The Dal
Aife, Mason and Lou Ann all turned around when they heard the doors opening. They were soon face to face with a young Succubus.
"Bo! What are you doing here sweetie? Aife cooed as she walked over to hug the woman.
"Lauren went into the office, I thought I would drop by and catch up". Bo smiled softly as Mason wiped a chair clean for her.
"Well I won't beat around the bush, Vex is trying to get out of his human commitments. I had just finished cluing them in on what I want done to him, to make him change his mind". Aife said seriously.
"That bastard. Hasn't he done enough? Had he stayed out of our business, Lauren would never have thralled him. But do not worry about this. I will handle it". Bo seethed. She had missed a lot. Vex was always trying to squirm out of something. But since Lauren set this in motion, Bo is going to fix it.
"Shall I fetch him? Mason asked.
"Yes". Bo nodded and finally took her seat.
"We'll wait here Mase." Aife took a seat next to Bo.
"I'm waiting". Bo said softly.
"You were busy with Lauren. This was never going to touch your lives again. You know mama has no regrets about killing anyone or anything at any given time. Vex wasn't going to die, but he was going to wish he were dead." Aife took a shot of whiskey.
"Where are Tamsin and Kenzi? Bo asked.
"I don't know but I am sure Lou Ann can make a few calls and find out." Aife nodded in the woman's direction.
"Of course". Lou Ann turned away from them and left them at the opposite end of the bar.
Bo and Aife sat in silence for a good long while. Bo was wondering what hell Kenzi and Tamsin had gotten into in case it ever came near her family. Lauren and she do not have kids yet, but they will someday, and she does not want any outside interference. There had already been enough of that in her relationship with Lauren. Fae that opposed them. Fae that did not like humans at all. Kenzi. Dyson. They both wanted Bo with him because his was Fae and likely to live longer. But he is dead now, so all of that wishing was for naught.
When Lauren was just a human, her lifespan was never far from Bo's mind. She did not care Lauren was a human, she just cared about Lauren. Loved her more than she ever thought she would anyone. Everything about Lauren drew Bo to her. Her scent. Her smile. Her voice. Her body. Her spirit. Her kindness. Her professionalism even when she was flirting with her succubus patient.
"I know why you did it, but Lauren is my priority. I need to know if anyone is disrespecting her or plotting to do something to hurt her. She has been hurt enough in her life, and her pain stops right here. Right now." Bo popped her neck.
"Isabeau you have to know she's important to me too. I did not meet her back when I found you here. She is far better than Dyson could have ever been for you. She is always looking ahead. That is what I was doing, looking ahead to him hurting her, you or your kids. I have the resources and pull to make him vanish from the face of the earth. Let me handle this. You can do whatever you want. Go wherever you want. Go see Sam. Bring him here. Mama's got this." Aife spoke softly.
Bo knew she meant every word she said. Her aura told her so. "We were working on his house last night. It is all but done. He will have plenty of room for his fishing habits, and what not. I think I will call him in a day or two. First I want to make sure Lauren is doing well. Well at work. Well at home. Well internally". Bo whispered that last part.
"Isabeau? Aife gently prodded.
Bo gently shrugged. "Lauren is a Doctor. She is always fighting to heal someone. It is time that I start fighting to heal Lauren. All of her. No threats. No bullshit. Just a happy workaholic Doctor".
"I see". Aife leaned back. She was not going to talk again. She would let the young Succubus speak next.
"Thanks mom". Bo said quietly.
"For? Aife looked up again.
"For listening. For being there for Lauren. Being here for me right now". Bo replied. She took a drink and set the glass back down.
"You don't need to thank me Isabeau. I am glad to be here. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else". Aife gently patted Bo's back, and pulled away again.
Bo nodded and spoke again. "Now we wait for the three of them to be brought here. Vex won't squirm his ass out of this."
The women turned when they heard a noise. Mason had Vex in his mouth and dropped him to the floor.
"Vex. You're in danger boy". Aife laughed.
"Stand up Vex". Bo seethed.
"Now let me explain". Vex put his palms up.
"Mom already told me, you are trying to dump Kenzi and Tamsin off on another Fae. Well I'm here to tell you what I want". Bo stood and walked over to them. She grabbed her nose when she reached him. She sighed. "First you will take a bath. One with soap and hot water. Second Kenzi, and Tamsin remain your assigned humans. Tell me no, and I will do worse than what Lauren did to you".
"Worse? Vex swallowed hard.
"I will take the Mesmer right out of you. Then you will need to be claimed. Nobody will want to claim you since you would be an instant enemy of all Fae. Then we'll see how fast you can run". Bo never blinked when she spoke. Vex took a few steps away from her.
