Bo
The brunette had to pull over a few times. She tried not to, as she was in a rush to get home. Specifically her bed. Alone. She'd fed off of strangers since searching for Lauren. But she never slept with them.
Finally pulling up to the old building, she slowly walked in. Touching everything. Allowing her memories of Lauren to cloud her mind. Eating pizza while listening to Lauren's prom night tales. Their first, second, and third times. Nearly starving herself because she wanted to remain as faithful to Lauren as she could. Going to her apartment to tell her twice. Finally confessing about Dyson. She seethed about that now because Dyson did have feelings.
Hearing him but not really hearing him ask where she'd been. She slowly turned her head in his direction and told Kenzi good night and to send her guest home or to his next tryst. Because they would never have another. Her lips would never touch his or Tamsin's again.
Although Lauren never came out and said it, the Succubus has a feeling that kiss lead to Lauren asking for a break. Bo had been stupid to think that wouldn't come out. Kenzi wouldn't tell her. Dyson didn't know about it. So that only left Tamsin, a now fully grown Valkyrie. She was sure she knew who sent her after Bo. But that's not Bo's priority. If the coward wants her, he can come and try to take her again. But it had been two years, and nobody had come for her.
Climbing that last step, she walked to the closet and pulled a large plastic bag out.
She'd wrapped her sheets in a plastic bag. She'd often open it to get a whiff of Lauren's scent. Lauren didn't smell like that tonight. Bo dressed down and collapsed on her bed. She pulled the sheets to her face and inhaled. She never would've had Lauren's scent if the doctor never slept with her. Without mating herself to Bo. Without being pulsed to do it. Nobody had been in Bo's bed, unless Kenzi was when Bo had been out on a search.
Now she was on a new search. To find a way to get Lauren to remember her. The cold look in the doctor's eyes told Bo the truth. She really doesn't remember her. She doesn't remember them. She should've drained Taft on the spot and taken Lauren home with her. Dyson and Tamsin could've saved themselves.
She should've lived up to her own words that she wasn't going anywhere. That she would work on her relationship. The only relationship that she truly wanted. Needed. Cried for. Lied for. But seeing Lauren tonight spoke to her another truth. That she is going to have to work harder than she ever has for anything. Even harder than trying to save Nadia for Lauren. She nearly told her that. She doesn't want Lauren to come back to her because of that. She wants her to come back to her because they love each other. Even if Bo knows she doesn't deserve it, Lauren loves her. It was in her last parting shot at Bo at Taft's. Lauren may have lied in front of Taft, but she loves Bo to the point she's pained thinking Bo truly loves Dyson. Something her actions back then, didn't disprove.
"Lauren". She cried into her sheet and fell backwards. Sleep was futile because she couldn't sleep. She'd spent hours on end without rest. She'd even ran some Fae off in fear she would eventually snap like she did on the Lich. He'd threatened Lauren. So of course he was going to die. Did he think she brought Lauren just for kicks? As only her lover? No Lauren was her love then, and she's her love now. She just needs Lauren to remember that. So they can fix what's broken, together.
Crystal and Lauren
Crystal had watched her love. Something had changed in Lauren. She was jumpy and cut off from her. Whomever that brunette was clearly bothered her. Lauren would only get like that, when a patient had died at the hospital. She had to work tomorrow, until she called off already. That was really unlike Lauren. But watching her, wasn't going to get Crystal any answers.
"Lauren? We need to talk." Crystal's soft voice was like glass shattering into a thousand pieces.
Lauren's head snapped around. When her eyes met Crystal's, she sighed. "We need to run."
"What? Run where? Crystal gasped.
"Away from here. Far away from here. We need to change everything about ourselves. It is no longer safe or peaceful here Crystal. We have to go." Lauren walked over to Crystal and took her hands.
"Is this the because of your nightmares Lauren? Crystal asked.
Lauren bit her lip. "Yes it is."
"Then you need to tell me what it is. What we're dealing with. You've never lied to me before. At least, I think you haven't." Crystal said.
"I haven't lied to you. But I haven't told you this part about my past." Lauren stared into Crystal's confused eyes.
