The Dal
"That's it Lauren. Get out of my bar! Trick said racing over with a fire extinguisher.
"Oh honey you don't have to tell me twice". Lauren laughed watching Trick scurrying over to put out the small fire she had caused when the Orges rushed at her.
Evony on the other hand hadn't moved. She was all but pinned to the wall by her own powers. Was this Lauren her creation? How was the Doctor attacked under her watch? On her land? It was embarrassing. A Dark Fae leader having one of their charges murdered.
Bruce and the others had cleaned up the bodies and the land as much as they could but she would never get the sight of them there in the first place out of her mind. She had seen many deaths in her thousands of years of life, but Lauren was different. She wasn't as meek and feeble as the Light Fae always thought her to be. She was brilliant and had shown it over and over again.
How many humans would tell the truth about wanting to turn a Fae human knowing it would mean their immediate death? Now knowing she would have done that for Bo, she laughed. The Succubus. So undeserving of such loyalty. She was a bit arrogant too. What made her think she could show up and everyone would fall at her feet and do whatever she wanted when she wanted? Lauren had cut the ties on that when she stayed behind after seeing Bo at her party.
Evony remembered the day she saw Lauren running down the road from Taft's. She looked dirty as if she had been in an explosion. When she saw the compound, she was sure of it. She ordered Bruce to pull over and carry the Doctor inside of her limo. Once they got her back to the Dark Fae compound, Evony ordered her to be washed and fed. Perhaps this Lauren didn't remember that. Perhaps this Lauren didn't care to remember. Perhaps this Lauren was no longer the Lauren she had grown to know in that short amount of time.
She didn't trust Trick or the Light Fae which is why she made a beeline to the Dal when word got back to her that's where the Doctor was. If Trick had his way Lauren would be forever chained to her bed. You can't cage brilliance like that and the Light Fae was most unworthy of such a mind. Evony knew she would and could use Lauren to make her even more powerful. That's why she believed the Light Fae wanted her. They wanted her to be their slave and then use her mind for their own bidding. Which was really nothing but solving Fae cases. If Trick was the Blood King and so powerful why would he need someone to solve Fae cases? Just write the offending bastards out of existence. Duh. Evony laughed.
"What have you done? Bo whispered.
"I'm not a Psychologist but you really should find a Fae one for Bo. She's talking to herself". Lauren laughed watching the Succubus stuck in her own head. She had never seen Bo in such a state. She was literally staring into nothing. There was nothing there. Nothing but charred wood where the Ogres fell to their deaths.
"Lauren I ordered you out of my bar! Trick snapped. How was he going to fix this. It looked like if you walked across the floor you would fall into a bottomless pit. That's the damage the Doctor had done.
"I'm going. I'm going. It's boring here for my taste". Lauren laughed walking towards the door.
"No. You can't. You can't go". Bo said coming out of her daze. She had never seen Lauren be so violent. It didn't make sense.
"I'm gone sweetie. I have stuff to do. Places to go". Lauren sighed. The Dal really was dull at the moment. She felt like it was a waste of a trip. Just the same old gang. Thinking the same old things.
"You...you can't". Bo said softly. But it was too late. Lauren was nearly out of the door. Bo didn't know what to do. She couldn't let her leave. She just couldn't. Taking off after the Doctor she tackled her to the floor.
Lauren groaned in annoyance. Who told her she could touch her? Who told her that she could crowd her personal space? Laughing she closed her eyes. She would be out of this predicament in a few minutes.
Bo held on with all of her strength. Lauren's squirming was making it harder than she had anticipated when she launched herself at her. She was still clueless about what actually happened to Lauren in the field. She just knew she was dead on the ground. The Succubus saw no movement. Just a pale, cold to the touch Lauren. She almost wanted to cry. That was not what she was expecting.
The last few weeks of her life. She had been busy with Rainer making plans for their future. She had to cut her family out of her life when they didn't agree with what she was doing. They didn't get it. This would have been great. She would finally come into her own and none of the Light and Dark shit would exist anymore. Just her and Rainer at the top dictating new laws. Trick would have had to take another retirement as the Blood King, whether he liked it or not. Bo was the new law and that's what it was really about. Something new.
But the one thing that wasn't new was her love for the Doctor under her. She had told her she loved her and Lauren treated it like a lie. A lie. Imagine someone that had lied to her over and over being skeptical of her motives. Of her words. Of her actions. Of the look that spoke her love and Lauren didn't see it. Or perhaps she couldn't see it because Bo pulled all the way back after she saw Lauren at Evony's party. Dyson was a nice substitution until she found Rainer. New guy. No strings. He needed Bo's help and she was determined to give it no matter what the cost turned out to be. And then it happened. She paid. Lauren paid. Now here they were on a dusty, beer smelling floor.
Bo jumped when she heard Lauren take a deep breath and then there was nothing. Nothing underneath her. Just the dust on the floor. The Succubus screamed.
"What the hell just happened?
"You shouldn't have tried that". Lauren laughed from the other side of the room.
"How? How did you do that? Bo asked.
