A/N~ Short but important chapter, titles pretty self-explanatory. Sorry about not posting last week but real life has been an uncooperative demon. Thanks everyone for continuing to review. ~A

Another Enemy Revealed

Ennoi merely blushed prettily as the Mesmer stood and ambled over to give the older fae a hug. The tiger stayed by the two women, a rumble of animal conversation ran through the den. Two of the wolves staying near the goddess while the rest ambled over to the nest the Alpha female had made for herself.

Ennoi glanced in the direction as Vex gave her the hug, before turning to the larger man and giving a deadly grin said, "Welcome to the pack, doc. I'd give you the shovel speech but I think that can wait till we see who's going to survive this next bit." the Mesmer said as he shook the humans hand.

"Why thank you Vex for such a cheerful reminder of why we are here?" Ennoi said with mild reproach as she led Bruce further into the den and her family.

Introductions were made with Lauren recognizing his name and the two starting a conversation that was so far above everyone else's head they could only stare in bemusement at the pair of scientists. Until Lauren finally glanced around at the others and said with an embarrassed smile, "Oops?"

Bo reached over Vex and said, "What oops? Your brain is one of the better reasons we love you. Just not the only part." she said pulling the other woman into a heated kiss, followed closely by Vex.

"Not in front of the guest kiddies," Dyson said without heat only to be met bet by a matching pair of tongues sticking out from both Vex and Bo's mouths. Lauren merely looked slightly mussed but very happy.

The doctor looked around at the group and spoke sincerely saying, "Thank you for all you've done to help us in the past several days. From what Annie has said, I think you've had our backs pretty much from the first time we came to the pub." he laughed in memory and told them, "Here we just wanted to break Tony's schwarma habit. I'm glad we did." With that the doctor pulled the goddess closer into his hip before adding, "Very glad."

There were snickers from several of the people sitting in the Den. Ennoi merely rolled her eyes and says in a tortured mom voice, "Get your minds out of the gutter." followed quickly to her new lover, "Where did I go wrong raising them." she said shaking her head.

"Don't be ridiculous they're perfect, just like you." he said bussing the woman on the check, "Mine on the other hand…" he said as someone pounded on the door, "late as usual. No idea where they get it from."

Lauren managed to extract herself from the couch, surprisingly the Spirit Tiger leapt to its feet and followed the doctor to the door It managed to insert itself between her and the door as she pulled it open and roared in Trick's face.

"Siam, behave," Lauren said as she grabbed the spirit animal by the scruff of it's neck and pulled back toward her. Everyone including Vex and Bo were stunned when the animal actually responded as if he had been pulled back from the entrance by the blond physician.

She merely smiled and said affectionately, Visitors, friends and enemies, we're going to have that talk later about the distinctions between the three." Then to the Blood King and the rest of the Avengers, "welcome we're just over here," she said as she turned to find the other spirit animals arrayed around behind the doctor.

The wolves and bear weren't growling but they weren't welcoming either. "Alright enough! We're all having the conversation later, now shoo!" The animals all ambled off rather sullenly, all except for the Spirit Tiger who leaned into her thigh and walked beside her as she moved back to the couch.

She merely sighed heavily as a put upon parent who's child has just embarrassed her. The tiger stepped towards Vex and placed its massive head in his lap giving him a look. The Mesmer merely smiled as he rubbed its head of plastic and dirty paper and said, "Sorry pal, you have to talk to her and a lesson in manners wouldn't hurt," Then belying his previous statement Vex turned his head and said to Lauren, "Just remember love these are wild spirits not Shifters. They're meant to protect the Den not be pets."

The Avengers and Trick had all watched this by-play in wonder. Meanwhile Ennoi being careful not to disturb any of the Spirit Animals nests seemed to pull dust, a few pieces of garbage from the recesses of the warehouse to create seating for the new arrivals.

"We're not used to non-Pack visitors," Kenzi explained, "But I'm sure there is a good reason that Trick has brought you here." The Elder concluded while offering the Blood King the floor.

Trick smiled at the young fae in gratitude, before saying the all too familiar phrase, "We have a problem."

"Gee Trick, try not to be too ominous and foreboding." Bo said with only a hint of admonition for her grandfather. The pub owner had the good grace to flinch slightly as he looked at his granddaughter and said quietly, "Ysabeau the Archer saw the face of the hooded woman she wasn't able to influence him. A fact that still hasn't been explained to my satisfaction yet."

They saw the older fae grimace slightly as he continued, "They described her to me…" Her grandfather looked at her sadly, "Bo, it's your mother, its Aife."