"Then tell me now." Crystal said as she pulled Lauren down to sit.
Lauren took a deep breath. "That lady we saw. I don't know who she is, but I know what she is. She's not like us Crystal. These people are murderers. She was probably hired to kill me. We are not safe living here. We need to run."
"Wherever you run, I will be right beside you. I'm not completely sure what you mean by she's not like us, but I'm not scared of her. You shouldn't be either." Crystal said seriously.
"Crystal, I love you for that. But listen to me. Really listen to me. That woman is not a human. From a split second of looking into her eyes, I'm assuming she's a Succubus. A Fae. The same people that cursed Nadia and then pulled the plug from the capsule she was in while she was in a coma. I ran after that. They've finally tracked me down. That woman looked like a young Succubus. Which means she probably doesn't know how powerful she is yet. Now please pack a bag as quickly as you can and come with me." Lauren explained.
Crystal never doubted Lauren's gut. If she saw something, she saw something. If she knows something, she knows a lot about it. They'd never discussed Nadia before because it was too painful. Now she understood why Lauren ran. Why she took a long time to even agree to date her. Her ex had been murdered.
They'd started off well as friends. Hanging out to watch movies. Go to the movies. Took trips around the world, until finally settling down on new careers. Lauren was probably born spouting out the Periodic Table. She certainly mumbled things in her sleep.
Crystal packed up two big bags. Mostly her clothes and a few mementos of Lauren, in the event that they'd have to separate. She didn't want to leave Lauren. She didn't want to die, without her going to. She placed her bags at the door, and turned to watch Lauren grab the last of whatever she was taking. She wiped a tear away when Lauren grabbed a blanket that reeked of Crystal's perfume.
"Ready? Crystal asked.
"I'm ready". Lauren smiled sadly. Not because she was expecting them to die, but because she hated taking Crystal away from their home. She turned around and lit a small jar on fire. Once it turned to black smoke, she closed the door and watched as it cleared up inside.
"What was that? Crystal asked.
"A little something I invented to hide our scents. Just as a precaution." Lauren said as Crystal grabbed their things and packed them into the trunk.
"Brilliant". Crystal smiled wide as they climbed into her Hummer. Lauren had given it to her as a gift.
They pulled out of their driveway and drove into the opposite direction. It was still night and their neighbors probably suspected Lauren was heading to work. The doctor sighed at the thought.
"Crystal I'm sorry. I shouldn't have dragged you into this mess. Into my life, thinking I would never be found. I owe you so much, and an apology seems so minimal." Lauren said taking Crystal's free hand and kissed it.
"Lauren we all have pasts. I already suspected yours was awful due to your constant nightmares. You have nothing to feel guilty about or apologize for. There's always danger surrounding us. Like a car accident waiting to happen. Or a freak storm. Anything could happen. I'm okay, as long as I'm with you. You will be okay. We will be okay too." Crystal replied.
Lauren squeezed her hand and opened her mouth again. "She's probably trying to find me because I'm still owned by them. I thought I was about to make a clean break when a doctor named Taft showed up at my lab. He had a police file on me. He kidnapped a Fae and held me at gunpoint until I agreed to go with him. Then I fixed it so that this Fae could kill him. Then I fled and wound up at the diner."
"Okay." Crystal nodded.
"Okay? Lauren cocked her head to one side.
"Lauren you wanted your freedom. The freedom that led you to me. I won't ever hold that against you. So yes. It's okay." Crystal said patting Lauren's leg. When they pulled up to a red light, Lauren leaned over, and gave Crystal a long, and passionate kiss.
She accepts her. She really accepts her. Through all of the crap she'd just explained, Crystal didn't give a damn about any of it. The doctor grabbed her free hand again, and cuddled up to her, as close as their seats would allow her to.
The next morning.
"Bo! Slow down! Dyson screamed.
"What he said! Slow down Bo! Kenzi screamed.
Bo growled and slammed them against the bar.
"I brought these two here, so I won't have to repeat myself later. Call off all active search parties looking for Lauren. Now." Bo seethed.
"Bo I.." Trick started.
