The Nursery
"Shhh shhh. They will not get you, I promise sweetie", Bo cooed into Charlotte's ears.
How dare anyone think they will come up in here and take their baby? Bo hadn't been a mother long but that didn't stop her instincts from kicking in. Or not having her feet ready to kick all ass that thought she belonged to them. No she belongs to her and Lauren. To Kenzi. To all that truly loved them.
Bo had to stop and think. Had she really pissed anyone off over the last year? That seemed nearly impossible because she hadn't even left the hospital. Everything she needed was there and what she did need from the outside world, Kenzi provided for her, them. She thought about the Doctors and Nurses, they were the same. Not one of them was new. Just a daily routine coming in and out. Checking on Lauren's, Bo's and Charlotte's comfort.
She was hitting a brick wall on her hunches. Lauren and Lea were going to meet later with a few well known shifters. Someone had to know something. Bo just wanted to relax and with their baby threatened that was like expecting Lauren to relax.
They had spent the entire night in their own bed watching Charlotte. Her breathing. Her movements. Her little roars that Lauren swore up and down she would learn to control over time. At least that's what Lea told her.
Bo had to admit as far as babies go, she and Lauren hit the jackpot. Charlotte seemed to be aging at a rapid pace and Bo had to agree her body did look longer. She could already tell she was going to be gorgeous like Lauren. She saw her own features in Charlotte too. Those blue eyes she often flashed seemed like a hello to Bo from a baby yet to talk. Other than when she said mama waking Lauren up from her coma. She rarely had reason to cry and all she mostly had done was roar.
Bo wasn't complaining. She pulled the baby closer to her as they rocked in the chair. She dare not try and sing again because Charlotte cries when she does. That is something she doesn't want to see again anytime soon. Which is why she must find the bastard(s) that are after her. They have to be a spy or enemy. A scorned lover perhaps?
Unknown location
"Your plan had better work Robert. I have plans for that baby and it is imperative that we get her immediately", Mrs. Thornwood said.
"Of course ma'am, it will work and you shall have her very soon", Robert said.
"If you screw this up you will wind up next to Stanley", Mrs. Thornwood said.
Robert swallowed hard. He did have a sure fire plan to kidnap Charlotte. All he was waiting on was for the right time. He bowed his head and walked out the door.
Mrs. Thornwood sat back in her chair. This was only fair. She deserved that baby. If it turned out to be the last thing she did, she would get her. The Succubus and Lioness would never see her again. The thought warmed her insides. She had waited too long for this and nothing was going to stop her. She had plans and those plans were not to be tampered with or crushed by anyone.
Bo and Lauren's
Did you guys find out anything? Bo asked Kenzi and Tamsin.
"Not yet we were coming over here to see what the two of you found out", Kenzi said.
"We don't have anything but Lauren has gone to meet with Lea. They are going to check with the other shifters to see if anyone has heard anything. Most of them have been out in the field and out of reach by phone", Bo explained.
"That's better than what I found out. This guy couldn't be as clean as his record suggests", Tamsin said.
"Did he even have one? Bo asked. She was tired of waiting but she had to be patient and think of the baby. She couldn't just run off like she used to when she had a lead on a case.
"Nothing. We have nothing on him. I reached out to other precincts but nobody has called yet", Tamsin said. This was making her mad too. In her all of her lifetimes and line of work, nobody's record was ever this spotless, as far as the Fae was concerned.
"Maybe he didn't do anything wrong", Kenzi said. But she knew as the other two did. There has to be something somewhere.
"I know Lauren had gone to ask to borrow his shirt. She gave them some kind of medical examiner excuse", Bo said patting the baby's back.
"That could work! Tamsin chimed in.
"Yeah if she gives the shirt to every shifter they could all spread out and look. Wherever he came from, they are surely to find something", Bo said setting the baby down in her crib to play.
"You know Lauren that woman never stops thinking so she will leave no stone unturned", Kenzi said. She knew it was true and from what little Lauren had told her about Afghanistan, these fools were doomed.
Lauren's POV
It's driving me crazy that someone is after our baby. I mean come on were they there when the Doctor told Bo and Kenzi I was pregnant? How could they have known so early? I am starting to wonder if there was a leak at the hospital. I will call a very trusted confidante. She knows not to play games with us. I have known her for years.
