Bo
Bo shifted in her seat. She hadn't slept all night but had managed to get Lauren into bed. She had done it again. She screwed up. She had no idea why she did it, but knew she had done that before over and over again. Only to Lauren.
She never bought the line, you hurt the one you love the most. That wasn't true for them. If she loved her like she said she does, she wouldn't have hurt her from the start.
When did it start? It started the first night they slept together. Everyone had gotten their explanations in when they had betrayed Bo in some fashion. But not Lauren. Bo thought it better to run and not see her than give her a second to explain. Five years had passed and look at how much time they had lost over shit like this. Over Bo snapping on Lauren in her anger. It wasn't even the Doctor that she was angry with this time. She was just the most convenient target that Bo aimed for. Could aim for because Lauren would never see it coming. Or did she?
The Succubus didn't know. But what she did know was what she saw in their kiss. They were going to have a family and a nice one. But Bo had to fix herself. Fix things between them. She didn't want to be near Lauren right now. She didn't deserve to be. She didn't deserve Lauren coming to tell her the truth for once and on the spot in Grimley. Maybe that's why she ran. Lauren's truths always hurt. So Bo wanted to hurt her to deflect her own pain.
She hadn't heard of any deceit surrounding her old high school. She just thought the teachers were jealous of all the attention she was getting from girls and boys. Bo had never seriously dated until Kyle. He was tall, dark and handsome. Nothing of him reeked of a player. The way he kissed her was always gentle and deep.
He was the second best kisser she had known. Until Lauren. Kissing Lauren freed Bo of everything. Her life. Her guilt. Her Succubus. Well the last part wasn't true. Her Succubus loved it too.
Lauren freed Bo from all of it. That's why she just had to have her and not just in bed either. She had to have her genius to understand her Succubus. She had to have her to light up her darkened world. She had to have her to love her. For Lauren's love cured every ache in her heart. For years she looked like one of those monsters in horror flicks. Like an animal that couldn't get enough until she could, with Lauren's help.
Bo wanted to stay in bed with Lauren forever. It was all she ever needed and wanted until Lauren didn't want it anymore. Or so she thought. Which led her current mental state back to what brought her here. Sitting alone on a cold, leather couch.
She had booked them into a bed and breakfast just outside of Grimley. Lauren had slept the whole drive over and Bo didn't have the heart or courage to wake her. Once she checked in, she carried the Doctor inside and to a bed, she went back for their bags. She hadn't gotten farther than that. Once she dropped the bags, she dropped on the couch.
Morning had come and so did their breakfast. She wouldn't eat yet for two reasons. One Lauren was still sleeping. Two she was still too disgusted with her previous day's behavior and couldn't hold anything down. She probably needed to feed too but put that off also.
Lauren
The Doctor moaned and stretched as she turned over in the bed. Burying her head in a pillow she didn't recognize the scent. Opening one eye, she looked around. She was in somebody's room. It was nice and clean, but not at all familiar. She didn't even see a hint of Bo. The Succubus usually had clothes strewn about, but not this morning. Rolling over. She pulled on a robe that rested at the foot of the bed, and matching slippers.
Gently walking across the floor, she opened the door and instantly inhaled their breakfast. Bacon, eggs, toast, coffee, bagels and Danish. She licked her lips in anticipation as she stepped over the threshold.
"Bo? Lauren said gently noticing the Succubus was still in the same clothes.
"Good morning". Bo said clearing her throat. She begged the tears in her eyes not to fall.
"Good morning". Lauren said as she walked over to the dining room table.
"I wasn't sure what you wanted or what they had, so I ordered a basic breakfast". Bo said never looking at the Doctor and pointing to the food.
"It smells wonderful". Lauren smiled taking small bites but turned back when she noticed Bo hadn't joined her yet.
Clearing her throat again, Bo stood up and walked over to the sink to wash her hands and joined Lauren at the table. Once the Doctor took her seat, the Succubus did as well.
Bo bowed her head and dove into her plate. She answered Lauren's questions when she asked her something but other than that, it was a quiet breakfast.
Once they were done and the kitchen had bee cleaned Bo retreated to the couch again. They only had one bathroom and Lauren had gone to shower. Bo was happy for the reprieve again. She needed the time alone again. She wasn't sure what she was doing but she knew Lauren deserved an explanation and a lot more. She owed it to her for walking out when Lauren wanted to explain something.
