Heart goes to the school to pick up Elena, but it seems there is more than meets the eye. Heart doesn't know how she can handle this first interaction. She needs Alastor's help.

Song featured:

Smile by Jeff Williams (feat. Casey Lee Williams)

(This song is honestly fast and upbeat, but you can try to imagine it being sung more slowly and with nothing really behind it. Like a lullaby. The lyrics just seemed super fitting for the situation)

Ch 3: My Little Fawn

(Heart's POV)

To say I ran out of the hotel like a bat out of hell was an understatement. As soon as I heard the phone ring and saw it was the school my heart almost dropped. I walked out of the room to answer the call and when I heard it was the nurse on the other side my worriedness increased tenfold. Then her saying I had to come pick up Elena, I dropped everything. I told the patrons that I was with that I had to end the session early today for an emergency. They understood and I quickly grabbed my things and left.

Jumping into the car I started it up and headed on my way. I tried to keep myself calm and not drive like a maniac to the school. I didn't want to expect the worst either. I just had to see for myself what was going on.

Parking the car in the parking lot of the school I quickly made my way inside. I asked the secretary in the office where the nurses office was. She said it was down the main hall and to the right. Leaving the main office I made my way down the hallway until I saw the sign for the nurse's office.

I walked inside the room and gave a knock to the open door. I then noticed the black cat demon sitting in the office. She stood up and made her way over to me. I tried to look around for Elena, but I didn't see her. Looking closer I saw a room with the lights on, she must have been in there resting.

The cat demon walked up to me. "You must be Mrs. Ledet?" She asked me with her hand out.

Nodding my head, I took her hand to shake it. "Yes, please you can just call me Heart. You must be Ms. LeStrange?"

We stopped shaking and we took our hands back, "Yes I am the one that spoke with you on the phone. I wanted to have you come here to get your daughter. She seemed very shaken up today."

"Did she say what happened?" I asked worried.

Ms. LeStrange shook her head. "No, she didn't say much. Her teacher said that she was playing basketball with a few boys. A ball hit her in the face, and she fell down. That caused her to hurt her arm. It's nothing major but if you ask me I feel there was more to it than just some rough ball handling." The cat said as she sighed. "I feel the kids said something to her because she seems pretty down. I would have a talk with her once you get home."

I nodded. "Thank you, Ms. LeStrange. I appreciate it."

"Her teacher came back to drop off her backpack and the work she needs to do, so that is all taken care of." The cat demon informed me, pointing to the backpack that sat on the counter next to a sink not far off.

"That's a relief." I sighed happily.

Then I heard the smallest voice to call out to me. "Mommy?"

My ear flicked and I looked to the room with the light on to see Elena standing there close to the door frame. I smiled softly as I saw the girl. I noticed the blood that was still on her shirt and her arm wrapped a little in gauze. Oh man, they did do a number on her. I was just glad it wasn't anything worse. At the same time, I was not happy. Someone hurt my baby and I was not going to stand for that. I tried to keep calm though. I didn't want to worry the girl. I wanted to comfort her. She still seemed scared about what happened.

I got down on one knee and looked at her. "There is my girl. Come here." I said as I held my arms out to her.

Elena quickly ran over to me and into my arms. She almost crushed me as she held onto me tightly and I wrapped my arms around her, gently patting her head.

"I want to go home." I heard Elena whisper into my shirt.

"We will my pup, don't worry." I whispered back to her. I looked back up to the nurse. "Thank you for calling me. I'm going to be taking her home. I appreciate the help."

Ms. LeStrange smiled in return. "That's what I'm here for. Now you guys take care now." She waved goodbye and headed back into her office.

I stood up and Elena let me go. I took her hand and she held onto it tightly. "Let's go home Elena. Everything will be ok now."

We walked out of the nurse's office, I made sure to grab her backpack as we left, and down the hall and out the doors of the school. We walked across the parking lot and to the car. I opened the door for Elena and she got in. The whole time I noticed the girl was quiet and it made me worried.

I went and put her book bag next to her then grabbed the seat belt to buckle her in. "Sweetie, do you want to talk about what happened today?"

