A/N: For the readers who are currently in their finals, I wish you good luck. For those still in high school, don't rush to finish this time is precious. For the lucky fuckers, like me, who are done for the summer high five! Let's get tanked. Shits' about to get real, fast. Hope you enjoy my little twist on the Dawning (not to mention I have been dying to include some Kenzi up in this bitch).
A little after breakfast Tamsin had informed Lauren she could stay as long as she likes - especially if she would continue playing Chef Lewis - and that she'd meet her at the Dal. She then headed to the station to pay a special visit to a certain Wolf that was currently on her shit list. Upon entering the cop shop, she had a radar and Dyson was her mark. "Surprise, motherfucker."
Dyson stumbled backwards into the interrogating room –where he was just attempting to leave- until a certain blonde delivered a solid right hook to his jaw. "Tamsin. What are you-" The second punch came quicker, yet a little less forceful, as if it was simply to shut him up – which it succeeded in doing. The third one didn't come at all, as the Wolf caught the already raw knuckles in his hand.
He held his partner's angry gaze, tongue darting out to erase the small spot of blood that had escaped his mouth and stained the corner of his lip. "You heard…" With his eyes cast down, he released his grip on her hand.
"Of course I fucking heard. What the fuck were you thinking, Dyson?!" Tapping her temple with two fingers, she angrily flailed her hand around in the air.
"We both have the same cross to bear. Don't act like you don't understand how it feels, Tamsin."
"Well, it's clear that only one of us knows how to deal with it."
Clenching the massetor muscles in his jaw, he raised his voice to match her tone: "And which one of us would that be, partner? As I recall, your version of 'dealing' is drinking and stalking." The Wolf snapped.
Tamsin knew he was right, yet this wasn't the reason why she was close to her bursting point. What grinded her gears was the fact that Dyson was most certainly guilty of those also. "Fuck you. Just, fuck you." Snarling, both of her hands tightly gripped his jacket as she pinned him down against the wooden table. Hand clenched in a fist, she winded her arm back, only to get the wind knocked out of her.
The sharp pain in her side was quickly forgotten as Dyson tucked her head underneath his armpit, squeezing both carotid arteries by flexing his bicep against her throat.
The Valkyrie frantically attempted to loosen Dyson's grip; the vein on her forehead was just about to pop and darkness seemed to engulf her eye sight as she was only moments away from passing out. Wrapping her fingers around his bearded-chin, she slammed his head back on the desk until he was entirely too dizzy to keep the hold on her.
He brought his knees up, kicking Tamsin off of him. Standing up, the sound of his bones shifting and popping was drowned out by the fierce growl rumbling deep within his throat. Crouching into a fighting stance, he dashed towards the blonde and speared her into the door behind them.
The hinges stood no chance against the pair, as they flew backwards into the main room of the station, on top of broken glass and cracked wood. They rolled around; the wild barrage of punches they threw at each other was powered with raw fury, so much even, that neither of them bothered avoiding and blocking the hits. Both welcomed the pain, both understood they were just as guilty as the other.
It took six officers to rip the Detectives apart: four of them needed to restrain Tamsin from launching herself at him once more while the remaining two pulled the Wolf up on his feet.
"Calm down, Detective!" One of them yelled forcefully, digging his fingers into her shoulder.
The bloodied and bruised Valkyrie stopped struggling against the officers, her stare fixated on Dyson's equally battered face as she panted heavily. Shit I really unloaded on him.
Chest rapidly rising and falling, he took a deep breath, which only made the pain in his abdomen worse. Clutching to his stomach, he cringed. His gaze caught Tamsin's green eyes as he spoke softly: "I thought this is what you wanted. What we both wanted."
"Not like this, Dyson," Sighing, she dipped her head down. Tamsin's eyes followed the tiny droplets of blood cascading from her mouth, crashing against the ground. One occasionally became lost against the dark contrast of her black Doc Martens. "Not like this."
"Don't play the Hypocrite card, Tamsin, you would have done the same if Lauren hadn't stopped you that night." And he was right, entirely so. They had both committed the same, grave mistake and let love cloud their better judgment. The only difference was that Dyson had been caught, whereas Tamsin wasn't.
Sensing the woman's temper deflate, the officers let her go and patted her on the back as they went about their usual business –truth be told, they had seen the Captain walk in, fury etched in his stare, and wanted out of the line of fire.
Shooting them a dirty look, Tamsin pulled on the lapels of her dark blazer, readjusting it around her shoulders.
