Lauren
The doctor had been secluded in her private lab, going on two days. When she was hungry, she ate. When she felt dirty, she bathed. When she grew tired, she rested. Now she was refreshed on all cylinders. Vivian and Megan had stayed away, at her request. They weren't allowed inside at all.
She pulled her surgical mask off, and took some deep breaths. She smiled thinking back to her high school days. The little group of friends she had, wanted her to attend the weekly kegger. But Lauren always wanted to study. Even though she was far ahead of her class. She wanted to play around with whatever came to mind. That's how scientific breakthroughs happen. She learned that at a very early age.
She liked a good stiff drink or beer at a time or two, but her love of all things science was bigger. She even made her own beer once, and it was delicious.
She'd been asked out on dates and turned them down until her prom night. That was a disaster that she could've avoided, had she kept her head in her books. Even books she had already read, cover to cover. She'd had a good, and young successful life. Until that life and curiosity lead her to the Fae world.
She solved the Fae plague and the payoff was Nadia being cursed and Lauren being placed as the Light Fae's number one doctor. Lauren was used to being snubbed, and the Fae nurses and doctors were not very welcoming. The Ash didn't care, so Lauren learned not to care. She just did her hohum job, and went back to her private quarters.
She almost missed the place. But not the memories. The first time she was thrown inside. The first restless night wondering if she was going to wind up in a pod next to Nadia's. The next day after that, when the Ash sent Dyson for her. The man hardly bathed, so he stunk up the place and her nostrils. When she rubbed her nose in front of the Ash, he asked why, and the doctor told him. She also requested that everyone assigned to work in the labs be ordered to bathe too. She was shocked at how quickly he met that request. Then over the years, he became more lenient with her. She assumed it was because Lauren cured them, and likely could infect them all again, on a massive scale.
Rubbing her eyes, she pocketed her latest project, and rolled over to her private desk, and scribbled something down. It was time for a nap, and she'd call Hale to say she was ready.
The Light Fae compound
Bo burst through Hale's office door, and found the Ash at his desk. He never spoke or lifted his head. He kept working, and made mental notes of Bo's steps.
"Two days Hale! It's been two days, where is she?! Where is Lauren?! Bo screamed as she took Hale's pen out of his hand.
"I said two days. I didn't say she'd head straight for your house". Hale said grabbing another pen and still refused to address Bo with his eyes.
"I've tried to be patient with you Hale! But you better tell me where she is, and right now! Bo snapped.
"Why are you even here Bo? Why do you even care? Lauren was home when she got her ass kicked. You were somewhere with Dyson or Kenzi. Making sure that they were ok. Okay, after you kissed Tamsin before your Dawning. Okay, after you kissed Dyson in your Dawning. Okay, after you used Kenzi and Lauren's chi to save him. You didn't give a damn what any of that did to Lauren. As the Ash, I know what it did to her. I will not tell Lauren's business to you. So you can run off like a little school girl and tell Dyson or Kenzi. Whomever is closest to you. Because Lauren sure isn't, or ever was". Hale snapped and went back to his work.
"How do you know any of that? Bo asked angrily.
"Because Dyson, Tamsin, and Kenzi don't give a damn about Lauren. Wake up, and grow up Bo! Your shit always comes back like a slap down the stairs, or face to Lauren. If she doesn't want to see you, take a good look in the mirror, at your friends, and ask yourself why. I don't care what time Lauren comes back, but I can guarantee, she won't be coming back to your hell hole life". Hale said coolly. He's the Ash, not a Succubus babysitter.
"I'm still her girlfriend Hale. I killed the Una Mens for her. I have a right to know where she is." Bo said quietly.
"You killed the Una Mens because they kicked your ass. Like the Lich did. He wasn't going to kill Lauren. Lachlan warned him against it. As powerful as you are, nobody's afraid of you. We all know you fear Lauren leaving you. She has every reason to do so, because you have nothing to make her stay". Hale said as he stood, and handed a document to one of his guards.
