Aftermath of the Deputy Massacre

2013

:::

In her short life, she had never truly seen death. She knew she had been the cause of one, but Rhea had never seen a death until now. All around her was blood, bodies and fire. So much chaos. The screams were everywhere and out the cover of her eye, she saw movement. A flash of red hair, the gleam of bloodied fangs and then a growl. "Such a pretty treat," she heard a coo and when Rhea looked up, she was almost certain she was going to die.

She moved to step away, step back from the vicious woman, when a hand caught her wrist. "Now, now dear it won't hurt."

Rhea felt her blood run cold. "Stay away from me."

The redhead grinned. "I'm sorry dear, I'm just so hungry."

Everything that happened afterwards was so quick. Rhea screamed, loud and a surge of magic shot through her. The redhead flew back into the man trying to stake Stefan. Arms wrapped around her shoulders and she heard someone whisper her name. Auntie Caroline, she registered. Auntie Caroline was hugging her as the chaos continued.

"Stop!" came a new voice.

Rhea looked over to see the woman from before, the one who has greeted her when she first came to this time. She took in the decay around her, the fire and blood. Her eyes weren't as manic as they had been. Now she looked ashamed. She was speaking but all Rhea could hear was the ringing of her ears.

"I worked so that we could be a family again," she said. Her voice was cold but Rhea could see the disappointment in her eyes. "We're leaving, this ends now."

Caroline's arms keep Rhea close to her, feeling the child's warmth and the rapid biting of her heart. Sharing a look with Matt, the vampire whisked the child away.

:::

She was gone for a few days and everything went to hell.

Bonnie sat on the edge of her bed in her dorm in Whittmore. Her ten year old daughter slept in the bed, still clutching Miss Cuddles. In the few days since she had been back so much had happened. She and Damon killed a Heretic, the rest of the Heretics had acted in kidnapping Caroline for retaliation. Matt wasn't too happy with her at the moment and the extent of that was affecting Rhea. Alaric was trying to resurrect his dead wife and Damon was...well Damon.

Between his moping of Elena and wanting to know who Rhea's father was to pass the time before he struck against his mother, Damon was currently downing himself in bourbon. Bonnie had no idea where she would find him, he was not answering his phone.

The young witch sighed and turned back to her daughter.

Her daughter - that was still something she had to get used to. Rhea was pretty shut lip on why she looked at her like she was a ghost. Maybe Bonnie was in some sort of coma. A ten year coma. Rhea had said it was fifteen years in the the future she came from.

She never spoke of anything else. Bonnie would give it to the kid, she kept it pretty under lock and key.

A soft knock caught her attention. Bonnie removed herself from the bed, making sure not to awaken the sleeping child. She made her way over to the door and opened it. She had expected to see Alaric with news about the stone or even a drunken Damon, hell a brooding Stefan. She was not expecting to see Bael smiling sheepishly at her.

Bael Michaels was a boy from her occult class with Alaric. He hasn't been in class last lecture so she was pretty sure he was coming to try and get a peek at her notes. Bael looked much older than the average student. He looked in his mid 20s, with cobalt eyes that seems to have time edged into them and his chestnut colored hair looked like silk to Bonnie. She wouldn't lie, there were times when she wanted to run her fingers through it. Thought was she liked most abouthim, aside from his smile, was the light scruff he always wore.

"Hi," she greeted to him in a hushed tone.

"Hi back," he grinned in a similar manner, and then noticed to the sleeping child in her bed. "Whose the kid?"

"Distant relative," Bonnie said. "She's visiting."

"With a health hazard issued out?" he asked with a tilt. "Where's her family?"

"Um," she paused.

"They're in New Orleans," came a small voice. Both of them turned towards Rhea who was wide awake. She gave a small smile at them and then blushed. "I didn't mean to interrupt you guys. I just woke up."

Bonnie turned towards her. "Do you want anything to eat or drink?"

"Could I have some ice cream?" Rhea asked and drew her knees into her chest. Ice cream always made her feel better when she was tired. Bael snickered at her antics before turning towards Bonnie.

"I'll leave you to your family bonding."

"You don't want the notes for class?" Bonnie asked.

"I didn't come for the notes," he stated. "A guy can't see the girl he's interested in nowadays?"

Bonnie felt her cheeks warm. "Oh."

Rhea stiffened a giggle. Her parents were so cute together.

"I'll see you in class," Bael said and then took Bonnie's hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "See you tomorrow Bennett."

Bonnie watched him leave and then turned towards her daughter. "Now, how about that ice cream?"

:::

Valerie wasn't sure what she was doing stalking the Bennett girl.

