3.20 Time To Say Goodbye

"Dad" Keenan called running towards the shed "you've go to stop him," he pleaded the pink haired male.

Caleb turned to confront the frantic fifteen year old. "Your father knows what he's doing," he assured the boy moving to block the door.

"You don't understand," Keenan cried baring his fangs hissing at Caleb.

Gulping Caleb stood his ground hoping Adam was right that the boy was no different then any other fifteen year old. "What don't I understand?" he asked in the hopes of distracting the boy.

"If that IF is who we think it is. She's going to kill my dad." Tears ran down is cheek "I can't lose him." He gripped Caleb's shirt "please I have to help him...he can't do this on his own."

Caleb struggled in the boys grip. Jerking backwards groaning as his shirt ripped as it tore free from the boys grasp. He looked towards the shed door, indecision written on his face. "I can't let you go in there," he told the boy "Adam wouldn't want you sacrificing yourself for him."

"Then you go in there," Keenan implored "please he's all I have..." He fell to his knees "he's the only one who understands me...please I can't lose him."

The boys pleading eyes as they gazed up at him tugged at Caleb's heart. How could he stand by without helping? He looked towards the house. Saw Drew walking towards them. Before he could think through the ramifications of his actions he turned towards the boy "I'll help your dad. Just promise me something..."

Nodding Keenan got to his feet "I'll do anything ... just help my dad."

Fumbling with the keys to unlock the door Caleb looked straight into the unnaturally light glowing eyes of the boy standing before him "don't let Drew follow me. Whatever happens to us help her."

Keenan turned to look at the approaching young woman, his cousin "I can't let you...." he began to say realizing the sacrifice he had asked Caleb to make. Turning when he heard the door open and shut. Running towards the door Keenan tried to reach it before the lock clicked in place. Pulling on the door handle screaming "Caleb don't do this. I had no right to ask you. Your family needs you." Pounding on the door he yelled into the night.

***

Moving quickly while the boy was distracted Caleb unlocked, closed and bolted the door from the inside before locking the door again. Blinking he stumbled over something in the dark. "Adam" he called fearing the thing he tripped over may have been the older man. Laughter greeted his inquiry as he tried to figure out where the sound was coming from in the dark.

"You're too late," the voice snarled from the darkness "I win."

"You win what?" Caleb asked the disembodied voice. "what do you get for killing Adam?"

"I accomplish my life's aspiration," she said "I can now claim my rightful place as an elder ruling over Midnight Hollow. There is no higher accomplishment."

"Wrong," Caleb shouted back at her "this elaborate plan was all for nothing. Did you forget Adam is the ruler of Moonlight Falls and Midnight Hollow? That was one of the first things he changed. Your purpose is obsolete. Your obsolete."

Screaming Windy ran towards the taunting man. Hands out stretched seeking to strangle the hateful words from his throat. Everything she had lived for was gone. Her sole purpose was gone. Her only goal in life was lost. She should have known Adam would do this to her. Always foiling her carefully laid out plans.

Caleb tried to avoid what was coming but he couldn't see from what direction she would attack from. He was slammed against a wall gagging as hands like steal claws closed around his throat cutting off his oxygen. He clawed at the inhuman hands feeling skin come away as he scratched at her hands. Nothing phased her. His vision grew dark as he lost consciousness. His last thoughts were of his family, Drew, his kids, Ambrose, his parents, brothers and sister. All their faces blended together until their was just one gazing upon him with sadness.

***

Pulling the boy from the door Drew gripped his shoulders shaking him until he looked up at her. 

"What's happening?" she yelled at him hoping to break through his dazed expression.

"He....he...." gulping for air he turned glazed eyes up towards his cousin "I'm sorry. I didn't think. I didn't realize what I was asking of him. He shouldn't have gone in there."

"What did he do?" she gripped his upper arms squeezing with a fierceness she didn't realize she had "what did he do?"

Nodding towards the door "he went in there...to...to help my dad."

