Disclaimer: Lost Girl belongs to Showcase or SYFY and I am only playing in their universe.
A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews, reads and follows – I wish you all the best in 2014 - Happy New Year!
Pulling the phone out of her pocket Bo froze at the message before her. A picture of Lauren was displayed and the words. "Having a tough time right now. It would be nice to hear from you. I could really use your help."
The succubus was too stunned to move, too stunned to breath for a moment. It didn't go unnoticed by others in the bar. Dyson nodded at her as if checking that things were okay. As hard as it was, Bo quickly changed the screen and fought to put some type of reasonable expression on her face. She stammered out, "Crazy message must be a wrong number, I'll check back later." The wolf then narrowed his eyes as if knowing that the succubus had just lied to him. Bo knew he was about to call her on it but Tamsin and Trick walked out with coffee and breakfast plates so she was spared the grilling.
Placing the plates on the bar, the foursome dug in. Tamsin had just returned from Valhalla. If it hadn't been for Trick's offer to the Norse god Tamsin would never have made it back in such record time or for that matter made it back at all. As Trick had predicted the valkyrie was not in Odin's good books. The weakness she showed in falling for the master vampires tricks had disappointed the god and made him question Tamsin's loyalty. Odin broke her ties to the dark fae immediately, calling them a threat and a distraction. He then put Tamsin through a harsh set of trials, both physical and mental, to test her remaining valkyrie skills before he would even deem her worthy to talk to.
She told Dyson that Odin really didn't think she would survive and when she did it was a surprise to both of them. "You had a good reason to survive," the wolf had said with a light in his eyes. Tamsin's raised an eyebrow and replied, "Ya, I just might have had." Her trip away had not lessened the feelings growing between the two.
Odin was more than pleased when she told him of Trick's deal of forgiving debts to return her to Earth quickly and unharmed, but he was upset that she would choose to stay on Earth instead of in Valhalla. "It is only that there is honor in meeting one's debts that I do this, but your early return will have its cost." The cruel grin of the god was enough to make Tamsin drop to a knee. "I return you to the little blood king as is, renewing your life cycle but not your powers. Instead it will take at least one hundred years for your powers to regenerate as you will be on Earth and not in your rightful place here with me. Your gifts as a full-fledged valkyrie will return slowly over that time. I force you to live amongst the others, away from your home, until the time when you are powerful enough to return to your duties. He turned his back and she was thrown from Valhalla to land in a heap in the parking lot of the Dahl.
Upon Tamsin's return, Trick had taken her under his wing. Pleased that the dark fae did not have a hold on her anymore, he was even more pleased that Dyson had turned his attentions to Tamsin and away from his granddaughter. The valkyrie was eager to please the barkeep as he had helped her. Like Dyson she would make for a powerful tool in his arsenal, another excellent solider for him to rely on. Tamsin, unlike Bo, had the understanding of a fae's proper place in the order of things. Bo still needed some work in that department. He had been far too lenient with his granddaughter. It was time he took a more active role in the education of his only remaining family. Perhaps Bo would be wed to an appropriate fae and in time birth a son to become his heir.
Trick grumbled thoughts to himself as he ate. Bo was the granddaughter of the blood king. She had passed her dawning year early which spoke to her power. For someone so untrained in the ways of her culture his granddaughter had a knack for surviving the impossible. Bo had mostly recovered from the vampire ordeal she had been through. Better yet, she was finally free of her ill-chosen romantic attachments. If Trick surrounded Bo with right type of fae he could begin to groom her for a higher role in fae politics. Of course she would not cooperate at first but he was not about to give up.
Bo bolted down her food, so much for her celebratory breakfast. She stood to excuse herself to the restroom, as she left she did not see Tamsin following behind her. Bo was hitting buttons madly on her phone as she leaned against the far wall of the restroom. Her head snapped up when the blonde pushed the door open. "What you have a hot date or something?" said Tamsin as she moved to the mirror and was a little shocked at the look that crossed Bo's face in the reflection. "That was just a guess. Are you okay?"
