Bo jumped up and followed behind Lauren. The doctor opened the door that Bo assumed was leading to the dining room. After a few more seconds, she learned her assumptions were correct. She stood back watching the Doctor set the table. Lauren looked at her and gestured for her to sit.

Bo looked around. "There's only two plates".

"The second one is an extra one". Lauren replied.

"Where is Noah?". Bo looked behind her and at every door.

"He's busy. Now are you going to eat or not?". Lauren asked. She was looking forward to having some down time. To eat alone and think about the next day.

"I don't trust him, Lauren. I certainly don't trust him around you". Bo shook her head and stabbed her steak.

"I didn't ask you to come here, Bo. You certainly don't get to decide who my guests are. But if it will calm your nerves, he was only here for a checkup." Lauren drank some wine. Her plate was already half empty.

"What do you know about him? How long has he been back in your life?". Bo rambled.

"Bo. This wasn't a good idea. Once you finish your plate, you can leave". Lauren pushed her half empty plate forward, stood and walked away from the table carrying her glass of wine.

Bo shook her head. She screwed up, again. This isn't the Lauren she saw back at the Dal just before her Dawning. This one has a lot of swag and confidence. She hurried and finished her plate. But the Doctor is wrong, she is not going anywhere. She grabbed her empty plate and rinsed it off before walking to find Lauren. "Lauren, I'm sorry about that. But I just have so many questions and I couldn't help myself".

"You never had that problem before." Lauren snapped.

"He kissed me, Lauren. I didn't kiss him. I think he knew he was going to die in there and wanted one last moment between us". Bo explained as softly as she could.

"Why are you here, Bo? Are you waiting to see if I fuck Noah? He doesn't like me like that, the same way that I don't like him like that". Lauren shook her head in disgust.

"As far as I am concerned we are still a couple. I am here because I love you and I am going to be here until we have been healed. As women and as a couple". Bo walked towards the woman and Lauren backed up. "Damn it". She groaned.

"I don't know that we are a couple anymore. I don't know that we have to be healed. You look healthy and fed". Lauren took a drink and walked to get another bottle.

"We are. I am wounded because you are. I haven't fed or slept with anyone, Lauren". Bo followed the woman into another room. This one was big. There were a few couches and chairs and a wine rack. She watched Lauren pull a fresh bottle and opened it. She pulled another glass down and filled it.

"I don't want it. Thanks though". Bo waved it off before she could hand it to her.

Lauren shrugged and slammed both glasses. "I almost kept going with Nadia. I was ready to pay someone to drive your car back to you. But I had committed to the Ash. I had to keep my word. Even though it was going to be the loneliest life Nadia and I would ever lead. We were just two lowly humans to Lachlan. He only valued the Doctor in me. The Doctor in me that is trying to build a new life. I don't want anything to do with those folks back there. If that's why you are here, you can forget it. I will be single and first then in a relationship with you and last".

"You were never last, Lauren." Bo shook her head and turned away from the doctor. That stung but she needed to breathe and shake the tears off.

"Well, you're a fae. I don't have the skill set to fend you off. But my decision is my decision. You walking in here won't change that". Lauren took a seat in a chair.

Bo sighed and shook her head. "Lauren, you being a human has never mattered to me. Never. I know we are broken. But I think we both deserve to try and fix it. I didn't say you have to leave here or go back there. You were ready to run before. You had every right to. I wouldn't have been mad if you didn't bring my car back. I would have been deeply hurt but not mad if it came back without you. You wanted to be free and now you are. I want to be wherever you are". Bo took a seat across from Lauren. It wasn't lost on her that the blonde took a seat where Bo couldn't sit next to her.

Lauren lifted her head and popped her neck. She stared at the ceiling. She almost wished it caved in on her. She doesn't want to be dead but she wants to not be in the position that she's in. There's a part of her that's glad to see the Succubus but there's the other part that remembers she is a succubus. A Succubus with a mate that could find them. She never wants to see Dyson again. He's full of lies and conspiracies.

She's tired of Dyson's self-entitled shit too. That day she went to meet Bo for drinks and he stayed like he was on a threesome date with them never left her mind. Then he had the balls to come to her just before Bo's Dawning like he was telling her to take care of Bo. Knowing he was going in with her. He probably wanted to sleep with Bo then too. The sad truth is when Lauren committed to Noah the first time, she had no idea her life would lead to this. To be shamed as a human. Even with every Fae knowing she saved them. Dyson treats her like she's his employee even though she never bowed to him. He was never really close to Noah, he was just scared of him and his status as Ash. He doesn't even know Noah is still alive. That thought makes the human smile.

"Lauren?". Bo leaned forward.

"It's nothing". Lauren closed her mouth to keep from literally laughing out loud.