The girl shook her head.

"Elena, you know you can tell mommy anything right?" I reminded her.

She nodded in response.

It looks like I might not get an answer out of her right now, she was probably still shaken up by what happened. I gave a sigh. "We can talk about it when daddy comes home ok? You don't have to tell me right now." I went and gave the girl a small kiss to her head.

Elena gave a small smile and I smiled back to finally see she was still ok. I closed her door and got into the driver seat of the car and headed on home. I gave Charlie a call to let her know I wasn't' coming back to the hotel today and that I was taking Elena home. She was worried when I told her that, but I reassured the princess and told her that that girl was fine, just shaken up.

After I was done calling Charlie, I called Alastor. I told him to put a phone in the small room space of the radio station so that I could contact him. That and it would be a way for the school to contact him if they needed to as well. It would probably be used for emergencies mainly, but this was important. I know Alastor didn't like to be interrupted during his broadcasts, but I had to tell him what happened today.

I heard the phone ring a couple times before I finally got an answer. "Hello?"

"Alastor?" I made sure, even though I knew it was him.

"Why of course darling who else would it be!?" He said in an announcer like way.

I chuckled from that. "Right."

"Why is it you are calling me on the horn dear?" Alastor wondered. "You know I'm in the middle of a broadcast. I don't have time to be bumping gums that much."

"Yes I know and I'm sorry, but this was important."

"Spill the tea sweetheart."

I took a pause and bit my lower lip a moment. I looked at Elena in the back seat from the rearview mirror, the girl had her ears down as she was just looking out the window. I turned my attention back to the road quickly and finally answered my husband. "Something happened at school today. They called me to come pick up Elena. I'm heading home with her now."

Then there was dead silence on the other line. It was quiet now. I knew that Alastor is just as worried as I am when it came to Elena being at school, he just didn't show it. Again, the silence went on and it had me concerned.

"Alastor, are you still there?"

A few more seconds of silence and I finally heard, "I'll end my broadcast early and be home soon." The radio static behind his voice was completely gone. I knew that he was serious.

"Alastor you don't-" but it was too late, he already hung up the phone. "-have to do...that." I gave a sigh and put my phone down. There was no point in trying to convince him. His mind was set.

The rest of the car ride home was silent. Elena said nothing the whole time we drove, and it made me worried. My grip on the steering wheel was tight, my knuckles turned white. I was not happy; I was angry and frustrated towards those kids who hurt my child.

I know that a simple basketball accident wasn't the cause for all this. She would have been ok if all she did was scrape her arm and have a nosebleed. There was more than what was going on. There just had to be. I just didn't know what.

Why would anyone want to bully my poor girl?

At the same time, even though this was hell, I didn't want to get in trouble with the kids nor their parents. Plus, it would go against anything I'd want to do or think, I would have to have Alastor think the same way.

I was also...scared.

Scared about what those kids may have said to her. What if she didn't want to go back to school? She has been excited to go ever since last year. She was looking forward to going. I didn't want the beginning of her schooling experience to be like this.

It was only the second week and the kids were already being mean to her. I just don't understand why. At the same time...I know the feeling of being bullied in school. Although for me, during the time, it was because I was a girl. That wasn't a major thing though anymore. The only thing I could relate to is that they made fun of me for who I was. So it made me wonder what was said to her.

Soon we reached the dirt road and down to the house. I stopped the car in the front, turned it off and got out. I went around to Elena's door and opened it. I was worried since the girl hasn't said a thing.

I decided to break the silence finally because it was getting to me, "Ok, we are home." I reached over and unbuckled her from the seat. "You know I am sure Rufio will be happy to see you. I know he misses you when you aren't around." I said as I gave her a smile.

Elena smiled as well from that and held her hands out to me. I picked her up and set her down out of the car. I grabbed her book bag and we headed into the house.

When I opened the door Rufio was there to greet us at the door. Boy was he excited. He went up to Elena and started to lick her face. Giving her a bunch of kisses. The girl gave a small chuckle from that and it made me happy to hear her actually laugh. She hugged the hound around the neck and just stood there a little bit with him.