This was the first time the two women had been alone since Taft's compound. Narrowing her eyes, Bo said, "Yeah I am just peachy, all good after a few months at the hands of your friend the Wanderer." Tamsin flinched at the name and at her role in Bo's abduction. Bo saw the pain and regret in the valkyrie's eyes and shook her head at the hurt puppy dog look on the woman's face, "Damn it Tamsin, I know you were being forced to do the vamps dirty work but you have to understand I have a right to hold a grudge here. We played nice at Taft's place after you attacked me and you sort of saved Dyson with your valkyrie powers for which I am thankful but the friend thing is going to take a while to repair. It will get there but give me some time, okay."
Tamsin regained her normal tough demeanor and held up her hands, "Fair enough." She looked at the phone in Bo's hands. "Look, not at a friend level yet, but I notice that you were hitting buttons on your phone hard enough to break the damn thing. What's the problem?"
"Nothing a phone trace and an airline ticket wouldn't solve." growled Bo.
"If you would give me your phone I could…" Tamsin stopped as Bo shot her a look that would melt metal. "Or I could give you the equivalency of an airline ticket." Bo put her hands on her hips as if running out of patience. Tamsin cleared her throat and continued, "Look on my trip home I was put through a series of trials. I may not have returned all the testing materials after I finished. I grabbed a hold of a handful of these little goodies." The tall blonde held up a nondescript old coin. Seeing doubt cross Bo's face, Tamsin said, "It's called a jump coin. Good for a one way trip to an exact destination. It's a trick we valkyrie use to move when our wings are not available. Injury or curse or whatever…" There was a look of sadness on the blonde's face and Bo knew that wings were something Tamsin would have to earn back over time. It made her offer of the coin a real gesture.
"I don't want to take your…" Bo said quickly but was cut off.
Rolling her eyes, Tamsin interrupted, "It's the least I can do. I have a handful." Bo knew a handful over a hundred years made them very valuable to someone accustom to taking flight at any time. "Besides I know that Lauren is the only one that makes you crazy like this. You can't ask Trick or any other fae for help." Bo looked so alarmed that Tamsin had figured out what had her so agitated, the valkyrie had to place a hand on the succubus's arm to steady her.
"Look," said Tamsin, "I am not saying a word, not even to Dyson who would like to help the good doctor. Odin says it is honorable to pay ones debts. Put this towards my bill." She placed the old coin in Bo's palm. "Just speak to the coin, tell it exactly where you want to go and you will be there. The coin will disappear upon your arrival so it is a one way trip. Simple as that." Tamsin folded Bo's fingers over and then squeezed her hand and left the restroom.
Bo opened her hand and looked at the coin, "Now where the hell are you Lauren. Just where in the hell are you?" Placing the coin in her pants pocket she rejoined her friends at breakfast.
xxxxXXXXXxxxxx
The pickup pulled into the Fort and moved straight to work area at the back of the hut. Being the landlords, Lila and the Colonel both had keys to all parts of the property. They opened the side door and got the garage doors open. The truck hauling the injured backed into the bay and Lauren was pulled out and placed gently on the pristine shop table. Kenzi was directed to a chair covered in blankets that were in the supplies of the various trucks.
"What is going on?" Kenzi was becoming more lucid and Lila moved to her fast. It would be best if she saw a friendly face. "Lila, what are you doing here?" the girl questioned in a weak voice and she winced and grabbed for her shoulder.
"Kenzi, you have been in an accident." Lila said as calmly as possible, "You are back at the Fort."
Moaning with distress, Kenzi said, "The vampires were here. I was on their trail." Lila pulled in her breath fast. Before the older woman could say anything Kenzi shouted, "I think others are hurt." Pulling away with surprising strength she was up and stumbling forward catching Lila off guard. Kenzi spun around and then bumped into Cappy who was working on Lauren. As the big man pulled back, Kenzi got a good look at Lauren on the table. "Lauren!" Kenzi yelled and she shot forward fighting to get to her friend. "God, Lauren what the hell happened?"
"Get her out of here." yelled Cappy and pushed Kenzi firmly into the hands of Lila. "Lew's in a bad way. I am doing what I can, but I need better supplies if I'm going to save her."
"In here," said Gunner who had just entered to workspace. He nodded to the Colonel as he passed and the old man turned and walked out toward the truck and the body of his best friend. Gunner continued through the workshop and ran to the far end. He pulled the first aid box from the wall. Cappy was about to say that Band-Aids weren't going to be enough when the young metal worker hit a switch that had been hidden behind the simple first aid supplies. A section of the wall popped out and with a tug a huge cabinet opened showing supplies that would rival just about any emergency clinic.
