Author's notes:

Hi everyone... I know, I'm the worst. I'm so sorry for how long this took - I know I'm a huge, sucky disappointment, I hope you can forgive me! All I can say is that life got pretty hard which took me away from writing for a bit. Updates may be a little slower while I deal, but I promise I won't abandon this story.

Thanks so much to those of you who leave reviews, follow and favourite this little work of mine, I am blown away by your generousity in reading this and giving feedback.

A quick shoutout to spyklv - thanks for your detailed reviews and your lovely message of encouragement!

Also GvMeOneResn, Y, wasp16, nerdrific79, Doccudreamer and lots of guests - thank you so much for leaving such detailed reviews, I read and absorb them all and use them to better the story. Your words really do give this story life.

To everyone else leaving short and sweet reviews - THANK YOU too! Your encouragement is really lovely and kind and I so appreciate you taking the time to give me a virtual thumbs up.

So keep 'em coming! Love you all. If you want to connect with me, my tumblr url is Under-These-Stars.

Chapter 9 - Stirring

"It's time" Tamsin husked in the darkness of the doctor's bedroom when she knew Lauren had stirred from her entrance through the creaking door.

"It's time?" Lauren replied timidly, sending the question to where the valkryie stood bathed in moonlight.

"Us." Tamsin breathed out as she crawled seductively onto the darker blondes bed, making her way up so her body was flush with the toned form beneath her.

"Really?" The doctor gulped with tears beginning to sting her eyes.

"I wanna give this a real shot, be together... Life is too short" Tamsin responded gently moving closer and closer towards capturing the doctor's lips with her own.

Lauren inhaled deeply in anticipation, basking in the feeling of Tamsin's body pressed upon her. Her body covered in goosebumps causing her breathing to become heavier and heavier as the distance between them closed, the doctor could smell Tamsin's fruity shampoo mixed with a light scent of jasmine perfume making her want to inhale all of the air surrounding them. Lauren parted her mouth ready to receive the anticipated kiss when Dyson burst loudly through the door wearing a yellow Star Trek engineer costume screaming about an impending attack. Lauren could hear the explosions sounding at regular intervals... Except now the explosions were starting to sound more like incessant beeps.

Lauren shot up in bed and allowed her eyes to adjust to the light of the rising sun seeping into her room. Reaching quickly to shut off her alarm she rubbed her eyes and rapidly shook her head to rid herself of the strange dream she was having.

Why had her subconscious replaced Bo with Tamsin? Lauren remembered the conversation she had dreamed about very well. Except it had happened in a prison instead of her bed and it was definitely Bo and not Tamsin that she had shared that intimate moment with. The genius doctor spent more minutes than she'd care to admit trying to justify the reasoning behind her dreamworlds journey, giving excuses ranging anywhere from the emotional week she'd had to how long it had been since she had shared a bed with anyone. It took concerted effort to force her mind to other matters, fully knowing that without suitable distraction it would quickly return to it's looping replay of her night imaginations.

Lauren knew she still had two days away from her Lab, but she decided she wasn't going to let that stop her from getting some work done. Besides, throwing herself into science would definitely help suppress all the rising confusion and feelings leftover from her full sensory dream.

Reaching her hands skyward, the doctor stretched out her waking muscles making sure to wriggle her toes and contort her face into a big yawn. Rubbing her eyes and cracking her neck she took a few moments to relish her morning routine as the sun began to warm her skin deliciously. The warmth made her consider laying back down and taking advantage of a sleep in, but the chance that her subconscious might return her to the mind twisting dreams of Tamsin was enough to have the dark blonde up and moving towards the shower in an instant. A cold shower was just what the doctor ordered to clear her own clouded mind.

...