"Now, now. There is no need for all of that. We can talk about it without the threats". Vex kept walking backwards until he slammed into the nearest wall.
"This is how it is going to be. Don't ever think of crossing Lauren again". Bo stepped directly in front of him. She only moved back when Lou Ann said she had found Kenzi and Tamsin.
"Mason". Aife waved him out. He was half dressed from freshening up when he had been summoned again.
"They are just down the block". Lou Ann spoke softly.
"I can smell them". Mason laughed as he shifted and ran out.
"Is he your Dyson? Vex laughed.
Aife slammed him against the wall. "Know your place boy. Don't ever insult a woman that would snatch your nuts out of you and use them for balls to throw for you to fetch."
"Enough! Bo screamed and the room went silent. "All that matters in this situation is that Vex takes his humans and stays the hell out of the Dal. There are plenty of other clubs for him to haunt". Bo spoke seriously.
"They are whiny little shits. Why do I have to be stuck with them? Surely there are lowlier Fae than me that can claim them". Vex coughed out. Aife had damaged his throat with her grip.
"You will be stuck with them until they die, or you do. You won't ever speak like you are about to give them up either". Bo spat coldly.
"Bo! Kenzi screamed as she ran into the bar. She stopped when blue eyes met hers.
"Stay where you are". Bo held up her hand.
"Bo it is me, Kenzi! The woman screamed.
"I am well aware of who you are. You are never to touch me, understood? Bo turned all the way around to face the trio.
"Bo it is has been terrible. He does not even feed us! Kenzi rambled.
Vex adjusted his collar when Aife and Bo turned to look at him. "I'll feed them, I'll feed them".
"Now that we have all of this settled, leave us. Feed them, now Vex! Bo waved them out.
The remaining four took a table and all eyes were on Bo.
"Sam's house is complete, and I am ready to move him here. He is to be protected twenty-four seven. Although I didn't need to say that". Bo spoke softly.
"You didn't and he has protection, right now". Mason showed her the guards he put on her adoptive father.
"We are going to throw a big party. I mean big, big. The works. Everything he likes, I have compiled into a list. This is that list. Lauren is working today but she will want to be at this party, so we have to consider whatever she sets her schedule to. I won't throw it without her, not even if it means she would be late getting there." Bo said as she pushed a list in the middle of the table.
"A party would be a good release. For everyone". Aife smiled softly as she squeezed Bo's hand.
Bo nodded and took another drink. The four of them stayed where they were to plot that night.
Lauren
The Doctor sighed hard as she took her seat at her desk. She pulled her jacket off and hung it up behind her. Leaning forward, she rubbed her eyes. She had missed it. The rush of patient after patient needing treatment.
However, this time was different. It took all she had not to use her powers to instantly heal them. But that would lead most of her human patients wondering how she did it. The old her would not wish the Fae world on anyone else. They are better off not knowing and being forced to live this life. Even if she no longer felt trapped and obligated in it. There are some good Fae like Bo and Aife, on her good days. But there are also bad Fae. Fae that want nothing other than to cause trouble and murder people just for the sake of murdering them.
She looked at her hands. She had killed before. She had saved before. If her fingers could talk, the stories they could tell. But none of that matters now. Those days are long gone. Thanks to the Succubus. As a human Doctor, she rarely thought back to her military days. She only mentioned it that one time to Kenzi. It was too painful to talk about. She kept it all bottled up. Like Doctors are born and trained to do.
Then she met Bo. She started to let go. Let loose the Lauren she hid for years from the Fae. They had never seen her cry. Never seen her sweat. She saved that for her insides. To show weakness in front of any Fae, was to beg for death. They would use that weakness as a death notice.
The Ash must have picked up on her ice melting with Bo. That is why he asked her to distract the Succubus. The Doctor fully intended on going there just to talk. But Bo spoke of freedom. Being free to choose the life she wanted to lead. Lauren did not have freedom. She was far from it. Had the old Ash lived, she probably never would have found out that he cursed Nadia. Had it not been for Lachlan, Bo may not have been able to free Nadia.
All of those hads, and had nots were learning experiences. Learning that she needs to be the reason for whatever happens in her life now and in the future. She no longer wants to bow to or be ruled by anyone.
She blew out a deep breath and took in her office again. It looked and reeked of the old Lauren. She wants something new and updated to match her mood. She closed her eyes for a few minutes and when she opened them again, everything had been upgraded. Her new furniture will be comfortable as hell. She turned and stood to look out her new window. This is what she had longed for. To treat patients and to treat herself to the quiet after all she could do had been done.
