wasn't the restless, hungry one that she was so used to seeing these days. There was a tinge of confusion and longing and interest that wasn't just purely sexual.
"What're we looking at?" Kenzi asked, sidling next to the succubus. She scanned the room again and found a possible target.
The Morrigan looked liked she was holding court with a few fae admirers circled around her and Kenzi squinted to see who else looked interesting to stare at.
And promptly choked when the Morrigan turned a little and she saw the back of her dress.
Jeez, with that dress, she actually felt self-conscious for the Morrigan.
Who, incidentally, only seemed to revel in peoples' "appreciation" for her gown.
If you can call filmy strips of fabric that didn't even cover your back, a gown, Kenzi thought.
She considered herself a person with a really great fashion sense, and her metabolism was such that she didn't have to worry about her figure even if her preferred diet was booze and pizza and Chinese take-outs, but this was another thing that really sucked about the fae: they were almost always freaking gorgeous.
Kenzi griped silently for a second before she turned back to the task at hand: Bo's sudden interest in the Morrigan.
Which was quite obvious now, in retrospect, but still didn't ring true. Bo could be a bit shallow like that (bless her succubus' heart) but that expression on her face was no way intended for the Morrigan.
"Bo-Bo, what's up?"
Bo finally snapped out of her daze and turned confusedly to Kenzi, "What? Kenz... I..."
And then someone else caught her attention and Kenzi really had to fight not to groan out loud. She should have known he would be invited too.
"Bo! How's my favorite succubus?"
Kenzi heard Dyson's slight growl behind her and knew that he had seen the loki's approach too, and he wasn't happy either.
However, they both had to grit their teeth in silence as Bo politely accepted his hug. "Ryan, how are you?"
"I'm good. Great, even. Busy, you know?" Ryan said, still grinning too much. He caught sight of the glowering Dyson behind them and turned to him. "Oh, hello Detective."
Dyson gave a short nod but Ryan was already turning to say hello to other people in their party until he came to Kenzi and paused.
His brow was furrowed in concentration. "I know you, I just, uh... Kelly? Oh, uh, Kitty, right?" He smiled his charming smile and Kenzi barely controlled the impulse to rake her nails on that stupid face.
Kitty? Seriously? Did she look like a Kitty? she grumped silently.
"It's Kenzi, actually." Bo corrected him, but Kenzi could see a tightness in her mouth that told her Bo was barely keeping her laughter inside.
"Oh, right, I knew that!" Ryan said, offering another charming, condescending smile. Kenzi was already moving forward to do violence on his face before she realized it and only stopped when she felt Hale's hand on her arm.
"Calm down, li'l mama!" he hissed quietly.
Kenzi huffed in frustration but before she could say anything, Bo had already moved on.
"Hey Ryan, who's that guy? The one talking to Vex."
Everyone turned to look at where she was pointing and Kenzi finally figured who had captured the succubus' attention.
The guy in question was an attractive blonde wearing tinted glasses. But apart from the slight cute-ness factor, she couldn't figure out what drew Bo's attention.
"Who? Oh, that's Aidan," Ryan said, sounding more genuinely excited. "I didn't know he was back."
"Aidan?" Kenzi couldn't help but ask.
Ryan turned to look at her again, looking confused. "You don't know him?"
"Lewis Aidan?" Trick suddenly asked, looking interested.
"Yeah."
At the name, everyone began to pay more attention to the man in question.
Of course, everyone had heard of that name but no one had actually seen him before.
No one from the Light Fae, that is.
"That's the Morrigan's husband?" Kenzi voiced out, her voice holding a tinge of disbelief. He really didn't look like much from this angle.
"He's not...!" Ryan began to explain, looking slightly alarmed.
"Kenz! I told you, it's not the same as a marriage bond. He's not her husband," Hale interrupted in exasperation. They have had this same conversation a couple of times before already.
"I really don't see the difference," Kenzi insisted, frowning.
"Well, they're master and servant, for one thing. Not equal partners," Val cut in, looking serious at the subject matter.
"Whatever," Kenzi muttered, seriously pouting now.