"What is all this?" asked Cook but Cappy just let out a whoop and pushed the man to the side as he grabbed for all he needed. Gunner walked to Kenzi and took her in his arms. They all just watched as their friend struggled to survive the beating she had taken.
"Cook, we need to talk." said Lila with ice in her voice. "Gunner take Kenzi to Lew…Lauren's apartment and wait for us, Please." The big man walked to the older woman, he had concern written all over his face.
"NO!" yelled Kenzi, the sight of Lauren had her more focused. Lila was not about to be argued with, she had already lost a dear friend and by the looks of Lauren she might just lose another. She was about to let Kenzi know her feelings when the girl's phone rang. Kenzi pulled out of Gunner's grip and grabbed for it, only one person knew the number to her phone. "Bo? Bo is that you?"
Bo had just pulled into the driveway of the shack and was walking inside when she made the call. Lauren's message had her shook up and Kenzi was the only one to talk to about it. The sounds of her hysterical friend stopped her in her tracks. "Kenzi are you okay? What is happening? Are you in danger?"
"Bo, thank god, it's Lauren. I need you…" Kenzi was now crying and there were shouts in the background. A deep voice shouted, "I think she has stopped breathing."
"Kenzi, where are you. Tell me now." said Bo with the calm voice of someone on the verge of losing it.
With a bit of a pause, Kenzi said, "I'm at the Fort, north of Red Valley. I'm in a workshop." It was the best she could do.
"Hold on I'm coming." said Bo in a panic as she hung up. Reaching into her pocket she grabbed the coin that Tamsin gave her. Did she dare trust the blonde, last time she had ended up the victim of three months of torture at the hands of a master vampire. There was no choice. With a loud clear voice Bo said, "the Fort, north of Red Valley, in the workshop." It was all she had to go on, she hoped there was only one location in the world that fit that description. Bo stood still there was nothing happening. "Tamsin if you…." The blast of icy bitter cold air made Bo yell aloud, next she stood in a workshop looking at a scene of chaos.
"Come on Lew, you just have to try. You can do it. Breath." a gruff voice was growling as he was moving in to start rescue breathing on a body again. Bo let out a strangled scream as she saw it was Lauren lying on the table. The sound made everyone jump. Lila slapped a hand to Cook's chest as he made a sudden motion forward. The hand on his body stopped him but it was more of her protecting him than halting his attack on Bo.
"Get back," growled Bo. Her eyes were bright blue and she was in full blown succubus mode. Pushing her way past the large man at the table side she leaned over the body of her lover and said, "You will not die." She pushed chi into Lauren and moments later the doctor made a ragged gasping sound and took in a breath. Bo stepped back with a stagger her eyes fading back to her normal deep brown. She turned and said, "Help her." The others still shaken by her sudden appearance stepped up to resume their places.
Kenzi yelled and twisted out of Gunner's arms, "Bo!" she held her hands out and ran to her friend. It was like her prayers had been answered. Bo pulled her best friend tightly to her, but her eyes were only for Lauren. Gunner watched Kenzi and the other woman and then looked to his grandmother. Lila was very still as she watched Kenzi embrace this fae who had just appeared out of thin air. The strong feelings drifting off the women would only add to Lila's power. Gunner knew is grandmother had no real power on her own but presented with this type of energy to work with she could be very dangerous. Seeing the peril they all were in he held hands up towards his grandmother and stepped between her and the two women. His sudden appearance between her and her target broke her train of thought. She shot the younger man a harsh looked.
"Take them to the apartment, now." Lila said, and the tone was so threatening everyone shuttered. This time she did not stop Cook as he moved forward.
Bo was going to argue but Cappy turned away from the table and said, "She did it!" his hopeful voice stopped everyone and instantly changed the atmosphere of the room. The large man brushed is mustache and grinned, "Well succubus, don't know how you got here, but you couldn't have arrived at a better time. Lew is now breathing on her own again. The extra chi energy you gave her system was just enough to help it get going again. We'll leave her here to rest while the drugs do their job. I will watch her. If I had known she had a connection with the fae this all could have been much easier. Lady you saved her life."
