Week Two: Day One
Rian and Bee-
Rian looked over at the young girl sleeping in her passenger seat. There were moments where Rian felt like she'd known Bee for her entire life, and moments like right now, where she was trying to figure out why she hadn't done anything to check the story Bee had told her about her mom.
It wasn't that Rian didn't believe the girl. She trusted Bee more than she cared to admit. For all of eight years, old Bee was very well educated. But she should at least be checking to see if the girl had other family members, not taking her on a cross-country trip to see the grand canyon.
The two had left the Mt. Baker campsite the day before. After their river bath, they had eaten a quick lunch, packed everything up, and hit the road. Rian was planning to stop somewhere outside of Eugene to pick up more clothes for the young girl. She looked cute in Rian's clothes, but they were much too big for the child.
"Where are we?" Bee asked suddenly, startling Rian out of her thoughts.
"Just north of Eugene," Rian said chancing another glance at the girl and smiling at the sleepy look on her face. "You hungry?"
"I wouldn't mind something to eat," Bee answered politely, "but we don't have to stop, we still have a couple sandwiches I think."
"Alright," Rian said with a shrug, "we're gonna stop and get you some clothes that actually fit soon sound good?"
"Awesome!" Bee chipperly agreed, "I love clothes shopping."
"That makes one of us," Rian grumbled as she stepped on the gas to pass a semi on her right.
Rian glared at the man who had his hand wrapped around Bee's forearm. The little girl was in tears, and Rian was close to snapping at the cop.
"Let her go," Rian demanded, "look, she's my sister. Her name is Zaria Fitzgerald. We're on our way to visit the Grand Canyon. It's a birthday trip; our mom let her take a couple days off for it. It's been a tough time recently with our dad passing and all."
Rian had no idea where this lie was coming from, but she just ran with it, watching as Bee was released and pulling the child into a hug as the man just turned and walked off. Rian watched him in confusion for a moment before turning her attention to Bee who had her face buried in Rian's sweatshirt.
"Hey Sweet Bee, we've got your clothes now, why don't we head out, yeah?" Rian asked as she rubbed Bee's back, "We've still got another day on our road trip to see the Grand Canyon."
"Alright, Rian," Bee agreed, wiping her nose on her sleeve and grabbing Rian's hand, "thanks for protecting me."
"Of course," Rian said with a smile as she followed Bee out to the car, not letting go of the girl's hand.
The Winchesters-
Sam and Dean glared at each other over the table. Dean had suggested they pick up a hunt that looked like demons while Sam wanted to continue their search for Rian. They were just outside of Provo, Utah.
"Look, Sammy," Dean said with a sigh, "I want to find Finn too, really I do. At least so I can chew her ass out for making a deal, but this hunt is two hours away, and I know we can take care of it. We're the closest hunters."
Sam watched his brother for another minute before relaxing.
"Fine, but then we find Rian," Sam said, standing up to pack up his things, "no arguments about it. And no more hunts."
"Alright," Dean agreed before grabbing his already packed bag and heading out to the Impala.
Week Two: Day Two
The Winchesters-
Dean frowned when Sam turned down the radio as they sat in traffic. There had been an accident up the highway, but Dean hadn't caught sight of it until it was too late to pull off and find an alternate route.
"What?" Dean demanded when Sam didn't say anything. He glared at the cars in front of them, willing them to move out of his way.
"Sorry, I couldn't think," Sam apologized before bringing his attention back to his phone. He didn't even look at Dean as the man huffed his annoyance.
"So you turned the music down?" Dean demanded, glaring at his brother.
"Yes," Sam said, "look, I've found something that looks like it might be Rian."
"What?" Dean demanded, glancing at his brother before turning his attention back to the road. He'd die before he'd let some idiot put a dent in his baby.