Bo watched the exchange, but didn't interfere, or say anything. She was tired of this. She'd spent the last two days, pretty much alone, except for a brief talk with Kenzi, and spent some time with Aife. They both bored her, because all she could think of was Lauren. When she's coming back. What she's going to do. Would she give Bo a chance to explain everything. From all she has learned from Hale , it is going to be a long talk. Something they've never had before. It embarrassed Bo. She'd rarely been a sit down and talk about it, type of person with Lauren. She'd sat down and talked to Kyle. She'd sat down, and talked to Dyson. It was pretty much the same talk she agreed to have with Lauren. But that took her a long time to grant the doctor.
She honestly didn't know what she is going to say. She told the Doctor the kiss didn't mean anything. But if it didn't, why did she tell Kenzi? Why did she hide it from Lauren? Lauren nearly left her when she slept with Dyson. How was a Succubus going to explain a kiss meant nothing to her? She felt her Succubus stir angrily. She wasn't about to let Bo pin this on her. Hale was wrong. She killed the Lich and Una Mens because they threatened Lauren. Bo had killed so many over the years, she tried to avoid both, but Lauren's life was and is worth it. She just doesn't know that, because Bo has never told her. She never told her many things that she should've.
When Bo learned what she is, she wanted to leave, but she stayed. She stayed for Lauren. Through all of their problems, she stayed for her. To free Nadia, which meant Lauren would be free as well. After Nadia, and Lachlan died, Bo thought for sure Lauren was going to leave. She was free. Then she stayed. She stayed for Bo. Bo had committed to her human lover for two days before she left her. Left her for another bullshit Fae case. The Fae had the Ash, Trick and the Morrigan to work their own shit. Not to mention Fae police officers. So why did Bo need to help them?
Bo gritted her teeth and took a seat. When Hale leaves, she would leave. For now she would stay quiet, and observe.
Lab
Kenzi ran into the room one of the nurses had directed her to. "What the hell happened to you?! She asked. She tried not to look, because casts make her squeamish.
"I was shot last night. The Morrigan did it." Dyson groaned as he tried to adjust himself with his leg in a harness.
"Hale should know about this". Kenzi said dialing his number.
"There's nothing Hale can do. I was in Dark Fae territory.'' Dyson sighed.
"What? Why? Kenzi asked.
"They know where Lauren is." Dyson shrugged. If he could bring her back to Bo, she could tell Bo that they're really over, and he would have his chance with her again. If Lauren was dead or gone, Bo would have no choice, but to return to him.
"Dude, Lauren's coming home soon. You won't be of any use to Bo like this". Kenzi said. She cared about him and Bo. He's trying so hard to get the woman back. Sacrificed so much, and for what? He might not ever get another chance with Bo. Especially considering her Succubus cares for Lauren too.
"What? You have to help me get out of here Kenz, I don't have much time! Dyson growled as he pulled at the harness.
"And how am I going to do that? Kenzi laughed. She's teeny tiny compared to Dyson. It's one thing when he's able bodied, it's something else when he only has one good leg.
"Get me a wheelchair? Dyson growled in frustration.
"You are not going to do what I think you're going to do are you? You're not paralyzed Dyson. Bo won't fall for that bullshit." Kenzi said.
"Works for Lauren? She's practically salivating trying to find the woman. If Bo sees me incapacitated, she'll be nice istead of wanting to kick my ass". Dyson smiled at the thought. Bo would wait on him hand, and foot. Bring him breakfast, lunch, and dinner in bed. Offer herself as dessert.
"Stupid bastard! Throw him out on his ass". Hale ordered through the intercom.
"Hale? Help me! Dyson screamed.
"I would heal Lauren before I would heal your ass. She's far more important." Hale said as he released the button.
"Get me out of here Kenz! Dyson begged as he finally removed his leg from the harness.
Hale's office
"What's wrong with Dyson? Bo asked from across the room.
The Ash tsked. "As if you don't already know".
"I don't know. I've been home. Alone except from spending time with Mom and Kenzi". Bo admitted.
"Dyson entered Dark Fae territory last night, and the Morrigan had him shot in the leg. To answer your next question, he'll live." Hale replied as he filed another report.
Bo shrugged. She really didn't want to see Dyson. Which is why she wasn't bolting for the Light Fae's sick bay. "How much longer now? The Succubus was now tapping the arm of her chair, with her finger tip.
"Lauren hasn't called Bo. If that's what you're waiting for, you might as well go home". Hale replied.