However, Bo was still on track. "He's back? What do you mean? The Morrigan really did hide him?"
Kenzi snapped out of her mood. She remembered now the controversy regarding that body servant thing. Everyone had acted like it was a big deal and then became suspicious because the Morrigan had refused to introduce her servant to the new Ash. Kenzi had been sure it was just a rumour that the Morrigan herself created to make a buzz, until someone did confirm seeing the servant and then everyone just lost interest after a while.
Although for a second there, when they found out the servant was human, they thought it was their runaway doctor but it turned out to be some guy instead.
This particular guy, apparently, Kenzi thought. And she wasn't the only one who was studying the man more closely.
"I don't think she was really hiding him, Evony is just not good with sharing," Ryan answered mildly, and then smiled, "He's actually a pretty cool guy. I've been to dinner with him a couple of times before."
"Hey," Tamsin said, finally joining in their conversation, "Is he... wearing a collar?" Her voice dipped in the end, her interest plain to everyone.
And while a collar was a bold choice for an accessory, what really surprised Kenzi was the fierce look of dislike that Bo shot the detective lady.
xxx
Lewis was indeed, wearing a collar.
It was a gag gift from Vex before he left on his trip. Because he had to hide his bond mark, the Morrigan had given him a necklace with her symbol on it, similar to the one she used to wear for the Ash. Vex had come up with the collar, with the tags bearing the symbol, and cheekily suggested that it was better "'cause it's blue, darling and matches your eyes perfectly.".
It did match his contacts and he figured, why not, while he was dressing up for this ball. At least, the anticipation of seeing Vex notice the use of his gift was distracting Lewis from the prospect of seeing Bo.
At that thought, his stomach did its twisty thing that made him want to throw up. But a large part of him was also very excited to see the succubus again. He remembered that time in the lobby, half a year ago, and knew that he had come a long way from then. The whole trip - the time and space apart - had been good for him.
He was ready now.
"What did I say? I knew it would look good on you!" Lewis suddenly heard from behind and turned around in time to catch the mesmer about to glomp him.
"Vex!" Lewis yelled out, not entirely displeased by the manhandling.
"How are ya, darling?" Vex asked cheerfully, after letting him go.
"I missed you badly, is that what you wanted to hear?" Lewis said, grinning back at him.
"Of course you did. Once you've had this," he gestured to his body, "you can never live without it again."
Lewis was about to comment that he never had Vex when Devlin muttered something beside him.
"More like, no one wants to live once they see that horror."
Unfortunately, Vex heard him and turned on the young man, frowning menacingly. "What was that? Did you say something, puppy?"
The abrupt shift of mood was still jarring but Lewis was more used to it by now and merely stepped between them. "He was joking, Vex."
"Not a very funny one," he said, still frowning at Devlin but allowing himself to be talked out of it.
Lewis shot Devlin a glare and thankfully, the wolf got the message and excused himself immediately.
"Don't know what the Morrigan thought, sending that with you. You'd have been safer with a brownie..." he muttered, still irritated.
Lewis tried to divert his attention. "Speaking of which, where is our lady?"
"Oh, she's still preparing, you know how it is, ladies and their primpin'. Not like us lads, eh?" he said, cheerful again, and winked badly at him.
At that, Lewis could only laugh with the mesmer. He realized that he had missed Vex.
The mesmer was such an interesting character to know once he stopped being afraid of him.
"By the way, I've been meaning to ask about the glasses," Vex said, gesturing to his tinted lenses. "Fashion statement?"
"I wanted to know that as well," came the silky, purring voice behind him.
Lewis turned around with a ready smile and flourished a respectful bow. "Mistress."
Beside him, Vex wouldn't be left behind and had also followed suit, with an even more exaggerated gesture. "My lady."
The Morrigan rolled her eyes at both of them and only stepped closer to Lewis, her hand hovering over his new glasses, until it gently cupped his cheek.
"Well?"
Lewis bowed his head, a little self conscious at the intense stare he was receiving from the two. "There was an accident from that last island. I, my eyes are a bit sensitive to light right now, but it's only temporary."
