Chapter 1 – Control

The world might end,
The night might fall.
Rain on down and cover us all,
And drown us with the burdens of our sins.
-Garbage

The Dal on a Friday night was packed.

Since Trick's help in securing The Morrigan's position, his status had been elevated from acting Ash to a formal position of Ash, unanimously voted for by the elders. With no time for running a bar any longer, he handed over the running of the Dal to Kenzi and Bo.

Bo wasn't sure at first that she wanted to do it, but when Tamsin pointed out that even with Kenzi's new rank of untouchable, charging around the streets after potentially dangerous people was not in the best interests of a pregnant woman, she conceded the point. Bo asked Tamsin if that was the only reason. Tamsin smirked and replied that knowing where Bo was at any given time was just a side benefit.

So the Succubus had taken over and business was booming. Kenzi was at the end of the bar pouring drinks and laughing with some of the patrons while Bo was flirting the tips out of her own customers.

"I think we need to implement a tip sharing scheme. My being pregnant can't compete with your cleavage."

"Hey your cleavage can give mine a run for it's money right now." Bo shot back.

"Because I'm pregnant! Not helping your case BoBo."

Bo laughed and blew her a kiss causing Kenzi to roll her eyes. She watched as the door to the bar opened and Dyson walked in followed by her favourite blonde. Dyson smiled and waved as he walked over. Kenzi had a beer ready for him, she reached up to the top shelf and poured a large vodka for Tamsin. She watched as the blonde headed straight over to Bo's end of the bar. "And there goes my tip. What up D-man?" She toasted her soda with him.

The red head flirting with Bo leaned forward seductively. "So tell me, what time do you get off?" She raised her eyebrows expectantly.

A voice right by her ear startled her into spilling her drink. "Why? Do you want to watch?"

The red head frowned at Tamsin. "Excuse me?"

"Isn't that how the line goes? Honestly, it's so old, I forget."

"You need to back up a bit, I'm enjoying the lady's company."

Tamsin chuckled. "You must be new in town." She pointed to herself. "Tamsin." She pointed to Bo. "Tamsin's."

The red head stared at her in confusion as Bo started laughing. "Apologies." She grabbed her drink and moved away looking for an easier date.

Bo crossed her arms and shook her head. "Tamsin's? It's a wonder your knuckles don't drag on the floor when you walk."

"Yo Blondie, heads up!" Kenzi flung the glass of Vodka down the well polished bar. The line at the bar automatically sat back when they heard the familiar cry, taking their drinks with them to clear space as the glass flew straight into Tamsin's grasp.

"One day that's gonna go flying off the bar, you know that right?" Bo glared at Kenzi.

"Please, you think Tammers is gonna let that happen to good vodka? Pfft."

Bo put a coaster down under Tamsin's drink. "Didn't think I would see you in here tonight. It's late, are you finished?"

Tamsin sighed and sipped her drink. "I wish. We tried to get in front of the latest fight, didn't work, now we have to go clean up the mess afterwards." She looked away. Bo could see the distress in her face. She didn't know much about the fight ring that Dyson and Tamsin had been chasing for a month, but it was putting massive amounts of pressure on the usually unflappable blonde. Tamsin was reticent at sharing the information and she hadn't managed to get Dyson alone to find out what she wasn't being told.

"What time will you be home?" Bo leaned over taking Tamsin's hands in her own.

"Let's just say, don't wait up." She grimaced. She finished her drink and looked to Dyson to see if he was ready to head out. "I gotta go. I'll be back as soon as I can OK? We clean this one up, nothing I can do for the next couple of days so I'll be home." She directed her gaze to Bo hoping the other woman would accept this peace offering.

As she walked away from the bar she heard the familiar voice behind her. "What about my tip?"

Tamsin walked back to the bar, grabbed Bo by the lapels and kissed her deeply. "OK, tip. Always leave your handcuff keys where you can reach them and look both ways before crossing the road. Later lover." She winked at the gaping red head as she left.

*/*/*/

It was nearly 4am when Tamsin entered the apartment. She was about to sneak in quietly when she saw the TV was on, running some infomercial about a juicing machine while Kenzi sat with a large tub of ice cream staring at the screen.

"Hey Lil T, late night again?"

