See You Again:
Mystic Falls – The Middle Ages
It was nearly midday. The perfect time to be out. The sun wasn't beating down so hard that he couldn't bare it, but it was still warm out. Niklaus walked towards the falls. He took off his shirt and rinsed off his hands and face. It had been a long morning training with Elijah, but he didn't want to disappoint his father anymore than he already had. He sat by the water in the woods. He likes coming out here to think, especially when his father was in a mood.
He heard someone nearing him. He looked up and back to see a young girl that he had seen often. She was his age, if not slightly younger. She didn't notice that he was there as she twirled along the side of the water dancing. Her hair curled around her cheeks, as she stopped seeing him. He flushed a deep red as she looked down. "My apologies. I didn't realize anyone was here."
He smiled. "I should be the one to apologize. I should've made my presence known. What's your name?"
She smiled back at the young man. "Anya, but I like Annie." She told him. He took back the shirt that she handed to him.
"Annie." He repeated the words of the angel who he smiled at. It wasn't a formal name, which was odd considering they'd just yet. It was very unusual as well, but he liked it. He had a name for the beautiful girl that overtook his dreams. "I'm Niklaus."
She nodded as she walked over to his side where he sat. "I know your brothers. Elijah talks about you often. He's fond of you as well as your sister." She looked away shyly as though she shouldn't have spoken. He smiled watching her. She was truly beautiful.
"It is very nice to meet you, Annie."
xxxxx
New Orleans - 2013
Anna Maria climbed out of bed swiftly and quietly as she got dressed. She looked back at the self proclaimed king of New Orleans who was currently sound asleep. It was so easy just to get back in the swing of things but she couldn't anymore. You'd think she'd have developed some self-restraint after all this time. Her phone suddenly went off and she hurried to grab it before it woke him. "Um hello?" She muttered into it.
"Anna Maria?" She suddenly smiled at the familiar, deep voice.
"Elijah." She pulled her jacket on as she quietly but swiftly zipping out of the house. "I haven't talked to you in a very long time."
He chuckled as he paced the floor. "Likewise, sweetheart. I came to let you know that I'll be soon coming to New Orleans. I know how the witches there respect you, due to your former powers. I would be immensely grateful to have someone down there with me, as well as to watch out for Niklaus." He asked her politely.
She smiled at that news. Niklaus was coming back. He finally had come back, not for her, of course. She knew that she wasn't his priority, but she'd still see him.
"Absolutely. You know that I would do anything for you." She reminded him. "I'll see you soon, then I suppose?" She asked him hopefully with a smile. She had always liked Elijah. He always knew what to say. She was very close to him and was happy when he was undaggered. She had missed him greatly.
He nodded. "Of course. I should be down tomorrow. I'll see you then. And Anna, I've missed you." She blushed as he hung up the phone with an equally content smile on his face. Tucking his hand into his jacket pocket, he walked into the other room, where his younger sister was, awaiting for some news.
xxxxx
The young witch walked the streets of New Orleans. There wasn't many places that the hybrid could be. It had been a while since he had walked the streets of the quarter and most likely didn't realize all the changes that had happened.
Anna Maria watched as Niklaus made his way to speak with the witches. Elijah had warn her not to approach him if she could. He didn't want anything to influence her decision. She had made Klaus a better person at one time, but he had also looked after himself. She became second to him and he hurt her. Her history with him was long and complicated but she knew him best.
His family had protected her and looked after her, especially Klaus. He always did that for her before she left him. He used to be her closest friend, closer than her and Elijah. She smiled to herself at the thought of the noble original as she walked away following Klaus. It had been decades since she had last seen him.
She saw him going towards the bar, the same bar where she knew that Marcel went to often. Before she could beat him there, she felt herself zipped into an alley, Niklaus teeth bared at her, on instinct. She effortlessly pushed him away using his shock to her own gain. "Let's not fight, I believe we both know the outcome." So much for not having contact with him.
He chuckled realizing who she was. "Annie. Long time no see, sweetheart." He smirked standing up. "Still a natural I see. I didn't know you were here."
