From afar, Lauren watched in amusement. Dyson was in his wolf form sniffing the grass. At times he would lift his head, look around and bury his head into the grass again.
"Are you looking for something?". Lauren finally asked.
Dyson growled and shifted to his human form. "I'm looking for you. You have to come with me, no questions asked".
Lauren rocked on her feet. Dyson's tone was almost robotic and she almost felt sorry for him. When he walked towards her, she spoke up. "Don't you dare touch me!."
"Come with me, Lauren. Now". Dyson growled.
"Bo sent you?". Lauren raised an eyebrow.
"Wrong succubus". Dyson replied as he scrambled to get his clothes back on. He was sure Lauren never looked any lower than his eyes. He'd never want her to see him like that. When she gave him a physical her Harpy nurse saw him naked and then called Lauren when it was safe to come back in after he got dressed.
"Aife?". Lauren cocked her head sideways. She had never met the woman although she was close to it in Taft's compound. "Let's go". The blonde turned and walked away. She kept a good distance from Dyson until they finally arrived at the Dal.
The blonde turned around and grabbed Dyson by his neck. When his eyes went wide she punched him in his side. He growled in pain when she hit her mark. Once he dropped to the ground, she pulled at his shirt collar. Dragging him through the doors, she dropped him in front of Trick. "I brought your puppy home".
"Lauren". Trick sighed. The old man didn't know what to do. Aife is inches away from him. Lauren is in front of him and Bo is downstairs with Kenzi. They had made no progress in her mood or getting her to do anything other than sulking.
"So, you're doctor Lewis?". Aife strutted over.
Trick shook his head and turned around to the woman. "Aife, please". He walked to her trying to push her back.
"There's no need for that, Trick. I'll talk to this woman". Lauren never backed up or moved forward.
"Everybody but the doctor, the baby succubus and me, get out". Aife bristled. The deep tone in her voice sent everyone running from the bar. Trick grabbed a hat and followed them. He had to. Aife was using her succubus voice just then, he had to obey.
Lauren smiled as she walked over and poured herself a drink. She knows when a Succubus is near the surface. Bo's had done that many times in bed. "Drink?".
"Hell no. I could have the entire bar if I want it. A stranger doesn't need to offer me one". Aife stayed where she was. She's not dumb. This isn't any ordinary Fae or human. This woman has the world at her feet and doesn't even know it yet.
"More for me". Lauren spoke as she downed the entire glass. "What do you want?".
"I was about to ask you that. Given how my daughter is right now". Aife chewed her gum. She wants to blow a bubble but now is not the time.
"Bo's fine. Bo will always be fine. She was born that way". Lauren walked from behind the bar and stood aways away from the old succubus.
"I am not talking physically, doctor. She's a mess, mentally". Aife snapped for the first time since the blonde walked in.
"You. You are going to talk to me about a sick Succubus. Weren't you just released from your own loony bin?". Lauren asked.
"I said she's not well. I didn't say she's crazy". Aife growled. She turned her head from the Doctor. Her eyes were about to roll over blue and she didn't want that, yet.
"I'm a medical, Doctor. My specialty is not psychiatry". Lauren took a seat. But never took her eyes off of the woman.
"I don't quite understand love, but I understand love for my daughter. I don't understand why any Fae would fall for a human but I understand that my daughter loves you. Do something about it". Aife snapped for the second time.
"I can refer her to someone but I don't have Light Fae credentials anymore". Lauren sat back in her seat.
"Isabeau could so easily have you. But she refrains from that. You are fucking with a very powerful Succubus. Surely, you know that by now". Aife took some deep breaths.
"I know that and I also know your anatomy too. I was seconds away from trying to help you at Taft's but Bo wanted the wolf saved first". Lauren spoke.
"Don't you ever try and threaten my health!". Aife marched over and was stopped.
"That is enough". Aife felt a warm hand on her back. "Go sit over there and stay there, quietly". Aife did as she was told. She knew that hand and that voice. Bo's Succubus is in control.
"It's my succy day huh?". Lauren watched the scene and stood up.
"I have always saved you Lauren. Or have you forgotten the Lich and those idiots in the sex club that had the nerve to put their hands on you?". The Succubus spoke softly.
"Thank you. Is that what you need to hear?". Lauren asked.
"No thanks are welcome. You have already repaid me. But there is something that you need to hear. Come with me". The Succubus extended her hand and Lauren raised her head in uncertainty.
Aife watched the scene. Her Succubus was careful enough not to touch the doctor. If she got in a fight with Bo's, she doesn't think she could win. She watched Lauren take a deep breath and followed the younger one. When they walked downstairs the thrall went away. The young succubus was kind enough to allow her mother to think on her own, even thralled.