"I won't tell you. It is none of your concern. Like I haven't been your concern for weeks now". Lauren said walking back towards the door. She really was about to leave this time.
She sensed the Succubus approaching her and raised her hand slamming her into the nearest wall. "Do not follow me". Lauren said coldly.
"If you leave Lauren, I will find you". Bo said.
"Find me? What are you going to send Dyson again? The same Dyson that told me to keep running after we all left Tafts? The same Dyson I saw you having sex with on his boxing ring floor while I was on the run?Having got what he wanted me to stay away for in the first place? You. You don't go looking for anyone but Dyson, Trick, Kenzi or Vex". Lauren snapped. It felt a bit good to get that off of her chest.
"I went looking for you Lauren but first I needed to get Dyson...
"Screw that I am out of here. I am not going to play this game with you anymore. I meant what I said don't follow me. Don't send anyone after me". Lauren said.
Bo watched her go. All she saw was Lauren walking away in slow motion. Everything was suddenly slow. Her heartbeat. Her eyes blinking. Her thoughts. She couldn't comprehend what had just happened. That exit sounded so final. Like Bo walking out the door after Lauren asked for the break. Like Lauren walking out of Taft's just as Bo had found her again. But Lauren was right. Bo hadn't exactly gone looking for her. It was just dumb luck that Lauren was there. It happened again when she went to look for Vex. After she fought with Tamsin. She wanted to get everyone together so they could all go and find Lauren. That was a dumb plan. One why would she leave the last spot she saw Lauren? Two why would Trick, Kenzi, Dyson or Tamsin care to look for Lauren? She was nothing but a crimp in all of their plans.
Tamsin was working for Hades by her own words. Dyson was just looking to get into Bo's bed, shower, Trick's barrel room or the couch in his lair. Kenzi never particularly cared for Lauren. Although she did grow to learn to tolerate her.
Bo thought about the last thing she said to Lauren at Evony's party. "When you're ready to come back to your real family., just say the word". Now that she thought about it, what family? Lauren was always the outsider and now she had literally put herself there and seemed to like it. She seemed to enjoy the freedom it brought. Freedom. That's what Lauren must be amped about. She's free. Like she was free when Bo woke up Nadia but didn't tell her. Then Lauren recommitted to Lachlan. She should have forced him to free her again. Forced Hale to free her. Tell them all to kick rocks, taken Lauren and ran.
"Don't worry Succubus. I'll take care of the Doctor". Evony laughed watching Bo's facial expressions change like a light bulb had gone off in her head.
"Stay away from Lauren! Bo seethed.
"Typical Succubus. You weren't even listening to her. She doesn't want you to follow her. She does not even sound like she wants to see you. Sound familiar? Evony laughed. Lauren had told her when Bo kicked all of them to the curb for Rainer. Evony wished she had been the one to take him out. But whatevs.
"Lauren will get over whatever she is dealing with. She always does". Bo said.
"Not this time sweetie. That was not the Lauren you know". Evony laughed pointing towards the door. She wanted Lauren to come back with her but this was as equally delicious seeing a confused and heartbroken Succubus. But hadn't she done that to herself? Nobody stopped her from coming to see Lauren at the compound. Bo was Dark. She just chose not to. She wanted Lauren to come crawling back to her like Dyson did. Taking whatever crumbs Bo offered him. Lauren was no crumb snatcher. She wanted and deserved the entire meal.
Lauren
Lauren was amused and angry at the same time. The Fae still dismissed her like she was nothing. Evony was ok but she couldn't trust her. She meant what she said about claiming Kenzi. Kenzi needed someone in her corner that knew the loneliness of being human in the Fae world. Bo had all but ended their friendship until Rainer died. Lauren wished she had been conscious enough to see that. But Hades was in control and killed him.
What did Bo do? She didn't drop a single tear over him so how was he her destiny? How was he so much more important to her than the rest of them were?
Lauren wasn't going to focus on that now. She needed to get her life back in order. She needed a place to stay. New clothes on her back. A lab. Even now the Doctor in her couldn't help but crave to study something. Anything. She didn't want to go anywhere she had already been. A fresh start is just that. A fresh start. New memories. New walls. New appliances. New medical equipment. And her personal favorite, a new lab coat.
She loved the day she graduated. She went and picked out her first labcoat. The moment when her name was embroidered on it. Her first patient. Her first surgery. Her first death. She didn't like that part but it came with the job. Although she really didn't consider it a job. She loved helping people whether the outcome was good or not.
She spent the next few hours house shopping. It wasn't going to be easy to find something perfect but she was going to give it her best shot.
The Dal
Bo had had enough. If she couldn't go after Lauren at least she could try and get some air.
"Bo don't". Kenzi said grabbing her by the arm.
"I'm not going after her. I'm just going". Bo said.
"Don't go after her Bo. I mean it". Kenzi snapped. Bo could get moody when she didn't get what she wanted.
Minutes later Bo had told the truth. She didn't go after Lauren. She sped away in her Camaro and parked. She got out and walked over to the park.
