After Bo dropped Sam off, she pulled her car to the side of the road. Lauren had fallen asleep in the passenger seat. She pulled a blanket from the backseat and draped it over the blonde. She wasn't shivering or anything, but the Succubus didn't want to take any chances that the doctor could be cold. Lauren had turned on a GPS tracker and Bo followed every direction. She wasn't sure where they were going, but trusted it to be somewhere Lauren wanted to go. Some hours later, Bo shifted in her seat. She opened her eyes and found the blanket draped over her. She looked around and climbed out of the car.
Pulling her blade out, she slowly walked towards the building. When she reached the top step, a guard opened the door.
"The doctor said to thank you for your help earlier. She is still angry but said you could come in for shelter once you woke up". The man backed away to allow Bo inside.
"Where is she?". Bo asked.
"Up the stairs. Last door on your right". The man shut the heavy door and resumed his post.
Bo walked further into the building towards the stairs. Everything looked brand new. She walked past bedrooms with queen sized beds. She walked past a small kitchen area. Then finally, she reached the stairs. She walked up all twenty steps then turned to her right. She followed the hall until she reached the door the guard mentioned. It was already open. She gasped as she turned to walk in. "Well, some things haven't changed". She lightly tapped on the door. Lauren was staring hard into a microscope. She hadn't flinched or turned her head to greet Bo.
Bowing her head, Bo walked inside. She looked around the room. It looked like a small lab with all of the equipment shining from the overhead lights.
"Lauren?". Bo spoke softly. The blonde still didn't move. The Succubus jumped when the blonde stood and walked to a far table. "What's going on?". Bo asked.
"I'm trying to find a way to get your blood out of my bloodstream". Lauren replied over shoulder.
"Lauren, that could be dangerous. I don't like the sound of it. It was scary enough back there with the tubes attached to you". Bo shook her head.
"I can't have your blood in me. I screwed up. Now, I have to find a way to fix it". Lauren furiously read over paperwork.
"Would it be so bad having my blood?". Bo asked.
"Have you forgotten? I have seen what your blood does to people. What it did to Dyson when I injected him with your blood. You were already his mate and he had his love back, apparently. That only made him hornier for you". Lauren rambled off.
"I don't love him, Lauren. I love you. I can't help it if I'm his mate, he's not mine. The blood bind should have worn off by now. There is nothing about him that is mine. There is nothing of mine that is his". Bo shook her head as she paced back and forth. This was certainly not a conversation she was expecting. She was expecting Lauren to be in a bed, resting. Not pouring over another science experiment.
"Dyson loves you, Bo. They all do. They will always fight for rights to you. To your body. To your mouth. Nothing of his is yours, but nothing of mine will be either". Lauren went back to her microscope. She thought with fresh eyes, she could see something that she hadn't before.
"Why did you lead me here, if you were going to treat me like this?". Bo asked.
Lauren looked at Bo, but stopped when they heard a small group coming.
"Well damn, Doctor. You are one hard person to find". The Morrigan laughed.
"Lauren, are you okay?". Hale rushed over to the blonde.
"I'm fine, I just have a little blood problem". Lauren waved off the Ash concerns.
"Get in here, now!". The Morrigan screamed.
Bo turned to the door and growled when Vivian and Megan walked in.
"Flank the Doctor". Hale ordered them.
"Why?". Bo asked.
"Why? Because you're here. She's not safe". The Morrigan replied.
"Lauren collapsed under their watch. I'm the threat?". Bo seethed.
"She will get her rest. She will get everything that she wants. But she won't get any of those things while you and your dumbass family are around her. The wolf probably wants to fuck you right now. Tell me how that helps Lauren? Don't get me started on Kenzi, she'd probably be casing this joint right now, if she were here". The Morrigan snapped.
"I love Lauren. That's why I was following them. That's why I helped her earlier. That's why I'm here. Do you see anyone else here? No, you don't. I'm not leaving". Bo stepped forward.
"Enough! I want everyone out. Everyone, I can't work if you are all here bickering about bullshit!". Lauren snapped. She turned to Bo. "I don't need your protection".
"But you need theirs?". Bo pointed towards Vivian and Megan. They looked almost stiff as they stood flanking Lauren.
"I didn't ask for them. I didn't ask for any of this!". Lauren screamed as she threw a stack of papers to the floor.
"Well, pick them up!". Hale screamed.
Vivian and Megan bowed and bent to pick up Lauren's papers and neatly stacked them on the table.
"They can protect Lauren, we need to get back to cleaning up Bo's mess". The Morrigan stood behind Hale.
"Thanks, Bo". Hale rolled his eyes.
Bo bowed her head and raised it again.
"What are they talking about?". Laruen asked.
"Bo killed some Fae. We still need to bury some and notify the families". Hale replied as he put his hat back on.
"Killing just to kill, now?". Lauren asked.
"You left and I lost it. Don't you see Lauren? I love you. I'm that darkness again, without you". Bo walked closer to the Doctor. Vivian and Megan moved closer to the blonde.
