Chapter 4: The End of the Affair.

1920, Chicago.

Soft music could be heard coming from the building, alluring everyone who crossed the entrance to go in, but the redheaded young girl stayed outside, leaning on a lamppost as she brought the lit cigarette to her lips and took a deep drag before puffing the smoke away. She sighed, watching as the small cloud of smoke rose in the air before disappearing. The singer inside hit a high note as the song ended and another began quite quickly. Katherine was late, as always.

Cassandra shook her head, making her not-so-long pearl earrings move slightly with the motion. Her hair was in a bun at the nape of her head, with some waves at the front as the hair was pushed back towards the bun. All the girls were wearing their hair incredibly short as of lately, and she knew it was fashionable, but she refused to cut it. Her red mane reached just below her breasts and she knew her hair was slow to grow, it had always been, so there was absolutely no way she would cut it to her ears. Her dress was a beautiful champagne color with a low neckline that showed her porcelain skin to the point that it was almost obscene— a few decades away she'd be considered a prostitute if she went out wearing this dress.—and the skirt reached her knees. The dress had lovely little stones that shone when the light hit them. They were scattered at the bottom of the skirt and a bit around the neckline but not so much. Her high-heeled shoes were also a cream color. She could at least wear gloves; those were always fashionable, just like pearl necklaces.

"What has you looking like you just swallowed a lime?" a voice she knew too well said from her right and Cassandra turned her face towards the sound.

"You are forty-five minutes late, Katherine." Cassandra chastised. "That's extreme, even for you."

"I'm sorry, Red, but I had to make sure you weren't selling me out." Katherine replied, walking closer to the redhead and into the light.

She was wearing a dress just as revealing as Cassandra's, only difference was that hers was black and full of silver sequins. Cassandra was surprised to find Katherine had actually cut her dark hair to her ears and it was completely straightened. Someone was taking fashion way too seriously, Cass thought as the corners of her mouth lifted up a bit.

"Now, why would I sell you out?" she asked, tilting her head slightly to the side and taking another puff from her cigarette.

"Word has it you're going off the rails a bit," Katherine said with an easy shrug. "Also, the rumors about your company aren't reassuring, either."

"I'm not the only one going off the rails." Cass protested. "Everyone is, lately, even the humans. Besides, it's really fun."

"You are starting to sound like me." Katherine laughed, shaking her head. "But that doesn't answer my real question."

Cassandra looked away at that. Of course she wasn't answering her question. They were true; all the rumors were true, every single one of them. Yes, she was going off the rails and, yes, she was with Klaus. She had been with him for over five years now. She knew not what had changed within her to make her want him. She had sworn when she was human she would never ever touch Niklaus again and yet here she was. The whole city knew that the beautiful redheaded girl accompanying the wealthy British man was to be looked at, never touched, unless, of course, she allowed them to. She liked that; it meant she got to choose who to dance with, who to kiss, who to feed from, instead of having drunken men throw themselves at her and harass her. And at the end of the night, right when the sun was about to rise, she'd return to Nik and they'd spend some alone time together. Niklaus got much more interesting in bed when he was jealous, almost as if he was trying to prove he was much better than any of the other petty men that tried to conquer her. Not that she could say all this to Katherine, so she turned the conversation.

"Are you still scared of Nik?" she asked, taking a step forward.

"He wants me dead. He's always wanted me dead." Katherine deadpanned. "And now my best friend is his lover again. Only this time it's willingly."

"Do you really believe I'd tell him where you are?" Cassandra asked, truly offended. "What a sad little life you have, Kat."

The brunette rolled her eyes. "I'm not saying you'll tell him. But what happens if he asks?" she asked, raising a challenging eyebrow.

Cassandra shrugged, going to light another cigarette. Inside, the music was louder and had a fast-tempo but outside everything was quiet. The only people out were Katherine and Cassandra, plus that one homeless guy by a faraway corner and the occasional car driving past.

"He's already asked." Cassandra admitted, watching Katherine closely. The brunette tensed up, her eyes darting around for any weird movement. "I told him I haven't seen you since 165-something. And don't worry; I keep him busy enough that he never has had to ask again." She informed.

Katherine visibly relaxed at this new piece of information and she was dying to know every little dirty detail of how much she kept Klaus busy but that was a story for another time. Katherine was still a bit angry over the scare Cass had given her so she'd bother her a bit. She'd bother her with the one topic Katherine knew Cassandra couldn't talk about for more than ten minutes before snapping. Or bursting into tears.

"Here's something I don't get." Katherine pointed at her with one finger. "Last time I saw you, you were still crying around corners over Damon Salvatore."