Walking to Kenzi, he bent down and took a long look in her eyes. "You, little one, got your bell rung pretty hard. She has a slight concussion and a badly bruised shoulder," he looked to Bo and Gunner as he made the diagnosis, "Don't let her sleep for more than an hour without waking her up and put some ice on the shoulder, on ten off ten for a good two hours." He turned to Lila and met the pain and fear in her eyes with his own, "Don't fry them Miss Lila, we all knew Lew was up to her eyeballs in something. We just didn't figure it was fae and vampires. She has more in common with us then we could have possibly known. Go talk nice with these two and figure out what's going on." After a pause he said, "I will get Roger cleaned up too." The man finished his statement quietly. It was still unbelievable that they had loss another friend to the hands of the vampires after all these years. It took a moment then everyone began to move to follow the man's suggestions. Sometimes one voice of reason is just enough.
"Good plan Cappy," said the Colonel as he had just reentered the space and found tension filled scene. He was carrying Roger and gently placed his body down on a second table. After a silent moment he turned back to the group. With a curt hand wave he motioned everyone towards the door. He stopped and extended an arm to Lila and she took it with such a look of appreciation in her eyes. The Colonel pulled her arm up and to his chest, she was forced to move against him, where she placed her head on his shoulder. The older man placed his other hand on her waist. It was the tender gesture that allowed his wife to relax. Lila's tears began to flow. After several moments she kissed his cheek and he released her, still clutching his arm the couple followed Cook, Gunner and the two women down the short hall. As they entered the living room it was not really a surprise that Bo and Cook were nose to nose in the middle of the room. Gunner had Kenzi behind him and the room was deadly silent.
"Young lady you are a guest here and not showing the proper respect to your host. Cook you want to stand down or do I kick your ass?" growled the Colonel as he led Lila into the room. The idea of the old man kicking anyone's ass was amusing but Cook leaned back and then turned to find a seat at the kitchen table. Bo was going to say something entirely inappropriate but finding Kenzi shaking her head as she peeked around a worried looking handsome young man, she bit her tongue and located a chair far away from the large man named Cook.
Once seated there was an uncomfortable silence and Kenzi found she could not take it anymore. "So this is my best friend Bo." There were slight nods from the other in the room. "She and Lauren know each other…" Kenzi added trying to help. Again there was nothing more than nods.
Gunner spoke up, "These are my grandparents, the Colonel and Lila." This time it was Bo that tilted her head. Trying for a positive approach, "This big guy is Cook." Gunner smiled and then lost his enthusiasm as both parties exchanged snarls. There was more silence.
"Fine," said Kenzi throwing her hands up and then winced at the pain in her shoulder. "My name is Kenzi and I am a vampire hunter vowed to kill the remaining members of the swarm of the Wanderer. Bo is a super powerful succubus, granddaughter of Trick and still my best friend. Lauren is her long lost lover and the number one enemy of the fae wanted for murder and making hybrids of fae and humans. Lauren told Bo she doesn't want to be together anymore they are on a break and …" She fell back as the shouting over powered the rest of her confession. Bo was yelling at Kenzi to stop, Gunner was yelling at Bo for yelling at Kenzi. The Colonel was yelled at Gunner from raising his voice to a lady.
The sound of booming laughter stilled the angry voices as Cook was roaring at the table. Everyone turned to look at the man red faced with tears streaking his face. "Roger, by God, he would have been mightily pleased right now." He stood and the others watched as he grabbed a bottle from the shelf. Cook recognized it as brew from his very own still that he had shared with Lauren. With big hands, he grabbed a set of paper cups from the sink. He poured a shot for each person. He eyed Lila who agreed to a very small amount.
"Kenzi girl, you are a straight shooter. Our communication's officer would have appreciated the ring of your voice as he rarely heard one with such a need to speak plainly. May we all remember him and the importance of the truth as you have so boldly reminded us. By the sounds of it the truth is a thing we all have long forgotten. To Rohan of clan McGerren, Elfen and friend to all. His death was not in vain as he was a soldier to the last. His life will be remembered by us all." The glasses came together and they all downed the surprisingly smooth alcohol. It went unsaid that this was the crew's farewell to their friend. The room became heavy with memory. The gift and curse of living for hundreds of years was how many friends came and went in that lifetime. In private they all would make time to mourn in their own way, it was something that they all had way too much practice at.