When Tamsin had awoken at 8, Lauren had already locked herself into her home lab even placing a homemade 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the doorknob forcing Tamsin to suppress a giggle at the thought of the blonde scientist hunched over a craft table to create such a sign. Taking the obvious hint left for her and trying not to be offended at the idea, the valkyrie had busied herself with multitasking by watching more Star Trek and reading through her favourite gossip magazines, wondering if she would get a chance to glimpse the woman that was quickly filling up all of her thoughts and even some of her dreams. Distraction was the name of the game, and Lauren's hiding away might just help her fill up her mind with plenty else to think about. Or it might cause her to spend every second making outrageous thought links back to the reclusive scientist. Damn.

Tamsin ran up the stairs towards the sound of glass smashing and table legs scratching across the floor above the kitchen where she had been making her second cup of coffee of the day. Bursting through the door with adrenaline pumping through her veins steeling the valkyrie for battle, this time ignoring the request for privacy dangling from the handle. It took her eyes a fraction of a second to adjust to the bright florescent lighting before scanning the space for the cause of the commotion that brought her to the room. Her heart raced as she tried to focus and identify the present danger until she was pulled from the ordered panic overtaking her when her eyes settled upon the form of her doctor... No. THE doctor, not 'hers', sat with her knees pulled to herself and her back against the large shifted bench leg staring at a shattered beaker and mystery substance slowly seeping its way to a larger puddle.

"Lauren? Everything okay in here?" Tamsin tried to sound nonchalant but her racing heart and slight tremour in her voice gave away her concern. If Lauren noticed her entrance she didn't give any sign. The warrior fae slowly moved around the bench, taking care not step on any of the shattered glass until she was able to crouch down and bring herself face to face with the scientist who was looking dazed and slightly confused. "Hey Doc, what's happening here? Do I need to call someone? Hello?" Tamsin snapped her fingers in front of Lauren's face which finally elicited a response, or more or a jump before brown eyes focussed on green.

"I... I uh... I saw... No, heard something." Lauren spoke in dreamy voice before snapping herself back to reality and shaking her head to clear the fog "shit! I'd better clean this up!" The doctor went to move but was held in place by strong hands on her upper arms.

"Woah woah woah! Not so fast Doc. That can wait - I lost you there for a minute, how about you tell me what happened? You said you heard something, what did you hear?" Tamsin pushed down the desire to pull the doctor to herself and instead settled with sitting herself down in front of the stricken woman. While she was getting comfortable she cast out with her mind to check for any danger and was thankful that her valkyrie could sense none present. That was enough to set her mind at ease and allow her to fully concentrate on the woman in front of her whom she noticed still hadn't made a move to reply and was instead shaking her head and grimacing as though trying to make sense of something. "C'mon Lauren, I kind of need to know these things, so spill."

Lauren took a deep breath before deciding to just leap into the explanation "I've gone nuts. I turned around and I thought I saw Daniel standing there but I blinked and he was gone. Then I heard him speak... I... I've lost my mind. You should call Evony and have her lock me up." She stated matter-of-factly as if it was the most obvious choice.

"Uh, well... Let's just take a moment before we fit the straightjacket." Tamsin would normally have laughed at behaviour like this but there was that strange something again making her compassionate instead of sarcastic. "How about you let me decide if that call needs to be made. Can you tell me what he said?"

At this Lauren's eyes widened but at an encouraging nod from the valkyrie that for some reason made her relax she decided to just put it out there "well... He uh, he said 'hey Zorro, I see you...' And... Umm, that 'dreams do come true'" The doctor blushed at the second statement before realising that Tamsin would have no idea what dream she was thinking of anyway. That knowledge however, didn't do anything to stop the intimate images from entering her mind again and making her unable to hold eye contact with the valkyrie. She continued to wrack her brain for what other dreams she might be holding onto that could explain the statement but was coming up empty, unless her household appliances were going to start singing to her, there weren't any other memorable dreams to assign it to. Pressing on, or more like trying to move on she huffed "why would I hallucinate that?"

Tamsin considered what she had heard and took a deep breath before responding with a gentle voice "why do you think it's a hallucination?" Lauren scoffed at the question before noticing the genuine quizzical look across Tamsin's face.

"Are you serious? Seeing and hearing my dead brother? What else could it be?!" The doctor was walking the line between being insulted that her diagnosis was being challenged and hoping that maybe Tamsin was right and she wasn't out of her mind.

