Summary: Elijah would do anything to keep her safe. Even if it meant destroying his own family.

Genre: Romance; Supernatural

Pairing: Elijah/OFC - Louisa

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries.

CHAPTER TWO

In that moment, Klaus carried an unmistakable cloud of triumph above his head. After centuries of waiting, he had finally achieved the freedom he had always craved. And unleashed power more dangerous than anything Louisa could ever conjure.

"Now this is a quite sight," began Klaus. "Don't you two look cozy together."

Louisa cleared her throat nervously, shuffling backwards. Elijah noticed her unease immediately, for it was not only directed at Klaus, but towards him as well. "Visits from two Originals in less than an hour," she said in disbelief. "I guess it really is my birthday."

"That's right," replied Klaus quickly. "Today is the thirteenth. You're how old now? Twenty-six?"

"Twenty-five," Louisa corrected him.

"Well, that's even better," he said full of excitement, walking further into the room. Klaus propped himself upon the arm of the nearby chair as he continued. "The passing years have been nothing but kind to you, I see. Do you not agree, brother," he asked, keeping his hungry sapphire eyes glued to her figure.

Despite the uneasy feeling in her stomach, knowing this all would eventually turn bad, Louisa would not entertain Klaus' antics. Progressing their conversation along, she said, "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

"Straight to the point then, I see. Very well," he began. "Though, I am a bit confused as to why you're asking questions you clearly know the answers to." Louisa made an attempt to look confused by his words, but Klaus was not fooled. He could see through her charade easily. "Don't deny it. I know that Elijah has regaled you on my accomplishments of last night. You need not worry, I only require magic for a short time and then you are free to do-"

"And you think this magic will come from me," Louisa asked him suddenly. She shook her head. "Yes. Elijah has told me what you've done. He told me everything. And I have no intention of helping you, Klaus."

"Not exactly the response I was hoping for," he replied, a slight tinge of annoyance in his voice at her quick rejection.

"Always nice to see you," Louisa offered, putting another inch of distance between them, "but I think it's time for you to leave."

Ignoring her request, Klaus turned his attention to his brother. "You did a bang up job, Elijah! She's convinced! Marvelous," he yelled once more. "You assured me you could handle it!"

Louisa could barely believe her ears. "Convince me," she repeated, approaching Elijah without hesitation, her anger directed toward him now. "I'm a little confused," she began again. "You want me to help him!"

Elijah shook his head, attempting to speak. "That is not-"

"And what is to happen now that I have said no," Louisa questioned. "Do you plan to kill me? Or perhaps you should compel me instead?" Elijah gave no response, for he knew he would be interrupted again. Louisa sighed heavily before continuing, this time her voice sounding nearly defeated. "You lied to me. You had me believe that…"

"Apparently my brother didn't tell you everything. And nor did I," said Klaus, his voice all the more chipper. "I thought this little connection you two have could possibly ruin my plans. So, I had to make things a little more interesting."

Klaus turned away from them, disappearing out of the drawing room for a moment. Louisa glanced at Elijah. His expression was more guarded than it had been. He truly had no idea what his brother was up to.

Klaus returned a minute later, but he wasn't alone. Elijah had smelt the presence of Louisa's mother lingering nearby the entire time since his arrival. When the air didn't change, he assumed Jillian, despite his request, had decided not to go out after all.

Klaus guided Jillian in front of him, pushing her forward until she reached the sofa across the room. He pressed upon her shoulders roughly, forcing her to sit. Klaus remained standing behind her, all the while glaring at the young witch opposite him.

"Niklaus, what are you doing," asked Elijah, very hesitant to know the answer.

"Negotiating."

Louisa narrowed her eyes. Something wasn't right. Instead of attempting to escape the clutches of the monster, her mother simply sat quietly in a zombie-like state. And then it hit her. "Did you compelled my mother?"

"Well, I had to," answered Klaus. "She'd be thrashing about otherwise and she'd be more difficult to kill."

"You're nothing but a coward," she said with disgust. Louisa advanced toward him without warning, but Elijah stopped her, grasping her left shoulder tightly. She began to fidget, trying to escape his grip. He squeezed her forearm a bit tighter. She looked up at him roughly, but her anger toward him melted away when she saw the pleading look in Elijah's eyes, silently asking her to take moment an think about her next actions carefully.