She could smell Bo on her jacket. They are not where they should be, but they are slowly getting there. Probably like the slow Bo had mentioned before they went all in. Bo probably feared Lauren would not be enough for her Succubus. At times, she was wiped out after mornings, noon's or nights with Bo. To be honest, she often wondered if she was too much for the Succubus, and the blonde wiped the brunette out. She smiled at the thought. If she did, Bo would never admit it. But they need to be more than what they are on couches, on desks, on the floor and in beds. The need to learn all about each other again. Outside of the Fae bullshit.
She often thought Bo would be the second coming of Aife, had she not been raised by humans. Not that the older Succubus does not have her weak spots. Her love for Bo. Her love for Lauren. Her love for Mason and Lou Ann, even though she would never admit to it publicly. But if she did not care for those two, they would likely be dead. And the Doctor could see that they care for that Succubus just as much.
The Doctor smiled at the thought of their future. They would all have each other. They would all be a family. Even though Lauren does not know them personally yet, she does know that she wants to know them. If Aife trusts them, perhaps she could and should too.
But baby steps first. Which lead her to thinking about the nursery Bo built. How thoughtful it is. Actually, it brought her to thinking she is going to have to learn to shut the Doctor inside of her off. Make her work full-time and not so much overtime. She does not want any child of hers thinking her work comes first. Or Bo to feel that way either. She looked at the clock behind her and realized she was already teetering over eight hours. She looked around the room and tidied up before she grabbed her jacket and left.
She jumped into her car and let it run for a few seconds before she sped off. She aimed the vehicle towards a brunette and only let up at stop signs and red lights. She did not need to call Bo to know exactly where she is, she pulled up to the Dal and parked next to Bo's car. She felt the hood and knew she had been there for hours.
She walked into a loud argument.
"I called 8 ball, corner pocket! Bo screamed.
"We didn't hear you call anything". Mason laughed as he pointed at Bo.
They jumped when they heard the balls moving. "New game. This time speak louder baby". Aife patted Bo on the back.
"Game on now". Bo warmed her hands with her pool stick.
"I'll just watch and play the next game". Lauren smiled as she took a bar stool.
Bo's aura spiked at the sound of the doctor's voice. "Rack em up boy". Bo laughed as Mason set the table again.
"Now now, we won't have any cheating Dr, and Succubus". Aife laughed as she took a seat next to Lauren.
"I won't need to cheat". Bo smiled as she took her first shot and it was a big one.
"So, what did I miss? Lauren asked as she turned for her drink.
"Kenzi, Vex, Isabeau laying down the law". Aife laughed.
"What? Lauren asked.
"I told him he has to keep on claiming them or he will lose his Mesmer". Bo admitted as she took her next shot.
"We also planned a party for Sam". Aife smiled. She could never hate a father that doted on her baby Succubus like Sam had over the years.
"That's a great idea! Lauren smiled as she raised her glass with glee.
"It will be up to you when we have it". Aife leaned back.
"Me? Lauren asked shyly.
"You. Bo wants to make sure you can attend and not have to show up late". Aife took a look at her own schedule. Like she planned anything so far in advance. She internally laughed at the thought.
"Well you will all be glad to know that I made a decision to only work full-time and never overtime. Unless it is an emergency and every doctor in the colony has died". Lauren slammed her drink and set the empty glass behind her.
"I'm glad to hear that". Bo smiled as she bent over to take her final shot. "Eight ball middle pocket". She shot and the ball went right into the hole. She let her eyes follow the ball in Lauren's direction. "Hello". Bo cooed as she leaned in for a chaste kiss.
"Hi". Lauren gasped after she had deepened the kiss.
"So…today's Wednesday, we have two days to finish the guest list and set the party up for this weekend. We can have it all weekend long". Lauren smiled as Bo flanked her on the right side.
"You mean that Lauren? If there are too many people, I will gladly shrink the list down. But since Sam will be living here, the Fae need to know who not to fuck with". Bo said softly squeezing Lauren's hand.
"He'll be heavily guarded. Don't worry about him". Aife turned serious.
"Still I want a big party for him". Bo looked at all of them, respectively.
"And you shall have a big party. Let us get to the food now". Lauren noticed that part was missing from their lists.
Bo laughed and spun around to write. Lauren had ten items before the brunette had written anything down.
"You will not be cooking all of this Lauren. Just write down the directions and I will have world chefs here in a flash. Either they follow your recipes down to the last sprinkle or they choke to death on their own mistakes". Aife sat watching the blonde write down foods she wanted served.
"Mom please. We want this to be a happy party". Bo rolled her eyes
"And it will be so long as everyone behaves themselves". Aife laughed.
"I see a lot of food, but no desserts". Bo noted.
"You will be in charge of dessert". Lauren squeezed Bo's leg, causing the Succubus to spit her drink all over the counter.
"And on that note, we'll leave the two of you to the rest of the planning". Aife laughed as she pointed for Mason and Lou Ann to follow her.
TBC.