Bo gave Kenzi two hours to calm down a bit, knowing how they had become closer and Kenzi valued Lauren more than before. Lauren is really the best influence on her. So, she finally sucked up the courage to bring herself up the stairs dreading each step the reaction Kenzi is going to show.
She reached her door, knocking lightly and opening the door slightly peaking inside she saw Kenzi wasn't exactly asleep, she was looking at a photo. "Hey."
Kenzi knew Bo, she heard her walking to her door and stood at her door before she slowly opened peaking in. She can't expect Bo admit that she's wrong to what she had done.
Bo quietly walks over to her and sat on the edge of the bed. She wanted to see what photo she's holding but she didn't want to be pushy. Kenzi knew Bo's jealous streak so she hands the picture to her. The picture shows the two of them at a nearby park, Lauren was the one who took the picture she can tell with Lauren trying to be funny and Kenzi shows how happy she is. "Lauren gave that to me before she left. She surprised me." Kenzi stared at the picture on her hand not making eye contact with Bo.
"I love you, Bo. You're my sister." Kenzi finally looked up at her, "But Lauren became my other sister. She is the real deal as a friend. A bit workaholic but a good friend."
"I…I wanted to know where she was Kenz." Thinking she should stand up but this is a heart-to-heart talk she stayed sitting. "I was really worried about her. Evony kept that information from us knowing where she was. I am JEALOUS she left that that note to you instead of me." An air of quietness ensued, "I was worried that she finally left and never wanted to come back. She didn't bother to tell us she left for the army, until we finally confronted Evony about her."
Kenzi just stared at her waiting for her to finish. "That evening before I came home, I sought out Tamsin maybe she can locate where Lauren is hiding." Trying to laugh it off, but seeing Kenzi's face she sobered a bit. "I found her at another bar just drinking trying to hide away from the world. I asked her to find Lauren, and that night when I came home you told me you finally made contact with Lauren and she's in Afghanistan…. The next day, I saw Tamsin at the Dal and told her where she was."
"Why didn't you just tell Tamsin to stop looking for her if you already knew?" That's the question that's been bugging Bo.
"I wanted to know… if Lauren had met someone. And I was right!" her voice held a bit of anger. "How can Lauren do this to me! Finding someone, I bet you she did this on purpose to spite me!" Bo finally got up to paced around Kenzi's little room. "Her Aura! Always lights up when that woman calls out to her. It was Blazingly white light Kenzi!"
"Really! This is about you again!" Kenzi's outburst startled Bo out of her own monologue. "Listen to yourself! You are as bad as Dyson." punctuating the air with her finger. "So, what if Lauren had found someone?"
Bo stood there, shock. She can't believe Kenzi is team Lauren.
"Can you please leave me alone for now!" Kenzi pointed her outstretch arm towards the door. It was like a slap in the face. For Kenzi to compare her to Dyson that really hurt and it's not true. Bo kept telling herself when she closed the door behind her. Walking slowly to her bedroom, she sat down on her bed and started to caress the cat that had resided in their home.
Kenzi didn't tell Bo she had received a letter via mail from Lauren explaining to her she had found someone. Lauren will be telling Bo soon. It's new and she felt wonderful. Her name is Amber, she wrote. She kept telling me Kenzi that my eyes started to sparkle. I don't know what she meant until recently when I looked at myself in the mirror…I'm falling for her Kenzi, even though Bo has my heart, Amber is slowly filling that part already. I'm tired of being a ping pong between Dyson, Tamsin or the next person. I'm living for myself. That was the finality in her letter.
Kenzi folded the letter and put it away on the drawer of her night table. Lauren has already changed for the better. She knew Lauren needed to be strong again, she was wasting away always waiting for Bo.
Camp
Amber found Lauren where she always be when she wanted to be alone. She sat next to her to the empty chair next to her.