"Okay, so get this," Sam said after another minute, "A young girl was seen fleeing from her house in Kendall, Washington after a series of gunshots were fired. A few days later she was spotted with a young woman, approximately 5'8 with curly brown hair, shorter on one side, gray eyes, and a pair of crooked glasses. The woman was wearing a brown sweatshirt and ratty jeans with black boots. The girl was wearing oversized sweats and sweatshirt. They had stopped at the Goodwill outside of Eugene, Oregon and were detained by police only to escape under 'mysterious circumstances.'"
"What the hell? Is that a local paper?" Dean asked he ran his hand down his face when Sam nodded, "that's oddly specific. Well, except for the end. Kinda weird that it was reported in the local news in Utah. "
"I know," Sam said, "that's why it caught my attention."
"So, what should we do about it, the paper says that they escaped, yeah?" Dean asked as he changed lanes to pass the accident.
"I don't know," Sam replied, "let's take care of the thing is Springdale then head towards Eugene."
Rian and Bee-
"You could have told me you wanted to stay in a hotel tonight, Bee," Rian said as she pulled the girl closer to her. They were laying in the tent at a campsite just outside Redding, California. Rian had driven through the day, stopping once for gas and another time so Bee could use the bathroom.
"It's not a big deal, Rian," Bee said with a sleepy smile, snuggling into Rian's side, "besides, I like snuggling with you, makes me feel safe."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Rian replied with a grin, "now get some sleep, Sweet Bee."
"Goodnight, Rian," Bee chirped before closing her eyes and snuggling into Rian's side even more.
Rian grinned down at the girl a moment before she sighed and pulled out the phone she had bought at the last gas station. She needed to look up more about the girl before she forgot again. Every time Rian had thought about it in the couple of days she'd been with Bee she had forgotten to do anything about the thought.
Although she had gotten a full name from her, Zaria Melissa Komia she had not been able to wheedle anything concrete out of the girl. If her mind didn't wander every time she thought about it, she would be worried.
Rian had just found an article on Bee when she felt her eyes closing. She hadn't felt tired a few moments ago, but despite her confusion, she succumbed to the sleep.
Week Two: Day Three
The Winchesters-
"Why are we at the Grand Canyon, Dean?" Sam asked when he was able to orient himself after waking up in the passenger seat of the Impala. He starred over at the national landmark they were driving by with concern.
"Huh?" Dean asked before glancing over at Sam, his eyes almost glazed before blinking back into a sharp focus, "What?"
Dean slammed on the brakes and pulled off to the side of the road. He'd been driving for hours and had lost track of time. Dean looked over at Sam to see if he had any answers, but Sam was staring at him like he'd lost his mind.
"I don't know, man," Dean said not letting the worry he felt seep into his voice, "I guess I spaced out."
"Spaced out and managed to drive to the nearest national park?" Sam questioned raising an eyebrow as he surveyed his brother, "something's up dude."
Dean just nodded before putting Baby back into drive and pulling back onto the road. He looked over at Sam who was watching him in concern. Dean sighed shaking his head.
"I'm fine Sam," Dean told the man, "besides, we travel the states hunting for years and we still haven't seen the Grand Canyon. We may as well figure out what's going on here and see a national landmark while we're at it."
"If you're sure," Sam agreed with a frown, throwing a bitch face Dean's way.
Rian and Bee-
"What?" Rian said with a frown before pulling off to the side of the road. It was late in the day, and she'd meant to stop outside of Las Vegas and book a hotel room so that she and Bee could shower but she'd driven straight through Las Vegas and was nearly to the Grand Canyon by the time she'd noticed.
Rian looked over to see that Bee was asleep. She had a stuffed bear clutched in her grasp and was leaning against the window. Rian smiled at the girl before pulling back onto the road. There was no reason to head back, and they could find a shower at the Grand Canyon, she was sure.
Week Two: Day Four
Rian and Bee-
She would know that car anywhere. The sleek black, the purring rumble as it idled in its parking space. The shocked stares of the two brothers inside.
Rian quickly cut off the engine and glanced over at Bee to see that she was still sleeping. She smiled at the child and then quietly opened the door. Closing it just as softly before slipping into the backseat of the Impala.
