The Dal

"Hale? What's up? Trick asked watching him stomp over to the bar.

"Man the Elders are on my ass about Lauren. Bo needs to hurry up, get back here and go get the Doc back", Hale said taking a seat at the far end of the bar.

"What's wrong? Trick asked. He had never seen his old friend this rattled before.

"There are a ton of injured Fae at the compound. We don't have enough experienced Doctor's with Lauren's skill set and knack for details to handle the overflow", Hale sighed taking a beer from Trick.

"Is it really that bad? Trick asked. He hadn't heard anything through the grapevine but given what Bo did he was pretty much sticking to the Dal and trying to keep his nose clean.

"Trick I spent the last four hours getting my ass chewed. Lauren is still my responsibility. The injured Fae at the compound were on some high class Fae cases. I don't have the manpower right now", Hale snapped. The pressure was starting to get to him.

"So release Dyson", Kenzi suggested taking a seat next to Hale.

"Already did that lil mama. Dyson is still in hot water too. He only has a matter of days to solve the cases they assigned to him and we know without Bo or Lauren, he won't get very far", Hale said.

Trick stood back and watched them. He and Dyson hadn't planned this very well. It was to the point he almost wished Dyson had died. Even if he was thousands of years old, Lauren was far more valuable to the Fae and most of the Elders despised Dyson. They had ever since he hooked up with the unaligned Succubus.

"Maybe I can help him", Kenzi said getting to her feet.

"No Kenzi. Where he is going is really dangerous. He won't have time to look after you too", Hale sighed. He would have gone too but he still had meetings lined up for the next day.

Lauren

"Where is the Police station? Lauren asked looking around. This town was not that big so she couldn't have missed it or driven by it.

"Missing something Lewis? Mark laughed from the back seat.

"What do you know? Lauren screamed running back towards the car.

"I know a lot that you don't know", Mark winked.

"Tell me", Lauren bristled.

"It's all an illusion. It's a matter of what's right in front of you and if you can see it", Mark replied.

"What are you talking about? Lauren asked. She had everything rolling in the right direction only to be stumped now.

"I can see what you don't and that my friend is what is holding you back", Mark said.

"Enough with the riddles and tell me what you mean! Lauren snapped.

"That ring on your hand Lewis. All of those days and nights you needed her and where was she? Mark smiled.

"Do you ever stop talking in riddles? Lauren asked. This guy was getting annoying to the point she almost wanted to throw in the towel on this case.

"I'm your key so to speak. That's why I committed the same crime you did. For now we are both carrying the weight of many deaths. All of your life you have wanted to help people. One foolish decision by your brother and then you were a murderer", Mark said pointing at her. He had broken out of his handcuffs.

"How do you know these things? I understood this to be Bo's Dawning. She doesn't know about that yet", Lauren said. This really was weird.

Mark laughed. For Lauren to be such a genius she really was kind of dense right now. "The Dawning really is about owning up to your past".

"I've been doing that. All I need to do is book you and bring some justice to the families of the people you killed", Lauren insisted.

"Nobody dies here Detective. This is your case. You killed people. You have many apologies to deliver and forgiveness to seek", Mark said.

Lauren slumped down on the hood of the squad car. He had her. Nobody knew how many nights she stayed up shaking in bed from the images of the dead bodies she saw them cart away from the pipeline. Nobody knew how many times she had to sedate herself just to get an hours worth of sleep. Some of her victims were kids that had gone to see what their parents did for a living. Lauren wasn't a baby killer, she just trusted the wrong man with something dangerous.

Nadia was somewhat of an escape for her. Nadia's pictures showed her there was still beauty in the world. Nadia's heart showed her there was still love in the world. Then when Nadia fell ill, Lauren thought that was her punishment too. She found happiness but the families of those victims wouldn't know that type of happiness again and blood was on her hands. No matter how many times she scrubbed for surgery to save life after life, she never could clean the blood of the dead off.

The minute the pod closed over Nadia was the minute Lauren shut her heart off. How could she love anyone again? She just kept failing people. She failed those families. She failed Nadia for five straight years. Maybe that's why her relationship with Bo was failing too. She just couldn't run far away or fast enough to escape her past.

Mark was right. Lauren had so much to do and so much more to make up for and she couldn't do that until she allowed herself to see what was right in front of her.

"Remember Doctor. I'm your key. You just let me know when you're ready to unlock the door", Mark said softly.

Lauren knew it. Mark knew it. She wasn't ready. She wasn't ready to face any of this. She was so fired up to solve this case but she didn't allow herself to stop and think of the damage a case like this brings. Real or not, it stays with you. She climbed back in her car and went to the only place that she knew she could escape all of it for the moment. She revved up the engine and sped away.

Bo and Aife

Bo and Aife had a longer trip than Bo had anticipated. People kept pissing Aife off so she would get into fights or drain them on the spot. They hadn't even made it to Bashira yet. When they finally arrived the woman was asleep in her chair.

"For fucks sake! Aife said going behind the counter.

Bo watched her and nearly laughed. Aife punched a few buttons and they were finally able to leave.

"Mom again thanks for doing this", Bo said softly.

