Disclaimer: Lost Girl belongs to Showcase or SYFY and I am only playing in their universe.
A/N: Thanks to everyone for checking out the story. Readers, reviewers, All the follows and favs - huge thank you.
It was 4:45 a.m. when Lauren made her way out of the shop safe room and into the kitchen. There had been no distress calls or alarms of any kind since she and Bo had exited for their extended reunion time. Lauren figured they would have been disturbed if something had gone amiss. She had managed to extract herself from the succubus and get in the shop shower and use some of the safe room clothes to change into. Before she left she kissed Bo on the forehead and whispered something about going for a run, but did nothing to wake her snoozing lover.
Lauren didn't need light to move around her kitchen as all the electrical gadgets were armed with some type of tiny glowing light. After the coffee maker was reset to run a new batch, all she needed was her running shoes to continue her routine. Turning Lauren headed to her bedroom only to find General in front of the door and looking at her with interested eyes. The big dog wanted to go with her. "Okay," she said, "You can come if I can get to my shoes." The fae beast slowly got to his feet and moved. Lauren opened the door and was not really surprised to find Kenzi asleep in her bed. With a soft laugh the doctor made her way to the closet and found the required footwear. Moving out the door and back to the kitchen table, she slipped the shoes on tying them tightly.
Lauren was about to move out the door when she noticed Gunner. He was asleep on the sofa. Knowing then the others had to be around but not seeing them, she remembered the cabins. "Okay so who is on guard duty?" Lauren thought as she exited the apartment and moved towards the office. The door was ajar and the lights were on. "It's me," she whispered and smiled as she heard and a woman's voice in reply.
"Well it's about damn time girl." Lila's voice was light. Lauren pushed the door open and found her standing in front of the monitors. She had been seated in front of the screens with tea and a book of crossword puzzles. Before Lila could say another word, Lauren pulled her into big hug. Lila hugged her back and said, "I am so glad you are okay. I…we were worried." Lauren let out a small sad laugh. The cupid knew some sort of apology was on the way and stopped her friend before she could get started. "There is no way you could have known what we were Lauren. You did not bring trouble our way. Instead, much like you, trouble just seems to find us."
"So my secrets are out and now you have met Bo?" Lauren said as she wiped away a few tears that had formed. "Our relationship is complicated but…."
Lila smiled and winked, "Yes, I have a better idea of your situation now." Both women thought of all the ways Lauren had worked around the truth. All in all the mob analogy was not a bad way to go. "Then there is Bo, your feelings for each other certainly strong. Why do you think this old cupid is up and alert at four something o'clock in the morning. There is enough emotional energy in this place to keep me going for a month." Lauren blushed and that made Lila laugh. Letting the doctor off with a 'we will be talking later look', the cupid said, "You were going for a run?" Lauren nodded. Lila didn't really want to let her go but then General poked his head around the corner. "Okay, the sun is up and you must take General and don't be long." Lila's mothering tone surrounded Lauren. The doctor swore she felt the heartfelt concern on her skin. Lila continued, "If your Bo wakes up and you are gone she will not be a happy camper." Lauren rolled her eyes and nodded obediently. She figured that Bo would be the least of her worries if she took too long and made Lila worry.
Lauren grabbed a hoodie as she left and a short metal bar, the spring loaded spike weapon she and Gunner had been working on. Opening the front door she was hit blast of cold morning air. Yesterday she had been sure that she was seeing her last sunrise. Today was a gift as far as she was concerned. Looking at General, Lauren said quietly, "Think we can manage Route C?" The dog gave a huffing bark and it was almost as if he had answered her. It was the most extreme of her escape routes but she felt like it would do her the most good. Taking a deep breath she smiled, "Let's go," and then ran.
xxxxXXXXXxxxx
Kenzi was snuggled deep into the blankets when she felt the bed dip and a body move in next to her. Cracking her eyelids she saw the clock read, 6:30 a.m. Her eyes flew open and she waited, no one in their right mind was up at 6:30 a.m. Ice cold feet pressed against her legs and she yelped in surprise. Bo's laughter lit up the place. Cursing in Russian, Kenzi couldn't keep the smile off her face. "Get your feet off me and keep your hands to yourself, sugar momma."
