AN- So, I actually had a New Year's resolution to finish my other stories before I started something new...I started watching the Originals and failed SO HARD. lol I forgot to mention in the first chapter that this is an Elijah X oc story. So I hope you all enjoy, Alex will be meeting our lovely man soon enough! Thank you for reading, please, please review!
The next day Alex rose in the afternoon, her body confused by the time change, jet lag and the long hours she had put in at the bar. Walking downstairs, she realized she had no food in the kitchen and sighed in frustration.
"Great" she muttered, slamming the fridge door shut before walking back upstairs to change into jeans and a flowy top, layering on her leather jacket and boots. Grabbing her house keys, she went down to the kitchen and rooted around until she found the keys for the SUV that had been her parents.
Her grandmother's lawyer had offered to sell it, but she had asked him to keep it since she would be coming back. Now, as she drove to the store, she was grateful for her past self's foresight.
As she filled her cart with food, she tried to avoid signs and imagery of Halloween. It had been on Halloween night that her family had died. Here in New Orleans it wasn't known just as Halloween, it was Samhain, the beginning of the spiritual new year, and the "darker" half of the year.
When her cart was filled and she knew her credit card would scream at the total, she made her way to the check out, standing in line behind a young mother and child. She smiled patiently as the young boy tossed items onto the checkout line.
As the line cleared she began to pile her items on the conveyor belt, avoiding the woman's gaze. It didn't help that she had two six packs and three bottles of wine along with all her food. What do you care lady? I use it to cook and enjoy a glass with food. Keep your pants on judgy-mcjudgerson
As the man behind the counter rang her up Alex stepped forward and smiled politely, moving to bag her items as he scanned them. He gave her a grateful look and she nodded, remembering her own first time job at this exact store when she had turned 15.
When the man had rang everything up he took her discount card and then gave her the total which made her swallow hard before handing over her credit card. Just remember the monthly allotment from the estate. And your new job. You aren't actually going to go broke. Breathe.
Pushing her cart out to her car, she began to load the bags in, concentrating on the task at hand.
"Excuse me, but aren't you the Lafitte girl?" a voice asked from behind her.
Alex's eyes slid shut, anger and annoyance slithering through her gut. Opening her eyes she turned and grabbed another bag, glancing at the young woman who had been in front of her. She had her son by the hand as was standing awkwardly, waiting.
Alex nodded sharply before turning to put the bag away. "What do you want?" she called over her shoulder.
"I knew your grandmother. She was a good woman, didn't deserve what happened. I'm sorry."
Alex stilled, fury boiling through her. It was stupid. She had no reason to be angry. Closing her eyes, she counted to ten and then opened her eyes and pasted on a friendly expression before turning around.
"Thank you. Excuse me." She shut the door of the SUV and pushed the cart away, her heart beating rapidly, her knuckles white where her hands gripped it. By the time she made it back to her car, the woman and her son were walking back to their car.
Sitting in the car Alex took long, deep breaths until she felt sane enough to drive.
After unloading the groceries in the house, she called poured a bowl of cereal and called her advisor at Tulane to set up a meeting for Monday. She explained that she had gotten a job at Rousseau's, but didn't expect it to hamper her progress.
Gathering up her laptop, files, books and paperwork, she went down to the study that had been her fathers and cleared away the desk. Sitting down, she inhaled, enjoying the scent of his cigars as she began her work on her thesis.
The hours passed as she read through the books, taking notes and making a point to write down which other authors she would need to consult.
As she flipped through her grandmother's book she paused, staring at a picture from a 1919 newspaper clip. The passage below began a new chapter on Vampires(The Wicked Ones), and the people who had founded the city of New Orleans, the Mikaelsons.
Raising a brow, Alex read intently, taking notes on what her grandmother had written. Supposedly, these Mikaelsons had come to New Orleans from across the sea in the 1700's and had ruled and built the city, running it, never dying, simply changing with the aid of their immortality.
Alex smirked.
Looking at the grainy photos, she sighed, it was possible they were the same people…or the genes in the family were strong.
The alarm going off on her phone startled her, making her look away from the books. She had to be to Rousseau's in forty minutes. Shutting the books, she stood and went to change, putting music on while she got ready.
Bones by MS MR played as she wiggled into pleather skinny jeans and lifted a sheer red top on over her lacy tank top, slipping her grey booties on last. Sitting at her vanity, she quickly clipped back half of her mass of wildly curly black hair and then swiped her cheeks with powder.
Quickly following it up with mascara and a touch of eyeliner, she finished her look with a dab of shimmering eyeshadow before sliding her glasses on and grabbing her leather jacket, purse and keys. Locking the front door behind her she walked quickly down the street, her phone in one hand, mace in the other.
She hadn't liked buying it, but after the feeling she had gotten the evening before, she was taking no chances. When she arrived at Rousseau's she sighed softly, her shoulders relaxing. She hadn't realized how tense she was until that moment.