"Hello, boys," Rian greeted, startling the two of them out of their stupor.
"What… but…" Sam said smartly, staring at Rian in shock.
"What the hell, Rian?" Dean said, much more coherent and a helluva a lot angrier.
Rian shrugged helplessly, "I needed some time."
"Needed some time?" Dean repeated hotly, "hear that Sammy, she needed some time. You couldn't even text to say that you were alive?"
"Ditched my phone," Rian said with another shrug, "hard to text when you got nothing to text with."
"How long?" Sam asked quietly, drawing their attention to him, "how long do you have left?"
Rian looked down at her hands, which were folded neatly in her lap, "seventeen days."
"Days?" Dean yelled, startling Rian, "seventeen fucking days and what? You were going to spend them on your own?"
"No," Rian said quietly, "I made a friend."
"A friend?" Dean repeated, "what kind of friend?"
"The kind of friend that needed my help," Rian said defensively, glaring at Dean, she let out a breath, "Look, I met this girl, she needed help, I helped her. Now I have some reservations about her as well and would like your input-"
Rian was interrupted by a knock on the window, and she turned to see Bee blinking blearily and clutching the stuffed bear to her chest. Rian smiled gently and opened the door, allowing the younger girl to cuddle into her side.
"Sam, Dean," Rian said, making sure that she had their attention, "this is my friend Bee. Bee, these two are Sam and Dean, the friends I was telling you about."
"Hi," Bee said shyly, "my name's Zaria but my mommy calls- called me Bee."
Rian noticed the brothers exchange a look at Zaria's correction and watched them cautiously. She knew that the brothers would have a soft spot for Bee, considering their history, but she just hoped they wouldn't make a big deal about the girl sticking around.
Rian wasn't sure why but she knew that she needed to help Bee.
The Winchesters-
"Where were you?" Sam asked, watching as Bee stared through the glass walkway that had recently been added to the park.
"Mt. Baker," Rian said from her spot between the men. She hadn't wanted to step onto the platform and frankly, neither did they. In her universe, the platform had been open for a good amount of time, but Rian didn't want to test it.
"Why there?" Dean asked curiously.
"What better way to avoid responsibility then to hide in the Washington Wilderness?" Rian asked sarcastically. She shrugged when neither brother responded, "I don't know, I was just drawn to the area."
Sam and Dean exchanged a look over Rian's head which conveyed their need to talk about how they all kept doing things for unknown reasons. They all took a moment to observe the girl as she stared in wonder at the Grand Canyon.
"What do you know about Bee?" Sam asked, looking at Rian who was staring at the young girl as though she was surprised that she existed.
"She's cute. Honestly, one of the sweetest kids I've met. She's been through some shit. Her mom was killed this week by a 'man in a pinstriped suit.' Kid grew up on a farm raising bees and milking cows." Rian said, looking up at the Winchesters, "she needs our help, that's for sure."
"What can we do?" Dean asked sizing up the people as they walked by them, "kid should be with her family."
Rian shook her head, "she doesn't have a family, Dean. Her mom was her only living relative. She doesn't even know who her dad is."
Dean looked over at the kid and sighed, "we're hunters, Fin. Hell, you've only got two weeks left before you go to friggin' hell, what could we possibly do?"
"Bobby's?" Rian asked, "I know he doesn't want kids but he helped raise you two, and you turned out alright."
"Depends on what you mean by 'alright,'" Dean said quietly, "we'll give Bobby a call tonight, see what he thinks. But honestly, she would be better off in the system than in this life."
"No, she wouldn't," Rian said vehemently, feeling a sudden rush of anger that she didn't understand, "She would be better off in a stable home with someone who gives a damn."
"You okay?" Sam asked, looking at Rian with concern.
"Huh?" Rian asked, looking up at Sam, "Oh, yeah, I'm fine."
"Rian!" Bee called running up the trio suddenly "Dean, Sam! Can we get something to eat? And Pie! I love Pie!"