Dropping her hands from the boy she turned towards the door. "Caleb honey come out here right this instance." She knew it was useless she knew Caleb wouldn't be able to stand idly by. Knew he would put himself in danger if it meant he could help someone else. God help her, she didn't want her kids to have live the nightmare she had. They needed their father. She needed her husband. She didn't want to raise their children alone. "Caleb" she screamed falling to her knees on the rough ground.

"Come on," Keenan grabbed her arm "we've got to go check on the kids."

Nodding she let him guide her towards the house. Halfway across the yard she turned back "what do we do if she escapes?"

Keenan stopped, turned and stared at the silent innocent looking shed. Within those walls he knew three people were fighting for their lives. Only one of them deserved to die. He didn't know what to do. The one person with all the answers was in there. His dad. Keenan knew he wasn't ready to become ruler in his dads place. He didn't want to do it at all without his dad by his side. His dad had the empathy he lacked for humans. He was the key to bridging the gap between human and supernatural. Blinking he turned to Drew knowing the answer to her question. The answer was something neither he or she was prepared to do.

***

When the pink haired male became silent, ceasing his useless struggles she let his body drop to the floor with a dull thud. "Stupid human," she mumbled as she approached Adam's prone body sprawled on the floor. "Your the stupidest one of all," she rolled him roughly onto his back.

Several minutes passed before Adam's eyelids flickered and a low moan issued from his mouth. Fighting the pain Adam lifted his head to find Windy's eyes glaring at him. "What did I ever do to you except make you real and be stupid enough to fall in love with you?"

"My kind can't love," she told him enjoying his feeble attempts to sit up.

"That's a lie and you know it" he leaned back resting his head on the wall behind him. "I've learned a lot about your kind all the years I've been ruling. I'm not the same naive kid I used to be."

She stared impassively at him as memories of him as a toddler singing to her ran through her mind. She used to love the sound of his voice. How his voice made her feel warm and safe wrapping her up in his love. She encouraged that love, helping it to grow stronger as he turned to her for comfort as his mother grew colder, meaner and more hateful. She knew then, that was what she had to become if she wanted the coveted eldership in Midnight Hollow. It was rare that an IF actually killed their human life giver. As they adapted from what the Watchers originally made them to be the more IF's began to fall in love with their life givers and have children. Some though opted for the more sinister pleasure of making the life givers lives miserable in place of killing them outright. 

A smile lit up her face as she watched Adam cringe against the wall no doubt wondering what she was thinking about. She had almost opted for that last option after she found out she was pregnant. She enjoyed watching him squirm like a worm on a hook. Scott ruined it though. She wanted to play with both men but she had to be careful with the things she did with Scott. She had no hold over him and the elders would have given her up to the authorities if she had hurt him too much. Scott wasn't her life giver. Adam was, she could run to Midnight Hollow once she disposed of him. They'd protect her if she fulfilled her goal. That was up until she started hurting her halfling son to accomplish that goal.

She should have taken the child with her. Dumped him off at the home for halflings in Midnight Hollow. Then forgot about him. She couldn't though. The moment he was born she wanted him. Wanted to be his mother. By then there was no way back from the things she had done. No way to undo the harm she had done. Jealousy and obsession had taken over. If she couldn't have Adam no else could. It nearly destroyed her when Adam remarried, had a child with that other woman. He was supposed to pine for her the way she did for him.

Adam looked past Windy at the silent, still form of Caleb on the floor. Closing his eyes he wondered why the young man followed him. Stilling his human senses and feelings he let his vampire senses take control. He heard his son, felt his anguish and guilt. Guilt for asking Caleb to help. Guilt for allowing his needs to overcome his better sense. Confusion was there too. He was lost needing direction, not knowing what he should do next. Adam pushed out with his mind, concentrating on his son giving him the answer he needed.

***

"Caleb when will you ever learn?" 

"Star? Is that you? How?" he asked sitting up in a daze. He reached his hand out touching her beloved face pulling her close, devouring her mouth with his. "I've missed you so so much."