Walking inside, she smiled and waved to Cami, heading to the back room to hang up her coat and purse. Tucking her mace into her purse, she pocketed her phone before heading out to the bar.
Cami grinned, "Love that top. Actually, love your whole outfit."
Alex laughed, "Thanks! It feels good to wear something other than sweats or slouchy travel clothes."
Cami grinned, "I hear you."
Alex raised a brow, "You been travelling lately?" she asked.
Cami hesitated, "Uh, helping out a friend awhile ago and it left me sitting around not doing much. You go a little stir crazy."
Alex nodded as she set glasses out and readied the bar. It wasn't busy yet, but it was Saturday night, it would be. "So do you have a boyfriend?" she asked Cami.
"No. How about you?"
Alex grinned and shook her head, "I travel too much and have been focused on my thesis. Plus, last year happened and fucked with my head."
Cami nodded as she wiped down tables. "I had a pretty rough year or two. My brother…someone poisoned him and he killed a roomful of his seminary brothers and then himself. Then last year by uncle died."
Alex stilled and looked up at her, remembering. Her grandmother had told her about all of it in an email. Her grandmother had insisted black magic had been used by a local coven. Alex had laughed it off; never really believing her grandmother was a witch.
"I heard about that. I'm sorry."
Cami looked over at her and nodded, "I know. Thank you."
The women shared a smile, knowing that the other understood their grief.
When Alex had finished stocking the bar she went to the kitchen and rummaged around, looking for tea until one of the cooks came over, eyeing her.
"What you lookin for?" he asked, his Creole accent soft.
Alex backed away from the cupboard smiling apologetically, "I'm sorry, I was just trying to find some tea. I didn't mean to impose."
He smiled widely at her, "Ah shoot girl, you just gotta ask is all. Here, ova here is where you need ta look." He waved a hand and walked over to the large pantry, showing her where there were stacks of tea boxes.
Alex grinned, "Oh perfect. Thank you!"
"Sure thing darlin. The kettle be over there." He pointed and went back over to the small cluster of cooks, resuming their conversation in a mix of what sounded like French and Creole. Alex turned the burner on and snagged a mug, adding honey and a bag of mint tea.
When the kettle screeched she poured the water and went out to the bar, not surprised to see a few patrons already. Setting her mug aside she quickly stepped up and poured their drinks, taking orders and sending them to the kitchen.
As she stepped back to sip her tea, Cami sidled up and smiled, "I'm so glad I hired you" she murmured.
Alex laughed and sipped her tea before asking, "Why is that?"
"Because you're fast and efficient, two things I appreciate."
"Hmm, well I appreciate a great friend, a good job, and fun time. So I think I win." She winked at Cami as she stepped forward to take an older gentleman's order, leaving her friend to laugh softly behind her.
Stepping up to the bar, she smiled at the older man, "What can I get for you sir?" she asked.
He smiled softly at her, "Ahh that smile is almost enough, and my stars, what lovely eyes you have!"
Alex laughed softly and pushed her glasses further up the bridge of her nose, self conscious as usual whenever someone mentioned her eyes. A shade of dark purple-blue like a bruise, her eyes had garnered attention since her birth.
Her grandmother had said they were a sign of power, her mother that she was related to Elizabeth Taylor somehow, and her ever so practical father had blamed genetics.
Alex had hid behind large framed glasses for as long as she could remember, and did then as now, thanked those who complimented something she had no control over.
"Um, thank you. What can I get you to drink?" she asked, smiling brightly.
The man sighed, "Coors light please."
Alex nodded and quickly poured him his beer, taking the cash and thanking him when he tipped her. She pocketed the cash; glad that Cami had told her they kept their own tips.
The night passed in a blur, until 2am when things suddenly slowed, as people headed out to the streets, leaving the bar blessedly empty.
Alex and Cami sank down at a table with a plate of fries and a round of beers, laughing over a bachelorette party that had just left.
"Good lord, please, if I ever act that stupid, drunk or sober, please punch me directly in the face" Alex asked, laughing.
Cami raised a hand, "I second that." She laughed and shook her head. "Man, a friend of mine got married recently and she was nothing like that. I guess everyone's different…but seriously, some people need to grow up."
Alex nodded and sipped on her beer. The door behind Cami banged open and a blonde man in dark jeans, a tshirt and leather jacket strode in, peering around. Alex sighed, "Back to work" raising her brows and jerking her head towards the door.
Cami turned in her chair and Alex watched as a flicker of emotions went over her face. Annoyance, happiness, fear, eagerness.
Interesting
Cami rose and turned back to Alex, a tight smile on her face, "I got this." Alex nodded and watched as she walked over to the man, her movements tight and controlled, belying her nerves.
Alex leaned forward slightly, trying to hear their conversation. After a moment their voices raised and she could hear quite clearly.
"Klaus! It's almost closing and we're tired. Not tonight."
"Cami, you have a new bartender, it's rude not to introduce me."
