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Chapter 1:

"Screw this." Matt said as he walked out of the room, his hands in the air. Elena squinted her eyes at the mess that laid in front of her. Matt yelled from the kitchen, "Why couldn't you just pay someone to put it together?" His figure vanished in the long hallways of their house.

"I thought as roommates we could do something as a pair." She said, "It shouldn't be this hard to put together an entertainment center!" She huffed as she looked at the directions once more, "Do you think the long piece or the skinny piece is section A?" Matt walked back into the "game room" with a bottle of beer. His blonde hair was growing out into a shaggy mess that wasn't at all like the former Matt. It made her laugh sometimes when he talked about his new town, new me mantra. Even if he was changing the minor aspects of his physical appearance, he still wore t-shirts and jeans all the time- even when Klaus deemed it inappropriate.

"And why couldn't Klaus join us?" He asked sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "Oh, that's right- he's busy trying to control everything in New Orleans."

She didn't appreciate his comment, "Also, he thought that the entertainment center would ruin the essence of the house. Personally, I'm tired of watching Netflix on my phone and you're having video game withdrawals." She tried to move past his undercut towards her relationship. She couldn't deny that she thought it would be different with Klaus. The first weeks in New Orleans were a dream- he carried her into doorways as if she were his bride, sent her flowers when he couldn't be with her, and came home swiftly every night wherever she was- but the overall romance of the move was starting to fade and they were slowly but surely drifting out of the honeymoon phase of their relationship. Matt knew this. Rebekah knew this. Kol knew this. Everyone seemed to know that she was growing more and more discontent with his behavior except him.

Matt joined her once more on the floor, reading the directions over and staring at the box for reference. "The long one is A." He answered flatly as he reached for the piece, "Hand me that nut…yeah, that one." He captained the operation until they were looking at a light wood entertainment center. "Now we just need a television."

"Yeah." She breathed, "What if Klaus breaks up with me?" She asked as she scrunched up her eyebrows. The fears the every woman faces were running through her head as she looked at the first piece of furniture that she'd put in the house by herself without his approval.

"Over an entertainment center? That's ridiculous." Typical man response.

"What if he doesn't find me as appealing?" She voiced her thoughts, "I mean…I wasn't the prettiest girl in Mystic Falls but I was definitely one of them but here- there are so many pretty girls plus, I don't know a thing about running a kingdom. I couldn't even be cheer captain!" Matt placed two firm hands on her shoulder, "I understand." She nodded, "Calm down Elena…you're acting like a psychopath."

"You're just nervous because you can't run home." Matt said with a soft smile on his face, "This isn't our comfort zone." He removed his hands from her shoulders, "I have to meet up with Rebekah at-" He pulled out his phone to check the time, "Now."

Elena smiled, although it couldn't be fully genuine, "Yeah…you should go." He nodded as he exited the room, and soon exited the house. She liked to lay on the floor and look at the house- reciting the description the realtor gave in her head:

"This splendid mansion, built in a French 18th Century style, is located on a most desirable, New Orleans corner of St. Charles Avenue and State Street. Designed with elegant living and entertaining areas, this home has a beautiful staircase with bronze-capped railing, large kitchen and wet bars, incredible master suite with bathrooms of onyx and gilt fittings, three additional bedrooms with en suite baths, game room, elevator, magnificent pool, courtyard and garage. One of the best built homes in the South...A rare opportunity!"

She doubted the description did any real justice to the house- it was amazing. She sighed heavily as she stood up and started to move around and decide what she was going to do with the rest of her day. She was thinking of going back to school…she needed something to distract her from getting bored. She also thought, in the depths of her mind, that she would look into the magic of New Orleans despite promising herself that she wouldn't indulge in the power. She wouldn't be practicing magic though- she would just be studying it. She could simply learn the basic just in case.

The only problem being that she would have to go behind Klaus' back to study magic and she wasn't willing to do that. She'd thought of telling him multiple times but there never seemed to be a chance. In the time that she saw him, he was either angry with the population or completely caught up in his desire. She once feared being a small-town politician's wife…now, she was major politician's girlfriend- it seemed far worse than her previous fear.

Don't misunderstand her emotions, she loved Klaus vehemently but this distance was noxious. It pained her to be away from him this way- even if he was a five minute drive from her or a minute vampire run- she couldn't take it. She wanted to touch him, feel him and pamper him like she should be able to. She wanted to be able to have dinner cooked at a reasonable hour and to know that he was going to walk in the door. She wanted to date and attend festivals without there being a plot to gain followers involved.

