The witches gathered together in the mausoleum after the confrontation. Hayley stood to the side, wary. They had said that they would help her, sure, but she had been brought up with the belief that witches were not to be trusted. She could remember the many times Bonnie had turned around and gone against her word, for the good of the Mystic Falls gang. Plus Hayley had never really been on the best terms with the young witch. Bonnie was far too comfortable calling her out on the many mistakes Hayley apparently made. Hayley blinked and the memories faded, and she tuned into the witches conversation.
"Caroline and her vampires are out of control." Sophie said, pacing. "Something had to be done."
"And the solution is to bring in more vampires?" Agnes questioned.
Sophie turned to her, hands out, soothing. "These aren't just any vampires, Agnes. They're the Originals."
Agnes frowned. "What makes you think you can control the hybrid?"
"She can't." Elijah appeared by Hayley's side, ever so slightly protective. She had gained his trust back in Mystic Falls by keeping his family safe despite her friends' actions, and he would not allow her to be hurt. Nor would he allow himself to be compromised by his feelings towards her, whatever they may be.
"I'm not entirely certain that I can, either." He continued. "But now that your coven has drawn his ire, I have a question: What prevents my brother from murdering you instead of cooperating?"
Sophie raised her eyebrow at the Original. She sighed and grabbed a pin, sticking the needle into her hand.
"Ow!" Hayley hissed from beside Elijah. He turned to her in confusion to find her holding out her own palm, a drop of blood gathering in her hand, exactly at the same point where Sophie had pricked her own skin.
"What the hell?" Hayley said in an undertone, licking the blood away to clean her wound.
"That spell my sister performed, the one that got her killed?" Sophie stated, gaining Elijah and Hayley's attention again. "It didn't just confirm Hayley's lineage. It linked me to Hayley. So anything that happens to me, happens to her. Which means her life is in my hands. Klaus may not care about his own relative, but its very clear what she means to you. If I have to hurt Hayley – or worse – to ensure that I have your attention, I will."
Elijah covered his rage like a gentleman, feigning amusement at her audacity. "You would dare threaten an Original?"
Sophie shrugged. "I have nothing to lose."
The grin slid slowly from Elijah's face, reminding them all of why it wasn't just Klaus who was the famously feared Original.
Sophie remained strong. "You have until midnight to get Klaus to change his mind. We'll need the assistance of both you and your brother for the war we're about to enter."
.
Klaus stormed into Caroline's party for the second time that night. Caroline caught him before any shouting could begin again.
"Where did you and Elijah run off to?" She asked.
Klaus scoffed. "You mean your minions aren't still documenting my every move?"
Caroline wasn't moved. "Aw, someone put you in a mood." She pouted, teasing despite the anger that bubbled underneath the surface of her skin. "How can I fix it?"
"You can fix it by telling me how you control the witches." Klaus insisted.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, we're back to that?"
"Yeah, we're back to that."
She glared at him, her anger rising. "You know I owe you every skill I have, but I have to draw the line. This is my business. I control the witches in this town, in my town." She folded her arms across her chest. "You don't need to know anything else."
"Your town?" Klaus frowned, stepping closer.
Caroline drew herself up to her full height, plus three inches of heels. "Yes. My town."
"Oh, that's funny, love." Klaus pursed his lips. "Because when I left a hundred years ago, you were still the same little grubby orphan I found in the street, and now look at my protégée. Mistress of your domain. Queen of the city."
"Master and King." She corrected icily.
"How so?"
"Because I am. King." Caroline tossed back her hair. "Every queen needs a king, every mistress needs a master. I need no one. I am king."
At some point the music had stopped and they had started the spectacle, but she kept going. She needed to blow her horn every once in a while, and this could serve as a reminder. But most of all, she wanted to show her power to the one man who had made her who she was.
"I know it must burn you to come back and find me with more power than you ever had, but that's how it is, Nik. I know that three hundred years ago, you helped build a backwater penal colony into something. You started it, sure, but then you left. In fact, you ran from it. I got left behind by you and your family, but I saw this empire through. Take a good look around. Vampires rule this city. We don't live in the shadows like rats. 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. If you want to stay for a while, fine. Be my guest. But only my guest. What's mine is yours, but it still is mine. This is my home, my family, my rules. And you aren't going to take control over any of it."
