Author's note: If I can take a moment before this final chapter, to say a massive thank-you to everybody that has read the story and left comments. The response has been overwhelming, and I'm honestly taken aback by it. I've also learned a lot from the comments from a reader's perspective which will help me (hopefully) to become a better 'writer' (of which I use that term lightly!)

I know, from being a Team Lauren fan, just how loved these two characters are, and how protective people feel towards them. I'm guilty of giving them a hard time in this story, so thank you to those who have stuck with the story thus far, to the end.

I hope this final chapter justifies all the wonderful and supportive comments...so, again, thank you...and here goes!...

Geminus Fatum

Chapter 21 - Final Chapter

"You're safe!"

Trick said, relieved, as he greeted them all in the main entrance hallway of the Dark Mansion.

"Hale?" Trick's relief turned to one of astonishment; he grabbed him. "Old friend!" His eyes misted with tears. "You're all safe!" he said again, smiling. "How is this possible?"

Hale looked over to Lauren. "It's all down to the Doc."

Trick nodded at her in respect. "It's all true. I found more books in the archive, I have so much to tell you all..." he hesitated. "And I have some apologies to make," he looked at Bo and Lauren.

"Later! Time to celebrate," Evony said. "Whoever needs a drink, follow me!" She made her way up the grand staircase.

Up on the landing Bo spotted a small room she recognised from when she had been there before. It was a small washroom and she peeled away from the others. Inside she washed her hands, the water turning a little pink from the blood that had dried on them; Lauren's blood. She gripped the edge of the sink, taking deep calming breaths, pushing the memory away; she splashed her face with water then dried off.

The journey back had been quiet; subdued. No one had really spoken. She suspected they were all pondering on the same thing; the events that had taken place, the sacrifices that had been made, and that, thankfully, they had made it back. Evony was right, they needed to celebrate.

Bo found them all in a very grand, rather magnificent room, decorated in a style more befitting of an old stately home. Golden drapes hung at the windows, and the carpet was soft and deep. Where Evony now stood, was a large wooden bureau, with decanters of various drinks. The walls were decorated in expensive wall coverings; a chandelier hung from a high ceiling, with decorative moulding. Sumptuous brown leather couches welcomed visitor's to sit and admire the large fireplace, with its marble mantle and surround. Bo was surprised to see it lit, the logs giving off a warm glow. She thought it odd but it seemed a fitting accessory to the room. In front of the fireplace was a large luscious rug, and standing in the centre of it was Lauren, who had moved away from the others, now gathered nearer Evony.

Lauren didn't move, she just stood, looking directly at Bo.

Bo felt rooted to the spot. Lauren's face was calm and she was smiling; her eyes appeared brighter, twinkling. Something about the image made Bo's heart leap; caused her to gulp. Lauren looked stunning and it appeared she knew the affect it was having on her.

Evony handed a glass to Bo; without looking at it, or asking what it was, she downed it in one, handing it back.

"Could we have some privacy please?" Lauren requested. Her voice was gentle, polite and she remained looking at Bo as she said it.

"Gentlemen, Kenzi." Evony addressed the group. "Why don't we take our drinks and go see what Trick has discovered?" She ushered them to the door.

Bo watched them leave, no one protesting at the change of venue. As Evony closed the door, she winked at her.

Bo's attention was immediately drawn back to the woman who had requested everyone's departure. She couldn't look away if she wanted to, not that she did. It was almost like a spell had been cast, and given the recent revelations, she wondered if Lauren was capable. She dismissed it. There was no spell here, but it was magic; magic to be alone with the only person that mattered right now.

"Are you okay?" Bo asked. It seemed a clichéd question, considering. How could Lauren be okay; there was a lot to process.

Lauren shook her head and Bo's concern rose.

"You're too far away," Lauren said.

Bo realised the distance between them, laughing with relief. She moved to stand right before her.

"I guess there's a lot to talk about," Bo said.

"Hmmm," Lauren's fingers started to unbutton Bo's shirt.