"I'm not leaving Hale. I want to be here, when you get the word to go pick her up. Then I'm hitching a ride with you". Bo said quietly.
"I'm not picking Lauren up, alone. She will have an even heavier escort this time. A heavily armed escort. I know how the three of you think. Jump into action first without thinking of the consequences. Lauren will have a peaceful and eventless return. That's why Evony's not here. She's in charge of that. You will never persuade her to break our mutual arrangements for the good doctor". Hale said staring directly at Bo.
"You are such a bastard Hale. I've been sitting here for hours, and you never told me that". Bo snapped as she stood.
"You don't know me well enough to call me that. Besides you could've been sitting there waiting on Dyson to be released. Now since you stood up, I'm assuming you're leaving, so go, and get your wolf out of my building too". Hale said with a cold stare.
Bo shook her head, and walked out. She could have been at the Dark Fae compound. Lauren could be there by now, and she wouldn't have known. The Doctor could be gone somewhere else by now. She could've sent Dyson but didn't trust him not to lose Lauren.
"Hale". The Siren said answering his phone.
"Sir. Dr. Lewis said she's ready to return". Megan said softly.
"Good. Good my people should be about a block away. I'll send them over." Hale smiled as he hung up his phone. He didn't lie to Bo. Lauren is going to have a heavy escort. Both Light and Dark Fae escorts. The Morrigan owed Hale, since her Dark Valkyrie cost him, his best doctor. He wouldn't be surprised if the Morrigan truly does have a soft spot for Lauren, outside of Fae politics.
Lauren, Megan and Vivian
"The Ash has a convoy a block away, Dr. Lewis. Are you sure you have everything? Megan asked.
"Thank you Megan, I do". Lauren smiled softly.
"Okay let's get you to the door, and we'll wait for it. The Morrigan has her own convoys, armed, and surrounding the building. Your safety and security is a top priority". Vivian explained as they walked beside Lauren, respectively.
Lauren kept an eye out for any, and everything. While she did trust Megan and Vivian a bit, she didn't trust that a random Fae wouldn't pop up out of nowhere and attack them. But Vivian was right. There were Hummers surrounding the compound. Fae snipers stood on top of all of them. Once Lauren was safely secured in hers, they all climbed inside and sped away.
Lauren stared out of the window as Vivian and Megan talked. She tuned them out thinking of what was to come. This is where her life had lead her. Had she stayed professional, Bo wouldn't have gotten close. Dyson, Trick, Vex, Kenzi, Tamsin and Nelson wouldn't have mocked and attacked her over her relationship. Lauren was dating the most powerful Fae, and they still got to her because Bo thought they all liked Lauren. The doctor could almost laugh at that now. Since when had any of them liked her? Unless it was something they were getting out of her. She shook her head and found other sites to study along the way.
She kept her hands on her legs, and leaned back against the lush headrest. Closing her eyes, she focused on the wheels. When they stopped. When they rolled. Every bump in the road. They would soon arrive at the Light Fae compound, because Lauren knew every stop and bump on that road. Something she learned on her many missions for the Ash.
She opened her eyes when she knew they had less than a block to go. All the Hummers parked and the snipers jumped on top of their assigned Hummers again.
"When you're ready Dr. Lewis, everyone's inside". Hale smiled softly.
Lauren lifted her head.
"She's not here. She was, but she left, willingly". Hale said as he backed up and watched as Dr. Lewis was placed on her scooter. She nodded and rolled up the small ramp.
Twenty Fae including the Ash walked ahead of her, with twenty behind them. Megan and Vivian flanked the doctor.
They rounded the corner into a massive room of Fae Elders, sitting at a long table. Evony sat at one end with Hale directly across from her. There was an empty spot for Lauren at the head of the table. Once she rolled to it, they all quieted down.
Hale nodded and she spoke. "These last few weeks have been painful, sad, and informative. I've learned a lot about myself, and the Fae. As you can see I'm still in this seat. Even when I was able to walk, I was in this seat. Helpless, and mentally crippled, in your world. I've come back to say goodbye to your world. I've come back to secure my freedom, for good". Lauren said. She never once flinched. Even when the Elders starting screaming over each other at her proclamation.
Hale and Evony raised their hands, and the room went silent, except for the old grandfather clock in the corner.
"Lauren has the floor". Hale said, and the Morrigan nodded in agreement.