"Only if you free up some blanket, sleeping beauty." The succubus gave the soft bedding a pull and Kenzi reluctantly unwound. Bo took full advantage and snuggled in close. The two friends lay side by side, it was just nice to be together again. Bo broke the silence, "You okay?" Kenzi had been in a car wreck, everyone including Kenzi kept forgetting that, but both friends knew that Bo was not referring to physical pain.
"I am getting better." Kenzi said softly. "You okay?"
"I have a few answers now, so I am getting better too." said Bo. The succubus rolled over and grabbed her friend to make her face her. "Thank you for saving my life Kenzi. I was not going to last much longer in that room. I would have either lost control or died in that place if it hadn't been for you." Bo shuttered and Kenzi reached over and pulled Bo into a hug.
"Like I was going to let that happen," Kenzi's light tone was forced. "Nobody picks on my Bo Bo and gets away with it."
Bo let out a laugh and said, "I guess not, you cut the son of a gun in half and then burned him alive with sunlight. I believe that left an impression."
"You think?" said Kenzi with a sad laugh. After a bit of awkward silence Kenzi said, "So how was your talk with Lauren?" Bo raised an eyebrow and then grinned stupidly. Kenzi shook her head in mock dismay, "You two need to get your shit straightened out this time. I don't want to be caught in the middle of you two if..."
"It might be nice to have you in the middle." A voice came from the doorway. Lauren had finished her run and was smiling at the two women in her bed. Her eyes caught Bo's and she winked. Kenzi had teased them both so much, what was a little pay back.
With a low sexy chuckle Bo said, "She is right here maybe we could try something new…"
"Oh hell no," squealed Kenzi and made a move to get away. Bo grabbed her and Lauren jumped on the bed. Holding Kenzi from both sides, they placed chaste kisses down the sides of her face. All three were yelling and laughing and soon were lying out of breath on the bed. "You two are stupid and you suck." said Kenzi with a laugh sounding very much like her old self as she wiped the sides of her face like a little kid who had just been kissed by two very hot old aunts, "but I am glad to see you both safe again." Lauren and Bo gave the girl a hug. "Yeah whatever," grumbled a secretly please Kenzi.
Lila chose that moment to poke her head in the door. She looked at the entangled trio and then said with a wicked smile, "Kenzi, pulling these two into your bed. I must say as a cupid I am impressed, keep up the good work." Bo and Lauren grinned and Kenzi fell back with a groan putting a pillow over her head.
Lauren informed the others that she would be heading to the shop to get herself ready for the day. Bo went to get out of bed but the doctor gave a nod towards Kenzi and the succubus got the message. Bestie bonding time was needed and Lauren left them to it when she closed the door. Looking up as she turned around, she found Lila was leaning against the far wall. Apparently Kenzi and Bo were not the only friends set to have a long, and for the first time, honest talk. The cupid held out a cup of tea and Lauren smiled as she was led to the kitchen.
Gunner was up and as he saw the two women he smiled and stood up. He had slept in his jeans and reached to pull on a T-shirt. "Morning Lauren, I really glad you are okay." The doctor shot the handsome man a soft smile. Quickly he said, "Lila, I'm going to rattle Cook's cage, and we will do a once around the property. Then I'm going to catch a shower." He looked towards the bedroom door with an undecided look.
