A Night of Espionage:
Anna Marie hurried up the porch into the house. She knew that everyone was still home, but she didn't know where they'd be. It had been a few days since Marcel and her broke up. She put most of her focus on finding the elder Originals and bringing him back home. She hoped the plan they were going to execute tonight would help. The werewolf sat at the top of the stairs and Anna Marie began to climb. "You," Hayley looked up. "Where are Niklaus and Rebekah?"
"In the other room planning something." She made her way to leave when the werewolf jumped up. "Wait, Annie. Can I ask you something?"
Anna Marie sighed as she turned on her heel to face her. "First of all, do not call me Annie, ever. Now, what's your question?"
Hayley cleared her throat. "Um yeah, Elijah mentioned you a lot in his journal. Was he into you? He said that you were one of the few of them who hardly changed as a vampire except in the first year. He said you turned it off but not why." Anna Marie froze in her step.
She snatched the book from her hand. "You are not privy to mine nor Elijah's thoughts. Do not go through neither of our things anymore. Is that clear?" Hayley was clearly stunned by her attitude and nodded.
Anna Marie spun on her heel pushing open the doors of the study to see Rebekah and Klaus arguing about burning vampires. "Please tell your knocked up mutt to keep her paws off of my bloody things as well as Elijah." She ordered him.
Niklaus chuckled at her. Rebekah, however, saw something else beneath her anger; fear and pain. Hayley was reading something that she didn't want known. "Try not to hurt her, dear. She is knocked up by Niklaus." She turned to Niklaus. "I cannot believe you disposed of those vampires without me. You know how I love to set things on fire."
"I have a few things that could be burned." Anna Marie muttered darkly as she sat down on the arm of the chair.
Niklaus shrugged. "Was I supposed to leave them in the front yard to rot? Besides they were my responsibility. They attacked the helpless pregnant girl who's carrying my child."
"Aw, I'm so moved by your new fatherly duty the werewolf carrying your hybrid bun in her oven." Rebekah noted sarcastically. Klaus chuckled at that as said werewolf walked into the room.
"The werewolf would like to know what the plan is."
"It doesn't concern you. That's your part of the plan." Anna Marie said simply. She didn't need her trying to interfere and ruin any chance that they had of getting Elijah back.
"My plan is for global domination, whilst Rebekah's plan to find love in a cruel, cruel world." Rebekah smiled at her brother, before launching a pencil at his face that he caught with ease right before it hit it's mark, his face.
"The plan to rescue Elijah. You know, the good brother. The one you handed over to your mortal enemy when you stabbed him in the back."
"In the front, if we're being specific." He pointed out.
Anna Marie kicked him in the shin and he returned it with a glare. "Just answer her or you can deal with her, alone." She knew that Klaus wouldn't want to be left alone with her questioning and complaining.
"Okay." He sighed, annoyed. He walked over to sit in his chair. "First of all, Marcel is not my mortal enemy. He's my friend. Albeit, one who's unaware that I'm trying to sabotage his whole of the supernatural community of the French Quarter, but a friend, nonetheless."
He grinned smugly. "And secondly, I daggered Elijah to gain Marcel's trust. If I had none he would place my brother in the hands of a particularly nasty teenage witch, I would have weighed my options a bit differently. And thirdly, sister, please."
"And thirdly, the plan -as you have demanded- is to simply ask Marcel for Elijah back."
Hayley looked worried. "That's not the whole plan, is it?"
Anna Marie laughed. "Please, have you met Niklaus? He may have a lot of his faults, but he's the most cunning and diabolical." She smiled sarcastically over at him who simply smirked.
"That's only the plan, A, through, love." He reminded her. "There's always a plan B."
"And what's plan B?"
Niklaus shared a look with Anna Marie before smirking. "War, but for now, I must execute Plan A. Do try not to get into anything whilst I am gone." He said patronizingly to Hayley as he got up and walked out of the room.
Anna Marie and Rebekah shared a look. "I'll go babysit him." She sighed as she got up. "But you owe. He is your brother."
Rebekah smiled. "Thank you!"
Anna Marie hurried downstairs after Niklaus. He smirked at her seeing her walk up behind him. "I knew you wouldn't be able to stay for long." He turned to smile at her.
She rolled her eyes. "I'm here to make sure that you don't kill someone, accidentally or otherwise." She corrected him.