Thinking the moment was over Kenzi moved back but Cook reached out fast and grabbed her hand and held it tightly. Bo tensed but Gunner smiled and let the succubus know it was okay. Cook held the bottle out and Kenzi moved her cup so he could pour another shot. With his own cup filled too he said with tears still falling, "Kenzi girl, I claim you as a crew member. We have lost and gained a friend today." He downed the drink and so did Kenzi.
They all settled back and the uncomfortable silence was falling again. Lila spoke up, "As you have put together by now, we know of the fae..." noticing the unhappy look on Cook's face she amended her statement, "I meant that we are fae, mostly." Seeing Bo and Kenzi's faces she said quickly, "No, Lauren didn't know." After years and years of hiding Lila found this was more difficult than she thought. "We are what remain of a fae military post that was established during the vampire fae war some five hundred years ago." There was a look that passed around the crew members as if there was more to the story.
Feeling empowered from Cook's statement Kenzi said, "What aren't you telling us?" Cook smiled broadly and said, "That's my girl," as he poured himself another glass of his brew.
The Colonel took over, "We are here under exile, some might even call us outlaws. We, as you described Lew, are enemy of the fae. We disagreed with the vampire fae accords, and because of that we were considered a threat to the peace process. The council left us here on our own to face any vampire threat.
"You were cut loose or sacrificed to the enemy so the council could sign their treaties." growled Bo. "Sounds so much like fae politics even now. Are you light or dark fae?" She asked.
"Neither, we are military only. Our unit was not required to pick a side as the need for numbers was too great for the elders to be picky. It was also not required because we weren't supposed to live long enough to matter. Most of our number would now be considered under fae by what Gunner tells us. He is the only one free to travel where he pleases. The Colonel's shared glamor charm accounts for our human like looks." said Cook.
He rolled his head to the side and then hunched his shoulder's. Kenzi and Bo's eyes widened at his change in appearance. His overall size did not change but his skin became thick and scaled. Unlike the scales on a reptile, Cook's epidermis was more like plates of stone. He grinned and growled, short thick spikes grew along his backbone and the back of his arms. "Stoneling," said Cook, "Good in a vampire fight, hard to get blood from a stone." He laughed that booming laugh.
With a sigh at the old joke, the Colonel stood and released his glamor and the old man disappeared and a distinguished elfish being stood before them. His presence oozed power. "I am a Gremlin lord." Looking at Kenzi with a smile he said, "And yes you can feed me after midnight." She gapped then giggled at his reading of her mind.
The lightly green tinted man held a hand out to Lila who rose and then with the simplest of changes made herself just more of what she presented the world. "I am a Cupid." Bo felt her heart flutter and Lila raised an eyebrow and shot a smile towards the succubus. Kenzi elbowed Bo, "As if." Lila let out a soft laugh and Kenzi straightened forcing herself not to turn back to the woman and stare. Instead Kenzi made herself and Bo look at Gunner. The guy just held out is hands. "I am what I am." Lila grinned but she had toned down her appeal and added in a more grandmotherly tone, "Our Gunner is half human and half fae. Our daughter and son in law were killed long ago and he joined us after their death." She placed a hand on the Colonel's arm as the memories still hurt.
"I get metal working from the Colonel and my mother, long life and my looks are all Grandma's cupid genes. The rest is all human like my dad." He smiled that great smile and wiggled his eyebrows. Lila giggled.
There was a deep bark and a huge dog walked into the room. He sat himself at Kenzi's feet. He turned to look her, she took in the soft brown eyes. He growled deep and then let out a bark and whimper as if he was telling her something, then he placed his head on Kenzi's knee and sighed, "Easy their big guy, what the hell are you a dog or a horse?" She began petting his neck and the dog leaned in close and closed his eyes.
The crew looked at the dog and the human. All of them laughed, sad for his loss but relieved that the dog was not choosing to fade, "Roger will rest easier now that the General has found a new caregiver." said the Colonel." Kenzi looked at the dog's head and then up to the fae talking to her. "New caregiver?" she thought.
Cook added, "General is a battle hound, a fae beast. In the years of the vampire wars his kind was teamed with power troops and scouts. Normally when their caregivers pass the beast will pass too. General did not fade when he lost his previous caregivers, too stubborn I guess. He had not claimed anyone since we have known him but Roger was his keeper for the time he has been with us. I guess they would have been called friends above anything else. The beast has now claimed you little vampire hunter." Kenzi thought about refusing to take care of the huge animal but the big dog's eyes looked sad. "Oh hell," thought the girl and tried to figure out what she was going to do with a dog the size of a small horse.