Cassandra scoffed, even if it was an arduous task. She did not cry around, at least not when seen. And last time Katherine had seen her she was in a good year; she hadn't seen Damon at all that year, everything was fine. She knew he was all right but she didn't see him and pined away.

"People change, darling, they move on. You ought to do the same, Kat." Cassandra advised before putting out her forgotten cigarette by stumping on it with her heel.

She started to walk away before a thought crossed her mind and she halted on her feet, turning slowly around to face Katherine. She knew Kat had brought Damon up to bother her but she knew that it also was a subconscious way of giving up information Katherine hold. Cassandra didn't care about Damon in the moment; Stefan, however, was a worrying matter. He was a ripper and he was getting dangerous.

"You came here for another reason than Klaus, didn't you?" Cassandra asked slowly.

"Perhaps." Katherine smirked. "Perhaps not."

Cassandra laughed lightly and shook her head, knowing exactly what that meant. Katherine laughed along, the tension that had been between them sipping away. They took a step closer, ready to keep talking like two normal girls that weren't actually centuries old, but the sound of approaching police cars made them pause and look down the street. Fair enough, there were some police patrols heading this way; seemed like the party would be cut short.

"Bye, Red." Katherine called out, already starting to walk away.

Cassandra didn't even pause, she simply flashed out of the crime scene as fast as possible.

Present Time, Mystic Falls.

"Put more there." The girl instructs as Damon walks around the lavender circle, letting the dried herbs fall where Anastasia pointed at. "And a bit more there." She pointed to the other side.

He rolls his eyes, not being able to remember why he had decided to come back here. That isn't true, of course. He knows why he's here; he knows why he's spent pretty much all summer, but especially the last few days, here. What he doesn't know is why he visited the young redheaded girl—dead redheaded girl, mind you.—again. Worst thing was that the moment he had walked through the door, Anastasia had perked up and walked near the edge of the circle, a big grin in her face.

"Finally you come back!" she had said. There was exasperation in her voice, almost like she was reprimanding a child for the fifth time that day. "I need you to leave to the boarding house and find something my stupid sister left there when she moved."

Anastasia's voice had been so demanding Damon had simply stared at her for a long time until she had literally yelled at him to do as she said or she wouldn't be talking to him. He had asked what made her believe he wanted to speak to her at all and they'd argued for a long while until Anastasia had somehow convinced him to go back to the Boarding House and find the small jar of crushed lavender Cassandra had hid somewhere in his house. He had searched Cassandra's room first but there was nothing concerning magic there, expect for a notebook with some spells and other drabbles that wasn't big enough to be considered a grimoire. He supposed it was only the spells she had been using the last few months, which were close to none, and some notes on stuff he didn't understand because they weren't in English… or any other language he knew. He then decided to move to the library, where she spent most of her time, but, again, nothing. Damon went up to his room then, almost angered at Cass by this point. Why was she hiding stuff in his house if she was going to leave anyway? This thought had crossed his mind as he sat in the end of his bed and passed a hand over his eyes. He was getting too much of Cassie in a too short period of time. Elena was nowhere to be seen, still a bit upset over how things in the woods had gone down, and he had an awful lot of time alone with his thought. He sighed, looking out of the window as pretty much every memory he ever had of Cassie flooded his mind. The first time he had laid eyes on her, how he had thought she was beautiful but nothing that would take your breath away.—how stupid he had been back then.—the first time they kissed, the first time they did more and all their conversations. He remembered her laugh the most. Cassandra was almost always laughing back in the time, not so much now. He had gotten up then, deciding that Anastasia could go get her lavender herself, when something had caught his eye, right between the edge of the fireplace and where the wood went. It had been the jar filled to the top with crushed dried lavender. And now, here he is filling the circle with more lavender and having no idea how he's able to do this.

"That's enough!" Anastasia says, smiling brightly.

"Question," he says, raising a hand. "Why am I doing this?"

"Well, last time I tried to appear here it was harder than at first. So once I finally got here, I realized it was probably because there wasn't enough lavender. I mean, look at the candles, they are perfectly fine. But it is not like I can leave the circle and go looking for some lavender." The redheaded explains as if the most obvious reason in the world.

"No, no. I mean, why am I doing this?" he repeats.

"Don't you dare be sardonic with me, Damon Salvatore." The young girl warns him, shooting him a very nasty look. "Who else then? You are the only person, beside Cass, that knows I'm here." She stresses, before taking a step backwards and sitting down. "Now, will you tell me why you looked like a kicked puppy when you first entered the room?"

