Aife
The Succubus had stayed downstairs pacing back and forth. Thinking of Charlotte and the boys. The twins could and would be going through the same fears of their Succubus that Charly was dealing with. The young shifter was still asleep in her mother's bed.
Taking a deep breath, she thought of something and pulled her phone out. "It's Aife. I need your help". Was all the Succubus said and needed to say before she hung up the phone.
She knew the drills of human baby-sitters. When something went wrong they called the parents home. But Bo and Lauren needed a night off. And they were going to need it even more now. She was failing as a grandmother. She didn't notice Charlotte's aura before it reached this stage. She already felt like she failed Bo. She didn't want to repeat that.
Bo and Lauren
"Mmmm what a nice night out". Lauren cooed as she played with Bo's free hand as the Succubus drove them home.
"Yes it was babe and thank you". Bo said as she kissed the top of Lauren's head after the Doctor had placed her head on the Succubus shoulder.
"Are you ok? Lauren asked softly watching the road as Bo drove.
"Yes I am. How are you doing? Bo asked softly as she readied to make her next turn.
"I'm good". Lauren smiled kissing the inside of Bo's palm.
"Now if you start that again, I will have to pull over". Bo blushed as she nearly lost control of the wheel.
Lauren smiled as she snuggled even closer to Bo. Inhaling her shampoo. Just inhaling the Succubus.
"We should make two of the spare rooms a little dance club. All we would need to do is to knock down a wall and pick up the mess". Lauren cooed.
"That's not a bad idea except for the kids would be slamming into walls as they slide across the floor. You know Charly loves her shifter form". Bo smiled softly.
"Damn I didn't think of that". Lauren laughed. She knew what Bo was talking about. The children could take off running at any moment but weren't used to stopping and had knocked over tables and lamps.
"It was a nice thought sweetie. We will go dancing again, I promise". Bo cooed.
Lauren took a deep breath and stared at the stars. The night was beautiful under the half moon. With a few more turns, she had fallen asleep on Bo's shoulder.
"Lauren? Bo whispered as the Doctor stirred.
"Just five more minutes". Lauren mumbled.
"If you don't get up now, I will leave you here". Bo laughed.
"You wouldn't dare". Lauren mumbled pulling Bo back in place.
"Ok Doctor, you asked for it". Bo laughed as she picked the shifter up and carried her inside.
"For goodness sakes, put me down, I can walk". Lauren laughed.
"It's chilly out and you didn't want to come in after I asked you to". Bo cooed as she opened the door with one hand with Lauren now hanging over her shoulder.
"Bo! Put me down". Lauren laughed as they stepped into the house.
"Shhhhh". Aife said watching the women.
"Mom? What's wrong? Bo asked as she gently set Lauren down on her feet.
"Charlotte is asleep". Aife said softly.
"That's nothing to worry about". Bo said.
"Follow me". Aife said as they walked into the soundproof basement. Bo and Lauren looked at each other but did as they were told.
Once the three were in the basement and the door had been closed, Aife faced Bo and Lauren.
"Charlotte thinks that you left her. Namely Bo. She's been fighting against her Succubus all night. I tried to talk her down and she fell asleep afterwards but there is still so much more going on with her. I left her sleeping upstairs. The boys are playing in their crib". Aife explained.
"What?! She thinks that I left her? Bo said through emerging tears.
"Are you sure it's just Bo and not both of us? Maybe she blames the both of us". Lauren said rubbing Bo's back.
"She clung to Bo's pillow and fell asleep there. She was in her Succubus form as she told me you left her. I don't know if she's upset with you too Lauren. I'm just going by what I saw. There is a dark aura around Charlotte. Her Succubus is trying to stay in control and it's scaring the shifter in Charlotte too". Aife explained.
"Did Bo do this as a baby too? Lauren asked. Her Doctor mind was already trying to figure out the medical side of it.
"No. I never noticed her doing this. The Dennis may know more but...
"No. This is my family now. I will deal with it. I'm going to see my baby". Bo sobbed as she walked up the stairs with the other two women following her step for step.