Klaus narrowed his eyes. "No control? Control comes with rules, sweetheart, you know that. And so what if someone breaks those rules?"
"Then they die." Caroline said fiercely. "No mercy. You taught me that. I am King here, Klaus. Show some respect."
Klaus nodded in consideration, then wheeled around and plunged his fangs into Thierry who stood nearby. Caroline lurched in fear towards her friend, and Klaus stepped back to speak to her with fading golden eyes.
"Your little friend will be dead by the weekend. Which means I've broken one of your rules. And yet I cannot be killed. I am immortal." He goaded her with a charming smile, blood drying on his lips. "Who has the power now, love?"
Caroline seethed, glaring at him, speechless, as he left.
.
"He's willing to give up everything." Elijah sighed, ending his explanation to Rebekah over the phone.
"Come on, Elijah." Rebekah didn't sound so impressed. "Does that really surprise you?"
"I already see it. He's spiraling. He's lashing out in a blind rage." Elijah shook his head. "You know, the last time I saw him like this was when he thought he had lost her, back when Mikael stormed the city." Mikael. Not father. He had stopped being their father long ago.
"Back when Car – " Rebekah's voice faltered, then gained strength again. "Leave him to his temper tantrum and come home. With any luck, this misadventure will allow us a reprieve from all of his insanity."
"He was so close. When I saw him watching Caroline earlier this evening, I could see it in his eyes. He... he wanted... he could almost taste happiness. And now his temper has destroyed it. Even if I was to return him to sanity, he just lost Caroline's trust. So, the likelihood for him redeeming himself in her eyes is lost. And I'm almost out of time to get the girl."
"Get the…" Rebekah let out an unladylike splutter when she realized her brother was talking of Hayley. "Have you lost your mind? Are we running an orphanage now?"
Elijah's jaw tightened. "Say what you will about Niklaus, but we are not about to let something happen to Hayley. You bonded with her in Mystic Falls. Admit it."
"I will admit nothing." Rebekah hissed.
.
"Find him, and call me." Caroline snapped into the receiver. "I know how to deal with Klaus."
"Is that so?" Elijah's voice sounded across the din of the bar. Caroline glanced up, holding out a hand to sooth the nearby vampires that launched to their feet, ready for a fight. She hung up the phone and tossing it down on the table. Elijah regarded her fondly. At time she still resembled the girl they had taken in from the streets and raised as their own. She had been like a daughter, then like a sister, family rolled all in one.
And then she scowled at him, and all he could see was Niklaus reflected muscle for muscle in her expression.
"Klaus is being a jerk again. Can't you keep your brother in line?"
"You of all people would know that I cannot." Elijah said regretfully, seating himself at her table. "Its time we had a little chat."
"Oh Elijah." Caroline sighed. "No. Don't get yourself caught up in this. Can't we just have a catch up and a chat without you getting involved in this business?"
"No." Elijah replied point blank. "He is my brother. This is my family. Getting involved is my business."
Caroline pursed her lips and rolled her eyes. "Well, if you're going to talk, then talk. I've got other things to do."
He smiled wryly. "You've grown quite confident over the last century, haven't you?"
"Me?" She fluttered her eyes innocently. "I'd say that its Klaus that's cocky, coming to this town, to my town, like he owns the place."
"Well the Mikaelson's did own the place once." Elijah reminded her. "We were all quite happy here, but we could never control those pesky witches at the French quarter. How do you do it?"
Caroline scoffed. "Elijah, you know better than that. I'm not going to tell you. It's my business. Everything in the quarter is my business. Klaus comes into town with his moody brooding and his arrogance, and while that might have charmed me once, its not going to happen again. And the last thing he is going to do is take my place. I run this town now." She regarded him with pained eyes. "You and your family gave up that right when you abandoned me and fled."
"You never came after us." Elijah said softly.
Caroline slammed her hands down on the table. "How could I when I had no idea where you had gone, whether you had been killed by Mikael or not?"
Elijah bowed his head regretfully. Caroline took a deep breath, unwilling to start having a temper tantrum like she was a child again. "And now he's bitten Thierry."
"I assume Niklaus reminded you that a bite like that will kill your friend within a matter of days. Of course, his blood is also the cure."
