A/N: I don't even know where I'm going with this. I mean I do, and this idea was blocking the flow of the other stories. For now let's leave it at this and assume it's done. If I decide to work on it it'll be a Benny/Erica fic with Ethan/Sarah on the side.

Benny's Baby

Chapter 1: Snips, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails

Benny and Erica were fighting again. Ever since Stern's defeat the two of them had been at one another's throats and to Ethan is was painfully obvious they were trying to avoid their feelings. Today had started out no differently than any other day at Whitechapel. They were in class discussing a few leads on supernatural creatures when Erica walked in acting as superficial as normal. On cue everyone broke into their groups, Ethan and Sarah often went over the more technical stuff while the others, Rory, Benny and Erica, discussed, well whatever they discussed.

Today they were going over the possibility that the finals were really just a way to steal the happiness away from teenagers in an attempt to weaponize it. Ethan showed Sarah's the patterns he had found hidden in each of the questions, while he listened to bits and pieces of the other conversation.

"How are spells even made?" Sounded like Rory.

"…rhymes, a lot of them are based off of…." Yup that was Benny.

"You really think teachers are stealing happiness?" asked Sarah as she flipped through the papers. "These look like regular tests to me."

"Right here," Ethan motioned to every other word. "It seems like a spell."

"…are made of sugar spice and everything…." Definitely Erica.

"I guess," Ethan turned his head slightly; Rory was lazily floating above the ground. "If you ask me it seems like someone forgot to put some nice into the stew."

Ethan snorted and tried his best to stifle a giggle. Sarah gave him a weird look. He motioned for her to continued reading.

"Want to say that again?"

"You are a little mean," Ethan closed his eyes; leave it to Benny to say something like that to Erica. "I mean do you have to pick on everyone every chance you get?"

"It's not easy being popular."

"Really, that's your answer?"

"So what are boys made of?" asked Rory unaware of the impending argument.

"Ethan?" At this point Ethan had turned to watch the series of events unfold. He heard Sarah sigh and then smiled as she leaned to watch the conversation as well.

"Snips of snails and puppy dog tails," said Benny. "But if you ask me it sounds like something mean little vampires girls are made of."

"Oh and where do you get off saying that?" Erica was pissed now. "You're the one who poisoned the entire female student body with a love potion."

"How many times am I going to have to hear that before you get tired of saying it?"

"You destroy the school or bring some creature to life on a regular basis with your stupid spells!"

"At least I'm trying to get better! What about you? Going around feeding on the students like it's some kind of all you can eat buffet!"

"Magical moron!" Erica's fangs appeared.

"Blonde for brains!" Benny summoned a fireball.

"Enough!" yelled Sarah as she stood up. "Can't you just get along? This is getting ridiculous."

Ethan nodded in agreement. "You guys have been fighting a lot, especially lately."

Benny looked at Erica and crossed his arms, she did the same. It was one thing to argue with her, but to admit defeat when it came to his magic? Never.

"I'm out of here," said Erica as she strolled to the door. "Later nerds."

The door slammed shut.

"I'm made of snails and tails?" asked Rory as he landed on the ground. "That's so awesome!"

"No Rory it's just a rhyme," said Ethan. "Didn't you listen in health class?"

"But when it comes to magic, rhymes have more power than people give them credit for…" said Benny aloud as he tapped his chin. "E take notes in class for me, I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Wait why are you ditching class?" It was too late, the Spellmaster was already gone.

It was hard to explain Benny's train of thought when it came to learning or creating new spells. To him the greatest way to learn was by trial and error, after all there was no greater experience than experience itself. Like most of his great ideas this one started as a little joke, and then built momentum as he went through his Grandma's cabinet of ingredients. Besides what chance did he have of such a small joke working anyway? He smiled to himself as he placed the bottles on the table. The house was quiet, which meant no Grandma asking him questions about what he was up to, or why he was home so early.