Bo gently opened their bedroom door, and saw the shifter on her back, with her arms up in the air. The Succubus tiptoed over and stood over her. She was still asleep and looked as if she was having another nightmare. Bo's sobs woke the shifter up and she roared as Bo bent down to her. Lauren walked around to sit on her side of the bed. Charlotte jumped up and immediately shifted. When Lauren reached for her, she roared again.
"It's ok Charlotte. We are home. We didn't leave you". Bo sobbed again as she reached for her this time.
Charlotte roared and jumped off of the bed and ran past Aife and to her room. Using her little nose, she pushed the door closed. The sounds of their sister's roars brought Ethan and Dillon to her room. Seeing the door was closed they both stretched out facing each other to make it impossible for anyone to go in unless they stepped over them.
"Come on". Bo said pulling Lauren by her hand as they walked back downstairs and to the basement again. Aife quickly followed after reading Bo's aura.
"Bo we need to...". Lauren started.
"We? No there is no we, Lauren. This is your fault! Yours. You wanted to go out. You wanted to leave them. You're a Doctor! You should have seen this coming! Bo snapped as she turned around to face the shifter.
"This is not my fault! You have been a Succubus a hell of a lot longer than I have! There is no way a Doctor would sense when a Succubus as powerful as that is about to surface! Lauren snapped back.
"You can read auras too now! This is your fault! We could have eaten at home! My baby needed me! Bo snapped.
"Your baby?! Did you carry her? Did you give birth to her? Did you gain and lose weight over her? She's not just yours, she's mine too! Lauren countered.
"Stop it! Stop this shit right now! This is not about pointing fingers or assigning blame. Your daughter needs you. Both of you! Shame on both of you for being so selfish that you blame each other instead of working together. I am going upstairs! When the two of you children are ready to talk like parents and responsible adults, I will be in the kitchen. Trying to figure out how to help my granddaughter! Aife snapped as she left the women alone.
Lauren watched the door close and it was just them now. "Bo...
"Not now Lauren. I have to...we have to figure this out". Bo said as she paced back and forth.
Lauren nodded and took a seat on the small loveseat.
Bo took two deep breaths. "I'm sorry Lauren".
"I'm sorry too". Lauren said with her head in her hands.
"I used to struggle like that for years. It was such a lonely feeling. I don't know how to help her. I never mastered it myself. Charlotte is a smart baby. They all are. Smarter than me which means their Succubi powers are really advanced and possibly dangerous to their own shifters. How are we going to help them? Bo asked softly staring at the door.
"Bo we needed to get out. Or we would have snapped much worse than we did a few minutes ago. Charlotte is not just yours, she's mine too. They all are. You don't have to do this alone. Yes you are all Succubus but we have those powers too. We can help her. You saw Ethan and Dillon. They are already using what they heard and their senses to know Charlotte needs to be protected. That's what we need to do too. Protect her. Protect her from her fears. Protect her from her pain. Protect her from the Succubus taking control over her. It's probably scaring the shifter in her too. This isn't any outside threat, it's a threat inside of their bodies. Aife is older than all of us. She can be unpredictable, but she loves them too. We have to trust her and trust ourselves to do what's right for all of them". Lauren said softly staring at the Succubus.
"Are you ready? Bo sighed.
"Yes. Lets go". Lauren said standing and taking Bo's cold hand into hers. The women took one step at a time as they plotted in their minds what could go wrong. What Charlotte's Succubus would try to do to them and to her.
Bo cleared her throat as they entered the kitchen. "Mom Lauren and I are both so sorry about all of that. It's just frustrating because neither of us have any idea on how to handle this".
"Isabeau I'm here too. I'm here for them. I'm here for the both of you. I'm here waiting on a friend to come and see what can be done about Charlotte". Aife said seriously.
"You are not thinking of doing some kind of witchcraft on her are you? Lauren asked.
"No nothing like that. A Fae that specializes in baby talk. If she can talk to Charlotte, maybe she can tell us what her Succubus wants or wants her to do". Aife explained.
"That's a start. How long until this woman gets here? Bo asked.
"Either late tonight or early tomorrow morning". Aife said softly looking at the clock. It was almost 1 am.
"Shit it's almost 1 now". Bo said.
"Go and be with your kids. I will wait up for her". Aife said.
"Lets go Bo". Lauren said as she stretched her hand out to Bo.