Lauren followed the Succubus to another room behind Trick's lair. She gestured for Lauren to come in first, and closed the door.
"Lauren". A soft voice sent a chill up and down the blonde's spine.
"Bo?". Lauren turned around to blue eyes.
"I can't Lauren. I can't". Blue eyes turned brown.
"What is this?". Lauren asked.
Bo shook her head and looked to the ground.
Lauren walked over. She gently reached out and what happened next floored her. Every emotion. Every moment she ever had with the woman played over and over in her mind and she shook her head and it stopped. "Bo?". She cried.
Bo growled and looked up. Her eyes were blue again. But Lauren didn't step back. "I can't Lauren. He tried to steal my love for you like the Norn stole Dyson's love for me. He told her to take whatever she wanted and she took his love. Someone made me forget you. Rainer tried to steal my love for you, but she stopped him. That's why my Succubus came back when you left last night. I thought if she was at the surface, he wouldn't try and take me and it again". Bo sobbed so hard, her face looked like she was taking a shower.
"Bo, if this is another trick". Lauren sighed hard.
"It's not Lauren. I had been down here for most of the night by myself. Trick came down to get some things but left to sleep in another part of the bar. You know me, Lauren. You know the best and worst of me. She saves you when I can't. When I'm not strong enough to. She wanted to kill Nelson, but I stopped her. I love you. She loves you. If I have to let her have permanent control to protect my love, then I will do that". Bo gently fell into a chair.
Lauren stood with her mouth wide open. Bo and her Succubus have fooled them all. Aife thinks Bo is mental. But that's not the case. She found another way to deal with everything. She's hiding behind her Succubus so she won't be taken again.
The blonde gasped at the thought of someone thinking that much of her to take Bo and erase her mind of Lauren's existence. So important that the Succubus brought her down here and locked them away from prying ears and walls. These walls are complete stone. Nothing hangs on them or from them. The floors are pure wooden floors and nothing sits on them but chairs.
She rubbed her head as she walked back and forth. She loves this woman. She does. But she loves Crystal too. She has another gf in the Fae world, only this time, she's not in a coma. But her love for Bo exceeds both situations. When she touched her just now, she felt all of it. Not just because of the Succubus but because of Bo and what she said. When the Doctor left last night the brunette found her own coma, but her pod is her succubus. To protect her from outside machines and death threats.
Dyson told the Norn to take whatever she wanted. So she took his love. Bo wasn't about to let that happen to her. Lauren was gone. Her mom was gone. Bo had nothing left to stay on the surface for. Nothing left to be happy or smile about.
"Come with me". Lauren said softly. The Succubus followed her out of the room and upstairs.
Aife was pacing back and forth. "I was keeping the bar empty".
"Are we totally alone here?". Lauren looked around.
"Only dying mice behind the bar are breathing here". Aife replied.
"Can you bring your Succubus back out?". Lauren asked.
Aife saw Bo's on the surface and she nodded at her mom. "Okay". Her eyes turned blue.
"Bo's not mental. She's heartbroken and threatened. We need to get out of here. Find somewhere just for the three of us for a few days". Lauren explained.
"I get it. You need escorts out of here. Let's go". Aife turned and didn't wait for them to follow. The women walked past Dyson, Kenzi, Trick and a few other Fae. They all jumped at the sight of two sets of blue eyes.
Lauren looked Kenzi in her eyes and they spoke to each other. It's something they knew to do since the day they had the pigs in the house. The group gasped when the three of them piled into Aife's car and drove away.
"What was that!?". Dyson asked.
Kenzi shook her head, she knew to keep her mouth shut. She will too out of loyalty to Bo. Bo wants Lauren and the fact that the Doctor walked out with both Succubus and left with them in control told her all she needs to know at the moment. She turned away from them and sent Bo a text. If she can't read it, her succubus will.
Trick looked to Dyson and left him where he stood. He walked back into his bar and readied himself to pour drinks. It's still early and the regulars will be in soon.
"That's all we are going to do? Just let them go off like that?". Dyson asked.
"I'll take some shots and a late breakfast". Kenzi smiled at Trick. He nodded and turned to one of his new hires.
"You guys aren't going to say anything?". Dyson took a seat next to Kenzi and she almost fell off her barstool trying to get away from him and his brooding.
"Play me in a game of pool while my food is being cooked". Kenzi downed her first shot and immediately grabbed a pool stick. If it helps Lauren with Bo, she'll do just about anything with Dyson to keep his mind off of them. Even if she has to hear his superior skills bullshit.
Dyson shook his head and took a beer from Trick. Nobody is concerned that two Succubus just walked out of the bar and left with Lauren.
Kenzi took her shot and walked over to pick out some music to play while Dyson clears half the table.