Elena let go of Rufio and looked back up to me. I remembered the blood on her shirt as I saw the few drops still on the fabric.

"How about we go change your shirt? Get you in something comfy." I suggested.

Elena nodded and headed towards her room and I followed behind. The girl stopped at the door and looked back at me and then opened the door. Rufio walked in as well and he went to sit at the bottom of her bed. Once in her room we took her shirt off and Elena wanted her pants off to. She wanted to put on one of her long night shirts. Once she was changed, she got onto her bed. She grabbed Owen who sat nicely on the bed and brought it to her chest.

"Mommy will you sit with me please?" She asked in a low voice. It was the first time I heard her since we left the school.

"Of course, my pup." I smiled and walked over to her bed.

I got up onto the small bed as she sat at the foot of it. I rested against the backboard and she crawled up the bed and sat down beside me. She wrapped her arms around me the best she could and then put her face in my side. Owen was squished between us. I wrapped my one arm around her while my other hand went to her head and started to gently pet her. I even wrapped my wings around us to keep us in a safe shield. She relaxed against me and seemed to not be as tense as she was. I looked down to see her eyes were open and they started to fill with tears. I held onto her tightly, bringing her closer to me. I knew Alastor would be home very soon if he was ending his broadcast early.

As much as I wanted to break down and cry at the moment I had to try and be strong, at least for her. That would have to be something I'd deal with later and when Alastor was home. I wanted to show her that everything would be ok. Everything was going to be ok.

I saw Elena close her eyes and her tears fell. My heart was breaking at the moment, seeing her like this. I hated it. I hated it so much. I wanted her to always be happy. I never wanted anyone to hurt her. Not in any way.

"Mommy." I finally heard her say softly.

I looked down at Elena to see her eyes still filled with tears and falling down her face. I continued to pet her head and went to rub her one ear to calm her. "Yes, Elena?" I responded back low.

She gave a sniff and looked up to me. "Daddy loves me...right?"

I felt myself freeze from all action. Part of me became speechless. My wings hung loosely around us now. I almost felt numb for a few seconds. Where did this come from? It was probably those kids in school if I wanted to take a guess. I clenched my jaw for a second.

I tried not to break at that moment when I heard that and took a deep breath to calm myself. "Why do you ask this sweetie? You know daddy loves you. He loves you very much."

Elena paused and looked back down and brought her hand closer to her, "Even though I don't have powers like he does?"

I looked at her with caring eyes, "Elena, just because you don't have powers does not mean daddy doesn't love you. That is far from the truth. Look at me baby." Elena looked up at me as she had tear streaks down her face. "I don't have any powers. I am nowhere near as strong as your dad and he loves me. He loves us for who we are, not what he expects us to be. Powers don't matter to him when it comes to us."

Elena just buried her face in my side again and I heard her sob a moment. I don't know if that helped or not, but I think her crying is just a way to let it out right now. So I just sat there and held her close to me.

Soon I heard the front door open and close quickly, it even surprised Rufio but the hound stayed calm at the end of the bed. Before I could blink, I saw Alastor's shadow standing in Elena's bedroom. Then the door opened to show the deer demon as he looked frantic and he seemed to be breathing a little heavy. He must have ran the whole way home. His eyes went to us immediately and he quickly walked over to the bed. He sat on the edge next to me as he looked down at Elena. He tried to calm his breathing a little better. His action of entering the room and then sitting on the bed made the girl look up from my side.

Alastor put a hand to the girl's head, "My little light, are you ok?" Alastor asked right away as calmly as he could.

Elena sniffed again for a moment as she just looked at Alastor and nodded.

Alastor smiled wider and then looked at me. "What happened?"

I sighed and just looked up at him, "The teacher wasn't sure, they didn't see it. They told me she was playing basketball and they threw the ball too hard at her. I honestly don't want to believe that one bit. One simple fall like that wouldn't make her be like this." I told him with a small growl.