"Well Doc, I dunno. Maybe it was him or someone else sending a message, or maybe it was just your mind processing all that we uh... Talked about, but seeing you manage just fine in believing in unicorns, werewolves and vampires, I would think you might be able to to see outside the square on this one. I know crazy, and you're not it." Tamsin was almost scolding the doctor and it seemed to be working as the dark blonde was starting to grin slightly and nod as she listened "a lot of weird shit happens in the world of the fae, getting a message from the afterlife wouldn't even come close to being the craziest, so stop panicking."

Lauren bit her lip while she considered what the woman in front of her had said before she raised her head and allowed her eyes to meet with the valkyrie's again. "You really think it could have been him?"

Tamsin could almost feel her heart breaking at the sadness in the doctor's voice and before she knew what she was doing she interlaced one of her hands into Lauren's as she shuffled around to sit beside the doctor. She was surprised when the shorter blonde didn't pull away and instead leaned her head onto the valkyrie's shoulder letting out a sigh.

Speaking softly into golden hair the valkyrie replied "I dunno. Maybe. I mean, it's not really common for the fallen to be able to speak from the great halls, but someone up there might think you needed it" relishing the feeling of the doctor pressed into her side the valkyrie rested her head on top of Lauren's while they sat. "If you're that worried about it, maybe talk to Trick about it or something..."

Calmed by the valkyrie's words and feeling comforted by her touch, even if she wouldn't admit it to herself, Lauren began to agree with the valkyrie. "I guess. Maybe it was nothing, if it happens again I just might talk to Trick about it. Thanks Tamsin"

Tamsin chuckled kindly "anytime Doc." The two of them sat in silence simply enjoying the closeness before Tamsin spoke up again "Hey Lauren, can I ask you something?"

Brought out of the reverie by the question Lauren raised her head and looked at Tamsin before nodding slowly and apprehensively.

"Why would your brother call you Zorro?" She asked as a huge grin crossed her face and she chuckled as Lauren huffed and rolled her eyes. "C'mon, I bet there's a good story there, tell me!" Tamsin pleaded trying to break down the doctor's defenses and using a prodding finger to the ribs to do so.

"Ugh. Fine, but you have to promise not to tell anyone else. Ever. Are we clear?" Lauren ordered using her free hand to point directly at Tamsin's nose, both of the women conveniently ignoring their interlaced fingers that they were both enjoying far more than either would admit. Friends hold hands.

"Promise. Now spill."

Lauren narrowed her eyes in mistrust and pursed her lips before deciding she was satisfied that the valkyrie could be trusted with this information "I've never told anyone this, so I'll know if you tell!" She warned first "When I was seventeen my brother and I watched The Mask of Zorro and I kind of had a big crush..."

"On Antonio Banderas? Really doc? Didn't think he was your type..." Tamsin teased.

"No! I didn't have a crush on HIM, I wanted to BE him, if he was a woman at least... So that I could marry Catherine Zeta-Jones" Lauren blushed at her childish admission "it was when I was just coming to terms with who I am, so I guess to support me he told me that I could be whoever I wanted to be and started calling me Zorro - it was our secret way for him to acknowledge what was going on with me... Plus, he always said I was his little hero" Lauren shrugged and looked away.

"Wow, that's actually kind of sweet. Zorro... I like it" Tamsin smiled and turned towards the doctor finding her heart swelling at the thought of the doctor knowing at least some kindness and unconditional love in her life.

Lauren smiled back and couldn't stop her eyes from staring at the valkyrie's pink lips causing her to slightly bite her own bottom lip. Tamsin noticed all of the cues, her smile falling to allow her to lick her lips in what could only be described as lustfully. Lauren gulped hard as the two women began to lean into each other until their breaths mixed together in the small space between them.

Both women locked eyes in anticipation and acknowledgement of what was about to come before they were yanked from their moment by a loud banging on the door downstairs. It took a moment before either of them reacted, but once they did, both of them leapt up and apart from each other awkwardly clearing their throats and looking anywhere but at each other.