Lauren had showered and dressed very casually in sweat pants and a tank top. She walked down the small staircase and found the Succubus still sitting in the same spot.
"Bo...
"Why do you love me Lauren? Bo asked quietly.
"Huh? Lauren asked. That was the last thing she expected Bo to ask or to say.
"I want to know why do you love me or loved me? I have treated you so terribly and yesterday was another example of that. If we are ever going to get to the future we saw, I obviously have a lot of stuff to work on". Bo confessed quietly.
"Bo that is a very loaded question. But my short answer is you're a good woman. Yes you can snap on anyone without reason, but that's nothing compared to all of the good that you've done". Lauren answered.
"Please don't do that Lauren. Don't sugar coat this for me. I really want...need to know". Bo said gently.
Lauren rolled her tongue on the inside of her mouth, as she took Bo in. The truth was that she was learning to love Bo again. The minute she died, it had all stopped. It stopped because Bo had allowed it. She chose Rainer over all of them and her professions of love rang false when she did. She is different now. Bo is different now and there is nothing either of them could do about it. Keeping this bottled up wasn't going to help either.
"Bo I am honestly learning to love you again. It is not like it was before. Before when I had full trust in you to do the right thing. But as I laid on the ground breathing my last breath, I lost sight of you. The part of me that loved you. The part of me that would risk everything I am and was to protect you. But you proved you didn't need or want my help. You proved that you were better off without me. And you did all of that for him. Rainer.
From then on everything I had done didn't matter anymore. Not going behind the Ash's back with your injections, which he never scolded me for. Not for fooling Taft into thinking that I didn't love you anymore. Not for planning to take down Evony when she could have killed me on the spot. None of those things mattered. You had a new life and a new love. Even Dyson wasn't good enough for you anymore when he had always been in my absence, even when we were a fresh couple". Lauren explained.
"Thank you for answering my question". Bo said finally standing up.
"Bo...". Lauren started again.
"No I needed to know Lauren". Bo said walking past the Doctor as she picked up a bag.
"Where are you going? Lauren asked.
"To shower". Bo said as her voice trailed behind her on the stairs.
Lauren sighed and straightened up the coffee table. She didn't mean to be hard with Bo, but she didn't feel right holding all of that in. They had plenty of time to get it right, but right now, things were wrong.
She thought about their talk yesterday. Well their argument. Bo had every reason to be upset but not a single reason to snap at Lauren. She had done that for years. After their first time. The day she had to see her in the lab. When Kenzi was missing and then blaming Lauren if something were to happen to her. It all just spiraled from there. She jumped when she heard a door open and close. She could see the steam trickling down the stairs. Bo was done with her shower and it was a quick one.
Finishing up, she walked over, opened the curtains, and took a seat to enjoy the few. Not sure what mindset Bo would be in coming out of the bathroom, she braced herself.
Bo walked over to the small kitchen and poured two fresh glasses of water and went to join Lauren. Handing the Doctor her glass, she took the seat next to her.
Settling into her seat and observing the gorgeous view from outside, the Succubus spoke.
"I didn't love him Lauren. I know we didn't talk about him much but it was never like that. When you wouldn't come back to me, I went to Dyson over and over again. It was unfair to him, but it was the only safe thing that I knew to do. I even lied to your face when I said we were sleeping together when the Una Mens walked in on us. The fact was, we were talking about my father and the handprint. I said it just to hurt you. To make you see that someone still wanted me. Needed me even when he knew I was still in love with you.
Once that got old and I went to find Rainer, Dyson and I weren't even sleeping together anymore. He was hurt, just like you were. Like I was. But Rainer was a better option if I couldn't have you. Rainer was new to me, but really old in a way too. I had known him before. Vowed to get him off of that train. And I did. Or I thought I did, given he wasn't who I thought he was. He showed me our past that would lead to our future. A future that I only saw when there was no going back to you, because you were already gone. But neither he nor I knew back then that I would meet you. That I would fall entirely in love with you. He knew that I didn't love him. He knew it for a long time. They all knew it and I told Dyson and Kenzi on separate occasions. But that didn't stop them from wanting me away from you. Didn't stop you from wanting me away from you. I can't promise that I will change overnight. But I can promise you that I will be working on us. Which is why I have decided putting graduating off for now". Bo explained quietly.