"Sure thing, Little Bee," Rian said, grinning at the girl, "let's get you and mister grump-Chester some pie."
"I am not grumpy," Dean grumbled as he led the group back to the Impala, where Rian had moved the things she and Bee needed to earlier.
"Yeah you are," Bee said with a grin.
Rian and Bee-
"So I called Bobby," Dean said once they had ordered their food. He'd stepped out for a time, but Rian had been too focused on Bee to really notice.
"And?" Rian asked, tearing her eyes away from watching Bee color in the picture of a pirate on the kid's menu.
They were at a little diner near Flagstaff and Rian was eager to find a motel tonight so that Bee could shower and sleep in an actual bed. She was anxious to make sure the little girl was cared for, considering the recent trauma she had gone through.
"And he says he'll take her in but he's gotta meet the kid first," Dean said, eyeing Bee who was still color but they could all tell she was listening.
"That's reasonable," Rian said with a shrug, "before that though, have you guys noticed anything weird? Like not paying attention to where you are then ending up at the grand canyon kind of weird."
"Rian," Bee said suddenly, drawing Rian's attention to her, "I need to go to the bathroom, can you come with me?"
"Sure thing, Little Bee," Rian said, pushing their chairs in before following the girl to the bathroom.
The Winchesters-
"Something's up," Dean said, turning to Sam as soon as Rian entered the restroom with Bee, "every time we try to talk about what's happening it keeps getting shut down."
"I know," Sam said, looking at where Rian and Bee had gone before turning back to Dean, "I like Bee, I think she's sweet, but I'm not entirely sure she's-"
"What?" Dean asked when Sam stopped talking.
"What were we talking about?" Sam asked after a moment, shaking his head.
Dean looked at his brother with worry before shaking his head as well. Something was up, and they needed to figure out what it was before anything happened to Rian or Bee.
"Nevermind," Dean muttered when Rian and Bee left the bathroom and started walking towards them, "let's just eat our food and go find a motel."
Rian and Bee had been bugging him about sleeping in a motel that night. Dean was reluctant to admit that it would be nice to have an actual bed.
"This is really good," Bee commented cheerfully when she took a bite of her macaroni. She'd eaten the pie first, despite Rian's suggestion of saving the dessert for after dinner. Dean was shocked to see how good Rian was with the kid.
"You better finish all that, kiddo," Rian said, brandishing her spoon at Bee, "considering you ate your dessert first and all."
"Yes Ma'am," Bee chirped before sticking another bite into her mouth, "thanks, Dean!"
"Of course, Bee," Dean said smiling at the girl. Sure, he was worried, but Bee was too sweet to be upset at.
Week Two: Day Five
All-
They had left early that morning, Dean driving with Sam next to him. Bee had curled up against the window and had promptly fallen back asleep. Rian was tempted to follow her example, but she knew that the boys wanted to talk to her.
"Sixteen days left," Dean said, gripping the steering wheel tight, glancing back at Rian through the rearview mirror. He looked tired, but Rian couldn't blame him.
She nodded, not knowing what to say to that. As hunters, they knew that death was inevitable. It was going to happen to them someday. Probably something bloody and violent, not like the majority of the population who would live to ripe old age and pass peacefully in their sleep.
But this was something different. The trio all knew where Rian was heading. She was going to spend the rest her existence in Hell. She had more experience with the place than either brother did, she knew what she was getting herself into. And she was terrified.
"Rian?" Bee said from next to the girl, "you okay?"
Rian grinned at Bee and nodded, "yeah, I'm good. Just thinking."
"About what?" Bee asked innocently.
"About how we're going to get you to a place where you'll be safe," Rian promised, making eye contact with Sam through the rearview mirror.
Bee smiled, accepting Rian's fib and turning back to the book that Rian had bought for her at the Goodwill.
"Rian, wake up," Rian jumped awake at the voice and nearly smacked Sam in the face before she realized what was going on.