Bo wasn't quite sure what Lauren's intent was. She momentarily wondered if this was an impromptu examination that Lauren wanted to perform but Lauren continued to look at her, and it wasn't her normal medical expression.

"Lauren?" Bo questioned, gently grabbing her hands. "What are you doing?"

Lauren removed her hands from Bo's and went back to unbuttoning. "You really have to ask?"

Bo stilled her hands once again. "Yes! There's a lot that's happened, not just tonight, but before. With us, with you..."

Lauren placed her fingers against Bo's lips to silence her. "I know." Then she went back to Bo's shirt.

"Wait! I don't understand. We need to talk about this!" Bo stilled Lauren's hands once again. She felt confused, unsure that Lauren was truly aware of what she was doing.

"Sussh!" Lauren soothed. "I know we do, but talking's what you do after; it can wait."

Bo looked at her, shocked.

"With everything you now know, what I did and why I did it, do you trust me? Can you trust me?"

Bo knew without hesitation. Lauren Lewis could be the biggest fraud to walk the earth, but she would trust her to the ends of it. Whoever she was, whatever she'd done, it didn't matter. She loved her beyond trust.

"Yes." Bo murmured.

"Then trust me, trust this," Lauren squeezed Bo's hands, her eyes never wavering from Bo's. "Let this happen. Let this happen for us. We need this. I need this! Please, just let me."

Bo couldn't speak. There was almost something ethereal in Lauren's plea, and Bo knew she was right. They did need this. It wasn't just about anything physical, it was more than that, it was about them, and she sensed that whatever happened, it was going to be something special.

She let go of Lauren's hands, no longer restricting her fingers from the task of undoing buttons.

With Bo's shirt undone, Lauren removed it along with the jacket, allowing her fingers to gently stroke down Bo's chest to her abdomen, before she started on the button and zipper of Bo's pants.

Bo tried to remain still, watching Lauren's expression, seeing the slight smile to her lips, knowing the doctor was enjoying herself. Bo's normal behaviour in these circumstances meant she always took control, but with Lauren it had been mutual, and there was nothing more stimulating to Bo, than Lauren taking control; she found it highly arousing; right now, it was torture, as fingertips with the lightest of teasing touches, trailed down her chest. She could feel her breath becoming excited, felt her stomach muscles twitch. Whatever Lauren had in mind, it was going to be deliberate and slow.

Bo held her breath, a worthless attempt at stemming how alien it felt to feel so nervous; it wasn't something she was used to, and mixed with trepidation, her knees felt weak; her thigh muscles jumping, as Lauren pushed her pants down her legs.

Lauren noticed. "You're shaking," she looked up at Bo.

Bo could only nod.

"Are you scared?"

Bo half moaned. Lauren could sense it.

"Yes," Bo mumbled.

"Don't be," Lauren moved, whispering in her ear. "It'll be okay. Everything will be okay, I promise." As she softly kissed Bo's neck.

Bo couldn't stop the involuntary jerk of her body, and it took all her will power, when Lauren kissed her mouth, not to slam them both down onto the rug. She only hoped it wouldn't be long before Lauren did.

Bereft, momentarily, when Lauren ended the kiss, Bo's sensitised state was further heightened by Lauren helping her out of her boots, pants and remaining underwear. She wasn't fully conscious of being completely de-robed, floating halfway between awareness to oblivion. Somehow she managed some semblance of awareness, helping Lauren out of her own clothes, which brought her back to reality, and the opportunity to relish touches of skin on skin, fingers softly caressing, gently scraping; neither of them uttering a word.

Lauren's gentle kiss to her collarbone was more than Bo could take.

"Please," Bo broke the silence, begging, her eyes closing. She felt Lauren smile against her skin, before pulling her down to the warmth of the rug.

Bo knew her level of arousal was beyond anything she'd experienced before; she couldn't even call it torture now, believing that there were no actual words that could describe the intense state she was in. Everything around her was intensified, the sound of the fire, the small cracks and spits of the flames seemed louder, her own breathing, and Lauren's; small noises, way off in the mansion, sounded amplified. Everything was more sensualised, more palpable, but especially every touch.