I am worried about Bo too. It couldn't have been easy seeing me lying there knowing there was nothing she could do but wait. At least she had our baby to talk to and bond with. She deserves it. She hadn't known Aife much and what she did learn of her was not pleasant. I only saw her for a brief moment at Taft's compound. She looked so much like Bo that I had no doubt she was her mother. I do remember her saying she gave up Dyson so Isaac wouldn't get his hands on her baby. I almost feel guilty that he did. He should never have touched or seen Bo. My curiosity and feeling useful put her and the rest of us in danger. My only solace is I was able to beat that bastard at his own game.
Dyson on the other hand was a different story. I have never seen such an ungrateful bastard in all of my life. I almost wish I would have taken his Fae DNA and given it to Taft and let Dyson be the one running for his life, like he convinced me that it was in my best interest to run. I should have known like the first time he suggested that, it was more about him getting Bo all to himself and not some noble gesture. My Lioness is starting to roar just thinking about him and all of his shit.
I have been sitting on Lea's porch trying to clear my mind so when it's time for us to try and track the scent from the shirt, my mind will be clear and focused. Just the thought of anyone but us holding Charlotte fires me up in a way like I've never felt before. I know it's just the mother in me surfacing and I will do everything to protect my baby. I know Bo will guard her with everything she has while I am gone. So all I need to do is focus on tracing his DNA footsteps.
Dark Fae compound
Evony was pissed off. Vex wasn't coming up with anything and neither were the others. Their incompetence was weighing on her. What's the use in being a leader if all under you were freaking idiots. She knew she needed to find the would be kidnappers just so Lauren wouldn't have cause to come after her. She already cost her one hand and the substitute she was able to come up with sucked.
"Who is after this baby? She asked aloud.
"That love is the million dollar question and I am sure the Succubunny will pay it if we find out who the bloody bastard is", Vex said.
"They will not pay. They will just kill and ask questions later and you know that", Evony snapped.
"Your arse would be first seeing you have wanted the Succubus dead since day one", Vex laughed. He had already warned her not to screw around with them. After all how much damage could Evony do with one hand? He had to contain his laughter.
"Stop diddling with yourself and find out who's after the little monster", Evony said. She was tired of Vex's shit. What kind of Mesmer as lowly as Vex not know who was behind this? He had many bars that catered to the lowest of the low. Some were so vile even the Morrigan didn't want anything to do with them.
"I told you love. I got nothing", Vex said. He knew he could call in a few favors but he was reserving those for when he needed them and he wasn't gonna waste them trying to help Evony.
"Vex you serve those animals. I know they know something. Be a good bastard and find out what so I can use it against the Succubus", Evony said.
"I don't have to do squat but breathe and I plan on doing that for a very long time. If you want that information, get off your ass and ask around yourself", Vex said winking and waving goodbye.
He knew the Succubus' rage. He saw it first hand. Once that girl went dark they were all dead anyways. He was still recovering from the bite marks Lauren had given him. She used him like a dog uses a chew toy. Just something to sink her teeth into.
The Dal
Trick had been busy since he returned from Bo's. The bartenders he left to run the place had all but sold all of his liquor by the bottles and most of it was his most expensive inventory.
He was worried about Bo. He knew if she truly snapped it would be nasty for everything and everyone.
"We need more liquor sir", Parker said.
"I know. I have ordered more", Trick said shaking his head. This was not what he thought it would be when he started up the place. He thought it was just a good idea to hide him being the Blood King. He didn't expect to have so much responsibility and heavy clientele.
It was a good spot to hold secret meetings. Especially in his lair. There was more than one way out of there and nobody in the Dal would see them leave.
Lauren and the shifters
The group all had a turn sniffing Stanley's shirt. When Lauren gave the nod they all dispersed. Lauren took the open areas since she was still a new shifter, Lea thought it would be best for her to be in the open so the elder shifters could keep track of her and be ready for any possible threat.
One of the shifters, William, a lion did deduce Stanley was in fact Fae. He just didn't know what kind.
They spent the next three hours trying to trace his scent and when they reached the end they found nothing but an abandoned shack. The place had been completely cleaned out. But Lauren could tell someone had been there recently and it wasn't a month ago. It was like yesterday.
Lauren shifted to her human form and looked around a bit more. There was something very familiar about the scents she could detect.
