"The scientist is a lover of truth for the very love of truth itself, wherever it may lead."-Luther Burbank
It was well past supper time and Lauren was exhausted from hours in the lab in addition to the latest horrible development in her waking hell: Bo was Human at her hand. But she had promised Bo she'd settle Violette's crime and, in the process, defend their commitment against her past. The elevator descended to the dungeon and Lauren steeled herself against what she would find there this time. Inevitability sunk into her bones as the elevator doors opened. She inhaled deeply and stepped into hell once again.
It wasn't as vile as it felt as a captive. The damp smell of mildew was ever present, but with the lack of population, the stench of blood and sweat was a faint memory. Violette was in the cell at the end; Lauren's old bunk and that made it much more difficult for her to separate from what she must do. Vi stood as she approached the cell and smiled. It was a smile Lauren had not seen for three years and now that they were alone, she struggled against the tide of memories.
"Lauren." She sucked in a breath as she looked the doctor over. "It's good to see you."
"I'm afraid this isn't a social call." Lauren ignored the pleasantries. "You're accused of theft and the Queen has asked that I sentence you."
Violette walked up to the bars, her green eyes glinting in the dim light. "She really has you brainwashed, doesn't she, Cherie?"
"Don't call me that." Lauren hated that term of endearment, even more when it passed through Violette's lips. It made her feel weak and needy, the way Violette had made her feel for enjoying their endeavors so thoroughly and so often. If sex was power, then Violette used to have it all.
Violette smirked. "You used to be fun, Cherie, what happened?"
"This is business," Lauren reminded the smuggler. "I did not barter a peace for you, Vi, though you are the one that seems to benefit from our policies."
She reached through the bars, long fingers touching the doctor's arm. "So tell me, what's it like being with a succubus? Does she make you-"
Lauren pulled her arm away from Violette. "Please stop."
Violette chortled. "Come now, you can't be more repressed than you were when we were together…"
"Believe it or not, there is sex after you. And had you ever made love to a succubus you wouldn't be so confident in your own skills."
"Oh ho," Violette exclaimed, slapping the bars with her hand. "There's that spirit, the fighter, where ya been, girl?"
"Why did you say those things outside, in front of Bo?"
Violette shrugged. "Because they are true."
Lauren looked at her feet and then back to Violette. "I'm sorry but I don't feel the same."
Violette's eyebrows raised. "You make love? With the succubus?"
Lauren shook her head and reached into her jacket for a ring of keys. "Nevermind."
"Hey, you brought it up, I'm simply asking for clarification."
Lauren ignored her. "I'm going to drop the charges against you."
"That's mighty nice of you," she mocked.
She unlocked the cell and stepped aside. "You need to leave now."
Sidling up to Lauren, Violette took over her personal space. She moved a lock of blonde hair from Lauren's shoulder and fingered the collar of her shirt. "You sure?" Her voice was low, thick with the expectancy of sex.
"I can't do this." Lauren looked away from Violette who moved closer still.
"Maybe you're not as happy as you pretend." Her lips brushed against Lauren's.
Lauren took a step back but was met with the steely confines of the cell door. "Vi," she said quietly if not a bit hopelessly.
"Are you happy? You can tell, Vi." Her thumb brushed Lauren's bottom lip and her tongue slipped out to chase the itch left behind.
"I love her." She turned her face away and swallowed hard.
"But you still feel something for me, I can tell." Violette turned Lauren's chin back to face her. "Tell me you don't feel it, too."
When Lauren's mouth opened, Violette covered it with her own. Her kiss was hungry and desperate, not unlike her kisses of the past. She was an oppressive force, stealing her every breath as they kissed. Lauren was lost in a terrible downward spiral, but when Violette boldly squeezed her breast, clarity suddenly followed. She was nothing like Bo. God, Bo.
Lauren tore her mouth away from Violette's and shoved her back. "Stop." Her voice was loud in the small space and self-assured. She held Violette at bay. "You need to go."
She raised her hands in mock-surrender. "I'll just grab my hat." She brushed past Lauren once again and lifted her hat from the cot. "Shall we?"