But, she was a big girl. She could handle it, right? It wasn't going to be like that forever- it was either going to get better or worse and although she opted for better, she could see that worse was in the lead at the moment. He was having problems with an old acquaintance that Elena had met once. Marcel, or more commonly known as the son of a bitch in her household, was practically Klaus' son in another life and he was currently the unofficial official leader of the New Orleans group. Of course, Klaus took reign as the official leader- he was just so cold towards the other vampires, they hated him. Elena had the overwhelming urge to tell him to earn their respect rather than demand it but she knew it would only distance them more.

Elena reached for her Michael Kor's bag as she walked out of the house. She took her phone out of her front pocket and dialed Alaric's number. "Here's a riddle." She said as she heard his voice on the other line, "What is brunette, about 5'5'' and misses you like crazy?"

"What is Elena Gilbert." Alaric answered with a chuckle, "How are you doing kid?"

"Honestly?" Elena looked around as she headed into the French Quarter. "I'm bored, Ric. I don't know anyone and Klaus is always busy…I need a hobby." She laughed, "And don't you dare say knitting or anything ridiculous like that."

"You've been in New Orleans for almost three months, right? So, you've probably explored all your tourist options. You aren't that heavy of a drinker and I wouldn't start day drinker at your age. I don't know, what do teenagers do? Go to church or something."

"Church?" She giggled, "Is that what my brother's been doing? Going to church?"

Alaric sighed, "He needs to…thinks he's the head busboy in charge around here." Elena and Alaric went back and forth with jovial comments until she was in the French Quarter. "I love you, Elena." He said, sounding a little sad that the conversation was ending.

"I love you too. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?" She said, feeling the same version of sadness as she went to end the call.

"I'll wait by the phone." She heard him say before they disconnected. Go to church… She thought as she walked down the beautiful streets- blending in like a tourist to the humans, but standing out among the supernatural species. She was Klaus' girl- marked by his distasteful leadership, labeled either an idiot or an equally distasteful monster by the rebellious vampires.

She often heard Klaus speak of a priest named Kieran when he was in one of his rambling moods. He would talk about the conscience of the priest that seemed to always tamper with Klaus' plans. With that in mind, she found his church and stepped foot into it. For a second, she believed she would combust into flames or lightning would come down and strike her. The priest must have recognized her expression because he said, "Your sins cannot be that heavy, child."

"You'd be surprised." Elena said nervously as she walked to him, "Father." She greeted him with a head nod, "I'm Elena Gilbert." It was a rare thing to introduce herself- she liked it.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Gilbert." He laughed, "I haven't seen you in these pews before…in light of recent events, I would remember you." His face fell slightly as he spoke, "Would you like to confess something?"

"Um…" Her eyes found the Confessional, "I don't-sure." In minutes, she sat on one side of the opaque divider- her mind going through the standards for a good confession. She waited as second before she began, crossing herself- "Forgive me father for I have sinned, it has been two years since my last confession."

"Why is that?"

She frowned, "My faith has struggled since my parent's death… of course, the existence of vampires, witches and werewolves haven't helped that much."

"E-e-excuse me?" Kieran stuttered, "You must be mistaken."

She continued to speak, ignoring his interruption. "I haven't stopped thinking that, if there were a merciful god, he wouldn't allow innocent people to die…but then I realize that it is not god killing these people- its people killing people. It's not just my faith that struggles, I am guilty of keeping secrets from my boyfriend…I hate calling him my boyfriend, he's not really a boy. I suppose it's still considered a sin to fornicate as well, so I'm guilty of that. I haven't been understanding…at least, I feel like I haven't."

"What is your boyfriend?"

"Don't you mean who?"

"I mean what." Kieran said, "You know of vampires, witches, and werewolves so your boyfriend must fall in one of the categories."

"Klaus." She sighed, "I'm sure you know what Klaus is."

"You're that Elena." She could hear him nodding, "I'm surprised that I haven't seen you more often… I hear you are extremely forgiving and compassionate."

"From Klaus?" She asked, curious to who his source was. She couldn't see Klaus talking about her- bragging about her- with a priest while threatening him. It just wasn't Klaus.

"Elijah." He corrected her. Elena looked around the confessional- anger spiking within her. Blame her vampire emotions, but she wanted to choke Klaus' tiny little neck with her hybrid strength. He knew that Elijah and Elena had a friendship. Why wouldn't he tell her?