Lauren opened her mouth to speak again, and stopped momentarily when Aife and Bo stood at the other end of the table.
"For two years the Fae was being studied by Dr. Isaac Taft. Now that he's dead, there's nothing holding me to any confidentiality oaths. He learned almost everything about you, except the most powerful among you. He'd learned that Dyson was the one". Lauren said to thunderous laughter, and words like absurd and preposterous being thrown around.
Hale and Evony raised their hands again, and the room went silent again.
"He had infiltrated the Light Fae compound as a janitor, and found a specimen. Only he didn't know that at the time. His brother had died at the hands of the Fae, and he wanted revenge. With this specimen in his dungeon, he wanted to add every Fae to his collection. So he figured to get all of you, he'd start with the most powerful as his biggest prize and come for the rest of you, one by one.
He'd already come to my private quarters. I just thought he was going to be a colleague. In layman's terms, he was going to turn himself Fae by using the most powerful amongst you, and kill the rest. Humans too. That's why I can no longer stay here, and be a sitting duck for Fae enemies, again". Lauren said bitterly as she glanced at and away from Bo.
"Why should we release you? You're more valuable to us than the human world". Blackthorn scoffed.
"You don't want to test me. Grant my request, and I'll leave. Don't grant it, and none of you will leave". Lauren smiled.
"Lauren? What's going on? Have Evony and myself not looked after your recovery, properly? Hale asked.
"I'm grateful for that. The icing on the cake was that lab, time alone, and something none of you want". Lauren said. She was tired of waiting and backed up to roll herself out of the room.
"Where do you think you're going? Aife asked as she stood directly in front of Lauren.
"There's a room full of Light and Dark Fae here. Do you really want me to break all of Taft's business? Lauren asked bitterly.
"You wouldn't dare". Aife laughed.
"You were his patient, not mine. I don't owe you anything, and I'm not bound to keep any confidentialities". Lauren snapped coldly.
"I'm sorry Dr. Lewis. You cannot leave that easily. You know too much about our world". Blackthorn said as he stood next to Aife.
Lauren screamed, and it silenced the room. She rolled forward, and turned around.
"Did you idiots really think I would come here without protection? Without something that you all fear. Something you should fear?! Lauren screamed again
"Lauren". Bo said softly touching her scooter
"Get away from me! Lauren snapped.
Bo raised her hands, and moved away.
"What should... could we fear from you? Blackthorn laughed.
"Remember how you found me? I solved the Fae plague. Now if I know how to cure it, I know how to inflict it! Lauren screamed.
The room gasped. Most ran out, the others sat stiff in their seats. Lauren raised her arms and shot a pellet into one of the Fae's backs. The Fae fell to the floor. After almost twenty minutes, Evony and Hale observed him. He displayed all the signs of the Fae plague.
"There's plenty more where that came from. I can mass produce it at will." Lauren said looking from one side of the table to the other.
"How come you're not affected? If you have studied this as close as you proclaim? Evony asked curiously.
"Because I've played with it and I know how to protect myself from it. No mask or gloves required. You have thirty minutes to arrange my leave with a nice severance package. Do not make me wait thirty one minutes because you will all be dead, and not one human will care". Lauren said coldly again.
"The three of you, get out of here. We have work to do." Hale said and watched as Lauren rolled out with Bo and Aife behind her.
"Lauren you can't be serious about leaving all of the Fae. I'm Fae, Lauren." Bo said tearfully.
"You're the reason I want to leave! Lauren screamed. The doctor moved as far as she could in her seat away from the Succubus.
Bo jumped at Lauren's words, and anger. "Lauren". She said softly, again touching Lauren's scooter.
"Is there a problem here? Megan and Vivian asked walking up.
"Thank you ladies, but I got this". Lauren said as she stood up and walked away from the scooter.
"How? Did they heal you?! Only a Succubus pulse could heal you! I wanted to do it! I'll kill them! Bo stomped over angrily.
Lauren tsked. "Imagine. A jealous Succubus. But they didn't heal my legs, she did". Lauren said pointing at Aife.
"What?! Bo spun around on Aife.
"Let's go girls. Let's see what the Ash had prepared for dinner". Lauren said as Megan and Vivian followed her.
TBC