"You two, in my office. NOW!" Their Captain shouted gruffly.
Both Detectives shared a look, Tamsin rolling her green eyes. Shoulders slumped, head dipped down, they entered the man's office.
The pair walked in the Dal Riata, sporting matching bruises – which considerably darkened – as well as several nicks and cuts. They had both taken the time to freshen up and change for the occasion: Tamsin wore a black suit over a deep, crimson button up shirt; her hair had been pulled into a tight bun, as usual. Dyson went for a more casual look and opted to wear a pair of denims and a light blue button up.
Their eyes mutually scavenged the parameter for two individuals, and were perplexed when they found neither of them to be in the vicinity. Everyone was there, including Hale. Sharing a look, they both raised an eyebrow before taking two different paths: Dyson walked off to talk to the Blood King and his old partner, while Tamsin strutted to the bar where Bo's human was already swimming in Trick's bottles.
Was Lauren still at her place, or was she with the Succubus? Somehow the latter seemed more plausible. Trying not to think too much about it, the tall blonde sat down beside Kenzi, bumping knuckles with the tiny woman. "What's good in the hood, halfpint?"
Knocking her shot back, she scrunched up her face as the bitter liquid burned down her throat. "Nothin' good in-" She stopped herself mid sentence, shocked by the Valkyrie's appearance. "Woah, did Vampirella go reverse cowgirl on your face?"
"I'm afraid it wasn't anything that exciting."
Kenzi didn't need more explaining to understand the look Tamsin gave her meant: 'Alcohol. Now.' She stretched out to grab a shot glass and filled it with one of Trick's finely aged Whiskey. "Courtesy of moi, for my favorite officer." With a wink, Kenzi slid the shot towards Tamsin before filling her own, again.
To say Kenzi was a fan of the newcomer would be a lie, though they both quickly developed a friendship after Tamsin saved her; playing cards and occasionally she even joined the Broosome Twosome for a night out getting completely smashed. If the Detective hadn't been here…well, Kenzi didn't even want to think about what Inari would have done to her. Bottled blonde or not, she was in her good books.
"That's Detective to you." With a smirk, she accepted the drink with a curt nod of her head. They clinked their glasses together, voicing a toast in both of their native languages:
"Skål!"*
"Donizu!"**
The hot liquid went down Tamsin's throat effortlessly, and as soon as the slight burning left she craved more. Licking her lips, she craned her neck towards the raven-haired girl. "Besides, isn't wolfpup your favorite?"
Swinging backwards on the stool, the human placed her hand over her heart as she spoke with dramatic emphasis: "You both are so tragically in love; I just can't make up my mind."
"And next time we play poker, I might just tragically whoop your scrawny ass, halfweight."
"Keep dreamin', blondie." Kenzi settled back in her seat with a pout, glancing at the tall woman while she filled up both of their shot glasses. "And, I resent that. My derriere is perf."
Tamsin let out a rowdy laugh. She truly enjoyed the petit woman's company, and completely understood what 'was so great about Kezni anyways,' and why the Succuslut held her close to her heart. "Where's the Succubus? Isn't her Dawning starting like, now?"
"Bo and the good Doctor were having a heated conversation, of the non-sexy variety, so the Trickmister hushed them to his Lair."
"Well, I sure as fuck hope I won't called on a 273D."
"Domestic disturbance."
"How'd you know?" She shouldn't be surprised, considering Kenzi's background, yet her never-ending knowledge about all things illegal –which often delved into the legal, per say – impressed her. The Valkyrie wouldn't be surprised if Kenzi used to possess a police radio to use the frequencies as a device warning back in her thieving days.
"One of the many things the street thought me."
"Word." She agreed. It was Tamsin's turn to poor the drinks. After the bitter liquid had come and gone, their attention had been diverted towards Bo, whom finally emerged from the barkeeper's lair.
"Well well, would you look at who's back from Narnia." As soon as she noticed the watery gleam in her best friend's eyes, she wished she could have swallowed back her words. Bo wasn't ready to fart rainbows and sunshine anytime soon.
Cocking her head, the Detective cringed. "More like Mordor, from the looks of it."
"Tams, one does not simply walk out of Mordor."
Tamsin had a witty reply locked and loaded and ready to go, probably. It vanished in thin air at the same time as Lauren entered the room a few seconds after the Succubus. Her heart rate instantly sped up at the sight of the woman, causing her worries to dissipate. She looked rather composed, yet the Detective knew better. Lauren seemed rigid, as if she was compacting all her emotions inside the fragile glass case that is her heart.
