AN: It's about half of my usual length, but it was done quite quickly. :) Please review, as always! SPOILERS: Beautiful Creatures

DISCLAIMER: Not my characters. :)

Inevitable

The young girl whimpered as another peal of thunder rang through the house. She called out again, curling further into her bed. Her hands clutched at the sheets frantically. A brightness illuminated the room. This time, she couldn't help the screech that escaped her. She pulled the blanket over her face. Excepting the wind and rain that pounded relentlessly against the windows, she heard absolutely nothing. A new sob started in her throat. She was preparing to call again when she caught the faint footfalls of her uncle. She dashed to her bedroom door, her hand slipping on the knob. When she finally opened it, she saw him standing there, a brief concern marring his face. He crouched down to her eye-level, allowing her to hug him tightly. "Where'd you go?" she murmured shakily.

"I had some business that needed my immediate attention." He rubbed her back softly as her breathing stabled. Another crash echoed through the house. Her hands twisted in his suit. He hushed her quietly. "Shhhshhshh...it's okay Lena, I'm here now."

"Will you," she paused for a hiccup of a sob, "stay, please?"

"Of course I will." She buried her face in his neck. She heard him murmur something, and the fear fled from her mind. Her lips pulled into a slight smile. "Now, was the storm the only offender?" She nodded rapidly. With a muted sigh, he stood, still cradling him to his chest. His eyes flicked to the bed. The rustling of sheets gave him away. He laid her down gently before pulling the bed sheets over her. When he turned away, a sound of protest was heard. Without a word, he walked swiftly to the windows and pulled the curtains together.

Her uncle hesitated there. Her green eyes were trained on his back. Please. Please. He turned then, and was beside her bed by the time she noticed his absence. She could hardly hear anything. The mattress dipped. A warm body slid in beside her. She closed her eyes and smiled a bit more. The headache she didn't take note of dimmed. The door clicked shut in the background. The rain became a constant beat, although she focused on her uncle's deep breathing. Sleep came easily.

She awoke with a panic. She quickly came to two realizations. Her bed was empty, and the sun was bright in the windows. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, contemplating on whether she would wake her uncle. Her toes curled into thick black fur. A small giggle escaped her. The dog glanced up at her and stood before he licked her hand. She didn't notice the carefully folded letter atop her uncle's pillow.

He tipped his head back against the cool wall. Anything was cold, now. His skin was aflame. A splitting headache roared through him. It had been one of the worst nights in years. It only lasted an hour in total, but it burned like hell itself had devoured him. He leaned against the wall now, focusing on breathing. He could still hear his niece's elevated breathing, the racing tattoo of her heart. He closed his eyes slightly longer than a blink. Uncle M!

She needed him. He wasn't up to moving, let alone climbing flights of stairs to her room. He wasn't perfectly able, but he supposed it was an occupational hazard as her guardian. With a deep breath, he dashed up the stairs.

He didn't Travel. He knew what the Binds would do to him, but even if they did hurt him more, they wouldn't have stopped him. He wanted to be as subtle as possible. If the dull rumble of thunder had scared her, the tear of Traveling would only disenchant her more. He was just up to her room when the door opened a crack. Those green eyes peered back at him. A phantom pang started in his heart. He wasn't her father, but the blatant begging in her irises was enough. He gathered her close and held her as she fell apart.

Macon carried her to her bed, being sure to leave the sheets untucked. She's claustrophobic in storms. Most likely, she'll hurl herself from the bed in a night terror if you do try and secure her. He chastised himself. Another flash was coming. He swiftly blocked the window before succumbing to his thoughts. If only for a minute. He could practically hear her thoughts lancing through his mind. He turned just as quickly. The desperation was clear on her face. A conversation with Del was called to mimd. You're all she has, Macon. He couldn't agree more in that moment. On an exhale, he Traveled to her bedside. He remembered setting Casts on her room, separately. He'd have to fix the windows with a silencing cast in the morning. For now, he locked the door. He slid under the sheets with her, still clothed in his suit, his eyes slightly bloodshot and hair in disarray. He allowed himself to wrap an arm around her trembling form.