Tamsin kicked off her shoes into the cloakroom closet and hung her leather jacket up. She walked back to the couch and dropped down next to Kenzi who handed over the ice cream. "What are you doing up shorty?"

"Seven months pregnant, kids doing some kind of athletics in here tonight."

Tamsin laughed and handed the tub back. "I'm telling you, lactose intolerance, you should get tested."

"What is that smell? Is that you? You smell terrible, what is that? Did you dig up a farm tonight?"

Tamsin turned her head and sniffed. "Something like that." She rubbed her hand over her eyes, exhaustion clear upon her features.

"Why don't you go to bed? I know Bo has missed you recently." She spoke quietly.

"I can't, I feel disgusting, this case it's-" She trailed off. "It's stomach turning, I don't want Bo anywhere near this."

"Honey, sleeping next to Bo isn't going to contaminate her. You need to leave this one at work."

Tamsin shook her head. "I can't Kenz. The things we had to deal with tonight." The blonde looked like she might retch.

"Then talk to us about it. Talk to Bo."

"No. You don't need these images in your head. Shit, I don't need them in mine."

Kenzi pulled her down until the Valkyrie was laying on the couch with her head in Kenzi's lap. "Watch the juicing commercial with me then. I already want one, let's see how long it takes before you agree with me."

Tamsin let out a reluctant laugh knowing that tomorrow her credit card would be $100 heavier and there would be a juicer in the kitchen. Kenzi stroked her hair gently and before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

An hour later, Bo came out of Tamsin's room and looked over the balcony at the blonde sleeping on the couch. "I thought I heard voices, why didn't she come up?" She walked down the stairs and stood by the couch.

"This case she and Dyson are working, the some kind of fight club case? It's really bothering her. She basically said she felt unclean and didn't want to taint you with it. Kinda sweet, except she really is unclean, you smell that?"

Bo laughed quietly. "Smells like horses. What the hell do you think they're doing that this is bothering her so much?"

"No idea, but I think you need to sneak in a visit to the wolf and find out. If Tamsin wont talk, D-man will."

Bo looked at the sleeping woman and sighed. Leaning over, she picked her up and started heading for the bedroom.

Kenzi chuckled. "She's gonna be so pissed you did that."

"Well perhaps if she gets some damn sleep she will be in a better mood about it. Night Kenz."

Kenzi waved her spoon in the air at the retreating Bo and her precious cargo.

*/*/*/

Tamsin rolled over in her half awake state reaching for Bo. Slapping the sheets a couple of times to make sure there was no Bo hiding, she groaned and started to wake up properly.

Seeing she was still in her soiled clothes from yesterday she decided she would catch up with the Succubus later, after she smelt better. Grimacing as she took the clothes off, she threw them in the laundry basket and stepped into the shower to wash away the dirt.

When the water stopped running she began sulking that the shower hadn't brought her lover upstairs. She pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt from her closet, shaking her head at the amount of clothes in there that belonged to Bo, despite her having a bedroom next door with it's own walk in closet, she still managed to spill over.

She came downstairs and headed for Kenzi who was doing her baby yoga moves in the main room.

"It's alive!" Kenzi mocked her from the floor.

"Can't believe I slept that long. Where's Bo?" Tamsin moved into the kitchen to grab a coffee from the machine.

"Oh I'm fine thank you for asking."

"Sorry Kenz. Still a bit groggy. Shit I was so tired I don't remember going upstairs to bed last night." She rummaged around the fridge looking for breakfast.

"Imagine that." Kenzi wiped her hand across her mouth to stop from laughing out loud. "And Bo went out to meet up with Dyson."

Tamsin frowned. "Why is she meeting Dyson, why not just bring him here?"

Kenzi shrugged.

"Fuck, she's gonna ask him about this damn case isn't she? God damn it that woman." Tamsin stood up and started pacing.

"Chill chicaboo. Besides, she wouldn't have to ask him if you just talked to us. Remember how we always said that Dyson and Lauren were never gonna make it work with Bo cause they hid things from her?"

Tamsin actually pouted. "It's not the same."

"I'm sure both Lauren and Dyson thought the same thing."

"Shit. Kenzi what am I gonna do? I can't lose Bo over this!" She grabbed the shocked Russian and started yelling in her face.

"OMG Calm down you crazy wench. No one is losing anyone, especially over something this small, but!" She pointed a finger in Tamsin's face. "This is how it starts, capiche?"

