Lauren's Clinic
Aife sat in the lobby people watching. Reading auras. Pointing and laughing. Listening to one sob story after another. Things were running smoothly, probably because they all feared being fired, and the Succubus would immediately fire anyone of them.
Lauren left her in charge while they were away and she was going to be hands on about it. When she started to get bored she nodded at one of the Nurses, and she knew she was about to leave. She laughed at the collective sighs of breaths that trailed behind her.
She had requested and was receiving daily tallies and reports of payments. Lauren might offer free services, but Aife wasn't allowing such things under her watch. Unless they were bleeding out of their eyeballs or hearts, she wasn't concerned about their treatment and referred them to another nearby clinic if they couldn't pay.
She arrived at the Dal and parked in her usual spot. She was happy to see that it was busy, even before noon. She walked inside and felt her Succubus begging to be released.
"What the fuck is going on here?! Aife screamed.
"That little bitch tried to pick my pocket. I thought humans weren't allowed in here anymore after the bloody Blood King died! A man screamed.
"Who the fuck are you? Aife asked.
"Alexander, but I go by Alex". The man answered.
"Mason?! Aife screamed.
"I'm right here! Mason said running over.
"What the hell is going on here and what human is he talking about? Aife asked.
"He means me. My name is Dimitri. I'm Kenzi's cousin. I was told she would be here". The man answered stepping around Alex.
"Get him out of here Succubus or we will all walk". Alex said.
"Mason". Aife said slowly.
"Ok you lets go". Mason said grabbing the man and immediately shoved him out the door.
"If Kenzi has the stones to set foot into my establishment, she will die. Now unless you want to die in her place, get the hell out of my bar! Aife snapped.
Dimitri swallowed hard at the sight of the woman. She looked red, and had blue eyes. Something he hadn't seen before, and wanted no part of.
"Can you at least give her my card? I changed phone numbers and she's not answering my calls". Dimitri said.
"I'm no errand bitch, bitch. If you want her to have it, find her and give it to her. But never come here again". Aife said and waved the man out.
Dimitri walked out in dead silence and constant stares. Kenzi had gotten into trouble before, but even this was extreme. These people didn't look like the kind they used to con back in the day. He was starting to wonder if she was dead already. He remembered her mentioning the Dal once and thought he might find her there. He didn't know what her mother would think if he told her he never found his cousin. He wouldn't have come if he didn't owe her a favor.
"I want this place checked out. Every glass. Every counter top and under it. Every corner. That was no chance meeting. Kenzi knows better to walk up in here". Aife said and watched as the staff scrambled to look for what the Succubus requested them to find.
The customers quickly left when the Succubus eyes flashed blue. It wasn't noon and they weren't ready to be her lunch.
"Well? Kenzi asked.
"I was quick about it. I don't now Kenzi. That woman seems dangerous". Dimitri said.
"Look I have a lot riding on this, either you're in or you're not". Kenzi snapped.
"Kenzi...". Dimitri sighed.
"Dude don't wimp out on me now. Do you have it or not? Kenzi asked anxiously.
"I got it". Dimitri said handing a book over to his cousin.
Kenzi clapped with glee and gasped at the same time once she had it in her hands.
"You idiot! This isn't it! Shit! Kenzi said as she sped away in the man's car. It was hot but they taught each other how to hot wire any car make and model.
"You said grab a book and I did". Dimitri scoffed.
"I wanted his blood book! Kenzi snapped.
"A book is a book". Dimitri laughed.
"You don't understand. It has to be Trick's blood book. The one he wrote in his own blood with! Kenzi snapped as she pulled up to a red light.
"But you said he's dead, why do you need this book of magic? Dimitri asked.
"I wrote in his book before and I didn't have his blood. I have other plans besides that, but I needed the real book. Damn it! Kenzi snapped.
"Like what? Dimitri asked.
"If I can get a tube of Bo's blood or Aife's, I can use it to write everything that I need and want". Kenzi said.
"This is crazy. Even for you". Dimitri laughed.
"I'm serious. Bo promised me constant protection. Then she fell in love with Lauren and lost her ever loving mind. If I write in their family blood, I will have protection, food and somewhere decent to live". Kenzi said looking behind the car. She sighed in relief when she didn't see anyone following them or anything running down the road.
The Dal
"Aife! I found something". Lou Ann said running up to the Succubus.
"What did you find? Aife asked.
"Trick's book is still secured but someone stole another. A book that was here this morning, I know because I checked before we opened". Lou Ann explained.
"So they stole from me, and for Kenzi, that's twice". Aife laughed.
"What's funny about that? Lou Ann asked.
"I'm done with that bitch and her little helper is dead". Aife laughed again.
"He seemed nice. But he walked out way too easily and without much protest". Lou Ann nodded.
"Mason! Aife screamed and the shifter appeared in seconds.