Lauren ran her hand through her hair and turned away "Uh, that's probably Dyson. Why don't you get the door and I'll clean up here and see you down there"

Without a word Tamsin nodded and rushed out of the room and down the stairs. Looking through the peephole Lauren's guess was confirmed when the tall valkyrie saw Dyson making funny faces into spyglass on the other side.

"I can smell you in there Tammers! Open up!" Dyson yelled through the door before Tamsin yanked it open.

"Dyson. Fantastic timing. Come on in." The valkyrie welcomed with barely veiled sarcasm and irritation.

"Don't mind if I do, partner!" Dyson strode into the loft and placed the case of beer he had been carrying down on the counter "where's Lauren?" He asked looking around to try and spot her.

"She's uh, upstairs in her lab, she'll be down in a sec" the valkyrie couldn't help the blush rising as she spoke of the doctor.

"Good. Then maybe we have a second for you to tell me why you're sleeping with her?" Dyson asked pointedly with narrowed eyes and whispered tones as he rounded on the blonde.

Tamsin spluttered at the blunt question before acting offended "what?! I am not! Fuck off Dyson."

"Oh please! I can smell her all over you and you act like a teenage boy in love with the teacher whenever Miss Lewis is around. Not to mention you turned red when I just said her name. Something's going on and as much as I love ya, I will not let you hurt her or take advantage" Dyson retorted still whispering as well as keeping an eye out for the doctor to come down the stairs.

"Dyson, it's not like that. I swear, nothing has happened. Okay? Besides, I would never hurt her" Tamsin looked at her feet wondering where her bravado had gone "she's... She's different and special and good and beauti... Nevermind. I just, it's my job to protect her and I take that seriously. I swear Dys, I haven't taken advantage of her, I wouldn't do that"

Dyson regarded the valkyrie in front of him "shit Tamsin - are you... Are you in love with the doc?!" It came across as more of an accusation than a question which Dyson caught and corrected "sorry, I mean. Listen, sorry I assumed you were doing your usual umm... Sex-fiend thing. If you are serious about her, and if she was to feel the same way, then go for it. But, hear me on this, I will shred you and eat you if you ever hurt her. She's been through enough, and too much of it has been at my hands so I am sworn to protect her from now on, heart included. We clear?!"

"Sex-fiend?! Are you serious right now?! And it's only been like a week, I can't be in love with her!" The denial didn't even sound convincing, the valkyrie who still decided to continue "and eat me? Flea-bag I would drop you into the abyss before you even got your claws out. But I get it. Nothing has happened and I doubt anything will, she doesn't see me like that. Either way, what I said stands, I won't ever hurt her. We cool?" The valkyrie asked as her mind was working hard to tell her heart that the 'almost-kiss' was all in her head and Lauren had not been going that way at all.

"Fine Tam-tam. We're cool. And I wouldn't be so sure she's not into you... I see things." Dyson encouraged.

"What things do you see?" Lauren had just come down the stairs unnoticed by either of fae causing them to jump apart and splutter at which the doctor raised her eyebrow and looked between them.

"Oh! Uh... Dyson was saying that my hair looks shinier. New shampoo" Tamsin covered lamely flicking a lock of hair into the air to emphasise her story.

"Yeah, it's uh, blond-ee-er and um brighter?" Dyson backed up, badly.

"Riiiight. You guys are terrible liars." The doctor accused the squirming fae before shrugging "whatever. I'm feeling cooped up in here so you two are helping me pack a picnic and we're going to the park for the afternoon. Any complaints?" Lauren knew that because she had caught them out that they would go along with anything to avoid her prying, and it worked as they both agreed enthusiastically and quickly made their way to the kitchen and away from her stare.

...