"I haven't been back more than a few months." She told him as she bent down to pick up her bag that dropped in the scuffle. He beat her to it, sliding it on her shoulder, his fingers lingering over her bare skin. "Still quite the charmer, I see."
He smirked. "As I recall you used to love that."
"It's not like before, Klaus." She reminded him as she pulled away from his touch. That stung him a bit. He deserved it though.
"We could always have fun again."
"I don't think you realize what fun is without tagging bloodshed and murder onto the end of it, Niklaus." Anna noted as she slid on her glasses as the sun shined on her. She was one of the few that still called him that. Only a few were privileged to use his full name.
He rolled his eyes. "As I recall, we used to have a lot of fun." It were times when he smiled at her like that, it made it hard to refuse him, but she wouldn't fall back into the same pattern they had been in for centuries, but he made his decision. She wasn't his priority.
"Yes that wasn't fun. I was with you because I didn't leave you. I already told you." She looked at him seriously. Klaus let the subject drop for now. He knew that it wouldn't be that easy after what happened, before she could even consider spending time with him. "Now, enough with anything depressing. . Elijah mentioned not long ago that you're looking for someone here."
He looked around. "Yes but I believe its time to see an old protege." She raised her eyebrows as he walked into a bar. She followed him in hearing the familiar vocal chords of Marcel. She turned her back to him looking at Klaus, who barely glanced at her, but he kept her near.
She shivered feeling his hand on her waist. Sometimes it would seem so easy to slip back into an old routine with him, to be with him again. She was one of the few people that had seen all the sides of Niklaus. She craved the flashes that she had seen in the centuries that they were together, but it his dark side always overshadowed all the good that was in him.
"Please, let's not start any fights today." She asked the hybrid. His temper was as legendary as it was frightening, but she didn't want to clean up after the mess he'd make. And with Marcel and Klaus together, there was sure to be an argument, at least, especially with the history between them all.
"Now, that would be a crying shame wouldn't it?" He moved past her to hear his protege still belting out the tune to a song as the crowd cheered for him. She glanced over at the vampire. After what they did the night before, she knew that her being there would only bring up questions that she did not want to answer at this particular time. It seem things between Marcel and her were more complicated than her history with the hybrid.
"I have to go. I forgot there was something I needed to get to." She lied through her teeth, but before he could stop her from leaving she had already fled. It would be different this time. She wouldn't do easily fall for his charm.
"Niklaus! Niklaus!" Anna Marie rushed in to see her friend on the floor against the wall. He was alone. She touched his cheek gently. He was still so pale from the whole ordeal. As soon as she heard the news than she ran to her friend. She couldn't leave him alone.
His eyes flickered open. "Niklaus, are you alright? Elijah found me and said that you wanted to see me. He told me everything that happened? Have you really changed?"
He chuckled weakly. "I'm afraid so. My father left no heart unpierced." She looked shocked. She knew that Mikael wasn't a good man, she had seen the bruises and injuries that he had left on Niklaus. On more than one occasion, Niklaus had to stop her from going and angering his father. "I'm alright, Annie. It doesn't hurt anymore. Look."
His fangs slid out of his gum and she jumped back slightly. He closed his mouth looking down. "No, it's okay. At least this way you're...you'll be able to be safe. You'll fight back and be strong enough to this time."
He looked surprised at her. She seemed like she wasn't nervous at all. She trusted him not to hurt her. "You're...You're not frightened of me? I could hurt you, Annie. I could. I haven't learned control yet."
"But you will and I will help you. No matter how long it takes, I promise you, Nik, that you won't be alone."
She sank down on the floor besides him. "You're going to be okay, Nik." She assured him as she took his hand in hers. He squeezed hers as she laid her head down on his shoulder. She closed her eyes.
He smiled at her. "Thank you, Annie."
xxxxx
Anna Maria looked out the window of her hotel room. It was already late in New Orleans. It was funny that they saw that New York never sleeps, but it seemed as though New Orleans was mostly awake at night, but she didn't regret coming here, even with Marcel's reign. There was something right about being here. This was one of the few places she felt at home.