I heard Alastor's static rise a moment as I saw his eyes glow. It disappeared not long after and he just took in a breath. "As long as she wasn't seriously hurt, that's all I care about. I was actually scared when you called me saying you had to go pick her up at school." The deer demon looked at Elena, "My light, will you tell daddy what the kids did to you?" He asked her.

The girl looked at her dad for a few seconds not saying anything. She probably wasn't sure what to say.

"You know you can tell us anything sweetheart. It will be ok. It won't leave this room. We promise." I added in, looking down at her again.

Elena sat up a little from my side and brushed some tears away from her face. She held Owen in her one arm as she looked up at us. "The boy that sits with us in my group in class was talking with his friends. He ignored me all day, so I thought I did something to him. I went to apologize to him and asked if I could play with them. They laughed at me and that is when one of the boys threw the ball in my face. They made my nose bleed." She hugged Owen to herself as we sat there and listened.

Alastor was trying his best to keep himself calm and not overreact. He needed to stay in control in front of Elena. "Then what happened?"

Elena hid her face in Owen and took a few moments to herself to keep calm. "They wanted me to show them my powers since...since I am the daughter of the Radio Demon. They expected so much out of me…. I told them I didn't have any powers. They...didn't believe me." She paused and looked away from us and more tears fell. I wanted her to take her time so we didn't push her. "They called me pathetic and...and that I can't...live up to who daddy is. That-" Elena paused again as she cried more into Owen, I wrapped my arm back around her for comfort. She let me give it to her. "-That I wasn't good enough for daddy." She leaned into me again.

"Shh my pup its ok." I whispered down to her.

I looked to Alastor as he has been silent the whole time. I noticed a look of confusion on his face as well as a small part of regret. He looked away a moment and I noticed how he gripped the end of his jacket.

Looking back down to Elena I asked, "Is that why you asked me if daddy loved you? Did those kids put those thoughts in your head?"

Elena nodded.

At those words I saw Alastor snap out of it. He sat up straight and his ears went up. He looked over to us in surprise. I saw a look on his face that I couldn't explain. He had a small look of hurt in his eyes. My guess would be that he never would have thought his own daughter would question his love for her. It honestly hurt.

Alastor reached over and gently put his hand on the girl's head again. She peaked up at him, she probably would have expected him to yell and be mad. In fact, he was quite the opposite, he was calm and looking at her with love.

"My dear little fawn. Don't ever think such things." Elena looked more up at him. "Come to me little one." Alastor said as he held his hand out to her.

Elena crawled out away from my side and went over me to get to Alastor. The deer demon picked up the girl and set her down on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. She put her face into his chest and accepted his embrace greatly. He put his face on top of hers. I think the two just needed that moment. Elena cried again in his arms and he just held her. He was whispering sweet nothings into her ear and I wasn't able to make out what he was saying.

Soon Alastor lifted up his head and Elena looked up at him. He smiled and the girl had a small smile as well. She wiped away her tears the best she could.

Alastor snapped his fingers and his mic cane appeared next to him and he grabbed it while keeping one arm around the girl still.

He made the mic come to life and had it start a song. Soon he started to sing.

Child, our daughter

Sit while we talk awhile

You've done no misdeed

Still, they'll put your life on trial

Born like your family

Far from any state of grace

You're as perfect as the wind and sky

But they'll treat you like you're out of place

When I knew what song he was singing I decided to jump in and sing the next part.

This world is cold

The power's with those who would judge and control

But we have a chance to make it right (for you)

This is what you'll do:

Alastor then butted in and sang the next part, poking Elena on the nose.

Show them how you smile!

It's only for a while

Take what you need!

Leave them to bleed!

Let them know bitter

While your revenge is sweet!

I rolled my eyes as I watched Alastor putting emphasis in with his hand movements. I let him continue to sing the song. I looked and at least Elena had calmed down.

Keep the secret

Pretending you're just like them

Live there like a princess

In the kingdom of selfish men

Play their game, now

Do what it takes to win

Steal it back, all they keep from you

They refuse to look beyond your skin

I smiled as well because I understood that Alastor was just trying to tell Elena that she needed to be stronger than the others in other ways. Her own way. Like I do as well.