"I've missed you too," she leaned into him "I wish ...." she began to say as she was interrupted by a clear cheerful voice from the little girl running up to them.

"Is it him? Really really him?" she asked flopping down beside them. 

Looking quizzically at the little girl sitting beside him Taking in her red gold hair and light green eyes. Turning to Star "who is this? I feel as if I should know her."

"She's your daughter Olivia," Star watched sadness fill his grey eyes "I'm sorry I thought you would want to meet her."

"I do I just...I didn't expect..." he pulled the little girl to him hugging her close. This was the child he and Drew had lost.

"I've been watching out for her until you came," Star told him.

"Star's my bestest friend daddy along with grandma and grandpa." she kissed his cheek "I wanted to meet you but you need to go now."

"Go? I just got here," Caleb protested. 

Nodding towards the little girl who was running off already filling the air with her giggles "she's right you know. You need to go."

"I can't," Caleb protested wrapping his arms around her holding her tight not wanting to ever let her go. "I want to stay here with you."

Turning she ran a hand across his bearded cheek. "Caleb I love you but you don't belong here with me." Shaking her head sadly she kissed his cheek "you need to go back. Your family needs you."

Shock jolted through him as he staggered to his feet all but throwing Star from this lap. "Drew the kids what will she think?" he ran his hands through his hair as laughter filled the air around him.

"Drew would understand," Star told him "she knows you love her. She knows that you'll always love me too. We'll be here waiting for you when it's your time."

"Don't go," he pleaded as she got up to leave him. Grabbing her hand he said "please don't go..."

"I must go before Olivia gets into trouble," Standing she laughed "she's a handful like her brother and sisters."

Tugging on her hand Caleb said "sisters? She only has one of each."

Frowning Star bit her lip before saying "another reason for you to go back."

"What aren't you telling me?" Caleb asked.

"I'm not supposed to tell you," she looked away as Olivia ran up to them throwing her arms around Caleb.

"Mama's pregnant with my baby sister," she announced. Hugging him tight she looked up "that's why you have to go back. Mama needs you."

She ran from Star's reaching hand laughing as she went. "She wasn't supposed to tell you that," Star muttered. Turning to Caleb she stroked his cheek "she's right. Drew needs you. It'll be a difficult pregnancy...you have to go back. Your family needs you."

He held her a moment more before nodding accepting his destiny "I know." He saw the sadness, the compassion and her love shining in her eyes. His heart ached for her as she started to fade. 

Before she faded completely "we'll see you after you've lived a long and full life."

"Bye daddy," Olivia called "make sure mama doesn't come for a long long time."

***

"Keenan what aren't you telling me?" she asked. His unblinking gaze towards the shed had her concerned. Grabbing him she forced him to look at her "tell me."

Tears falling from his eyes "dad says we have to set the shed on fire. Fire is the only way to kill an IF."

Mind reeling Drew shook her head "we can't do that...it...it'll kill...." She closed her eyes wanting to block out the enormity of what the cost would be. Keenan would lose his father and she would lose her husband if they weren't already dead. Things weren't going well if Adam was reaching out to his son giving him instructions on how to destroy that thing. But...she couldn't do it. She wouldn't do it.

"Mama" the terrified shriek from the baby monitor hooked to her belt shattered her thoughts. Andrew do doubt was having another of his nightmares as he continued "Peanut Butter Boy is gonna get me. Mama help!"

"Are you sure fire will destroy that thing?"

"Yes," the boy mumbled "you're not serious are you?"

"I am" she scowled towards the shed "I want my babies safe. I have to believe Caleb wants the same thing otherwise he wouldn't have gone in there."

Nodding Keenan added "dad wants Windy gone for good or he wouldn't have told me what needed to be done."

Taking a deep breath Drew wondered if this was how her dad felt as he ran between her and the gun. Calm and scared at the same time. She didn't have time to think it through. She had to protect her babies and hope that Caleb, if he was still alive would be able to find a way out. "Come on. I know how we can do this."

***

As the shed filled with smoke and fire Adam glared at Windy "you lose."