He put his lips to her ear, smirking when he felt her shiver. "Whatever you say, love
xxxxx
Anna Marie stopped at the stairs. It had been a few weeks since she had been back at the compound. She did miss it. It felt like home, like it should've been years ago. She looked down. Marcel would want to talk and she couldn't. "Hey, I'll be down here. Just, uh, tell me when you want to go. Don't hurt anyone." She warned him seriously.
He chuckled. "Afraid to see loverboy." She shot him a glare filled with confusion, but she knew exactly how he did. "Yes, darling Rebekah, she does seem to have a difficult time keeping information to herself, especially when it involves Marcel. I'll tell him that you said hello." He grinned as he walked up the stairs.
She scoffed, resisting the urge to throw something at his head; instead she opted out for walking around the ground floor. She knew that if Klaus started anything with Marcel's inner circle, that it wouldn't be hard for her to hear it.
She smiled at the others until she heard Marcel and Klaus. She saw them coming down the stairs. Anna Marie debated whether or not to flee, for fear of giving into him, but decided against it. She wouldn't run from him. He glanced up at her. "Anna." He nodded at her. "I'm guessing that you're here to convince me to let Elijah go, too."
"Actually, I'm babysitting, Niklaus. You know with his temper, it's hard to leave him alone." Marcel actually cracked a honest smile her way. She felt a small blush creep onto her cheeks. Klaus glared at her.
"Well, we must be going. We have a lot of things to do, don't we, Annie?" She resisted the urge to roll her eyes as he started to walk off, expecting her to follow him.
Marcel stopped her. "You're coming tonight, aren't you?" She hesitated. She missed him. That was true, but she couldn't get back into their old relationship. Marcel was stubborn, he wouldn't give up easily. "Come on, you'll love it. If not for me, go for charity." He grinned at her, just like a cunning wolf.
She laughed at that. "Yeah, um, yeah I'll be there." She agreed. He smiled at her. She hesitated before walking away. She tried to shake it off. She couldn't let that get to her, not when Elijah was out there and Marcel still hadn't given him back. Family first. They were more important.
xxxxx
Klaus barged into the study as Anna Marie looked up. "We need you downstairs, sweetheart. Sophie will be inclined to speak to a former witch than Rebekah or I." He said as he leaned against the doorway watching her read. He let his eyes glance over her.
She sighed. "I still don't think it's a good idea, myself." After hearing the whole story about how Thierry, Marcel's right hand man, and Katie were involved she wasn't sure that it'd be smart to come between them. A witch who's lover would be threatened would make her dangerous, but on the other hand they needed something to help them. "But I'll do it for Elijah."
He smiled smugly as she got up. "Glad you see it my way, love. She rolled her eyes moving past him. He grabbed her hand. "Thank you for this, Annie." He said sincerely.
She hesitated before nodding and walked into the living room. Sophie and Rebekah were already there. They were obviously arguing. Anna Marie smiled at Sophie, who nodded back. Like all witches, Sophie didn't trust vampires, but Anna Marie was an exception. She was a witch before; she understood why she would be. "Are you out of your mind?" She asked. "No way."
"It's very simple. We need you to perform a teeny tiney location spell to find our brother." Rebekah said.
"Witches who practice magic in this town get caught and they get killed." She reminded them.
Klaus grinned as he walked to sit in front of the witch. "Yes, about that, it seems we left out a crucial detail when we made our deal. Marcel's secret weapon; the way he knew how a witch is using magic."
"About this high," Rebekah demonstrated with her hand, "Cute as a button, anger issues."
The look on Sophie's face was of pure shock. "Davina? Where have you seen her?"
Anna Marie had a strange feeling that she was keeping something else from them. She hoped that it wasn't anything that could hurt their chances. "I don't know." Rebekah sighed. "The little brat erased my memory right after she threw me out of the window with her bloody mind."
"She's not very happy, as you can see." Anna Marie interrupted taking a seat by the witch. 'Basically, Davina has Elijah and Marcel has Davina. We have no idea where either of them are. The only way to find them is through a location spell, but we have a way that Davina won't sense it."
She glanced over at the siblings, before continuing. "If another witch, Katie was doing a spell of even greater power when you were doing yours, she wouldn't even catch it. It would create a smoke screen."
Sophie looked unconvinced. "Katie doesn't deserve to die."
Klaus stood up, surprising her. "Sophie Devereaux, you're in no position to be so principled. You can't win a war without a few strategic loses, no matter how regrettable they may be." He said honestly. "How many times have the vampires been one step ahead and known something they shouldn't? You sister, executed in the public square for using magic. Who knew she'd be caught? Did she even attempt to flee?"
