Lauren
Lauren stood still. Everything played over in her mind the last time she saw Crane. The last time she saw Jarrett Gordon. The last time she saw Erick Gordon. Erick was dying in her arms. She did all she could think of to save his life. The Medevac had seemed to fly in slow motion. Lauren wanted to get him to the hospital as quickly as possible. None of the equipment on board was what she needed to save his life. She complained to her superiors afterwards and they said they would look into it to ensure nobody else was left for dead even if they were in the arms of a competent Dr. again.
A suicide bomber was among a group that they assumed were victims. Once they had been brought into the Med tents the bomb was detonated. Lauren remembered flying off of her feet and her head slammed into the ground. Eric flew as well landing on a huge blade that must have come off of the bomber. It cut him deep in his chest and no compressions Lauren tried were working. She even ripped her jackets and shirts off to wrap his wound in. She was shivering in her bra trying to keep him warm. She didn't mind who looked at her. She was doing her job. Her life's work. She was being a Doctor.
When the Medevac finally landed, Erick was rushed in but Lauren already knew what they would find. He was just a matter of minutes from death.
"Nothing to say Doctor? Jessica snapped. She was tired of watching Lauren trying to come up with a lie or an excuse why her brothers were dead.
Jarrett or Erick. All Lauren remembered was brutal wounds. Jarrett's arm had been ripped from his body when her brother bombed the pipeline. He bled out. At least that's what the Medical Examiner told Lauren. Paula was an old friend of Lauren's and told her as a favor to try and ease the guilt but she knew Karen Beattie would never forget.
"I could tell you the truth about Erick but you don't need those graphic details in your head. The same goes for Jarrett." Lauren said softly.
"Bullshit. The Army told me all I needed to know about Erick and the Police were very forthcoming about Jarrett". Jessica snapped gripping the gun a little tighter.
"They tell the families one thing and we all know another". Lauren said never taking her eyes off of Jessica.
"They said Erick died while in combat with a group of radicals". Jessica snapped.
Lauren bowed her head for a moment. "Do you have somewhere we can talk privately?
"Why isn't the good outdoors good enough for you? Jessica laughed. Some soldier Lauren was. She was a coward from all that Jessica could see.
"You need to hear this, the rest of the world doesn't need to know". Lauren said holding her hands up. She felt her gun slide down a little bit in the back of her pants.
Jessica lowered her gun and nodded for Lauren to walk ahead of her. Once Lauren was in front of her again she pointed the gun at the back of her head. "Down the stairs". She said watching Lauren go.
Teen camp.
"Where is this monster? Bo snapped raising her voice as loudly as she could.
"Bobo these are kids. Tone it down a bit". Kenzi said rubbing Bo's back and watched her step away.
"I don't have time for bullshit. In case you've forgotten Lauren is out there alone and I want to be home when she returns". Bo snapped
"You mean if she returns". Kenzi said.
"Kenzi! You want to piss me off a little more?! Bo snapped again. She knew it wasn't her hunger kicking in, it was worry and anger about Lauren. How she had failed her. How they all had failed her. She should have known there was something to Lauren after they slept together the first time. She had always killed her lovers until Dyson. But Dyson was Fae. Lauren was human. How did such a genius Doctor come up with a serum that would sate her hunger long enough to sleep with people and not kill them? She's not human. Bo wanted to run. To be there when Lauren figured out what she really was. Would she panic when she finds out? Would she be rightfully angry that the Fae held her as a prisoner? A disgusting slave. That's what was driving Bo. It wasn't wanting to solve another case for the useless Fae police but to calm her mind about the threats that were behind Lauren even if Lauren had her eyes right in front of her.
"Bo? We got him! Kenzi said pointing at the figure Tamsin showed them running down the hall.
"Bullseye bastard". Bo said firing her gun into the back of his head.
"Whoa. Whoa. Bo. Tamsin said he must die by fire". Kenzi said.
"Fine. Grab an extinguisher". Bo said dragging the monster out and burning him on the concrete.
Kenzi cringed. Bo needed something to do and this was not it. She needed a cause and she knew what Bo's favorite cause was at the moment. Lauren. But they can't go there. Lauren had to fix things on her own. Kenzi wasn't told what those things were or why it mattered but she had to trust Bo when she said she could not go and find Lauren nor help her. That's how the Fae worked. Half answers or half the story. Either way Kenzi was confused and maybe that was for the best. She would gladly go back to the Dal and hopefully Stella's creepy ass would be gone.
"Kenzi are you getting in or are you walking home? Bo asked pulling in front of Kenzi.
"Yeah. Let's go". Kenzi said jumping into the front seat. She didn't think Trick had enough liquor to keep up with Bo because this was the fastest they had ever solved a case and the Succubus looked livid.