Amber is curious, she had seen Lauren earlier like she's fuming. She heard her muttering how dare she! Whatever had happened early yesterday morning, Lauren looked like she saw red. Amber wanted to ask; she's never seen Lauren so infuriated about something. To everyone she didn't show her anger but she can tell. Her eyes held a glint, her lips in a thin tight line, and her back is so ramrod when she walks, she might split.
But now, she seems to have let go whatever is on her mind, there's that sadness again. The sparkle that was there before then diminish the moment she came out of the comm tent. Right now, when Lauren glance at her, the sparkle is emerging. This brought a little smile out of her.
Earlier Lauren had found refuge behind her tent after her shift, until Amber had found her and letting her processed whatever is on her mind.
Lauren had been sitting contemplating for what seems hours, couldn't decide where to hide the only refuge is behind her tent. They both quietly sat, admiring the view of pure sand.
While watching the sun slowly descending, Lauren's hand ambles its way to Amber's. They're holding hands and their body is inching towards each other silently until they are sharing body heat. Lauren finally rested her head on Amber's shoulder, both content just sitting watching the sunset.
Lauren didn't want to end the night; she wants this to not end at all. Since their kissed, they're inseparable everyone noticed. Her feelings for Amber are growing deeper, each time they are getting to know each other. Deep down she will always love Bo. She knows she's a succubus. She doesn't want Bo to change. But I'm noticing I'm changing and I'm finally moving on.
Being here in the desert is a blessing in disguise for her. Without coming here, she wouldn't have met Amber. She had found love again to a human Just like her, who makes her heart beat faster than she can imagine. She'll make this work somehow to be with Amber.
Lauren made a decision to let Amber understand her feelings about Bo she needed to explain the reasoning behind her behavior.
"There's this woman back home. Her name is Bo. My ex." Lauren quietly explained, trying not to let her anger get the better of her. "We were together once then I broke off with her. Well, things happen. Then we were trying to see if we could get back together before the situation with her ex. At one point I thought I was the one who she wants." Sighing letting a few seconds gone by.
"She couldn't decide whether to be with me or the ex-boyfriend. She went back to her ex-boyfriend, Dyson to try for another chance. You see, I asked for a break because I wasn't being first in our relationship, her friends came first. I'm her girlfriend, should I at least be first?" Moisture forming around her eyes. "She wants us to still be friends. She told me she wants a second chance with him. Even as a friend, she ignored me."
Amber vowed she'll be number one in their relationship.
"She didn't know I… the army came looking for me. I didn't leave a note." Thinking more how much to tell her, but enough. "So, one night I had enough and I decided to find someone who would put me first. It was a coincidence when the army showed up at my door and whisked me here." Her eyes move to her right, hoping Amber would understand.
"Is the friendship worth it?" Lauren didn't answer Amber's question.
Is it worth it? Lauren wondered as she is thinking what Bo had done. "She wants to be friends now. That's why we've been Skyping. She Wants to be a part of my life again."
Amber digested the information, so that is the person Lauren have been talking to. Squeezing her hand Amber had thought she had heard another voice when she arrived at the comm tent to fetch Lauren.
"How do you feel about me?"
"You make me happy about myself. Your presence calms me. You're caring. You are more than I can ask for." Lauren's eyes shown the love for her. Amber can sense how Lauren felt about her. "You're a wonderful person, beautiful in the inside as well the outside."
"I know this is early in our relationship. I love you, Lauren. I've fallen for you." Lauren's eyes misted; Amber closed the gap this time, hugging Lauren.
"What did she do now that got you so riled up even though both of you are trying to be friends." She asked when they parted.
"She found a way to check up on me, and I didn't like it".
"Okay" Amber is trying to understand her explanation. "So just you and Bo talking?"
Shaking her head, "No, her best friend Kenzi is there with us when we have our talks."
"Kenzi?" What a unique name. "So, this is why you're being a gruff? Everyone has noticed your attitude since yesterday and today." That got Lauren's attention. She shouldn't have Bo affect her this much, since she should be professional but she can't help it. Bo really should just let her go for good. Or maybe I am the one to let her go. She needed to do that if she's going to have a future with this woman next to her. Or maybe she is so desperate that she took the first woman who gave her attention.