Everything Lauren had said started to play over and over in her head. Had she been that selfish? Had she commanded people to do what she used to do. Get out there and look for people. Wasn't her and Kenzi's jobs to find clients. So why couldn't she do that for Lauren? If she loved her as she claimed why couldn't she get out there and actually look instead of trusting Dyson to do it? He hadn't been in a relationship with Lauren. She had. He is not in love with Lauren. She is. The wind was softly blowing her hair and she kept walking going nowhere in particular.
"I know you're out there. What did you do to her? Bo asked.
"Ahhh Isabeau. You're learning how to sense me". Hades laughed. He was quite proud. He didn't know Bo knew how to tap into those powers yet.
"I don't have time for your bullshit. Tell me what you did to Lauren". Bo snapped.
"Seems to me you have all the time in the world. She wants nothing to do with you, so why would you care now? Hades asked mockingly.
"That's not true". Bo said softly.
"Oh but it is. She basically told you to...how do you young people say it? Ahh yes. She told you to fuck off". Hades said.
"Tell me what you did! Bo screamed. She was tired of him prolonging her answers. She wanted them. She needed them. Lauren was out there somewhere alone and she didn't like that.
"I did so many things it would take me hours to explain it to you". Hades said. Bo didn't actually see him. She only heard him but it was the same voice she heard in the field.
"I need to know so that I can help her. Fix what you've done". Bo said.
"Help her? Fix what I've done? My dear child she no longer needs your protection and nothing in her needs fixing". Hades voice rained down over her again.
"How long are you going to avoid answering me? Bo asked. She was really tired of the run around Hades was doing.
"Lauren has been what I called upgraded". Hades said.
"Enough with the riddles. Just tell me". Bo said.
"Lauren has most of my powers and your memories". Hades said.
"My what? Bo asked.
"You're struggling with your memories right? Hades asked.
"Yes. So? Bo asked getting angry now.
"I took them for good keeping and gave most of them to the good Doctor. But don't worry she doesn't about your sexual positions. Things you did with your mouth and then kissed her afterwards. Just about your lovers". Hades laughed.
"That's shit. Lauren can't have my memories if I remember now". Bo said.
"She does. She knows it all. Your kisses with my Valkyrie. Your kisses with Rainer. Your and Dyson's fake marriage. She even knows about you picturing her sleeping with Dyson. Imagine thinking Lauren would ever sleep with that dog. Not even for your viewing pleasure". Hades laughed again. Even he shuddered at that image.
"Fine. Fine. I believe you about the memories but what about her powers? What did you mean by your Valkyrie? Bo asked. This was embarrassing if Lauren really did know about her sex life. She really had slept with just about everyone in their group or kissed them.
"The Valkyrie has been doing my bidding since she arrived there. Everything having to do with you and Lauren she has managed to shred to bits. Luckily you were too much of a softie to stop her or believe her when she told you that she was sent for you. Imagine allowing her to come between you and the Doctor. But it works for me. Lauren away from you works for me. My Succubus will eventually surface and then I will have all I need". Hades explained.
"Shred? What did Tamsin shred? Bo asked. She wasn't aware of anything.
"She told Lauren about your kiss. She somehow managed to convince you not to look for Lauren as you left Tafts. You can't even deny it. You left a human with a monster. That's cold even to me". Hades laughed.
"Tamsin didn't tell me any of that. She wouldn't do those things. She likes Lauren. She likes me. She just wouldn't do that". Bo said.
"She did Isabeau. She even told Massimo who Lauren is to you. They were coming for her but Rainer go to her before they could". Hades said. That part did make him mad. The King of the Underworld associated with Rainer. A fraud.
Bo bowed her head. She had heard enough. Maybe this was all on her. She left Lauren exposed to the Fae when she said she wasn't going anywhere. Left her for Dyson. Left her for Tamsin. Left her for Rainer. No wonder Kenzi was pissed off and rightfully so because she left her exposed too.
"So she's Fae now? Bo asked softly.
"No. She's still a human just with my powers and your memories". Hades beamed. This was going to be good to see what Lauren would do with those abilities.
"So how long will she have these abilities? Bo asked. She wasn't liking the sound of this. It sounded like Lauren had been exposed to pending danger again.
"Until I'm ready to take them back. But you worry sweet pea I won't be ready for some time to come". Hades laughed. He couldn't wait to see who's butt the Doctor was going to kick. Having been inside of her. He felt her emotions. Nothing but rage. Namely aimed at Bo but rage nonetheless.
"If you go near Lauren...". Bo snapped.
"What will you do? You can't even see me! Hades laughed.
"I'm warning you! Bo said.
"See you around Isabeau". Hades laughed and like that the park went silent. Bo had stood there screaming for him to come back but she didn't hear a word. When ten minutes passed she gave up waiting for him to return and headed towards her car. She pulled out of the parking lot heading home.
There was a rustling in the trees and a sudden drop.
"Take your powers back huh? I'm just a lowly human? Buddy you don't know who you're screwing with! Lauren snapped having heard their entire conversation. Hades wasn't too bright if he didn't realize every word he said, she heard. Lauren took a deep breath and the wind blew widly.
TBC.