Lauren walked Violette to the gates herself, taking no chances that she might decide to stick around. The problem with that plan was that she had to endure one last pass as Violette tried to kiss her goodbye. As she returned to the castle, the cricket's song rattled her brain. It was too soon to tell if her experiments would yield anything that would release Bo back into her Fae but Lauren would remain patient because with science, anything was possible, she told herself.
Bo was asleep when she returned and Lauren took the opportunity to shower off the disgust she still felt over Violette in addition to the actual grime she felt from her time in the lab. It was the hottest, longest shower in recent memory and Lauren luxuriated in its relentless pounding of the water against her skin. Thoughts came in a flurry, formulas for chemical reactions, math equations left unsolved, and emotions she couldn't deal with so she stuffed them deep, deep down and hoped they wouldn't expand.
And then reality came crashing down. She hadn't let herself feel anything about what she had done to Bo. Yes, she felt panic for the state and anxiety for Bo but Lauren couldn't quantify stripping away her one true love's biological gifts because a Mesmer made her do it in emotions. A wave of guilt overcame her, followed swiftly by one of loss and the fear of losing Bo. Tears pricked her eyes and she began to sob, her body shaking. Sinking down to the tiled floor of the shower stall, Lauren let her head fall onto her knees as she hugged them to her chest and wept uncontrollably.
Science could fix a lot of things but it could also mess up just as many. And boy, had she messed up. She had brought the serum to fruition during her tenure at the castle's laboratory and then stockpiled it for her own piece of mind before destroying it (also for her own piece of mind). And then she recreated it only to dose the Queen and steal her Fae away. Any way you cut it, this was all Lauren's fault.
Out of the shower, her face was hot from crying. She splashed cold water onto her face and stared in the mirror, overwhelmed with sadness. What had she done? She dried her hair and set the towel aside, leaving the bathroom and coming to stand beside the bed. Bo's bare back was on display and her body was carelessly posed, a departure from the Queen's once regal sleeping posture. She was Human now.
Climbing into bed behind her, Lauren pulled Bo against her and held her tightly. Her skin was cooler than Lauren ever remembered it being and even her scent was subdued. Bo began to stir in her arms.
"What time is it?"
"Ten thirty," Lauren whispered against her hair.
"I had the strangest dream," she mumbled. "I dreamt that you couldn't find a cure for this and we were exiled from the kingdom." Lauren swallowed. "But as terrible as that sounds, we were able to get away from here, go somewhere exotic and live out the rest of our days together."
"What's so strange about that?"
"I guess what I'm saying is, I know what's been done and what it's going to take to reverse it-if that's even possible-and I'm okay with that."
Lauren lifted her head from the pillow and looked over Bo's profile. "Are you sure?"
"I just want to be with you." Bo answered, sighing sleepily.
Tears filled her eyes again and she blinked them away into the pillow. Leaning forward, Lauren pressed her lips against the back of Bo's neck, kissing her softly. "Me too," she said.
When morning came, Lauren woke beside Bo, something that rarely ever happened when the Queen was Fae. A succubus didn't require much sleep and Lauren could sleep through a stampede so if they weren't having sex they were rarely asleep at the same time. Bo didn't even try to touch her the night before which was beyond unusual. She couldn't remember the last time she slept through the night without some carnal explorations. Lauren rolled over to find Bo waiting for her to wake. "Long day, Doctor?"
"An even shorter night." She rubbed her face and moved to get up.
Bo put a hand on her arm. "Leaving so quickly?"
Lauren smiled. Bo still had the same moves. "I need to get to the lab."
"Any chance you could take a break for lunch?"
"Bo, I really need to focus on this, we have to get your Fae back."
"Oh." She nodded. "You're probably right. Maybe I'll go for a ride. Juno must be lonely."
"I'm sorry, Bo but you can't leave the apartment. I'll check on Juno before returning." She pulled on a pair of pants and fastened her bra before disappearing into the closet and returning with a button up shirt. She yanked a camisole over her head and buttoned her shirt. Walking to Bo's side of the bed, she sat beside her, her sleepy smile touching Lauren deeply. She had an innocence about her now that she was Human and Lauren wanted to nurture it.
"Very well," she said. "I guess it's cards with Dyson." She folded her hands onto her lap.
"Give him hell," she kissed her on the cheek. "I'll see you tonight." She turned toward the door.
