A.N. Once again, I own nothing that you recognize. Oh, and I thought I should mention that I wasn't sure what to do with the millennium battle, so I just sorta pretended it didn't exist...shrugs

Three years later...

How long? Simon snarled, half changed into tiger form.

Ten minutes, his wife, Marla, answered, concentrating on supporting the protective spells on the house from the attackers outside. Another blast of power hit the wards and Marla winced, feeling her energy slowly drain away as the wards weakened.

Can you hold them off that long? Simon asked worriedly.

Marla took a deep breath as sweat trickled down her brow and between her shoulder blades. Yeah, I can make it, she answered.

Catching the edge of exhaustion in his wife's voice, Simon took a quick glance at her and grit his teeth. I'm going out there.

she snapped, feeling one of the wards nearly fall. Quickly, she threw up another wall of protection, her grip tightening on the crystal until the edges dug into her palm. We wait, she gasped.

Eight more minutes until backup gets here, Simon thought, fervently wishing that another witch was present to support Marla. Who knew how many were outside fighting her?

he protested, hissing in frustration and knowing she was right.

Guard Elyssa and let me concentrate, Simon!

Simon widened his stance in front of the hidden door in the wall panel. Helplessly, he watched as the minutes ticked by and his wife grew pale and weak.

Three more minutes.

Suddenly, a window exploded to Simon's right and he quickly moved away from the wall where Elyssa's room was hidden. Marla gasped and collapsed to her knees as another window broke from the direction of the kitchen. A ball of fire flew through the newly broken window and landed on the opposite wall.

Growling, Simon sensed the oncoming attackers and changed completely to his tiger form. Crouching in attack position, he faced the group climbing through the ruined wall. He launched himself at the first target he saw, finding the arm of a vampire and sinking his teeth in hard.

The vampire hissed in pain and attempted to shake the tiger off, but Simon held on resolutely. A witch climbed through the debris of wall and blasted him with more fire, causing him to fly across the room to crash through a table.

Marla gave one last gasp of effort and collapsed entirely, her skin gray, mouth hanging loosely open. As she hit the ground, Simon gave a howl of rage and leapt at the group of rogue 'shifters coming through another wall of his home.

Baring his fangs in a challenge, he threw himself into the pack, feeling teeth tear at his flesh. Pain coursed through him as fangs ripped through his muscles and veins, but anger had numbed him and he continued to fight without faltering.

FInally, backup arrived, immediately killing half of the attackers with the witches' initial blast. A large, nearly black 'wolf lead pack of werewolves in through the wall next to Simon and quickly pulled the rogues off him, but he knew he was past help.

Panting on his side from his place on the floor, he watched as the Circle Daybreak agents killed off or captured the remaining attackers. Soon, the Daybreakers overwhelmed their opposition and every enemy was accounted for. But as Simon slipped back into his halfway form, he suddenly realized how far from Elyssa's hiding place he had moved and he remembered who he was fighting for in the first place.

Relief pushed away the last of his worry as he saw the door to Elyssa's hidden room remained unopened. As the Circle Daybreakers moved around, collecting bodies, contacting superiors, treating the wounded, Simon lifted himself and limped over to the door, wincing at the pain in his left shoulder. Changing completely, he stood in front of the door and pressed a hand against his shoulder, blood flowing freely through his fingers.

Concealed become known, hidden become shown, he whispered, remembering Marla teaching him the incantation. I conjure thee, as I will, so mote it be.

The door glowed for a brief moment and then slowly swung open, allowing Simon to see Elyssa huddled in a corner. Big gray eyes full of fear met his and he smiled reassuringly.

Hey, kiddo. You wanna come out of there?

Elyssa blinked at him and stood up. Are they gone now?

Crouching down to look the nine year old in the eye, he nodded, hiding his wince. You're safe now.

He glanced over his shoulder and spotted a witch heading towards them, scrutinizing his shoulder. Honey, I want you to go over to Samantha, all right? I have to talk with Crystal.

Elyssa's eyes remained fixed on his shoulder. You're hurt.

I'll be fine, he lied. The shoulder was just a scratch compared to his internal injuries. Even without examining himself, he knew that his injuries were too serious for healing spells.

