Disclaimer: Yes. I mean no. Wait…oh, whatever. I don't own anything.

"But that will mean other people will get hurt…maybe even Thierry and the rest of them, just at a later time." Hannah said, her voice sounding sad and just a tad bit haunting.

"That's true." He replied cheerfully. "But if you turn my offer down now, there will be absolutely no hope at all. And either way we will find your hideaway…it might take a week. A month. A month and a half. But we will find it. Now, please…may I have your answer? And hurry now, because if they get here first, then I'm afraid I'll have to resign my generous deal. And that, my dears, wouldn't be good…for any of you."

Rashel's Point of View (Starting Four Hours in the Past, right as Thierry made one of his phone calls):

Rashel Jordan watched as Thea slowly flipped her phone shut and turned back toward the group. She felt Quinn give her hand a gentle squeeze and she tossed a slightly dimmed smile at him—he always knew when she was getting herself anxious…but this time she had just cause to be. Last time Poppy had gotten a phone call Maggie and Hannah had gone missing. What disaster had struck this time?

"It was Thierry." Thea said, and almost immediately Rashel relaxed. Thea's voice was not panicked nor worried like Poppy's had been the last time; instead her tone sounded downright positive. "He and Delos heard what happened—of course—and are on their way. He called me asking if I'd be willing to help, but of course I said I was helping—only with you guys. But I told him to call my cousin Blaise, and tell her that I owed her big time if she was willing to help. Oh, and get this—they have an address, this time. A real address."

The remaining 5 of them were sitting in a local restaurant booth, fueling up on hamburgers and French fries—except, of course, Poppy and Quinn—while they discussed their plans. Across from Rashel, Poppy smiled exuberantly and poked James. "That's fantastic! Did you hear that Jamie? Everything's going to be all right!"

Rashel noted that James didn't look quite as confident as his counterpart, but he cleared any doubts he might have had from his face and pulled her close. Seeing them, looking all comfy and clearly in love, made Rashel yearn for Quinn. She leaned toward him, and sensing what she wanted, put his arms around her. An almost overwhelming sense of Quinn flooded through her; she turned her face slightly up towards him…waiting…and then the sound of frantic ringing filled their secluded booth. She could have killed Thea as she took her phone from her pocket. "It's probably Thierry calling again," she said apologetically, seeing the disappointed look on Rashel's face.

"Hello?" Thea flipped open the phone. "Eric? What? Wait—I can't hear you! What's going on? What's happening?" She paused. "Oh God. Okay—I'll be there as fast as I can. Be safe, please. Yes, I know. I love you, too. Bye."

"What happened?" Rashel asked, even as Thea shrugged on her jacket and grabbed her bag. She barely glanced at her before answering hurriedly.

"It's Eric. The Daybreak center he's at is under attack. I have to go to him." She said her voice thick with emotion. She turned toward Poppy. "I'm so sorry, Poppy. I know I said I'd help you, but—,"

"No, don't worry about it." Poppy hastened to assure her. "I understand. He's your soulmate. You have to go. In fact, I feel bad that you're going alone…" she trailed off.

"It's no problem. I really hope Phil is okay. I'll see you guys later. Okay?"

It took exactly four seconds for Thea to reach the diner's door.

In those four seconds Rashel shared a grim understanding with Quinn, but before she could turn to Poppy and James, Poppy was already speaking.

"Rashel, Quinn…you know how much it means to me that you guys would come and try to help Phil and myself…but right now, with Thierry bringing backup, I think the best place for you both to be is, well, with Thea. Helping her. That is, if you're willing to go. I know it will be dangerous, but you two are some of our most spectacular fighters, and—"

Rashel smiled sincerely at her—in that moment she felt a swell of respect wash over her for Poppy. Not only was the little girl fiercely loyal and protective of those she considered friends, but she was also generous and selfless. "No, we'll go. You and James go find Phillip and the rest of our group, and we'll meet again soon." And then in an unexpected impulse, she reached out and hugged her before grabbing Quinn's hand and rushing after Thea.