"I said now! Bo screamed. The lunch crowd gasped at the sound. But nobody moved but Trick as he took one step and was on his phone.
The Succubus tapped one finger on the counter top. She watched Trick make two calls, wipe his brow on his sleeve, and nodded when he was finished.
"Where did you stash Aife? Bo asked slowly.
Dyson, Trick, and Kenzi all stared at each other.
"Answer me! This time Bo's Succubus voice broke through. This sent the crowds scrambling out and throwing money on top of, and behind the bar.
"Bo listen. It's not my secret to tell". Dyson said.
Bo turned her head slowly. "You know about it, so it's your secret to tell too."
"Bo! Calm down! Kenzi screamed.
"Did you not think that I wouldn't smell Aife on my kimono? Your perfume is nothing like hers, yours is cheap. You didn't bother to tell me you saw her. Didn't bother to tell me you got Dyson's little love for him back too. So don't stand in my face and lie again! Bo screamed.
"Bo we only wanted to protect you." Trick said.
"If Aife wanted me dead, I would be dead. Stop this bullshit and tell me where she is! Bo snapped momentarily pacing back and forth. She looked in the corner and walked over to it. She grabbed something and threw it at Dyson. "Go get her wolf".
"Bo I don't exactly know where she is. Only Trick does." Dyson deflected back to the Blood King.
Bo snapped and started pulling the trio's chi. Kenzi struggled the most. The Succubus was in control and Bo was allowing it. Sooner or later, one of them would break.
"Okay. Okay. I'll go get her! Dyson screamed as he watched Kenzi fall to the floor.
Once the wolf was gone, the Succubus knelt beside her. "Never interfere with Lauren or Aife again, little human. I won't hesitate to finish you off for good. And I won't bring you back." She smiled slapping Kenzi's cheek.
"Kenzi. Come to me! Trick screamed.
"Your dog has thirty minutes to get back here". Bo laughed as she fed on beer nuts.
"Why didn't you go get her yourself? Trick asked.
"I'm not the one who hid her asshole. It's much more fun this way. Now clean up that piss on the floor. It stinks." Bo said as she spun around on her barstool.
Trick and Kenzi talked a good distance from Bo. They had never seen her like this. She was going back and forth with her Succubus, without fear. That is making her extremely dangerous.
Kenzi found herself standing in the exact spot she was standing in when the Succubus took her chi to save Dyson. That's not the Succubus she saw today. She saw evil. Cold, unfeeling, and unapologetic evil. That crack about Kenzi being a human had to be her Succubus because Bo loves a human. When Bo remembered Lauren, she had been going nonstop. Now she either believes Lauren is dead, or she found her.
"So where did you find her? Kenzi asked quietly.
"I wouldn't tell you that if your life depended upon the answer." Bo laughed.
"Bo. I know you're hurting and upset. But I care about you. I care about Lauren. You know that." Kenzi said keeping her distance.
"What I know is Lauren broke up with me over that stupid kiss. Now either you told her or Tamsin did. You better hope it was Tamsin. What I know is, you were safe with Bruce while Lauren was on the run. What I know is that she was on the run for two years, and you kept telling me she was dead. Put your team wolf pom poms away. I will never sleep with him again". Bo snapped. Her eyes flashing blue turned her teeth blue too. That is definitely new.
"We weren't trying to keep her away from you! We just didn't think it was safe for her to come home! Kenzi screamed.
"You're here! What makes you think Lauren wouldn't be safe? Bo countered.
"I have your claim and the Twig of Zamora. Lauren doesn't! Kenzi replied.
"Lauren has my Succubus. Keep your little twig. Just yesterday you nearly begged me to believe she is dead. Just yesterday you were cozying up to Dyson. Does Hale know you have a thing for his best friend too? Does he know that you kissed Dyson? Bo laughed.
"How do you know that?! Kenzi gasped.
"Your clothes reeked of him. I wonder if Aife saw that too. She will tell me if she did. She'll probably tell Hale. The one thing your mouth can't talk you out of, is your aura. Mom will see that too. Two minutes Blood King. That's how long your dog has to make it through those doors with an alive Aife." Bo said as Trick cowered behind the bar.