Bo pulled out of the parking lot and pushed the Camaro as fast as she could get it to go. In that moment she wanted a new car because if she could she would drive a hundred miles an hour. Maybe she needed sex but she was officially still in a relationship with Lauren. She would not cheat on her, Succubus or not.
The Dal.
"Dyson!
"Trick. Where is Aife? Dyson asked softly but it was of no matter.
"What have you done? Trick asked watching the Elders come in.
"He's brought us the Succubus since the Ash failed to." Elder Porter snapped.
"Blackthorn? Trick asked.
"I am sorry Fitzpatrick, you must hand over the Succubus or face punishment yourself". Blackthorn said.
"So if you can't cuff me and stuff me, does he die? Aife laughed from the stairs leading to Trick's lair.
"Aife"...Trick said.
"Kill him. I'd love to see that and besides you will never catch me". Aife winked.
"Grab her! Blackthorn waved the guards in behind him.
"I haven't fed or killed in hours. This should be fun." Aife laughed watching the guards run to her. Trick shook his head. His beloved Dal was about to be damaged.
The guards ran towards Aife and Trick saw something he only saw Bo do once when she saved Dyson. Pull Chi from across the room. The men dropped in minutes. Aife licked her lips. "Next? She laughed.
"Blood King do something or do you want all of the Fae to know who you really are? Blackthorn snapped.
"You are putting your faith in a coward. He just opens his little veins and writes what he wants. Don't forget I have his blood too". Aife laughed pointing to her arms.
"Step away from the Succubus". Albert said walking into the room.
"Albert? Blackthorn said snapping his eyes around.
"Blackthorn. Been a long time since I kicked your ass". Albert smiled. This is why Aife adored him. Albert went against all authority.
"What the hell are you doing here? When did you get back? Blackthorn asked. He knew the deal he made with Trick.
"Just know that I'm back and my eyes will be everywhere and on everything that you do". Albert said softly. He never found the need to use his deep voice. The Fae knew not to cross him. He knew of all the backstabbing that had gone down over the years and they only got one chance to stab him in his.
"You can't keep your eyes on her at all times". Blackthorn laughed.
"I won't have to. She has eyes of her own and so does her Succubus. Do you really want to piss off that Succubus? Albert asked. He was brought up to speed about Bo by Aife. Once she told him who her father was he was quite impressed about Lauren being attracted to her. That would be real power.
"Nah. He doesn't want any of that". Aife laughed flashing her blue eyes. She thought she would wet herself when Blackthorn and the others stood far away and bowed to Trick taking their exits.
Trick rubbed his forehead in relief. Aife had done a lot of damage but nothing that would require hours of mopping and sweeping this time.
Lauren
"Sit down Dr. Lewis and talk or should I call you Karen? Jessica spat.
Lauren took a seat on a lounge chair in what looked like a basement. She took a deep breath and began. She noted the different facial expressions that came and left Jessica's face. She didn't want to go into all of the gory details about Erick's death but she had to know that Lauren tried her best to save him even if she couldn't save Jarrett. She even explained how Erick bragged about defending his country and he had no regrets about enlisting.
When she began to explain about the pipe bombs Lauren was sure she would put a bullet in her at any moment. Lauren did her best to contain her tears. Any signs of weakness would likely trigger Jessica's anger. Who was Lauren kidding? Jessica had the right to be pissed at her about Jarrett but not Erick.
She tried to keep her explanations short but Lauren had wanted to talk about this for so long she wanted all of her reasoning out in the open. How she finally slowed down making the bombs. How she stopped at the last one and hid it only for her brother to swipe and use it.
How she saw some of the families speaking on the news and wanting to reach out but knew the moment she did, they would arrest them. Lauren had seen what it was like for a person to be on lockdown. She knew the look of a prisoner of war after they had been discharged or rescued.
She had spent months going through PTSD. She wouldn't want that again or wish that one anyone. But this wasn't about her. It was about them. All of them. Their deaths didn't have to be. She had no idea how many families were still out there but she would stop at nothing to show them her face. Even if they didn't all forgive her, at least she would try.
When she was finally done. They both sat in silence. Jessica was in tears and Lauren didn't have a tissue to offer her only a shoulder.
"I can understand trying to save the world like Erick did. But I'm finding it hard to understand blowing up pipelines. I get you didn't know anyone was there or that your brother didn't bother to check. I don't forgive you, but I won't turn you in. Erick is the only thing I am basing my decision on". Jessica finally said.
"I'm sorry". Lauren said tearfully.