With that the man, Klaus, stepped around her and strode forward, a confident smirk on his face. Stopping a few steps away from Alex he leaned in and smiled at her, "Hello! I'm Klaus Mikaelson, I'm friends with Cami and I live here in the Quarter. I heard you're the new hire here at Rousseau's. Who might you be?"
Alex cleared her throat and wiped her hands on her napkin before standing(her grandmother would kill her for anything less than perfect manners) and offering Klaus her hand. "Alexandrine Lafitte."
Klaus not only shook her hand, he turned it over and placed a kiss to the back of it, sending her brows racing upwards at the gentility of the act. She looked over at Cami who rolled her eyes, making Alex stifle a laugh.
Meeting Klaus's gaze she smiled, holding in her mirth. "Miss Lafitte, I do believe I know your name. I don't know you though…" Klaus tilted his head and then nodded, "Your grandmother I believe. Juliette Lafitte?"
Shock rippled through Alex at her grandmother's name and she nodded slowly. Klaus nodded, "She was a good woman, as were your parents. A terrible loss to the community. I'm so sorry for your loss."
Alex's mouth worked for a moment before she clenched it shut and nodded, looking away. Klaus turned away to look at Cami, "A moment Cami?"
She nodded and the pair went out to the patio, leaving Alex to stew. She picked at the remaining fries and drank down the last of her beer, something niggling at her brain.
Something Klaus had said?
The door opened and Cami and Klaus came back in, both looking frustrated and annoyed. Klaus came back to Alex's side and smiled tightly, "It was a pleasure meeting you Alexandrine. I look forward to seeing you again soon."
Alex nodded, "You as well."
She watched as he stalked away giving Cami a dirty look before slamming the door behind him. Turning to Cami she raised a brow, "What was that about?" she asked.
Cami shook her head, "Don't ask. It's…complicated."
Alex laughed, "Girl. That man looks at you like you're 50 year old Scotch and he's an alcoholic. He wants a drink….bad."
Cami blushed and shook her head, "Klaus Mikaelson is many things, but able to relinquish power and ask nicely for what he wants, is not one of them."
Alex raised a brow and laughed, "Then maybe you should take what you want" she offered softly.
Cami raised a hand, "Lets…not talk about it."
Alex nodded and let the issue drop.
As they wiped down the bar and cleaned up for the evening, the memory, the feeling continued to niggle at her. As she stood on the patio while Cami locked up it struck her suddenly.
Grabbing Cami's arm tightly, she spun her to face her. Eyes wide she demanded, "What's Klaus's last name?"
Cami's eyes widened and she stammered, "M-Mikaelson…why?"
Alex turned and looked at the streets surrounding them, the sounds of the Quarter surrounding them and a horrifying thought began to grown within her.
Turning to Cami she pasted on a smile and shook her head, "Nothing. I'll see you later."
Darting away, she ignored her friend calling after her and practically ran back to her house, her mace clenched in her hand, her keys in the other. The feeling of someone following her was once again overwhelming; a dark, slimy sensation crawling all over her body.
When she had slammed the front door shut she went through the house and checked all the windows and doors before running to the studio, her heart pounding.
Snatching up her grandmother's book, she went to the last chapter she had been reading on vampires, or the Wicked Ones, as her grandmother had called them. Flipping through the pages, she stopped when she came to the first picture.
Tossing the book on the desk, she flipped on the lights and rooted through her father's desk until she found a magnifying glass she had used as a toy as a child. Holding it close to the page, she focused on the page, her heart clenching and stuttering as she saw the face in black in white that had been before her just an hour before.
Klaus Mikaelson
"Shit. Shit shit shit" she whispered, dropping the magnifying glass. Flipping through the pages she inspected each picture, already knowing what she would see.
"Oh my god…oh my jesus."
She stared at photos of a man who was at least…what? Three hundred years old? And yet he had stood before her, still in his late twenties, early thirties.
Closing the book, she sank back against the chair and wondered if she was losing her mind. It was entirely possible. Definitely more probable than vampires.
Flipping the book back open to the inscription page she looked at the words her grandmother had written there; Find the truth. Learn our history. Be who you were meant to be.
What if her grandmother had really been a witch? What if she was supposed to be a witch? And now vampires were real too?
She had to find the Mikaelsons and find out what they knew about the history of this city, her grandmother, witches and what had happened to her family.
"Right, nothing too difficult. Just solving a crime, figuring out if you're a witch, and possibly talking to some vampires. You've lost it Alex" she whispered, running her fingers over her grandmother's words.
Yet something told her that it was the right path to take.
Find the truth
Learn our history
"Okay grams. If you can hear me, then I'm going to need your help. Guide me." She whispered. The lights flickered and a breath of air rushed across her skin sending her shooting to her feet. Looking around the room with wide eyes, Alex's heart pounded.
That was enough of that for the evening.
Locking her bedroom door behind her, Alex curled onto her bed with an old stuffed animal, her lights on, setting her glasses aside, staring up at the ceiling until she finally fell asleep in the early morning hours.
Be who you were meant to be