Caroline tilted her head. "What?"
"Apparently the blood of the hybrid will cure a werewolf bite." He stated. "Quite handy when he needs a negotiation."
She sat back in her chair. "And so he sent you, the great counselor. Will there ever come a day when you don't play mediator for our arguments?"
He winced, clearly upset that he was hurting her, that he had hurt her so terribly in the past.
"What kind of negotiations are we talking about?" Caroline asked, all business.
Elijah did the same in kind. "Return the body of the witch Jane-Anne, allow her people to put her to rest."
She frowned. "Why do you care about the witches?"
He sighed. "Well, that's my business now, isn't it?"
She recoiled back as if he had slapped her. Elijah's heart grew heavy.
Caroline nodded slowly. "Fine. Its done."
.
The clock chimed midnight, the sound ringing out through the masoleum. The witches turned to look at Sophie.
"His time is up." Agnes said gently. "What're you gonna do now, Sophie?"
Sophie exhaled slowly through her nose. "I'm going to do what I said I was going to do."
"What, kill the girl?" Sabine's voice rose in panic. "Kill yourself?"
"It is not enough to start a war in motion that will solve anything." Agnes reasoned. "Klaus does not care about her."
"I do."
The witches turned to see Elijah standing in the doorway, carrying a large bundle wrapped in cloth.
"And I bring proof of my intent to help you." He continued as he walked towards them. "The body of your fallen friend, which I procured from Caroline herself."
"Jane-Anne." Sophie breathed.
Elijah set the body on the floor before them. "May she be granted peace." He rose to look at all of them. "Klaus and I will agree to your terms. I just need a little more time."
"You had your time. It's passed." Agnes reminded him gravely.
"Shut up, Agnes." Sabine hissed.
"For now, accept the deal." Elijah stated. "Caroline and Hayley remain unharmed, or Klaus will kill you all." He turned to leave, and paused. "And I will help him."
He passed by Hayley as he left, and gently held her shoulders. "Wait here."
"Where are you going?" She asked, her voice more demanding that questioning.
It made him smile before he was reminded of the grim tasks he had left to do. "I have to go find my stubborn brother and calm him."
"Good luck with that." Hayley scoffed, then softened. "I'll wait here for you."
He paused for a moment, uncertain about what to do to signify a goodbye with this girl, then realized that he ought not say goodbye to her at all. It would be to final.
Instead, he left the cemetery to pick up his brothers scent. It was simple. The scent of booze and rage that followed Klaus wherever he went lingered in the air. He followed it to an alleyway where he found Klaus walking along with a bottle of bourbon.
Klaus paused, hearing his brother's arrival. "Have I not made clear my desire to be left alone?"
If Elijah had not been as mannered as he was, he would have rolled his eyes. "Oh, you demand to be left alone at least once a decade. Your words have ceased to have impact."
Klaus threw the bottle against the wall, its smash echoing in the empty space. "Why must you keep harping on about our family? Caroline will be as good as dead with whatever the witches have cooked up. And I'll be glad of it."
Elijah's patience snapped. He grabbed Klaus by the collar and held him against the wall, slamming him once into it for good measure.
"Don't lie to yourself, brother. You will not walk away from this. You cannot walk away from this."
"Let. Me. Go." Klaus rasped.
"I will not!" Elijah countered, swinging him to smash into a nearby crate. Once the debris settled, he picked Klaus up as casually as he had when they were both still children, holding him in a locking embrace.
"Don't make me say it again." Klaus threatened, as if he were the one in control.
"I will not let go. I will never let go." Elijah promised sincerely, loving his brother despite the anger that coursed through his veins. The matter of his family had been ignored for far too long. He would not let Klaus forget this.
But Elijah had underestimated his brothers strength. Klaus latched onto Elijah's shoulder, hurling him against a nearby iron rod fence.
Elijah gathered himself and snapped one of the iron poles off, wielding it as Klaus walked away once more. "Even if I have to spend eternity saving you from your own stubborn, petulant, vile self..." He sped over to Klaus and swung the rod, catching his brother on the shoulder. Klaus roared and turned to face Elijah.
"If I have to beat you as father used to beat you, to remind you of your own humanity." Elijah said, swinging the rod back so it hit Klaus again. "To care about anything." He continued, attempting to clout another blow with the rod.