Standing up, Tamsin shared another fist bump with the petite woman before making her way towards the blonde. "Everything alright, Doc?"
"I should be asking you the same question." The Doctor countered, concern flashing in her brown orbs as they traced the several lacerations on Tamsin's face.
She promptly shrugged Lauren's trepidation off, sliding her hands in the pockets of her pants. "It's nothing. I ended up getting in a scuffle with a drug dealer."
The Valkyrie's nonchalance about her own well-being was just another shield she had put up over the years, Lauren thought. If she didn't show that she cared about herself, how could others? But that didn't stop the human from wanting to take care of her.
Resting her thumb on the taller woman's chin, her index lightly rested under it as she gently pushed Tamsin's head from side to side to inspect the damage. "These might need stitches."
Tamsin chuckled softly, her tough exterior cracked without putting much of a fight. Under the Doctor's stare, she was but a vulnerable girl. "You're doing it again."
A large smile stretched across her face as she stared at the blonde's suit. Her hand slid from smooth skin to lie on supple, dark cloth. "You can take the Doctor out of her lab…" Her gaze traveled upwards to meet Tamsin's green eyes, raising a challenging brow. Fingers absently played with the lapel of the dress coat.
Lauren shouldn't be in such a playful mood, yet she feels as though a hundred pounds have been shoved off her shoulders, crumbling down around her feet. Even though it pained her to end such an important relationship on a somewhat shaky note, there was no use in living in the past when the present was staring at you straight in the face, especially if it had beautiful green eyes and a gorgeous smile.
Raising the corner of her mouth, she finished: "-But not the Doctor out of her. I get it, but I'm fine." Covering Lauren's hand with own, the Detective sighed, knowing the smaller woman wasn't going to let up her resolve. "Look, after the Ceremony, I'll let you patch me up."
With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she replied: "I didn't hear an invitation anywhere in that."
"I wasn't asking." Tamsin swiftly countered.
"Well-"
"I offer myself as hand." The Wolf's words snapped Tamsin out of her reverie.
Turning around sharply as the words uttered from her partner's mouth echoed in her head, she marched towards him and stepped right up in his personal space. She fought the urge to push him, to curse at him and yell at his stupidity. Unlike the Succubus, Tamsin knew what this meant, and so did Dyson.
They both stared at each other intensely, a silent exchange between flared nostrils, clenched jaws and unwavering eye contact. How could she blame him when she would have done the same for Lauren? I hope she's worth half as much as you trust her.
Sighing, The Detective turned towards the confused brunette, her voice low and dangerous: "If you come back alone, I suggest you run your cute little ass as far from here as you can, 'cause you wouldn't want me to find you." Everything after that was a blur, Tamsin almost hadn't noticed Lauren standing beside her and resting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Stella and Trick vaguely explained the situation to the oblivious Succubus, leaving out the cold harsh truth. And once again, the life of someone she loved was in the hands of a woman she trusted even less. The thought of taking the Wolf's placed crossed her mind, if only for a moment. Even though she was dying, the Valkyrie wasn't prepared to leave Lauren's side. Not now; not after she's just gotten her back.
"We've wasted enough time." The Blood King led his granddaughter and Dyson towards a bowl filled with water, idly sitting on the floor.
After Bo deposited the flower in the water's surface, Tamsin's emerald eyes caught soft blue ones for a moment before the portal engulfed them both, fading away as quickly as it had appeared.
Lauren stood in the middle of the room, her forehead creased as she watched Tamsin angrily making her way to the bar. Why was Dyson accompanying Bo affecting her so deeply? Was it much more dangerous than they had made it out to be? Were they keeping something from her again? They always are.
As a human she couldn't comprehend all of the Fae's ageless rituals, but Lauren wished they would just be frank about some of the technicalities to help her understand. The Doctor could take being alienated from Dyson, it was expected from Trick, but it hurt the most when Tamsin did it.
Before she could question her, a loud noise pulled her out from her thoughts. Spinning around on her heels, she stared in chock at the red portal, open and crackling with energy just a few feet away from her. Lauren heard Tamsin shout her name and a faint ripping noise before everything went black.
The wide-eyed and panting Valkyrie stood where the Doctor had just been positioned a few moments earlier. Her hand outstretched in the hair, her fingers were closed around a piece of Lauren's shirt that had ripped in her hand as Tamsin had attempted to grab her.