He looks a bit disgusted then and Anastasia fights the urge to burst out laughing. Was he really that appalled at the thought of being heartbroken, or was it the fact that everyone could tell that bothered him?

"I don't look like a kicked puppy." He protests.

"And I'm not dead." Ana deadpans. "You wouldn't have come here if you hadn't wanted to talk, so out with it."

"I may or may not know where your sister and my brother are." He admits, looking down at the young redhead.

"And why are you not running there as we speak?" she asks, lifting her eyebrows.

"Well, because… they made it very clear that they didn't want to come back." Damon shrugs. "And if I take Elena with me and Stefan hurts her feelings again, she'll be heartbroken and I've already got a broken heart that needs healing, I can't deal with Elena's as well." He adds, trying to sound as less emotional as possible.

Anastasia watches him for a few moments before nodding to herself and getting up. "So you're scared?" she asks. "That's why you won't go?"

"I'm not scared." Damon scoffs, his tone unconvincing.

"I thought you were better at lying." Anastasia replies. "I'm not going to tell you not to go."

Damon stares at her. "That's what you told me! Before, remember?" he says.

"I may have changed my mind." Anastasia admits, smiling slightly. "So why don't you just plan something and go get my sister and your brother?" she asks.

He ponders the idea for a moment. What's stopping him really, aside from his own stupid fear of neither his brother nor Cassie wanting to come back? Even if one of them doesn't want to, he could always vervain Stefan to come and then he'd figure a way to bring Cassie with him as well. He just has to plan this well. And of course he'll bring Elena, because Elena wants to be part of anything that's Stefan related. So, yes, he'll go and he will come back home with Cassie.

"See you in a few days," He tells Anastasia as a form of goodbye as he turns, missing the way the girl jumps up a bit in excitement.

….

Klaus, Stefan and Cass walk into Gloria's, the good old bar that's so familiar to the three of them. They've been all night and early day here in Chicago and all Klaus has done is hint at the past, while Stefan insists he doesn't remember a thing and Cassandra keeps quiet except for when necessary, adding a snarky remark here and there, laughing at some joke. In reality, she's trying to look for a way out of her little situation faster than usual. Her heels click against the wooden floorboards, the sound deafening in the deserted bar.

"Looks familiar, doesn't it?" Klaus comments to Stefan.

"I can't believe this place is still here." Stefan shakes his head as he leans on the railing, unbelieving.

"Yeah, me neither." Cassandra mumbles, walking to the stairs that lead down from the tables to the dance floor.

"Unbelievable." A new voice reaches them and the three of them turn.

Gloria, her hair very short and white, just like it was back in the time, walks towards them. Disbelief is written all over her face. It's nothing compared to the shock Stefan's own face is showing. Apart from a few wrinkles, Gloria doesn't seem old at all. She should be dead.

"A hybrid walks into a bar, he says to the—" Klaus starts, smiling.

"Stop!" Gloria interrupts. Klaus shuts up, lips pursed. Cassandra walks up the stairs again, going to stand next to Stefan. "You may be invincible but that doesn't make you funny." Gloria adds.

"Nice to see you again, Gloria," Cassandra says, sending the witch a smile.

"You, too, Cass." Gloria nods, before her eyes go to Stefan, who is still looking at her with shock. "I remember you." Gloria acknowledges.

"Yeah," Stefan says, crossing his arms and frowning. "Shouldn't you be…?"

"Old and dead?" Gloria chuckles. "Now if I die, who's going to run this place?"

"She's very powerful." Cassandra explains, walking towards the bar again. "That is really good when it comes to keeping the wrinkles away." She keeps talking, twirling around in the dance floor.

"I can slow the aging with herbs and spells." Gloria admits. "But don't worry; it'll catch up to me."

Stefan still doesn't seem convinced. Gloria and Klaus eye each other before Klaus turns to Stefan.

"Why don't you go serve yourself a little something from behind the bar?" he asks Stefan.

Stefan nods, getting the hint; they wish to be alone. He turns and walks down the stairs, going to join Cassandra behind the bar. The redhead is singing something as she grabs a shot and fills it to the rim, downing it in one go. She serves herself another and does the same thing before facing Stefan.

"What?" she asks at the look on his face.

"Nothing."

He shakes his head and moves around her to grab a glass and some whisky. He tries to listen on the conversation but Cassandra's singing keeps getting on the way. He wonders if she's doing it so he won't be able to listen what Gloria and Klaus are saying.

"Don't you want to know what they're talking about?" He whispers to her.

"I already know." Cassandra shrugs. "Gloria is really powerful and she's a witch Klaus trusts. He's going to ask her why he can't make hybrids."