"This is weird... Aren't picnics for families or lame-ass dates?" Tamsin whined as she stretched out on the checkered blanket that they had placed under a large tree with an expansive trunk, her objections obviously not strong enough to stop her from digging into the large spread of food laid out between the three of them with Dyson lying parallel to the valkyrie and Lauren lying on her side in front of the tree holding her head up with one arm. While Tamsin may have been criticising the picnic concept, she certainly wasn't going to say a word about the proximity of the doctor's head and body to hers, she was extremely thankful to have won the prized position leaving Dyson at Lauren's feet.

"Yeah doc, what is it with you humans and your love of picnics? Why clear all this perfect hunting ground for playgrounds, lakes and grass?" Dyson gruffed in between bites of his over-filled sandwich.

Lauren rolled her eyes at the both of them before donning her best educator's voice "I'll have you know that spending time in the outdoors has many recorded health benefits for both fae and human alike, which you would both know if you spent time anywhere other than The Dal. And Dyson, as a shifter, I would have thought you would have greater appreciation for the outdoors!"

"She's got you there flea-face..." Tamsin interjected to which Dyson grinned.

"Like I said, my wolf and I love the outdoors... Filled with plenty of rare meat to hunt down!" The shifter bared his teeth to prove his point and assert his dominance as the Alpha. Something that his wolf couldn't help but do, especially when surrounded by women in the outdoors.

"Oh please Dys. Put 'em away or the next time you shift I'll put you on a leash and drag you back here and let the kids play frisbee with you!" Tamsin scolded, albeit with a laugh bubbling up from within her.

"Oh yeah? Not if I put you in a PARROT enclosure first!" Dyson retorted, sitting up flapping his hands to his side to add to the insult.

"Both of you, quit it. It's like coming out with two children, I swear!" Lauren grumbled before the other two laughed at her.

"To be fair, Doc, technically this body is just under 3 years old, so I'm actually quite mature for my age!" Tamsin replied before sticking out her tongue at Dyson in a show of her maturity. Dyson took the high road and respond by sarcastically blowing Tamsin a kiss to which Lauren rolled her eyes, for what felt like the 30th time since they had gotten there. An idea crossed over her face at the mention of Tamsin's age, but Lauren would keep that mental note locked away for now.

"Look children... The sun is good for us, I've been cooped up for too long and once I go back to work, I might not get much of a chance to relax like this, so deal with it... Take a nap or read one of the books I brought like I'm going to, I don't really care, but we're going to have this picnic and we're going to enjoy it!" the doctor ordered to two guilty looking fae who both mumbled 'sorry' at the same time and went about filling their paper plates with food as Lauren eyed them in warning.

She wasn't really mad, but this banter seemed to just be how they communicated. It wasn't that often that just the three of them spent time together so their dynamic was still a developing one, and with so much sarcasm and snark in the one place, it was bound to be an amusing process.

Once they had finished the food and a few beers, Dyson quickly fell asleep with his hat over his head. It wouldn't have been that obvious had he not been snoring loudly within minutes of laying back down.

"Guess I'm taking the first watch... Pass me a book doc, might as well brain up while I'm here!" the light blonde said extending her hand towards the bag Lauren had beside her.

Lauren reached in and grabbed a book for Tamsin extending it to her while avoiding eye contact, their moment earlier in the day coming fresh to her mind once Dyson was asleep and no longer present for all practical and intermediary purposes. Her distraction didn't help the situation as Tamsin was also avoiding her gaze causing their hands to brush as the valkyrie accepted the book causing Lauren to pull back her hand and dart her eyes.

"Uh, sorry doc" Tamsin offered lamely, reading the cover of the book out loud she lamely changed the subject "wow 'Modern Psychology - A History' I will be smarter after this... Or asleep too"

Lauren smiled gently only able to calm herself enough to muster a 'heh' in response before she went about trying to find a comfortable position to read in and ignore the growing tension and blush crawling up her neck.

The doctor continued to squirm and shuffle about trying, well, failing to get comfortable before the valkyrie looked up from her book "you right there?" she asked with an amused grin and raised eyebrow.

Lauren jumped slightly at Tamsin's voice before clearing her throat and sitting upright "ugh, I just can't get comfortable. Sitting in front of a microscope I can manage, reading a book outdoors, not so much."