There was a swift knock at the door. She hesitated before going over and unlocking the door, opening it. "I figured you would seek me out eventually." She smiled at her favorite original. Elijah returned the smile as he pecked her cheek, stepping into the hotel room. She closed the door behind them.
"It's good to see you, Anna Marie." He told her truthfully. She sat down on the chair. "I didn't think you would be residing...here, though. You were always fond of a house."
"Things change. I take it that you've taken over looking after Klaus, making sure our hybrid hasn't completely destroyed the town?"
"You could say that." He glanced at her. It had been a while since he had seen her. She and Klaus were nearly inseparable when they both turned. They had their fair share of break ups and arguments, but they seem to always come back to each other, except now. Klaus was selfish and wanted to focus on breaking the werewolf curse and dismissed her. "I was just thinking of you, of our human life."
She smiled. "As was I. Do you remember how young we all were?" She smiled at Elijah who returned one. It was simpler back then. "I was upset because of Klaus' obsession with Tatia. I would not leave his side when he was injured. He was my best friend. Perhaps, becoming lovers later on wasn't the right thing to do." She mused.
"You kept him in check for centuries, you helped him when he was alone and wanted no one else. He trusts you, as I do." Elijah assured her.
She sat down across from him. "What brings you to New Orleans, Elijah? On the phone you sounded vague and Klaus isn't one to give out much information since I left. Has he managed to get cursed in his 12 hours here?" He chuckled.
"That would probably have been the least of our concerns. Something...extraordinary has happened to Niklaus, Anna Marie, but he refuses to acknowledge something that could be a gift...a second chance, will you, at a family." She looked at him curiously.
Elijah looked nervous. "You can tell me anything, Elijah."
"By some miracle, due to Niklaus being an Originals hybrid, he has conceived a child." She froze. "His night with a werewolf that the witches are now holding against her will, resulted in the impregnation of her. She is having Niklaus' child." Her reaction was unreadable as a thousand thoughts went through her head. "I know it may not seem possible, but it is. Anna Marie. I need your help."
"I paid my debt this afternoon. There is nothing more to discuss. Good luck with Niklaus and the knocked up hairy dog, but it's none of my business." She told him coldly as she stood up.
He zipped up to meet her. "I know that you're upset, and with good reason, but I need your help Anna Marie. The witches will kill her if Niklaus doesn't agree." He reminded her.
"And how is that my problem? Do you not forget the years I spent my Niklaus' side. Yes, we fought and broke up. I never made me leave and he never made me leave and I did. In all those years, he never loved me. He never said it. He was so sure that love was a weakness. He wanted to be alone. Let him. He is not always your responsibility."
He touched her cheek. "You are not that cruel. I know how much you cared for him and despite all his faults, he cared for you just as much. His nickname for you said it all. Angel." She sighed looking down. "I'm not asking you to give up the life that you made for yourself here, but just talk to him, please. You were the one he always listened to."
"Think about it." He implored her as he kissed her head before zipping out. She glanced at the door before grabbing her phone and leaving. She wasn't going to stay here alone, not when she knew it'd end with her giving in, like always.
xxxxx
Anna Marie walked into Marcel's house. It was just like every other night, a party was going on. Vampire walked the streets outside the home and inside. They fed, danced and drank. They were free here, free to do whatever they pleased. They had no rules or restrictions. They were vampires and they embraced that fact.
She zipped upstairs to get a better look at the current scene that was happening. Klaus wasn't happy and neither was Marcel. "Your town?" Klaus looked surprised, but Marcel looked proud of himself, his accomplishments.
"Damn straight."
Klaus laughed sarcastically. "That's funny, because when I left a hundred years ago you were just a pathetic little scrapper still trembling from the lashes of the whips of those who would keep you down." Anna Marie could see he took it too far. Marcel didn't like to be reminded of how he was treated. She didn't blame him. "Now, look at you; master of your domain, prince of the city."