The trio stared at the door. When it creaked open, Bo jumped off of the barstool.
"I found her! Dyson smiled.
"Why isn't she wearing her jacket? Or clothes? Where the hell did you have her at Trick?! Bo screamed gently pulling Aife from Dyson's grip.
"I thought you wanted me to pull her scent off of the jacket." Dyson replied.
Bo turned around and swung at him.
"Bo! You broke my nose! Dyson screamed in horror.
"Your dumbass had my mother walking around in this hospital gown, when you should've at least put her jacket on her." Bo seethed.
"I found her in a psychiatric hospital. That's why she's wearing a gown." Dyson shrugged.
"You will pay for this Trick. If I don't handle you, I suspect she will. Come on mom. I will get you out of here, bathed and dressed". Bo said softly.
"Who or what the hell was that?! Dyson asked.
"If Bo wants her mother, that can only mean one thing." Trick swallowed hard.
"And that is?! Kenzi groaned.
"She wants to know who her father is." Trick said quietly as he rushed over to lock the doors.
"Ohhh balls. He must be an evil bastard. We saw what Bo did in this very spot. Heard about what she did to the Lich. Trick if you don't mind, I'd like to crash at the Dal, until she gets Lauren back. If she does. If she doesn't, the world is fucked". Kenzi swallowed.
Bo and Aife
"Are you feeling better? Bo asked as the Succubus walked out of the bathroom.
"Ready to kick ass and sign tombstones". Aife laughed.
"Mom please. I need your help". Bo said quietly.
"What did the blood bastard do this time? Aife turned serious and took a seat across from Bo.
"Someone that I really care about doesn't remember me. Tamsin was working for someone bad, but won't tell me who he is. If he would come for me, he would come for Lauren. Given everyone else lost their memories and got them back. He must've done something to Lauren. Tell me mom. Please tell me who my father is." Bo pleaded.
"You really love this woman? Aife asked.
"Enough to drain this world if I don't find her as herself again. I'll even drain you." Bo said licking her lips.
"Your father is Hades, Isabeau. You can't get to him because he's trapped in Tartarus. He's been there for centuries. To release him is like draining the world. He'd probably kill her at even the mention of you coming after him." Aife replied.
"Shit! Bo screamed.
"Try using your Succubus." Aife suggested.
"I tried. She wouldn't pulse her." Bo whispered.
"Then if you want this Lauren back, you're going to have to get her back as yourself. Good luck sweetie." Aife gently patted Bo's hand.
Bo smacked herself in the head. She can't pulse Lauren. She can't even touch her without having her hand twisted backwards. Lauren definitely knows some combat moves. But she shouldn't have to. Bo's her true protector and didn't protect her when she should've.
Lauren and Crystal
"Are you comfortable? Lauren asked.
"I'm more than comfortable". Crystal smiled as she pressed back into Lauren's arms.
"We're just going to be here for one night. We have to keep moving, but we also need a good night's sleep, and this bed is as soft as I've ever slept in." Lauren cooed.
"Think of it as a long voyage around the world! Crystal smiled.
"That's a great way to think of it! Lauren laughed.
The women settled in for the night. Once Lauren found a good movie on TV to watch, they dug into the popcorn bowl.
The clubhouse
"Get the fuck out of my building! Bo snapped.
"But Kenzi said I could stay here. I was living in my truck before I totaled it." Tamsin said.
"Fuck your sob story, and Kenzi. Funny how you can remember all of that, and not who sent you. You probably told Lauren about that stupid kiss that meant nothing to me. So you can sleep on the street. Hopefully you'll die there too. This is my house. This all started because your coward ass threw that bottle at me. Now Lauren's gone, and you better run too. The longer she's gone, I will beat the shit out of you. Morning, noon, and night! Bo snapped.
Tamsin shrugged and poured the last of her cereal into the disposal.
Bo seethed as she watched Tamsin leave. She will live long enough to apologize to Lauren. Then she'll suffer pain like she's never felt before.
She drank an entire bottle of wine and took a seat on the couch. If she can't go to Hades, she will find the Hades in herself. It will help her find the love of her life, before her love finds another life.
TBC