"Oh dear." Stella breathed, sending a sideways worried glance at the bartender.
"Did the Doc just get eaten by a big, red, flash of light?" Mouth and eyes wide open, Kenzi watched the blonde - whom was moments away from channeling Satan. If the non literal lava forming at her feet wasn't a good enough indicator, the fire in her eyes would surely burn a hole through your skull with one simple look.
"FUCK!" Growling, Tamsin slammed her first against one of the wooden beams supporting the roof of the establishment. Fighting the urge to blame herself for not being quick enough, she turned to Trick. If she would have been a fire breathing dragon, her shout would have set the whole city on fire: "YOU'RE GOING TO GET ME IN THERE RIGHT-FUCKING-NOW!"
"I'll get the incantation." Gulping, the man quickly made his way into his lair.
Lauren surveyed her new surroundings, the dizziness quickly fading away. The room was cast in an ominous gloom and the wooden structure looked oddly familiar. The Dal? The Doctor questioned as she glimpsed at the ruined and broken down walls surrounding her. Was I knocked unconscious…what happened?
"Human!" A voice boomed, alerting the Doctor.
Jumping slightly, she pressed her hand against her chest. Her fearful chocolate brown eyes darted all over the room in hopes to catch whom the voice belonged to. "Who-" Gulping audibly, Lauren took a few stepped backwards before she continued her inquiries: "Who are you? Where am I?"
A sinister laugh filled the room and suddenly stopped, casting the room in eerie silence. A figure abruptly appeared in front of the blonde. Slender yet tall, the man's attire could be described as a Tim Burton movie. A top hat sat on his head, disheveled and torn like the rest of his black clothes. Lifting his head, a sickening smile appeared on his chapped and cracked lips.
"People come and go, yet my name remains the same: The Undertaker. Welcome to the Zenith, child." Laughter once again filled the space between them, reverberating inside the woman and filling her with sheer panic.
"Is your decision final? Once you're in, there's no turning back."
"I've never been so sure of something in life, Barkeep." Discarding her blazer, Tamsin rolled the sleeve of her button up shirt all the way to her elbow. She drew the sharp edge of the blade across her palm, applying enough pressure to price her tender flesh. Hissing in a breath, she gritted her teeth against each other as the crimson liquid wet the blade and her hand alike.
"Now." Trick commanded forcefully, watching as the blonde kneeled down in front of the bowl of water. Closing her fist tightly, she let her blood color the water before dipping her hand in. The bartender's voice was even as he began chanting the incantation:
"Fényesen asztrális éjszaka," The water started to boil around the Valkyrie's hand. "Mutasd meg a hajnalán a felemelkedett síkra," From a transparent color to a deep red, the liquid in the bowl glowed brightly. It began to shake from the force at which the water moved and eventually shattered into tiny pieces.
Tamsin's lifted her head, pain and torture written all over her face as she glanced at Trick, questions in her eyes. She tried to speak, yet only lamentations were able to escape her parted lips. The water remained whole, even without its container, forming a perfect sphere around the blonde's hand.
"Emelje meg a megrajzolt energia!"* The red, glowing sphere separated itself from Tamsin's injured hand, levitating above them before exploding into a bright light and leaving behind the same portal that had engulfed Lauren.
Pulling out the piece of cloth from the Doctor's shirt, her shaky fingers tied the material around her bleeding hand. Without a second thought, she stood up, took a step back and leaped forward. Bringing both of her arms in front of her face, she shielded her eyes from the harsh light, which transported her to another realm.
Blinking, Tamsin now found herself in the dystopia version of the familiar Fae bar. "Lauren!" Running to the her side, she wrapped her hands around Lauren's arms, inspecting her for any sign of injury.
"Tamsin?" The name spoken was the sound of relief, yet the source of more confusion.
"My, my, another one? Well if it isn't my lucky day..."
"Oh shut the fuck up, asswipe." The Valkyrie spat harshly, to which the Undertaker replied with a maniacal chuckle.
"Tamsin, what is going on?"
"A shit-storm of fuck, that's what."
*Skal: In the Icelandic culture, a toast is a ritual in which a drink is taken as an expression of honor or goodwill
**Donizu: Russian toast meaning "to the bottom."
Translation of Trick's incantation: "Glowing astral night,
Show me the dawning to the ascended plane
Lift me to its drawing energy."