"Why doesn't he ask you?" he asks Cass as he pours a drink.

"He already did." Cassandra admits. "I simply didn't know the answer." She mumbles.

Stefan nods, moving to pour another drink, this one for Klaus, when he suddenly pauses. Cassandra perks up, looking at him with curiosity. Does he have an idea as to why the hybrids are dying? But then her heart falters when she realizes Stefan is looking at the old pictures stuck to the wall. He reaches out and grabs one, looking at it with everything but understanding. His eyes go to Cass, whose only response is to look at him and bite her lip. Stefan leaves the half-way poured drink and walks toward Klaus and Gloria, picture still in hand. Cassandra hurries behind him, cursing herself for being so stupid as to let him find the picture.

"What is this?" Stefan demands, not caring that he's interrupting the conversation.

"I told you, Stefan," Klaus says as he gets up. "Chicago is a magical place."

"But—this is me," Stefan looks down at the picture again before extending his hand so the picture can be seen by everyone. "With you two." He finishes, his eyes going from Klaus to Cassandra.

The picture is, indeed, of the three of them. Klaus and Stefan have one arm over their shoulders each, while Cass is sitting comfortably on Klaus' lap. They're all wearing the typical 20's attire and drinking and smoking, just like everyone back in the time. They have big smiles on their faces. Cassandra takes the picture from Stefan, hoping they had never taken that picture.

….

"This doesn't make any sense!" Stefan exclaims as they walk back into the old warehouse they're staying at. "Why don't I remember you?" he asks, lifting the picture in the air and not caring that he's sounding like his old self. "And before you came back, I truly believed you were dead. How's that possible?" Stefan asks Cassandra, who's walking next to Klaus, trying to avoid Stefan at any cause.

"You said the 20's was a dark time, filled with holes." Klaus dismisses. His pace increases as he tries to locate Rebekah's coffin.

"If you knew me why didn't you tell me?" Stefan asks anxiously.

"I'm a little busy right now, memory lane will have to wait," Klaus says, getting tired of Stefan's constant questions.

"What the hell is going on?" Stefan demands, grabbing hold of Klaus' arm and forcing him to face him. "Answer me." he begs.

Cassandra halts on her step, turning to see how Klaus will react but saying nothing. Klaus looks pretty close to being ready to snap Stefan's neck but Stefan doesn't seem to care; he's too confused.

"Let's just say we didn't get off to a great start." Klaus starts.

"You hated him, Nik." Cassandra scoffs.

"Yes, I did." Klaus agrees, before turning and starting to walk again.

Chicago, 1920.

The music played softly as Klaus brushed his knuckles against Cassandra's knee, smirking at her small intake of breath. She moved to meet his lips once again but he turned his head to kiss her jaw so her lips met his cheek instead. She laughed lightly.

"Um, Nik, you're being mean." She hummed, tracing her hands up his arms and to his neck, the soft fabric of his suit gracing her skin.

She had taken her gloves off when they reached the private table at the side of the dancing floor, where nobody could see them. She was sitting on Klaus' lap, not caring one bit about manners or what was acceptable, and her right foot went up and down his calf.

"I thought you liked it when I was mean." He murmured against her neck.

She smirked, forcing his mouth up to her lips. "I only do when it's not directed at me." She murmured against his lips, her green eyes going up to meet his sparkling blue ones.

They were filled with mischief and excitement. She bit her lip and looked down. Niklaus always managed to make her a bit giddy when he looked at her like that. Her stomach churned as she leaned in and kiss him full on the lips. The kiss turned heated soon enough, their tongues clashing, their teeth biting the other's lips. His right hand, the one that wasn't on her lower back, went up her skirt, exploring her inner thigh, and she grasped his jacket, bringing him closer. After a few minutes, they broke apart, slightly out of breath.

"Perhaps… we should go home." She whispered.

Their eyes met again. "Yes, we should." Niklaus agreed, starting to get up. "I'm going to go get Rebekah."

With that, he got up and left, crossing the dance floor and going up the stairs to the upper tables. Cassandra sighed and lifted her gloves, starting to put them on. Her lips throbbed and she wondered if her lipstick was smudged. It probably was but she'd have to fix it later. Once her left glove was on, she got up and followed Niklaus. He found him not too far away from the stairs, arguing with Rebekah and another man Cass didn't glanced at twice.

"Nik!" she called as she climbed up the stairs quickly. "What's taking so long? I wish to go…" she trailed off, however, when she reached Nik's side and had no choice but to face the man standing next to Rebekah. "Home." She finished in a small voice as her throat closed off.