"Are we at Bobby's?" Rian asked, rubbing her eyes and checking to make sure that Bee was okay. The girl was asleep with her head against the window. Dean was in the back, pulling their things out of the trunk.
"Yeah, we are," Sam assured, satisfied now that Rian was awake and moving to help Dean as she woke up Bee.
"Hey, Sweet Bee," Rian said, gently shaking Bee awake. She smiled softly at the girl, "it's time to go meet Bobby."
Bee nodded and unbuckled herself quickly before almost jumping out of the Impala in her sudden excitement. Rian smiled and followed the girl at a slower pace, making sure the doors were shut correctly.
Her smile dropped when she noticed Bobby on the porch looking at her. He was studying her before he turned his attention to Bee who had thrown her arms around Bobby's waist. Rian couldn't help but chuckle at the distressed look Bobby was giving the kid.
"Bobby that's Bee," Rian introduced before placing a hand on Bee's shoulder, "Bee, you gotta ask permission before giving someone a hug."
"Oh," Bee said sheepishly, pulling back from Bobby, "sorry."
"It's alright kid, why don't you head in and sit on the couch while I talk to Rian here," Bobby said, shooing the girl along.
Bee glanced back nervously at Rian who nodded at her. She shrugged and went in, and Rian looked at Bobby with trepidation. She could take his anger, but she was afraid that she'd see disappointment there.
"Bobby-" Rian started, trailing off when she was pulled into a hug by the gruff man.
"I'm not happy with ya for disappearing like that, Fin, but I'm glad you're here," Bobby said gruffly before pulling back, "now get yer ass inside and tell us what happened idjit."
"Of course," Rian beamed, she gave Bobby another quick hug, much to the man's disdain, before going into the house.
Bee was sitting on the couch in the living room, her eyes glued to the pages of a book she'd picked up from a stack in the room. Rian considered taking it from her, knowing the book was for someone much older but decided against it.
If Bee was able to read the book who was Rian to stop her? Rian didn't want Bee to think that she doubted her abilities.
"You want something to eat?" Rian questioned, messing up Bee's hair much to the girl's apparent delight.
"Stop that," Bee grunted, smacking Rian's hand away, "and yes, I want a sandwich."
"Then come help me make it," Rian ordered, waiting for Bee to stand up before leading her to the kitchen.
Sam and Dean were sitting at the table talking in hushed voices when the two walked in. They stopped and observed Rian and Bee, making sure that nothing they were talking about was overheard.
"Yo," Rian greeted, shaking off their behavior. She pulled open a cupboard and fished out the bread before going to the fridge, "pick your poison, kiddo."
Rian finished helping the kid make her sandwich before sitting at the table. They sat in silence as Bee ate before relocating to the living room where they watched a movie until Bee fell asleep.
Once the girl was in the guestroom, Rian told the men about the last week. From the moment Sam got stabbed to when she saw Dean and Sam at the Grand Canyon.
"This whole thing sounds fishy," Bobby said when Rian had been quiet for a few moments, "a girl randomly finds you in the middle of the forest and then you all end up at the Grand Canyon?"
"I don't think she's human," Rian whispered, gaining their attention, "I don't know what she is exactly but she is definitely a child and I'm not going to stop protecting her just because of who her parents are."
"But-" Dean started only for Rian, Sam, and Bobby to glare at him.
"No, Dean, not buts about it, I'm going to protect this girl for as long as I can. If you don't like it then you don't have to be here," Rian snapped, making sure to keep her voice back, "she found me for a reason and until I know what it is you're going to have to deal with it."
With the Rian stood and went into the guest room. There were two beds, and Bee was on the one by the window, curled into herself and clutching her pillow. Rian smiled at the sight before getting ready for bed herself.
Week Two: Day Six
"What are you doing?" Dean demanded, making Rian jump and hit her head on the open cupboard door.