"Ma'am? Mason said.
"Bring Kenzi back, and kill that fool that just left". Aife said.
"Yes ma'am". Mason bowed as he shifted and ran out of the bar.
"How's Sam Dennis? Aife asked.
"He's very good". Lou Ann answered as she rounded the bar.
"And Mary? Aife asked squinting her eyes.
"Miserable". Lou Ann answered pouring the Succubus a drink.
"Isabeau may return earlier than expected so he better not lose one pound of weight. Not one". Aife said downing the drink.
"Yes ma'am". Lou Ann said pulling her phone out to call Sam's security detail.
Bo and Lauren
The women had the boat for hours and the weather was beautiful. Something dark and disturbing was bothering Bo as she looked at Lauren stretched out on the boat deck. She cut the engine on the boat, and went to join the Doctor.
"Lauren can we talk about something? Bo asked as she found a seat.
Lauren opened her eyes and sat up to face the Succubus. "What's going on?
"I know that we've talked about this for a thousand times, but there's something I haven't said yet...about Rainer". Bo tensed as the name cleared her throat.
"Bo". Lauren sighed.
"Please Lauren". Bo said gently.
Lauren looked at her. Bo did have something on her mind, and it looked important.
"Ok". Lauren nodded giving the Succubus her full attention.
Bo bowed her head and fiddled with her hands. She needed to get her words right. She had a tendency to say the wrong thing and this is the wrong person for her to say the wrong thing to.
"I wanted to explain about him or try to". Bo said softy lifting her head.
Lauren nodded again.
"Lauren when I first met you. I didn't quite know who you were yet, but I knew I wanted to know you more. That's why I came to the lab with all of those cases. Sure Dyson was a cop and could solve his own problems but it gave me a chance to see you as often as I took a case. It was selfish, but I needed to see you. Wanted to see you.
We grew closer. We fell in love. We became a couple. Then that shit with my Dawning started and a part of me was afraid that I would fail, and that I wouldn't come back to you. That turned out to be about Dyson and so did my actions afterwards. I took your Chi and the others to bring him back, and I left you out in the process. I was hoping that when things settled down you and I would go back to normal. But my normal was my selfish need to stretch out my wings and see what I could really do now that the Dawning was over.
I had a relationship with Kyle and I didn't know what that kind of commitment was. What it felt like. What it looked like. I thought I was doing all the right things. I thought we were ok, and then you asked for a break. I tried to be true to my word about giving you space and working on us. But then the ache in my heart was growing by the minute so I called you. When you didn't answer that's when I came to your apartment looking for you. Then I didn't see you again until I was looking for Dyson at Taft's. But I told Tamsin before we went in that I felt you were there too, I just didn't know where. But I do know why I felt that way.
It was you Lauren. Everything about you just pulls at me. No matter if we are in the same room or not. I know it's part of my Succubus nature too, to feel you as much as I do. You told me you loved me and I took that as in we were over, for good.
I know I should have looked for you, but I thought you were done with me. Done with the Fae. Especially after I found your Ash necklace in your desk drawer. You were out there, away from me.
I was lost without you Lauren. That's what our love means to me. Home. Safety. I know you don't think I'm a monster, but a part of me still believes that. The part of me that snaps at you when I get angry. The part of me that hurts you by shoving someone or something in your face like I did after we all rescued Dyson from the Una Mens.
But then something about Dyson and I changed. I didn't want him anymore. It was just sex, and I knew deep down that I was using him. Then Kenzi found that box and the rest led to me Rainer. Someone new. Someone I thought at the time that I had no history with.
He was easy. He wasn't a part of the gang. Someone I could focus on to take the focus off of the hurt of you leaving me. Yes it was cruel and it was nasty. But I had to have something as a repellent to keep Dyson from thinking we were going to have more than I wanted from him.
I was lost Lauren. I was. After finding you at Evony's party and your refusal to come home with me, I thought you had found the space and normalcy that you wanted. That you wanted her. Why wouldn't you? She was giving you everything that I couldn't without having to force someone to. Even with Evony, you looked free. Carefree too. I didn't know for sure, probably because it would hurt too much to ask you if had fallen for her.
Since I thought you had someone, I had to have someone too. Someone I know that I didn't love. Someone that I told I didn't love him. After saying all that, the only thing left to say is that I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry for not trusting you because part of loving you should be to trust you too". Bo said tearfully.
Lauren lifted her head and blew a deep breath into the air. Licking her lips, she looked out across the ocean.
"Lauren. Please say something. I can see that you are thinking something". Bo said softly moving closer to the Doctor.
"Bo you can't do that again, or we will never make it". Lauren said quietly.
"I know. I know I always assumed when it came to you. That's the reason I lost you in the first place because I assumed we were Ok, when we clearly weren't". Bo said fiddling with her hands again.