"Kenzi is up but talking to Bo. I'm sure she wouldn't mind you checking up on her." Lila smiled knowingly. The younger man smiled back and it was the same mischievous grin. Shaking his head, Gunner walked towards his grandmother, stopping to kiss her on the cheek. Moving to the bedroom door he knocked on it softly and without opening it said, "Kenzi, sword practice this afternoon out back of the shop." He walked away not waiting for an answer, he didn't need to as it was a certainty she would be there.
xxxXXXXxxx
Working in groups of two, the crew opened the bar and covered duties for each other. The Fort being open for business let the small group keep eyes and ears on the scattered little community. People stopped in to check on their favorite hot spot and as they talked and shared the crew listened for any strange events. To their great relief there was nothing much out of the ordinary to report. Roger's loss was not shared yet. Learning of his death would bring a gathering of people to the Fort to show their sympathy. This would be dangerous right now with the vampire threat.
Lauren kept herself busy with running the business end of the Fort. She cancelled delivers and rearranged evening activities to keep people clear. She was in the kitchen in a little nook where she could handle the immediate needs of the business without running all the way back to the office in the hut. Looking at one of her many checklists, she felt Bo's presence. Then she felt Bo's arms. They worked their way around her waist and pulled the doctor back and into the warmth of the succubus's body. Lauren turned her head, "Did you have a good talk with Kenzi?"
"Yep," said Bo softly. "It was not the easiest conversation I have ever been part of." That was an understatement if there ever was one. The friends had held phone conversations about what had happened to each of them, but face to face the feelings where harder to hold in check. Bo had just let Kenzi talk; she was ready to tell her story. Hearing about Kenzi having to watch as the love of her life was killed in front of her was gut wrenching. It was almost as difficult to listen to Kenzi's transformation to a life of violence. Bo felt somewhat responsible for the violent response of her friend to the situation but then again Kenzi was the most loyal person she had ever known. If her feeling for Massimo were as strong as she suggested, real or not, Kenzi was more than capable of this type of vengeance.
"You okay?" Lauren broke into Bo's thought.
Bo urged Lauren to turn in her arms and then leaned in and kissed her, "I am now." Lauren pushed away with a laugh knowing if she encouraged Bo she would never get anything done. The action was not anything Lauren had not done before, but the succubus in Bo didn't really like being pushed away. It surged with a possessive anger. Quickly hiding the momentary loss of control Bo said, "What do you say you show me around this place?" The idea was to keep the doctor close to her but that was not to be.
"I would love to show you around," the much too chipper answer came from Cappy who was leaning in from the door to the bar. He tossed Bo an empty cloth bag and continued, "Come on Bo, we need to chat and pick up some supplies to fight that vampire toxin floating around in your body." He watched the inner struggle Bo was going through. She looked up and her eyes flashed blue for a moment. "Don't you flash those baby blues at me." The shaman let his eyes drift to stony sky blue and chuckled deeply with power.
Lauren placed a hand on Bo's arm and at her touch Bo gained more control, "I am so sorry, I don't know …" stammered Bo embarrassed.
He unbuttoned his shirt and his chest showed several sets of scars. Lauren gasped and stepped forward. "Cappy these are bite marks." She moved a trained eye up and down his torso, "There are at least four bites here." There was a question in her eyes.
"I don't think there was ever a time for me to show you my chest before my dear." He wiggled his eyebrows and laughed, "Come here Bo, take a good look." Bo had not been happy to have the man interfere with her plans but she was now intrigued. Stepping forward she saw evidence of some of the same damage she now sported. Stepping back quickly, she looked away. Bo started to apologize feeling she should have been more concerned for his feelings but Cappy stopped her, "Hey I have had five hundred years to heal, you are at a year. Give yourself a break. Besides I have been there and I have learned a thing or two about how to handle all this. Your succubus adds a wrinkle but nothing we can't work through. If I had someone as special as Lauren in my life I might want to be a bit overprotective too." He tossed a set of car keys to Bo, "You drive, it will keep your mind occupied. Kiss Lew and let's go." He grabbed her hand and pulled, Bo had just enough time to brush lips with Lauren and she was out the door.