"Wait! Thea! We're coming with you! We can help."

Rashel saw Thea's shoulders almost droop with relief as she paused a few feet away from the door. "Are you sure? It will be dangerous."

Quinn gave a dark chuckle. "We're facing the next apocalypse, here. Everything is dangerous."

"Oh, well, that's true. Then I'd really appreciate the help. My car's still parked by the center, but it's only about two blocks from here."

Rashel nodded. Two blocks was nothing for her, and even less for Quinn. The two blocks she ran just served as a nice little stretch for her legs, and from there they were in the car. It took another short half hour to reach the next closest center, and almost immediately Rashel was on guard. The place was in chaos. Screams flooded from the building, and large snarls and explosions came from within. She saw three police cars lined up—upside down—outside the building. She forced herself to turn away though when she saw the blood oozing slowly down onto the street.

"Oh God," Thea whimpered. And Rashel felt for her. She couldn't imagine how scared she must feel, her soulmate in the midst of battle without her—and a defenseless, animal loving human at that. She had gotten to know both Thea and Eric fairly well at Thierry's house when they had been discussing the upcoming apocalypse, and he had been one of the most kind, gentle hearted people Rashel had ever known. If there was one thing he wasn't, it was a fighter.

"Let's go." Quinn said, opening the car door and running towards the building. They slipped in through a first story window, and were immediately thrust into battle. The window had led to one of bedrooms, and Rashel was surprised to see a familiar face: Gillian Lenox, a lost witch with a human soulmate named David; she, too, had been at Thierry's house with the rest of them. At the current moment she was trying—and failing—to protect a little human girl from no less than three vampires. They had gotten there just in time. The vampires noticed the newcomers just as she and Quinn lunged. On the run toward the window she had quickly flipped her silver coated wooden knife from her boot. She flung the silver off as she jumped and drove the newly polished wooden dagger into the heart of the vampire that was attempting to grab Gillian by the neck. Two feet left of her Quinn was busy taking down his own vampire, and was finished one fourth of a second after her. They both took down the third one, Quinn grabbing it steadily by its shoulders, and Rashel staking it, easily. Thea, Gillian, and the girl watched with amazement.

Finally, the girl spoke. "Wow. You guys are good at that."

Somehow that made everyone laugh; Gillian turned toward her. "That's completely right, Iona. They are good at that." She surveyed the group in near wonderment. "Thank God you guys came! It's so nice to see you! Iona, these are a few of my friends: Rashel, Quinn, and Thea. Guys, this is Iona. She's one of the oldest old souls left, and I'd tell you more about her, but I don't think we really have the time at the moment."

Rashel agreed. "Let's go. Here, I've got front and Quinn will cover back. Thea and Gillian, you guys will take the middle." She shared a brief look with Quinn before making a quick decision. "And Iona, you'll be in the very center, too. I think you'll be safer with us."

Iona nodded, her wide eyes silently agreeing with her. Rashel grabbed her silver sheath from the ground and capped it on her knife once more before heading out the door. Almost instantly a werewolf was on her—pushing her down onto the ground with razor sharp claws and pinning the hand with her knife in it. Before she could kick out at him his head snapped at her neck…only to fall limply, huge teeth an inch away from her flesh. A large silver knife stuck out from its skull. Quinn pulled it out with a quick slick before offering her a hand. She nodded at him, took a calming breath, and continued down the hallway. She turned the corner without anyone attacking her, but down the hallway she could see a large fight going on, with at least four bodies lying, bloodied, on the floor. From behind her, she heard a quick inhale and then someone lunged in front of her.

Thea screamed. "Eric!"

I'm so sorry to leave you with that cliffhanger, please don't hate me! Anyways, moving onto something a slight bit happier: thank you for all the awesome reviews I've been getting! I really love reading them! Like a lot! And as always I look forward to reading your opinions, thoughts, and comments!

Oh, and to xXxhurting-insidexXx—don't worry, Ash and Mary-Lynette will come in soon—just maybe not in the way people will expect it!