And as you grow

You'll gain from their knowledge

But your heart will know

When the time is right to end the lie

(You'll know what to do)

When the charade is through

I finally decided to jump in again to sing the next line this time around. I went and put a hand on the girl's head.

Show them how you smile!

It's only for a while

Take what you need!

Leave them to bleed!

Let them know bitter

While your revenge is sweet!

Alastor took back over again singing the next part.

You might think that, maybe, they're changing

You pray that their hatred is waning

That's when it hurts most to find

The story unfolds

And the cruelties, exposed

You'll be glad you're not their kind

We both sang the final part together.

Show them how you smile!

It's only for a while

Take what you need!

Leave them to bleed!

Let them know bitter

While your revenge is sweet!

When we got done singing, I noticed Elena was actually smiling and I knew that Alastor was happy about that. Soon she yawned and it seemed our little song may have put her to sleep. She probably needed a nap honestly.

She looked up at us with half lidded eyes and her smile still on her face. "I feel so much better. Thank you, mommy and daddy."

"Of course, sweetheart. That is why we are here." With my hand on her head, I started to pet her. "We'll always be here for you."

"I'm sorry I worried you." She apologized softly.

Alastor shook his head. "There is nothing for you to be sorry about my light. It wasn't your fault. Next time, hopefully you'll have someone to help you out. It will all be ok."

"Exactly what daddy said, just don't show them that they got to you. You are you and you are loved no matter what." I added.

Elena's tail wagged and snuggled into Alastor. She yawned again.

"How about you take a nap Elena. I'm sure you're tired after today." Alastor suggested as he rubbed her arm.

The young demon looked up at him and just nodded as she gave another yawn.

I decided to get off the bed and Alastor stood up with the girl in his arms. Once I pulled the covers back on her bed Alastor placed her down and I put the covers back over her. I grabbed Owen and gave him to her. She accepted the plush and hugged int close to her. Rufio got up onto her bed and laid at the foot of it. We didn't mind the hound laying with her, especially today I feel she would need it.

I sat down on the edge of the bed and rubbed the girl's ear a moment. "You get some sleep love. We'll be in the house ok? We won't go anywhere." I told her softly. Elena nodded. I gave her a smile and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Rest well pup." I said as I stood up.

I stood off to the side and Alastor leaned down as well to give the girl a kiss on her forehead too. "Just keep smiling my light. You need to show them how you shine." He whispered to her. Elena smiled at that as Alastor stood back up. "Sleep well."

We watched her snuggle into the covers and Alastor wrapped his arm around me a moment. I smiled wider and we turned to head out. I made sure to turn her little light on that was on the dresser before going to turn her main light off.

Before we left the room though we heard. "Mommy. Daddy." We both turned and saw Elena sitting up in bed again. Her ears were to the side and she had a content look on her face. "I love you." She finally said and I saw her tail wagging behind her on the bed.

We both smiled at her. "We love you to Elena." Alastor said to her.

I think that was all the girl needed to hear as she laid back down in bed and closed her eyes. Rufio looked at us to and he was wagging his tail. I went to give the hound a pet on the head.

"You watch over her boy." I said to him and walked back out the door.

Once in the hallway Alastor closed the door, leaving it open a crack.

As I stood there, I had a lot of things going through my head. I was so overwhelmed with everything. I was trying to hold it all back this whole time. Now that Elena was asleep and she couldn't see me, I just wanted to break down. I walked down the hallway and into the living room.

Alastor was calling behind me as I walked, "Heart where are you going?" But I had him drowned out and his words were muffled to me.

I went up the steps and headed towards our bedroom. I opened the door and left it open because I knew Alastor was following me. I just stood in the middle of the room, my hands at my sides and I had them balling into fists. I felt my tears start to fill my eyes, but I didn't want to let them fall. I was angered, upset and mostly I was scared. I didn't know what to do. Did I do something wrong? Did we do something? Was it all a mistake?