"Isabeau I am only doing this for you. I could be elsewhere handling other business so you better be on your game when we go inside the temple because I won't be long finishing my own Dawning", Aife said. Ehhh maybe Aife would take a few hours or days just to finish them off and bring them back and do it all over again.

Bo took a few long deep breaths. She knew what Aife meant. She knew Lauren was more likely pissed off than she was scared. Fear was an emotion she had never seen in the Doctor. Not even when the Lich had his blade at her throat. How was she going to explain what happened and why to her? If she was lucky they would have already explained it all to her. But it wasn't their job to do that. It was Bo's. She was still Lauren's gf or at least she hoped she was.

"We're here", Aife said pulling Bo out of her thoughts.

"So how do you want to go in? Bo asked knowing Aife's history with Trick and all he did to keep Aife from Bo and vice versa.

Trick felt a strange tingle run down his spine.

"Trickster? Kenzi asked.

"It's them" Trick said.

"Ahh hell who? Hale said looking around.

"Hello Daddy! Miss me? Aife laughed as she and Bo entered the Dal.

"Aife! Hale screamed.

"Now now Siren if you call anyone, I'll raise a little hell with your balls", Aife laughed.

"I have a job to do and I'm going to do it. Guards! Hale called.

"Foolish boy. I warned your ass. Come on babies mama hasn't kicked ass in an about an hour", Aife laughed with her eyes flashing blue. When the guards ran in, the customers ran out.

All that was heard next were bodies slamming simultaneously into the walls.

"Isabeau get the portal ready! Aife screamed as guard after guard came at her and were kicked, punched, slammed and rammed into the walls. Some flew into the bottles of liquor behind the bar.

"Kenzi get down! Hale screamed as he tried sending a sonic whistle towards Aife which she returned to the sender using her hand.

"You're lucky I hit you in your chest, I should have hit you in your boys then we all would have seen if the Siren is a Soprano", Aife laughed.

"Mom it's ready! Let's go! Bo screamed over the commotion.

"Don't be here when I get back", Aife said winking at Hale.

Bo and Aife finally turned to enter the temple. Aife was already hating it. Nothing but darkness and sounds of Bo breathing. Bo on the other hand didn't remember her Dawning starting like this. It made her wonder what the hell Aife did or needed to do to merit all of this.

"Mom? What do we do now? Bo asked as they finally arrived. She noticed they were in Dyson's gym but everything had been cleared out.

Aife clapped her hands and that all changed. Every body that she left behind appeared spread out on the floor in the exact formation she had left them in.

Aife's eyes flashed blue as she resurrected them. Old bastards stunk but she didn't care. The Succubus in her loved it. Vile Chi from vile fools. She laughed as she brought them back and killed them again and kept repeating the process.

"Mom! Lauren! Bo snapped. She didn't want to stand here and watch this. It wasn't going to get her back.

"Fine. Ruin my fun. I'll call Albert", Aife laughed.

The Doll

"Hello Lauren. Can I get you a drink? Beth asked softly wiping down the bar.

"Yes please", Lauren replied. Beth was stunning. She had a way about her that Lauren knew well.

"You look tired", Beth noted placing a fresh cold beer in front of Lauren.

"I am a bit", Lauren sighed rubbing the back of her neck. She barely knew Beth and didn't want to unload her problems and paranoia on her. She slammed her beer and nearly spit up the second once she noticed Beth's hand as she was setting down a fresh beer in front of her.

"I'm sure those long hours have been kicking your ass", Beth laughed.

"Why do you? Lauren choked back.

"Why do I what sweetie? Beth asked handing a customer a drink.

"Why do you have a ring like mine? Lauren finally spat out. It was making her nervous but she just had to know.

"Lauren sweetie that hurt. We're married remember? Beth smiled leaning so closely into Lauren's personal space Lauren could taste her lipstick in the air.

"We're what? Why didn't you tell me? Lauren asked. She was wondering why Beth was so overly sweet the first night she saw her.

"You were working and you don't like talking to me about your work unless you need my help with a case", Beth replied sadly.

Lauren swallowed hard and the lump in her throat nearly choked her.

"I'm more than just beauty, brains and a sexy body Lauren", Beth said nodding for the other bartender to attend to the customers at the other end of the bar.

"I know. I know that and I'm sorry", Lauren whispered loud enough for Beth to hear.

"I thought when we married things would get better but your only commitment was when you put this ring on my finger", Beth said. She wasn't trying to pick a fight, certainly not in public or while she was working.

"I am. I was..I am committed to you", Lauren said.

"Lauren I am not blaming you. I never want you to feel like you can't be out there helping people. I just want you to see how it can come between us" Beth smiled warmly handing Lauren a napkin for her tears.

Bo and Aife.

"Ahh the Succubus has returned", Albert smiled warmly.

"Albert! Aife smiled. She really was grateful to him for coming and telling her about Isabeau. He was a good man for doing that whether he owed it to Trick or not.

"What are you doing back here? Albert asked.

"Isabeau wants to find Lauren and take her back with her", Aife said cutting to the chase.

"Ahhh Lauren. She has been quite busy", Albert smiled.

