FAMILY MATTERS
A.N.: Yes, shockingly it's a new chapter really soon. lol. Last weeks episode kind of a lit an inspiration fire so you guys get a new chapter. Once again, many thanks to Owelpost for being an awesome beta-reader and making sure I didn't ruin Lauren completely. "I'll see what I can find," Trick promised, eyeing Lauren with some concern. The light Fae doctor had looked far better in recent memory. Now, whether because of Lachlan's treatment, Bo's discovery of Nadia's potential cure, or a combination of both, she was beginning to show the often hidden signs of her humanity. "Thank you, Trick," she replied, not quite able to keep the desperation and the sheer exhaustion out of her voice, "anything you can give me will..." She drifted off and the ex- Blood King felt another sharp stab of pity for her. He recognized the desperation for what it was; having felt it himself first after the loss of his wife and then of Aiofe. With the deep sense of empathy fueled by experience, he was keenly aware the human needed to slow down before the emotion destroyed her. "How about some advice?" he suggested, leaning towards her, "Get some sl-" His words were lost, however, by a sudden commotion at the pub's entrance. Looking up, both he and the doctor were surprised to see Bo charging in, dragging a resisting Kira right behind her. "Sit," the succubus ordered the struggling shifter, pulling a chair out from the first table they came to. Kira opened her mouth in protest only to be shoved into the seat with a second. "Sit." "Hey, Trick," Bo continued, turning towards the bar, "Do you have anything that'll make sure someone tells the tr-" she froze as she spotted who was present. "Lauren!" For a brief moment, Lauren's face lightened at the sight of the Fae woman. Just as quickly however, as if remembering why she was at the Dal in the first place, her expression fell into a sad sort of smile. Rising from the bar stool, she replied casually, "Hi, Bo." In an instant, she found herself pulled into a tight hug. Without meaning to, the doctor felt herself immediately relax in the embrace; guiltily enjoying the rare sense of safety that came from being with Bo. Inhaling deeply, she marveled once more at the fresh aroma of apricots and strawberries (her favorite scents) that seemed to fill the air around the other woman. Belatedly, she realized her hands were pressed against a hole in the back of Bo's jacket. "What happened?" she exclaimed, pulling away and shifting to see the damage. Noticing the scratch beneath the two layers of cloth, she looked at Bo in concern and added, "Why didn't you heal?" "It's just a scratch," Bo replied, twisting to glance at the injury's edge, "I'm more annoyed the arrow ruined my jacket. It's my favorite one." "Arrow!" started Lauren, only to be silenced as Bo took hold of her shoulders. "It's fine. Just danger on a case," the succubus assured her, squeezing her shoulders gently, "I handled it. Now what about you? Are you alright?" Lauren opened her mouth to reply that Bo needed to get the cut looked at, but closed it again with a sigh. She knew it was futile arguing with the Fae when her mind was made up. Instead, she replied, "I'm fine...mostly. I just came to ask Trick about some-" She paused as her "escort" entered her peripheral vision, moving menacingly towards the pair. Bo spotted him also and turned to glare at him. "Hey, buddy, back off," she warned, protectively gripping Lauren's shoulders a little tighter, "trust me, this is not the day to get into it with me." "Bo!" Trick's warning accompanied Lauren's grimace as both instinctively reacted to Bo's usual disregard for the Ash's authority. Her challenge, however, seemed to strike something for the guard as he paused his approach and considered her. "Why don't I get you another drink, friend?" Trick offered, quickly moving to stop the tension that magically developed whenever Bo walked into a room. The guard looked over at the bartender, once more seemed to consider the situation, and then nodded in the affirmative. "You shouldn't have done that," said Lauren, as the guard followed Trick to the other end of the bar. Secretly, though, she appreciated the gesture nonetheless. "And Lachlan shouldn't be treating you as if you need a personal dog-walker," Bo argued, looking sourly at the guard again. Lauren sighed. Opening her mouth to tell the succubus she didn't feel like arguing over this, her attention was drawn to the woman Bo had brought in with her. "Um, Bo," she said, a little jealously struck by the woman's good looks (something she was starting to notice as a defining characteristic in certain types of Fae), "Who is that?" "Who?" Bo asked, following her line of sight, "Oh. That is a very good question," her eyes narrowed as she added, "and something I would very much like to know." As if aware the eye of wrath was back upon her, Kira glanced up from her intense examination of her nails to look at the two women. Giving them a brief salute, she held back a laugh at the doctor's confused expression. Her smile faded quickly, however, as Trick joined the two