Why was I questioning myself so much? It frustrated me, I knew nothing would be easy. I knew nothing would be simple. I knew it would happen. Now that it has happened, I didn't know what to do. I felt so lost. I didn't know how to help my own daughter and it made me mad to no end. There wasn't much I could do. Shit, it was only kindergarten. What would happen in the rest of her school life? I didn't want to imagine.

As I was lost in my thoughts, I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Heart? Please talk to me. You have me worried, my love." I heard Alastor say behind me.

Then I broke.

The tears escaped my eyes and I started to shake lightly. I didn't want to hold myself up anymore...I fell to my knees. I felt so defeated because of all this. Ever since I got that phone call, I have been just a giant wreck waiting to happen. I finally crashed.

Alastor called out my name again in worry but his words didn't register in my head. I felt him shake me lightly, but I didn't respond. I was full of fog and words that seem to echo in my head. 'Failure' and 'Bad Mom' were a few of the words. I knew I wasn't, but they started to consume my entire being. I was scared I had failed Elena. I failed myself. I put my head down and grabbed my ears and pulled on them and pulled my hair a little. I heard my breath pick up and I almost felt like I couldn't breathe for a few moments. I felt like I was gasping.

Hands were on my shoulders. I looked up and saw Alastor as he kneeled down in front of me. I saw the look of concern on his face. He looked almost frantic. His lips were moving but I couldn't make out the words. The deer demon brought me forward into his chest and he wrapped his arms around me, crushing me into a hug. I felt his hands on my back and soon he took the one up to my head to pet me softly.

My breath started to calm, my mind was starting to just have nothing. All the words just disappear into a whisper. It was just becoming blank. I could hear Alastor whispering in my ear now. "-it will be ok darling. Please calm down." I eventually wrapped my arms around my husband and brought him close to me.

Even though my breath was still heavy, my voice shaky and my tears falling I managed to say. "I feel so lost Alastor. Everything happened so fast. I tried to stay strong, but I just couldn't hold it in anymore." I pulled away a little and looked at him with blurred vision. "Am I a bad mom Al?" I asked in a whisper.

Alastor's eyes went wide a moment as he looked at me. His one hand went to my cheek to wipe away my tears. "Heart you are not a bad mom. Don't think such foolish things. Not everyone can be perfect, even for me. You wouldn't have known this would happen."

I leaned into his touch, "But it did...now I don't know what to do to help her. Alastor, I feel like...I failed our daughter." I managed to breathe out.

The Radio Demon softened his eyes and just looked at me lovingly. "Darling, you should know as well as I that kids can be bullies. We had to face them. There isn't much we can do. All we can try to do is be there for her when she needs us. To be strong for her when she hits a low." He explained to me.

All I did was nod to that. "What if she gets really hurt? I don't want to say I regret anything, because I don't, I just wish the kids didn't make fun of her for who she is." I felt anger for that split moment. "Just because she is your daughter doesn't mean anything! It shouldn't matter who the kids' parents are! It's not fair."

"I know as well as anyone for getting bullied over what they are." Alastor whispered to me. "It will be ok darling. You'll see. Give it time. I know it's hard, but we just have to understand that we can't control how people act."

"I just hope she can make a friend. Maybe they can help her." I said low as I leaned into his chest again.

"We will see." Alastor continued to pet my head and play with my ear between his fingers. "Are you feeling a little better now?"

I took a deep breath and let it out slow. "I think so."

"How about we go lay down on the bed? Relax for a little bit? We had an exhausting day already." The deer demon suggested.

"I think laying down and just being lost in your hold sounds like heaven enough to me." I answered as I had a small smile.

Without warning, Alastor picked me up and held me bridle style in his arms as he walked over to the bed and laid me down. He quickly took off his coat and shoes and put them at the end of the bed. He then crawled into bed with me. We were facing each other, and he wrapped his arms back around me and brought me close to him. He had his hand petting my head and he tucked my head underneath his own and I brought my one wing across us to wrap us up. To keep us hidden from the world.

At least at home…the world wouldn't be here to judge us.

This totally was longer than I would have thought. Woops. Oh well. We get to move on after this. At least for now.