"William? I have an important job for you to do", Lauren said. She was sure she was finally on the right track.
"Whatever you need. Your baby is one of us, so whomever is after her just stepped in a big pile of dog shit", William said.
Lauren smiled. She really was appreciative of her extended family. She didn't have much of a family other than Bo and Charlotte. "I need you to go to the Dal and watch your surroundings. Who comes and goes. Hang out so to speak", Lauren requested.
"I can do that. It would be better too if someone came in with the scents we are detecting here", William said. Free booze? He can handle that. Trick had a barmaid that was sweet on him, so this would be just another night at home for him so to speak.
"Call me when you find anything", Lauren said. She was thankful so many of them took time out of their day and lives to help them. Some of them knew Bo and weren't exactly friends with the Succubus but knew of her power and influence.
William had gone home to shower and change. He didn't want his current scent mixing in with whatever he found at the Dal. After about 2 hours later, he called Lauren to let her know he was in place. The Dal was still busy but he found a booth that allowed him a view of everyone that came and went, including those that went down into Trick's lair.
Unknown location
"Well what is taking so long? Mrs. Thornwood asked. Robert had left hours ago and had not reported back. She was concerned that maybe he was dead too until he stood in her doorway again.
"The Succubus is not alone like I had planned for her to be" Robert said.
"So? Mrs. Thornwood.
"Ma'am she has company. The cop is there and her PI partner", Robert said.
"So what we have a Succubus, Valkyrie and a human stopping you? There couldn't be a better time. If Dr. Lewis is gone, they are all but unguarded", Mrs. Thornwood said. These tedious excuses were working her last nerve and it was never stable to begin with.
"My plan called for the Succubus to be alone with the baby", Robert said. That's where Stanley failed. He must have thought Dr. Lewis was alone. But when the Succubus slammed her car into him, he knew she wasn't inside and they needed her to be for his newest plan to work.
"She's a Succubus! The Valkyrie can't do much but cast doubt. Just don't look at her and knock the Succubus out", Mrs. Thornwood demanded. She really had to be the brains of her crew. Why the hell she hired them she didn't know but if they failed her again, she would fire or kill them. Maybe both.
"Right away ma'am", Robert said. He knew it had to be right away too before Lauren came home. If she did, his plan was doomed. There would be no escaping or outrunning her.
The Dal
William had been there for about three hours. He watched Trick fidget especially when he was on the phone. Once he saw him and an older lady walk down the stairs into his lair, he pointed to his empty glass and gestured for Tracy to come and pour him another. Once she had done so, he asked her to sit with him for a bit. He would spend the next twenty minutes asking questions that came to mind.
He knew Lauren had sent him because she would stick out like a sore thumb and he hadn't frequented the Dal much over the years but still had inside people letting him know what was going on. Once he was done talking to Tracy, he had what they needed to call the good Doctor.
"Lauren? Lea asked noticing her disappointed face after she hung up from talking to William.
"I have to go to the Dal Riata. There's a small package I have to pick up before I go home", Lauren said as she nodded in Lea's direction.
"What did you find out? Lea asked. This wasn't just about Chalotte anymore. Not from the looks and vibes Lauren was giving her.
"I just need to get to the Dal and quickly", Lauren said jumping into her car with Lea and a few others hopping in too. They weren't going to let Lauren and Bo be ambushed like this. Not when they had spent all day trying to find out who was coming for Charlotte.
Lauren drove as fast as her car could go. She was pretty sure she'd already broken the speed limit many times over.
When they finally arrived Lea and the others stood at the bar while Lauren went over to William's booth.
"What do you got? Lauren asked watching him pull his phone from his shirt pocket. She took it from him and watched the recording he made. It wasn't long but just enough to be of some use.
Lauren bowed her head. This was going to be really bad and she knew she needed to act quickly. She went over to Lea. She handed her the keys to her car and asked her to bring it around to the front of the Dal and wait for her.
She then asked Tracy to tell the patrons that the Dal would be closing early. As soon as they all left, Lauren downed a few shots and waited for Trick to finally emerge from his lair.
"Hello Trick", Lauren said turning to him.
Bo, Kenzi and Tamsin.
Tamsin sighed. Her calls and near threats hadn't gotten them anywhere.
The trio had made their way outside as the baby napped in the living room in a small bassinet Lauren had bought yesterday.