Cappy's truck was filthy. When Bo opened the door several crumpled pieces of paper fell out and she had to chase them down. The truck was older and had a bench seat. Looking over at the shaman, she decided the huge man would not fit in the cab if she moved the seat forward and was forced to scoot up to the edge of the seat so her feet would reach the pedals. The man just pointed off to the side and Bo moved the car in that direction for a good fifteen minutes. If Bo had thought the Fort was in the middle of nowhere she was wrong, it was just next to nowhere. Nowhere was the place she was standing. They had taken a dirt road and now were on the edge of a wash.
Tossing Bo some gloves he had removed from under the seat, they twosome started walking. Cappy said, "So there I was, soldier and medic, in our little battle here at Red Valley. We were on the side of right not might mind you, and were getting our asses handed to us. I get this bright idea to go hunting daytime lairs of vampires. I was a big bad shaman and a pretty good soldier and very tired of seeing my people die. Well, I stumble on more than I can handle. They rip me up really badly, bleed me for a week." Bo shutters but Cappy knows she went through much worse. "My best friend, Gunner's mom, comes chasing after me and finds me. Pulls my sorry butt off the lunch table and back to the Fort, but I am in bad shape. I think you can relate."
"I can," said Bo with empathy for what Cappy had to have gone through.
"Unlike you, my powers did not protect me or manifest themselves as a distortion of my abilities." the man continued quickly as this memory hurt him still, "Instead I lost my abilities totally, and my blood felt like it was running in surges going so fast it at times I was sure it would just burst from my fingertips or out my ears or….well you get the picture. The pain was intense and I was dying from it. My heart was giving out from the effort to control it. The fight was going on and the crew would stop by to do what they could but it was useless." Bo understood the helplessness of the situation, even among her friends there was not help for her loss of control.
"You," Cappy smiled at her, "You are something, Lila shared with me all she knows about your ordeal and I am sure that here is still much to tell." He held a hand out as Bo looked pensive, "Nope, I only want to hear it when you are ready, and you are not ready now so don't fret. Your power or your essence or your whatever is fighting to keep you alive, controlling the pain and focusing on keeping you safe. Your lusty succubus is the thing driving the protecting aspect of this." The man's big moustache twitched with his words. "Lila will have to handle that part."
"Here, pick as many of these leaves as you can." The man pointed to a shrub that looked like it was half way dead, Bo did as she was told. "Okay more story, the humans that lived with us had their own healer and she came for me, asked what was wrong and I told her. She brought me to her healing place and treated me with her human remedies. Toxins and poisons were all the same to her, and at that time this place was filled with critters that dealt her people their share of nasty bites. I recovered quickly, enough to build on what she had given me with my fae abilities. Working together we came up with a dandy little tea, tastes like wet dog hair, but very effective with toxins of all kinds." The man smiled, "You know I think that…" he paused. Bo tensed as she watched him transform on the spot. The wildman growled and he rotated in a complete circle looking feral, stopping to look directly at Bo. With a strange accent he rumbled, "There is danger at the Fort we must go." Bo's eyes flashed blue and the two powerful fae ran for the car.
xxxXXXXxxx
The morning drifted on and moved into afternoon, Gunner had finally escaped from the Colonel and Lila who were overly concerned about his emotions getting away from him. He finally had convinced them to run to Red Valley, and do some looking around for signs of anything strange. They needed time together anyway. The loss of his parents was a pain they all shared and with return of a vampire threat, it was tough on them all.
As Gunner rounded the corner of the shop, he stopped on the spot. Stepping back quickly to watch what had to be a first for him. General was playing with Kenzi. The big bad fae beast was jumping in circles as Kenzi was chasing him and ruffling his fur. The animal had jaws and claws powerful enough to take down enemies three times his size but the mutt looked to be in heaven as he dodged this way and that and ran in circles around the girl.