She stood there, thinking. Was she reading Lauren's eyes correctly? Is she doing something that helps Bo or will further harm her? For all of those years that Bo searched for the Doctor, Kenzi was starting to seriously think the woman was dead. Bo would come home looking dejected like she had just been dumped by the doctor. Then that one morning after she saw Crystal and then found Lauren, Bo looked determined and focused. Then Laruen didn't know Bo and that stomped Bo's heart, again.
Bo and Lauren had never had a normal relationship. The first Ash. Nadia. Dyson. There was always something in their way or keeping them on edge with each other. Kenzi can fault Lauren for the Ash, but the rest she can't say shit about. She dumped Nate because she couldn't leave Bo. She had given up love for Bo. Lauren had saved Dyson's life and had to run from the Fae. She hasn't talked to Bo about their conversation last night. Bo may talk to her about it someday. But that day is far, far away.
Nadia is dead but Dyson still lives. He can't help his nature for wanting Bo, but his wolf is his Ash. An excuse to sleep with Bo and not worry about the consequences afterwards. Kenzi is not gay by any means but watching Dyson long for the woman who's heart is not his, is embarrassing considering the hot Fae women roaming the streets.
"Your shot, Kenzi". Dyson called the woman out of her thoughts.
Crystal and the Morrigan.
Crystal looked at the time. She still has some time before her next act is due in the studio. She pulled her phone out. "How's Lauren?".
"Last I heard she left on her own with Bo and her mother. She's well and alive". The Morrigan replied.
"I want her happy and protected, Evony. You owe me that much". Crystal took a drink and waited for the woman's response.
"You keep up with my royalties and I will keep up with your interests. Nothing is going to happen to that doctor. At least not among the Dark Fae". The Morrigan replied.
"Then reach out to the Light Fae. Make sure Lauren gets the time and space she needs". Crystal spoke with a hard edge.
"Yes. Yes. Now get back to my bag. I want a fatter one this time". The Morrigan spoke.
"I mean it, Evony". Crystal leaned back in her seat.
"So do I, Crystal". The Morrigan hung up. Crystal could be a pain in her ass, but the girl has fattened her pockets and the Morrigan's vault.
Lauren, Bo and Aife.
"Okay. Why do I need to be here?". Aife asked.
"Bo let her Succubus take over so nobody would take her love for me. Who is out there that could try and do that?". Lauren asked.
"Isabeau was born out of hate. I hate her father. He hates everything because he can't love. He can't. It's not in his nature. Bo went against that same nature when she fell in love with you. If you don't want anyone to take your love, fight for your love." Aife patted Bo's shoulder.
"You know me, Lauren. You know all of me. There's no Jumby here. There's no Dyson. There's nothing but us standing in the way of us. I love you and I will fight for you until we are strong again." Bo turned to Lauren.
"You need to know this, Bo. I love Crystal, I do. She's a friend that I never intend to get rid of or be in a triangle with her like you, Dyson and I were". Lauren gently held Bo's hands. These hands were always soft and warm.
"I am okay with that. You deserve friends. You deserve a happy life. I want to help you get one". Bo shook her hands which shook Lauren's.
"Couch time". Lauren let go. Bo followed her over and they both took a seat. This is it. Their time. Bo went to grab something to drink and they turned to each other.
Bo leaned in and took Lauren's head into her hands. They breathed each other in. Bo wanted to make sure this is her Lauren. The one she searched for years for. The one that wasn't afraid to sleep with her. The one that wasn't afraid to love her in the midst of the Light Fae. She doesn't smell the same. She doesn't breathe the same. But she felt the same. Soft and warm.
Lauren held on to Bo. She breathed her in. She doesn't smell the same. She doesn't breathe the same. She was warm but she was also broken. Like their first time, Bo looked childlike. Scared of draining Lauren their first time. "This is not going to be easy. If I ever feel like I felt before I injected myself, I will walk away. Walk away from you. Walk away from Toronto. Walk to the furthest ends of the world. I won't come back".
"This will work, Lauren. I see how I messed up. I left you alone in our relationship and made the outside world problems my priority. This isn't about Dyson. This isn't about Tamsin. It has always been about us. I just never knew what I had until I lost it. I lost you. I need to be strong. I need to hear you. I need to understand you are not the same you I knew years ago. I need to get to know this you. I will probably love you more than I ever have." Bo gently pulled back and took a deep breath.
Lauren nodded and turned around on the couch. She bent down and unzipped her boots and put her bare feet on the nearest ottoman. "Then let's talk".
Bo smiled and took her boots off. There is no tv. No computer. No Fae case waiting in the wings. Lauren is Bo's obsession. She felt like she did when she first met Lauren. New and wanting to know her.
TBC