Nora and Mary-Louise had basically demanded she do it so they could sneak off and find the little girl that always trailed behind her. Tonight however, the Bennett girl wasn't with her. She was out with some man. A witch from the power she felt rolling off of him.

So where was the girl?

She watched from her hiding spot as the young couple chatted about god knows what. What in the world could they possibly have in common aside from an evident attraction?

"Why the frowning, love?" she turned towards Enzo who had taken a place next to her. "It isn't suiting you."

"Why must I watch some silly date?" she mused aloud. "Besides, it's obvious all he wants is to bed her."

Enzo snickered. "You've never seen a man in love have you? And I don't mean that puppy love you had with Stefan."

She glared deeply at him. "Fine, tell me then."

"Well for one, he's not like the men of this time." Enzo said and watched as Bael kept a good hand on Bonnie's back. It was a light touch, nothing to dominating but a way to show her he was there. "He's holding onto every word she says. He's probably noticing how beautiful she looks in certains lights as well. Ah, see there?" he pointed to how Bael was staring at Bonnie as she went to look the window of a shop. A crystal store, Valerie noticed.

While Bonnie was pressing her face against the glass like a child during Christmas, the young man with her was staring at her. But she noticed something about his eyes. She had seen the boy staring at her earlier that day and his eyes hadn't looked so forlorn and broken like they were now. But Valerie could see the time in his gaze.

He was an old one.

How old, she didn't know. But how? Witches couldn't live anywhere past two hundred with the right immortal spell. So how old was he and how long had he been a witch? Or was he something other? Another Heretic perhaps?

She tuned her ears in to listen. "Opalite?" asked the male.

"I like the color," Bonnie smiled.

He gave a soft laugh. "I can see that," he grinned and then walked towards her. His hand reached out and traced along her jaw line, traced her lips, the curve of her neck but his eyes never left her face. "You know Bennett, beneath the lights, you look so angelic."

She blushed. "Stop flattering me."

"Come on, don't tell me you've never been complimented on how beautiful you are."

Valerie noticed the shadow passing the girl's face. "It's complicated."

He nodded. "Want to change the subject?"

"Could we?"

"Okay," he smiled and paused, his hand just above the pulse of her neck. "Do you remember the first time we met?"

"You asked me for a kiss." Bonnie smiled. It was his turn to look flustered and he grinned sheepishly.

"I did," he answered. "And I kept asking you."

"Again and again," Bonnie rolled her eyes. "Are you finally going to kiss me?"

"Do you want me to?" he asked and leaned in, resting his forehead on hers. "Because as much as I would love to kiss you, Bonnie we shouldn't."

She blinked. "Why?"

"Why won't he kiss her?" Valerie asked and looked at Enzo. He shrugged, not really having an answer himself.

"Because I want it to be mindblowing," grinned the male and he kissed her forehead.

"Bael, you're such a strange one." Bonnie muttered.

"But you like me for it, otherwise we wouldn't be on this date."

Bonnie snorted. "True."

:::

"Are you sure you wanna do this?" asked Stefan as he looked down at Rhea. They stood just beyond the gate of the Salvatore Boarding House, both determined to rescue Caroline. He wasn't quite sure why he was placing his trust in a ten year old girl who didn't really know how to control her powers. But here he was.

"I'm sure," she said with a firm nod. "Auntie Caroline is in there because of my mom's mistake and even though Damon won't try and do anything, I will."

"He's biding his time," Stefan argued.

"According my mom's journals and your own word, his plans aren't always the best option." Rhea said. "I know I'm not skilled, but I know a thing or two about some spells."

"Like?" he asked.

"You'll see," she smiled up at him. "Now let's go."

"I can't be invited in."

"I never said I needed you inside." Rhea said as she strode towards the building. Stefan watched her go, seeing every bit of Bonnie Bennett oozing from her. The walk, the determined look upon her face. The fire in her eyes. This girl truly was a Bennett but for some reason, he got an inkling of Klaus in her as well. Bonnie couldn't have possibly bedded Klaus could she?

He didn't want to think about that. Instead he followed after her. Upon reaching the door, she knocked twice. The door flew open and they looked upon Beau, who glared down at the young girl.

"Hello," she smiled up at him. "I know you probably don't wish to see us, since we offed your brother and all."

Stefan groaned. This was starting off bad. Beau said nothing, just kept his glare on her. She giggled. "Oh that's adorable," she smiled and met his eye. The green of her eyes dimmed as she spoke, "You're going to let us in and since you can't speak, you're going to be a good Heretic and go sit down and enjoy a cuppa."

Stefan sighed. "That isn't going to..."

He watched as Beau stepped aside in a trace and let them in. He then dismissed himself and walked off towards the kitchen to make something to drink. Stefan started down at her. "How did you do that?"