Klaus's rage spiked at his brothers words, and it helped him catch the pole with ease. He cared, of course he cared, and Elijah knew it. Klaus tugged the weapon into his control and hit Elijah with one striking blow that caused him to skid back across the floor. Klaus let the rod drop to the ground with a clang, slowly walking over to his brother.
"You're beyond pathetic, Elijah."
Elijah sat up, wiping the blood from his lip. "Well, who is more pathetic? The one who sees hope to make his family whole, or the coward who only see the world through his own fear?"
Klaus steeled his emotions. "I haven't cared about anything for centuries." He lied. "Why on earth do you?"
Elijah stared his brother straight in the eye, aware of his lie. "You haven't cared about anything." He repeated. "Anyone, though…"
"Answer the question, Elijah." Klaus said lowly.
Elijah exhaled. "Because I failed you. Because the first time our father laid a hand on you, I should have struck him dead. I made a promise to you: always, forever, family above all."
Klaus frowned, before laughing and reaching out to help his brother up from the ground. "You are a sentimental fool."
"Perhaps." Elijah allowed. "But I've lasted this long in spite of it, haven't I?"
Klaus stepped back slightly from his brother, wanting more distance between them again.
Elijah sighed wearily. "Where are we setting up quarters then?"
Klaus smirked. "Your sentimentality will allow you to get pulled into your brothers war?" He raised his eyebrows playfully. "And here I was beginning to think you were the good brother."
"There is only one way for this family to become whole." Elijah retorted stiffly. "With your stubbornness and my guidance."
Klaus' smirk became a scowl as he considered his brothers words. "The old plantation." He finally said, before turning and leaving the alleyway, the tight set of his shoulders just daring Elijah to follow him. He let his brother walk away, knowing that while he was plotting, at least he had allowed Elijah to be involved. Klaus wanted his family together, deep down. Elijah knew it.
.
Hayley was perched on the short stone wall surrounding the cemetery when he returned to its wrought iron gates.
"That didn't take long." She commented, then frowned when she saw his split lip. "You're bleeding."
Elijah sucked his bottom lip between his teeth, cleaning the last drop of blood from them before the wound started to heal. Hayley watched the action intently before checking herself and glancing away. He watched her curiously.
"So, where are we off to?" She asked before he could even question her.
"A safe haven."
"To wait for Klaus to interrogate me too?" Hayley asked, folding her arms across her chest. "I saw that happen with the Salvatore brothers back in Mystic Falls. Its not something that's high on my to do list."
"I can assure you that no harm will come to you." Elijah said sincerely.
She studied him for a second, then shrugged. "Fine. Lead the way."
They walked along the streets. Elijah knew it wasn't too far away.
"So, have they been holding you here against your will?" He asked her.
"They lured me out to the bayou and grabbed me." Hayley rolled her eyes at her own stupidity. "Serves me right for listening to strangers."
"There was a reason why many folk tales include the moral of not taking advice from strangers." Elijah said. She glanced sideways at him, not certain if he meant it as a comfort or as a mockery. But one could never be sure with Elijah Mikaelson.
"What did they mean, that I was related to Klaus?" She asked to change the subject and answer the burning question on her mind. "Here I thought vampires couldn't procreate, let alone that one of you left a bloodline."
It was Elijah's turn to watch Hayley as they walked. "Elena and the Salvatores didn't tell you about the origins of the Mikaelson family?"
"I arrived a bit after all of the drama with you trying to kill Elena for the ritual." Hayley said with a smirk.
"I did not agree to Elena's sacrifice – " Elijah protested, but Hayley held up her hands.
"Hey. Like I said, I arrived after all that. I don't do that kind of teen drama. I'm more into teen angst anyway, not teen ritual goat sacrifices." She had a teasing lilt to her mouth, and he couldn't figure out if she was trying to taunt him or not.
"You are a modern soul, aren't you." He commented, shaking his head. "Well, if you are ignorant of the Original family history, then you will require an education, seeing as you are apparently a part of it."
"How?" Hayley asked in that same demanding tone.
"In the beginning, our family was human…A thousand years ago, now."
"Is this like some medieval bedtime story?" She quipped.
Elijah sighed, and she bit her lip.
"Right. Sorry. It's a no interruptions kind of deal. Continue."
