A/N: Gah. Finally finished this chapter. I just literally finished it 5 minutes ago but sent it out almost without beta. So I apologize in advance for the inevitable mistakes. I wanted to finish this 5 days ago but I was seriously distracted by the holidays. Also, there's been a lack of inspiration since I could only think of the new season airing on Sunday. It feels like, 'why bother writing a fic now when the real deal is coming soon?' Anyway, I apologize for the delay and thank you all again for your wonderful reviews.

So it seems like no one was really on Bo's side from the last chapter. Haha. :) That's too bad but I appreciate your thoughts. I forgive her selfishness because I always root for the person who gets left behind. No matter the reason for someone to leave - noble or just stupid - I always, always feel for the person who gets abandoned. With that said, Bo's attitude is going to turn around in this chapter.

So, go ahead and read all about it. Enjoy!

PS. Cliffhanger ending again. Another friendly warning. :)

Chapter 13

It had been two weeks since Bo came home that night with that devastated expression on her face. At first, Kenzi had panicked, thinking that something bad had happened to one of their friends - Trick maybe, or Dyson, to have affected Bo that much - but then she remembered that Bo had gone to see Lauren and then she just felt pissed.

She had tried to storm into Bo's room to ask what happened but to her surprise, she had been almost rudely turned away with a short, "I need some space right now, so don't bother me."

The morning after, Bo had apologized for her curtness and confirmed that she and Lauren had some intense words. Before Kenzi could offer to confront Lauren herself, Bo explained that no one was at fault and she needed to hear some hard things. At which point, Kenzi had shifted from protective mode to a pampering/commiserating one.

After that, Bo had continued to see the doctor every once in a while. She said that they were 'getting to know each other' - her best friend had been unusually tight-lipped about what went on these meetings - and Kenzi stayed away, just happy that the succubus wasn't coming home looking like someone had died. Although she was really curious about Lauren's situation herself, she hadn't wanted to crowd Bo with her attention too.

Until today, that was.

She had been attracted by shuffling noises up in Bo's bedroom and when she went to investigate, discovered that the succubus had covered her bed with clothes. She was apparently trying to make a choice and was having a hard time picking one.

"Bo?" Kenzi asked carefully, growing concerned by her friend's behaviour. Bo had always been confident with her looks and it was rare for her to be so self-conscious. In fact, she could barely remember when the succubus had been this flustered. Certainly not this year, Kenzi thought, until it finally occurred to her: that time when Bo was meeting Lauren at the bar, almost two years ago.

Kenzi felt a chill down her back and approached her best friend slowly. "What's up?" she asked, picking a shirt that had fallen on the floor. "Where are you going?"

Bo, who was still muttering in front of her mirror, finally gave her a distracted glance. "Hey, Kenz. Which one looks better? The blouse or the halter?"

Kenzi absently pointed to the halter and asked again. "Why are you so nervous? Who are you meeting?"

"Oh, Lewis, uh, sorry, Lauren is taking us out for dinner at the CN Tower. I've never been and I wasn't sure if there was a dress code..." Bo said, still half-talking to the mirror as she held the halter to her body.

"Is this a date?" Kenzi asked, deciding to just be blunt about it.

Bo whirled around to look at her properly. "What? No! Of course not!" She looked genuinely surprised too but then Kenzi caught a hint of guilt in her posture.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, Kenz. I'm sure." Bo said. There was a small, uncomfortable silence for a while as Kenzi pondered this before Bo broke it.

"She said she still loves me," her best friend confessed softly, seemingly unable to help herself.

Kenzi tried not to glare. "Bo-bo..."

"It's not like that, Kenzi. I... We're just friends right now, catching up properly on, you know, stuff."

"Right, and I should believe that, why?"

Bo deflated a bit and dropped the blouse she was still holding on the bed. "Because it's the truth. Lauren did say that but I've changed a lot this past year so... I don't know. It's not that I don't believe her but that's why we've been seeing each other right now. We're both trying to know each other properly. It would help us to confirm our feelings."

"What about Dyson?" Kenzi asked, feeling sorry for him, and Bo too.

Bo's shoulders slumped a bit more. "Dyson and I need to talk soon."

"You're breaking up." It wasn't a question.

Bo looked up to her with sad but determined eyes. "I think so. It's not fair to him." She hesitated and then added. "I haven't been fair to him."

Even if Kenzi wanted to defend her best friend, it would be difficult for this situation. Though it wasn't all Bo's fault - their very nature as wolf shifter and succubus worked against them too - she had observed the pair this last year and knew that Bo wasn't wrong.

At first, Dyson had just been so happy to have his 'love' again. Kenzi knew that he had held himself back with Bo, trying to slowly kindle their former feelings for each other. (Though part of Kenzi now doubted that it was all good intentions. He had probably felt a bit guilty for his part in Lauren's disappearance too.)