"My aunt and uncle thought it would be bet I learned a way to use magic like compulsion. But only when it was necessary. My papa always taught me as well." Answered Rhea as she looked around the living room. "It's so different now."

"How so?"

"Mama had a wing put up, to remember the ones who died," Rhea said. "I'm going to check upstairs. Keep watch for me?"

"How did you get me in?"

"I'll tell you later," Rhea smiled and rushed upstairs. She walked cautiously around the upper level and paused when she heard a cry of pain. Auntie Caroline! Taking cautious steps, she followed the noise and saw a blonde Heretic smiling as she continued to stab Caroline with coloring pencils.

"Now are you going to answer me?" she asked. "Who killed Malcolm?"

"I don't know!" Caroline snapped at her. She looked tired and she wanted to feed. "Please I really don't know who did it."

Mary-Louise sighed. "Very well then."

She turned towards the table and reached for a stake. Smiling, she turned back towards the chained up vampire. "You're no use to me now."

"Wait!" cried Rhea as she came from her hiding spot. Mary-Louise paused and looked over at the little girl, dressed in a romper. Her eyes were wide with fear, but they stayed on the stake in the hybrid's hand. "Please don't kill her."

"Rhea," Caroline whispered. "Sweetie how did you...ah!"

Mary-Louise had twisted one of the pencils in her ribs. "And why shouldn't I kill her?"

"Because she didn't do it." Rhea whispered. She kept her heartbeat steady as she spoke. "I did. I killed Malcolm."

Mary-Louise gave a crackle. "You?"

This girl couldn't be no more than ten years. How could she rip Malcolm's heart from his chest? "Say I believe you," she said, indulged. "What exactly am I to do with her?" She nodded towards Caroline. "Let her go?"

"I'll corporate," Rhea whispered. "Just let my aunt go."

Aunt? "Hmm, I'll keep you here for now. See what Lily has to say about all of this." Mary-Louise said with a shrug.

"Just don't hurt her," Rhea whispered and looked at her aunt.

"Rhea listen to me, this isn't worth it!" Caroline said. "Go home."

Stefan came flying into the room, Lily and Nora right behind him. "Look what we found." Nora grinned.

Lily's eyes landed on Rhea. "You," she breathed and then looked at Stefan. "She is with you?"

"She says she killed Malcolm," Mary-Louise said with a snort. "Hard to believe."

"I doubt it myself," Lily said and looked down at the girl. "You're only a Bennett. No matter how strong you think you are, you are nothing."

Rhea frowned. "I'm more than a Bennett."

Nora snickered. "Oh please."

Rhea glared. "I am."

"Rhea," Stefan whispered in warning. "Stop it."

"You're barely a babe," cooed Nora mockingly. "And yet you stand as if you're taller than an mountain."

Rhea bit her lip. Her father's voice rang in her ears. "If people ever doubt you, little tiger-lily, show them the power you possess. Dig deep into your center and find your flame. You are a Bennett but you also so much more. You are a Mikaelson as well and Mikaelsons are like wolves."

"You didn't kill Malcolm," Lily said as she stepped forward. "You could barely control yourself when I first met you."

"That was then," Rhea said with gusto. The Mikaelson in her was rearing its head. Proud, stubborn, dangerous beneath a tender face. "This is now."

The malachite hue of her eyes darkened as power she knew did not belong to her surged forth. Lily gasped in pain as well as the Heretics. The only ones not effected where Stefan and Caroline. "Grab Caroline," Rhea spoke and Stefan had to pause as he looked at her. It wasn't her speaking to him. It was another voice. "What are you waiting for, Salvatore? Grab her!"

Stefan moved, grabbing a weak Caroline and then grabbed Rhea as well and with one last look at his mother, flashed the three of them out there.

:::

When Bonnie returned from her date, she was shocked to see Caroline standing in her dorm. She was holding a sleeping Rhea with her as she stepped forward. "Care," she breathed and wrapped her arms around Caroline's shoulders. "How?"

"Rhea mostly, but Stefan helped as well." Caroline smiled down at the little girl. "She's a Bennett alright."

"How?"

"Miss Shelia," Caroline smiled. "She was communicating through Rhea. Told us that she brought her back so that Rhea could help you."

Bonnie frowned. "Help me?"

"Yup," Caroline said. "She only said that you were worth the risk."

Bonnie frowned and looked down at the sleeping girl. "I feel like she is too."

"We need to protect her Bon," Caroline said. "She told the Heretics she called Malcolm."

"She didn't," Bonnie said. "Damon and I did."

Caroline groaned. "So much for a peace treaty."

"We'll protect her," Bonnie said and petted Rhea's head.

"She's worth it huh?" Caroline smiled.

"Definitely."