"To be honest, I am not sure I know you as much as I used to. But that's the purpose of this trip". Lauren replied never looking at Bo.
Bo squeezed her eyes shut. She looked out at the ocean again. As far as they were from shore, they were equally as far away from each other at the moment.
"I'm sorry Lauren. I never gave you an explanation of what Rainer was to me. But he was never you. Nobody was". Bo replied rolling her tongue over her lips.
"Bo I tried with Nadia. I did. Even with the guilt of what you and I did hanging over us, I tried.
I tried with a woman named Crystal. It was only one night, but I tried. I won't lie and say I never thought of them again, just not like I think of you. Of us.
But they weren't you. Me with either of them, would never equal to what I feel for you. You're a Succubus, you've had many lovers, it's in your nature. I have only had two besides you in almost 7 years. I never told them I loved them. I never promised them a normal life. I thought you and I were building towards that when we became a couple. Then the Fae intervened. Or shall I say Dyson and Tamsin intervened. Two people I had to see over and over again. Two people that never ceased reminding me that I was only a human, and I would never be able to compete with them for you. I shouldn't have felt that way. But you weren't exactly telling them to stop either. I am sure you can still read auras but you never read theirs or you did and didn't care". Lauren said nearly counting the ripples in the water.
"I love you Lauren. You! All of you! It never mattered to me that you were human because I'm Fae. I told Dyson that I was in love with you. I told Kenzi the same thing. I had no idea about Tamsin, but that's no excuse because I should have told you about that meaningless kiss. It meant nothing. She meant nothing. Rainer meant nothing. I never told him that I love you. I think he picked up on it on his own and that's why he interrupted our talk. I think in the end he would have turned out like Dyson, thinking sex was going to get me to fall in love with him. But I couldn't if I tried and I never would have because I love you Lauren.
I couldn't be what you needed. I needed to sleep with others to heal, and you were never burdened with that problem, because it was mine. I often wished I wasn't a Succubus, so I could be to you what you needed from me". Bo said softly looking at Lauren. She shook her head when she started to read her aura. She wanted Lauren to tell her what she was feeling without seeing it for herself.
"I know you love me Bo and I love you too, but love was never our problem, trust was. That's why I screamed for you last night". Lauren said now wiping away tears again.
Bo stood up and was immediately at Lauren's side.
"It's Ok Lauren. I'm right here". Bo cried as she pulled the Doctor into her arms. She cried even more when Lauren shook in her arms.
Lauren shook in Bo's arms and wiped a few tears away. She let the others fall as she pulled back from Bo.
"Can you tell me? Bo asked gently.
"There were so many of them Bo. I thought if I could outrun them or get inside the Dark Fae compound, I would be safe but I never made it". Lauren cried harder.
Bo clenched her jaw in anger, knowing where this was going, but Lauren needed to get it out, and Bo wasn't going to move until she did.
"I was half way across the field before four hands grabbed me and threw me down. I screamed your name and the next thing I remembered I was running away from you". Lauren cried again.
"I am so sorry Lauren. You shouldn't have been alone. But since you were, did Evony not give you a driver? Bo asked.
"She did. I always had a driver unless I was sneaking out on her. That night I took a cab and when I tried to call another one, they said they were swamped and one wouldn't be available for hours. So it was either walk or call and tell Evony that I was stranded, she didn't even know that I had left the lab that day". Lauren replied.
"Damn it. This is all on me too. You were my friend, I should have seen that you were safely taken back, even when you weren't coming back to me". Bo snapped in anger. She had failed the Doctor. Even if they weren't a couple, Lauren was still her friend and as chilling as their argument was, she was still human.
Lauren left out a few deep breaths and freed herself from Bo's arms. Bo allowed it since it's what Lauren wanted.
"Do you know if they all died? Bo asked angrily.
"Yes they are all dead". Lauren replied.
"If I had been there, I would have brought them back and killed them again". Bo bristled.
"I'm sorry that I put a damper on our day at sea". Lauren said.
"No. Don't do that Lauren. You did no such thing. You needed to talk. I needed to talk. We needed this". Bo said softly taking one of Lauren's hands and shook it gently.
"Are you Ok? Lauren asked.
"Yeah. Just a little sore". Bo said as she stretched her arm. She thought she healed enough from Lauren's attack, but her body was proving her wrong at the moment.
"You need to feed". Lauren said noticing Bo wincing.
"I can do that later". Bo said.
"Bo you can barely move that arm, considering I did that, it's only fair that I help you fix it". Lauren said.
"Ok. But only your Chi. This is not the time for making love. That was never our problem. Certainly not yours". Bo said as Lauren leaned into her.
They gently kissed until Bo was ready to feed. Once it was over, they both took some deep breaths.
"Are you better now? Lauren asked.