It hadn't been easy for them, but Dyson had been there for Bo despite all the changes that happened.

He had stood by her and never let her down. Even if he had been a jerk before by keeping what he knew about Lauren, she thought that he still deserved better than heartbreak.

But then again, Kenzi also knew that their relationship was from far perfect.

Even though Bo could control her darker urges better, she was still different from the Bo that Dyson had first met and eventually fell for. Kenzi knew that Dyson was trying to compromise on many things to make things work.

She remembered how possessive he had been, especially when they became "official". He had even tried to force himself to be Bo's only food source because he had been too jealous of the others. It hadn't worked of course - especially with Bo's bigger appetite these days - and although they have reached a working arrangement around that problem, she knew that it was still a issue.

There were other concerns, other things that Kenzi had noticed but chosen not to think about. They were all surfacing in her mind now and she wondered why she never said anything before about Bo and Dyson's relationship.

Maybe it was better this way, she thought, especially for Dyson. Instead of binding himself to a succubus and forcing himself to disregard her casual dalliances for feeding, he could find someone who will care for him and never look at another person again. And Bo could find someone who wouldn't hold her back and accept everything about her fully.

If they broke up now, they could save themselves from much bitterness in the future.

Kenzi sighed and looked at Bo sadly. "You really should talk." Then she offered her best friend a kind smile and said, "No matter what happens, I'll be here for you, Bo."

xxx

Bo's heart was heavy, even though she was on her way to meet Lewis now.

She had just been to see Dyson and as expected, the only result was heartache for both of them.

Dyson had been thoroughly unprepared with her breaking up with him. He thought she was joking at first and then became angry and bewildered when she kept on. It had been so hard for Bo to do that, to explain why she was suddenly ending things between them, especially since she couldn't mention Lauren's part in all of this.

Although Bo could admit that in some ways, it was probably easier that way too. She knew that they would have to talk about Lauren when everything came out, but for now, she had been able to concentrate on their problems without making the doctor a scapegoat to be blamed.

Bo knew that Dyson still hadn't fully accepted her decision and she expected that he would come back to protest or try to change her mind. There was no clean break for their kind of relationship, especially since she still wanted to remain friends, but part of her was just relieved that she had finally been able to face him.

She hadn't meant to use him and she loved him for being there for her - would probably always love him too, because in the end, he had been her real first: the first person to survive her kiss, her first lover that hadn't ended up dead the next morning, her first relationship - but somewhere along the way, that love had changed. Maybe if there hadn't been problems with the binding, if her inner queen bitch hadn't been awakened... maybe they would have made it worked then.

As it was, Bo thought that she had a better chance with Lauren this time.

The doctor was no longer purely the Lauren of before nor fully the Lewis that she was portraying these days, but an interesting mixture instead. Bo was surprised to find herself liking this 'hybrid' Lauren now.

She thought she would be weirded out at first, especially since Lauren was far from a man as she could be. Thin, delicate and quietly graceful, Bo had been hard pressed to imagine how that would translate to a "man".

But Lewis was able to pull off the disguise well. Instead of thin, he was more toned and slender; the delicacy was seemingly erased with just a simple change in the posture and walk, emphasizing in exchange, the cool aloofness that Lauren had possessed before. The grace was still there but there was something less... careful about it, less stiff. Bo often felt that there was a more relaxed air to Lewis that was missing from Lauren.

Still, everything about Lewis worked to portray an ordinary - albeit a beautiful-looking - man. Even his personality complimented his physique. He retained Lauren's calmness and soft-spoken ways, but he was also more free with his words and his thoughts. (One day, Bo was amused to discover that the reason Lewis felt a bit familiar to her was because of his resemblance to after-hours-Lauren.)

His personality also allowed her to be more free with hers, as she discovered one day.

They had gone out one day to a normal bar for drinks and Bo had underestimated her hunger. In the middle of their conversation, she had gotten a strong whiff of lust from a couple nearby and she couldn't help but look their way for a second, knowing her eyes had grown dark and dilated.

It was enough for Lewis to notice and he had abruptly stopped talking to look at her curiously.

Bo had been embarrassed by her reaction, her perceived lack of control, and tried to apologize immediately. Whenever this had happened when she was out with Dyson, she knew that the shifter always felt a little hurt and would hide it by trying to flirt with her, offering himself instead. She still knew, of course, he couldn't hide his feelings - or rather, his lack of enthusiasm - from a succubus like her. His half hearted teasing was always apparent and Bo had just learned to apologize and pretend that she was just distracted.

Lewis however only asked casually, "Hungry?"