It bothered Sophie and was difficult for her to talk about, but she couldn't let him see her weakness. "She was caught hiding in a cargo hold of a freighter before it set sail down the Mississippi."
"And who, pray tell, in Marcel's inner circle, manages his business at the docks?"
Sophie looked guilty. "Katie's boyfriend, Thierry."
Anna Marie shot Klaus a look. He was handling this far from being delicate. "Sophie, she was most likely the reason your sister was caught. If we want to save any other witches from ending up like Jane Anne, we need to find Elijah and Davina."
She hesitated before nodding. "I'll help."
xxxxx
Anna Marie walked into the study where Klaus was on the phone with his sister. "Marcel has ordered a rousting of the witches." He glanced up at her and smirked, smugly. She rolled her eyes as she took a seat on the chair. "I, in turn, arranged for things to go tragically wrong. Marcel may be uninterested in Thierry's romantic entanglements, but their are others crimes, which he'll be less inclined to so easily forgive. Killing a vampire, for example. That would be unforgivable. If Katie hopes to save her one true love from Marcel, well something like that will require something positively magical."
He hung up the phone on Rebekah. "How come you are so sure that this is going to work out in your favor? Katie isn't stupid." Anna Marie reminded him.
He smiled at her. "What's worth dying for, if not true love?" He asked looking into her eyes. She felt a small rush of heat flow over her cheeks and she stood up. "I left something on Rebekah's bed for you."
She rolled her eyes. "The old, dress on the bed doesn't work, Niklaus. I'm smarter than that." She said simply.
He chuckled. "I know. It's not a dress. Besides, I have a feeling that Rebekah will have already dealt with the wardrobe situation. It's something else. You don't have to keep it, I just picked it up in Chicago a few years ago. It made me think of you."
She nodded. "Thank you. Um, Rebekah will meet me here before you guys go, but leave without me. I'll meet you both there." He nodded as she left the room.
Anna Marie didn't want to give him the satisfaction her taking his gift, but curiosity got the best of her. She went up to Rebekah's room and saw a small box on the bed. Next to it was a card with her name on it. She gently opened the box and saw a necklace. It was nearly identical to the one that her mother had and Niklaus knew it. She smiled at the piece of jewelry putting it on.
Rebekah decided to barge in with a bag in her hand. "Hello, darling. I'm glad you're here. I have your dress and I have mine." She said as she took out articles of clothes. She was already fully dressed. Rebekah wore a beautiful strapless black dress with a black necklace and her hair up.
"You look amazing. I do have some dresses I can wear, Rebekah."
She smiled patronizingly. "I know. Yes, but you never wear the same dress to a party like this twice. Have a I taught you nothing? Your dress is in this bag. Nik told me that you would be coming separate from us?"
Anna Marie nodded looking over at her. "Yeah, I'll just meet you guys there."
Anna Marie looked out of the window to see Hayley walking around the house. She could hear the second heart beat in her stomach. The baby's heartbeat, thumping against her ribs. "I assume the mutt is staying behind?" She asked.
"You could tell him you know. You should've told Elijah." She turned seeing Rebekah standing next to her.
"You agreed never to speak of it, Bekah. Let's not break that vow."
She grabbed her hand. "It's hurting you more. You may try to hide it, but I see it. With all this talk of protecting Hayley and her being here." Anna Marie closed her eyes, her head to the ground. She didn't deny it. She would never admit how much it hurt that Klaus would leave her and have a child with another person, a family. It killed her, the night she found out, she cried over and over again, but she was done with that. She wasn't going to feel sorry for herself. "It's been a millennium. You cannot continue to keep this to yourself, Annie. Tell them. It's okay for it to hurt."
"No...no it's not. It's not okay. It hurts, Bekah. It hurts so much, but if I say it then it will only hurt that much more. I can't even say it out loud. I can't do it." Her eyes clouded over with tears and Rebekah wrapped an arm around her. "I can't have that on me right now. You promised you wouldn't tell Elijah nor Niklaus, don't. Please."
She hated seeing her in pain like this. They were so close and they took care of each other. They always had and now she didn't know what to do about her pain. "I won't."
Rebekah smiled weakly as she took out the dress, showing it to her. It was a long, one strapped red dress. It was beautiful and exactly something that Rebekah would get her. "This is going to definitely turn heads. You're welcome." She smiled proud of herself as she tossed down a decorative black mask. Anna Marie laughed taking it from her as the vampire zipped off downstairs.
xxxxx
Anna Marie walked into Marcel's house. It was already filled. There acrobatic dancers hanging from the ceiling, couples dancing on the floor. The mask was already strapped to her face. She glanced around seeing one of the Mikaelson siblings, away from each other. Rebekah was speaking to Marcel near the bar.