Sorry to break the scene but assuring himself that the dog and girl would have other such play sessions. Gunner made a coughing noise and waited two beats before he stepped out of the shadows. The twosome stopped and turned their attention to the newcomer. "Hey," said Kenzi, she turned to continue to play with the dog but General was heading into the shop to find some cool place to sleep.
"Hey, yourself." he smiled. Gunner walked straight up to the girl and gave her a hug. "Thanks for yesterday, I was out of line." Kenzi felt her walls coming up but fought to keep them at bay. Holding on just long enough, Gunner stepped back and said, "Well young grasshopper what do you have to teach me about the art of the sword."
"Much, old stink bug, much," she smiled and went to the side where her sword was safely tucked in a corner. "Watch and learn." Moving to match each other's stance they bowed and then Kenzi went through a series of opening exercises. It was impressive to watch. Gunner joined in with forms similar and the team worked out the kinks in their techniques. What had started off as a good natured banter had ended up a really training session and although Kenzi was relatively new to the weapon she did have things to offer Gunner.
"How about we do a little sparring?" Gunner asked. Kenzi smiled and she moved to her supplies pulling out two shinia, bamboo weapons used to train with instead of a sword. She also had some modified sparing gear that Massimo and she would use for protection. There was sadness in her eyes she could not hide as she looked at gear. Gunner saw it and said, "Look if you would rather…"
"Nope, I need the practice." She responded quickly. The talk she had shared with Bo that morning had her emotions running high. It was good to finally tell someone about what she had gone through but it also meant she had to face everything again. As they both suited up, Kenzi pushed those thoughts to the side.
After setting the ground rules, the battle began. Gunner was tentative at first and paid for it with a bamboo shaft snapping down on his face mask. "Uh stink bug if you are going to leave yourself that open you might think about …" the wood blade flashed and Kenzi was on the run. She twisted her body and regained the upper hand. Gunner responded with a laugh. They moved with grace and skill, Gunner feigned a strike and Kenzi bit hard knocking her off balance. With luck she blocked the majority of that blow but Gunner's fast follow up landed a winner. Pulling off masks the twosome were about to say something when other words got in the way.
"My, my but that was impressive." A voice sounded from the side of the shop. "I would find it an honor to have one of you two fight for me." The woman moved from her observation point and Gunner and Kenzi swallowed hard as they shared concerned looks. How the hell had they missed her being there? Things only got worse as two large men appeared from behind her. Pushing her to the side, they moved past the woman tossing her unhappy looks. If she had not spoken up, Kenzi and Gunner would never been aware of the intruders' presence.
Trying to take in all the information she could about the threat, Kenzi looked over the outsiders. The woman was unusually beautiful and most definitely fae. She had the hair, the lips and the body most women desired, but there was wildness to her appearance that was so predator like that it was unsettling. Kenzi recognized the men from their movements and knew they were the same type of fae Bo had run off yesterday.
Gunner slapped on an "aw shucks" smile and said, "Hi folks, what can I do for you?" As he spoke he took steps towards his sword which he had placed to the side. The smaller of the men positioned himself in front of Gunner effectively blocking him from making any other movements.
"Start by canning the yokel local bullshit for one thing," said the large man with the name Mark embroidered over his shirt pocket. "We are looking for these women." A beefy hand held a picture of Bo and Lauren up to the twosome. "And don't lie and say you don't know them. We already know that you are the succubus's pet human. The doctor is secured in building out front but where is the succubus?" He narrowed a menacing look at Kenzi. She just stared the man down and said nothing. "I will be very angry if I have to ask again." rumbled the big man. The Trollgre near Gunner tossed him an ugly look.
"Okay Mark," said the woman to the side, "I have done my bit here and have no want to hang around for your thug fest so are we good?" the woman waved her hand at the group.