Everyone quieted down as they heard a fight coming on. Marcel wasn't one to back down. The music fell silent. "I'd like to know how." Klaus commanded as though he expected him to just tell him.
"Wow, jealous?" Marcel scoffed. "Hey, man I get it. 300 years ago you helped build a backwater penal colony into something. You started it, but then you left, actually you ran from it. I saw it through. Look around, vampires rule this city now. I got rid of the werewolves. I even found a way to shut down the witches. The blood never stops flowing and the party never ends. You want to pass on through, you want to stay awhile? Great. What's mine is yours, but it is mine." Marcel reminded him. "My home, my family, my rules."
Klaus glared at him. "And if someone breaks those rules?"
"They die. Mercy is for the weak, you taught me that too. And I'm not the prince of the quarter, my friend. I'm the king! Show me some respect!"
Klaus seemed like he was debating something before zipping over and biting one of his friends in the neck. Anna Marie automatically made to move, but she felt a hand on hers. "Don't." Elijah warned her. "There's nothing you can do."
"Your friend will be dead before the weekend." Klaus said with blood on his chin. Marcel looked stunned and worried. "Which means I've broken one of your rules. And yet I cannot be killed." He looked him straight in the eyes. "I am immortal. Who has the power now, friend?" He walked away as the others stared at him. Marcel immediately went over to help his fallen friend.
Anna Marie looked at the man leave. Klaus was in a mood and the last time that she saw him like this it lasted him nearly 200 years. "Okay, I'll help you with this. I will help get Klaus get on board with the baby." She promised Elijah. He put a hand on her back before they left the building.
She left Elijah to update Rebekah while she looked for Marcel. He had his regular places that he occupied, but she knew only a few where he went to be without a crowd around him. She stopped outside a diner as she heard his voice. With a simple text Elijah was besides her. "Don't threaten him." She warned him.
He chuckled as they walked inside. "Don't worry. I know how to deal with Klaus." He hung up the phone frustrated.
"Is that so? Please, elaborate." Elijah said simply as he stared at the younger vampire, but Marcel turned his attention to Anna Marie.
"Anna, you brought a friend. Elijah Mikaelson." All of his companions around the bar stood up to defend him. He raised a hand. "Don't. It's all good. I've got it."
Marcel touched Anna Marie's hand, silently asking her to sit with him and she obliged as Elijah sat across from her. Elijah glanced at Marcel, seeing a family look of protectiveness cross his face as he made sure she was close. That information would be useful. "I believe it's time we had a little chat." He told him.
"Well, if you're going to talk, talk. I've got things to do."
Elijah resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "My, you've grown quite confident over the last century, haven't you?"
"Me? I'd say it was you and your brother who got cocky. Coming into my town like you own the place."
"Well, we did own the place once." He reminded him.
"Okay, boys, calm down. Let's not start any more fights." She warned them both and that seemed to bring down their testosterone levels.
Elijah glanced at the window. "We were all quite happy here, as I recall. Although, we could never control those pesky witches of the french quarter, how do you do it?" He asked him. It was something that continuously boggled his mind. Witches hardly were controlled by anyone, if they helped you it was because they wanted to or needed to. How Marcel did it was a mystery to all of them.
Marcel leaned in. "Your brother asked me the same question. I gave him the same answer. It's my business. Everything in the quarter is my business. Klaus comes into town all nice and friendly then he starts looking his nose down at what I've done. Like it was some cheap knockoff of one of his dumb paintings and then he gets pissed off like a little bitch and bites one of my guys."
"I do apologize for Klaus' poor behavior." Elijah said slightly amused. "I assume you know that bite will kill your friend in a matter of days." Marcel looked down. He obviously cared very much about his family, even if he was cocky. "Of course Niklaus' blood would cure him."
Marcel looked up interested. "What?"
"The blood of a hybrid will cure a werewolf bite." Anna Marie explained. "Klaus could be able to cure your friend."
"Quite a handy little thing when one needs for negotiations." Elijah added.
Marcel wasn't stupid, but he would do anything to help his friend. "What kind of negotiations are we talking about?"