"That won't help me explain it to the rest of the family some of whom will be home soon. So thank you for coming but please get the hell out of my house". Jessica said pointing towards the door.
Lauren slowly rose to her feet. The gun slid a little further and she found herself adjusting it. She wanted to put a bullet in herself but knew that was nothing but guilt filling her mind. She had worked on those feelings for years after it all happened. She wouldn't fall back on that again.
"Thank you for listening. Goodbye". Lauren said shutting the doors behind her. Once they were closed she leaned back against them, took a deep breath and walked towards her car.
She climbed into her car and peeled off down the road. She drove slowly. She was in no hurry to get back to her hotel. There was liquor there and she didn't need that right now. She needed rest but how much rest had these families gotten since that horrible day? She stopped at red light and watched the cars pass in the intersection and planned her next trip in her mind. Two victims down. Nine more to go. That sounded like a lot but the families deserved to face one of the perpetrators.
The Dal
"Dyson what did you do? Trick asked softly.
"I told them I was attacked and two Succubus healed me and they assumed I meant Aife and Bo". Dyson replied.
"That was foolish Dyson they will only think of them! Trick said. This was a mess. Aife was well known and despised by the Elders and most of the Light Fae.
"Well how else was I going to explain my wounds? Dyson said. Why should he have to protect Aife? Trick never ordered him to do that for her, only Bo.
"Lie. You're good at that". Trick said.
"I learned it from you! Dyson snapped.
"I think Dr. Lewis did more than shoot you, I think she must have shrank your brain. That is the only reason for you to forget who you are talking to". Trick snapped. If it wasn't for the Elders he would put Dyson in his dungeon with the Underfae.
"I screwed up ok I get it! Dyson snapped. He had done nothing but what Trick and the Elders asked him to do and yet here the cop was feeling like a suspect.
"You know they want at least one of those families. So get back out there and get them one". Trick ordered.
"Why do they even want them? Dyson asked.
"That is for them to know and you to never find out. All I can tell you is that they are not screwing around with this. The only way to save your ass is to bring at least one of those families back". Trick said.
Dyson couldn't do anything. Having sworn fealty to Trick he really couldn't tell him no. He couldn't tell the Elders no because really they were always an extension of the Blood King.
"C'mon daddy throw a stick. I want to watch the dog run and fetch". Aife laughed at the sight of the two of them. Trick asks Dyson to jump and Dyson doesn't even ask how high. He just does it.
"Aife please go". Trick asked.
"What and miss him scratch his balls when you ask him to? Aife laughed again.
"What the hell happened here? Kenzi asked walking in ahead of Bo.
"Poop dog here brought the Elders here to arrest me. But as you can see some of them got their asses kicked". Aife laughed kicking pieces of wood and glass towards Dyson. She knew he wouldn't do anything to her. He couldn't if he tried.
"Why would he do that? Bo asked sitting down next to Aife.
"Because they didn't believe him that Dr. Lewis shot his ass and he mentioned Succubi". Aife explained.
"How did you know she shot me? Dyson bristled.
"Because I've seen bullet wounds before. Too bad she missed the other holes in your...anatomy". Aife laughed.
"Oh man I wished I would have seen that". Kenzi said. The Fae life could be hysterical at times.
"You might get your chance. Daddy here just ordered him to go back out". Aife said. She wanted to say more but prying ears could hear her.
"What?! You're going out again? The Succubus screamed.
"Bo I don't have a choice. The Elders ordered this. If I don't go out, they will have my ass". Dyson said.
"Boy if you got out that door I will kick your ass and then kill you". Bo snapped. Her eyes were the deepest blue Dyson had ever seen. She knew he must be about to go out and find Lauren or interfere with her quests.
Dyson swallowed hard. "I'm sorry Bo. I can't disobey their orders".
"Who are you scared of more? Them or me? Trust me. You haven't seen the full force of my powers yet. Go out that door and you won't even shift before you die". Bo snapped. Her eyes were so focused on Dyson he couldn't even see the whites of her eyes.
"Bo! Trick called stepping towards her.
"Blood King". The Succubus snapped. They hadn't heard her talk so deeply before. Even Aife stood in awe of the sight before them.
"That's Hades in my baby. And I kind of like it". Aife laughed. The sound echoed around the room.
"What? Hades? Trick asked all but hiding behind the bar.
"Yes. Are you scared yet? Aife laughed again.
Lauren
Lauren had finally made it back to her hotel and quickly packed. She didn't want to be in New York another night. She didn't trust Jessica to keep her word about not turning her in. She made it back down to her car and pulled out her list. She fell backwards in her seat when she saw the next city on her list. Grimley.
"Well shit". Lauren said slamming her hand on the steering wheel.
TBC