"Stealing all of Bobby's precious liquor," Rian snapped, rubbing the back of her head. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
Rian gestured to the mess she had made in the kitchen. There was a bowl with the remnants of batter in it, a griddle with bacon frying, a pan with eggs, and oranges sitting next to a weird contraption Dean didn't recognize.
"Okay, but why?" Dean wondered, accepting that Rian was making breakfast.
"Couldn't sleep," Rian shrugged as she pulled the pitcher she'd been looking for out of the cupboard, "needed something to do so I figured I'd cook."
"Looks good," Dean grumbled as a timer went off.
Rian grinned and grabbed the oven mitts before pulling out a tin full of banana muffins with dark chocolate chunks. She had to smack Dean's hands away from the breakfast food.
"Nuh-uh," Rian chastised, "I had to run to the store for those chips and you ain't gonna eat them right now. Sit your ass down or help me make the juice."
"You're going all out here," Dean noted.
"Yeah," Rian shrugged, "well I ain't gonna be here much longer to take care of y'all so I'm gonna do what I can while I can."
"You don't have to take care of us, Rian," Dean groused, "we did just fine before you came."
"I know," Rian smiled softly at the older Winchester, "doesn't mean I don't wanna. Now finish the bacon or get the hell out of my kitchen."
After they had eaten Rian and Bee went out into the yard to play tag so Bee could run off some of her energy. She was bouncing off the walls after spending so much time cooped up, and it was driving Dean mad.
They ran around for a few hours before Rian ushered the girl in and made her shower. Rian was planning to take Bee into town for lunch before shopping for some books and clothes for her. Bobby may be a good man with a metric ton of books, but he was definitely not prepared for childcare.
"You two wanna come with Bee and me?" Rian asked, popping her head into the kitchen where Sam and Dean were going over a potential case, "we're getting some things to make sure Bee is able to actually survive with Bobby."
"What kind of things?" Dean asked, raising a brow at Rian, "he raised us just fine with what he has."
Rian frowned, unsure of whether she should touch that or not, "yeah, but you're not an eight-year-old girl. Us girls need things like romance novels and clothes with glitter."
Dean winced, and Rian just laughed at him, "so you wanna come or not?"
"I'll go," Sam offered, standing from the table, "might as well get some supplies for the Impala while we're out."
"Dean?" Rian asked smiling softly at the man.
"Fine," Dean grunted, looking between Rian's smile and Sam's puppy dog eyes.
"Awesome," Rian grinned before spinning on her heels and going in search of Bee, who she had sent to get changed. She was in Bobby's study, reading over the man's shoulder. "Hey, we are heading to the store. You ready Bee?"
"Yup," Bee chirped, surprising Bobby with a quick hug before running over to Rian, throwing her arms around Rian's waist, "can we get ice cream?"
"Sure thing, Sweet Bee," Rian agreed, guiding the girl out of the room and to the Impala where Sam and Dean were waiting, "Let's do this thing."
Rian giggled when Bee ruined yet another one of Dean's flirting attempts. They were at one of the diners in town after finishing shopping. Their server was a beautiful woman in her early thirties, and it was clear she was interested in Dean, but not a fan of kids.
Dean glared at Rian, but there was no heat behind it, so she just grinned at the man. When he turned away, Rian gave Bee a thumbs up and winked at the girl, making her giggle. Sam shook his head at their antics.
"Rian?" A voice said, drawing Rian's attention away from the table, "oh my god, I thought I'd never see you again?"
"Quinn?" Rian asked after a moment; she grinned at the blonde girl before standing from the table and throwing her arms around the girl, "holy crap, I thought you worked outside of town?"
Quinn was wearing the same apron that their server had been wearing.
"Two jobs now," Quinn grinned, "gotta pay my way through college somehow."
"Ah college," Rian drawled before affecting a fake southern accent, "back in my day we only had to work one job to pay for tuition, books, food, transportation, lodging, clothes, drinks, papers."
"Who are these fine people?" Quinn asked after laughing at Rian's joke, she gestured to Winchesters and Bee who were watching her interaction with barely concealed interest.