The women walked in silence as they walked up the stairs. Changing into flannel pajamas, the women walked down the hall.
"Lauren I love you and I'm really sorry". Bo said shaking Lauren's hand.
"I know and I love you too". Lauren replied softly as they neared Charlotte's room. The boys rose up when they heard their footsteps. Backing away from the door, they watched as Bo and Lauren entered Charlotte's room.
"I got her". Bo said softly picking Charlotte up off of the floor. The women walked out of the room and Lauren called back to the twins.
"Come on sons. Follow us". Lauren cooed as Ethan and Dillon did as they were told.
Bo gently set Charlotte down in the middle of the bed. Ethan and Dillon flanked her as Bo and Lauren flanked them pulling the large blanket over all of them. Bo and Lauren reached out and took each other's hands as they all fell asleep covering the kids with their arms.
The next morning.
"Hey it's Aife. I don't know if you're busy but Bo and Lauren are going to need all of us today". Aife said into her phone.
"Hells balls. Don't tell me one of the kids ate another one". Kenzi gasped.
"No nothing like that. Just get here if you can". Aife said.
"I will be there in ten". Kenzi said as she hung up the phone.
"What's wrong? Hale asked.
"I don't know but it's not like Aife to call me about Bo and Lauren, so it must be serious". Kenzi said.
"Lets go". Hale said. He had already grown to adore Bo and Lauren's kids. If the mothers were in trouble, it couldn't be good for the kids and he never liked seeing children harmed.
"Damn I wonder what the hell we have missed". Kenzi said as Hale sped down the street.
"We'll see when we get there". Hale smiled softly.
Bo and Lauren
Bo and Lauren had gotten out of bed, and took turns showering. Lauren went first as Bo sat on the bed so Charlotte wouldn't think that they had left her again, should she wake up suddenly.
Bo knew about abandonment all too well. Mary Dennis used to leave her alone at home for days, or weeks. This was after Bo's Succubus first started to surface. She would leave her at school sitting on the steps waiting to be picked up. She would go out on dates and didn't leave a thing to eat in the house. She didn't like Bo playing with fire, so she forbade her from trying to cook her own meals when they had food. That's when Bo would go out and feed in two ways. Actual food and her Succubus. Her Succubus scared her too. She couldn't allow that to happen to their kids.
"Ok your turn". Lauren said blotting her wet hair with a towel. Bo nodded and eased up off of the bed. Lauren gently dressed as the kids were still asleep. Once she was done, she eased down on to the imprint Bo's body had made.
She sighed internally as the Doctor in her took in what Bo had said during her rant. Lauren was now a three headed monster. A Doctor. A Succubus and a shifter. But more importantly she's a mother too. All three should have aided in predicting Charlotte's fears. Even Bo has an aura when her Succubus is close to the surface. Even though, she's not as afraid as she once was, that kind of darkness can be frightening. Looking back at the kids, their auras were all over the place, likely because they were dreaming.
Bo tiptoed back into the room. "Are you ready? She asked.
"Yes". Lauren answered as she stood up.
"Ethan wake up baby". Bo said gently shaking the shifter.
"Dillon wake up sweetie". Lauren said gently picking him up.
Both women sighed in relief when the shifters jumped out of their arms and ran out of the room. Aife was downstairs and would likely feed them as they dealt with Charlotte.
"Charlotte". Bo whispered and watched the baby stir. She's a one year old, but still their baby. She would always be their baby.
"Charlotte". Bo said again gently shaking her. Charlotte roared, and turned on her stomach facing the other way.
"Charlotte we are home sweetie. Mama and I are here for you. We never left you". Lauren cooed rubbing Charlotte's back.
Charlotte reached behind her back and swatted Lauren's hand away.
"Charlotte! Charlotte get up. Right now! Bo snapped using her Succubus voice. Time trying to be gentle was over.
Charlotte roared again turning back to Bo's side. Her eyes flashing brown and blue. The sight nearly broke Bo's heart.
"I'm so sorry Charlotte. I just want you to get up. Can you do that for me? For mama? Bo asked pointing towards Lauren.
"You left me". Charlotte said glaring at Bo heatedly.
"We just went out. We didn't leave you. How does she even know what that means? Bo laughed looking at Lauren.