He waited until the storm passed. Until the dawn was nearing and the burn was setting in. He unlocked the door with a glance and slid onto the wooden floor. In the darkness, he could make out his own companion, laying barely outside the door. The dog stood as his master's feet hit the ground. Black eyes met. Keep her safe when I'm gone. She has a distinct fear of rain and the resulting noise. I...I won't be there for her always. I need you to watch her. For me. The dog nodded once. A smile twitched on Macon's face. He turned to the bedside table and scrawled a careful note. Once folded and placed, he slipped out of the room, allowing the dog to take his place.

Macon sat in his study, years later. Lena wasn't scared of storms now. He explained to her that she caused the turbulent winds and rain, that her own fear was scaring her. After that, she had harnessed that power relatively easily. The letter had made its way back into his hands, still unopened. He intended to leave it to Lena, when he wasn't there. When he was... Dead. It's a reality, not a possibility.

He still struggled with the fact he was dying. He couldn't believe that girl with passionately green eyes could be his doom. That no matter how much she needed him, she would be his undoing. He threw back a glass of scotch and closed his eyes. This was it. The last night. The last chance. His heart ached, although he attributed it to what Lena would be once he was gone. He prayed to whatever god there was that she wouldn't fall apart. That the Wate boy would pull her back together. He knew that wasn't an extreme hope, but one he needed to occur. He needed her to move on and for someone else to protect her.

A jingling cut his thoughts off. He pulled a tired small smile as the dog came into view. Their eyes met. Macon stood. Keep her safe, when I'm gone. I need you to watch out for her, now. She will need you in the next couple weeks. He kneeled to eye level with Boo. Thank you. The dog whined low in his throat and buried his head into Macon's chest. The man chuckled and ran his hands through the thick black fur. Be good for her, hm? She won't understand what she did for quite some time. You need to be her eyes now. He stayed there until his wits collected. Once more unto the breech, old boy? He stood carefully and pulled a sheet of paper out. He left one more letter, next to the original from nearly a decade ago, snug inside the one novel he never tired of.

Lena's hand trailed across the books, fingers and eyes searching for the one she hoped would bring her comfort of some kind. She stumbled across it, then. To Kill a Mockingbird. It was her uncle's favorite, at least to her knowledge. He had read it to her many times over the years. The worn spine gave her more insight on her uncle than the man himself had. She settled herself cross-legged on the library floor, book in hand. She leaned her head back, her palm pressed against the cover. Not for the first time, she wondered if she could do this. It would be the first time since...that night. With a deep breath, she opened the novel. Two pieces of parchment greeted her. The book fell from her hands.

Lena slowly plucked the papers from the book, holding them between her fingers, weary. She hesitated before unfolding the first one. A small smile tilted her lips. Her uncle's handwriting scrawled across the page. Her infant smile disappeared when it finally set in. He had known. The entire time, he had known she was going to kill him. Tears started in her eyes, but she didn't wipe them. I trust you found this letter, Lena. I- She could imagine him pausing. I wanted you to know that I love you. I always will, even if I'm not always there beside you. You were quite afraid last night. I'm sorry I left so suddenly, but I overestimated my energy. Sleep well, Lena. The page was yellowed slightly. She could barely remember that night. She tore open the next one. You're brilliant, Lena. I should congratulate you on finding these. I am most likely dead, if you are reading this. I should tell you, you were like a daughter to me. I never stopped loving you as I imagine I would, if I had a child. Tears streaked down her cheeks. You asked me a few nights ago when you would see me again. I can say that it will be quite a long time, if ever. I want you to know I don't blame you. You couldn't have saved me, Lena. His hand was shaking while writing this. Thank you, Lena, for making the right choice.