He frowned at her before continuing as she suggested. "Although our mother dabbled in the dark arts, we were actually just a family trying to survive in a time when it was quite difficult to do so. And, for better or worse, we were happy. That is, however, until one night, our youngest brother was killed by our village's greatest threat. Men that could transform themselves into wolves during the full moon. Our family was devastated, none more than Niklaus. Desperate to protect the rest of us, our father forced our mother to call upon her black magic in order to make us stronger. Thus, the first vampires were born. But with this speed, this strength, this immortality, came a terrible hunger. No one felt this hunger more than Niklaus. When he killed for the first time, we knew what he truly was. He wasn't just a vampire – "
"He was also a werewolf. That's how the werewolf curse works. It isn't activated until you take a life." She realized he was looking at her, and glanced up at him apologetically. "Sorry. Interrupting."
Elijah shook his head slightly, and she realized he must have been wondering more about who she had killed to activate her werewolf gene. He continued as if nothing had happened.
"Niklaus was the result of an indiscretion our mother had hidden from us all. An affair, with a werewolf like yourself. Enfuriated by this betrayal, my father forced our mother to cast a spell that would suppress Klaus's werewolf side, denying him any connection with his true self."
"That explains a bit more of the revenge aspect." Hayley noted to herself, before looking up at Elijah. "And your dad was a dick."
He chuckled unexpectedly at her words before pausing in his step. She turned to see where he was looking, noticing that they were in front of a beautiful white house.Mansion, she corrected in her head. The place was huge.
"We're here." He announced.
"This is the safe haven?" Hayley gaped. "I was expecting a little more bunker room, preparing for World War III and all that."
"We are the Original family." Elijah replied. "How could you expect any less than this?"
She laughed slightly, and he looked pleased with the reaction. He pried open the door with graceful ease, gesturing for her to walk in first.
"Do you need to be invited or anything?" She asked, walking across the threshold.
"No," Elijah sighed, walking in and shutting the door before glancing around at the abandoned mansion. "The owners died long ago. Thankfully it hasn't been looted. The original furnishings should still be in place." He started up the stairs, intending on checking for furniture, but paused before glancing back to Hayley.
"I want you to know that while I cannot excuse Niklaus' behaviour, past or present, you must understand… when our father hunted him – hunted us – for centuries, every time we found a moment of happiness, we were forced to flee. Even here, in New Orleans, where we were happiest of all. Not long after Niklaus broke the spell which prevented him from becoming a hybrid, he defeated our father. I thought this would make him happy. Instead, he was angrier than ever. I wonder if this latest scheme will bring him happiness, but I would rather intervene and find a way to save him from himself."
Hayley nodded, taking it all in. Elijah started to ascend the stairs again, but her voice made him halt. "Why are you telling me all this?" She asked softly.
He locked eyes with her as she stood down in the foyer. "Because you're part of Niklaus' bloodline, and part of the family now." Elijah tilted his head. "And because I trust you, Hayley. It is a rare occurrence for me." He smiled. "I hope you don't prove me wrong." His words rang out with a sense of challenge and foreboding as he disappeared up the stairs.
.
Klaus sat contemplating the world on a park bench later in the night. Elijah joined him once more, proving that he would never let go, that he would always find his family
"Are you here to give me another pep talk on the joys of family?" Klaus scoffed.
"I've said all I needed to say." Elijah allowed, waiting for Klaus to reveal what was on his mind.
After a pause, Klaus smiled slightly. "I forgot how much I liked this town."
"I didn't forget." Elijah admitted. "All the centuries we've spent together, and yet I can count on one hand the number of times that our family has been truly happy. I hated leaving here."
"As did I." Klaus replied, his voice tinged with regret. He could have come back. He could have faced Mikael. He could have fought his cowardice and fought for Caroline. But instead he abandoned her, abandoned the city he had built, and his heart had become more corroded.
Elijah knew. He always knew. But instead, he didn't pry about his feelings for Caroline. Instead, he asked about something else. He could always recognize a scheming look on Niklaus' face. "What are you planning, brother?"