This time, Lauren's kiss was deeper, more deliberate. She knew it was Bo's weakness, for Bo found nothing more sexy, more erotic, more sensual than a kiss, and Lauren was a master at making love to her mouth.

Lost in it, Bo found she had been manoeuvred, straddling Lauren's lap. Opening her eyes, she looked into Lauren's inwardly gasping. There was something about the doctor's eyes, in moments like this; not just their soft, gentle dark chocolate colour, that could sometimes appear lighter, or that now, they flickered with amber light from the fire; it was the way they penetrated right into Bo's, Lauren steady gaze, able to see into her very soul. Lauren saw her, understood her, and Bo's vulnerability in those moments, was Lauren's privilege. Bo was never more exposed, than when she was like this, but with Lauren she felt safe, protected. It had only ever been with Lauren, that she had allowed that to happen.

Lauren's hand stroked through her hair, down between her shoulders, and she pushed into Lauren's body, feeling the warmth of Lauren's skin. She knew her eyes were turning blue.

"Wait," Lauren said, gently pushing Bo's thigh aside, her hand sliding into the gap between them.

Bo wasn't sure she could control it; her desire was at breaking point, but somehow she knew she had to; it had been essential in the past, for Lauren's sake, once she went over that point, to regain control quickly, to stop any harm she could cause Lauren; she calmed, her eyes returning to their deep ebony colour.

With another kiss, Lauren finally ended Bo's torture, a slow teasing touch to begin with, before she deftly entered her.

Bo didn't think she would survive what Lauren was doing. She felt a moment's panic; the feelings were too strong, overwhelming; rushing at her and through her, charged with such intensity, that Bo was sure she would break; that she would shatter and splinter apart, into fragments of herself. The panic subsided; Lauren would keep her safe; gather all the pieces back again until she was whole, just like she always did.

"Show me." Lauren's voice whispered.

Unaware that she had closed them, Bo opened her eyes, seeing the blue of them reflected back in brown. All control was beyond her now, but she knew she wouldn't harm Lauren; reigning in the strength of her emotions in the past because Lauren wasn't Fae, was no longer an issue; how could she harm a God?

Lauren's other arm and hand supported her back, gently caressing her skin, making her shiver from the touch. Although she appeared restrained, Bo knew Lauren wasn't; her aura colours were burning, and the doctor was in a place of desire that matched Bo's; she was just hanging on herself, while her priority was Bo's pleasure.

Bo wanted to speak, wanted to tell Lauren how she felt, how much she loved her, but any words hitched at the back of her throat. The only sounds that escaped were breathless moans.

Lauren smiled. "I know. I love you, too."

Bo was gone; shattered apart. She moved, undulating against Lauren, not wanting it to end, wishing she could suspend the sensation from happening, but urging herself to feel it; to feel love. Bo knew now, that her past relationships had only ever been an imitation of that emotion, and that she would only know it and feel it with Lauren. For this was love, Lauren was love, and it was as natural to her as breathing.

The feeling overwhelmed her, and as she cried out with pleasure, so she sobbed with joy, gripping Lauren's shoulders, shuddering against her.

Lauren brushed the hair away from Bo's face. "I've said it before, but my God, you're beautiful like this."

Bo's answer was to kiss her, easing her back down on the rug. Still unable to articulate how she felt, Bo's option was to show Lauren. Stretching out, she covered Lauren's body with her own, pinning the doctor's arms over her head, allowing her to rain kisses over Lauren's chest. Bo was rewarded with a deep guttural moan, continuing her journey downward.

Kissing her inner thighs, Lauren writhed at the sensation, before Bo looked at her then dipped her head, causing Lauren to lift her hips off the floor.

Fingers dug into her scalp and Bo knew Lauren was struggling, her body twisting to the side, one hand grabbing a fistful of the rug beneath them.

Bo was in ecstasy, taking Lauren with her, when Lauren grabbed her shoulders, pulling her back up.

"Together." Lauren managed to say, her kiss searing Bo's mouth.

Frantically, they both moved; Bo reaching down with her hand, Lauren raising her knee, until they fitted together, as though made of one piece of flesh.