Pouring himself another glass of his finest, Cook looked from the dog and Kenzi to stare at Bo. The woman was nothing if not intense. He felt that she was a kindred spirit, all hard on the outside and a big softie inside, although he would never tell her that. As if feeling his gaze, she turned and met his eyes with a challenge of her own. Cook grinned, "You're a fighter. I like that. I claim you as part of the crew. Lew goes without saying but to make it official I claim her for the crew too. It will be fun to see you two tangle." He downed two cups of alcohol and looked around. If anyone else joined the group the Stoneling would be passed out. Lila frowned and took the bottle away from the big man.
There was the sound of heavy footsteps and Cappy came into the room. He looked at everyone in their true forms, "So we are out of the closet. Thank god." said the group's shaman and with a flash took the form of a Wildman like being with the same huge mustache as his human form. He stood bare chested and in leather pants. His arms were adorned with beautiful patterned tattoos. A powerful being but he was difficult to look at as his eyes were entirely pale blue. "Lew or is it Lauren, let's just call her Lauren. She is awake and showing signs of improving.
Succubus she could use another shot of chi if you are feeling up to it. Lila she could use you too. If our true identities are out then as Lauren sleeps I will speed her recovery using the power you both share mixed with a few of my remedies." Seeing the hesitation across Bo's face he was puzzled. He added, "And Colonel we need to close down the bar tonight. A planning session is needed, it was more than vampire that found Roger I'm afraid.
Lila turned and said, "Lauren is in no shape to accept us as fae. She fears the fae now and we shouldn't scare her. Faces please." The glamor returned and the group of senior citizens that surrounded Bo and Kenzi smiled at each other.
"That is very impressive." said Bo and she meant it. As they switched even their auras became humanlike. She looked at Lila and held out a hand towards the door, "Shall we." The cupid smiled and nodded as she walked out the door. Bo followed and Kenzi was hot on their trail when the Colonel stopped her.
"Now, now recruit, you have other duties." He smiled and looked at the rest. "Gunner, you and Kenzi close up the front and the Fort itself. Put up a closed just for today sign, no need to make everyone freak out. Tuesdays are slow anyway. Cappy you have medic duty, Cook and I will check the perimeter and the wreck site. We will all need to check in at our homes to pick up supplies and then get back here before night, go in shifts and not alone. Off with you."
Lila and Bo made their way down the hallway. Bo was more than a little afraid and Lila knew it. The older woman said, "Bo what is wrong. The waves of concern coming off you are almost overpowering me." Bo stopped and looked the woman in the eye and gave a grim look.
"I haven't been around Lauren for a long time. The last time I saw her I got the impression that her feelings for me were long gone. Our relationship was … it was… oh hell it was just complicated and difficult. Look, I don't know you and I crashed the party to help Kenzi and…"
"Help Kenzi! That is why you are here?" the woman rolled her eyes at the obvious half-truth. "Bo, are you worried that Lauren doesn't care for you? Is that the problem?" asked Lila.
"That and I haven't been feeding properly. I had a run in with a… strong foe and I can give chi but if I lose control." Lila had the funniest look of disbelief on her face. Bo rushed on "If the succubus kicks in and I begin to feed I could hurt her." Lila placed a hand on Bo's arm and looked deeply into her eyes. "What are you doing?" Bo asked finally.
A tender smile touched the woman's lips, "Oh my dear, we have so much to talk about." It was so mothering, the tone of the woman's voice. Bo was startled. "You and Lauren, my my, you are both so messed up. The gods must have seen my need for a challenge, first her and now you. Okay, I accept." Bo was now looking at her totally confused. With a gleam in her eye Lila said, "You stay here. I will play grade school in-between and see if Lauren likes you." The woman giggled and it was totally a cupid fae sound as she walked away.
Lauren was covered with the blankets and had two IV's in her arm. She was black and blue from head to toe. Her face was slightly swollen and her ribs had been wrapped showing that one or two might be bruised or broken. Lila fought her anger and pain at seeing her friend this way. What caught her most was Lauren was crying ever so softly. Lila rushed to her side, "Lauren my dear girl, we are here. You are not alone. Don't be scared." She went to touch her friend but found there was not a spot that was not injured. Lila then caught her breath as Lauren reached out and grabbed her hand despite the pain it caused her.