"For a thousand years, I lived in fear." Klaus sighed. "Any time I settled anywhere, our father would hunt me down and chase me off. He made me feel powerless, and I hated it. This town was my home once, and in my absence, Caroline has gotten everything that I ever wanted. Power, loyalty, family. I made her my protégée, made her in my image and she has bettered me." He stared out unseeing at the city around them. "I want what she has. I want it back. I want to be king."
"Do you still want her back as well?" Elijah asked, concerned at Klaus' level of revenge.
"If she'll have me." Klaus said sincerely, but then his face morphed into a smirk. "And if not, then I'll have no qualms about taking everything from her."
Clearly Elijah was right to be worried about the girl he had once called family. Klaus would do anything for power.
"Tell Sophie Deveraux we have a deal." Klaus said to his brother, his mind whirring with the many possibilities that a deal involving witches and werewolves would entail.
"You'll need to make amends with Caroline first." Elijah said. "Heal her friend Thierry. Get her trust."
Klaus rolled his eyes, standing up. "The things we do for family."
.
Klaus was not five paces into the courtyard before Caroline stood on the balcony above him.
"Get out." She said in a low, icy voice.
"I've had time to contemplate, sweetheart." Klaus soothed, striding up the stairs to meet her.
"I said get out." She repeated, her voice eerily calm.
"I am not your enemy. Where my family and I failed this town, you succeeded." He held her gaze sincerely, and she studied him for a long moment.
Klaus slowly brought his palm to his mouth and bit into the side, creating a small wound that gathered blood. "My blood will heal Thierry. As though it never happened."
Caroline watched him with suspicion. "How will I know if I can trust you?"
He smirked, holding out his hand to her. She glanced down at the blood gathering in his palm, before her gaze flicked back up to lock on his. She held his large palm in between her two hands, bringing the makeshift cup up to her mouth. Caroline brushed her lips across the mark, painting them red before she licked them clean.
"No vervain, at least." She commented, her eyes glimmering like rubies as the bloodlust took over her system, her fangs protruding. She ran her tongue across his palm like a cat, and he watched her every move, transfixed. "And more potent than last time, if my memory serves me right." She glanced up at him cheekily, and memories of the last time she tasted his blood swam across both of their visions. It was a bit hazy for both of them in certain parts, a night fueled with alcohol, blood lust and desires.
"Perhaps. As I recall, you were a little preoccupied." Klaus smirked.
She shared his smile before licking the last drop from his hand. "Well, you've proven that your blood isn't as deadly as your bite. Heal Thierry and I'll reconsider your trustworthiness."
Klaus followed her to a room where Thierry lay sweating on a bed, the mark where he was bitten gleaming a heated red color. Caroline's inner circle of vampires stood around him, watching. Marcel stood up the second Klaus and Caroline walked into the room.
"Easy, Marcel." She soothed him. "Klaus has come to extend a hand of friendship."
Klaus bit into his palm again, relishing the taste of Caroline's lips that still lingered there. She passed him a glass tumbler to collect the blood, before taking it to Thierry to drink. She watched along with every other vampire in the room as Thierry's bite faded before their eyes, and his breathing calmed.
Caroline raised her eyes to meet Klaus across the room. "As though it never happened." She repeated his words, and he nodded. She walked back over to him as the others milled around Thierry.
"The Quarter is your home." Klaus accepted. "But I would like to stay a while, if I'm still welcome."
Caroline gave him a look. "On the condition that there will be no more biting – "
"I can't promise that, love." He smirked. She frowned until he winked at her, and she rolled her eyes in response.
"Very well. You can remain. As my guest." She reminded him, waiting for his smile before she nodded and sauntered back over to join her crew, beaming at Thierry. Marcel included her with an arm around her shoulders, glancing back at Klaus with a wary expression. Klaus watched them, a small calculating smile on his face, before he turned to leave.
.
Hayley wandered through the mansion the next morning, slowly uncovering the pieces of furniture protected by white sheets. She coughed as dust rose up into the air, and smiled when Elijah appeared in the doorway.
"Are you alright?"
"Just dust." She said. She would have mocked his concern, but it was too sweet to laugh at. "This place is ancient." She looked around at the 18th century furniture she had unearthed.
"Yes," Elijah noted, glancing around. He had spent many hours in the governors house, but he never imagined he would be living in it while his own home remained occupied and unavailable. "It should serve our purposes. It's a sanctuary from our business in the Quarter."