"It is something. You are almost hysterical". Bo frowned.

"I'm not losing my mind, Bo. If that's what you're thinking". Lauren cleared her throat and stood. "I'm going to bed. Do not follow me".

Bo closed her eyes. Every question she has and everything else she wants to say will have to wait until morning. She jumped when she felt the air from a pillow and blanket being slammed on a couch. "So, I finally got the couch".

"Don't". Lauren turned and walked away. She knew Bo was talking about that time they were going back and forth about who was going to sleep in Bo's bed and who was going to sleep on the couch.

"Good night, Lauren". Bo spoke softly as the door closed.

She made the couch up and plopped down on it. She stared into the darkness and took some much needed deep breaths. Lauren had thought of never coming back to her. That's why it was such a huge breath of relief when she knocked on Bo's door. Although the blonde stays knocking on Bo's heart. It beats for her. If she hadn't helped her learn how to control her feeds, it wouldn't be beating at all. How dumb she felt right now. Thinking all of this stuff and not telling Lauren any of it. She still smells the Doctor and it's tasty.

She blew a breath out and turned her head. Dumb, Bo. Dumb. She's letting you spend the night here and you let her go without telling her that she never sleeps alone because your heart is always with her.

She gritted her teeth at the fae comment. She thought about that time on the couch in the Dal with Lauren and Dyson. He was puffing his chest about being superior to Lauren and Bo said nothing. She should have. She should have punched him. She should have kicked him. Something to show Lauren she disagreed with that statement. Something to show Lauren that she didn't feel that way. Her silence may have told the Doctor that Bo felt superior too.

She closed her eyes, again. She's going to have to fight. She's going to have to fight against the bullshit that she let pile up on the doctor, at her feet, her doors, her lab and her apartment. The Succubus looked around. Lauren is doing well for herself. Her new life is off to a much better start than the one she left. She can't even be mad at the thought. How is what Noah is doing any different than Bo waking up Nadia?

She cringed thinking about how Lachlan cursed her. Lauren probably could have saved her but that chance was out of her hands. Now every chance she has to right her life is in her hands. Bo pulled the blankets up and closed her eyes. Tomorrow is going to be a new start for her too.

Lauren

The doctor settled into her bubble bath. She pulled her hair down and let it fall over her shoulders.

She leaned back against the wall and looked ahead. She looked at the wall. She looked at it like it was crumbling down. She has so much work to do. She has to start up her own life again. No curses. No bowing. No Ash. Nothing can stop her. Not even the Fae downstairs. Then there's Noah. He's a different story but things between them have changed too. She bathed, locked her bedroom door and climbed into bed to sleep.

The Dal

Dyson sat talking to Trick. "Fae have been dying. We can't find who's doing it or why they are doing it".

"How are Fae dying?". Trick paced back and forth. Bo's out there. Unknowing and unprotected.

"I don't know but Tamsin and I found a lot of bodies. We took them to the Light Fae labs. But with Lauren gone, the workload is backlogged". Dyson explained.

"Where is Tamsin now?". Trick asked.

"I don't know. She knocked me out and when I came to, we were in a field of dead Fae. She took off and I haven't seen her since". Dyson replied as he drank some beer.

"Where's Kenzi?". Trick asked.

"I don't know that either. Probably with Hale, knowing her". Dyson shrugged.

"Make sure. I will make some calls to see what I can find out. But Kenzi is Bo's human. With Bo gone, she's not safe. Especially among a threat with no face". Trick pushed Dyson away from the bar.

Hale

"Sir, Kenzi is here again". A guard knocked on Hale's office door.

"Take her to my theater room. I don't have time to waste right now!". Hale screamed from his desk. His hands were beyond full. His compound morgue is packed and the doctors on staff are idiots at determining what exactly killed them. As far as he knows the Noble families have closed ranks and are out of contact with anyone outside of their circle. He hung up his phone and walked to get a drink. As bad as this is, he feels like drinking like Kenzi would.

Kenzi

Kenzi is furious that Hale dismissed her. His theater room is nice but no amount of movies is going to take her mind off of the fact that Bo left. She's not answering her calls. Dyson and Tamsin are playing cops and robbers and Trick's running out of liquor because his suppliers won't come near Toronto because of their case.

She settled into her seat and started eating popcorn while her chosen movie loaded. As pissed as she is, this is probably the safest place for her to be without Bo home.

The next morning.

Bo jumped up when she heard the door open. "Still here huh?". Lauren asked.

Bo had to focus her eyes to see the blonde as the sunlight broke through the windows. "Good morning".

"Breakfast is on the table. I've already eaten. You may shower there, and once your food is gone, you can leave". Lauren spoke.

"Stop it, Lauren. You know I'm not going anywhere without you". Bo gritted her teeth. Lauren has so many layers but this one is new. Cold and disconnected.