Where's Marla? the girl asked as Crystal reached them. Simon looked at the witch questioningly and she shook her head slightly.

Closing his eyes for a moment, Simon got a grip on himself and shoved the feelings down. Then, he turned to look back at Elyssa. She's gone, kiddo.

Tears welled up in her eyes and sorrow pushed out the fear that was there a moment before. I'm sorry, Simon, she whispered, sounding a hundred years older. This is all my fault.

he retorted, lowering his head to catch her eye. This is not your fault, okay?

Elyssa closed her eyes, obviously trying not to cry and Simon reached out to wrap an arm around his foster daughter, momentarily forgetting the pain in his shoulder. She loved you, Elyssa, he told her, rubbing her back gently. She was willing to give her life to protect you because you were so special to her. But she chose to Elyssa. You had no choice in the matter. It is not your fault. Okay?

Elyssa took a deep breath then nodded against his neck and he let out his breath. Okay, I have to go with Crystal now. Samantha is right over there.

She paused and looked at him gravely. I love you, Simon.

And he knew that she knew he wasn't going to make it. I love you, Elyssa, he said fiercely. He squeezed her to him with the last of his energy. Never forget that. Never.

I won't, she whispered. Pulling away again, she looked him in the eye and smiled slightly. Tell Marla I love her.

Will do, kiddo, he answered with a wink. Cupping her cheek, he ran his thumb along her birthmark with something akin to reverence. She would have a long, hard life, but she would live. He supposed that was all that was important really.

Elyssa's smile strengthened and, as Samantha led her away, Simon realized that he, too, was smiling. Turning to Crystal, he said grimly, Bring her to Thierry. The Redferns aren't going to give up this easily now that they know she's alive.

Crystal nodded then seemed to brace herself. Simon, let me try to--

Don't bother, Crys. You know it's no good. He winced as his breathing grew labored. Just take her to Thierry. Hurry.

He's already on his way. Lie back.

He's coming here? He wasn't sure why he was so surprised. This was Hannah's life in question, after all. Still, Thierry tried to stay away from the girl, only showing up at holidays for a dinner here and there.

Putting a balled up shirt under his head to make him more comfortable, Crystal nodded. There's been talk about Elyssa going to live in Vegas.

A weak grin spread across his face. Is that really a good idea? His voice was barely more than a whisper now. Crystal had to watch his lips to understand him.

I guess we'll see what happens. Glancing over her shoulder, the witch froze. He's here.

Thierry walked over to Elyssa's dying foster father. Kneeling down next to the shapeshifter, Thierry nodded to the witch next to him and she nodded back in awe.

Crystal looked slightly startled by the familiar greeting, but neither man paid her any attention.

Words are so useless, Thierry thought helplessly. How can you thank someone who died so another could live?

Thank you, he whispered, his eyes saying everything he couldn't frame with words.

Simon smiled weakly and gave an almost imperceptible nod. It was an honor, sir. His voice seemed to strengthen for just a moment as he said, Take care of her.

Thierry nodded back. With that, Thierry gripped his agent's shoulder for a moment, then stood and went to find Elyssa.

He was fairly certain he would find the nine year old in the company of a human named Samantha, a woman Thierry had charged with the job of informing him on Elyssa's situation at all times. If she was sick, he wanted to know about it, down to the time of her last sniffle.

He had, of course, been in constant communication with her foster parents as well, but he hadn't wanted to intrude too much or too often afraid they would cut him off entirely. So, he'd limited himself to coming over every holiday and birthday and very few dinners in between. Effectively, he had inserted himself into the role of a dear family friend in Elyssa's life.

An idea he had a feeling would cause him numerous problems later, but at the time had seemed brilliant and inspired.

Locating Samantha standing in the next room, he noticed Elyssa sitting on a table next to the human woman and started towards them. Poppy and James fell into step beside him, one on either side, joining from a quick debriefing that Ash and Quinn were now running.

How's Marla? Poppy asked tentatively.

Thierry said, not ungently, but bluntly.

James asked.