Bo felt their rush of hurriedness, knew it would be far from gentle; she heard Lauren grunt, urging Bo on and she wasn't about to deny the doctor. Neither of them could control this. This was about claiming, this was about possession. Lauren grabbed Bo's face, staring at her, then whispered in Bo's ear.

Her command and choice of words were explicit; Bo almost swore herself with the implication. Lauren was on fire, and they were about to burn. Surrender had been offered, permission given, and Bo claimed her, took possession with ferocity. Lauren, not normally vocal, didn't hold back, and Bo knew, unless the walls of the room were soundproof, everyone in the mansion would have no doubt as to what both of them were experiencing.

A hungry, urgent kiss from Lauren, left Bo with no choice; instinctively she took her energy, feeling the rush of it, like a drug, spread throughout her body. This had never happened between them before during their lovemaking, but it felt natural now to do it.

Bo reversed the flow, giving it back to Lauren, her body jolting, and she started to thrust her body upwards, a familiar sign the doctor was on the edge, Bo felt her fingers clawing at her back; as Lauren bit into the top of her shoulder, Bo fell away from reality. She wasn't sure which of them had cried out first, but the sensation carried on for sometime before it slowly ebbed away, leaving them clinging to each other.

Bo lifted her head. "Please tell me it will always be like this," she said, as she tried to catch her breath. The woman beneath her had surprised her; a deeper, edgier confidence she hadn't known existed in Lauren.

"Well that would involve my favourite hobby." Lauren smiled.

Bo raised an eyebrow.

"Plenty of practical research. It's the only way to get consistent results."

Bo laughed, stroking Lauren's face. "That was pretty...intense. Wonderful, but intense. You okay?"

Lauren nodded. "How about you? How do you feel?"

Bo wasn't sure she could put it into words; deliriously happy? euphoric? None of them captured how she felt.

"Alive. I feel alive." It was the best way she could think of to describe it.

Lauren knowingly smiled. "It's a wonderful feeling isn't it, to feel alive, to feel...human?"

Bo looked at her astounded. "Oh my God," she mumbled. She realised why Lauren had needed this.

"You understand now?"

Bo nodded.

"Humanity is an incredible thing; the human spirit. The ability to love, to feel, to have emotions," Lauren said. "Gods don't have that, Bo. They don't feel what we just did. Nothing's changed; we still have what we had." She pushed Bo onto her back, stretching out beside her, supporting herself up on her elbow.

Bo happily gazed at her; her slim naked body, languidly attractive, warm, finely toned, yet soft to touch. Lauren was completely uninhibited. Bo trailed her hand down her side, feeling the slight curve of her waist, halting at her hip bone; her fingers splaying out, gently gripping it. There were many things she loved and enjoyed about Lauren, not just her body, or the scent of her skin, or that right now, she oozed sex appeal, but her intellect; her enthusiasm when explaining something scientific, even when it wasn't; her off the wall sense of humour, her facial expressions, her self- deprecating manner; her laugh; that small area on Lauren's neck, that Bo knew all about, that when gently kissed and nibbled would halt the doctor's ramblings, turning them into unintelligible noises. And then of course, there was Lauren's heart; if Bo had to pick one thing, it would always be that about Lauren. That was the part of her that had captured Bo, the part she would always be in love with.

Lauren looked at her smiling expectantly.

Bo ran a finger down Lauren's nose, her thumb rolling over her lips. "I missed you." She murmured.

Lauren leaned in, "I missed you, too. Very much," kissing Bo. "Not that this rug and the log fire isn't extremely romantic but you know, just through there," she indicated a door in the corner. "Is a perfectly large, comfortable bed."

"How do you know?"

"Because we're in the Presidential Suite."

"What? The Presidential?...hang on, you mean...?"

"Only VIP guests get to stay in this room." Lauren said. "I guess Evony thought we deserved some alone time, in luxury. I think that's why she came straight up here. I realised it, and I knew she'd make everybody leave if I asked nicely."

"Well I guess she's not about to refuse you, or argue anymore."