"Stefan?" she asked after a few seconds of stunned silence.

"Cassandra?" Stefan frowned. "You're supposed to be dead."

"Are you now?" Nik asked her, his hand moving to her waist and bringing her closer.

"Oh, well, you know how rumours are." Cassandra tried to dismiss. "You go a few years missing and suddenly everybody thinks you're dead." She dismissed, trying to ignore the nervous bubbling inside of her. "Rebekah," she turned to the blonde, wanting to take the attention away from her. The Salvatores were a sore subject. "You never told us your new boyfriend was Stefan Salvatore." Cassandra raised an eyebrow, her tone mocking.

"That's because I didn't want you to steal him away." Rebekah snarled.

Cassandra simply scoffed and turned to meet Nik's eyes, begging with him to take them home so they could finish what they started. Niklaus understood the message because he turned once more toward Rebekah, his expression closed off.

"We're going home." He stated.

"Go without me." Rebekah snapped. "I don't have to listen to you."

Niklaus grabbed her arm, then, forcing her to his side. "You're my sister and you do as I say." He growled at her through clenched teeth.

Cassandra lifted her head to look at Stefan. Their eyes met and she felt a pang on her chest when she noticed his eyes weren't soft as they used to be.

Chicago, present time.

"Your sister?" Stefan asks, disbelief covering his voice. "So I knew another original vampire?"

"And quite well." Cassandra remarks as she starts to walk away.

"If you can't handle it, don't ask." Klaus adds, his tone bitter. "And, Cassandra, love, please stop it with the snarky remarks."

She pulls a face at him when he's not looking but follows him anyways. They walk towards one of the coffins Klaus has with him at all times and he opens it, revealing a very desiccated Rebekah. Klaus caresses her cheek fondly, as if he wasn't the one who put her in there.

"I don't recognize her." Stefan shakes his head, frowning down at the blonde.

"Don't tell her that," Klaus says as he grabs the tilt of the dagger. "Her temper is worse than mine." With that, he pulls the dagger free.

…

It's been at least an hour and a half since Klaus took the dagger out of Rebekah's heart and she's still not waking up. Klaus is still leaning on the coffin, his eyes trained on his little sister, but Cassandra and Stefan are getting impatient. Cass paces back an forth behind them, once in a while glancing at the coffin to see if Rebekah is anywhere near alive, and letting a puff of air through her lips when she sees Rebekah is as dead as before.

"She's being dramatic," Klaus tells them with a small chuckle.

"And I'm losing my patience." Cassandra chirps, twirling around to start pacing again.

"Why don't you explain things to me?" Stefan asks, walking closer to Klaus with his arms crossed. "You must want me here for a reason."

"Well, you have many talents." Klaus shrugs. "In fact, I learned one of my favourite tricks from you."

Chicago, 1920.

The four of them were sharing a table, something that Cassandra couldn't believe. Never in her life would she think she'd be sharing a table with Nik and Stefan at the same time and, yet, here they were. Rebekah was sitting as close to Stefan as possible, while Nik kept his arms around Cass, making it impossible for her to move away from him. That left a big stretch of empty sofa between them but nobody to fill it.

"Stefan, tell me, what makes you worthy of an original vampire?" Niklaus asked. "She's pure while you are not more than a diluted bloodline." He continued, clearly trying to offend Stefan.

Cassandra turned to him with a frown. "He's from my bloodline!" she exclaimed, a bit angry over the fact that Nik had just called her impure.

Klaus turned to her, eyes soft, and gave her a kiss on her temple. "But you're an excellent vampire, love, nothing compared to him."

Rebekah rolled her eyes as she took a sip of her drink, leaning even more into Stefan.

"Don't listen to him, Stefan." She chuckled. "He's an idealist."

"And where's the rest of your family?" Stefan hummed, leaning forward.

"Oh, I killed most of them." Niklaus shrugged, enjoying how he finally managed to turn Stefan uncomfortable.

"But not all." Rebekah added, tilting her head slightly in thought.

"And you're okay with that?" Stefan asked Rebekah.

"Well, we all had time to choose our side." Rebekah admitted before moving her gloved hand over the table and squeezing Nik's hand. "I chose the right one, eventually."

Cassandra watched as Niklaus smiled down at their hands and then at Rebekah. It was rare moments like this when Nik was actually nice. With Rebekah and Cassandra, but to the rest of the world he was mean and closed off. Hurried footsteps made them all look up. There, standing before their table, was a frantic man.

"Where's my wife?" he demanded Stefan.