"How this ends depends upon you, Louisa. Just a few magic tricks is all I want."

A small smile found her lips. "Magic tricks, huh?"

"What do you say," asked Klaus, pleased to see the grin forming on her face. He knew he could convince her.

"Just one little trick," she said softly before closing her eyes.

Louisa bowed her head as she began reciting words of an ancient language. It was a very simple spell made to deliver a very powerful punch. No sooner did the words flow from her lips did a loud piercing sound begin to emit within Klaus' head. He stepped away from Jillian, clutching his head desperately, silently praying for any form of relief.

"This is how it ends, Klaus," said Louisa, moving forward with no barrier. The closer she got to Klaus the more pain she invoked upon him. "Get out." The hunched over hybrid attempted to speak, but Louisa was finished with him. "Get out!"

Klaus growled menacingly, the pain too much for him to bear, and finally ran off, exiting the large farm house. The compulsion spell upon Jillian broke immediately when Klaus disappeared. Louisa ran to her mother. She knelt on the floor in front of where she was sitting and wrapped her arms around her.

"I'm fine, dear," said Jillian when she felt her daughter's vice grip about her shoulders.

"I'm sorry Mom," she replied, puling away just enough to see her face. "Are you okay?" Her mother nodded, eyes adverting to the other Original in the room. Louisa released her mother, stood and turned to face Elijah. "You're still here."

"I would like the opportunity to explain-"

"There is nothing to explain," she yelled.

"I made a mistake," he shouted, causing both Louisa and Jillian to jump in surprise. They were not expecting his demeanor to change so suddenly. Elijah closed his eyes, inhaling slowly before continuing, his voice back to normal. "What I did cannot be changed. All I can do is attempt to fix it. None of this was meant to happen, Louisa."

"No Elijah, you did exactly what Klaus wanted. You led him straight to me," she said. "I find myself questioning everything. And there…there is nothing…"

Louisa trailed off, suddenly feeling somewhat light headed. There was a pounding in her head that would not quit. She mused for moment. Could this have been how Klaus had felt? She shook her head, trying to make the pain stop but it wouldn't let up. Louisa could see Elijah and her mother begin to approach her. She held up a hand, pausing their movements.

"I'm fine," she said quickly.

"Darling, your nose is bleeding," said Jillian suddenly. Louisa brought her right hand just below her nose. Pulling away, she found a single scarlet dot on her pointer finger. "Let me get you a warm wash cloth. I'll be right back," finished Jillian as she hurried off to the kitchen.

Louisa stumbled backward suddenly, nearly toppling over the sofa behind her. Elijah walked toward her quickly. "You need rest, Louisa."

"What I need is for you to get the hell out of here," she retorted.

Elijah caught up with her easily, grasping her shoulders lightly. She shook her head, attempting to remove his hands. But it was useless. "You're drained," he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I can't trust you anymore," she said suddenly.

"You need to rest, Louisa," Elijah repeated once more. The next words she uttered would have been enough to stop his beating heart, if he had one of course.

"I hate you," she said whispered. Despite the pain it cause her, she had to say it. The vampire before her was left speechless, yet still held onto her. She placed her palms upon his chest, shoving him backward with all her strength, saying it again, this time just slightly louder. "I hate you."

Elijah released her and watched her back away from him, tears threatening to fall. She wiped the dripping blood from her nose with the back of her hand and left the drawing room. Jillian reappeared just moments after, catching Elijah alone in the room.

"What happened? Where is she?"

"Upstairs, I think," he replied, adjusting his blazer. "I seemed to have upset her. I shouldn't have come."

"But, you had to warn her Elijah," offered Jillian quickly. "And I am thankful that you did."

Elijah did not return the woman's smile. He paused, looking at the ceiling above him. He turned his head, listening. He heard first a slamming door and feet shuffling. Then, there was the twisting of a knob, squeaking as it turned. A light stream of water then entered his ears. Despite Louisa switching on the upstairs bathroom faucet, it still wasn't enough to conceal her cries.