Shrieking she ran towards him seeking to rip his heart out through his chest. "It's your fault" she screamed at him "preventing me from having the things I want. Always getting in the way."

If he hadn't been weakened from her earlier assault he might have been able to shove her away from him. On the other hand if she was busy trying to rip him apart she might not notice Caleb staggering to his feet behind her. He felt her pummeling slow, fearing she might become aware of Caleb's approach he laughed "you're a dangerous fool. You never did know when to quit."

Screaming she wrapped her hands around his neck choking off his words and watched with glee in her eyes as his eyes bulged from the  pressure she was using.

Caleb watched what was happening unable to do anything about it. The room was filling with smoke causing his eyes to water and his lungs were screaming for fresh air. Adam was trying to distract her from his approach but what was he going to do once he got there? The woman was strong, too strong. If she could incapacitate a Vampire, she'd have no problem getting rid of him a lowly human.

Looking around his surroundings seeking something in the light of the fire that would help him defend himself. In the flickering light of the growing flames he spotted a hammer on a nearby workbench. Picking it up he tried not to think about what he was about to do. Approaching from behind Caleb couldn't tell if Adam was breathing or not as Windy continued to strangle him. The thought gave him the strength to swing the hammer with as much force as he could muster. He felt the impact with her head into his teeth. The dull thud and sickening crunch as it broke through her skull almost dropped him to his knees retching. Dropping the hammer from his numb fingers he tried to avoid looking at what he had done. 

Hurrying to Adam's side he tried to check for a pulse but his hands were shaking so severely he couldn't find one. Refusing to believe he hand been too late he picked the vampire up and made his way to the door. Something slammed into his back knocking him to his knees. Adam fell to the floor as Caleb tried to shield his head from the hammer he had foolishly dropped in the belief that Windy had been incapacitated.

"If I don't get to leave neither do you" she screamed trying to swing the hammer again. Adam crawled towards the door while Windy was occupied with Caleb. Fumbling with the bolt Adam managed to open the door. Going back towards the melee he gathered what strength he had to hurl Caleb through the open door. Shouting to be heard through the roar of the fire for him to lock the door on his way out.

Facing Windy in the glare of the fire. Memories of how Vallari had tried to kill his father in the basement of her home. It felt like deja vu. He hoped his own son would have more sense than he had. He hoped Keenan wouldn't try to save him. Facing Windy he shouted "you win. I'm not going anywhere."

She glared at him dropping the hammer at her feet. "Why save him?" she growled "you could have saved yourself."

"Caleb didn't deserve to die," Adam told her covering his mouth as smoke tried to choke him.

"Always the do gooder," Windy said in disgust.

"Why should I change just because I'm about to die?" Adam shrugged leaning heavily against the wall breathing hard from exertion and smoke inhalation.

"No we wouldn't want that" she sneared.

Adam stared at her unsure what he was seeing in her eyes. The same cold hateful glare was gone replaced with a look he remembered from childhood. The same look she had when he called her his best friend. He could feel the heat from the flames and the smoke as it thickened around them. It wouldn't be long now. Coughing he slid down the wall choking on smoke. He felt Windy as she lifted him to his feet. With no strength left he endured the kiss she forced upon him. Heard her whisper in his ear "I'm sorry."

He didn't have time to ponder her words before she picked him up and threw out the window shouting "thank you for never changing." He landed hard on the ground as he heard her shriek as the roof collapsed on her.

He staggered to his feet not thinking straight he tried to go in after her. He was tackled to the ground by his son "dad no" he cried "she's gone."

It's what he wanted, wasn't? A life free of her attacks? Then why did he have this dull ache in his heart? It was for the glimmer of the girl he used to know. The girl he had loved once. She had shown him that girl still existed inside her, underneath all the twisted hateful things. He grieved for the girl she could have been and knew she had sacrificed herself by saving him. She could have escaped if she had wanted to. She chose to save him and maybe in that final act she truly was sorry for the years of misery she had inflicted upon him and their son.