Author's Notes: Sorry for the delay, but I had made up my mind not to post this chapter until I had chapter thirty-six ready to go. And that took about three revisions... all my fault. I did not want to let go of something, but, in the end I kind of did.

The updates may be a little longer. Which should hold you off until I type out chapter thirty-seven and that goes through countless revisions.

Thanks to Kravn for keeping me on the straight and narrow. I chuckle to myself when I get the file back and notice corrections in places she's already gone over with a fine tooth comb. (hehehe) Anyway, go visit her story, "Time."

Also, there's one thing I've noticed when it comes to the spelling of Bo's mother's name. I've seen it Aoife or Aife. Which is it? Really? Here on ff net it's Aife... I think. But I've seen/read it as Aoife, heck I spelled it that way.

Oh, just to let you in on something: CLIFFHANGER!

Not that you probably weren't expecting that anyway.

CHAPTER 35

Lauren took out her cell phone and smiled when she saw Bo's picture on her display.

"Hello pretty lady." Bo said as soon as Lauren picked up.

"Hi." Lauren said warmly.

"Are you on your way home?" Bo asked.

"I am." she replied as she walked towards her townhouse. Not only did the walk; which consisted of about five blocks, give her time to think about what had happened during the day, but it gave her the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. After being cooped up inside for most of the day, she considered it a treat. "Bo..."

"Yeah?"

"Hale gave me three weeks off." she said excitedly.

"Really?"

"Yes sweetheart."

"That's great! Hey Kenz!" Bo called out.

"Yeah Bobolicious." Kenzi answered.

"Lauren's got three weeks off."

"So Hale gave you time off?" Kenzi asked suddenly, having taken the phone from Bo.

"Hey! Give that back!" Lauren could hear Bo say in the background.

"Hello Kenzi and yes he did." Lauren replied. 'Honestly those two could not be more like sisters if they tried.' Lauren thought.

"Does Jake know?"

"I told him before I left." Lauren replied.

"Give me the phone back Kenz!" Bo shouted.

"Hold up Succumama. So, how or when are you joining us?" Kenzi asked.

"I'm not sure yet. I think Jacob may need a day or two..."

"Kenzi, if you do not give me the phone back I'm cutting off your gaming time and your Uozo!" Bo threatened.

"Well, I think I'd better go." Kenzi said quickly. "Succuface is being so demanding."

"Am not!"

"See what I have to put up with?" Kenzi asked rhetorically.

Lauren could not help laugh. She may not be with them, but she could just imagine how they were acting. "You're doing great Kenzi."

"Ha! She's says I'm great!"

Lauren could not hear the rest of the conversation as it was muffled.

"Hey." Bo said slightly out of breath.

"Hello again."

"I miss you." Bo said quietly.

Lauren could not help but smile once more. It was amazing how those words made her feel. She knew it had been hours since she last saw her girlfriend, but she missed Bo with a ferocity that shocked her.

Of course she could try to explain it away as her need to be as close to Bo as possible during the pregnancy. She wanted to make sure they were well looked after but she couldn't do that being thousands of miles away. And it drove her crazy.

Lauren knew she was getting nervous; she had wondered if this was how expectant fathers felt the closer the delivery date approached.

"Lauren?"

"Hmm."

"I can't wait for you to get here."

"I can't wait either. How are you feeling? Is everything okay? The flight wasn't too bad was it?"

"I'm fine, we're both fine. The flight was very smooth. But I think the baby misses you."

"Really?" Lauren asked.

They had decided not to find out the sex of the child. They wanted it to be a surprise.

And Lauren could recall Kenzi saying, "Hello, she knocked you up Bo. How much more surprised do you need to be?" after finding out they were going to wait until the baby was born to see if it was going to be a boy or girl

"Yes, the little one moves around a lot, especially when we talk."

Lauren felt her eyes water. "I love you so much. I can't tell you how happy I am right now."

"Lauren, I'm the happy one... well except when the baby decides it wants to use my bladder as a trampoline..." Bo heard Lauren gasp. "Lauren... what's wrong?"

"Bo, I'll... I'll call you right back." Lauren said as she stopped suddenly.

"Lauren...?"

"I need to go."

"What? No, what's going on?" Bo could hear the sudden change in Lauren tone of voice. One second it was happy the next...

"I'm... I'm fine."

"Bullshit!" Bo turned to Kenzi. "Kenz... call Jacob. Tell him to haul his ass to Lauren's right now!"

"What's up?"

"I don't know. Just something is wrong." Bo turned her attention back to the phone. "Baby… please, you're scaring me..." Bo pleaded with Lauren.

