Hello there:

I'd like to thank all of you who have left a review. I am truly honored that you think enough of this story to have left a note, even if just to say, "I like this."

I have seen stories here that have accumulated over one hundred reviews and I never, ever, thought any of my stories would reach those lofty heights.

The most I had ever recieved, until recently, has been twenty-two. All I wanted was to break that barrier. And I did with another story. I can't not tell you the smile and glee I felt when I hit twenty-three reviews. Then I hit thirty-four and I was over the moon.

Now, this story, one that should have been finished a long time ago has one hundred and seventy-one reviews. I hope you can understand how incredible that is to me. No matter how many more reviews I get, even if its just one more I can never adequately express my gratitude.

I have a feeling I may never see this number again for any other story I write and oddly enough, that's okay.

It's like being nominated for an award you never thought you'd get chosen for in the first place.

It's a "Wow!" moment.

And not matter what may happen in the future, I can look back at this and smile.

Many of you know I am used to writing one-shots.

They are my comfort zone, they're my thing and I will most likely go back to writing those.

This story has taken a lot out of me. Having to come up with all the additional dialogue and everything else is crazy. I honestly don't know how all the other author's on this site do it and well.

I am now writing towards the ending I finished a couple of days ago. There are questions I need to find answers for; which happens when you never considered expanding the story you originally wrote in the first place, and once I've answered them this story will finally come to an deserved end.

Thank you very much for sticking around.

I am truly humbled.

A.M. Glass

P.S.

This chapter takes place after Kenzi leaves the restroom. PLEASE I beg you to remember, this is an AU piece. You are going to come across some "things" or issues that may or may not have been touched upon on the show. This story veers from the show story-line after episode four of this season (season three). And I have changed things which may be consider cannon or is that canon?, I never remember, because I'm human and I forgot. mea culpa.

And yes, it's another short update. Honestly, it never seems short until I type it out and what was say, twelve handwritten pages becomes four to six typed ones.

CHAPTER 26

Dyson rushed in Kenzi's direction when she came out of the bathroom. He grabbed her by the shoulders. "Kenzi, you wouldn't lie too. I know you wouldn't, so I beg you, please tell me it isn't true." he asked searching her eyes.

Kenzi looked into Dyson's face and could see the anguish and confusion. "I can't Dyson." she said putting her hands on his arms. "Jake ran the tests a few times. BoBo and I didn't believe it at first..."

"How? You have to tell me."

"Now that I don't know – we left the shack before finding out that little nugget of information. You'll have to ask either Lauren or Jake about that." she replied side stepping him and walking to the bar. "Jake! When did you get here?"

"Hello Miss Kenzi." he replied dipping his head. "Not long after Dr. Lewis."

"So... break it down for me..." she frowned when instead of replying, he got in front of Dyson.

"I think they need time to discuss this in private." he told Dyson after watching him start to walk towards the restroom area. "Please allow them a moment to speak with each other."

"You know what?" he said, poking Jake in the chest. "I am getting tired of you getting in my way..."

"Dyson, stop this now!" Trick told him. He knew if Dyson did not back off there were going to be consequences.

Jacob looked at Thornwood's finger and ignored it. "I'll say this again – Miss Dennis and Dr. Lewis need time without your interference. I give you fair warning."

"You're warning me?" Dyson asked smiling.

"Yes I am." Jacob said seriously.

Dyson laughed in his face.

Jacob had hoped it would not come to this. He sighed. 'Oh well.' he thought as Dyson once again tried to walk around him and to the restroom. "I warned you." He said.

"Oh shit Jake!" Kenzi cried out as she hopped off the bar stool.

"Salus... please put him down!" Trick shouted as he watched Salus shot his arm out latching onto Dyson's neck and thrust him in the air.

"Sal who?" Kenzi quipped, wondering who Trick was talking about. "Jake, dude! Put him down!"

Dyson tried to pry the fingers from his throat to no avail. He felt his heart pounding, he could not breathe, and he felt scared. Something he had only felt a few times in his life. Something he prided himself on controlling. Whoever this Salus was he was powerful. Dyson tried to kick out...

"Listen to me pup," Jacob said looking up at the struggling, dangling shape shifter with contempt. "I will not allow you to disturb them. I told you they needed time, but you could not leave well enough alone." Jacob squeezed a little tighter. Detective Thornwood's face had turned a bright red. "If I let you go, you will leave them for now. Do you understand me?"