women. "Now, what is it you wanted?" the bartender demanded, looking up at Bo. "And why did you drag Kira in here?" It took Bo a couple minutes to explain the whole story. By the end of it, though, all three had surrounded the shifter; none looking too happy. Kira, for her part, glanced at each of them in turn, her back stiffening and a defiant glint lighting in her eyes. "Yes?" she asked, tempering her tone to something mockingly akin to respectful. "No more games," said Trick, taking charge of the interrogation, "Who are you? Really?" Kira tilted her head slightly, giving him a puzzled look. "Well," she responded casually, acting as though she were deeply considering the question, "the last time I checked I was Kira Lowell of the clan Eneas. So, unless you know of a change in that status that I don't, I can't really help you." then, leaning forward with her features darkening, she added, "Unless you are suggesting I declared falsely? Because you and I both know what the price for that is." Bo glanced down at Trick in confusion and then over to Lauren. She barely caught the uncomfortable shift in the doctor's posture and the movement told her all she needed to know. "I'm suggesting you didn't declare the truth in full," he retorted, likewise leaning forward so his face was inches from hers, "So I'll ask you this once, what were you doing at the museum? The last time I checked those in the clan Eneas don't pitch their tents there." Kira snorted in response. Crossing her arms, she leaned back in her seat, and regarded Trick curiously. "Gee, I don't know. Visiting the sites, maybe?" she snarked, "I didn't realize at the time moving about neutral territory was illegal in this district. Oh, and in case you don't believe me about that, ask Bo." she nodded towards the succubus, "I told her and Kenzi that's what I'd be doing." Frowning, Trick glanced up at Bo for confirmation, which she gave with a slight nod. "But that still doesn't explain what you were doing in the basement?" she argued, looking back at Kira. The shifter let out an impatient sigh. "The same could be said for you," she responded, "You had your reasons and I have mine." Bo's jaw tightened in frustration as she took an unconscious step towards Kira. Partially because of her past experiences with shifters and partially because Kira had actually saved her life, the succubus hadn't bothered using her powers on the girl; taking her to Trick's instead. Kira's obstinent lack of answers, however, was beginning to get under her skin. Thankfully, however, Trick's hand shot ahead of her, taking hold of her arm and keeping her in place. "The only difference being," he replied to Kira, shooting Bo a warning glare, "that we were aware of why she was there. You don't have that luxury." "Is this even legal?" Kira demanded, redirecting the conversation, "A Light detaining a Light because they saved someone's life," she looked over at Bo. "You do remember I saved your ass, right?" "Barely." "Well," Kira responded with a grin, "no one's perfect. Now," she rose to her feet, "I've played along with whatever this is long enough. So, either tell me exactly what it is you think I did or..." She paused to sniff the air; a pained expression immediately crossing her face. Looking towards the Dal entrance, she muttered sarcastically, "Oh, wonderful." As if on cue, the door opened and Dyson stepped inside. "Bo," he said, spotting the succubus immediately, "I got your voice message. What hap-" he paused, taking in the scene before him. Eyes falling on Kira, he half-growled, "What's she doing here?" "Leaving," the other shifter quipped, shooting him a matching look of disdain. She stepped forward, only to have Trick move to block her path. "You're not going anywhere until you've answered our questions," threatened the bartender. Kira's eyes momentarily flashed yellow in challenge. "Alright," she replied, looming over him, "Here's an answer for you. What I was doing in the basement was my own damn business and none of yours. Bo's just lucky she grabbed me when she did. End of story." With that, she moved to leave again; only to have someone grab her by the back of her shirt. "Not so fast," Dyson's voice sounded behind her, the male shifter quickly putting two and two together, "You're not going anywhere until you've answered his questions and mine." Kira stiffened, her eyes turning yellow once more. Letting out a low growl, she swung around, her arm connecting with his hard enough to break his grip. Swiveling to face him, she shoved a finger warningly in his direction and snarled, "That's one. Touch me again and..." The words died on her lips as she saw the two strands of gold chain dangling between his fingers. Eyes fading to blue and widening in horror, her hand flew to her neck. Her gaze quickly darted from the wire thin emblem, dangling near the edge of the smaller chain, to the shifter holding it. Dyson looked up to meet her gaze with a startled one of his own A charged stillness filled the area, punctuated only by Trick's exclamation, "Llywth cysgodi!"
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