"Capiche, k, got it. Sorry." She brushed the girls shirt off, straightening it out causing Kenzi to laugh at her.

"Crazy crazy Valkyrie. You are strung waaay too tight."

The elevator sounded and they both turned to see Bo walking in with a subway bag. "Here you go, I thought cravings were supposed to go away after a certain number of weeks. I nearly had to do the subway boy to get this made."

Kenzi ripped the packing away frantically and stuffed half the sandwich into her mouth. "Ungh, tuna, peanut butter and banana! Heaven."

Bo shook her head in disgust and amusement. "You're welcome. And you..." She turned to Tamsin.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I know I should have. I wont do that again. Dyson tell you everything?" Tamsin looked up at her under her thick lashes.

Bo walked over and took Tamsin into her arms kissing her gently. "Dyson didn't tell me anything. I was going to ask, but I didn't want to betray your confidence like that. However, you better believe you're going to tell me now."

"I will. Let me get some more coffee. Kenzi is gonna want to finish that sandwich first although I reiterate you wont thank me for telling you."

She walked off solemnly leaving Bo and Kenzi to wonder just how bad things were.

*/*/*/

Bo and Kenzi sat quietly opposite Tamsin at the breakfast bar waiting for the Valkyrie to begin.

"We got a call, about 7 or 8 weeks back. Some crazy drunken local said he could hear screaming in the woods. Said there were things being burnt. Idiot was convinced it was some kind of black magic ritual." Tamsin stood up and grabbed a bottle of vodka. She poured a healthy glassful and started pacing the kitchen. "Would've been better if it was. We head out the next day to take a look around." She wiped her hand over her face. "There were bodies everywhere. Torn to shreds, burnt, it was carnage."

Bo frowned. "So someone is killing humans? That's what this fight club is?"

Tamsin shook her head. "Not humans, animals. This isn't a Brad Pitt fight club."

"Dog fighting? That's what this is?" Kenzi said in horror.

"Not just dogs. Cats, horses, wild animals, birds. It was such a mess, it was hard to place what fought what. This has continued on for the last 8 weeks, every Friday without fail. Always a different place. If we don't get in front of it, we get some poor bastard calling in the left overs that he stumbled across." She poured another drink. "It's a portable thing, they set up some kind of ring and, well, you really don't need to know. Suffice to say, the place was littered with betting slips. Anything that was left alive was euthanised as a kindness soon as we got there. They use..." Tamsin choked. "We think they use the younger animals as bait, to warm the fighters up."

Bo rushed around the kitchen island and put her arms around Tamsin. "Shh, it's OK, you don't need to tell us any more."

"Some one must know something? What about those gambling Fae? What makes you think it's Fae running this?" Kenzi leaned over the table taking Tamsin's hands while Bo continued stroking the agitated blonde's hair.

"We don't know if it is Fae. Honestly we don't know much of anything which is why it's so frustrating. Dyson and I are still on it cause we're the best at what we do. And I hate it." She gulped the rest of her vodka and wiped her eyes angrily. "Valkyries grow up with horses, with wolves, birds. Seeing what they left behind and imagining what they they did with them. Did you know most Fae hold animals in higher regard than humans?" She smirked at Kenzi. "I used to tease you about being a pet, but truth be told, most Fae would rather own a cocker-spaniel than a human."

"Nice to see I rate less than a toy dog anyway." Kenzi slapped her arm. "So what can we do to help Tamsin?"

"No one can do anything. We have a limitless budget from the elders to solve this. We have as much manpower as we need. Rewards are circulating for anyone that talks with a guarantee of immunity. Nothing is making a difference." She sighed. "I bumped into Evony the other day, asked her why she was all gung ho about shutting it down?" Tamsin laughed. "She showed me a photo of her two poodles. I'm not kidding, the Fae love their pets. Just not their humans. Go figure."

"Well, maybe we cant help the investigation, but we can help you. No more keeping this bottled up OK?" Bo placed a gentle kiss on the Valkyrie's lips.

"Dude, as disgusting as this is, Bo's right, you cant deal with this shit on your own. When did you see Evony?" Kenzi asked her.

"Earlier this week, she was at the station seeing if there was any news. Talking of, she wants me to meet her this afternoon."

"What for?" Bo asked.

"No clue. Got a text earlier, said she has someone that she wants me to meet."