With a rushed ragged whisper Lauren said, "I am so sorry about Roger. I tried but there was poison. This will sound crazy, but it was a vampire attack. Are you okay? Kenzi, is she okay? I need to get you help. Some protection from these things who are after me." Lauren struggled to get up but fell back in pain. Lila wanted to cry out. It was so like Lauren to worry about someone else, even now as injured as she was.
"You were there for Roger. We all thank you for that. You saved Kenzi by being there for her too." Lila saw the strain in Lauren's face and knew the pain of her injuries had started to flare again from her sudden movement. Lila began to stroke her hair and spoke softly, "My dearest girl, I need you to relax and let your body heal." Lauren swore she could feel warmth hitting her body from the woman's words. Lila smiled, "That's it. Now think of wonderful things and let your mind go there. What do you love and care about? Think of those things." Lauren let out a soft sigh. It was as if the words were dulling her pain, she was starting to drift in the safe feeling of pleasant memories. Lila focused on those loving thoughts and magnified them to calm and relax Lauren.
"Who are you thinking of dear?" asked Lila. Lauren smiled as she felt sleep coming on fast dulling the pain. "Would it be Bo?" Lauren eyes popped open her body jumped just a little, she groaned in pain. Lila was forced to take a step back fast as she was struck by all these strong almost searing feelings that had just exploded off the woman, a jumble of lust, love, regret, and hurt. "Easy girl, I am so sorry. Kenzi just was talking about a person you both knew. Go back to your pleasant memories and relax. This old lady will stop talking." Lila stroked Lauren's hair and was quiet as she watched the injured girl succumb to sleep.
The cupid walked to the hall deep in thought and motioned Bo forward, "She is sleeping and you should be able to push chi without waking her. I think we will get Cappy to move her to her bed after that. Stay with Lauren and do not leave her." It was an order not a request. The almost playful nature of the cupid was gone. Lila hustled off and Bo moved into the workspace. Lauren was in terrible shape. Bo did not waste any time, she focused and then pushed chi into Lauren while she was sleeping. As if feeling the invasion Lauren gave a little gasp and Bo pulled back. She waited but Lauren did not stir.
Bo was leaning in to provide a second blast of chi when Cappy and Lila entered the space. Cappy smiled and moved to help. The shaman assured himself that Lauren was sleeping. He removed her IVs and then dropped his glamor. He worked his spells of recovery in his own form as all his energies could be focused in one direction. In the shaman's final move he did a quick pass with his hand and it was as if Lauren froze. He picked her up and her body remained ridged as if she was on a stretcher. Bo could do nothing but follow as Cappy maneuvered Lauren through the apartment and into her bedroom.
Reaching the bedroom, Cappy placed Lauren in the bed. With a second pass of his hand Lauren's body relaxed. He nodded to the women and walked out. Lila moved after him and Bo followed. They reached the door and Lila turned, "Where are you going?" she asked Bo. The succubus shrugged as if it was obvious that Lauren needed time to rest. Lila narrowed her eyes, "You get into bed and be near her. You are her protection and source of strength." Lila looked shocked that the succubus would try to leave. She grabbed Bo shoulders and turned her back towards Lauren. "Do you not share with this woman? I was led to believe that you were lovers?" Bo looked over her shoulder at the woman with total confusion in her face. "Holy moly," breathed Lila with a sad smile. "You get in bed now."
"She's hurt. She needs rest…I would never touch her…" Bo looked appalled.
"You are not going to do anything … go lay down." said Lila running out of patience. Bo was forced into motion by the sheer will of the woman. She looked doubtful and didn't want to hurt Lauren, but kicking off her boots and pulling off her jacket she crawled on the far side of the bed. "Closer," said Lila and Bo carefully moved so she was next to Lauren. "No sex succubus." warned Lila and Bo shot her a harsh anger look, Lila shrugged. "Share with her, just be close to her and think of how much you care for her and want her to recover from her injuries. That is all." As Lila closed the door she rolled her eyes, it had been some time since she had encountered such clueless lovers. No wonder they both were so uptight and messed up.