He started out with large cauldron of water, and wondered what to do next. He decided to follow the poem and it's several variations. He dumped several snails in, followed by slugs, frog parts and then finally puppy tails. The liquid turned a bright blue, and Benny bit his lip. Was this actually going to work? He plucked a piece of his hair and dropped it into the liquid; it was a golden blue color now. What else would he need?

Then it hit him, he pulled out a small seed and muttered a quick incantation. He dropped it in, and when nothing happened slumped against the chair. What had he missed? He thought it over and added biology to the equation.

DUH!

He darted up to his room, threw open the closet and began to search for the item in question. After a few minutes he found what he needed and returned to the bowl. With one final smile he dropped it in. There was a flash of light followed by golden smoke.

Benny coughed as he fanned it away, the bowl was empty. He shrugged, it wouldn't be the first time a spell had failed. He began to gather up his supplies when a new sound suddenly filled the room.

"No way," whispered the Spellmaster as he peered into the pot. Luckily for him he had friends like Ethan, Rory and Sarah who tended to go with the flow and asked questions after the fact.

The only person to notice Benny's absence on Friday was Ethan, and even he didn't put much thought into it. He sent his friend a text asking how he was and if he could get him something after school. The response:

'Meet me at the park tomorrow at noon. Bring Rory and Sarah. I have something to show you, it's really cool. Don't bring Erica.'

Now Ethan was curious.

Ethan buttoned up his jacket and looked up at the sky, while it looked like a nice day out it was rather chilly. A few moments later Rory and Sarah landed.

"So why are we here?" asked Sarah as she looked around. "Did Benny finally mange to perfect that mustache spell?"

"If he did I call first dibs on a mustache!" yelled Rory as he jumped up and down. "Ladies won't be able to resist the R-man with a stache."

Ethan laughed as Sarah rolled her eyes. "Benny said he had something really cool and important to show us."

Sarah seemed satisfied by the answer and took a seat on the bench. Ethan took a seat next to her while Rory looked around muttering about facial hair and becoming the perfect ninja. Exactly at noon Benny could be seen walking in their direction.

"There he is," said Ethan as he spied his friend. "What's that?"

"It looks like a baby carrier…" mumbled Sarah as she stood. "Is that a baby?"

"Who in their right mind would trust Benny with a baby?" Blurted Ethan as he stood up and ran over to his friend.

Rory oblivious to their conversation walked over to Benny and stopped. Inside the carrier was an infant.

"Hey guys," said Benny with a huge smile. He looked exhausted and had dark circles under his eyes.

"That's a baby," said Sarah without looking at Benny. "Where did you get a baby?"

Benny smiled and patted it on the head. "He's my son."

"Can I hold him?" asked Rory, Benny nodded. Ethan watched as Rory gently removed the child and took him in his arms. A moment later the vampire was floating in the air. "He's so cute."

"Can you not float," asked Benny looking nervous. "I don't want you to drop him."

"Relax," said Rory as he cradled the child gently. "I'm the only one here who passed the flour baby assignment remember? Your's was burnt, and Ethan and Sarah's was dead. Technically I'm the only one here with the ability to handle a child."

"Not true," said Sarah offended. "I'm a babysitter."

"Who somehow exploded her flour sack child."

"Oh yeah," said Ethan never taking his hands off the giggling little infant. "So… um… you have a son."

"Rory can you please sit?" asked Benny not listening to Ethan. "You're driving me insane."

Rory sighed and floated over to the park bench before gently landing. Sarah and Ethan leaned in for a closer look. The baby had dark blonde almost brown hair, with turquoise colored eyes. There was something oddly familiar about the small boy. Benny walked over and pulled a small beanie out his pocket.

"I didn't realizes how cold it was gonna be."

"What's his name?" asked Ethan at long last.

"Eric Weir," said Benny with a proud smile as he took his son from Rory. Ethan and Sarah exchanged a knowing look. It was going to be a long weekend.