Elijah had a knack for making light of a situation. Hayley admired him for that.
"You know, I could just get an apartment." She said. "I mean, its kind of you, offering a place for me to stay – "
"Hayley," Elijah kindly interrupted her ramble. "We shared time together in Mystic Falls. Whats more, you are the carrier of Niklaus' father's werewolf gene. As far as I'm concerned, you're family now."
She made a face at that comment. "Well, sort of family." She amended. If Elijah started thinking of her as a sister, she would be pretty disappointed.
"You are a very important person." Elijah allowed, his happiness growing at the smile she flashed momentarily his way. "And I will always protect you, family or no. You have my word on that."
"And noble Elijah always keeps his word."
The pair turned to find Klaus leaning against the doorframe, watching them with a knowing smirk. Instinctively, both Elijah and Hayley shifted slightly away from one another. Klaus' smirk grew – his brother was always so obvious with his interests, and it would appear that Hayley was the same.
"Is it done?" Elijah asked, keen to distract his brother.
"As a matter of fact, yes." Klaus walked into the room with a slow, easy gait. "Your underhanded deal worked quite well. Caroline was only too happy to accept my blood even as she accepted my heartfelt apologies." He smiled slightly to himself, remembering how she brushed her mouth across his hand, the look in her eyes as she tasted his blood. The deal had worked out far better than he had hoped. "Her man, Thierry, yet lives and I remain a welcome guest in the French Quarter." Klaus continued. "My only concern now is this coven of impudent witches."
"I believe them to be honorable." Elijah said carefully. "They did release Hayley. Although, they haven't been entirely forthcoming. Caroline obviously has something that they need. They don't want her dead, not yet. There must be a reason why. And I will figure out a way to get her out of this alive, even if it means killing the witches myself."
Hayley watched Elijah's face become something truly frightening, and she was glad that she had not been the cause of it. Family was important to this man, and whoever Caroline was, whatever terrible things she had done to gain control of the Quarter, she was lucky to have someone like Elijah. And so was Klaus.
"I'm shocked, brother." Klaus teased. "That you would shed blood just to protect so many. Hayley, Caroline…are we picking up stray puppies now?"
Hayley frowned but let the comment slide. Elijah was going to defend his side of it anyway.
"Family ranks highly for me, Niklaus. You know that."
"Ah, yes, always and forever, lets not ramble." Klaus set his eyes on Hayley. "I'm curious as to why you are here rather than with the others in Mystic Falls."
"I had enough of the Elena show." Hayley shrugged.
Elijah raised his brows and joined his brother in studying the girl, knowing that there was another aspect she was leaving out.
"And I got a tip off that my birth parents were last seen in New Orleans." She added under the intense stare of both brothers.
"But there is more to it than that, isn't there?" Elijah pried.
If anyone else would have asked, Hayley would have told them to get stuffed. But it was Elijah, and she knew she could trust him. And Klaus would find out somehow anyway. The man was the inventor of the word 'spy'.
"Well, after the witches did their whole voodoo and used me in this plan of theirs to get to you two, I was told that my mother had died giving birth to me, and my father recently died over some pack dispute." Hayley said blankly.
Elijah watched her carefully, kindness apparent in his eyes. "I'm sorry for your loss."
She shrugged it off. "Its not a loss, really."
"What do you mean?" Klaus asked.
Hayley looked over at him. She had forgotten it wasn't just her and Elijah in the room. "I – I was abandoned when I was born and my adoptive parents kicked me out the second that I turned into a wolf." Her gaze returned to Elijah. "So... I don't really know how I feel about my father being dead before I even found him since I didn't really have a good start with him. But I don't consider it a loss." She glanced up and met Klaus' eye. "And I can relate. To having a shit father. Cause I had two. Though neither of them were probably as diabolical as yours."
Klaus looked taken aback, before a surprising expression of gratitude flashed across his face. "Well, I think that deserves a drink." He nodded to his brother. "Elijah, shall we break out the governors best liquor?"
"I'd refuse to drink anything else." Elijah said in agreeance, and for that one night in the house that was not their own, the Original vampire, Original hybrid, and little wolf girl bonded.
.
