Title: "Time"

Disclaimer: I don't own Lost Girl or any of their characters. I just absolutely love (read *obsessed with*) the show.

Pairing: Bo / Lauren

Summary: This takes place right after 3x09. Bo's and Lauren's relationship is rocky and Lauren decides that she needs to regain control of her life and takes matters into her own hands.

Author's Notes: I know there are a few stories out there about angsty Doccubus post 3x09 and this may fall within that group. I hope however, that it will be different. This is an emotional and introspective journey for Lauren and Bo.

Thanks to Neytiri's Heart for her help and advice.

Chapter 1

Light Fae Compound - Lab

Bo made her way through the long hallway to the lab; the sound of her boots against the tiles, echoed down the hall. With the Dawning finally behind her, she felt energized and elated at her success in passing this major Fae milestone. She also felt more confident as she now had a better understanding of herself and of her power. But more importantly, she was just so relieved that this ordeal was over and things could go back to normal. No more long days and nights of training and being afraid of devolving into some grotesque, drooling Under Fae with horns and fangs and sporting back hair. Now she could go back to working on cases; hanging out with Kenzi at the Dal and at the shack; and she could actually spend time with her girlfriend instead of the text messages relationship that they had of late.

As she made her way into the lab, she noticed that there seemed to be an unusual amount of activity with staff bustling about the lab and Lauren being in the centre of the maelstrom. The Succubus wondered what was going on but those thoughts quickly left her mind as her attention fixated on her girlfriend.

"Lauren!" she called out.

No response.

Lauren was deeply enthralled with whatever information was on her clipboard. Bo stood back, observing her lover – she loved watching Lauren work and right now she was in command with her personnel heeding every word she said. The blonde was busily scribbling something down on a clipboard and handing it off to one of her staff before another staff member gave her a very thick file for her to review. Lauren rattled off some instructions to them while gesturing in her usual cute, animated way; they nodded their head in understanding before scuttling off. Her girlfriend was definitely in serious doctor mode and looked pensive as she read the folder while walking over to a nearby counter. She placed the file down; her hair falling down in waves, hiding her face as she reviewed the file's contents. Bo loved watching Lauren. She was so beautiful and amazing. To say that Bo was in awe of Lauren would be simplifying how she felt.

The doctor seemed to have a break from her revolving medical entourage and Bo chose this moment to approach. "Lo!" Still nothing. Bo tried again, "Dr. Lewis!" This time there was a reaction. Lauren seemed to be in a daze as she raised her head to acknowledge her name. She scanned the lab till her eyes met the brunette.

"Bo? Are you here to see Dyson? If so, he's just down the hall."

Bo wasn't expecting that. Lauren's comment literally stopped her in her tracks. "Actually, I came to see you. We didn't really get a chance to talk or spend any time together after my Dawning ceremony yesterday and I thought I could take you to lunch." Bo resumed closing the distance between her and the Doctor but not touching.

"I was here all night monitoring Dyson. You could've stopped by." Lauren said in a matter of fact tone, looking Bo straight in the eyes.

Bo looked away briefly to recover. Lauren was right but she had needed time last night to figure things out. Looking back to her girlfriend, she said in a shaky voice, "You're right. I could've… I should've. I just… I needed to think. There was so much that happened in the temple and then… afterwards. I just needed to process everything that happened and the changes that I went through."

Lauren understood that Bo must've felt overwhelmed even though she was successful with the Dawning. "It's okay Bo. I imagine that the ceremony must've taken a lot out of you."

She moved towards her girlfriend but the blonde seemed to be preoccupied with her file. Bo was concerned. Lauren was acting strangely. "Are you okay babe? You don't seem yourself."

Lauren sighed. She was physically and emotionally exhausted and she wasn't ready to face Bo; her emotions were chaotic. "I'm just tired. What with having my chi sucked out of me and working here all night…."

The Succubus felt shame rush through her. She knew that she took the life force from the people that she loved – well Stella didn't count – and she felt badly about it but she did what she had to do. "About that. I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt anyone but I had to do it to save Dyson. You know that I would've done the same if it were you or Kenzi. "

Lauren nodded her head and smiled sadly. She knew that Bo would've moved Heaven and Earth to save those that she cared about. It wasn't Bo chi-sucking the room that unnerved her but rather how Bo looked at Dyson when she brought him back. There was something there. Call it a gut feeling because there was no empirical evidence to prove otherwise but the way they looked at each other, it looked like love and not the kind between friends.

Bo cleared her throat, feeling the tension between them and chose to switch topics. "You said that you spent the night here. Why didn't you go home?"