Niklaus looked over at Stefan and back at the man, while Cass simply leaned back into Nik and watched. Stefan looked amused.

"I don't know!" he exclaimed, mocking. "I give up!"

"You think you're so tough?" the man asked, angry and scared at the same time. Next to her, Nik chuckled. "One call straight to Chicago P.D. will set you straight." He threatened.

At this, the four of them couldn't help but laugh. What damage could Chicago P.D. do to them? Stefan cleared his throat and lifted a hand, signaling somebody over.

"Lila," he said. "Come here, please."

A young brunette walked up the stairs and towards them, her expression telling anyone who took time to notice that she was being compelled. The man grabbed her arm, relieved.

"Thank God," he said, starting to walk. "We're leaving."

"No, no." Stefan stopped him, taking hold of his arm. "You're sitting." He compelled the man.

The man blinked and hesitantly moved to Nik's other side and sat down, only place available for him. Lila, however, sat down next to Stefan, giving him a slight smile. The man's eyes were widened and scared. They jumped from Nik to Cass and back again. Lila, however, looked completely calm. She didn't even flinch as Stefan started to take off her cream glove and the reached into his pocket and pulled out a pocket knife. Cassandra's eyes widened and she backed a bit, getting even closer to Niklaus as he leaned forwards, curious. They watched as Stefan cut Lila's wrist and tilted it so the flowing blood would fall into the glass right below it. Cassandra looked up to find Stefan was smiling. That smile sent a chill down her back.

"Thank you so much," he told Lila, putting the blade away. "Why don't you go bandage that away?"

Lila nodded and got up, leaving quickly. Stefan watched her go before taking the glass and, sending Rebekah a smile, put it in front of the cowering man next to Niklaus. Rebekah giggled at the man's facial expression.

"Have a drink." Stefan nodded.

Next to her, Nik chuckled at the way the man was starting to physically tremble with fear. He was actually trembling as he looked at the glass filled with blood and then at all of them.

"What?" he blurted out, his voice a shaking mess.

"I said, have a drink." Stefan repeated, his wicked smile making a return.

"What kind of sick bastards are you?" the man cried.

Cass wondered if he was actually crying but one curious glance let her know that he wasn't. Even if he looked in the verge of. Stefan simply nodded at the glass and ordered him to drink the blood. His wife's blood. She looked around, a bit horrified really, only to find out that Rebekah and Nik looked like they were enjoying the show. Niklaus was completely mesmerized by how Stefan's tactics had actually worked because right then, the man grabbed the glass and took a sip. He almost spluttered it back out.

"I didn't catch your name." Stefan points out.

"Go to hell." The man spat in a sudden moment of bravery.

Rebekah giggled and Nik laughed. Cassandra even let out a breathy laugh. What was it about humans that made them commit such stupid errors? This man was definitely dead now. He had a very slim chance of surviving this before but, now, he had none.

"Your name?" Stefan asked again.

"Liam Grant," the man, Liam, said, defeated.

"Liam Grant!" Stefan exclaimed and sat back, his hand resting on Rebekah's shoulder. His tone suggested Liam's name was all he needed, like it was the answer to a question he'd been looking for all night. "Take another sip, Liam."

Rebekah and Nik started to laugh at this. Cassandra joined them, actually enjoying poor Liam Grant's psychological pain. Liam's face scrunched up as he tried to take another sip. He looked close to puking.

"Now, finish it." Stefan added.

And as Liam Grant drank from the glass filled with his wife's blood until the glass was empty, the four vampires laughed like Liam had just told them the best joke in all of Chicago.

Chicago, present time.

"I was your number one fan." Klaus admits as he starts to walk away from Rebekah's coffin.

"Why do you expect me to believe this?" Stefan asks, walking after him.

"Because it's the truth?" Cassandra shrugs, rushing to keep up with them. "I remember Liam Grant, he was completely terrified. I'm pretty sure he shat his pants."

Klaus pauses and turns to her, walking closer and closer until he's right there invading her personal space. She looks up, her green eyes meeting his angry blue ones. Why is he mad at her?

"What?" she asks, lifting an eyebrow.

"You," he says slowly, his hand moving to grab her wrist. "Are staying her until Rebekah wakes. Explain the situation to her and allow her to eat as many guards as she wants." He orders.

She blinks up at him, a bit outraged. "Why?" she demands. "I want to come with."

"You may want to but I don't want you with us." Klaus answers back.

"Why the hell not, Nik?" she asks, narrowing her eyes.

"Because I say so."