"Bo". Lauren said softly.
"Right. Charlotte we didn't leave you. Mama and I just went out dancing. I'm sorry that we weren't here when you needed us. But we are here now. We will always be here when you need us". Bo cooed looking down at the pouting shifter. Bo wanted to laugh again when Charlotte rolled her eyes and turned to face Lauren.
"You left me too. The monster...". Charlotte started.
"I know sweetie. But you are not a monster and neither is she". Lauren said keeping her hands to herself this time.
Charlotte was annoyed. Got up, jumped off of the bed and ran out of the room.
Bo and Lauren watched her go and faced each other.
"Mom...
"Aife...they said at the same time.
"Ok we have steaks and chicken. Which one do you want Ethan? Aife asked.
Ethan laid face down on the floor and watched her.
"Ok. I guess that's your whatever face". Aife laughed.
"Dillon? Aife asked.
Dillon joined his brother as Aife put the meats on paper towels and watched as the shifters devoured their meals within seconds.
Charlotte ran and joined her brothers. She faced both of them watching them carefully.
"Mom has your friend been here yet? Bo asked pouring coffee for her and Lauren.
"She arrived in the colony late last night. She said she would be here in ten minutes". Aife said drinking her own coffee.
"Are we sure it's just her Succubus? Lauren sighed looking down at the trio.
"That's all I saw last night before she went to sleep. Her eyes were a constant blue". Aife explained.
Bo walked over to answer the door. She was hoping it was this friend of Aife's but it was Hale and Kenzi.
"Good morning ladies". Hale said as Kenzi walked in before him.
"Good morning Hale and Kenzi". Bo, Aife and Lauren said in unison.
"So what's up? Does Aunt Kenzi need to get up in somebody's arse? Kenzi asked facing Bo.
"No. Charlotte thought we left her last night and her Succubus keeps coming and going". Bo said.
"Doc? You losing your touch? Isn't there something you can do about that? Kenzi asked gently while looking at Lauren.
"A big rule among Doctors is never treat your own child. Besides this could be psychological, which is not my specialty". Lauren expalained while sitting on the floor near the kids. Charlotte roared and Lauren stood up and moved away.
"Well shucks. She's never done that before. What's the plan? Kenzi asked.
"Mom has a Fae friend that should be here at any minute". Bo said.
The five stood around watching the kids as they waited. Nobody knew what to do as they each approached the trio and Charlotte's roar showed all of them that they were not wanted near them.
When the doorbell rang they all sighed in relief, as Aife walked over to answer the door.
"Lique thank you so much for coming". Aife smiled as the older woman walked in.
"There is a lot of energy here. Who is the patient? Lique asked.
"The big shifter on the floor. Her name is Charlotte". Aife said pointing towards the kids.
Lique walked over and observed the trio. "Who are the parents? She asked.
"We are". Lauren said pointing back and forth between her and Bo.
"Why am I here? Kenzi whispered to Aife.
"You will see in a minute". The Succubus responded.
"I am Lique and you are? Lique asked stretching her hand out to Lauren.
"My name is Lauren and this is Bo. All three kids are ours". Lauren explained as Bo nodded.
"Well Lauren and Bo. I need to take Charlotte to a private, and soundproof room. Is there such a room here? Lique asked.
"The basement". Lauren suggested as she pointed towards it.
Something stirred inside of Bo. "What are you going to do to her? You are not going to try and take her Succubus are you? She asked.
"No. I am going to bring her Succubus to the surface. It will be quite a process. Getting her to trust me. To respond to me and then putting the Succubus back at the end". Lique explained.
"Can...can we go with you? Lauren asked.
"I understand that all of you have Succubi powers. There cannot be another Succubus in the room otherwise you all would be responding to my questions". Lique explained.
"Mom knows you but I don't. You will not be taking our baby anywhere alone! How do I know you're not some Fae pedophile? Bo snapped.
"Bo! Lauren and Kenzi said at the same time.
"No there has to be another way. I'm sorry Lique, but you have wasted a trip coming here! Bo snapped again.
"Isabeau. Lique is the best at what she does! She's the only Fae that can reach babies". Aife explained.