I am finding out that I am attractive to others in my world. There are some who find her attractive for her beauty as well as her mind. The attention from Amber signifies that she is worthy to be love.
"Lauren, thank you for telling me." She felt jealous of this Bo still getting Lauren's attention.
Lauren eyed her at the corner of her eye. She notices Amber is trying not to show her jealousy. She gave her a little squeeze at her hand, and lean over to give her a kiss on her temple. "I am hopelessly falling in love with you Amber." Amber glowed at her announcement.
Amber turns towards her; surprise came over to her face as she tries to wipe the tears falling down on Lauren's cheek.
"Lauren honey what's wrong?" She gently wipes the tears; Amber grew concern when Lauren's eyes turn to sadness like she's keeping something inside her that won't let her be happy. "Whatever happens to our future, know that I'll always be there for you, no matter what?"
At this declaration, Lauren couldn't keep it inside, she knew Bo will always be there but she wanted more from her and she didn't choose her at the end. This woman beside her told her she loves her. Amber gave something back to Lauren that she's been missing. To be first in someone else's life.
"Thank you, Amber." Sniffling, Amber took her own shirt and wiping her tears away. The close proximity their bodies couldn't hide the attraction. Slowly they edge closer until their lips met. Lauren had closed her eyes, feeling the soft lips on hers. It was a sweet kiss until Amber deepen and their tongues battle for dominance not much just enough for their bodies starting to crave more than the kiss.
They broke apart, heavy breathing from them both exhaling their air towards each other. They stared into each other's eyes, conveying they wanted more, Lauren looked down to their hands holding on to each other. Lauren smile, then stand up looking down into Amber's questioning eyes. She pulled her up, they both slowly walk to Lauren's tent which is closer. At least Lauren has the tent all to herself which was given to her, Amber is smiling knowing what they'll be doing except they have to be quiet. Lauren had snuck in an extra cot she didn't tell Amber that she can tell Amber is wondering how they're going to sleep together.
Two weeks later
"Major Lewis?" A lieutenant arrived at her table before she had a chance to bring the spoon to her mouth. "You have a call that came through at the comm tent." a slight pause, "a Bo?" Lauren hearing the name cough as if a food had gotten stuck on her throat.
Quickly remembering she had told Bo they're not going to speak to each other within the time frame she had given them was three weeks. She didn't mean to exclude Kenzi, she's becoming a good friend. What kind of an emergency is Bo calling her about? Is Kenzi okay? Thoughts of her getting hurt. Please don't tell me she ate some unknown fae soup again? Rising up from her seat those thoughts came to her mind has she rushed to the communication tent.
By the time she gotten to the comm tent she told another Lieutenant to leave the tent ASAP as she saw Bo looking so hot, she told herself.
Damn Girl! Breathing heavily from a sprint walk from the mess hall, "Bo! What's the emergency?!" Hopefully her aura didn't betray her as soon as she had seen Bo in her leather jacket.
Bo finally saw Lauren's aura spiked. Well maybe she is still interested in me. Ysabeau knew it's not enough and she communicated to Bo about that. Bo's ego deflated.
"There's no emergency. I've wanted to talk to you privately and told the soldier that it was." Bo shuddered; she didn't think this was a good idea since their last conversation but Ysabeau wanted to talk to Lauren alone before the scheduled time.
Lauren sat there flapping her mouth at the nerve, she can feel her face burning, her body heating up from anger.
Bo's succubus came out, "Lauren, I wanted to talk to you. I told Bo to contact you. Please don't blame her." This is a first for Ysabeau to say please.
"Ysabeau, you can't just do this." Lauren is trying very hard to hold her anger even though she means well. "Why did you call Ysabeau?" Finally calming down.
