Lauren and Crystal.
"Are you sure you like it here? Lauren cooed into Crystal's ear.
"We're on a beach babe, what's not to like? The water. The sand. The beautiful doctor". Crystal kissed the woman's hand and turned her attention back to their view. They are living a wonderful life on the run. She would never complain. Anywhere with Lauren is absolute heaven. Heaven in her arms. Heaven in her eyes. Heaven in the beds they slept in. She blushed at the last thought.
Lauren tried to keep up her happy front but the threat of that crazy Succubus chasing them was always making her uneasy. Why would Trick's daughter be chasing them? She never met the woman. But she had heard of her description. Dark hair, sassy and a tad cocky. All the things the Doctor noticed in the woman on that horrible night. She could see Dyson turning on her and using Trick to send his daughter after her. But for what? There is nothing she owes a crazed Succubus. She never even met a Succubus. Only studied them after hearing that Aife existed. She couldn't worry about that too much. The more she focused on the hunter, she would lose her focus as the hunted.
She didn't want that life anymore. Those people are evil, cold and flat out bastards. No woman besides the Morrigan gets anywhere in that world. They fear her because she could melt them with one wave of her hand. That's why Vex is Dark, because he could stop her with his Mesmer powers. She doesn't like that either.
"Let's walk the beach for a while". Lauren immediately stood, pulled her hood over her head and grabbed Crystal's hand.
"It won't always be like this". Crystal spoke softly. She squeezed Lauren's hand.
"I am used to running. You know about my past. I am not truly safe anywhere". Lauren looked at the waves and turned back to Crystal.
"We all have pasts. This is not on you, and I would never blame you for making choices that most find questionable". Crystal responded.
"I love you". Lauren smiled gently.
"I love you too but what brought that on? Crystal laughed.
"Because you are good and understanding. I feel like I could tell you anything and you would never judge me. Never throw my shortcomings in my face". Lauren replied as they slowly strolled. The sand tickled her feet, but it felt wonderful under her toes.
"Lauren that goes without saying. I wouldn't love you if I didn't trust you. I would never make you feel guilty about anything. I don't hold grudges, I hold you. Deep in my arms. Deep in my heart. Deep in my thoughts. We are going to have a wonderful life. It will only get better from here". Crystal smiled as they slowed and faced each other.
Lauren gently grabbed Crystal's head and kissed her. She sighed into her mouth and let the waves serenade them as they kissed.
Bo
The brunette had shoved Aife out of her hideout. Once she heard the woman pull off, she let out a hellacious scream. None of this would have happened had she stayed. Stayed at Taft's. Rallied the gang that she knew was there. Not find people that weren't there, and with Tamsin. Her blood boiled as she thought of everything she had done. Everything she had done to Lauren. The Doctor was cruel in that office, but she had every right to be. Lauren blamed the Fae for her pain, and what did the Fae that she loved do? Left her. She cringed thinking of the intercoms again. Lauren heard it all. She is sure she did.
Now the young Succubus sat with an ample amount of problems. Some she never saw coming. When she started her search for Lauren, she thought she would find her. Find her and explain. But what was she really going to say? Nothing was coming to mind right now. Lauren trusted her to find a way to save them both, and she only cared to save another blonde. She broke a few windows in anger. This is all fucked up and she was still not coming up with anything to fix it. Lauren is not broken anymore. She's happy.
That lead the Succubus to the most painful of problems. Should she find a way to get Lauren's memories back, the pain would return. The pain that Bo put on her. Two humans in love are out there living a happy life. But what does Bo have to offer Lauren? Crystal is rich. Crystal is kind. She is beyond successful. Bo could tell that by her car and her clothes. Bo is still living out of a broken-down warehouse. Lauren never mocked it, but she knew the Doctor deserves to sleep in mansions. On better beds. She closed her eyes thinking of their first night in Bo's bed. She threw Lauren's necklace at her. Too stupid to know or ask what that necklace meant to Lauren. It meant Nadia.
Nadia is dead, but Lauren still found another love. One far away from Bo. Far from the other human in Bo's life and the Fae world she embraced like a family she always longed for. Now she longed for Lauren. To see her. To look into those gorgeous eyes knowing they were looking back at her. That last look was cold, and unfeeling. Lauren never once looked at Bo like that even when she only knew her as Bo and not another Fae on her exam table.
She not only faced a heart shattering reality of Lauren being happy in another woman's arms. She faced the reality that deep-down Lauren would want to know what really happened between them. But then she thought of their break and how Lauren was devastated telling Bo they needed space. Now the Succubus has all the space she ever wanted because Lauren saw her driving past her with Dyson.
She could blame the wolf. His sense of smell. But the real Bo would have stopped and helped that person with their car. Who is to say Lauren didn't smell Bo's scent like Dyson smelled the Doctor's? The real Lauren believes Dyson is Bo's choice. Because the Succubus never came out and told her that she is her only choice. Now the human believes the Fae wolf won. Won Bo like he's always wanted for years.