"Hello Dyson." Bo heard Lauren say. She turned in Kenzi direction, placing her hand over the phone. "Tell him Dyson is at Lauren's.

"You may want to hang up Doctor. I don't think Bo will want to hear this." Dyson said stepping closer.

She had been so preoccupied with speaking with Bo she hadn't noticed his presence until she practically walked into him. She was going to apologize when she saw who it was. She could not believe he was there standing in front of her home.

She quickly glanced around, hoping to see someone, anyone else out. He wouldn't dare try something with witnesses. 'Would he?' she thought.

"Never forget I love you." Lauren replied; never taking her eyes off Dyson.

"Lauren! Don't you dare hang up!" Bo shouted over the phone. "Lauren please..." Bo cried.

"Hello Kenzi." Jacob said with a smile on his face when he saw her number on his cell phone display.

"DYSON... LAUREN... HURRY!"

"Kenzi calm down, I don't understand."

Kenzi took a deep breath. "Jake, Dyson is with Lauren."

"What?" he frowned, "I just left her."

"JAKE! DUDE... Bo's freaking out because she's on the phone with Lauren and wolf boy is WITH HER!" Kenzi shouted as she looked at Bo who had tears streaming down her face.

"Kenzi... call the Ash. I'm on my way." he said before hanging up. He called out an apology as he knocked one of the lab techs over as he rushed out.

Lauren had at least a ten minute start on him. Although she lived on the compound, her townhouse was far enough away for Jacob to realize he would have to take his car if he expected to get to her in time.

"Come on." he muttered as he fished out his keys from his pocket. He pressed on the key fob and unlocked the car before he reached it. He got in quickly and peeled out of the parking lot, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

"Hey Mama..."

"Hale!"

"What's going on?" he asked worriedly.

"Dyson is with Lauren."

"He's in the lab? That's not possible." he had given specific instructions to his head of security to detain Dyson the moment anyone saw him.

"No... no. She was on her way home! I've already called Jake, he's on his way."

"I'm sending security over right now." Hale hung up with Kenzi and contacted the head of his personal security, Raymond; who was on his family's payroll for over three hundred years now.

"Yes Ash."

"OPERATION HEALER is a go."

"Acknowledged."

Unbeknownst to any of them, Hale already established a plan with Raymond, that if required, he would be able to provide aid at a moment's notice to Lauren, Bo or Kenzi.

If push came to shove he could explain it by saying Dyson had made threats against Lauren's life.

And it was his duty as Ash not only to protect Lauren as his ward, but also as the physician to the Light Fae.

Specific instructions had been given that Dyson would be detained and gagged upon capture. Hale could not allow Dyson to say a word.

Hale pushed away from his desk and headed upstairs with the compound security following him closely. Once he reached the top, he pushed open the door leading to the roof.

He smiled.

Raymond was already waiting for him as the medi-vac helicopter pilot was prepping for take off. "Alpha team, consisting of John, Colin and four others are en route to Dr. Lewis' townhouse. John will take point upon arrival."

"Good, good. Let's get this bird in the air." Hale said as he boarded the helicopter. "What's our ETA?" he asked when he put on the headset.

"Approximately five minutes."

Bo was pacing frantically. Everything in her was crying out to be with Lauren. The telephone was practically glued to her ear as she listened in on the conversation.

There was little else she could do.

She never thought Dyson would go after Lauren.

She realized how foolish that was of her.

Deep down she knew Dyson would not hurt her, but Lauren?

Lauren was another issue altogether.

"Baby... please answer me." she pleaded. "I swear to God if Dyson touches you, he's dead!" She wanted to rip him limb from limb slowly. Bo wanted to cause him pain, the likes of which he had never experienced before.

But that wasn't as important as keeping Lauren safe.

That was the only thing that Bo cared about at this moment.

The only thing.

Kenzi bit her lip; she didn't know what else to do. The cavalry was on its way, but she had no idea if it would make a difference.

She continued to watch as Bo paced the floor.

'This shouldn't be happening to them. Bo and Lauren had gone through so much shit... why couldn't they catch a break? Was it asking too much?' Kenzi thought.

"Kenz... anything?"

"Jacob is on his way and Hale is sending security." she reached out and squeezed Bo's arm. "She'll be okay."

"You don't know that!"

Bo was right.

She did not know... but what she did know was this: Bo would die inside if something happened to Lauren.

Kenzi knew Bo would live for the baby's sake, if nothing else, but the Bo she knew, would not exist.

"Come on Jake..." Kenzi muttered under her breath.

Dyson smiled when Lauren took a step back.

"You know you won't get away with whatever you're thinking." Lauren said, trying to keep her wits about her.