"I asked you to leave more than once. I don't have time to babysit your feelings today. I have work to do". Lauren walked out of the room as quickly as she had come in.

Fuck manners, Bo thought. She ran after the woman and didn't stop until Lauren stopped. "I love you, Lauren. I do. You are the best part of me. That's why it hurt so much after our first time when I thought you slept with me because of him. I wanted our first time to be special and it was. Every touch. Every move. It was special to me. I thought I had finally found love and then suddenly lost it because I didn't know that it meant something to you. I thought it was a business transaction between you and the Ash. But as time went on, we talked and I knew it was more for the both of us. You have my heart. All of it. It doesn't belong to Dyson or anyone else". Bo spoke. She wanted to grab the Doctor and never let go of her.

"You really should watch who you kiss in public. Otherwise I never would have known about you and Tamsin in Brazenwood. You can't even tell me yourself. How can I trust anything you just said? I'm not that Lauren that can look the other way. I used to have to because of my status but I'm free. Nothing hangs on me but the shit you and your presence puts there". Lauren snapped. She took some breaths to try and calm down.

"I didn't kiss Tamsin. I am not even sure she meant it. It was a spur of the moment thing that means nothing to me. I'm here with the woman I want and love. I'm not leaving until you are better. I know I've hurt you. I am not asking you to forgive me right now. I am asking you to give me time and a chance to fix all of it". Bo was crying now. Lauren carries more than she thought she did. She should have told her about the kiss. But the truth is just before her Dawning Lauren had stopped answering her calls and texts. Then she walked into the Dal and that settled it for Bo. Her choice was the right one when she chose Lauren. Kenzi was already there when Bo arrived. Then she freaked when she realized Lauren wasn't then she called her.

The women stared at each other. Bo was starting to feel self-conscious. Lauren looked at her like she never has before. Her facial expression never changed.

"We are never going to work, Bo. So, what is the use in even talking about trying again? If I have secrets and you find out, you storm out and block my phone calls. If you have secrets, I don't hear about them from you, but through the Fae grapevine. I didn't care if you healed with other people but kissing them or allowing yourself to be kissed isn't fair considering I could go around kissing people. I cheated on Nadia for you and she wasn't Fae. I don't think I ever saw Nadia alive again after she woke up. All Fae bullshit. We are bad for each other. When Taft knocked on my door that night, I thought you had finally arrived. But it wasn't you. You were busy with Tamsin. I just didn't know how busy until afterwards. Your body may not have always been mine, but your lips should have been when you weren't healing". Lauren stared hard at Bo.

"Lauren, all of me is yours. I am not lying about that. I don't want them, Lauren. I want you. I want you healed and healthy so that we can start again". Bo wiped her tears away.

"Lauren?". Noah stepped into the room.

"Yes?". Lauren replied.

"We have work to do". Noah stared at the scene. He almost feels sorry for the Succubus but her mouth always changed that feeling.

"Yes, of course. I'll get started on the project right away". Lauren turned away from Bo.

"What project?!". Bo snapped.

"That's between me and the doctor". Noah spoke from the door.

"She better not be in danger". Bo seethed.

"Little succubus. Always presumptuous". Noah laughed.

"Laugh at me again and you will be toothless doing so". Bo walked towards him.

"He's my guest, Bo! I already asked you to leave. If you can't be nice, go right now!". Lauren pointed towards the doors.

"I'm sorry, I..". Bo started.

"Dr. Lewis, this is top secret, she cannot be here". Noah shook his head.

"I can be wherever Lauren is! You will not touch a hair on her head!". Bo snapped. Her succubus was stirring wildly.

"Let's go, Noah. She will continue to talk and we are wasting time". Lauren walked out of the room.

Bo paced back and forth. She has to calm her Succubus down. She doesn't like the way Noah is looking at Lauren. It's the same look Bo has when she's ready to pounce on someone. She jumped out of her thoughts when the doors opened again. "What the hell?!

"Nevermind the Succubus, get moving". Noah ordered as Lauren was flanked by what looked like a Swat team.

"I'll brief you in the car, Lauren". Noah walked step for step with the Doctor. Bo stood like she was watching a parade. Then the doors closed and she stood alone.

She kicked herself for not paying enough attention and her car is miles down the road. She's going to have to run, then it's going to take a miracle for her to catch up to them.

Lauren and Noah

"What's the secrecy?". Lauren asked.

"Fae are dying and we don't know how or why. We need you to examine a few bodies and tell us. I have a crew guarding two bodies that they were able to confiscate from the compound. But to be clear Doctor, this is not about the Light or Dark. This is about making sure a plague hasn't surfaced again. I didn't fight back from death to die now". Noah handed Lauren some files and she started reading

TBC