Bo blew out a breath. She was ready to let Lauren go. Let her go and be with Nadia. Why can't she do that for Lauren with Crystal? Because Lauren doesn't know everything. She doesn't know how much Bo loves her. Longs for her. Lives for her. Breathes for her. She doesn't know that when she slept with Dyson, it was only sex. She didn't want to think of Lauren at all because it hurt too much being without her. She didn't want Rainer to hear the crack in her voice if she spoke the woman's name. She read his aura. It was the same aura as Dyson's. They want from Bo whatever she's willing to give. Of course, she gave her body, but her heart. Her real heart is inside of the Doctor.
Which is what devastated her most about Lauren being so upset that she made some kind of mind-altering serum created only to forget Bo. The brunette broke thinking of the moment Lauren injected herself. Those beautiful eyes laced with anger. Hatred. She gasped at the last thought. Lauren hates her. She never thought the day would come and it had long arrived when she asked for the break. She didn't want people to think or know that she was in a relationship with Bo. They never even talked about it completely yet. So, the Succubus could only speculate at this point.
She sighed. Should she help Lauren? Help her make the clear-cut decision that she doesn't yet know Bo made? She cried not knowing what to do. Let her go? Bring her back? Seek her out? Let a Doctor that breaks down everything, live a life of not knowing everything about them? She only mentioned Lauren to Dyson after the train when she forced him to tell her where Lauren was. She didn't sleep with him. Only her Succubus kicked his ass, then threw him down like the dog the blue-eyed woman mocked him for. She fed from the Fae to stay healthy enough to look for Lauren. She never once took any of them to bed or the floors.
She thought of that fucking drive-by again, and Rainer. He wanted Bo to free him so that he could use her Succubus for his will. There would be no will. No life without Lauren. This is something none of those men knew. Her Succubus was blocking all of the bullshit out. The minute she remembered Lauren again was the minute it would stop.
Lauren broke up with her because she couldn't commit to her fully. Not her body anyway. Well she is ready to now. But does she have the guts to seek Lauren out? Could she swallow fear of rejection? She knew Lauren's anger. She saw a hint of it in Taft's office. She was angry with Bo but couldn't tell her that in front of him.
The Dal
Kenzi tiptoed as she opened a door. She stopped when it creaked. She looked out and didn't see anyone.
"I thought I told you to find Dyson and to stay with him! Trick snapped.
"I just want to know if you've heard anything". Kenzi stopped in her tracks.
"Nothing that I would tell you". Trick spat over his shoulder.
"You know Bo needs the both of us. Whatever you have planned, I want in on". Kenzi stood behind him.
"Get out of here Kenzi. Don't make me tell you again". Trick slammed a glass on the counter emphatically.
"What is it? Kenzi asked.
"I told you I am not going to tell you. I am not Bo. I don't gossip like a little schoolgirl". Trick turned and faced her.
Kenzi stood back. Trick was not Trick at the moment. None of her game was going to work on him in this condition.
She bowed her head and ran out of the bar. She called Dyson as soon as she was out of the building. Something is up, and it is big.
"So, what do you think it is? Dyson asked sometime later.
"I don't know but the Dal is empty. Even in the afternoon. It looks like a wake is about to take place". Kenzi replied.
"Kenz, it always looks like that". Dyson shrugged.
"He didn't mention Bo at all. Either he's plotting something or….". Kenzi shrieked.
"He wouldn't write in his blood. It's too dangerous. Bo's too dangerous." Dyson raised an eyebrow.
"All she wants is to find Lauren again. Are you sure you can't find her? Kenzi asked.
"No. Lauren knows how to disguise herself. I would have to go to ends of the earth and back, and I still wouldn't find her". Dyson shrugged sadly. Lauren was outsmarting him, and it pissed him off. After all he had done to help her escape Taft's.
"Dyson. I just thought of something". Kenzi went wide-eyed.
"What? Dyson asked curiously.
"Bo said Lauren doesn't remember her right? Kenzi repeated for clarification.
"Yes". Dyson nodded.
"But what if she remembers us? You and me? Hell, she might even remember Tamsin! Kenzi smiled.
"No. It's too risky. Bo would be extremely pissed off." Dyson shook his head.
"Good doggy. Mama's baby Succubus would snatch your balls nappy headed". Aife laughed from behind them.
Kenzi jumped behind Dyson.
Aife laughed. "What the fuck is it with women thinking you're their hero. You don't even bathe". The Succubus mocked as she held her nose.
"Stay behind me Kenzi". Dyson growled.
"As long as she's claimed, I won't touch her. But you? You deserve an ass kicking just because I'm bored". Aife laughed as she punched the wolf dead in his face. She laughed harder when she drew blood.
"What was that for? We weren't plotting against you". Kenzi scoffed.