The female voice had busted in on Mark the Trollgre's intimidation time and it pissed him off. "No, Jinn we are not good. You skipped on my bond and now you pay the price for making me look bad. So just shut the hell up, do what you're told and stay out of the way." He whirled around to look at Kenzi again more anger in his eyes than before. "Speak human." He yelled. Stony silence met the fae's shouted request and he clinched his fists.
"Yeah Mark," said the woman again leaning against the shop wall. "Just a reminder you shift or call fae powers now and the cloak on you and your buddy requested goes up in smoke." The man whirled on Jinn as he lost control shifting to his full Trollgre form. Jinn just shook her head, "and there you go." She held out her hands with an 'I told you so' look.
Kenzi knew it was coming. To make up for his stupidity he would lash out at her. Kenzi dodged just in time as a massive hand shot out to deal her a vicious slap. As if reading Kenzi's situation, Gunner chose that time to take advantage of the second man's lack of focus pull himself back fast. This allowed him to take a position near Kenzi. They held up their wooden weapons and took attack positions.
"Really," said Mark, "You're going to defend yourselves with sticks. He and the other Trollgre, who now had shifted to his full form, started to laugh but it was cut short as hard stinging strikes found soft flesh. Angry red welts rose on both bounty hunters' necks and faces. Kenzi had struck a particularly hard shot across Mark's neck and the Trollgre touched it pulling away fingers with blood on them. "You are so going to regret that." Kenzi smiled and made a make a kissing motion towards the man. Gunner groaned as he saw the man's eyes fire up.
The Trollgres lunged and Kenzi and Gunner dodged the attack. It would be a short fight, but they made one hell of a team. The bounty hunters had not expected to be facing such opposition from humans. Their grabs and strong moves were met with lightning fast strikes and jabs that kept them at bay. Gunner and Kenzi were just too quick at first but the intensity of the Trollgres assault was too much. Kenzi was able to duck a blow but Gunner got caught in the side. He tumbled to the ground and the smaller of the bounty hunters made to smash a heavy foot into his midsection, before Kenzi could cover him.
There was a haunting howl and a grey blur hit the Trollgre over Gunner with such force the fae and the giant dog rolled for a good ten feet. The Trollgre was in for a fight as teeth and claws were everywhere at once. Gunner jumped to his feet to join Kenzi as they battled the big guy, hoping General had the second man taken care of. They were landing blows but nothing made a difference, their attacks more of an annoyance than anything. There was a yelp and Kenzi whirled to see General on his side, the Trollgre standing over him. Gunner sped up his blows to cover for Kenzi as she took in the situation. The ugly grin on the fae's face showed his intention and Kenzi saw him pull his gun. The angry bounty hunter pointed the weapon down at the dog's head. "No," she screamed as she reached for thigh finding the hilt of her knife. The throw was dead on and the bounty hunter screamed as it embedded deep in his chest. He tumbled to the ground. General scrambled away but was limping.
"Jinn, I wish for the others now," yelled Mark as he saw his partner drop to the ground. He hated to use his second wish but he needed to get this over with. Wishing had rules, no killing wish, no forced love, no return from death. The wish to find Dr. Lewis had been granted. He had been stupid to think the succubus would have been with her. If Jinn hadn't said anything and brought their presence to the attention of the humans he would have waited the succubus out. He needed a wish for the return trip to the home office and had selfishly planned to use the third wish for his own wants. Things had escalated and now he was stuck.
"Tis my second duty," the Jinn said quietly. She made a fist and then pointed to a spot on the ground off to her side. In the blink of an eye, five Trollgres were standing on the patch of dirt she had indicated.
Kenzi and Gunner jumped to regroup, Mark sneered. He knew he would have taken the humans but he needed find the succubus sooner than later. He barked orders, "Kill the dog and the male. I will make the girl talk. We find and kill our targets. They are more trouble than they are worth."