A few meters from Elyssa and Samantha, the trio slowed to a stop. What happens now? Poppy pressed quietly.

I don't know yet. But until I do, she comes back to Vegas with us.

Poppy and James glanced at each other.

He held up a hand. Poppy, we have no other choice. The Redferns have obviously discovered that she's alive. They aren't going to give up.

James nodded. I agree with that, but isn't there another safe house she can go to?

Rubbing his temple, Thierry shrugged. I don't know yet, he repeated. I'm not sure she'll be adequately protected with only two people around and if we post more agents, she'll have no real life. If she lives with us, she'll be surrounded by Daybreak's best agents and she can move relatively freely around Vegas.

Poppy nodded, too. Yes, but what about--

I really don't know, Poppy.

Recognizing the dismissal, Poppy held her tongue and nodded again. Yes, sorry, sir.

The three of them began moving towards the child again. Elyssa looked up as they came closer and jumped off the table to run towards Poppy.

Falling to her knees, Poppy opened her arms and Elyssa launched herself into them. Hi, sweetie.

Elyssa buried her face in Poppy's neck and the vampire rubbed the child's back, trying to soothe her. Looking at Thierry and James, who watched sympathetically, Poppy stood, still holding the girl close to her.

What now? Poppy asked Thierry mentally.

Let me talk to her, he answered, motioning to set the girl on the table.

Poppy said, sitting the child down and pulling away slightly. Elyssa looked up at her with sad eyes. I'm going right over there. She pointed to a group of people nearby. Thierry wants to talk to you for a second, but I'll be right back, okay?

Elyssa nodded and Poppy pulled James over to the other group of Daybreakers. Turning to look at Thierry, Elyssa met his eyes with perfect trust in her innocent face. she said quietly.

Thierry relaxed a little. He could so do this. Piece of cake. Hey, there. See now, that wasn't so bad. Kids were easy to talk to.

So why did this feel surreal?

Silence settled over the pair as Thierry searched for a way to explain to a nine year old what was going on. Elyssa, suffering from no feelings of surreality, cocked her head to the side to study him.

They're dead, she offered, not as if she thought he was confused on this point or as if she needed confirmation, but more as a statement of fact to a sympathizer.

I'm so sorry. Forgetting who she was for a moment and seeing just a hurt little girl, he ran a comforting hand over her hair. A moment later he returned to himself and snatched his hand away, but not before realizing that it had had no effect on him whatsoever.

Relief spread throughout his body. All these years, he'd kept a certain distance between them--both physical and emotional--worried that he might somehow damage her. Apparently, that wasn't the case. Maybe her new living situation wouldn't be so bad.

he began hesitantly. How would you like to come live with us in Las Vegas? Elyssa looked confused and he hurried to explain. You would be living in my house, but Poppy and James spend most of their time there along with a few other Daybreak members.

she said.

You could have your own room. Your pick of rooms, actually, he muttered, thinking of all the unused space in his mansion. We have a game-- He stopped and blinked.

Elyssa nodded patiently. I'd like to live with you, Thierry.

Thierry nodded back and took a deep breath. All right, then. Waiting a moment, he screwed up his courage and offered his hand to the little girl in front of him. She calmly took it, apparently not registering his almost near panic and hopped off the table to follow him.

Poppy and James stared at them as they approached, the calm little blonde girl next to the tall blonde vampire who looked ready to bolt at any second. Poppy noticed their hands and snapped her eyes back to Thierry's.

Don't worry, he said mentally. There isn't any effect.

And how exactly did you discover that? she snapped, relieved and scared at the same time. What if this hurts her somehow? What if this isn't supposed to happen, Thierry?

Well, obviously it's supposed to happen, James interjected before Poppy completely lost her temper.

And how do you figure that? she asked with narrowed green eyes.

Cuz it is happening. The look in her eyes told James it was time to walk away. Quickly.

Reviewers:
(My first reviewers! You guys rock!!!!)

thelotuspath-Thanks for the review! This story idea has been in my head for a long time and just refuses to go away. So, I think finishing is the only way to get rid of it.

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I hope you all liked this chapter as much as the last one!

Please review everyone!