With that he lets go off her wrist, almost pushing her backwards, and walks away. She stares after him, her mouth put in an ugly small snarl. She considers hurting him just for the hell of it but lets go off the idea as Stefan crosses her path. They meet eyes and he nods at her before turning and walking after Klaus. Cassandra lets out a deep sigh and turns around, the sound of her heels echoing on the empty warehouse now as she makes her way back to the coffins. She hops on top of the one right in front of Rebekah's, crosses one leg over the other, and waits.

…

Cassandra practically jumps when her phone goes off and she gets up from her spot on the floor, she was trying to meditate, to walk to the battered sofa where she left her bag as they came in. her hands rummage the bag until she finds her iPhone.

"What the—?" she mumbles when she sees the name flashing in the screen. Elena Gilbert. "Elena?" she asks, not even knowing why she's answering the phone.

"Oh, thank God." Elena exhales. "I—please, Cass, don't tell Klaus you talked to me." Elena adds after a few seconds of silence.

Cassandra thinks of being a bitch to her. After all, Elena was the one who treated her like garbage in the mountains. But something stops her; maybe it's the way Elena's voice trembles slightly or the fact that Cassandra is still angry at Klaus and will literally do anything to anger him more. Or maybe it's both.

"I won't." she agrees. "Why are you calling me, Elena?" she asks.

"Is Damon with you?" Elena asks hurriedly.

"What do you mean is Damon with me? I haven't—" she shakes her head, her entire mind practically disconnecting when she hears Damon's name. "He isn't—are you in Chicago?" she asks, ignoring the way her stomach clenches at the mere thought of being in the same city as Damon.

That question seems to be Elena's stressor because she goes into a rant right away.

"I can't reach him anywhere, he's not answering his phone and I've been calling him for twenty minutes now but he's ignoring my calls and I need to talk to him! Cass, they were here. He almost saw me and—Stefan… he was talking about some man, Liam Grant. A man he killed and they were bonding over that, Cass, and I—" Elena rushes in one single breath, bordering in hysterical.

"Elena, breathe." Cassandra suggests.

She's processing the information. So they are in Chicago and Damon left Elena alone somewhere Stefan and Klaus know. Liam Grant. Did Elena remember the name because she heard it mentioned, or because she read it? If it's the latter then she's on Stefan's old apartment. She can't believe Damon would leave Elena, a simple human, alone in that old ugly place.

"I'm not with Damon, Elena." She mumbles after a while. "But I can't help you… I'm running an errand and if I leave, Klaus will probably kill me."

"But what do I do?" Elena asks and, this time, Cassandra is almost completely sure Elena is crying.

"Do you have something to defend yourself with?" she asks. "Find it, doesn't matter what it is, and don't let go. Text Damon, Elena. If he's out he's probably doing something and won't be able to answer a phone call, but he'll see the text,"—hopefully, she adds in her head.—"and remember to breathe." She repeats, walking back to the coffin area.

Her stomach drops when she notices Rebekah is starting to move. Rebekah, Klaus' favorite sister whom he has an obsessive relationship with, is waking up and here she is talking to the doppelganger.

"Fuck," she says out loud, not even processing her words. "I'm so sorry but I have to go."

"But—" Elena starts.

"Do as I told you!" Cassandra reminds her before cutting off the call and starting to walk towards Rebekah.

She holds her breath as slowly but surely Rebekah's skin goes completely back to normal and the girl gasps, opening her eyes. Cassandra takes a step back. Rebekah sits up, her hand going up to her chest as she looks around. Her eyes find Cassandra and she actually leans back.

"Cass?" she asks, blinking.

"What's the last thing you remember?" Cassandra asks, taking a step closer to Rebekah.

She offers one hand so Rebekah can get off of the coffin. The original blonde accepts the offered hand and jumps down, her heeled feet hitting the floor. She frowns at Cassandra's outfit, so different from her own, as she tries to remember her last memory and, also, tries to figure out how long has it been since she died.

"I… I was waiting for Stefan," Rebekah says, looking up at the redhead. "And you, I suppose." She adds a bit bitterly. "And then, Nik came and said something about leaving and how Stefan wouldn't remember anything, not us, not even you, and that I had to choose." Her tone grows angered as the memories come flying back to her. "He daggered me."

Cassandra shudders, remembering that day. It was awful. There were wooden bullets and chaos wherever she turned. When Klaus grabbed her by the arm, kissed her like it was his last day on earth and then met her eyes and told her to forget everything, she knew this was more than just some hunters discovering there were vampires on Chicago. She's been trying to figure out who it was they were running from ever since.