Bo had been tempted to deny it but eventually owned up. She knew the dangers of ignoring her hunger. She expected Lewis to show the face that Lauren had whenever they discussed her feeding back then: a mixture of sadness and understanding, as if to say 'Logically, I know you need to feed but a small part of me wishes I could just be everything you need.' (It occurred to Bo now that it was a lot like the face Dyson showed these days.)

But Lewis had surprised her by merely saying, "Go ahead." and gestured to where the couple was now necking aggressively. When Bo hadn't moved in shock, Lewis looked at her in confusion, "It wouldn't take much time, would it? Just a quickie in the bathroom? And then we could still catch that movie. Or wouldn't that be enough? Do you need to go? I don't mind, we can reschedule anytime," he offered.

Bo's first reaction after the shock had been mild hurt that Lewis wasn't more possessive of her, before the relief caught up. Lewis was showing that he accepted this side of her and although she had been a bit disappointed by the lack of drama, she eagerly accepted the suggestion.

Later, on their way to the cinema, Bo had asked if her feeding had bothered him.

He had been silent for a while, and looked like he was seriously giving it some thought.

Finally, he said, "No, it didn't bother me. Well, maybe a bit but only for the fact that we might have missed the movie."

"Why not?" Bo had been genuinely curious.

He had fallen silent again before he carefully began. "It's... I'm not really bothered about your feeding habits, Bo. I understand it and frankly, on a biological standpoint, I know more about it than you do. That said, as long as I think of it that way, as a biological imperative, I have no problem with it." He had glanced at her then. "I know that it's probably weird giving you permission to basically have threesome sex with other strangers on our uh, outing, and maybe you expected me to protest but... I don't know." Lewis had looked a little wary and Bo had unconsciously braced herself for his next words.

"In my mind, I think I've drawn a line; a boundary against your succubus nature. That's your thing, something about yourself that you can't change and I won't interfere with. On my side, there's another line about being with the Dark Fae, something I can't change and out of bounds to you." He had offered her a sheepish grin at that, trying to break the sudden heavy atmosphere that appeared by his mention of the Dark Fae. "Besides, I think even back then I didn't really mind it that much. My issues were mostly about me than you. I was... very insecure - being a slave of the Ash, keeping Nadia secret - half the time I didn't think I was worthy of your attention." When Bo made as if to protest, Lewis waved her off. "I don't feel that way anymore, Bo, so don't worry about it. As for my issues with you, well, I just didn't like Dyson in general and resented that he was your go-to hookup." He had paused and then with a mischievous smile added, "And while it was a legitimate healing-injury-sex, it was just somewhat tacky of you to have screaming orgasms with his pack mate, when you knew all of us could hear downstairs."

Bo had found herself unexpectedly blushing at that sudden reminder of Caden and hurriedly tried to change the subject.

Still, when she got home that evening, she had reviewed the evening and felt that sense of relief again. It had been freeing to not have to deal with resentment over her feeding. Even before she and Dyson had gotten together, she had already made peace with her succubus nature and no longer felt guilty about feeding. She had been able to divorce her feelings with the actual act, but that all changed once she found herself in a relationship. She knew that Dyson had tried not to be jealous but it was in his nature to be possessive and monogamous, and she tried to lighten up that strain in his psyche by hiding her nature.

She was glad that she didn't have to resort to that with Lewis.

Bo shook herself out of her musings and hurried to her meeting. Lewis had just informed her that there was another murder victim. Since Dyson hadn't mentioned it, she thought that this one was probably Dark Fae - the two groups still refused to share information unless forced to - and she wondered how it would tie to the recent string of unsolved murder cases in the city.

xxx

Lewis trudged to the penthouse and opened the keypad lock automatically.

She was waiting for him in the living room, lounging on her armchair, and had already changed in her night wear. Tonight, he barely noticed that abundant flesh on display, only feeling exhausted after a trying day.

"Hey, here's the report you ordered," he said, passing the Morrigan a folder before moving to her mini bar to help himself with some scotch. He sat on the couch and watched as she read silently for a few minutes, answering whenever she needed some clarification.

When she was finally done, she put the folder on the centre table and leaned back to look at him properly. She gave the distinct impression of a queen on her throne about to pass judgement on a peasant. He gave her a curious glance back, wondering what put that look in her eye, before she broke the silence.

"I've been hearing some rumours," she began, her voice soft and seductive and Lewis tensed, suddenly wary.

"Oh yeah?" he said, just to prompt her.

"Hmm," she gave him a small smile. "About you meeting with our favorite succubus." Her voice turned darker. "I suspect you already told her everything even though I ordered you not to?"

"Of course you knew," Lewis muttered before smiling back ruefully and said in his normal voice, "Ah. Would it help if I told you that I was seducing her to join us?"

