sorry about the hiatus. spring break and whatnot. ill be posting more often again. thanks for all the reviews, hope to hear more feedback from you all. enjoy!

Lauren

"You think he's protecting me?" I stared at Bo, a little confused. We'd just gotten back to the house and now were sitting on the couch. "And again, why would you risk being taken to Limbo? We have no idea who we're dealing with."

She shrugged, "I don't know, Lauren. I thought I would get some answers. But if he hadn't told me you were leaving... he said they would kill you."

"Well, it makes sense that if I'm a part of this prophecy, he wouldn't want anything to happen to me." I swallowed and looked away from her. "That's not necessarily a good thing, though."

"But that's it. We don't know... anything. He could be a good guy... well, maybe not good but not completely bad or evil..." She shook her head, "It's so frustrating. I mean, why bring us into Limbo to begin with? Why not just show up on the doorstep?"

I lifted an eyebrow, "First off, be careful what you wish for. But you're right. There's a possibility whatever he is, he doesn't have a corporeal form."

"So he's what? A ghost Fae?"

"I can't really say. He's not a... ghost... but I don't know of any Fae that has the ability to navigate Limbo and doesn't have an actual body. Those without bodies, if they exist, wouldn't need a doctor." I tried to recall what I knew of transcendent Fae but couldn't figure out any relation to what we were up against.

"Have you... felt any different? Besides the sudden Fae-ness, I mean. Like something influencing you?"

"What do you mean?"

Bo sat up straighter and cleared her throat, "Have you had any bad thoughts? I don't know if being, um, evil is like being insane, where you don't actually think you're crazy... I don't think you're evil," she assured me quickly, "but if this Fae doesn't have a body and has untold power... do you think it could possess you?"

I realized I was clenching my hands into fists, my nails digging into my palms, and forced myself to relax. Bo had a point. We really didn't know of what this Fae was capable. "I... don't think so. I really don't know." I couldn't help the wave of nausea that came over me as I contemplated this new theory.

"Hey," Bo said softly, reaching over to place a hand over mine. "I know you're good, Lauren. Whatever this Fae throws at us, we'll get through it, I promise."

I nodded, "I just hate not knowing."

"I can imagine that doesn't happen often for you," she said with a smile that I returned, rolling my eyes. "But it happens to me a hell of a lot, so I'll help you through it." She squeezed my hand before pulling away. "Sometimes you have to face the unknown without a solid plan."

I raised my eyebrows in apprehension, "I'd rather we didn't... wait... you're talking about going back to Limbo, aren't you?" She gave me sheepish look and I immediately shook my head. "No, Bo, you can't. There's another way, a safe and logical way."

She rolled her eyes, "Researching has gotten us nowhere so far, besides a possible prophecy that may take weeks to translate. We might not have that much time."

I stared back at her for a few seconds, thinking it over. Once again, she sort of had a point. But I couldn't let her do it. "I'll go. If I can. He obviously isn't out to harm me, but we don't know what he'll do to you." I watched the stricken look cross Bo's face and could tell she was struggling with some inner conflict. "Bo?"

"I..." Her voice broke and she looked away, clearing her throat again. "I know he probably won't hurt you but... Lauren, the last time, you died. And it was my fault you even got mixed up in this."

"Bo, you have to know that isn't true. If there's a prophecy, then it was going to happen whether you were involved or not." I lifted her chin so she'd look at me. "It was not your fault," I told her.

She inhaled deeply and nodded. "Can I... hug you?" Her voice was small, almost childlike.

"Come here," I whispered, and she slid closer, wrapping her arms around me. She rested her head on my shoulder, pressing me to her.

"God, I've missed holding you," she breathed against my neck.

A shiver went through my whole body and I closed my eyes, feeling myself finally relax. "Me, too."

One hour later...

"It's after five," Bo observed as we lay in her bed. It was her idea for me to try and sleep in her bed and she would stay up to watch me, but I couldn't fall asleep.

"I'm trying," I told her, keeping my eyes closed. "My sleeping schedule has gotten way out of whack."

"Yea, that's true. Is there any science-y trick you know to help you relax," she offered, brushing a few strands of hair from my face, her fingers gently tracing along my jaw line.

I laughed and opened my eyes, "Well, I'm not going to lie, you touching me like that might not be helping."

She pulled her hand back and smiled apologetically, "Sorry about that."

"I'm not." I reached for her hand and laced my fingers through hers. "I'm worried about going to see the Ash today," I admitted softly.

Bo nodded, "Have you decided...?"

"I think I only have one real option, considering." I looked down at our entwined hands and ran my thumb over the back of hers. "I'm going to remain unaligned. I have to find a new place though, but luckily I have money from... before."

"You can stay here as long as you need to. And we can even set up a makeshift lab area, so you can take patients here, you know?"

I smiled at Bo's effort to make everything seem okay. "Right now, I'm more worried about the ceremony. What was yours like?"

Bo's eyes went wide. "Shit. I forgot about that part."

Her reaction did little to quell my growing fears. "I really don't think I'm going to be able to sleep now."

"I'll be there with you, okay? I won't let anything happen to you. Kenzi was there for mine, and if she hadn't snapped me out out the Pain Eater's illusion or whatever, I wouldn't be here."

"You had to fight under Fae?"

She nodded, "I was a special case... but I guess you are, too."

"I don't think I'm ready for this," I whispered.

"Listen, you're the smartest person I've ever met, you know all about Fae. Whatever they have, you'll probably know what they are and their weaknesses. You're already about a hundred times more prepared than I was and I'm still here."

I gave her uneasy look but nodded, "Okay..."

She squeezed my hand, "I think I know a way to relax you a little. Trust me, okay?"

I nodded again, and watched as her hand started to glow. I immediately felt my body relax as gentle waves of pleasure pulsed through me. I knew she was using her Succubus power to sway me. "Wow..." was all I could say.

"Neat trick, huh?"

"It's like having an IV of Valium... and some extreme aphrodisiac. Incredible."

Bo laughed, "And this is only the lowest setting."