Rian grinned and threw her arm over Quinn's shoulder, "Quinn, there are Sam and Dean Winchester, the two I told you about when we met, and Zaria, but she goes by Bee."
"Oh, those two that made you hitchhike across the country?" Quinn wondered, "I'm glad they got their heads outta their as- butts."
Rian looked over to see Dean and Sam looking at the table guiltily, "it's fine. Honestly, it's good that it happened. I got to meet you, and I learned a lot about myself on that trip."
"Well here," Quinn said, taking a pen out of her apron and writing something on her notepad before tearing it and handing it to Rian, "I'm assuming you lost my number at some point, so here it is again. I gotta get back to work but text me so we can get caught up."
They all watched as Quinn walked away before Rian sat back down. She looked at the brothers to see twin accusing looks.
"I didn't tell her anything," Rian defended, "I met her when I hitchhiked to Bobby's. She's always been like that."
Week Two: Day Seven
She didn't know where she was. The room was a stark white, the scent was cloying, and she was surrounded by bees. They weren't touching her, they were going about their business, and she decided to not worry about them.
What she was worried about was the woman in front of her. She looked just like Bee. An older version of the sweet girl Rian had gotten to know over the past week.
"Who are you?" Rian demanded after they'd studied each other for the past few minutes.
"Thank you, Finley, for taking care of my daughter," The woman replied, ignoring Rian's question.
"I go by Rian," She corrected automatically, "you're Bee's mom? I thought you were dead."
"Yes," the woman replied simply. She had long brown hair which fell to her waist and where the bees were leaving Rian alone they were crawling over the other woman's body.
"Then how are we talking?" Rian wondered, looking around the room again. There were too many bees to see the walls now.
"I have many connections with people beyond even your knowledge," the woman said, her voice was soft it seemed to float around the room as it buzzed with an energy that Rian could barely feel.
"That's not ominous at all," Rian bit out sarcastically, "can I at least get a name?"
"Melissa," the woman replied.
"Nurse to Zeus," Rian recalled immediately, she blushed at Melissa head tilt, "I did some research about bees when Bee told me her nickname."
Melissa smiled, and Rian's breath caught in her throat. It was beautiful.
"I can see where Bee gets her looks."
The woman nodded, and they fell into a strangely comfortable silence. Rian watched the bees and was surprised to find that she wasn't terrified as they started to climb over her.
"The bees like you," Melissa noted after a few minutes, making Rian jump.
"I like them," Rian replied, holding a bee up to her face as she rested on her fingertip, "they're important creatures."
"I'm glad you think so," Melissa approved.
"Why am I here?" Rian asked again, "no offense to you but I'm sure you didn't set this all up just to thank me."
Melissa tilted her head again, and Rian felt the urge to backtrack.
"Not that I don't appreciate that or anything-" Rian started but was cut off by Melissa's laughter.
"No, no, no," Melissa shook her head, still chuckling, "you are right. I also came to warn you."
"Oh great," Rian groaned, "I love warnings."
Melissa just smiled at her before continuing, "the men who killed me. They want my daughter."
"They can't have her," Rian growled, confused by the harshness of the statement.
"She does that, inspires fierce loyalty," Melissa noted, "not on purpose she can't control it. When she's scared, she can manipulate people into protecting her."
"That doesn't sound safe," Rian said, thinking back to the times when she's acted out or forgotten things while around Bee.
"It's not, which is why I'm here."
"What do you mean?" Rian demanded, "I don't like vague answers, they put my teeth on edge."
"I'm going to teach you how to protect yourself from my daughter."
A/N: I know, I know, I said I'd have this chapter out sooner. Well, I didn't. But here it is! I love Quinn very much (I'm writing a spin-off for her), and I had to bring her back. I really hope you enjoy this chapter. There will only be a couple more (Season three was shorter, there for this sequel is also short) and then I'll be working on the sequel (which does not currently have a title but I do have the first chapter written!) Anyways, I hope you enjoy!