The Morrigan gave a small, appreciative laugh then. "I doubt that's true." She gave him a mildly threatening glance, "Although you did disobey me, I'll let it go this once. It's clear she's keeping the secret to herself for now anyway."

Lewis sighed quietly in relief but noticed that she was still looking at him in that calculating way.

"Your interaction with the succubus is actually a good thing."

"It is?" Lewis could probably deduce the reason why himself but he was just too tired to think like his mistress right now.

"It will ensure that she will never fully align herself with the Light," the Morrigan said, looking pleased. "Assuming of course, that her affections for you would remain. Right now, all her intimate friends are Light Fae which has made her partial to them. Your being here would be act as an equalizer."

At that, Lewis sighed and finished off his drink in two swallows. "Don't be so sure," he muttered again.

"What is it?" the Morrigan asked, hearing him. She looked slightly concerned now. "Why do you look like that, anyway? Don't tell me you've broken up already?" her voice managed to be both irritated and amused.

Lewis gestured to the folder on the table. "You read my report, can't you guess?"

It was about the fourth and newest murder from the string of seemingly unrelated murder cases these past two weeks. The first one had been that half-melted Light Fae, followed by a Dark Fae with a slit throat and then another Light Fae that had died from multiple cuts. No one until now had tried to connect the murders - especially since the Light didn't even know about that dead Dark Fae - but Bo finally had the idea that they were all related, seeing the full picture from Lewis' information.

The latest victim was melted like the first one and while they had been examining the body, Bo had made a surprising comment that floored Lewis.

"Oh, I remember now why this looks so familiar," Bo had said, grimacing at the body sludge on the floor. She had glanced at him then and her eyes became serious. "I saw a redcap turn into this when the Morrigan used her power on him."

He had been speechless for a couple of seconds.

"I saw it. Bo suspects me." The Morrigan's voice cut through his thoughts. He noticed that she didn't seem affected by the accusation.

"The two Light Fae victims are a mystery but then I looked into it and both Dark Fae victims were political rival families," he insisted.

"Don't be stupid," she sneered. "What do I gain from killing these people? And with my signature move too? It's either a coincidence or someone is setting me up." Her face turned dark at that last one and she fell silent for a short while as she contemplated it. "I'm almost sure it's not Vex this time," she murmured to Lewis' silent amusement. The relationship between Evony and Vex would forever baffle and entertain him.

But he snapped out of it as he remembered the danger they were in.

"Even if it wasn't you, the mere rumour would hurt you."

She looked irritated at that. "Then be sure to clear my name soon. You still don't have any leads?"

Lewis shook his head. "Actually, I was thinking maybe I should take myself out of the investigation. If you're implicated then it wouldn't look good if I was handling the evidence, right?"

"No, there's no need. "The Morrigan appeared to consider something for a moment and then said, "You said something earlier... has Bo turned away from you already?"

Lewis slumped on the couch. "No." He sighed. "No, she's actually... she was okay about it. Calm and rational and not like Bo at all."

"Then why are you crying like that?" the Morrigan asked in a curious tone.

Lewis hand shot up to his face and felt his wet cheeks. He didn't even realize when he started crying. Slowly, he leaned his body forward, elbows on his knees and hid his eyes in his hands. "I... I don't know. I'm just tired. I thought that we'll have a better chance this time, that maybe things would work out with Bo. We've both changed so I thought we could start again. But this, it feels like nothing has changed after all." He took a quick glance at her before turning back to his hands. "Even if you had done this, I would still defend you, stay with you. I took that oath faithfully and I won't back down from it. And I knew that Bo and I wouldn't be able to stay on the same side forever but... I never thought it would feel this painful."

Lewis was startled to feel three awkward pats on the top of his head and heard a stilted, "There, there."

He looked up to see the Morrigan looking discomfited. When she saw him staring, her face shifted to its usual amused haughtiness expression. She sniffed disdainfully. "Don't be so melodramatic, you'll be fine." She began to walk away and turned around just as she reached a corner. "Get out of my house and don't forget to lock the door."

Lewis smiled when she was gone. Somehow he suddenly felt better. He knew that the Morrigan could have easily pretended to feign concern but what he got instead was that was uncomfortable yet genuine action. It warmed his heart and managed to reassure him as no ordinary consolation would have.

xxx

Lewis was walking to the car park when he felt the painful blow to his head. He only had time to think a startled, What the?! before he fainted and knew no more.

A/N2: Hamfisted attempt in breaking up Dyson/Bo, I know. But I also tried to make it more fair to Dyson. Even though I think he's a jerk to Lauren, he treats Bo well enough so I gave him some slack.

And why I can't I write Doccubus without them talking about heavy things? There's just so much issue between those two but I'm a bit glad because there's also lots of delicious angst.

Lastly, the Morrigan's part was minimal but I hope you still enjoyed her reappearance.