Kenzi started laughing. "Well that could mean just about anything. Most of which terrifying."

"Truly." Tamsin nodded.

"OK well I need to get to the pharmacy, baby things, you know how it is." Kenzi stood up and walked to her room.

"I'll come with you, you wanna come Tamsin?"

Tamsin looked at Kenzi's yoga mat. "You know what, I'm gonna try some of that meditating yoga shit, see if I cant calm down a bit."

"Good for you Tammers, I'll leave the mat and the music out."

The two women left for the store as Tamsin started a warm up.

*/*/*/

"I swear I take any more vitamins and I'm gonna rattle when I walk. And not in a stylish way. Honest to God I feel like every time I take a step someone is gonna jump out and shout hey macarena!" Kenzi lamented as the climbed in the elevator. "I just want to give birth and put something on my feet that isn't made by Birkenstock. And don't get me started on maternity goth wear. You think there would be a market for that?"

Bo was listening with half attention, her eyebrows drawn down. "Do you hear that?"

Kenzi tilted her head sideways. "Kinda, what is that? Sounds like a riot."

Bo looked at her watch and laughed nervously. "Well it can't be Tamsin, we didn't leave her alone long enough to start anything. Did we?" She checked her watch quickly as the sound became louder the higher they rode.

"BoBo, I think it's coming from us, from our apartment. What the fuck is she doing?"

The elevator doors slid open and a wall of sound lambasted their ears from the high end stereo system Tamsin had installed recently. Bo thought it sounded like a guitarist from hell was beating a drummer, from hell, with his guitar while he screamed hell like incantations through an amplified traffic cone. That came from hell.

They walked into the apartment hands clasped over their ears and saw Tamsin sitting in a perfect peace pose, her eyes closed, a look of absolute tranquillity on her face.

Kenzi reacted first, she charged over to the sound system and after giving up trying to find the right button simply hit the power off to stop the cacophony of noise. "Jesus wept TamTam, what the hell was that?" She shrieked. "I thought you wanted to relax not summon up the spirits of the undead, unhappy and less musically inclined."

Tamsin popped her eyes open and smiled. "Norwegian Death Metal. I find it very relaxing."

"Must be a Valkyrie thing." Kenzi scoffed.

"Well now you've finished 'relaxing' yourself." Bo did the finger quote, unable to believe anyone could truly find that noise relaxing. "What time do you have to go see Evony?"

Tamsin looked at the clock in the kitchen as she grabbed some water. "Shit, now. She wants me to meet her in the woods."

"Kinky. Make sure she doesn't have a shovel when you get there Tams."

Tamsin grinned at the little goth. "What are you two doing while I'm playing 'if you go down to the woods today..' with our illustrious dark leader?"

"We, are going to take a bath. In your giant tub." Bo smiled as she walked upstairs.

"Kinky." Tamsin bounced her eyebrows up and down.

"Down girl. There will be swimsuits."

"And chocolate. You promised chocolate super vag, the baby needs it's chocolate." Kenzi waddled off to get changed while Bo and Tamsin headed upstairs.

Tamsin dived into her closet and grabbed her running gear. "I'm gonna go for a run afterwards, seeing as we're right by the forest. I'll be back in time for dinner then I'm free to come hang out at the Dal with you tonight." She leaned over and kissed Bo. "I've missed hanging out while you work." She finished changing as Kenzi walked in with a big fluffy bathrobe and some trashy magazines.

"K, we have everything, time to relax. Later Blondie, don't forget, check for a shovel!"

Tamsin laughed and left them to their improvised spa session.

*/*/*/

Tamsin pulled up in her truck as the designated spot. The Morrigan's stretch car was there, along with Dyson's motorbike. She frowned, wondering why they had both been called out here. She stepped out and walked toward the tree line where she saw Evony, Dyson, 2 of Evony's giant guards and a man she didn't recognise.

"Ah, and now the party is complete. Tamsin, this is Anton le Vey."

Tamsin tilted her head in thought. "Isn't that the leader of the Satan church?"

Anton tossed his head arrogantly. "I'm a big fan, he took my name, not the other way around. No one ever mentions that."

"Whatever weirdo." She looked to Dyson. "Why are you here?"

Dyson shrugged and looked to Evony. "Summoned."

