Sorry it took so long! I promise it won't take as long for the next chapter. Thank you so much for your reviews, favorites, and follows. They are the fuel to my fire. Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Challenges

Elijah was ready to forgive Kol of every misdeed he'd ever caused. He was so impressed with the fortitude and maturity shown by my brother in freeing himself and Evangeline that Elijah found himself pondering in astonishment what could have possibly changed Kol so much in forty years.

He was nearly to the front door when the unmistakable beat of Evangeline's heart stopped him short. It was – frantic. Then he caught sight of his brother's eyes, and he swore internally.

Kol hadn't changed. He was only after one thing, and it had nothing to do with familial ties. But Elijah masked his anger for the sake of those present and approached his brother.

Kol grinned a sham of a smile as his brother approached. "Elijah, brother, it's good to have you back."

Elijah kept his expression indistinguishable with his cryptic reply. "Indeed, Kol. I already see a great many things have changed. I wonder – where are Niklaus and Rebekah?"

Daphne decided to make sure her presence wouldn't go unnoticed. "I haven't seen Rebekah in ages, but my parents and I live right by Uncle Nik."

"You wouldn't know about Rebekah, sweetheart, seeing as our dear brother saw fit to stick a dagger in her heart nearly two years ago now." Kol glared venomously at the ground.

"Hmm," Daphne mused. "Yeah – that sounds like something Nik would do."

Evangeline's mouth fell open, "How does that not even bother you?"

Daphne stared straight into Evangeline's eyes without flinching. "Hey, I've got more important things to worry about, Granny. If you want to talk about ethics take it up my brothers. Self-righteous prigs…"

Evangeline couldn't decide what was more upsetting – her granddaughter's apathy or the fact that she'd just been called Granny. Fortunately, Kol changed the subject, distracting her from her disbelief.

"Well, what better time than the present to pay a visit to our dear brother." A strange glint flashed across his eyes, never straying from Evangeline's gaze. "Knowing Niklaus, I'm certain he'll want to celebrate your return."

Elijah growled internally. Kol's game was becoming clearer by the minute, although he couldn't be certain why Evangeline already seemed so affected.

Kol couldn't stop smirking. Pleased as he was to see Evangeline it was quite the added bonus to detect the hints the jealousy slipping through Elijah's carefully masked expression. This was going to be fun.

"I want to see Henrik." Evangeline interrupted everyone's banter with her sudden request.

"Of course." Elijah took her hand firmly, and a gentle heat crept up her fingers as she smiled.

Kol's eyebrows waggled playfully at his niece. "Daphne, sweetheart. Be a good girl, and take us to see Klaus. I'm sure he'll be most anxious to see us."

"You know, I would love to, Kol. Except—" She smirked mischievously and raised a brow. "—I get pretty talkative when I'm driving. I'm not sure everyone wants my loose lips running off about certain things, you know?"

Elijah did not miss the spasm of the fury mingled with fear that crossed his brother's face.

"Fine then," Kol strained, climbing into the driver's side of his fancy car. He swore inside. His niece definitely had the Petrova fire.

In truth, Kol was aching to get a glimpse into Evangeline's mind, and he'd hoped she would fall asleep at some point along the drive. But the seating arrangements soon proved to not matter. Evangeline had been asleep for forty years and was in no mood to doze off any time soon.

They arrived at a mansion two hours southwest of Mystic Falls, and Klaus welcomed them with open arms.

"So the knight in shining armor gallantly returns," Klaus uttered the phrase with a reminiscent grin. "All's well that ends well, Elijah."

"Niklaus." Elijah embraced his brother, surprised at the variance from Klaus's usually temperamental moods.

"And of course, my lovely Daphne." Klaus twirled his great-niece in a circle and gave her an amicable pat on the back. "I've missed you, my princess."

Elijah raised an eyebrow, which Daphne noticed.

"Oh mercy, no, Gramps. It's not like that—" The relief in Elijah's face was clear. "— I just happen to be Uncle Nik's favorite member of the family," she beamed with pride. "I hope that doesn't put you out or anything. I mean, I don't know about you or Rebekah, but Kol hates to come in second place. Isn't that right, Uncle?"

Kol's plastered grin fell into a grimace. "You know, I think we ought to have a talk, sweetheart."

Daphne's laughter carried across the lawn of Klaus's estate. She had blood of two of the most powerful lines of witches in her veins, and Kol still had the audacity to challenge her.

"Nonsense, Uncle. I'm just having a laugh. You don't need to worry about me."

Elijah listened to the exchanged with narrowed eyes. It was obvious that Daphne had leverage over Kol, but what was it? He decided to feign ignorance until he could piece more of the evidence together, but he had the sneaking suspicion it had to do with the way Kol continued to look at Evangeline.

Elijah wasn't worried. Two could play at Kol's devious game. He immediately scooped his siren love into his arms, causing a squeak of delight to emit from her lovely lips.

"Your castle awaits, my lady."

Evangeline's smile could have pierced the sky. It certainly pierced Kol. She seemed so happy with Elijah as they neared the threshold of Niklaus's home, and for the briefest moment Kol considered letting go of his obsessive desires so she could just be happy.

Then Elijah turned his head, glaring at his brother for just a flicker of a moment before carrying Evangeline through the front door.

Kol saw it, though no one else did. He knew. Elijah had already figured out Kol's true motives, and in that instantaneous flash of determined anger, he sent a clear challenge to his brother.

There was no way Kol could back down now.

"A jolly time to take a vacation," Kol scoffed.

"No, it's fine." Evangeline smiled softly. "They'll still be back in time for the ball." She was excited to see her son and his family, as well as many of her old friends who said they would make the trip to see the old gang.

Kol sat at in the parlor, eyeing Evangeline strangely.

"Why do you keep staring at me like that?" Evangeline frowned.

"Well, sweetheart, you haven't seemed quite yourself since your return. I expected a bit more of the fire, if you know what I mean."

Evangeline grimaced into the kitchen where Daphne laughed with Klaus and Elijah. "There's more than enough Petrova fire in this house if you ask me." Then she turned to Kol, looking a bit more serious. "But I am different now, I suppose. I mean, I saw every siren that ever lived. I know things, Kol."

"What kind of things?" He quirked his eyebrow and scooted closer to her teasingly.

Evangeline bit her lip. "Well, the last thing I saw before waking up was – a bit unreal, actually. There were muses – the ones you read about in Greek mythology. And there was a goddess named Demeter, and the daughters of the muses had a quest…" she trailed off uncertainly.

"Wow," Kol said sarcastically. "Sounds like good fun, love."

"It was important," Evangeline raised her voice angrily, causing those in the other room to peer into the parlor, curiosity etched on their faces. "I just can't figure out why. It was the only vision I saw more than once."

Kol stuck his hands up innocently. "Hey, I never said it wasn't important."

"You know, I'm feeling a bit tired now," Evangeline sighed. "It's getting late. Goodnight, everyone."

Elijah rose to go with her.

"No, Elijah, you're having fun getting to know your grand-kid. I'll just meet you upstairs later." She smiled gently.

Without warning Elijah wrapped a firm hand around her waist and bent toward her in a swift, steady motion.

Kol watched with disgust as Evangeline's mouth was roughly savaged by his brother's anxious kisses. Kol knew he could do better than that. He also knew Evangeline would soon be asleep. He would show her then.

I love Daphne already… Evangeline's an absolute bore right now, but there are things in future chapters that will soon change that. And Elijah is NOT going to take Kol's crap for very long. I know this chapter was a bit shorter than the last one, but the next couple chapters will be longer. I hope you liked!