"Your aura lies and tells the truth". Megan spoke.
"Megan?". Lauren asked.
"She does love you, but her Succubus does as well". Megan replied. "What darkness?".
"That's not love. It's convenient. The convenience of knowing the Doctor was tied to the Light and could never leave. Now that she has, it's convenient for Bo to pursue her like a conquest, not a lover". Vivian spoke.
"Lauren is not a conquest, she's my love". Bo gritted her teeth. She was reading auras too. Vivian's is nearly fireworks when she looks at and talks of Lauren.
"If you must be here, can you go somewhere else?". Lauren asked.
"We'll wait at the foot of the stairs". Vivian looked at Bo. It was almost amusing how much she wants the Doctor. She doesn't deserve such a woman. She's young and foolish. Had Vivian met Lauren long ago, the Doctor wouldn't be stressed like this. She would have been far better protected. She wouldn't be on dumbass, hairbrained schemes solving cases for a police detective. Lauren deserves the world, and Vivian is going to do her part to make sure she gets a huge chunk, if not all of it. "I'm sorry about pushing my chi into you, Lauren. I won't do so again, unless it's a life or death situation". The succubus bowed and followed Megan out.
Lauren stood looking at the door and turned to Bo. "You can go too".
"What's going on, Lauren? What are you not telling me? What are you not telling any of us?". Bo asked. Lauren looked angry.
"I should have ran when Nadia died. Now, I'm a freak of science. I stupidly used a hot water bottle of your blood, thinking it was Aife's, to heal my paralysis. I can't get a moment's peace or time to myself because some Fae always wants something from me. I'm tired. I want to sleep and I can't. I can't not knowing what danger comes with your blood in a human body". Lauren blew out a heavy breath.
"I can't leave you, Lauren. I left you unprotected the last time and that's when Nelson and Tamsin struck. I don't know who's out there. Who's coming. I don't know this Megan or this Vivian. They could harm you, the minute I leave. I want you to eat something. Rest when you need to. My blood inside of you is like my GPS, it keeps me in your vicinity. As long as I know you are safe and well, I will back down. But I can't leave. Not now. Not ever". Bo spoke softly. Lauren does look tired. She looks like she could use about ten meals right now.
"Fine, pick a room. But, go". Lauren gestured towards the door. Bo bowed and walked out. She looked down the stairs and did see Vivian and Megan at the foot. She walked down the short hall and turned down another. She walked past many bedrooms. Same size beds in each one. She smiled when she passed another kitchen. She's no chef by any means, but she can make the basics. She washed up and got to work.
The Dal
Trick and Dyson sighed when the Ash and Morrigan walked in.
"What is it now?". Trick asked.
"The Doctor and her succubus have been found. They are both safe at a secured location". The Morrigan waved her hand for a drink.
"Where?". Dyson perked up.
"She said, a secured location, man. We are not going to tell you where". Hale shook his head.
"Kenzi would want to know. I need to be the one to tell her". Dyson downed his beer.
"No. Dyson. Try a cold shower. Try a thousand of them". Hale pushed the wolf back.
"I'll tell Kenzi. Stay here, Dyson. Bo killed Fae without being here, she might kill again". Trick walked to another room.
Kenzi had a pair of headphones on as she played video games. Trick tapped her on the head and she pulled them off.
"Bo is safe. So is Lauren". Trick said simply.
"Not ready to come home, is she?". Kenzi asked.
"Bo is home". Trick walked out. Kenzi watched him until the door closed. She put her headset back on and started playing her game again.
Lauren
When Bo walked out, Lauren collapsed on a small couch. It was finally quiet. She looked at the fireplace. It was dark since it wasn't cold anymore. She looked at the medical equipment. She looked at her hands. They felt warm. But they weren't flashing colors like earlier. She didn't lie to Bo about feeling like a freak of science. She does feel that way. As brilliant as she is, she failed herself. She wanted to walk again so desperately that she didn't want to wait months or years for her legs to heal. If they ever were to heal.
She thought about Nelson. How did a human get into her apartment building? The Light Fae guards barely afforded her to be five feet away from them. To be frank, he kicked her ass. Sure, she was in the military but she didn't ever need to physically fight someone. She was used in med bays and hospitals. Her mind fought for wounded soldiers and they fought physically.
She thought of Tamsin. That girl is evil. Bo doesn't and can't see it. They are all evil. They all want something from Bo. Dyson and Tamsin want her body and love. Kenzi wants her friendship and the protection being Bo's human affords her. Oddly enough, the only people Lauren feels that actually care about her are The Ash and Morrigan. Bo cares. But the blonde is starting to wonder what Bo's caring will cost her next.
She had been busy in her loft working on their latest case and it cost her use of her legs. Bo herself had never been that badly beaten. Lauren and Nelson had both lost girlfriends. But his could've lived a lot longer than Nadia. They just messed with the wrong people and it cost him his love.