"Now the introductions are over. Anton here took me up on my offer of immunity and reward to bring you some news about that case you're working." Evony smirked.

Tamsin and Dyson both swung around to face the smartly dressed man. "The next fight is Friday. It's being held in a field outside of town." He handed over a piece of paper to Tamsin. She snatched it out of his hands and looked at the co-ordinates. "It starts at 9pm. The warm up rounds start first, just the baiting, some small fights, get the crowd warmed up. The big stuff happens around 11." He smiled and Dyson had to force down a growl. "You get there at 9 and you can round everyone up at once." He looked at Evony expectantly.

Tamsin frowned. "And how do you know this?"

"Haven't you guessed? Anton is one of the people organising it." Evony casually tossed out.

Tamsin moved toward him pleased when he stepped backwards. She felt Dyson wrap an arm around her stomach keeping her in place.

"Some one was going to cash in on the offer for immunity and a payout, might as well be the one to walk away." He laughed. "So, we're all squared? You don't lock me up and I get...?" He looked expectantly at Evony.

"Ah, the reward. OK, well this is good information. You can shut this down now yes?" She asked Tamsin.

Tamsin was gritting her teeth so hard she thought they might fracture. "Yes." She forced out.

"Excellent. Then in return for your information, allow me to give you..." She pushed a finger to her lips as though deep in thought. "Five minutes. That seems fair."

Anton squinted at her. "Five minutes? I don't get it."

"Head-start darling." She nodded toward the forest. "Off you go." She waved her fingers at the forest delicately.

"But. You agreed to immunity. You gave your blood oath!" He screamed at her.

"And as leader of the dark, I will not be prosecuting you or allowing you to be prosecuted but Dyson here is light Fae and I have no say in what they do. And Tamsin? Well let's be honest, everyone knows she never listens to a word I say anyway. What can you do? You just can't get good help anymore." She shrugged dramatically. "Four minutes, you should really get going. Now." She finished coldly, turning her back to him.

Dyson and Tamsin turned to look at him, their eyes clearly showing their intentions. Dyson started to transform, his eyes glaring yellow slits as his teeth extended. Tamsin pulled off her sleeveless hoodie, leaving her in her sports bra. She threw her head back and with a small groan, her wings came out. When she looked at him again her eyes were already dark and sinking into her face. She smiled at the terrified ring master. "Run." She whispered. Excited when he did just that.

Evony watched him run desperately into the woods. "Call me after your raid this Friday." She walked back to the car and drove away without another word. When the car moved out of sight, Tamsin and Dyson looked at each other and in silent agreement, took off into the trees. Hunting.

*/*/*/

Tamsin walked into the apartment two hours later, feeling much better for the exercise, the violence and the impending raid to close the fight ring out. She saw Kenzi standing with her back to her, facing the TV. "Hey Tammers. Food is on its way."

As Kenzi turned around to face her she stopped. "I'll put the oven on, keep it warm." She sighed.

"What? Why? I'm starving."

"Dude." Kenzi laughed. "Have you seen you?"

Tamsin looked down at herself. She was wearing her running shorts and a grey hoodie with no sleeves and apart from the fact that she needed a shower, she didn't see the joke. "Weird little goth. I need ten minutes then bring on the food!"

Kenzi carried on chuckling to herself as she put the oven on low. She heard the door open from upstairs so she yelled up. "Food is almost here Bo."

Bo looked down at Tamsin taking off her iPod and draining a water bottle. "So I see. Tamsin come give me a hand with something would you?" She asked sweetly.

Tamsin looked up at Bo on the balcony and smiled. "Sure, gimme a sec to clean up."

"No need. Really."

"I'm kinda sweaty and in need of a shower."

Bo smirked at her. "Oh I know." She walked back into her bedroom.

Tamsin frowned and started up the stairs to Bo's room. She glared at Kenzi. "What's so funny shorty?"

"You really have no idea do you?" Kenzi laughed as she looked at Tamsin again.

"No idea about what?" She threw her hands up.

"Tamsin get up here please. Now."

Tamsin jogged the last few steps and as she reached the entrance to Bo's room a hand shot out and grabbed her pulling her inside and slamming the door closed.

Kenzi turned the TV up. Tamsin had installed soundproofing but it only went so far, it certainly didn't stop the banging and bumping and thudding that the Gods only knew what they did to cause that.