Lauren didn't answer. She got up holding her hand out to Bo. "Come on, there's a bedside phone too, we can order room service."

Bo jumped up. "You're right, nothing has changed, you're still hungry afterwards!'" she smiled. "And not always for food," she added quietly.

The room was as sumptuous as the living room, and the biggest bed Bo had ever seen, was the focal point of the room. As Lauren led her towards it, Bo slowed down, stopping.

"Wait," she said. "There's something I need to do, to say," she knelt down before Lauren. "I swear fealty, I swear to protect you, and to love you, and our descendants..."

Lauren interrupted her. "This isn't necessary." she tried to pull Bo up.

"It might not be to you but it is to me, I mean it, every word."

Lauren smiled. "I guess this is a Fae proposal? Are you sure you're ready to commit, succubus?"

"I've never been so sure of anything in my life,"

Lauren stroked her cheek. "Then, as tradition dictates, I accept your fealty." She pulled Bo up and kissed her, walking her over to the bed. "And I swear mine to you."

The sheets felt like silk, the finest Egyptian cotton, so smooth and soft, that it was like lying on cotton wool. They lay next to each other, gently stroking arms, thighs, when Lauren spoke.

"Your wish for no more secrets, for transparency..."

"Hmmm," Bo kissed the palm of Lauren's hand.

"I have to tell you something, now that we've..." she indicated towards the living area, and what had taken place there.

Bo suddenly tensed. "Why do I think I'm not gonna like this?"

Lauren pulled her closer. "Relax," she said, taking a deep breath herself. "I did something tonight, that every doctor wishes they could do. And I meant it when I said, that the deal was that I would only ever do it once. That kind of power is too much, and I can understand why it caused the issues it did, when Asclepius made a habit of it. If I'd kept that power, I'd hate to think I'd have lost judgement on its use. I know I would have had you to keep me grounded, but it was worth the trade off."

"Trade off?" Bo didn't like the sound of where this was going at all.

"They, Zeus and co, didn't like my request that I use that power to help Hale. But my bargaining chip was bigger than theirs," Lauren pulled Bo's leg over her thigh. "I'd worked out I held the upper hand. They couldn't really stop me, like they had with Asclepius before. I was a returned God amongst their ranks, one they would not, nor could not kill. So I made them an offer, one I was happier with, although they seemed disappointed with my deal, so we reached a compromise..."

"Which was?" Bo asked, suspiciously.

"I renounced my birthright; I offered it in exchange for Hale. I'm just plain ole me again."

Bo pushed away, sitting up, her head in her hands.

Lauren sat up next to her, placing her arm across Bo's shoulders, feeling her trembling. "Bo?"

"Christ!" Bo said. She looked at her, despair in her eyes. "What happened out there!" she pointed at the living room. "I only let go like that, because I thought you were safe! I thought I couldn't harm you! You know it could have killed you, don't you?" she shook her head, trying not to think of that possible consequence.

"But it didn't," Lauren said fiercely. "And that's why you've always held back, and I've been trying to get you not to. I've just proved I'm right! Whatever happened in the past, with others, you've learned how to control it, without actually having to control it! Because that's love, Bo! That's how wonderful it can be! You don't have to be afraid anymore, not with me!"

Lauren searched Bo's face, gauging her reaction. Bo quickly wiped away the tears forming at her eyes.

"You gave that all up, for Hale? Why? You could have done so much, helped so many!"

"I still can, but not in that way. I'm a scientist, I believe in the one sure consequence of life; that it ultimately ends with death, as it should. It's the rightful outcome, the full circle. It's what makes life so special, knowing that it's a finite resource, that nothing is permanent. Life is too precious, too important for it to go on forever. It's about living, about joy, about pain, about love. The Gods don't have that, they don't really understand it. Their power was their indestructibility, not their immortality. You could argue that they're the same, but they're not. It's why the reverence that people once had for them diminished. Their feelings were fickle, compared to that of the mankind they tried to control. And once mankind realised, they knew how weak the God's really were."

"So you gave it all up for love?" Bo managed a smile.