"There are some guards around this place," Cassandra starts, letting go off Rebekah's hand. "You can feed on them. And I'd keep hold of that dagger, just in case your brother feels like killing you again." She calls over her shoulder as she goes back to the tattered sofa and flops down.

Rebekah follows her advice and soon enough two guards are dead. Cassandra stops paying attention then. Her job is done. Instead, her thoughts keep revolving around a certain blue-eyed black-haired vampire that, apparently, happens to be in the same town as her. Is he here for her? Was that the reason why he came to Chicago, the reason why he left Elena alone? She shakes her head and bites her lip hard. That can't be it. Because if he was here for her, he would've found her already. So, they came to Chicago for Stefan. Does that mean Damon gave up on her? That he no longer cares? The mere thought of Damon not caring anymore, not loving her anymore sends a pain so big down her chest she can't even breathe for a moment. At least he'll be safe, staying away from her. That thought lessens the pain but only a little bit. It's still there, constant, like a huge dog is sitting on her chest and making every breath more difficult to draw in. She wants to cry, knowing the pain will lessen a bit if she cries, it's not the first time she's felt this kind of pain, but the tears never come.

"Bekah, come out wherever you are!" Klaus' voice snaps her out of her thinking and she gets up.

She walks to where his voice is coming from, hoping whatever is about to happen will distract her from her sudden wallowing but the pain doesn't leave.

"Go to hell, Nik." Rebekah snarls at Klaus as she digs her dagger into his chest.

Klaus gasps out in pain before reaching out and taking the dagger out. Rebekah backs away, frowning. Blood glistens in the dagger as the light hits it. Cassandra appears next to the panel where Klaus is leaning. Her eyes lock with Stefan and she has to look away. His green eyes are heavy with emotion, emotion she doesn't want to spend too much time mulling over. She's got enough on her own.

"You know it wouldn't kill me," Klaus tells Rebekah, the smallest of smiles gracing his features.

"But I was hoping it'd hurt, at least." She confesses with a pout that's half a scowl.

"I understand you being upset with me." Klaus concedes. "So, I brought you a little small offering."

Rebekah's angry pout doesn't change. That is until Klaus grabs her by the shoulders and turns her around to face Stefan. Her entire face lights up like a Christmas tree as Stefan takes a hesitant step forward.

"Stefan." She exhales.

The name rolls around her tongue like it's the best word in the entire world, like it's the only word she ever wants to say again. Cassandra has to look away from such devotion. Klaus takes Stefan by the shoulder, forcing him to meet his eyes.

"Now," he says, compelling Stefan. "You remember."

Stefan gasps slightly as Klaus lets go off him and walks a bit away, to where Cassandra is standing. She's glad he doesn't touch her.

"Rebekah." Stefan murmurs, as if tasting the name.

Rebekah simply smiles.

"Stefan." Klaus calls out before Stefan can get closer to Rebekah.

Stefan turns around, his gaze a bit hazy, and stares at Klaus.

"You are my friend." He points out, walking closer to Klaus. He looks briefly at Cass. "And you… were there as well. We were all friends." He adds, a bit confused.

"Yes, we are." Klaus nods, walking to where Stefan and his sister are. "Now, Gloria tells me you know how to contact the original witch." Klaus adds, walking over to Rebekah.

"The original witch?" Rebekah practically scoffs.

"Give me what Gloria wants." He warns, his tone bordering on threatening. Give me what I want or you end up dead again; that's the subtext.

Rebekah's hand slowly reaches out to her neck where her hand meets nothing but skin. Her eyes widen as she looks down at her chest, not finding her necklace anywhere.

"Where's my necklace?" she demands.

Klaus glares at her, already following her train of thought. "Tell me that's not what she needs, Rebekah," he says. "Tell me that's not what she needs!" he yells the next part.

"Where is my necklace?" Rebekah yells as well, their voices crashing and echoing around the empty place.

She flashes to her coffin, moving the pillows and things around, trying to find the necklace but she comes up empty handed. With an angered cry, she flips the coffin, and the table under it, over. Klaus and Rebekah keep bickering over the necklace and how important it is, but Cassandra turns around and meets Stefan's eyes. She remembers that necklace. It was old and not that pretty, with some red incrustations. Elena's necklace is Rebekah's necklace. And both Stefan and Cassandra know that. Elena's? She mouths at him, just to be sure. He only nods, his eyes widened and scared. Cassandra can't do anything but close her eyes.

A/N: I want to apologize for the delay. Life has gotten in the way and let's just say it's a marvel I can actually squeeze in time to write. Anyway, here's the chapter. I hope you like it! Please, pretty please review. I've never asked for that but I would love to hear what you say.

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