"I don't care Charlotte is ours. We will figure this out, without her". Bo snapped grabbing the woman's shirt.
"Bo". Lauren said touching the Succubus shoulders.
"No Lauren! Bo snapped.
Lauren kept her hand on Bo's shoulder, and sent a pulse inside of her asking her to release Lique.
Bo dropped the woman as Aife and Kenzi helped her to her feet.
"Hale". Lauren nodded towards Charlotte.
"Got her". Hale said as he gently used his Siren to keep Charlotte from freaking out as he carried her down into the basement with Lique right behind him.
"Where do you want her? Hale asked.
"Just sit her anywhere and get out of here quickly". Lique said.
"Just so you know this little lady means a lot to a lot of people. This better work or Bo won't be happy. Oh and Lauren's a shifter too". Hale said softly.
"I have known Aife for years. Anything I can do to help her family, would be an honor. Now go". Lique explained.
"Ok". Hale said shaking his head. He had never heard of this woman or met her until today. But she really didn't know the consequences if she harmed Charlotte in any manner.
Lique waited for the door to close before she walked over to Charlotte. One of her eyes turned blue and the other pure white, as she lifted the shifter up by her head.
"My name is Lique. Wake up little Succubus". Lique said coolly and waited. Five minutes later. Charlotte was struggling in the woman's hands. Her eyes were dark blue and her shifter's teeth were exposed. When she tried to bite, Lique the woman leaned her head back farther away from her.
"I am not going to hurt you. I just want you to tell me what's wrong". Lique said.
"Monster". Charlotte seethed.
"Your Succubus is not a monster dear child. Now tell me what is really wrong? Lique asked with her grip still in place.
Charlotte roared as her Succubus took over. "They allowed that monster to get my brother. They allowed her to live and left all of us home...alone". She answered.
"Who is this monster? Lique asked. Charlotte roared in her face and opened her mouth.
Upstairs.
"How could you Lauren? Bo groaned.
"Isabeau. Don't start! Aife snapped.
"Bo we needed to help Charlotte now. We can't just sit around guessing. Your mother wouldn't bring a threat in here. You know that! Lauren snapped at the Succubus.
"I know but that was still low. Pulsing me". Bo said.
"Well you weren't listening to me". Lauren said rubbing Bo's back.
The gang jumped when the door to the basement opened and Charlotte ran out and back over to her brothers.
"What's the word? Bo asked standing in front of the woman.
"Outside". Lique said.
"Outside? Bo said.
"All adults outside right now". Lique said.
The group followed Lique outside. Bo was the last out as she turned back to look at the kids once more.
"What did you find out Lique? Aife asked worriedly.
"She's angry over someone she calls a monster". Lique said.
"She thinks she's a monster". Lauren sighed softly.
"No she doesn't. She gave me a name and it wasn't hers". Lique replied.
"Who? Bo asked stepping forward defensively.
"Lea". Lique said.
"Damn I should have killed that bitch on her death bed! Aife snapped.
"So you know her? Lique asked.
"Yes we all do". Lauren said.
"Then you better deal with her. Charlotte's a powerful Fae. Her shifter and her Succubus knows this woman is still out there. As long as she senses her, she will always go back and forth between her Succubus and shifter forms. That's too much weight for a baby Succubus to carry.
"We understand. Thank you Lique". Aife smiled softly.
"Aife behave yourself old friend, and call again if you ever need me". Lique bowed.
"You know me". Aife winked and waved the woman off.
"We have to get her". Bo said.
"And show Charly her dead body". Kenzi cringed.
"Can you guys baby-sit? Bo asked looking at Hale and Kenzi.
"You gotta it Bo". Kenzi answered as Hale smiled in agreement.
"Lets go ladies". Lauren said as she shifted.
"Right behind you". Bo said as she ran to get her Mustang with Aife riding shotgun.
"So who or what was Lique? Bo asked.
"She's a cousin of Krampus. He feeds on guilt and she feeds on anger. She can also make any Succubus surface". Aife explained.
"We might need to keep her on speed dial". Bo said as she peeled off following Lauren.
TBC.
Bo, Lauren and Aife hunt for Lea.
Kenzi and Hale throw a party to distract the kids.
The pack face off after Lauren rips into all of them.