Epilogue:

Float

Four Years Later…

Alfriston, East Sussex, England…

Alena heard the soft pitter patter of footsteps coming down the hall and smiled to herself. She listened as they paused by the kitchen—no doubt ready to pounce or surprise her.

"Good morning Ben," Alena called, dishing up the porridge into a small bowl and adding some honey on top.

"Morning mummy," Ben replied, a little dejected that his sneaking skills weren't up to par. Turning around, she placed the bowl in front of him on the table and he began to dig in.

The brunette filled up a mug with some coffee and began drinking it, glancing down at the newspaper. Ben looked up from eating, his blue eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Is Uncle Beck coming today?" he asked his mother and she pursed her lips in thought.

"I think so," she responded and raised a brow, bringing the cup to her lips. "Why, is there something I'm not allowed to see?"

"Yes! Boys only!" he declared, drawing a laugh from his mother.

"Okay. I won't trample on your man time. Before that happens though, finish your breakfast and get ready for pre-school," she reminded him and he nodded, shoveling the food quickly into his mouth.

Ben soon finished eating and jumped out of his chair, running to his room to get ready. As Alena cleaned up the breakfast dishes, her phone rang—the burn phone Beckett had given her.

"He's very excited to see you," Alena informed her close friend as soon as she had answered.

"Something new to show me?" Beckett inquired with a slight chuckle.

"Something that he won't show his mother. Boy's only," she quoted, rinsing out her coffee cup and putting it on the dry rack. "How's the situation in the States?"

"The alliance is shaky but still holding firm. Gary informed me that Italy is still a hot zone for any Tremere. Apparently the Elders are still looking into the phenomenon from four years ago."

Alena's shoulders slumped as she leaned against the counter. "I kinda hoped that they'd given up by now," she admitted quietly.

"You have to give them credit for their stubbornness. But there are plans in place to ensure they don't look in your direction. You were the only known Tremere to have been born outside of the pyramid."

"I'm ready mummy!" Ben announced, running into the kitchen with his jacket zipped up. His dark chocolate brown hair was ruffled, evidently how he used a certain gift to rush.

"What time will you get here?" Alena asked, crouching down and fixing her son's hair. He allowed her—seeing it was better than getting yelled at for doing what he did.

"I'll drop by around seven," Beckett answered. "And Alena? I'm bringing a few guests."

"Okay. I'll see you later," she hung up and narrowed her brown eyes at her son. He shifted, glancing down at his feet and refusing to meet her gaze. "Benett Alexander Cullen, please tell me you made sure no one saw."

Ben nodded and she sighed, kissing his forehead. "Why do we have to hide our magic mummy?" he asked and she grabbed his hands into hers.

"Because there are people who would be scared by it. It's our job to protect the innocent. We have these gifts to help people," she answered, stroking his cheek with her thumb. "Work in the shadow to serve the light. Do you understand?"

Ben nodded and she smiled, rising to her feet.

"Come on, let's get you to pre-school," she said as they headed out the house.

oOo

That Afternoon…

"I'll see you tomorrow," Alena waved to her co-worker behind the desk. She walked out of the library, heading down the street to the supermarket. There was another hour until she had to pick up her son, giving her enough time to grab groceries.

Parking her silver Kia Pro ceed, she climbed out and grabbed a trolley. As she shopped, her mind went back to the conversation with Beckett earlier.

I guess that's another thing he did right. Making me outside the pyramid, she thought, putting some milk into the cart and headed to the register. She paid and packed everything away into the car, checking the time at the end. Seeing as she had five minutes left until pick up, she headed over and waited in the car.

When Alena first picked up her son from the pre-school, a lot of the mothers more or less judged her for being a single mother. Mainly those who were married and such. There were a few single parents that she got along with but Alena tended to try and avoid the others.

As it got closer to the time, she got out and waited by the front gates.

"Alone again today?" Charlene, one of the married mothers called. Alena crossed her arms across her chest, intending to ignore her. "You know; Ben would benefit from a father figure. Just some friendly advice."

Alena put on the fakest smile she could muster. "When your husband stops cheating on you with that blonde check-out girl from the supermarket, is the day you can give me advice about parenting. Until then, stay out of my business," she informed the woman sweetly, turning away just as the kids were let out. Ben ran out, grinning from ear to ear.

"Is Uncle Beck here yet?" he asked, practically bouncing in excitement as she took his hand.

"Not yet sweetie. Let's head home first before you burst," she laughed, leading him away and into the car. Ben was animatedly telling her about his day—how he built an awesome sandcastle in the sand pit—as she drove. Pulling up in the driveway, Ben left to go play in the backyard while she brought the groceries in.

One thing she kinda missed being a Kindred was the strength.

It was still enhanced, just not as much as it used to be. Along with enhanced senses. She still had her magic and thankfully, didn't crave blood as much as she used to. That was one perk.

As the sun began to set, Alena headed to the back door to call her son when her blood froze.

A sickly pale man was approaching Ben, coming from the forest. Fear pricked at her skin as she ran to her son who was playing in the sandbox.