"Salus..."

Jacob sighed. He wanted to hold him up a little while longer, until he was sure Detective Thornwood finally understood, but he could not disobey the Blood King twice.

He slowly lowered his arm and released his hold. "Let me make myself perfectly clear." he said as he stood over Dyson, watching as he struggled for breath. "Dr. Lewis is now under my protection."

Kenzi looked at Trick when he gasped. She wanted to check on Dyson, but thought better of it. It was getting pretty dicey around her and she honestly did not want to antagonize Bo more than she had.

She was going to keep out of this.

Jacob straightened his clothes and walked away from Dyson and back to the bar. "Do you still have any Buckthorn, your Majesty?"

"Of course." he answered. He looked at Dyson who was grasping his neck and as much as he wanted to help him, he could not. Salus had given Dyson fair warning.

"Might I trouble you for a shot?"

"What the Hell was that about?" Kenzi asked him. She had been shocked and quite amazed to watch him hold Dyson up like it was nothing.

"Nothing to worry about Miss Kenzi." Jacob replied keeping his eyes on Thornwood, ready to step in at a moments notice.

"Bullshit! You held him up in the air dude!"

"Salus... what you did..." he said as he poured the drink.

"I'd prefer to be called Jacob your Majesty."

"And I'd preferred to be called Trick." he countered.

"And I'd love to win the Lotto Max, but it probably won't happen." Kenzi joined in.

Jacob could not help but laugh.

"Jacob," Trick began, "You do realize that Lauren is under the protection of the Ash?" Trick asked.

"Really, when did she re-pledge herself? As far as I've seen, she has not given her oath to the acting Ash, therefore she is without protection. She is now under mine. And you know I do not make those offers lightly."

Trick blinked. He had not thought of this. He assumed Lauren would have done so by now. Hale has been acting Ash for months...

"She may still work for the Light if she so chooses, but, I will not stand by and allow him…" Jacob clenched his fists tightly. "To belittle her any more, it's... unpardonable."

"Yo Jake you've got to calm down." Kenzi told him as she was thinking about what had been said. "Hey, are you saying Hot Pants was/is free?"

"Technically speaking, yes she is."

"No shit?" Kenzi grabbed her phone and sent a message to both Bo and Hale. 'Oh they are both gonna want to know this.' she thought.

"No shit indeed." Jacob replied.

'Lauren is without protection of the Ash.' Dyson thought darkly as he rubbed his throat gingerly. It did not seem possible for anyone to have done that to him. The last time he had been man-handled was with the Garuda.

Now this Salus had said Lauren was under his protection.

Lauren...

She had been a bother ever since Bo was brought to the medical lab. He knew there would be trouble. He could see the attraction between Bo and the doctor, but he chalked it up to Bo's Succubus nature. He was sure he could win Bo's love and he had, much to the doctor's obvious displeasure.

It had pained him to pull away from her but he had been under the Blood King's orders. He could not refuse.

Watching Bo and Lauren together churned his stomach. Yes he had told Kenzi that Bo looked happy. But she had looked happier with him.

Now they were trying to convince him that the child Bo was carrying was Lauren's.

He had seen the DNA report, he had read the results. But it did not mean they could not be falsified. He had not been there when the tests were run. How could they run the tests as he had not provided a sample?

No, he would not believe it.

But, if it were true...

There would be no way he would allow this... abomination to be born.

He would not protect it.

He would not show it the ways of his clan.

He would not provide for it.

He would not lift a finger.

He growled low in his chest.

Jacob quickly glanced in Dyson's direction and followed his gaze.

Bo had gotten the text Kenzi had sent her. "Umm, Lauren?" she asked.

"Yes Bo?"

"Is this true?" she asked showing the text.

Lauren read and thought about it. She had not re-pledged her service to Hale. And until a new Ash had been determined through another Stag hunt, Hale was the Ash, acting or not.

Which meant...

"I'm free?"

Bo smiled. "You're free."

Lauren wasn't sure what she should feel right now. "I don't know what to do or say right now." she said shaking her head.

"Hey," Bo whispered, "We'll deal with it later, okay? We've got enough on our plate."

Lauren nodded.

Bo opened the bathroom door and took a deep breath knowing what she was about to do would change everything.