"I'd rather live one meaningful life, than an immortal one. One life of love and joy, that will last beyond eternity. Immortality doesn't guarantee that, it can't."

"But what about us living a long life together?"

"Well, that was the compromise. The family firm," Lauren quote signed. "Weren't too keen on my willingness to give it all up, so they've matched my life cycle with yours. I will live it with you. We'll grow old together at the same time, and when it's that time, at the very same moment, we'll pass out of this world together. "

Bo looked at her, shaking her head. "You've got to be the only person I know, that would give up something like that, so you could live the life you want," she smiled.

"I'm not the only one though, am I?" Lauren questioned her. "You were willing to give up your Fae powers,"

Bo shifted, turning to face her, taking Lauren's hands. "Yes I was, for the same reason. Trick must have been very convincing,"

"He was," Lauren linked their fingers. "He loves you very much, and he wanted so much for you, and like all of us, he knew you were special; and he deeply believed that you were the one to help the Fae, and boy they need it. The way he explained the prophecy was very convincing; the warrior mate; all of it. I knew I couldn't stand in the way of all that, nor did I think I was worthy enough..."

"Not worthy enough? What the hell did Trick say!" Bo's voice rose.

"He didn't do or say anything to make me think that, I just felt it myself. I would always be a liability. The one running behind, trying to keep up; the one you'd have to keep looking out for and protecting, holding you back. The weak link in your chain, whereas others around you were stronger."

"Weak link?" Bo shook her head, incredulous at the idea. "Didn't you know that my strength never came from the Fae that surround me? My strength has been Kenzi and you! You've given me that! I'm weak without you!"

Lauren looked down. "That day when you came to the lab, I don't know how I did it, but I remembered what Trick had said, and I thought your future would be better if things remained as they were. It tore me apart to say what I said."

"That makes two of us," Bo murmured.

"I thought it would be easier, if you thought me and Evony...I don't think I have ever felt so lost," Lauren's voice quietened. "Every time I saw you, was near you, it was unbearable. And then Tamsin...I just hoped you were happy."

"I felt the same, and thought the same about you." Bo kissed Lauren's fingers. "So that all stops now right, this crazy way we have of hurting each other? No more feeling unworthy, no more going off with crazy plans to stop maniac's and possibly being killed in the process!" She raised her eyebrows.

Lauren sheepishly smiled.

"What on earth were you thinking? You must have known your chances were slim."

Lauren just shrugged. "I had nothing to lose. If I didn't survive, then I was happy knowing that I had lived part of the life I wanted. And I figured it was worth the risk, if it at least gave one of us the opportunity to be free from all this craziness."

Bo stared at her, open mouthed.

"Of course, if I'd known what you all discovered about me, then I might have had a bit more restraint. Things would have been easier!" she joked.

"I can't believe that's how all this made you feel, that you had nothing left to lose, that you'd risk death to save one of us," Bo was pained at the idea.

Lauren reached out, stroking her face. "I would do it again, if I had to, just as I know you would. It was worth it."

Bo nodded. "I wouldn't have survived though, if I'd lost you. Nothing would have mattered. When you...died in my arms," she squeezed her eyes shut, not able to think about it. "Thank goodness we were right about who you were."

"As Brunhilde would say, one of the perks," Lauren joked again, pulling Bo into her arms.

"You know about the prophecy, your role in it?" Bo asked.

"Trick was saying something about it when we came into the VIP suite. I can't see myself as the Chosen One. I'm not a leadership kinda gal, I prefer the thrill of medicine."

Bo looked at her. "Trick will just about flip!"

"Well, part of it's right. The Fae need to heal and I think this generation finally know it. At the moment one leader is human, and I don't think Trick would object if another took over as the Light Ash. Hale has a lot to offer, and I think him and Evony would work well together. Things need to change."

"I was thinking the same." Bo smiled. "The Fae have been lucky to have you."

Lauren shook her head. "Not really, I can change them, quite literally, and I can help them to change, but you, Bo, you've been the one to ultimately save them. They're lucky to have you."

"So we're on the same page? Our roles will be to guide them, not rule them, keep them on track, mitigate issues?"