The brunette's voice brought Lauren out of her thoughts. Her weariness too much for her; she let her cool Doctor persona take over. "Dyson needed to be monitored and there was no one else here to do it. And now that I don't have to come up with a formula to stop you from devolving, I used the time to catch up on all the things that I let fall to the wayside."

Bo was slowly floundering and didn't know how to act or respond to her lover's uncharacteristic behaviour. Uncertainty in her voice, Bo managed to respond, "Okay. So did you get caught up?"

Lauren was on auto pilot now. As much as she was glad that Bo was here to see her, she just didn't have the emotional fortitude to deal with her - she just wanted to focus on her work and continue with the lab preparations. "For the most part but there's still a lot left to be done."

Bo knew that Lauren was forever dedicated to her work and it was to her own detriment. As much as she loved that quality in her girlfriend, it was also frustrating having to reason with her to be realistic with her work hours. "Babe, you really need to get some rest. At least don't work too late today."

The doctor was frustrated and conflicted. On one hand this was what she wanted from Bo – for her to be concerned and thoughtful - but after these past few weeks of her being selfish, secretive, inconsiderate and unsupportive; it was just too much. Lauren tried to suppress her emotions but wasn't completely successful. Instead, she came across as being a bit cool. "I appreciate your concern Bo, but I've managed just fine these last five and a half years."

Not to be daunted by her girlfriend's abruptness, Bo chose to keep things light and ignore the blonde's grumpy-sleep-and-energy-deprived tone. "But you didn't have me to nag you back then. As your girlfriend, it's in my job description to make sure you don't over work yourself."

It always surprised Lauren how charming Bo could be; it cut through some of her frustration and she gave her one of her famous half smiles in response. Lauren knew that the Succubus was trying and she did appreciate it but she needed to be resolute and strong. Time was of the essence and she still had a lot to do. Before Bo could reply, the blonde blurted out, "I know that you came to visit me but I really have to get going. I have a meeting with the Ash."

The brunette pouted and inched closer, putting her hands on Lauren's hips, "I'm sure that Hale won't mind waiting a few minutes. We haven't been able to spend any time together what with all my training for the Dawning... I've missed you Lauren."

Lauren silenced her conflicted thoughts and feelings and allowed herself to react naturally. She cupped Bo's face, causing the brunette to smile – it seemed like forever since she felt Lauren's touch. The blonde leaned forward and pressed her forehead against her lover's; inhaling her scent. Closing her eyes, Lauren felt herself relax within the Succubus' hands and from being in close proximity to her. Blocking out all the sounds and activity in the lab; nothing else existed right now – no thoughts of being a slave; no insecurities; no Dyson; no Dawning; and no Bo feeding off of others – it was just them in that instant and it brought her peace. Lauren allowed herself to be swept up in the comfort and tenderness of the moment; of the feeling of being safe and of being loved. She just wanted to savour this and commit it to memory.

"Ahem!"

"Ahem, Dr. Lewis!"

Lauren sighed. And just that quickly, the moment was gone; interrupted by a member of her staff. Her eyes snapped open as she moved her forehead away from Bo's and turned her head towards the direction of the voice; her hands dropping to her girlfriend's forearms that refused to budge from its spot. Bo wasn't about to relinquish touching her girlfriend because of a lab Harpy.

"Yes?" Lauren breathed out irritated.

"I'm sorry to interrupt but the Ash is ready to see you now."

Upon the doctor's acknowledgement of her appointment, the Fae scurried out of the lab.

Lauren looked at Bo, her fingers gently massaging the Succubus' forearms; she said softly, "I have to go." Bo frowned but stepped back and released her grip on her lover; missing the contact immediately. As Lauren turned to grab the file folder from the counter, Bo used that moment to collect herself and stuff down her desire to drag Lauren into her office and take her on her desk; on her chair; against the wall…

The brunette physically shook her head to clear her thoughts. She missed being intimate with her girlfriend but this would have to wait. Lauren thought she saw her girlfriend's eyes flash blue but she wasn't sure if it happened or if she imagined it due to lack of sleep.

In a hopeful voice, Bo breathed out, "See you later?"

Lauren's stomach started churning again as a wave of chaotic emotions passed through her; she felt as if the acid would eat through her stomach lining. "I'm probably going to be awhile."

"That's okay. Call me and I'll come get you." Lauren looked softly into Bo's eyes. She wanted so much to grab her and hold her tight but she knew that she shouldn't. Instead, she nodded and turned to leave the lab. Bo's eyes followed the blonde as she walked away and out the door; she couldn't shake the uneasiness that she felt.