"You can say that again." Everyone spun to see Lauren and Cook step out from the garage.
xxxxXXXXxxx
Cook was bored and had started playing bartender pouring drinks for customers who were not there. "So sorry sir, you didn't order that. I will take care of it right away." The Stoneling grabbed the drink and downed it in one shot. "Let's give it another try, what did you want again?"
"They want you to stop drinking the Fort's whiskey supply dry." yelled Lauren from the kitchen. She knew the guy was messing with her. "Besides why drink that stuff when I have a bottle of yours in here?"
"Sir, I'm afraid the bar is closed." said Cook with a haughty tone. He walked to the door and put up the back in thirty minute sign and moved to the kitchen. "Lew you are holding out on me?" The doctor smiled at the crew's nickname for her, it felt normal. She had actually found it strange to hear them all using her really name. The good doctor pointed to the shelf with the office supplies and he saw the familiar bottle shape. He grabbed for it and found it only had four or five good shots left in the container. He raised an eyebrow and she shrugged. "I won't tell Lila," he sniggered as he added a small amount to her empty coffee cup and his glass from the bar. They both downed the smooth fiery brew and savored the taste. "What do you say when this is all through we give our whiskey still another go?" Lauren held out her coffee mug and Cook had his answer as he gave them both a refill.
"What you doing?" he asked and he picked up her lists and moved her papers around so he could read them. Lauren grabbed for them and he laughed pulling them away. He did catch sight of a pros and cons list. Under pros side he read love, security, home, then under the cons he read danger to them, can't be all … The list was plucked from his hands before he could get any more. She growled at him and he laughed hiding his reaction to that list. He reached for the monitor and went to fiddle with a settings button. She grabbed his hand, "Pour another drink will…" her voice stopped and Cook saw question then fear flash in her eyes.
Lauren stood fast, staring at the monitor. Cook looked too but he didn't see anything. He had to ask, "What do you see Lauren?" She reached out and tapped the screen. The image was the one out by the garage doors. Kenzi and Gunner had been working out but now the area looked deserted. "What?" he asked again.
"Watch!" she said.
"I don't see…what the hell?" said the Stoneling. Off to the side of the image there were shadow's moving. Flashes of darkened ground but there was nothing showing that would block the sun. The image in the center was cloaked. They both ran for it, reaching the door they could not get it open. Cook released his glamour and called his true form. It was no use, the exit held firm. They ran to the front but the doors were also somehow sealed. Looking at Lauren she nodded and the big guy smashed through the window. Turning he grabbed Lauren and pulled her through the jagged opening. They ran for it, rounding the Fort and heading toward the shop. Hearing what could only be General's howl, they moved faster.
Cook was ready to run around the hut but Lauren was ahead of him and she move to the door. Bolting down the small hallway they got to the opening to the shop and slowed. With a quick listen they felt it was safe to open the door. Lauren motioned Cook forward as she moved to the side. He made his way to the front and took in the scene. "Where the hell had these people come from?" He looked back not wanting to wait any longer to get in the middle of things. He did a double take as Lauren was on the run towards him.
"Oh Damn!" said the Stoneling to himself and he couldn't keep the stupid grin off his face. As she neared him he said, "Take the lead, Rambo."
Lauren didn't respond she just moved past the man with her weapon at the ready. The flak jacket fitting tightly to her torso, the slots for the extra clips strategically placed as not to interfere with her motions. She had a modified super shorty 12 gauge shotgun in her hand and hip holsters with two large glocks at the ready. There were various weapons strapped to her legs. Hearing the large Trollgre say, "Kill the dog and the male. I will make the girl talk. We find and kill our targets. They are more trouble than they are worth." She walked straight out in to the fight.
Cook was chuckling, "You can say that again." The mirth didn't make it to the Stoneling's eyes. For a moment everyone froze. The large Trollgre near Gunner broke first and leaped at Lauren, screaming he had the target. Lauren dropped to a knee bracing the small shotgun as she pumped out three fast shots. The modified rounds hit and the Trollgre fell in a heap at her feet, iron and other interesting things eating through fae's body.