"Return the body of the witch Jane Anne and let her be put to rest."
"What do you care about the witches?"
Elijah leaned in as he did. "Well, that's my business isn't it?"
Anna Marie looked between the two men. "Klaus won't do it again. He is all about him. He doesn't get that you finished helping the town, but you don't get that we helped this town when it wasn't anything. We all have credit for the quarter. Marcel, just give Elijah the body and I will make sure that Klaus gives you the blood." He still looked hesitant. "I promise you that."
Elijah narrowed his eyes glancing between the two of them. "Okay, deal. My guys are outside, they'll give it to you." Elijah stood up and made to leave, as Anna Marie did the same.
Marcel grabbed her hand. "Anna, we need to talk." He told her. She hesitated as Elijah cleared his throat.
"We talked already. I'll see you later." She said before walking off after Elijah.
Elijah gave her a side look as they went to meet the others. "I know that the witches want to dethrone Marcel, shall we say?" She asked. He nodded at her. "It most likely won't work, but if it does he doesn't die. I can't help you, he's a friend, but I can't stop you either. So, Elijah, promise me that you won't let them kill him."
He hesitated before nodding. "I will not." She smiled in relief as she continued to walk. "I did not realize that you and Marcel have been...together again." There was hint of a smirk playing on his face as she blushed deeply.
"I-I...I-I just...we just...shut up. Stop smirking." Anna was flushed with embarrassment as she continued to walk. Elijah chuckled. Her reaction confirmed what had happened with Marcel. "And do not go airing this about, especially to Niklaus. It is my business. Life isn't a fairy tale, Elijah. You can love more than one person in a lifetime."
He smiled at her. "I do not doubt that and I would not make your decide. That it your choice, Anna Marie. I only wish for you to be happy."
She kissed his cheek. "I'll see you later and I wish you luck. Don't worry. I won't go back on my word. I will speak to him." She promised before dashing off herself.
xxxxx
"I see big brother kicked your ass." Klaus chuckled bitterly as he turned to see Anna Marie leaning against one of the posts.
He walked over to her. "My dear, sweet Annie. This isn't any of your concern." He told her. Even while he was intoxicated, she could hear a dangerous tone in his voice. "If Elijah told you to come here and persuade me, then you're both pathetic. I've made my decision."
She sighed. "So you're going to spiral again, like always. You'll regret it and then wonder why you're alone. You talk so much about how you wanted family, and when they're here for you, when Elijah is there for you, you push away. You pushed all of us away." He turned away from her.
"And you are here now, because? You made it quite clear that we're over."
"Yes, we are." She agreed. "But I let you spiral once. I realize now that I shouldn't have. I shouldn't have let you hurt so many people, let it change you like this. I fell in love with you because...you were Niklaus. You were sweet and kind and...human. I know you don't believe it but there is still that humanity in you."
He snapped his head to her. "Than you are as much of a fool as Elijah."
"That may be, but that doesn't mean I'm not right. I loved you." He froze in his step as he closed his eyes. "Perhaps, you cared for me, perhaps it was a game to you, but I did. I know you better than you think and I know what you're capable of."
"And are you just like Elijah, thinking that this child may reform me to my old human ways? You know better than that, Annie."
"Yes, I do. I don't think that'll change anything, but it may bring out the better part in you that I always saw. But if you abandon this child, you are exactly who you didn't want to be, Mikael. A coward." He zipped over shoving her into a wall. His eyes were bloodshot as he started at her and she stared back, without fear.
"I am not Mikael!" He said, his voice seemed to waver slightly before pulling away from her touching her arm very lightly. "I'm not him, Annie."
"I know, so don't act like it." She asked him. He ran a hand through his hair as he tried to think. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him. She laid her head against his, wrapped up in his embrace. He took deep steady breaths.
After everything, even over the centuries, he was still her friend. They'd always have that connection. She hated him for what he did to her, but in the end when he really needed her, she was there. He pulled away slightly. "I'll make a deal with the witches. I'll speak to Elijah."