"Klaus didn't tell me Elijah was in town." She blinked a few times as she tried to subside her anger, "He knows that I favor Elijah and yet, he doesn't bother to tell me that he's in town?" She wanted to put her fist in her mouth but she couldn't, "This is exactly our problem! This is what he does… ever since we moved here he's started playing the part of the big bad wolf and he thinks he can control every situation! Shouldn't I have a part in the decisions? Shouldn't I, at least, be informed that we have guests among us? All I hear about is how hard his days been and can I please ease his mind…" She was glad she went to church, not because she was angry with Klaus but because she could get a lot of her problems with their relationship off her chest. "It's hard being the girlfriend of the most hated person in New Orleans! It wasn't exactly easy being the girlfriend of an Original vampire in my hometown but at least he was home every single night!"

"Elena…" Kieran said, "Try to focus on your forgiveness. Klaus isn't trying to hurt you."

"I'm sorry, but I have to go." She opened the confessional door at the same time Kieran did. He looked over her as Klaus entered the church. His hard look faded as he looked at Elena, her face becoming a fake version of calm. He leaned in to kiss her but she moved her head, "We're in a church." She told him with a stern look in her eye- she really didn't care if they were in a church or not, she just didn't want to kiss him. She looked at Kieran who seemed to be choking back something, but then she returned her gaze to Klaus. "Elijah's back and you didn't tell me?" She hissed.

"I planned on it." He argued, "I really did but-"

"But? Elijah is a dear friend of mine and you are my-my boyfriend and you didn't think it was important to tell me?" She took in a deep breath, smiling that scary type of smile that girl's seemed to get when they were extremely pissed off. "Let's not fight right now. Continue with what you were doing, I'm going back to my house." Translation: "I swear to god if you aren't home three minutes after I get there I will end your life." He clearly got the message.

"It can wait." He told her, following after her partially stomping feet. She exited the church before he did, leaving Klaus time to say- "Kieran you have a big mouth for a priest."

"I thought it was common knowledge that the original-that-always-wears-a-suit is back." He smirked, "I would follow her unless you want hell to break lose within your household."

Klaus tried to think of all the things that he'd done wrong lately. He knew he wasn't giving her as much attention but she had to understand that he needed to get proper footing in this town for things to work out. "Elena…" He called after her, "I'm sorry." It was rare for him to apologize to anyone- although he'd done it a few times to her. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you my moral brother was back in town." The way he said it made him sound jealous.

She stopped in her quick footsteps, turning around. "I'm not just upset that you didn't tell me about Elijah. Klaus, things aren't in balance here."

"Here?"

"With us."

"I can agree with that." He seemed at a loss for words to explain why things were out of balance. She knew though- she knew what started the distance and it wasn't him.

She blinked, "I'm a witch."

"A what?" He most definitely heard what she said, he just needed her to repeat it.

"I'm a witch!" She repeated, louder. "I can start fires with my mind and I didn't tell you. That's where this started- and things have just snowballed. We aren't telling each other things and when we are, it's never directly about us."

"You're a witch." He touched his face, "So technically, you're more qualified to run this city than I am." He laughed as he processed what she was saying. "A witch?" He seemed to ask himself, "That's amazing." He finally got the chance to kiss her- the type of kiss one normally doesn't do in public. It was full on passionate as their tongues battled in an epic war that neither one could win.

Klaus couldn't be naïve to think that a kiss could solve their problems- that was a fool's way of thinking. He was going to have to put a serious effort into letting her know her importance to him. It may not seem like it, but she was far more important than New Orleans or being in charge. She was the love of his immortal life…someone who could rip him to pieces with a look- if her innocent heart dared.

"Come home with me?" She asked sweetly, not wanting to get into a huge argument anymore. They could be civil about it- they didn't have to fight and cry. "I'll cook dinner and we can talk." He agreed, even though it was hard to talk when she was so alluring.

"Of course."

"And tomorrow, Klaus…" She told him in her serious voice, "I will be spending time with Elijah but I want you to know that you have no reason to be jealous. Elijah is noble, but you have my heart and he may have a stronger hold on his morality than you but you're getting better even though we really need to talk about the blood stains on your white shirts."

"I trust you." He assured her, "I just wish I could have your respect the way he has your respect."

"But you do…"

"No, I don't." He said, "It's okay because one day I will. I know your respect for Elijah is based off results and I can produce results, Elena."