"I'm fine. Thank you". Bo said.
"I'm sorry about that Bo. I didn't know what I was doing". Lauren said shyly.
"It's Ok. If it wasn't me, it would have been someone else. Someone that would have wanted revenge. I'm fine really". Bo smiled gently.
"Speaking of feeding. We haven't eaten in hours". Lauren said.
"Since I knew we would be at sea. I ordered some salads and sports drinks. There should also be a bottle of wine in the cooler". Bo said as she gently pulled Lauren to her feet.
"And everything is here". Lauren smiled as they stood over the cooler.
"Why don't you have a seat again, and I will bring everything over". Bo said.
Lauren nodded but took the wine bottle with her.
After an hour the women were relaxing in each other's arms as they watched other boats.
"Thank you". Lauren said kissing Bo's hand.
"For what? Bo asked softly.
"For this. For listening. For not running when I attacked you". Lauren replied.
"Lauren you never have to thank me for that. Besides you could have run years ago. We were meant to be where we are, even after everything we've been through and done to each other". Bo cooed kissing the back of Lauren's hand.
"How much longer do we have? Lauren asked.
"About another hour". Bo said looking at her watch.
"So sit and watch for another thirty minutes and then we head back? Lauren suggested.
"It's your day. We can do whatever you want". Bo laughed.
"Someone else might need the boat". Lauren said.
"Then they can wait another hour". Bo smiled.
"Ok". Lauren smiled as she pulled Bo's arms tightly around her.
Kenzi and Dimitri.
"Oh balls and damn that boy is fast". Kenzi said.
"What... who? Dimitri asked.
"We've got company". Kenzi said pointing behind the car.
"Who the hell is that? What the hell is that? Dimitri asked.
"He's an animal, literally". Kenzi said.
"Kenzi. Kenzi. Kenzi. Aife wants to see you". Mason laughed as he shifted to human form.
"Can't you just let us go and tell her you couldn't find us? Kenzi asked batting her eyes.
"I could. But I'm not willing to die for you. Not like he is". Mason laughed pointing towards Dimitri.
"Run. If Aife wants to see me, she wants to see me alive". Kenzi said gritting her teeth.
"Just talk him down. You're good at that". Dimitri said.
"Dude run or be eaten". Kenzi said pushing Dimitri to get out of the car.
"Running won't do him any good". Mason said.
"I'm sorry". Kenzi said looking at her cousin.
Mason's eyes flared as he bit into the man's neck and dropped him to the ground. The fool did try to run. He almost felt sorry for him, but he shouldn't have stuck his nose in Fae business. Besides, Aife would have drained him without talking first.
"Move over". Mason said opening the driver's side door.
Kenzi shook her head. Dimitri was right. She was slipping. She didn't used to get caught like this. Sloppy.
Mason floored the car and they were at the Dal in lightning speed.
"Can I at least get a drink first before you kill me? Kenzi asked.
"You're not going inside". Mason laughed as he pointed at Aife.
Kenzi froze at the sight of the Succubus. She had never seen her look that pissed off. Not even at Trick. Trick. She longed for the Blood King's help now.
"I don't know who's dumber you or that idiot that left with you. What you stole was nothing, but the fact that you stole from me again, is enough to piss me off. Now given Isabeau is still away and on some sickening level, she still cares something about you. You are going to live until she returns. But your days of running in my streets are over". Aife nodded and watched as Mason opened a door.
"You can't be serious". Kenzi scoffed.
"You are going to jump down inside there and there you will stay until my daughter comes back". Aife laughed.
"But what if it rains? I could drown". Kenzi gasped again.
"There's a small drain at the bottom. You should probably use it to piss and shit too". Aife laughed.
"What am I supposed to do when it gets cold? Kenzi asked.
"Use this". Mason said throwing a blanket at Kenzi.
"And food? Kenzi asked.
"Eat the ants and roaches or whatever else you find down there". Aife laughed.
"But...
"Enough! Get in or die down! Aife said flashing her blue eyes.
Kenzi swallowed hard. Kicked off her boots. Tossed them into ground cage and jumped down on top of the blanket to brace her fall.
"Lock it". Aife said.
"Yes ma'am". Mason nodded locking the door.
"Don't try hanging yourself with the blanket. It's too thick to fit in between the holes". Aife laughed.
Kenzi threw her arms in the air and flopped down on the blanket.
"Here". Mason said tossing Kenzi a paper bag.
"What's this? A sandwich? Kenzi said licking her lips.
"You could say that". Mason laughed.
"What smells? Kenzi gagged.
"Probably the dead rat...the meat of the only sandwich you will get". Mason laughed.
Kenzi screamed and threw it down the drain hole Aife mentioned.
"Have fun tonight. Looks like it will be a full moon too". Mason laughed as he walked off.
TBC