"Will you be coming to Toronto for Christmas? " Her blue eyes flash letting her know it's her asking not Bo. Lauren's stump she never thought of going back to Toronto for Christmas because of her being recalled by the army. Should she have asked since there was not a specified time for her to return to civilian life. Returning to the fae. Lauren thought bitterly.
"Ysabeau, let me ask my commanding officer if I'm allowed to take a leave of absence. " Ysabeau nodded at her answer.
Lauren sat there staring at Bo/Ysabeau debating how to say what it's in her mind. She started to nibble her inside cheek. Ysabeau knew Lauren is about to give them bad news.
"Ysabeau, ...Bo." Bo didn't like the way Lauren is taking her time since she is not one to be patient. Ysabeau stopped her, let her say it in her own way she chided Bo like a little child.
Ysabeau studied Lauren giving her some time to say what's on her mind. Lauren squirm at the attention she's receiving from her. She had noticed from their previous skype Lauren's aura is changing towards them.
Sadly, Lauren's aura is diminishing each time they skype, with Bo trying to salvage their friendship. That's why she told Bo to contact Lauren and have her come back to Toronto for Christmas; hoping her aura will flare up when they spend time together.
The succubus notice how unconsciously Lauren kept looking away, the succubus lifted her right eyebrow at this action. Lauren is hiding something and it's occurring to the succubus there must be something she wanted to say but couldn't.
"Do you wish to come home Lauren?" Ysabeau asked quietly.
"Do what? I mean as what Ysabeau hang together?" Her anger surfacing rapidly but deflated, " When I come home, if ever but when I do. It will be at my own choice."
Ashamed how she answered the succubus, she's only asking. Again, silence ensued, Lauren opened her mouth to speak and then closed. Decisively, she got the nerve to say what's on her mind. She shouldn't be too hard to Ysabeau, she has been kind.
It's now or never, Lauren kept thinking as she squirms at her seat.
Band-Aids is all Lauren can think of at this moment. Here she goes ripping it off, "Ihaveagirlfriend." she said it's so fast that Ysabeau didn't hear her, tilting her head towards the computer. So, she repeated it again much slower.
"I. have. A. girlfriend." There it's out there, bracing from Bo's impact. Should I count to ten. One. Two. Three….
Bo's eyes open with shock! She couldn't believe what she had just heard. She couldn't believe this, no I…She is trying to be rationale and telling Ysabeau I don't think I can handle this news!
She could see Ysabeau is holding Bo at bay Lauren saw her eyes changing from Blue to Brown to Blue. Waiting for the eruption. Ysabeau felt hurt, maybe betrayed she knew Lauren would find someone. Bo, on the other hand exploded.
"What do you mean you knew!"
Ysabeau started to heat with anger reasoning to her, "You ignored her. You chose the dog! Then when you wanted her around when you texted her, she didn't respond back. When she disappeared you suddenly want her!" After a few moments of silence, "Now that she found someone, you're going to guilt trip her into coming back to you because you broke up with the dog. Go ahead and tell her you broke up with the dog and see her reaction."
Bracing for Ysabeau's anger to flare and for Bo to show her immaturity. The second hand in Lauren's brain kept ticking loudly until…
Bo's tongue came lashing out to hurt Lauren. She, Bo Dennis had broken up with Dyson for her - unbelievable! The nerve of her to tell her she has a girlfriend. "Dyson is not my boyfriend anymore. We broke up the first night we spoke and I have not been seeking him out for a roll in the hay or for healing. This should tell you I want us back together!" It took for Bo seven seconds to explode. "Because you're mine!"
Lauren's chest heaving from Bo's speech, trying to contained her anger. I'm not yours to be put aside. Mentally telling herself.
Bo guttural her accusation, "But you! Went got yourself a girlfriend!" Her tone so cold is like a slap to Lauren, who flinched.
Ysabeau and Bo saw Lauren straightened her body, while her expression change from a worried hazel eyes to ice cold. Bo felt the drop of temperature at her end. Ysabeau was watching Lauren so keenly. Lauren's face had turned so red she can read her aura skyrocketing too high for Bo not to notice, since she is still talking.