"No! No Bo. You can't do that! Lauren said seriously.
"I don't want it handed to me Lauren. I want to earn it. Just like I want to earn you again. But I can't focus on my studies if we aren't as we should be. I will fail this time". Bo answered.
"Bo a lot of people have invested in righting this wrong. If you stop now, all of our efforts will be for nothing". Lauren sighed.
"Lauren I will screw up. I will flunk every test that they give me. Knowing we are pretty much nothing right now. You said yourself that you are learning to love me again. Since when did either one of us have to do that? Bo said sipping her water.
"Bo you can do this. You have to. You will never rest no matter if we are in sync or not. Which is probably why you look like you need to feed. You didn't sleep at all last night did you? Lauren asked.
"No". Bo said quietly again. She hated this feeling. Knowing she needed to go forward but feeling like she was stuck in the same spot with Lauren.
"Bo I didn't drop my work and patients. Come all to the way Grimley just to hear you say, you don't want to do this now". Lauren sighed again.
"Lauren you are my priority. Not a piece of paper". Bo gently snapped.
"I will not be your crutch Bo. You will not hang your giving up on me". Lauren said quietly setting her empty glass on the table.
"I'm not giving up Lauren. I'm just putting it aside". Bo said.
"I know what it is like and how it feels when you put things aside". Lauren snapped.
"What does that mean? Bo asked.
"Out of your own mouth you said you would give me space and that you weren't going anywhere. Yet you just up and left. I never said you had to leave right then and there". Lauren answered licking her lips.
"Lauren. I...I just needed to get away. To think. To plan. That's why I went home. I didn't even go to Dal because there would be too many prying eyes and ears. I didn't want to see or talk to anyone. Thankfully Kenzi was not home. And I tried. I tried to give you space, that's why I went on another case. But when the case was over, I wanted you. I needed you. Then I called you and you didn't answer. After a few more calls, I went to your place to check on you, and you were gone. Then I went to Hale's inauguration and found out that you had left on your own and hadn't been kidnapped. As I had feared you had been". Bo explained.
"Yeah you looked so hard you had time enough to stop, flirt and have drinks with Dyson". Lauren snapped.
"Damn it Hades. I wish he wouldn't have done that to you". Bo snapped angrily hitting the arm of her chair.
"Oh so you would have preferred that I not know any of that? Just because I gave you your memories back doesn't mean that I have forgotten. You just left me there. You wanted to get the gang together and do what? Come and look for me when you knew where I was but still left me there? Have a threesome with Dyson and Tamsin while Kenzi cheered from her room? Lauren asked.
"That's not what I meant. If he was going to give you my memories, then you should have gotten all of them Lauren. I rebuffed Dyson that night. I did. Then he was kidnapped and I had to find him. He was the only shifter trustworthy enough to find you. I just didn't know looking for him would bring me to you too. Yes I was going to regroup to look for you. After I had sent Dyson to kill Taft. I knew he would be able to find you". Bo said softly.
"But you didn't want to find me? Ok. This is getting us nowhere. And since you no longer want to graduate after all of our efforts. I am going home. I have patients to treat, and a lot more to do". Lauren said suddenly standing up.
"Lauren please. Lets talk ok? Bo pleaded.
"We are going in circles Bo. To be honest, I don't want to talk about your love life again. Especially when I was just an afterthought when we were together". Lauren said never looking at Bo.
"You weren't an afterthought! I worked on those cases just like you did at home and at the lab. It gave me something to do when you were busy working too. Like a married couple whom both work". Bo said softly pleading for Lauren to stay.
Lauren gently shrugged and took her seat again.
"Thank you". Bo said quietly.
"I still think you should graduate. You will hate yourself or blame me if you don't". Lauren said looking straight ahead.
"Lauren I am done doing that. I am done blaming you for my fuck ups and for things I let everyone else off the hook for". Bo said rubbing her leg.
"I think we should go for a walk". Lauren said still looking forward.
"Ok lets go". Bo half smiled.