"Hmm," was the only thing the Morrigan said, although her hand lingered on his face for a few more seconds.
Lewis was about to say something when he suddenly felt it.
Someone was staring at him so intently that he could feel their gaze on him. And he thought he knew who it was.
He didn't realize he had stiffened up until he heard Vex's annoyed, "Oi!"
Lewis blinked and concentrated on his companions. Vex looked confused but the Morrigan was looking at him thoughtfully.
And then she smirked at him.
"Yes, she's here. I saw her arrive," she confirmed, enjoying the way he suddenly flushed and froze in place.
Lewis tried to gather his composure but only managed a pitiful "Uh... yeah?" that provoked a delighted, evil smile from the Morrigan.
"What're you...? Oh?" Vex cut himself off as he quickly realized what they were talking about. He had also begun to smile and Lewis cursed him inwardly. For all his craziness and unpredictability, the mesmer was actually very intelligent and Lewis feared the jokes coming his way. He didn't think he could handle that on top of the Bo situation.
"Not going to look?" the Morrigan asked teasingly. "She looks ravishing," she added, her eyes focusing on someone beyond Lewis' shoulder, darkening with lust.
His mind was suddenly assaulted with an image of Bo and the Morrigan together, and imagined himself joining them. Lewis was startled to hear himself accidentally groan at the sudden stimulation and shook his head fiercely to rid the thought. "Bad idea," he muttered.
Fortunately, no one noticed because they were now concentrating on the succubus somewhere behind him.
When Vex made as if to go to Bo, Lewis all but tackled him away. The mesmer though, treated it like sport, giggling merrily at him.
"Don't you dare, Vex!" Lewis growled, putting him on an arm lock position.
"Calm your tits, doc!" Vex said, panting a bit. "Just having a bit of a laugh, eh?"
"Vex, I'm serious," Lewis insisted, tightening his hold to make it uncomfortable. Of course the pervert only seemed to enjoy it more, judging by the way he was squirming on him.
"Oh, stop," the Morrigan interrupted, frowning at them now. "You're embarrassing me now."
Lewis let go instantly, accepting the mild rebuke, while Vex flashed his usual cocky smirk. He straightened his clothes and his hair for a second, fussing unnecessarily, before he turned a more serious face to him.
"Are you really not going to greet her?" he asked.
"What do you suggest, just walk up to her?" Lewis answered, bitterness and sorrow leaking out of his tone.
"Why not?" Vex said, shrugging. "Aren't you curious to see if she'll recognize you?"
Lewis thought about it for a second and felt conflicted, unsure if it would it be better if Bo recognized her or not.
"No," he finally said, shaking his head. "I can't do this here."
Vex had opened his mouth again but was cut off by the Morrigan, who stepped closer to Lewis, hooking his hand on her arm. "Well then, you still have to meet the new Ash. She's been so pushy, I promised to introduce you tonight just to shut her up."
"Ooh, this should be interestin' as well. Don't mind if I tag along, do ya?" Vex said, and without pausing to hear their answer, continued, "How long do you think this one'll last then? I already have a bet going on..."
xxx
Bo couldn't take her eyes off of Aidan.
There was just something so familiar about him.
Something that pulled at her.
She wanted to go to him right away and look closely, maybe even touch him, just to see what it was that made him stand out but people kept coming up to her, wanting to greet the "Champion". They were guests from far-off lands eager to engage the attention of the guest of honor. It was frustrating but Trick had already warned her earlier to play nice and be diplomatic.
So she tracked Aidan across the room, as he too made his way to greet the guests, dutifully escorting the Morrigan. She knew that they would probably be introduced later, and waited impatiently for the moment to come.
At some point though, they happened to be in the same area, separated only by a couple of yards between them, and Bo had been startled to see the face she was intently gazing at to be so close. Their eyes met for a few seconds and something inside of her suddenly clicked.
"Lauren?"
A/N2: Cliffhanger! As I said. But what the hey, I can't squeeze in their conversation in this, it's already nearing 4000 words. Headcanon, s3 Ash would be the woman runner up in the last Stag Hunt for the Ash position.