"All of our contacts have been coming up short too Bobo", Kenzi said. She knew it wasn't the time for nicknames but she was trying to keep Bo calm. Who was she kidding? She was trying to keep herself calm too.
"Lauren will come up with something. She has to since she's been gone most of the day", Bo said tiredly. She was worried but knew the Doctor was in good company and most importantly to her, protective company.
The Succubus was still puzzled who could want their baby so quickly? She wasn't even a year yet and somehow word spread that Lauren had given birth. She had asked Kenzi to put someone in the hospital to try and find out what they could. Kenzi didn't want to put someone new in because that would arouse suspicion. So she paid a fresh faced, already in place, nurse a ton of money to keep her eyes and ears open.
Bo had sent Lauren a text and all she replied was the she would be home soon. Bo took that to mean she found something out but was likely busy with the shifters gathering more information.
Unknown location
"Mrs. Thornwood, we should have the child within the hour", Robert said into his phone as he was heading to Bo and Lauren's.
"Remember if you fail me, you are dead Robert. I know you've been with us for a long time but I am tired of my crew failing me", Mrs. Thornwood said.
"Understood ma'am. I will be in touch", Robert said hanging up the phone. This was going to be the boldest thing he had ever done. He had not sent anyone ahead of him to survey the house. He was sure he wouldn't fail like Stanley did. The Succubus wouldn't kill him before he completed his task. Mrs. Thornwood was right. He shouldn't fear her, the Valkyrie or their human friend. He was hopeful that Lauren wasn't home yet. He had people that told him she had been at the Dal. That worked for him.
Mrs. Thornwood set her phone down on her desk. She wanted that baby in her possession. She would stop at nothing to get her either. She didn't even care which woman gave birth to the child, she would come in handy in the long run and that's why she wanted her.
Bo and Lauren's
Bo, Kenzi and Tamsin had gone back inside. The air was crisp and Bo wanted to make a fire so the house would stay warm for Charlotte. She never much minded the cold herself but her baby was another story. Once the house was nice and toasty they made their way into the kitchen to plan dinner. Bo felt bad consuming their time all day. She owed them a free dinner. But what they would eat was another question. They had pizza the previous night. Kenzi finally said she wanted Chinese so she called and ordered enough for them and for Lauren when she finally came home.
They had finally settled in the living room and started a movie. Bo wasn't in the mood for a horror flick so they picked a cop movie instead. Bo wasn't really watching the movie. She kept her hand on Charlotte's bassinet and her mind on her safety. This was one time she couldn't afford to be sloppy or spaced out.
Kenzi couldn't focus on the movie either. As successful as their PI service was, she couldn't believe she wasn't getting anywhere, even with the woman Trick asked her to hire but she quickly let her go. Girl was too lazy for Kenzi's taste and she knew the Succubus would have fired her the first day, had she been back to work. But Kenzi understood. Bo wanted to be a good mother. All the other shit could wait and Kenzi agreed.
Tamsin was focused on her phone. She had sent what Detectives they could spare out into fields they hadn't checked out yet. She knew the Captain would be on her ass about wasting manpower but knew he was a close friend of Lauren's so he would understand the importance of it all.
Unknown location
"I'm in position", Robert said into his phone.
"Fool why are you calling me? Just get her and bring her directly to me. Do not stop anywhere just bring her here", Mrs. Thornwood ordered.
Bo and Lauren's
An hour had passed. Bo, Kenzi and Tamsin were sitting on the couch eating their food. Bo had placed some aside for Lauren but with Lauren's new appetite, she knew it would only be a snack.
Bo was really trying to relax. She refrained from drinking though. She didn't want Charlotte smelling that on her breath.
When Bo's phone rung all three jumped up. Bo noticed it wasn't Lauren's number and swallowed hard as she answered.
"Lauren needs you outside", Was all Lea needed to say before the Succubus jumped up and ran to the door with Kenzi and Tamsin following closely behind her.
The trio made it to the porch and Bo's eyes widened at the sight before them.
"Lauren? What are you doing? The Succubus asked with her eyes flashing between brown and blue.
Lauren took what breaths she could. She saw how frightened Bo seemed and it worried her a bit. She had no choice but to drop him.