Tamsin smiled before shuffling closer and leaning her back against the tree with her legs extended out before her. Patting her lap she invited Lauren to lie down "here, use my legs as a pillow"

Lauren went to protest but the valkyrie already had an arm lifted in anticipation so Lauren awkwardly complied. The tension they both felt at the contact was thick but neither of them would admit to it aloud. They also both relished the closeness, something else that would go ignored by the two women.

Somewhere in another realm a higher power looked on with a smile as the three of them spent the afternoon in much the same way until they were pulled out of their relaxation by someone blocking their light and interrupting them with an 'ahem'.

Dyson woke immediately with a start while the other two looked apprehensively towards their intruder, none of them making a move hoping stillness would avoid a confrontation.

"My my, aren't we cosy? The dark looks good on you Doctor, a lot more down time than I remember your position having" the intruder spoke with more than a hint of condescension in her voice.

Lauren sat up and raised her head in defiance "Yes, well, freedom from slavery will do that for you, Serena" speaking out the name with a slight tone of disgust. "what brings you here today? I know it's not on a mission for The Ash" she retorted holding her own against the Light fae whom she had never liked. Not only for her bad treatment of Lauren when she was a slave to the light but also for her bloodlust and violence that had sent many fae to the doctor's labs and many more humans to the morgue while both Lauren and her had worked for the Ash.

"Oh, y'know. This and that. I have a lot more free time thanks to you" Serena spat causing Dyson to stand up and get into her face. He stood so close that the fire fae's open suit jacket that was lifting in the wind was brushing against his arms that he held tensed beside him.

Baring his teeth for the second time that afternoon, this time in all seriousness Dyson spoke in a low, menacing tone as his eyes yellowed "walk away Serena. This is no place to air your misguided grievances. You are welcome to request a meeting with The Ash regarding your position, but you will not speak against the doctor"

Serena stepped back with a hint of fear flashing in her eyes as Tamsin moved herself in front of Lauren whilst lifting her to her feet and keeping a hand on the doctor's arm behind her. Lauren forgetting their awkwardness in the face of confrontation took the valkyrie's hand and gently squeezed it to let her know she was ok.

"Still a lap dog I see, Dyson. Protecting a traitorous human that isn't even on your side anymore over your own kind, oh how the mighty have fallen" Serena insulted to which Dyson simply growled lowly.

"She is under both of our protection, and we have no problem eliminating a shamed former employee of The Light to fulfill our obligation. Walk away bitch" Tamsin spoke this time eyeing the woman.

"So very hostile. I just came to say hello! Very well. Later assholes." Serena shrugged and retreated away waving slightly with an air of angry superiority as she left.

The three of them watched as she walked away before Lauren spoke out frustrated "Tesla! Just a moment without the fae and their bullshit would be great!" Running a hand through her hair to calm herself she continued "do you think that's coincidence or something we should worry about?" The doctor asked of her companions.

"One, I'm fae and I try to be bullshit free my friend... And two, I don't know. She might have just been around and came over to stir up trouble or..." Dyson clapped his had on Lauren's back as Tamsin took over.

"OR, she's behind all the shit and we just let her walk away" Tamsin hadn't realised that she was still tightly gripping Lauren's hand until that moment where she let it go making eye contact with the doctor as she did so. Did she just see disappointment in her eyes? Surely not.

"I think it's time we headed back to yours Lo and call it a night. I'm staying with you two for the next few days just in case" the wolf planned whilst helping to pack up the remaining items from their picnic turned sour.

Even Tamsin agreed to the plan without taking offense, not willing to risk anything and recognising that when it came to the doc her head hadn't been quite right so another person around might help her shake off the feelings that kept rising. Hopefully.

...

As soon as Serena reached her car she had her phone to her ear.

"Idid it, they're ruffled. The three of them will be inseparable for now, we'll make our move within the week"

...

What did you think? I will try to get back onto a more regular posting schedule, so you won't have to wait so long for the next chapter.