"Do you think I care?" he scoffed.

"Dyson, please... this isn't you."

"You know nothing about me!" he roared. "You think you're better than me..."

Lauren shook her head. "No."

"Liar! That's all you humans do is lie! You're doing it now about the child!" Dyson was exhausted – the anger he felt was draining.

"I would never lie about this!" Lauren said standing her ground. "If you'd let me explain..."

"Why? So you can fill my mind with more stories? I don't think so. It's very convenient for you isn't it?" he said as he walked around her slowly. "Bo is pregnant and as if by magic you're the mother? You know she slept with me!" he smirked as he noticed her flinch. "That's right your girlfriend slept with me and you can't stand it. You can't stomach that she turned to me! That you're not enough, you will never be enough!"

"She did it to heal." Lauren countered.

"Is that what she told you? Of course she would. She wanted to spare your feelings."

Lauren fought back the feelings of doubt.

She and Bo had spoken about it. She had seen Bo's reaction at the Dal when she found out Dyson had his love back when she healed with him.

Bo wouldn't...

"Fuck you Dyson!" she was tired of people trying to play against her emotions for Bo.

"Not if you were the last person on Earth. You've lied to her before... this is just another one." Dyson countered.

"And you haven't? How many chances did you have to tell her you had your love back? When she asked you: No feelings? You lied to her and you know why? Because you knew if you told her the truth, she would have never accepted the offer to heal with you. How does that feel to know that my girlfriend would rather go to a hospital than sleep with you?"

He gave Lauren a long hard look before looking down, he could feel his incisors begin to lengthen. Lauren's words cut him deeply. Everything she had said was true.

He had many opportunities to tell Bo he had his love back. He could have told her that day in the interrogation room. But he hadn't and he only had himself to blame.

He began to feel constrained in his clothes as his muscles shifted underneath his skin. He ripped his jacket off; the material of his shirt started to tear.

He was salivating.

Lauren may not have looked as if she were afraid; and he had to give her that slight acknowledgement, but he could smell her fear as his nostrils flared.

She was dripping with it; that and adrenaline.

Lauren could not help but watch in fascination as it appeared that Dyson was started to change into his wolf form.

Her scientific mind continued to absorb the start of the transformation in silent wonder. She had never witnessed a full transformation before.

"Dyson please..." she said in hopes of trying to reason with him once more time.

"Run..." he told her.

Lauren did not think twice; her instinct to live; to survive kicked into gear.

Bo rushed into the bathroom and threw up.

She heard the entire conversation before the call was lost. She knew Lauren, her beautiful Lauren was running for her life and she was helpless to do anything about it.

Kenzi almost fumbled with the phone almost dropping it when it rang five minutes later.

"I'm at Lauren's." Jacob said as he got out of the car. He ran over to where he saw various items Lauren he had seen her leave with earlier; her medical bag, purse and her lab coat strewn on the sidewalk. He knew she would never treat her belongs with such disregard unless she was under duress.

He frowned when he also noticed Dyson's jacket next to Lauren's.

"Bo... Jake is at Lauren's."

Bo rushed over and grabbed the phone from Kenzi. "Jacob..."

"I don't see her anywhere." he said as he looked in a circle hoping to catch a glimpse of either Dyson or Lauren.

"She's running; that's the last thing I know." Bo told him.

"You... over here." Jacob waved to the security detail that arrived. "Dr. Lewis is being chased by Detective Thornwood. He's to be considered highly dangerous."

"We are aware of the situation – if you'll excuse us?" John replied as he watched his men lifted their noses in the air before nodding in his direction. "Go."

Jacob watched as three of the guards quickly disrobed and changed into their animal form.

"Here." Jacob heard as they inhaled Dyson is scent from his jacket, lifted their muzzles to air and all at once took off.

"Jacob!" Bo called out over the phone, her hand pressed against her stomach.

"They've found his scent, they're tracking him now."

"You have to follow them – Lauren – she... she might be hurt."

"Of course. I'll let you know as soon as I can." he said as he hung-up.

Jacob was about to pick up her bag when he was stopped.

"I'm sorry, but you have to leave it here. It's part of a crime scene."

"But, Dr. Lewis may need medical assistance."

"The medi-vac has been deployed, it should arrive shortly."

"Crud balls." Jacob muttered to himself, all the time he had spent with Kenzi seemed to be rubbing off on him. Making up his mind, Jacob ran off, ignoring the warning to keep back and stay out of the way. He told Bo he would contact her and he would not let her down again.

They thought Dyson might keep an eye on them, on their movements when he could not be found. However they all believed his main focus would be Bo.