"Well, Lauren do you have anything to say." Lauren needed to calm herself more. She looked down at her clasp hands letting the seconds tick by until she looks up. "You've no right to find someone. Because I own…."
The audacity for Bo believing she will come running back to her the moment she broke up with Dyson. Whoa! Saying she owns me! Oh, hell no! Lauren couldn't help clenching her teeth - interrupting, "I did not ask you to break up with Dyson so you or I can get back together. I'm only telling you I have a girlfriend so you won't be surprised when I mention her name when Kenzi is around." Her voice went tremendously calm to outright shrilling. "I didn't go looking for love, love came to me. I've never been happier because she, the woman I'm falling for... Wanted me. True, we're not in the normal sense in the day-to-day basis of a normal life in the city. But here in this place... Is normal for us!"
Lauren's voice was heard outside the tent, the Lieutenant whom she had told to leave came back inside. "Is everything alright Major?"
"Yes, Lieutenant." Never taking her eyes from the monitor, her eyes steeling with anger. The lieutenant left realizing everything is not okay from the rigidity of the Major's body.
Bo's mouth agape surprised by Lauren's rant.
Lauren suddenly stands up, putting her face close to the screen her voice low with anger. "Get this straight Bo. We are not together that was your choice to break up with Dyson. We are only fixing our friendship!" after a beat, "would you rather lose that, too?"
Bo turned white as a sheet at the thought of losing the friendship she's been trying to rectify for the past months. Ysabeau finally took care of the situation, "Lauren we still want to build our friendship".
Looking straight into the Succubus' eyes, "I'm not sure if I want that now." They're hearing the finality in her voice.
Bo swallowed hard, but Ysabeau kept her stance only her eyes soften a bit.
Lauren directly looks into her eyes she's trying to convey her message to Bo. "Until further notice, I don't want to hear from the both of you."
Lauren reached out to close the connection between them. But stop, softly, "I asked Kenzi not to mention that I had found someone who makes me happy." She didn't give Bo a chance to interrupt, "Don't blame her. I asked her. I told her that I would tell you."
"When would you have told us?" Ysabeau softly asked.
Looking at her in the eyes. "On my terms." A confident woman who knows that she's not going to be second in anyone's relationship any more.
"Goodbye," Lauren turned off the communication. She's relieved now that is over, she can start her life with Amber. She doesn't know the future but she'll make one with her. With or without the faes.
Lauren stood there a while longer, since being in Afghanistan she has grown confidently about herself. She herself is healing, as a woman and her heart. Not because of Amber, the time away from Bo really made herself see clearly that she needs to come first.
Exhaling, she didn't want to tell them the news, two days ago her commanding officer had told her while she was summoned to his office; she will be leaving Afghanistan soon. She has been here for more than 8 months now; she should have some leave soon and her next place will be either abroad or in a ship – looking at her there's a twinkle in her XO's eyes – maybe a submarine? They needed a doctor for six months and then she will be station back to Canada. Major Lauren Lewis – thank goodness was sitting down. A submarine doctor, that's full of men. A realization came to her. "No Major Lewis, just kidding." Seeing the dismay on the Major's face. "A ship for now. Just six months tops. Your orders are being processed."
Still staring at her thinking maybe the UK she'll be station there. They want her on a ship she'll be on a ship. – Naval ship. She must be something special to ever be an Army doctor in a Naval ship. A long R&R, is her next assignment. The commanding officer thought while walking back to his command office.
Alone
Bo/Ysabeau sat there in her living room stunned. Lauren's final word is Goodbye. The finality in her voice gave her shivers. She's angry so much at herself and at Kenzi. She has a feeling Lauren has been seeing someone but she didn't want to tell us until now. Bo looked up at the stairs, ready to march to Kenzi's room and demanded an explanation why did she not say a word about it. How dare Kenzi kept this from her! This hurt Bo immensely, feeling betrayed by her sister. She doesn't know how to process this.