"Lauren?" She paused with her hand on the knob, turning to face Bo. "I love you so much I barely recognize myself anymore."
"I know you," Lauren reassured her with a smile. "I could spot you a mile away."
The rain pelted the castle and poured over the slanted roof of the stables, soaking Kenzi's cap. She crossed her arms as Oren knelt next to the body found three stalls over from Juno and Minerva. He was familiar with one of the missing guards, bunking with him when he first arrived at the castle. When they got the call from one of the stable boys, he was quick to react.
Thunder rumbled overhead as she watched him make a fist before getting to his feet and instructing the nearby guards to deal with the body. When he turned, his eyes were downcast as he approached. Kenzi stared at him and waited, the thrum of the rain was beginning to calm her nerves.
"Well?" she asked.
Oren nodded. "It's him."
"Fuck," Kenzi whispered. She shone her flashlight into the dark rafters above them. "How is this happening?"
He looked at her, a little too long, and lifted his gaze to the ceiling as well. "Maybe there's a secret passage," he said. "These old castles have tons of them."
Kenzi blinked and switched the flashlight off, her mouth agape. "Of course, you're brilliant."
"What?" Oren looked down at her hand gripping his forearm.
"I've heard the Queen talk about some areas in the castle that have been abandoned." Kenzi pulled him back into the castle. "Come on, let's go to the library, maybe there are some old plans we can look at and find out where these bastards are hiding."
The rain continued for most of the day. Bo stared at the cup of tea that steamed next to the pile of cards on the table, a plate of cookies nearby. She wondered what Lauren was doing, whether or not she was thinking of her, too. She wanted to go to her; to be a part of the investigation, to be of some use. Instead she sat with Dyson, her somewhat exiled General, playing pointless card games to pass the time.
She looked up from her collection of hearts and spades to find Dyson's eyes on her again, inquisitive, his nose taking in her scent as if he didn't believe it. "Why do you keep looking at me like that?" she asked.
Dyson blinked. "Like what?"
Her eyes bore into her hand. "Like you pity me."
His eyes fell. "I'm sorry."
"But you do."
Dyson looked back at her. "Permission to be honest, my Queen."
Bo put her cards down on the table. "As my General, I would expect you to be."
"We're not going to be able to hide your… predicament forever." He crossed his arms. "We should be thinking of an escape plan."
"An escape plan?" Bo repeated.
"A Human Queen of the Fae?" he asked. "We've already asked so much of the kingdom."
Bo straightened in her chair, the sudden increase in heart rate was alarming. "I'm confident Lauren will come through."
"Like she did the last time?"
Bo got to her feet swiftly, the chair dragging across the floor behind her. "I would watch your step, General."
He held his head high. "You are aware of the truth in my statement."
"I am also aware of your reckless paranoia nearly killing all of us in the Outlands not too long ago."
Dyson's lips grew taut and he stood. "I have already explained myself about that."
"And yet you are so eager to bring up Dr. Lewis' past mistakes." She watched Dyson scoff and wave her off, walking into the living room.
He turned then, looking at her with a disappointed gaze. "I remember when you defended me like that."
"Dyson…" She warned.
"I want back in," he said, drawing in a breath that puffed out his chest. "I cannot return to my detail. I belong here. With you." Bo crossed her arms in front of her. "Please. I deserve a chance at redemption."
Bo sighed. She wasn't really in a position to refuse his help, but it was the principle behind it. "You may rejoin us," she started. "As soon as you pledge fealty to Lauren."
Fourteen hours in the lab and Lauren could honestly say she was getting nowhere fast. She felt absolutely destroyed at the pace things were moving but she had to be careful, double check her work so that she didn't waste another opportunity to make things right. There was no room for error anymore.
When she returned to the penthouse, she found Bo in her bedroom, sitting in the dark by the far window with a few candles burning on the table next to her. It almost looked like she was mourning the loss of someone.
Lauren set her bag down on the arm chair near the dresser and walked over to the window. "What's going on?" Lauren asked gently, draping her jacket over the arm of the chair across from Bo.
She didn't say a word. Her eyes were glossed and puffy, her lips rosy from crying, but there were no tears. It was that moment when there just aren't any more to shed. The Queen shook her head and looked out the window. "I can't do this," she said quietly, her voice slightly graveled. "I can't be Human."