Aife and Mason
"Anything yet? Mason asked as he strolled into the room.
"No. Nothing. Same old ass fuck fuckers and I have been watching on these tapes for hours". Aife sighed.
"Why don't you take a break and let me look for awhile. There literally hundreds of tapes to look through". Mason suggested.
"Good boy. You can go through the last fifty". Aife laughed standing up and giving him her chair and the remote control.
Aife took the time to call Lou Ann and check on Kenzi. She didn't want the girl dead, but didn't want her up her ass either. She hoped she was enjoying living like a peasant. The thought amused her. It was just about insulting Lauren, it was about Kenzi's need to be the only woman in Bo's life. To be more important than Bo's own mother.
According to Lou Ann the Dal was even busier than normal and she had to hire a few new barmaids. The Succubus didn't mind, but still wanted complete background checks on all of them. Even the newer customers.
"Ma'am I think I found something". Mason said suddenly.
"What is it? Aife asked hurrying over.
"This guy. He looks angry and I have only seen him once in the school office". Mason said.
"How many tapes have you gone through? Aife asked.
"About 25 of them". Mason said.
"Pause it right there. I want to get a picture of him". Aife said taking a picture of the monitor with her phone.
"Ok? Mason asked.
"Yes keep looking. I will text this picture to Isabeau. Maybe she will recognize him". Aife explained.
"Yes ma'am". Mason said. He was speeding through the tapes. He had a photographic memory and it was helping him find out who he saw more than once. Who looked angry, like the gentleman he just found. He was talking to one of the people they had already killed, so he must know something about what happened and if there was anyone else involved.
An hour had passed and Aife's phone finally beeped. She read the message from Bo. "It's my adoptive father, Sam Dennis".
"Mason! Have you seen that guy again? Aife screamed angrily.
"No ma'am and I just finished up". Mason said putting the remote down.
"Good because I know who he is now". Aife said.
"Who? Mason asked.
"Mary Dennis's husband. Isabeau's adoptive father, Sam Dennis". Aife answered.
"Wow. How do you want to handle him then? Mason asked.
"We need to find him first and find out what he knows". Aife said seriously looking at the picture on her phone again.
"If only I had his scent. I could search that way". Mason said.
"How current was that tape you saw him on? Aife asked.
"Approaching about 14 years now". Mason answered.
"Isabeau ran for ten years. And it's been about four years since she arrived in Toronto. It's possible he was in on all of it, but I want to be sure first. She may still love him, even if she hates Mary now". Aife explained.
"I will go back to the house and see if there is anything I can salvage to pick up his scent". Mason said.
"Dear boy. Mama always comes prepared". Aife laughed holding up a jacket.
"Is that his? Mason asked taking it from her.
"I found it in Mary's closet. She don't look like the type to cheat on her husband but wouldn't throw shit out. You saw her curtains". Aife laughed.
"It has a very strong masculine scent on it". Mason said as he studied the jacket and it's pockets.
"Find anything? Aife asked noticing.
"Nothing but a scent". Mason said.
"Good then lets go back to the rubble and see if you can pick it up from there". Aife nodded and Mason followed her to her car. The Succubus sped down the road. Nearly hitting other cars doing so.
She hooked her phone up so she could voice dial and maintain her speed. "Isabeau I am so sorry to interrupt you but Mason and I are going to see if we can track Sam Dennis down. We found him looking very angry on the school tapes. I know you might care for him that's why I am going to give him a chance to explain his part in all of this. I will call you back once I know more". She said hanging up.
The Succubus and shifter jumped out of the car and he immediately shifted. She watched him like an owner walking her dog and when his ears perked up, so did hers.
"Did you find it? Aife asked.
"I had to do a bit of digging, but I have it". Mason said.
"Then go my boy. I will follow you as much as I can in the car. Mama don't want to ruin her new shoes". Aife laughed.
"Yes ma'am". Mason growled as he sped through the woods. Sam Dennis must have been there recently because the scent was raw and the shifter had no problems following it. Once it stopped, he stopped and shifted back to his human form.
"Do you have something? Aife asked after jumping out of her car.
"The scent leads in there". Mason said pointing to an old pub. He quickly dressed after she threw him some fresh clothes and they both walked towards the bar.