Bo, Kenzi and Tamsin watched in horror as Lauren dropped Trick from her Lioness' teeth. He wasn't going to be writing in his blood today. He looked ghostly pale but he was breathing. Tamsin went over and slightly kicked him to make sure he was still alive.
"He's alive Sergeant", Lauren bristled coldly. Chills ran down her spine even in her Lioness form. She slowly shifted to human form so Bo would be able to understand her better.
"Doc? Kenzi called out. Lauren had looked lost to the trio as they stood stiff. Lauren seemed to have every shifter standing behind her on guard.
"It's Ok. You guys can go, I got this now but thank you so much for all of your help. It will never be forgotten", Lauren said acknowledging those behind her.
"You got it Lauren. Call if you need us again", Lea said shifting to her human form and gesturing the rest to follow her as they all left.
Lauren nodded to them and then turned her attention back to the Blood King.
"Lauren why did you bring him here and not come inside? Bo asked.
"I have news and I didn't want him in our house", Lauren said bitterly. She looked at Bo almost teary eyed but knew she had to keep her composure because her news would assuredly make the Succubus surface. She took a few deep breaths and began.
"This man has led her to us, to our door, to our baby", Lauren said.
"What? What could Trick have done that we haven't seen? He was just here alone the other day", Bo said trying to understand why her grandfather lay in tiny morsels of gravel before her.
"You want to tell her Trick or should I? Lauren screamed angrily. He looked like he was sleeping but the Doctor knew he wasn't.
"Bo...", Trick started.
"Ohhhh here he comes with his usual bullshit lies", Lauren said rolling her eyes and throwing her arms in the air in disgust.
"Lauren? What is this? Bo asked again.
Lauren stared at Bo for a moment. No matter how she felt about Trick at the moment, Bo's ignorance of the situation was keeping her safe from her anger and her Succubus at bay. But what was Lauren waiting on? It took all she had not to shift again and eat him. She could still taste his belt loop in her mouth. She hadn't bitten him yet but he did leave a bitter taste in her mouth.
"Bo...just Listen to me..."Trick started again.
Lauren had enough and went over and kicked him so he would shut up. "I'll tell her", She said.
Lauren stood face to face with Bo to prepare for her Succubus.
"He's in cahoots with Mrs. Thornwood", Lauren said.
Bo went pale. "Mrs. Thornwood? Wait Dyson was married? She asked.
"No his mother. His mother wants our baby Bo", Lauren said still bracing for the Succubus.
"Lauren. Dyson doesn't have a mother. He would have told me", Bo said. This was weird. She and Dyson had shared a lot. Even when she went into Dyson's memories she never saw his mother. Only Trick and the rest of the Fae and humans she actually knew.
Lauren knew Bo would be in a bit of denial and confusion so she pulled her phone and showed her a copy of the video William had sent by text.
Bo took Lauren's phone and turned away. She turned the volume up as far as it would go. She noticed an older looking woman and Trick in his lair. She listened to what they were saying and heard him call her Thornwood. Eunice Thornwood to be exact.
It made sense to Bo. Trick had to know her if he knew Dyson for all of those years.
"Care to explain this? The Succubus said running over to Trick holding him by his shirt collar. She was never this mad at Trick before. Not even when he lied about Aife. Not even when he mocked her about being in love with a human. Not even when he told her he gave the Una Mens seed back to the Arebella.
When Trick went to open his mouth, the group heard a roar.
"Lauren please I got this", Bo said gently waving the Doctor away.
The Succubus heard another roar that was nothing like the first one. She turned her head fast enough to see Lauren had shifted and was charging into the house.
"There went the doors", Kenzi said running after the Doctor and Bo.
The gang including Lauren pulled up once they were in the living room. Lauren saw that it was safe to shift back and did so.
"Holy shitballs", Kenzi said.
A man was standing over Charlotte's bassinet unable to move. Charlotte's little hands were in the air and she was pulling the man's chi.
Lauren didn't hesitate to run over. She made a fist and knocked him out. "It's ok baby mama got him", She cooed to Charlotte as the little girl smiled up at her. Her eyes flashing back to their normal color.
"Ok... how did she do that? Tamsin laughed. This was great and she was glad she was there to see it.
"She...she...", Bo started as she fainted from shock.
"And now mama has to help your other mom", Lauren said walking over to Bo.
TBC
Bo and Lauren waste no time going after Mrs. Thornwood.
Trick tries to control what they learn.