She should have told Lauren she broke up with Dyson in the first place. Then maybe they could have dated as soon as she comes back to Toronto or while they were skyping. It would not have happened - Ysabeau quietly said while disappearing.
Bo stood there at Kenzi's door not realizing she absently march upstairs, while Lauren's reply kept replaying in her head "On my terms". So that's why Lauren has been hesitant to say she has been seeing someone that ended up being her girlfriend. Those times they were skyping Lauren wanted to tell them she had found someone. Looking back, Lauren's eyes has not shown any relief at the news that she had broken up with Dyson.
Her hand on the knob, something inside told Bo not to barge in. All that time they were talking Lauren was not interested in her. She had seen Lauren's aura for her had diminished just a little sparkle, but not much. That sparkle should have given her hope, but it's dying. This should have given her the indication Lauren's feelings for her had changed. She should have listened to her succubus; Bo leaned her forehead on the door. All the fight in her has gone for now. Bo's chocolate - blue eyes tears are cascading down from down her cheeks; she's trying not to cry out loud attempting to muffle the noise. It isn't Kenzi's fault; she did warn her. Lauren had changed the moment she got deployed in Afghanistan and their first skype. She was too blind to see or accept. What should she do now?
Disappearance of Lauren
She woke up bleary, feeling nauseated. Her are eyes trying to adjust to her surroundings. She reached below the covers and felt there's a layer of covers making it harder to identify but after a close inspection with the tilt of her head, its soft fabrics. Then she looked up at the ceiling her memories came flooding back.
They were out scouting for one of their wounded soldiers, she told one of her team she will be walking around one of the collapsed buildings to check and will be out of their sight for a few moments. She saw a body on the ground thinking it's one of their own or the enemy, she walked cautiously towards it and notice his uniform signifies its one of their own. Her medic kit swinging alongside of her body. She knelt down by the soldier and saw his chest rising and falling, she was looking for a wound and found there were none. The soldier had a fast reflex when he stabbed her with a needle at her neck. She wasn't able to yell out before she passed out on top of him.
Sitting up slowly, her eyes roam the place she's in a cave, and notice a light on the table a few meters against the wall from where she lay. She's not tied up. That's a good thing, right? She's wondering how long she's been knocked out. She's trying to stand up to stretch her legs. But she felt a little woozy, Lauren couldn't get up. After a few more minutes she was able to finally stand up. She concentrated on the light, slowly walking towards it. As she neared the table there is a bottle of water. She's thirsty.
She felt another pain at the nape of the neck. What is that? She glides her hand where it hurt and she felt bumps - like an inflamed skin. She fell down to her knees. She's wondering how long has she been drugged. Instead of standing up, she rolls over to her side facing down pushing herself upright, her knees on the floor slowly she pushed herself to a sitting position staring at the wall? Finally, her senses came, ready to inspect where she really is. It's a cave, the only exit is the metal door.
Her stomach kept growling and she needed to eat. Someone had knocked then waited a few seconds before opening the door, a soldier came in with a tray. Lauren didn't know what to do at first what came into her mind. Subdued the guy and run out knowing she doesn't know the way out from the caves' maze. She's not sure if they're dark or light faes.
Evony kept glancing at her phone several times, or at least a ping at her computer letting her know so Lauren is calling her. You miss her calling you at this time at night even though it's early at her end. Evony has been staying late at night hoping for Lauren to call. She misses their conversation for the last two days now and it's not like there's other major events happening that is taking place. She sighed, Face it! you missed her talking about her daily activities and hearing her voice has taken on a new life when you skype with her you can tell she's happy. You finally had her open up about her new friend.
Her phone rang, picking it up and wish the number is not blocked when she saw it was private. "Hello". A bit high pitch. "Yes, this is Evony." She was put on hold until she recognized The Voice. " What's wrong?" Listening to what the other end is saying. She felt her stomach tight. "How long?" the other person giving her the details, "how can you lose Major Lewis!" her voice shrieking. Now you know why she hasn't called.