Kenzi dove to the side as all attention was on Lauren. She rolled and then ran like hell towards the swords. She grabbed both weapons but they were in sheaths. Trying to free the blades, the thunder of pounding footsteps was on her. She looked back to see a crazed Trollgre using strong arms to propel his body forward. Pushing off he rocketed through the air at top speed, Kenzi was not going to be able to clear her blade in time to stop him. A sick squelching sound happened and the Trollgre froze in mid-air. The fae looked confused, dropping hands to his midsection. A massive chunk of jagged rock had risen from the ground and was sticking through his body. Kenzi turned to see Cook run by. He made a triangle shape with his hands and pushed them up in the air. A second jagged rock shot from the ground and ended the Trollgre by piercing his chest.
"Move Kenzi!" the yell startled her as she saw Lauren aiming a shot gun directly at her. Not needing a second warning she hit the ground and the repeated booming explosion from the doctor's gun ended a second bounty hunter that had come at Kenzi from another directions. Not waiting to thank the doctor Kenzi scrambled to her feet and searched out Gunner. He was dodging attacks but on the losing end. "Gunner," she yelled as she ran towards him. Having survived many battles Gunner did not lose focus and kept working to avoid the blows coming his way. Kenzi slammed into the attacking bounty hunter and groaned as she bounced off. The Trollgre turned to look down at her, she tossed a sword to Gunner. She heard him say, "Ferrum," then the head of the attacker fell away in a flash. Pulling Kenzi to her feet as the bounty hunter's body toppled she was finally able to free her blade. Repeating the old word for iron, the two swordsmen took their revenge on the nearest bounty hunter. The speed of their attack and the sting of the iron blade made short work of the fae.
The three bounty hunters left were still on the attack but at the distinct disadvantage of having no idea how to work together. Mark was on the attack with a manic like focus, but the others were yelling and arguing as they followed the man who had promised them big money for not waiting to capture the doctor with the extraction team. Lauren fired into the Trollgres and one wailed in pain as the iron laced shot ripped into his arm. The piercing cries rang out as the injured fae screeched, "I wish I had never listened to you. I wish I had joined full team. I wish…."
"I wish you would shut the hell up!" raged Mark as he made another grab at Lauren.
Jinn who was still leaning against the wall smiled, "Tis my final duty." She pointed at the wounded fae and he went silent. Mark whipped around to glare at the Jinn; his ace in the hole had just disappeared. He turned in anger and he ran full on into a wall of stone. There was a loud crack as fae's nose dislocated and broke, he roared and stood only to have the top of the wall shoot out a brick-like block and smash him in the face again. Dizzy with pain he hit the ground in a heap. Lauren and Cook had Mark trapped as they moved in with the hopes of ending the encounter with a live bounty hunter to question but the Trollgre made a last lunge for Lauren and Cook's stone fist landed with enough power end the fae's life.
Seeing Mark fall had the other two hunters on the run. Kenzi and Gunner pursued and caught up with the one that Lauren had wounded. He spun to fight and they had no choice but to engage. Right as they raised their swords, gunshots rang out and bullets peppered the ground. Gunner was forced to battle alone while Kenzi look around trying to figure out how to stop the gunfire. Seeing the final Trollgre a ways off aiming gun in their direction she started to move towards him. A swishing sound flashed by her ear and before she took another step the Trollgre's head snapped back and he fell backwards with a thud.
Spinning around Kenzi let out a squeak of surprise as Tamsin and Dyson were standing directly behind her. "Do you want that blade back?" Dyson asked Tamsin with a smile. She nodded that she did and the wolf sighed. He looked down at Kenzi and smiled. "Nice to see you Kenz." He strode off towards the body and left Kenzi staring dumbfounded at Tamsin. The Valkyrie said with a soft grin, "Did that help make things okay with us or are you going to hit me with a bottle again?"