For that reason, Bo and Kenzi were never out of each other's sight for long periods of time. They were always vigilant in checking out their surroundings. They even got disposable cell phones that were used for emergencies only.

Kenzi had insisted that they give the numbers to Hale. "In case he needs to get to us right away." she explained.

Jacob and Lauren made it a point never to speak about Bo or the baby while at the medical facility.

They had followed that rule for the last two weeks... until today when not only had Bo called Lauren, Lauren told him excitedly about the time off the Ash had given her. How she had spoken with Bo prior to getting the news and could not wait to share it with her.

He thought briefly what harm could it cause?

It was the only time they had broken the rule.

Now as he ran though the wooded area of the compound trying to follow the security detail, Jacob knew they had been lulled into a false sense of security and Lauren was possibly paying for that mistake with her life.

He spotted one of the shape shifters ahead of him. He took a deep breath and followed.

Being a D'Eides did not mean he could run for an extended period of time without tiring out. He could run longer than a normal human, but even as Fae, he had his limitations.

He had come from a long line of healers who ingested infections – ailments, in order to survive. Although he could consume sicknesses he could not cure diseases if they were too far advanced. He could make it easier on the afflicted Fae, but when there was no hope of a cure, he and his family could ease the suffering and hasten the patient's demise.

He was also quite prolific in causing diseases and illness as well.

How else could he learn to cure an ailment if he did not know what precipitated the disease?

His parents had made sure he learned from the most advanced minds of his era and subsequent ones as well.

As Salus Quintus he had been privy to many late nights watching depraved acts of both human and Fae alike as he wandered the streets of Ancient Rome.

He had sat in the presence of the Emperor Caligula and barely escaped with his life.

He would keep notes as to why certain Fae or human beings would contract a specific disease while members of their own family would escape unscathed.

He would, at the request of his Ash, experiment on humans who had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He took the knowledge he gained from using human physiology and adjusted it accordingly to work on Fae.

He traveled the world seeking out other healers, wanting to amass all the knowledge that he could.

During his odyssey he witnessed the brutality of the Spanish Inquisition.

He had been a doctor at Andersonville prison in Georgia during the American Civil War.

He used all the information he had gathered over the centuries and cured many afflictions that had plagued the Fae, dropping a hint now and then to his human counterparts. Had he not, the human population could have been in dire straits. And he could only imagine the carnage which would have happened if the food supply had grown short.

He had, for a short period of time, been the personal physician to the Blood King. He had witnessed the birth of the Blood King's daughter, Aife before leaving his service to continue his travels.

Prior to leaving the Blood King's service, he had made the decision to stop experimenting on humans. The carnage he had witnessed over the centuries had weighed heavily on him. He could no longer, in good faith, cause pain unnecessarily.

He began to follow the main tenet of the Hippocratic Oath that human doctors took: First do no harm.

He continued his trek around the world, exploring, teaching, healing and during that time he met Madeline Everett and found a companion he could unburden himself with.

And through her, he had met Lauren, and subsequently Bo and Kenzi.

Lauren had unknowingly broken the walls Madeline had built around her heart and he could see the difference it had made in Madeline's life...

And since becoming acquainted with the three of them, his life had changed for the better.

Jacob stopped suddenly when he heard a scream.

"No..." he gasped as he pushed himself to run faster. "Lauren!" he called out when he reached a clearing.

"What's taking them so long?" Bo asked out loud.

"I'm sure Jake will call as soon as he can BoBo." Kenzi replied.

"Kenzi please... you didn't hear Lauren voice..."

Kenzi looked at her cell phone, practically willing it to ring. They had to know, one way or the other. And Kenzi silently prayed for Bo's sake, it would be good news.

She bit her lip.

She knew Jake would do whatever he had to in order to protect the people he cared about she had learned this the hard way just last week...

(The Shack – one week ago)

"Hello Kenzi..." Jacob said as she opened the door for him.

"Hey Jake, you're early... again." she told him as she went into the living room, letting him close the front door behind him.

"Should I come back?" he asked.

Kenzi shook her head.

They had already gone out twice and each time he arrived early. She was used to her dates getting there late or sometimes not at all.

"Why don't you sit down..."

"Oh, these are for you." Jacob said bringing a small bouquet of daisies from behind his back.

Kenzi sighed. "Jake, how many times do I have to tell you – you don't have to bring me anything unless it's shoes." She said as she smirked.

He shrugged.

Something she could not recall ever seeing him do before.

"I thought you might like them."

Kenzi had to bite back a retort. He couldn't help himself and besides he looked like someone had kicked a puppy in front of him.