Lauren sat on the edge of the other chair, holding Bo's hand. "I thought you were okay with this?"
The Queen sucked in a breath and expelled it heavily. "I lied," she whispered.
"It'll be okay," Lauren reassured her.
Bo smiled. "You can't promise me that."
"Sure I can, I'm Human and I'm doing all right."
She lifted Lauren's hand to her lips and kissed her fingers. "We will be ostracized when the colony hears of my transformation."
Lauren watched her, captivated. "You always told me that you wanted to see the world," she said.
"Having a kingdom to return to continues to be a worry of mine." She sighed. "I can't even make love to you like this."
Lauren pulled her hand away suddenly and straightened. "Now you're just being ridiculous."
Bo sat forward and sighed, taking Lauren's hands in hers. "I don't know how you ever manage with all these… emotions."
Lauren smirked. "Years of practice."
"I can't sleep, I can't eat, all I can think about is us and how I could possibly provide for you and protect my kingdom in this… state." Bo played with her fingers. "And I haven't see you in so long, it feels like you won't even give me a second look."
"Bo, come on, that's silly." She squeezed her hands. "I've just been so busy trying to reverse this. To bring your Fae back."
"I know, I just…I need you too."
Lauren smoothed the hair from Bo's face and cupped her cheeks, kissing her softly. "I'm right here."
Bo tasted their kiss on her lips and she kissed her again, this time more persistent and Lauren knew what was needed. As she led Bo away from the window, she noticed that she he was clumsier in her Human form, but still forward, confident and self-assured in her every movement. At the end of the bed, Bo held her with a newfound urgency which Lauren matched at every advance.
It was a vital exchange of bodies, of pleasure, and of love. Bo took control, sinking between her legs and connecting with her. Her mouth was relentless, holding divine pressure against Lauren's center as she writhed beneath her. She was no match for Bo's talents and release came quickly, in a choir of voices that were all her own.
There was no drain, no ache, just Bo in all her glory and Lauren reflected that in her current state she was not less than by any stretch of the imagination. They made love long into the night and when they were spent, Bo felt the exhaustion that was normally reserved for Lauren, along with the exhilaration that accompanied it. But for Lauren, she could only look into Bo's brown eyes, so expressive and youthful, and wonder if she could ever escape her labyrinth. This was it. Bo was it. And she was happy.
He could hear them moaning. They were three doors away but Dyson's damned Fae senses had keyed in on Bo first and then, unfortunately for him, Lauren. It had been two hours and they showed no sign of letting up soon. Like a monsoon that starts suddenly and pours on for hours, even days before finishing, Dyson was in his own personal hell.
"Wake up, wolf," Verns said, tapping his cards on the table between them.
Dyson growled and drew a card from the pile. "Gin," he said, laying down his hand.
Verns huffed and tossed his cards onto the pile. "Your deal."
Even the mundane game of cards did little to distract Dyson. He remembered very well what it was to be with Bo, and he'd be lying if those thoughts didn't keep him warm at night. When she spoke down to him, Dyson tempered his distain with these thoughts, too.
The elevator dinged. Dyson dropped the stack of cards as Kenzi approached. "We have a situation at the gates that needs your attention, Dyson."
"What is it?"
"Refugees from the other colonies are getting out of hand."
"I'm glad you came for me. A Fae riot is no place for a Human, even one as spirited as you." He stood quickly and dusting his hands off, walked to the elevator. "Feel free to pick up where I left off beating Verns tired self at cards." He disappeared into the car.
Kenzi sat down in front of Verns. "What are we playing?"
The penthouse was quiet early in the morning. Lauren had already disappeared to the lab for the day and Bo relaxed on the sofa in a black, red, and gold kimono. She reflected on the night before, making love with Lauren as a Human. It's not as if sex was that different, and she didn't even miss the drain on Lauren. Still, there was a lucidity as she made love to Lauren, one that let her look past animal need and slow things down, to feel her body and soul beneath her, and to connect with her on a level that she somehow missed as Fae was a spectacular privilege and honor, one that pricked her eyes with tears when it was over. She felt so deeply what it was to love Lauren.
Bo lifted the carafe and poured coffee into her waiting mug. Lifting a sugar cube with tongs, the Queen prepared her coffee. "Kenzi, sit with me," she said.
