Nine

Rose sat in shock as she looked back and forth between her mother and father. She stopped her eyes meeting his as she contemplated everything. When she had arrived back home Rose had not been expecting to hear that her father left her mother because if he didn't she would die nor was she expecting to hear that she was some Guardian. Though being a Guardian did help to make sense of what was happening to her and Klaus, it meant they were mates.

"What does being a Guardian entail exactly?" Rose finally asked.

"You're not more freaked out?" her mother asked confused.

"I was kidnapped by a doppelganger not once but twice because of a connection I share to Klaus, the Original hybrid. Now I find out that I'm a Guardian. Of course I'm freaked out but given all the supernatural shit going on in the world it's not the worse thing someone can be told," Rose said rationally but still internally freaking out.

"It means you keep peace between all the supernatural beings and when you turn eighteen you receive powers from each of them without the downfall. Also when you meet your mate you age like they do," her father explained.

"So that's why you were able to age still after meeting mom?" Rose asked seeing that he had aged.

"Yes it is. My mate is human so while I still have the same abilities vampires, werewolves and witches do I am now mortal. You are different though Rose. From what you've told me Klaus is your mate and he's a hybrid. The only thing that can kill him is the white oak tree. This means that when you come of age at eighteen you will become essentially an Original," he explained calmly.

"Just wonderful. I need air," Rose said getting up and walked out the door before they could say something.

James sighed because while she had freaked out and ran, Rose still handled it better than he had. He saw Meredith's concerned look and wrapped his arm around her in comfort which she took. He was at least relieved that she hadn't turned him away like she easily could have, instead she was giving him a second chance. He closed his eyes knowing that Rose would have to start training, especially because being the mate of the Original hybrid put her in even more danger.

~Fell Girl~

Rose sat on the swing and kicked the dirt below her as her mind tried to process everything she had been told. It wasn't that she hated having Klaus as a mate, that was the only part of all this that made sense, it was that it was so much to take in. She didn't really mind being immortal either, though she would have to get more information on that. The problem so to speak that instead of being a plain, loner girl she was now a Guardian which is what caused her to be freaked out.

"You aren't very good at hiding Katherine," Rose said and looked over to see Katherine strut out from behind the tree but instead of her usual smirk she was concerned.

"You should be more careful," Katherine stated coming to lean against the swingset pole.

"You knew about me didn't you?" Rose asked.

"Yes I did that and much more," Katherine said mysteriously.

"Just tell me Katherine or I won't help you get your freedom," Rose yelled frustrated with secrets.

"Did you know that you have the blood of my little sister running through your veins?" Katherine asked shocking her.

"What? But I thought your whole family had been killed?" Rose asked shocked.

"My little sister was away at the time with my daughter when they were slaughtered. I would have went back for her but I knew it was too dangerous so I let her be. She ended up marrying a wonderful man, who turned out to be much more. I made a promise to myself to make sure her line didn't end," Katherine said and Rose saw the true emotion in the vampire's eyes. Katherine wasn't cold or heartless she was a girl who didn't want to die so she ran. She deserved a second chance at life, to live without looking over her shoulder.

"I'll try to help you get your freedom but I need you help," Rose said taking a deep breath.

"You want me to help make sure you survive to your eighteenth birthday," Katherine stated a small smirk forming on her face.

"Yes my father told me that I will become immortal like an Original so I can be with my mate but only once I turn eighteen. Klaus has enemies more powerful than you and I just need help okay," Rose said sighing.

"Rose Fell you have a deal," Katherine said sounding like she was enjoying this way too much.

"Why do I get the feeling that you and I are going to be good friends?" Rose asked with a laugh.

That question was the truth though. Rose was unusual growing up and that continued on even now. She saw every side of a story and she didn't look at things like they were black and white. She also held everyone by the same standards, it was one of the reasons she didn't like Stefan. Stefan acted like Klaus and everybody else were monsters for drinking human blood but one drop and he turned into a ripper. She didn't like hypocritical people like that and maybe that was just one of her gifts as a Guardian she didn't know but she wasn't going to change for anyone. Looking at Katherine, Rose saw more than the girl that had destroyed the Salvatore brothers, she saw a girl who ran for fear of her life and had been running since. She saw a girl who had her child taken from her despite her protests and she saw a girl that wanted to be free. Maybe if Katherine received her freedom she would finally find love, happiness, something everybody deserved no matter who they were and Rose was going to make sure it happened Klaus be damned.