Lauren nodded. "They need to stand on their own two feet, and like you said, they need to work with the human world."

"And here was me thinking I'd be spending most of my time as a brave warrior mate, protecting your cute ass,"

"You might still have to, once the clans are told about all of this; it's not what they were expecting."

Bo shook her head. "I doubt it, I've a feeling people are gonna be just a little bit in love with you, when they find out what you did and what you gave up."

"You don't think some might feel that I wasted an opportunity to do more?"

"Then they'll have me to deal with. It was your right to choose, to do what you thought was best."

"I figure I have a few hundred years to make important medical advancements, and there could be resistance to that. Doctor's down the centuries have been pilloried for some of their theories, and cures, all of which we now take for granted, so you just might need to come to my rescue!"

"Can't wait! Bring it on!" Bo smiled, quickly kissing Lauren. "I think we'll make a great team, Doc."

"Undoubtedly!" Lauren moved to reach for the phone.

Bo laughed, tying to pull her back.

"Oh, you're not hungry?" Lauren asked.

"Kinda!" Bo wiggled her eyebrows; she kissed Lauren's back.

"Hello? Yes, can we get two steaks, medium rare, and two cold beers please? Thank you!" Lauren put the phone down.

Bo pushed her down onto the bed. "So, descendants; how is that going to happen exactly?" she kissed Lauren's neck

"I'm a scientist, Bo. If I can unmake a God, I think I can work that one out! It'll be like cross pollination, if I take cells..."

"Yeah, I know, lots of geeky medical stuff will happen," Bo halted Lauren before she got too scientifically technical. "How many do you want?"

"I don't have a specific number in mind..."

"Four? Five, six?" Bo interrupted.

"Oh, you're thinking a large family?"

"What, you can't come up with more than the two kid's names you already have?" Bo teased. "I like the idea of lots of kids. And we need to ensure the stability of future generations. Our kids will be the guardians. Do you think we can succeed?" she suddenly thought of the enormity, the responsibility.

"Yes because, let's face it, our children will be extraordinary, and surrounded by incredible people; look at all the experience and wisdom and knowledge, and that's just Trick! And what child gets to spend summer camp in either Asgard, or Mount Olympus?"

"Yeah, I guess that's on par with Disneyland!"

Lauren seemed to ponder it for a moment, before she spoke again. "And I think we should have a dog,"

Bo snorted. "Just one?"

"I expect several, we'll certainly out live a few! But it would be nice for the children, to have pets." Lauren gently positioned herself on top of Bo.

"You already have a name, don't you?"

Lauren nodded, excited. "A chocolate Labrador, named Sapphi,"

"Sapphi?" Bo asked. "So we're going along those lines, eh? Sapphi for Sappho? Sapphic?"

"No," Lauren said it slowly. "I was thinking Sapphi, short for Sapphire, but if you wanna go there..."

Bo playfully slapped Lauren on the backside, kissing her quickly. "Have you noticed how easy..."

"... it is to talk about kids?" Lauren finished the sentence, tucking a strand of Bo's hair behind her ear.

"Damn, you're good!" Bo laughed.

"I'm a scientist, I anticipate,"

"Anticipate this. How long are those steaks gonna to be?"

"Well from the time I made the call, if the steaks are at room temperature, to cook them medium rare will be quicker than if they're refrigerated."

Bo trailed her hands down Lauren's back, placing small kisses on her face.

"They'll prepare the side salad first, as the steaks won't take long. The beers will already be cold, so by the time they plate up, put them on a tray and get it up here..."

"We have time," Bo stated suggestively, biting Lauren's lower lip, before flipping her over.

The steaks were cold and the beers warm, by the time they actually got to them. The tray had been left in the living room of the suite, and Lauren had retrieved it, placing it on the bed, so they could stay in the comfort of the bed and eat.

Bo studied Lauren as she wolfed down her last piece of steak, trying not to laugh. Lauren, ravenous, was a joy to watch. She offered up the last of hers.

"Hmmm," Lauren said her mouth full. "Are you sure?" then took it before Bo could answer.