"Can you please tell me where she is? I'm in a hurry", Bo said.

"Why should I tell you anything about her? We warned you not to leave with the wolf but as always your loyalty is always with him. Lauren be damned", Albert said.

Bo felt that sting. It seemed that everyone had seen something that should have been so obvious to her.

"I just want to talk to her..to explain", Bo said.

"She's been busy as I said, I am not sure she has time to talk to you", Albert said.

"Albert sweetie just tell her. Let them talk", Aife said. She was ready to get back to doing her own damage but knew Bo was beyond panicked about Lauren.

"She's at the Doll", Albert said. He really didn't want to help Bo since she broke the rules, but he had a soft spot for Aife. At least she was following the rules of her Dawning.

The Doll

"So...if we're married is bartending your only job? Lauren asked taking a sip of her fresh beer. Beth never let a single glass get half empty.

"I'm a Doctor", Beth said.

Lauren nearly spit her beer all over the counter. "You're a what?

"I'm a Doctor. I only bartend at night to help Grandfather with his bar", Beth replied.

Lauren was stunned. How was she balancing her life like that? Lauren's brain thought of only two things, Science and Bo. It sounded sad and pathetic but it was the truth.

"Don't look so shocked Lauren. We talked about this. I told you I was doing 9-5 and then your schedule picked up, I didn't want to be waiting at home alone counting the holes in the ceiling waiting for you to come home", Beth explained.

Lauren knew what this was. This was hers and Bo's life. Everything but the marriage made sense. But it didn't change the fact that Bo married Dyson in her Dawning while they were still a couple. She almost wanted to ask the janitor about the other details. She knew Bo wouldn't tell her. Not after she told her she didn't want to know anything else about her exploits the night they found Kenzi. Something else she and Bo never got around to talking about, at least not for two seconds. That's all the script of their life would allow.

Maybe Lauren was placing her loyalties with the wrong people. Mark was right. The families of the people that died at the pipeline sites deserved justice. They deserved apologies.

Her brother wouldn't do it. They both agreed to run and to never seek the other one out ever again. They would always love each other but never love what they did. Who could love a killer?

Aife

"Hello my pretties", Aife laughed. She had gone around and around killing the Fae and bringing them back to life.

"You know this is not the way to pass your Dawning", Albert said.

"I know this is just all a formality so that Isabeau could come back and take Lauren home", Aife laughed.

"Aife..", Albert said.

"I know the rules. I have to face what I've done to them so I'm repeating it all over and over again", Aife laughed.

Albert shook his head. The woman was mad but he would never tell her that. Her loyalty to Bo was glaring. This looked boring to him but she was enjoying it.

"I'm just a Succubus practicing my craft. Right boys? Aife laughed.

The Dal

"How's Hale? Trick aske Kenzi.

"Not good but he was right. We need Lauren back. Those fools didn't even know he's a Siren", Kenzi said slamming her hand hard against the countertop.

"Is he at least getting treatment? Trick asked.

"Yes. They sedated him and his ears were still bleeding when I left", Kenzi said. She watched Trick turn back to the bar and had an idea.

"Listen Trick what if I...", Kenzi started.

"No Kenzi. To be honest I am not even sure if Lauren can come back", Trick said.

"Trick! What the fuck? You know Bo will be furious and so will Aife! Kenzi snapped at the Blood King.

"We had to try to get Lauren back and they didn't exactly listen to me before they went back in. It's a risk we needed to take! Trick snapped.

Kenzi squinted as she stared at him for a few minutes. "Something else is going on isn't there?

"Nothing I can tell you about", Trick said as he started to polish glasses that weren't even dirty. Kenzi was still skeptical.

"You better hope Lauren comes back out. Because if she doesn't if Bo doesn't kill you, Aife will for wasting her time", Kenzi said grabbing a bottle from behind the bar knowing Trick wouldn't protest. Not after dropping that bomb.

Bo's POV

I arrived at the Doll. Funny enough I was expecting it to be spelled the other way. I had been standing here outside for almost 10 minutes. My heart was pounding hard inside my chest. What was I going to say? How would I explain my decision? Would Lauren even want to go to back with me now? Would she even want me anymore after this? How much had she learned about my Dawning? What had they made her do in here? Suck it up Succubus. You can do this. I swallowed hard and opened the doors. It was packed, more than I had ever seen the Dal Riata packed. There were plenty of bartenders and barmaids on staff. Trick would be impressed at how easily the liquor was pouring and money being made. Bottles and bottles of wine and other liquors were flying off of the shelves. I was done looking around at the strangers.

I was looking for the woman I had come for. I made my way down towards the end of the bar and stopped in my tracks. There she was. Lauren. She was in a pantsuit. I stood behind someone so I could take her in a bit. Get a clue on what she had been doing, then I saw it. Her badge. Shit.

I stepped out and called to her. "Lauren! Then I watched her turn to me.

"Isabeau. How nice to see you! Lauren smiled.

"Lauren what are you doing? Bo asked stepping towards her. She was starting to sweat from nerves alone.

"I'm talking to Beth. My wife", Lauren smiled almost bitterly.

TBC