Caroline paid a visit to her special girl. She walked into the wooden boarded attic, the rustic setting contrasting greatly with the lavish furniture she had brought in specially for her. She found the dark haired girl sitting by the window with a candle, her fingers making the flame expand and contract without touching it. Her powers were growing every day. But Caroline could tell that the girl was lonely. She herself had spent a solitary childhood, but at least she had been brought up in the company of the most expressive family known to man – the Original family. Caroline made a mental note to take the girl out of the area she was confined to for her own safety before she walked up to her with a smile.
"I assume its all quiet out there?"
The girl turned to her with a smile. "The witches know better than to use magic. They know I can sense it when they do." Her expression faded into a sweetly concerned frown. "What about the old ones? They're dangerous, and I don't want them to hurt you."
"The Originals?" Caroline scoffed. "That's kind of you, Davina, but honestly, as powerful as you are, they don't stand a chance."
"But supposing that they side with the witches – "
"Honey," Caroline soothed, sitting beside Davina and locking her gaze. "You have nothing to fear. I promised to protect you from them, didn't I? And the Originals aren't the ones we should worry about. Its just Klaus. And between the two of us, we can handle Klaus, right?"
Davina nodded with a smile, the furrow still there and faint on her brow. Caroline smoothed it with her fingers before enveloping the girl in a hug.
.
"In addition to the secret weapon she uses to control the witches, Caroline has assembled a small army of vampires. Working together, we can destroy them from the inside." Elijah said tactfully, ever the general when it came to his brothers wars. He would make sure Caroline came out unscathed, but if it meant taking down her empire, then so be it.
"And what of Rebekah?" Klaus asked, trying to remain nonplussed about his sisters involvement. "Has she stopped her pouting long enough to join the fun?"
Elijah paused. "She has made her disinterest quite clear." He finally said.
Klaus faltered, but shrugged it off. "One too many times daggered and shoved in a box, I gather? Or perhaps she doesn't share your unwavering belief that I can be saved." He scoffed.
Elijah watched him sympathetically, caring for his deranged brother as always. "Rebekah may surprise us yet. After all, we all swore the same vow."
Klaus frowned down at his hands. "I hope she stays far away. And Kol too. Because in my desire to reclaim this town, to steal from Caroline that which she holds most dear, I have realized one massive vulnerability. One weakness that Caroline could exploit."
Elijah exhaled. "Your care for her. I understand – "
Klaus made an indignant noise. "I do not care for her." He snapped, and Elijah retreated.
"What is this weakness, then?" He asked, coming to stand beside his brother.
Klaus watched him carefully. "You." He turned, his hand a flash of silver, and Elijah groaned in pain as his brother stabbed him in the chest with the silver oak dagger. Elijah glared up at Klaus with a mixture of sympathy and rage.
"Forgive me, my brother." Klaus soothed as he lowered Elijah to the floor. "There is no power in love. Mercy makes you weak. Family makes you weak. Love makes you weak. And if I am going to win this war, I have to do it alone, without a conscience."
Hey!
First off, thank you to the lovely people who reviewed! I hope I can meet your expectations for this story. As to a couple of queries raised, yes; its a bit confusing. Like most things in Julie Plecs world, the characters are going to have their own motives for everything that might not all be clear at once, even to the reader (who usually knows the most out of anyone!). And yes, Hayley is involved. I'm hoping to redeem herself as the sassy girl-leader she could have been (and potentially still will be on The Originals). And also while I do understand that there are certain aspects of each character that are never going to change, this is an alternate universe from the original storylines set up by The Vampire Diaries. The characters didn't all meet each other the same way, and they've all developed as people in different ways. Hope that clears up a bit of the confusion! I'm looking forward to toying with the different dynamics that this will allow, especially between Caroline and Klaus - they might hate each other, but there is still that same love and desire between them. Its so marvellously twisted.
Special thank you to the charming MadamPuddifootsTeashop, the creator of the gif who has kindly given some wonderful feedback! Hope I can do the story justice now!
Next chapter will also start exploring Caroline's history with the Original family. Its going to be a great challenge seeing what would have altered Caroline's personality, seeing as she was born into an entirely different era and that will have changed some aspects of the girl we see in The Vampire Diaries today.
Read and review and rate as always, I love hearing back from you guys!
Next chapter will hopefully be up by Wednesday, seeing as I may or may not have internet connection :P
xx