"Mummy?" Ben frowned, seeing his mother's panicked expression and looked over. He saw the man as well. "Is he a bad man?"

"Yes so come inside," she instructed and he got up, running inside the house. She closed the door, activating the charm just as he stopped in front of the wooden fence. "Is there something I can help you with?"

He said nothing, shifting his gaze from her to Ben hiding behind her inside the house. Alena moved, blocking him from the man's view and regaining his focus. He went to touch the fence but was thrown back by the runes engraved onto them.

"Witch," he spat, rising to his feet. Alena raised her chin, neither confirming it nor denying it. It was better that he suspected she was a witch rather than a dhampir. When he tried to approach the fence again, a howl resonated from the woods nearby. Glancing at them, the man clenched his fist and hurried away, probably assuming it was a werewolf.

As it technically was werewolf territory.

Alena released the breath she had been holding, watching as he disappeared. A single werewolf broke out from the forest, sniffing the air before trotting towards the house. It stayed on the other side of the fence and she met its eyes.

"We're fine," she told him and he snarled. "He's not a friendly. Warn the pack as there could be more of them."

He whined, pawing at the ground and she smiled.

"No need to hang around. Beckett will be here soon and the barrier holds up," she reassured him and he growled before taking off back into the forest. Alena rested her hands on the fence, sighing quietly to herself.

Ben was the most protected child ever known.

When she had first moved here during her pregnancy, Beckett had contacts within the local coven. They allowed her to join as her magic was close enough to theirs so she could pass as a witch. This granted her additional protection from the local werewolf pack as they and the coven had some kind of treaty going. It worked out great for her son.

Thinking of him, she turned and found him still inside, watching her through the glass screen door. Putting on a smile, she headed back inside as it grew darker. She didn't want him to worry—she only wanted Ben to have a happy childhood.

"Uncle Beck will be here soon. Why don't you watch some TV while I make dinner. How's hamburgers sound?" she asked and his eyes lit up—his favorite food.

"With onions?" he asked and she nodded. Grinning, he ran off to the lounge room as she went to prepare dinner. As she was cooking the patties, a chime went off in the house. She could hear Ben call out Beckett's name and smiled to herself. Moving the patty off of the pan, she turned off the stove and headed towards the front door. Smiling at Beckett, her eyes found her son hugging a certain Brujah.

Feeling her eyes on him, Nines looked at her. Those piercing blue eyes sent her heart into a frenzy, something he always did. Ben was telling his father something, beaming the entire time.

"Sweetie, why don't you tell your dad what you did in the sandpit today inside?" Alena suggested, gesturing for them to come in. Ben practically dragged his father inside, informing him in great detail about the sandcastle he had built as Beckett hugged her. "One came here earlier."

Beckett didn't seem surprised. "They've started looking into covens. Your one is smart enough to ally with the local pack."

"So they're getting that desperate now?" Alena frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "Do I need to move?"

"No. In the likely case, this one assumed you were indeed a witch and will move on," Beckett advised her. "But I recommend caution for a while."

Ben ran into the room, interrupting the conversation. "Can I go outside with daddy and Uncle Beck?" he asked his mother.

"Dinner first and then you can go," she informed him, heading back into the kitchen to finish it. When dinner was cooked, Beckett helped dish it up while Nines finally pulled her aside.

"Surprised to see me Zatanna?" he asked, trapping her with the counter.

"It's Alena remember," she reminded him gently, wrapping her arms around his neck. "But yes, surprised and very happy to see you."

Nines hummed, stealing a few kisses before pulling back and staring into her eyes. His fingers lightly traced her hips, sending shivers down her spine. Alena had begun to realise how much more sensitive she was to his touch after having Ben.

"How long will you be here for?" she asked, secretly hoping for more than two days.

"A week. Maybe two," he answered and she beamed. "Things have settled down enough back in LA for me to come out. Wanted to see Ben."

"He's missed you."

Nines's eyes darkened a little, a small smirk on his face. "I hope he isn't the only one," he muttered, moving his lips to neck and lightly grazing them. Alena inhaled sharply, biting her lips in an effort to stop her from moaning.

"You'll have to find out later," she said breathlessly, lightly pushing him away. "I think your son demands your attention first."

Nines turned around, finding Ben heading towards them with his empty plate. "All done?" he asked and Ben nodded.

"Can I got outside now?" Ben asked her as she grabbed his empty plate.

"Yes but listen to your dad and Uncle Beck," she smiled and he cheered, running straight out. "And don't stay out too late!"

"He'll be fine," Nines reassured her, kissing her cheek before following after the four-year-old. Beckett and Alena shared knowing looks before the Gangrel headed after them.

Song: Float from Tinkerbell and The Legend Of The Neverbeast

So this is the end of Reach Out. I want to thank everyone who stuck by, read and loved the tale. It's been a long road with many twists, turns and tears but we finally made it. I left some parts out probably so you guys could fill in the blanks and have your own little headcanons.

But I do hope you check out the meanings behind Ben's full name. And Zatanna's new name as well.