Bo doesn't want to leave now. She had no problems leaving when Dyson needed her. She had no problems backburning their relationship talk just so she could have a private talk with Dyson. The Morrigan had gotten the security camera footage for that teen camp. Dyson and Bo spoke about the Dawning and Bo still being in love with Lauren. Some love. It got Lauren badly wounded. It's almost amusing how Bo keeps following Lauren around now. Now that she doesn't have her Ash necklace. Now that she doesn't need to be summoned to do the Light Fae bidding. Now that she doesn't need anything but herself. Vivian and Megan are nice and she could have a lot of fun with them. But right now, her own well being is her priority.
Bo
Bo had washed up like she'd seen Lauren wash up before and gotten busy. Once she was ready, she found a tray and loaded the food and drink onto it. She pushed the door with her elbows and walked down the long and short halls again. Using her head, she knocked on the door.
Lauren shook head when the incessant knocking didn't stop. She went to open the door and watched as Bo struggled not to drop the tray.
"Tada". Bo smiled warmly.
"I'm not hungry". Lauren turned away.
"That's a lie, Lauren." Bo followed behind her. Once the doctor stopped walking, she set the tray on the nearest surface.
"Okay. So, we have vegetable soup and a half sandwich". Bo lifted the lid to prove what she just said.
"Bo". Lauren sighed.
"I know you're still angry, Lauren. This is not a bribe or anything like that. I just want to make sure you have something to eat. I know you said you are not hungry, but I know that you are. I know you're tired like you said earlier. I will leave you to eat and to rest, when you can". Bo turned to walk out. Lauren watched her go and grabbed the back of her neck.
Bo had rarely seen the doctor eat. But she did do a wonderful job with the small dinner she prepared. Lauren grabbed some napkins from the far wall dispenser and returned to the table to eat. The Succubus can be sweet when she wants to be. Lauren just wishes she could trust her motives right now.
Bo
She finally picked a room and grabbed her own tray of food and walked to it.
She sat at a small table and looked out into the night sky. Taking her first bite, she looked out again. This feels weird but good. Bo had worried Lauren running off with those two bitches at the bottom of the steps. Now, Bo sat in the same building as the woman she loves.
They lied earlier. This is not about convenience. She loves Lauren. She loves the woman no matter where she is. No matter wherever she goes. She once told Lauren she would run away with her. This is almost the same but they have other people with them. Lauren may be free, but she's living on Fae money and resources. This building is nicer than the Light Fae compound.
When she was running, she never once slept in a place like this. When she stopped running and met Lauren, she wanted to sleep wherever the doctor was. Then they slept together. She wanted to do and be better for Lauren. To someday move out of that rusting building and into a home or building like this. While Lauren could probably afford this working one day at a hospital, a high school dropout like Bo, can't afford it.
Then she thought of the ticket trick she used a few times. Pulsing a waitress saying she would bring the rest back and then never went back. Not that the lady would remember, Bo would remember.
She thought of her PI cases. They weren't making her rich by any means, but they were helping people that couldn't help themselves. Her succubus growled at Dyson's case, and so did Bo. The one case she shouldn't have taken caused Lauren pain that Bo never wanted to cause her. The Lich tried to hurt Lauren and look what he got. That's why Nelson had to die too. People keep screwing with Bo's eventual home life and she doesn't like it. Lauren will live like this someday. She will live with Bo and whatever children they have together. Kenzi can live elsewhere, but she can't worry about her now, she has to worry about Lauren. First, last and only, Lauren.
Vivian and Megan.
"Vivian and Megan shall not touch the Doctor unless she initiates said touching." Vivian growled. "That's just perfect. How can I make a move when I can't touch her?".
"Let her go. You have seen she doesn't like to be rushed or bossed around. Give her time and space and she may come around". Megan replied. It will probably fail but they have nothing else to do.
"You're right. If I push now, I will lose any chance I may have. I don't want to push, Lauren. She deserves a friend and a lover. A lover that respects her for who she is and not just wants her for her body. She's brilliant and kind. I can be those things too". Vivian nodded and she rolled up the codicil and tucked it into her jacket.
"We know a little bit about Lauren. We need to learn about her enemies. I don't take this post lightly. I do want to protect her." Megan looked around.
"We know that Bo's still upstairs. The alarms would sound should anyone jump off of any balcony". Vivian adjusted her stance.
"It's starting to get late, Lauren might be ready to call it a night soon". Megan noted the time on the far wall.
"I'm game". Vivian said as she turned.
"Game for what? Lauren? Do you really think you stand a chance against me?". Bo laughed as she stood on the stairs.
"Your history with the good doctor is shit. I'd say I stand a good chance, when Lauren's ready to date, a real Succubus". Vivian smiled.
"May the best one win. But know this, mine hates to lose. I have years with Lauren to your little what? A few months?". Bo winked as she walked down the stairs to get a drink. She has a cooler in her room, but wanted to see what these fools are up to. This is going to be fun. To watch that bitch try and fail. But Bo can't fail. She can't even falter.
TBC