"Ladies and gentlemen I know you don't know me and I don't know you, but I am looking for Sam Dennis! Aife screamed over the loud music and voices.
The crowd gasped at the tall woman and immediately pointed to a man sitting alone at the end of the bar. Mason and Aife walked towards him as he turned around.
"I'm Sam Dennis. What do you want with me...". He started.
"You're her. Beth's mother". Sam gasped.
"Very good. It will save me a lot of time. Is there somewhere private we can talk? Aife asked.
"Back there. It's my barrel room. Nobody goes in or out of there without my permission". The bartender nodded as he polished a glass.
"Shall we? Aife gestured towards Sam and nodded for Mason to stay where he was in case someone tried to interrupt them.
"I can sense that you care about my daughter so I won't take up too much of your time. I just want to know what you know about her being kicked out of school on false pretenses". Aife said seriously.
"I tried to stop that. I told Mary that we needed to get Beth some help and not kick her out. Since it was her house, she kicked me out too. But not before I made one final move to help Beth". Sam explained.
"I'm listening". Aife said staring at the man. His aura was pure so she knew he wasn't lying.
"Weeks before she kicked us both out, I had snuck into the school to get Beth's records. I sensed my wife was up to something when members of the school board kept stopping by unexpectedly. Well to me at least. I took the records and hid them from my wife. She kicked me out because I could ruin her plans with her snobby friends". Sam explained.
"Do you still have access to these records? Aife asked.
"Yes ma'am. They are in a safe deposit box. I heard Beth had been back in town recently and had gone to see Mary but the house had been burnt down. I am assuming she did that". Sam explained.
"Since you are telling me the truth. I will tell you that I did it. I didn't like what she did to my daughter and wanted her to see what it was like to be homeless". Aife explained.
"She's a mean one, that one. By the way, how is Beth? I can help her if she needs me too". Sam smiled sweetly.
"She is devastated over all of this but she is well. I will take you at your word and help her myself if you can give me her records". Aife smiled in response.
"Sure it will be hours before the bank closes up for the day. I can take you there. Can I see Beth sometime too? Sam asked sincerely.
"I can ask her if she wants to see you". Aife offered.
"Let me freshen up first and I can take you to the bank". Sam replied.
"Of course. I will call and tell her what we are doing and where we are going". Aife said as she walked out of the barrel room first and back over to Mason.
"He said he has her records in a safe deposit box. He stole some copies before they had been altered". Aife explained.
"Do you trust him? Can we trust him? Mason asked.
"His aura is white. Nothing he told me was a lie. He does want to see Isabeau though". Aife replied.
"Call her. I will watch him and make sure he doesn't run off". Mason said.
Aife nodded and walked outside to make her call.
"Mom? What happened now? Bo asked worriedly.
"I found Sam Dennis. He said he has copies of your school records before they fucked them over. He also wants to see you. I read his aura Isabeau. He seems sincere". Aife explained.
"When you get the address text it to me, and I will come. I am not assuming that Lauren will want to see him. Not after what happened with Mary Dennis". Bo said looking over at the Doctor.
"Ok. I will see you in a bit". Aife said.
Bo hung up her phone and slowly walked over to Lauren. She wasn't sure how she was going to take the news. She was sure she wanted to kill Mary before.
"Bo? What is it? Lauren asked when the Succubus stopped and stared at her.
"Mom found Sam Dennis. Apparently he thought ahead enough to get my school records before they changed them. He's agreed to hand them over to mom and he wants to see me. He's not like Mary. He was always sweet and caring to me. So I don't have a reason not to trust him". Bo explained.
"Ok then lets go". Lauren said as she pulled on her jacket.
"Lauren I swear you are the absolute best". Bo smiled.
"I know. Lets go". Lauren smiled.
Bo smiled in return and sighed in relief. If she could get these copies of her records, she wouldn't need to take any tests. Or have to go back to Grimley if she didn't want to. Not only that. She had tons of support in Lauren and her mother. A family. A growing one soon too if their visions were accurate. She just needed to grow up and work with them and not against them.
TBC
Lauren meets Sam Dennis
Bo looks over her school records.
Kenzi's latest scheme backfires.
Bo, Lauren, Aife and Mason return home.