Kenzi, who stood at her post by the elevator with Verns turned, surprised. "Uh, sure." She looked at Verns and shrugged, walking to the conversation area in the living room and sat across from the Queen.
"Coffee?"
"Thank you," she said coyly.
Bo filled the mug. "What can you tell me of the missing guards?" She offered the dish of sugar cubes to the soldier. "Sugar?"
"Thanks," Kenzi stirred a cube into her mug. "Corporal Kershaw and I received a call from a stable hand last night who discovered a body we identified as the missing Sergeant Bradley."
The Queen's eyes closed. "That's unfortunate." Her eyes opened again and looked at the ceiling. "Fuck," she whispered harshly. "I don't suppose there was any trail left?"
Kenzi sipped her coffee and shook her head. "No," she replied. "But I've been meaning to ask you… Corporal Kershaw thought there may be some old passages being used as escape routes."
"We've swept the castle backwards and forwards," Bo said.
"There're old passageways under the castle, reaching the cemetery and the church," Kenzi started, "that were boarded up before you got to the throne." She swallowed nervously. "I just thought it would be easy to overlook." The Queen smiled and sipped her coffee, looking over her mug at Kenzi who shifted uncomfortably. "Did I say something wrong, my Queen?"
"No, nothing of the sort," she said with a gentle smile. "You're the first Human female that we had in our infantry. Once upon a time I would have scoffed at your inclusion but Lauren assured me you were more than capable of falling in line." She ran a finger around the lip of her mug. "And she was right."
"Lauren usually is," Kenzi said sardonically, sipping her coffee.
"She is…" Bo smiled. "Kenzi, the reason I wanted to talk to you is your accomplishments are many. For such a small Human you have spirit, you aren't afraid. I used to be like you, so comfortable with my Fae that I had not a care in the world. I was unbeatable, but now look at me…"
Kenzi set her mug down. "With all due respect, my Queen, you look the same to me."
"But I am empty without my Fae, I am barren." She sighed.
"Are you kidding? I've seen your moves, and even without that soul sucking thing that you do, you could kick a lot of ass."
Bo looked into her mug, warming her hands with it. "Then why do I feel so… weak?"
"Power comes from within. It's still there."
The smile on the Queen's face matched the softness in her eyes. "I understand why Lauren uses your counsel so often. You are very perceptive."
Kenzi bowed her head. "Thank you."
The elevator dinged and Verns looked up from the magazine he was reading as Dyson marched out of the car. He caught a glimpse of the Queen and Kenzi together and approached them. "My Queen," he said. "May I borrow Kenzi?"
"I think we're done." She smiled at Kenzi. "Thank you. Assemble a team and tell me what you find."
"Yes ma'am." She stood and Dyson pulled her away. Bo could tell he was keeping things from her, as if she couldn't handle them in her weakened state. She couldn't handle the way Dyson looked at her now. Gone was the admiration and stone cold affection and in its place were sad eyes and a look of pity. She was still Queen and she would not be pitied or put out to pasture.
He sent Kenzi away-she could hear the elevator even as he approached her. "May I?" He asked, motioning at the chair Kenzi had just vacated. She nodded, albeit somewhat reluctantly. "I looked after Juno."
Bo sat forward in her chair. "How is she?"
"She's fine, my Queen. I took her out for a short ride…"
She had heard all she needed to and phased out Dyson's voice as she thought of Lauren. She knew Lauren was much too busy to look after her right now so she was grateful to Dyson, however indebted that made her seem to him. "Thank you, Dyson."
He nodded. "Is there anything else I can do for you, your Majesty?"
"No, that'll be all." Bo looked off into the distance, distracted as her thoughts returned to Lauren. She was overwhelmed by her feelings. She felt desperate, needy even, and Bo couldn't recall in all her life, feeling that way about anyone. She missed Lauren horribly when she was gone and when she returned, there was never enough time spent with her. In the beginning of their relationship she felt weaker because of it, but now she was imbued with strength. She felt strong enough to face anything. Kenzi was right. It was time Bo stopped feeling sorry for herself and accepted her fate. She was Human now but so was Lauren. And she would fight like hell for the right to keep her kingdom.
END PART SEVEN