"Oh, hand them over." she said, unable to hide her smile. "So where are we going tonight?" she asked as she put the flowers in an empty wine bottle.

"I thought we could go to the Mediterranean restaurant you spoke of."

Kenzi frowned. "Wait... you mean the one I mentioned last week?"

"Yes, unless you'd like to go somewhere else?"

"No – it's okay. I'll be right back." she said before dashing up the stairs and into Bo's room. "BoBo..."

"Something wrong Kenzi?" she asked as she changed the sheets on her bed.

Kenzi sat down next to her bestie. "He remembered."

"Who remembered what?" Bo asked as she sat down next to Kenzi.

"Jake. I told him about this restaurant that I heard about last week and we're going."

Bo gave her a hug. "That's nice of him."

Kenzi snorted. "I don't do nice."

Bo leaned into her. "Maybe you should? But it's up to you. Don't over think it Kenzi... have fun. Now, shoo!"

"Hot Pants must have called you earlier. You wanna kick me out so you can lurve some Lauren."

Bo smiled. "Be that as it may, you should enjoy yourself. You have to hold on to the small moments, they mean just as much the big ones."

Kenzi frowned. "You don't think he too much of a fuddy-duddy?"

"I'm sure you can break him out of that." Bo said nudging Kenzi's shoulder.

Kenzi thought about it for a moment and she wasn't sure she wanted him to change.

Sure some of the stuff he did, like bringing flowers, holding the door open for her, putting his jacket over her shoulders because he noticed she was cold – it was so old fashioned.

And she wasn't used to it. She only had a brief frame of reference with Nate but this was different.

She and Jake were nothing alike, yet deep down she had to admit – she kind of liked it. He had kept his word when he said he would not try anything and she wasn't sure if she was mad at him for not trying something.

She wondered if he thought she was attractive.

She scoffed at the idea.

How could he pass her up?

He was a fool not to notice.

But... she had heard him gasp when she accidentally – on purpose – bumped into him once.

Okay, it wasn't so much of a bump as she practically rubbed up against him. She was curious to see if he would react... and he did.

"Earth to Kenzi..."

"Huh?"

"Jacob is waiting for downstairs or did you forget?"

She laughed nervously. "Yeah, you're right."

"Don't stress yourself about it." Bo smiled.

"Okay, okay. Have fun with Lauren, but not on the couch." she admonished as she rushed down the stairs. "Let's roll."

"Of course."

Kenzi had to admit later on, she had enjoyed herself for the most part of that evening. The conversation was nice. Jake had surprised her by letting her know he had bought The Princess Bride on DVD.

"I thought it was very good."

Kenzi smiled.

Before they knew it, dinner and dessert were finished and it was time to go. Jacob had just finished paying for their meal when two men wearing masks and brandishing guns entered the restaurant.

One of the men had demanded cash, wallets, and jewelry while his partner went to the cash register.

Kenzi caught the eye of the one going around, and suddenly everything went into slow motion. She had seen the tattoo on his arm as his jacket rode up his arm.

He followed her line of sight down to his arm and he pushed his sleeve down before looking back at her. He slowly shook his head.

Before Kenzi knew what had happened Jake had pushed her behind him when she heard a loud popping noise.

She heard someone scream only to realize it was her.

The two men quickly left the restaurant.

"Jake!" Kenzi called out.

He was lying face down.

Kenzi dropped to her knees and slowly rolled him over.

"Are they gone?" he gasped

"Yeah... are you hit?"

He grimaced. "We have to go." he told her as he got up slowly.

Kenzi helped him to his feet and that's when she noticed the blood stain on his shirt.

"Fuck Jake! You've been shot!"

"Kenzi." he said grabbing her by the arms. "We have to leave before the police arrive. Do you understand?"

She nodded. They could not afford the police asking questions, nor could they have human doctors working on him.

By the time they made it back to the Shack, Kenzi was a nervous wreck.

She had called Bo and told her what happened.

Both Lauren and Bo were waiting for them when they arrived.

Kenzi could not remember feeling so helpless before.

Jacob had saved her life.

He did not have to – but he did.

Hell, he wasn't Bo, they weren't bestie's; she didn't know what they were, but he stepped in front of a bullet for her.

And she read him the riot act... after Lauren had taken the bullet out.

Kenzi found out a few days later, that Jake had gone down to the Skid Row district and fed from a few people there.

"They are perfectly fine." he told her. "I did not kill any of them. They're probably in better shape than they've been in for quite some time. You have my word."

"Fine... as long as they're okay."

(Present Day)

"Why hasn't he called?" Bo asked interrupting Kenzi's thoughts.

Kenzi was about to answer when the phone rang.