"You stupid fucks are playing a dangerous game. None of which either of you will survive. Don't you get it? Isabeau is Lauren's. Everything about her belongs to the Doctor. You better start jacking off until you die and mate with someone in Valhalla". Aife poked Dyson in laughter.
"Get in the car Kenz". Dyson whispered. Kenzi nodded and jumped into Dyson's car.
"She's Bo's human, you can't touch her remember? Dyson stood between the Succubus and his car.
"She's not even the human Isabeau's concerned with right now". Aife patted her leg in laughter.
"Why are you here? Dyson growled.
"To watch you chase your tail. Or hers". Aife laughed pointing at Kenzi.
"Get out of here! Dyson growled again.
"You forget who you're talking to. Everywhere you go is the Blood King's land. I'm only half his throne" Aife laughed.
"Why are you here?! Dyson snapped.
"As I said you're on my land, so kick rocks busta". Aife laughed as she walked away.
"Is she right? Kenzi asked.
"Yes. As the Blood King, this is Trick's land. All of it". Dyson literally kicked a rock and jumped into his car.
Crystal and Lauren
Crystal sat quietly with her thoughts. Part of her was happy to be on what amounted to an extended vacation with Lauren. But the other part of her hated seeing the Doctor in such distress. Something that never happened until they had to run. The brunette had clearly spooked her. But that didn't mean that they needed to live in fear of their lives.
"Lauren? Crystal said softly.
"Yes? Lauren asked.
"Are you sure you want to keep running? The woman clearly knows you. It didn't look frightening". Crystal said.
"She's a dangerous woman Crystal. She's crazy. Her father can do things with a pen and blood that you wouldn't believe. She's probably still upset that I twisted her hand, even though it didn't hurt her. If we go back, they will find us for sure and kill us. Or put you in a coma. I can't. I won't take that risk". Lauren shook her head.
"Of course, I trust your judgement. I just don't like seeing you so unrelaxed. It's not fair that you have had to give up your life again for these people. That's what you are doing". Crystal spoke as softly as she could. Although a big part of her really wanted to confront the woman and ask what she really wants with or from Lauren.
Lauren sighed gently. Everything Crystal was saying is true. She had sacrificed the life they had been living for the Fae. Again. Well the first time, Lauren didn't really know, but this time she does. Everything in her was telling her to keep running. That nothing good could come from that Fae. She looked innocent enough. But they all looked that way in the Congo years ago. At least this time, Lauren was in control of what happens to her girlfriend. The Fae didn't have an Ash when Lauren left, but that didn't mean they wouldn't try and curse Crystal to bring Lauren back to them. No. It was too risky.
"I'm sorry Crystal. I won't risk your life like that. I just can't. You don't know these people, and if I have anything to say about it, you never will". Lauren took Crystal's hand and kissed it.
Bo
The woman took two showers to feel clean. She had used a cold shower to clear her head, and the hot one to sooth her bones. She plopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. She looked at it like it was about to show a movie she had seen a hundred times.
Taking a deep breath, she blew it out. She turned on her side and stared out the window. Lauren broke up with her because she didn't have all the answers. Could she really allow her to live this new life, not having all the answers? If she told Bo no, that would be the end of it. She wouldn't pursue her again. She would let them walk away again. If she was going to do this she needed to be quick and as discreet as she had ever been. She couldn't lead the other Fae to Lauren. They were still angry about Taft's, even though Lauren saved all of them.
Bo had not confided in anyone the real reason she had been looking for Lauren. This is their time to run off. To live away from the Fae. She was looking for her to take her away. She didn't feel anything for Dyson but slight pity. He had mated with someone that was never going to mate with him. When that last cloud of smoke took her, she thought of Lauren. She took her last breath thinking of the woman. Then she survived the train and was ready to go home.
She was too powerful not to remember Lauren. But she didn't have on proper clothes for a real search. She needed clues and since Lauren's last words to her were about Dyson, her Succubus knew he was lying. He knew Bo's body, but Lauren knows all of her. And all of her is now Lauren's. It was the minute she jumped from that train. Rainer's shit only lasted hours before the real Bo returned. She hadn't been this Bo in years. This is the Bo Lauren needed, she just hopes she's enough to do what she's finally decided on. Allowing Lauren to choose who she wants. She didn't even look like she'd known Bo at all. Like she'd help her in some Light Fae compound lab again. Like she'd put a band-aid on her wounds. But no Scientist can heal the wounds between them.
It is settled, tonight she would sleep. Tomorrow the two of them would rise and set out to find the blonde. She sent Aife a quick text and told her to delete it after reading it. Not that she doesn't trust her mother, she just doesn't trust that Trick or Dyson wouldn't hack her phone.
She grabbed a pillow and squeezed. She was nervous. She was anxious. She laughed lightly thinking of that day in the lab. Lauren had asked her to strip and in a hint of arrogance, Bo obeyed seductively. She thought of that slight grin when Lauren touched her body for the first and last time that day. She had exposed her body to Lauren back then. Now it was time to expose the rest of her to her. It has been time.
TBC