Bo took a quick swig of beer, so Lauren couldn't see her smiling. "So, after what we now know and have discussed, what happens next?" she asked.

"I would highly recommend a shower at some point!" Lauren wiped her mouth with a napkin

"Ha! Ha! Funny!"

"Well," Lauren sipped some beer. "As I've now met both of yours, I think you should meet my parents,"

Bo frowned. "We're going to visit Mount Olympus?"

Lauren shook her head. "Not those parents. I mean, they were wonderful when I met them, very happy to see me and concerned I was okay, and what they did to keep me safe, I appreciate, but I don't really know them. I mean my real parents, the ones who actually raised me, took care of me; loved me. They were always there, and I've neglected them since being with the Fae. Not that I had much choice, and they probably know why, but what they did, was extraordinary. You'll love them, Bo."

Bo didn't doubt it. From the very little Lauren had ever spoken of them, she sensed they had been important to her. In fact, she knew very little about Lauren's life before the Fae. She'd wondered if that was because Lauren was used to them not caring about her enough, to be interested, so she never talked of it, or whether Lauren kept that part of her life private; kept it safe, like a keep-sake in a locket, a reminder that somewhere out there, her life, her world, still existed.

"I can't wait to meet them. Do you think the first time I do, would be a bit too early to ask your dad's permission?"

Lauren put the tray on the floor. "Can you play chess?"

Bo shook her head.

"I'll teach you; it's the best way to impress my dad. Strategy is his strong point, and he respects a worthy opponent."

"Do I need to beat him?" Bo asked.

Lauren laughed. "No one's ever beaten my dad! My God if you did, he'll probably worship the ground you walk on! No, just play along, drink some beers with him, discuss current events, and just as he's about to win, that's when you ask."

"Sounds like you've used that to your advantage with him before."

"It's all about strategy," Lauren smiled. She propped herself back against the pillow, and Bo sidled up next to her.

"You're still wearing it?" Lauren said quietly, touching the necklace that hung around Bo's neck.

"It was special to begin with, but now it's come to symbolise so much more. There's a lot of meaning in the images on here." Bo gently held it in her fingers. "As well as who you are."

Lauren stared at it. "So, I guess in some respects, I outrank you, in terms of ancestry."

Bo raised her eyebrows. "I think you pretty much have the upper hand in the full God stakes, I couldn't possibly compete! Although the lines cross, don't they?"

Lauren thought for a moment. "It makes us distant cousins; far enough removed, blood line wise, from the incestuous spectrum that the Gods didn't worry about engaging in! Some of their relationships? Whoa!"

"Good, so we've no worry over producing lose toothed hillbilly type, banjo playing kids!"

Lauren laughed.

"Can I ask what Persephone said to you, before we left?"

Lauren stroked Bo's face. "Geminus Fatum."

Bo waited.

"It means twinned fate,"

"So there was never any other choice for us?"

Lauren sighed, happily. "You know me, I'm a ..."

"...scientist. If you can't prove it with science, it don't exist, right?" Bo teased.

"Exactly! And I would argue that point for everything. I would say that nothing can predetermine a person's life, that they are supposedly fated to an outcome. That depends on the choices they make, other influences that they have no control over. So how can fate really influence, how can it be real?"

"So you don't believe we were meant to be?" Bo questioned.

"It bugs me to admit it, but I can't deny what I know. There is no doubt in my mind, that for us, there was never any choice, despite the choices we made, despite other influences, fate had already determined our path. I can't disprove it with science, but I trust it, because I feel it, and I know it's true. It's the only sensible conclusion."

Lauren touched the necklace again as she looked at Bo. "Thank you..."

"...for giving me the freedom to love..." Bo continued.

"And I do. I do." Lauren said softly. Bo took her in her arms, and kissed her.

Lauren wondered if the Fates had any idea of the complicated thread they had woven for both of them; if they truly knew the magnitude of the love that she and Bo had. She realised that not even the Fates could have predicted it.

She knew theirs was a love story that would be told for years to come, in the annals of history and mythology, and it was a love story that the Fates could only dream of.

The End.