She felt a blush creep on her cheeks at seeing Marcel's attention turn to her. His eyes raked over her dress and his mouth hung open, slightly "Be careful, you'll get drool on your suit." Rebekah rolled her eyes at him as she glanced over at Annie. She knew that she picked the right choice.
Annie smiled his way, but before she could go over to him, she felt a hand on her waist. "You decided to make it." She turned seeing Klaus grin, but it was more than just that; he was in awe of was even more beautiful than he could've thought. "You look ravishing, love." He said slightly breathless.
"Thank you. I didn't think you'd recognize me so quickly." She teased him taking off her mask.
"How could I not? You're one of a kind." He said honestly as he leaned in and kissed her cheek. She blushed. She looked down. "Would you give me the pleasure of a dance?"
She hesitated glancing over to where Marcel was, but found that only Rebekah occupied the bar spot. Marcel, instead was dancing with Cami. She felt embarrassed. Of course, he would so easily move on with someone else. "Yeah, sure." She agreed as she took his hand. It didn't matter. Marcel had the right to dance with someone, then she had the right as well.
He smiled bringing her over to the dance floor. His hand went to her waist, as hers automatically found his other hand and shoulder. They moved together, organically. "You're still my perfect dance partner." He praised her. There was no one who could fill her spot. He noticed where her gaze was. "Don't worry about him, love. This works in our favor. The beautiful bartender is a distraction to him."
Anna Marie looked over. She didn't like her. She knew that her comments were probably of jealousy, but that part was overlooked. "She's bland. I don't like her. And she's wearing a bloody angel costume. I suppose she couldn't pick a costume more form fitting." She grumbled.
Klaus laughed as he spun her around. "No one holds a candle to how you look tonight." He said truthfully. Rebekah gave him a nod as she left the party.
She looked away, feeling heat rush to her cheeks. "Thank you. It does not matter, anyways. I did what was right. Elijah is family. He comes first. Besides, you get what you wanted. Marcel is distracted." She looked straight ahead towards the wall before seeing some of Marcel's guys. "It looks like your plan has worked."
Klaus glanced over at the man that was with Thierry. He grinned. "It seems as though our plan is coming together quite nicely." He noted as he looked on upstairs to where Marcel was yelling at Thierry, but not audible enough for anyone human to hear.
Klaus pulled her over to the side as the watched from above. Marcel was currently yelling about how Thierry killed a nightwalker for biting Katie. Anna Marie actually felt bad, Thierry loved her. That much was clear and now he was paying the consequences for keeping her safe. "You should go home, love." Klaus said to her.
She turned back to look at him surprised, but his eyes were glued on Cami. He barely glanced her way. "You're not needed here, anymore. I can finish this up." He didn't even look her way as he walked towards the blonde. She felt a sting of pain, but she shook it off. What else should she expect from the hybrid that only cared for himself. With one last glance his way, she walked out the door.
xxxxx
Anna Marie watched from the roofs as Katie arrived. She came with a vengeance, full of magic and power. She was on a mission to kill Marcel and she fully intended to carry it out. She brought Marcel and all of his vampires to their knees with ease. Street lamp bulbs exploded with the power that she brought with her. "Come on, little girl!" Marcel roared as he struggled to stand.
Her power was too much. He was on his knees again. "Die, you son of a bitch!" She spat out as she held the stake above his heart. Anna Marie froze, ready to zip over and pull her way Before Katie could thrust it into his chest, Klaus zipped up and snapped her neck.
The magic stopped. She knew it. That meant that if Sophie was still trying to do magic, she would be in danger as well. She zipped over to the cemetery as she looked around for the witch. She eventually found her still trying to do magic. "Stop, Katie is dead and you can't finish this spell. The girl will sense it."
"I just need one more moment and I can find him." She said sure of herself, but Anna Marie snatched the paper, leaving the dust to fall. Sophie stood up frustrated and upset. "No! If you die, the baby dies with you! You are too valuable. Elijah will not forgive us. "
He's required this, this child to help Niklaus. If we want Elijah back, we will find another way." Anna Marie spoke more calmly this time. Sophie hesitated before nodding in agreement. This wasn't the way. Sophie was the only witch in the Quarter that Anna Marie trusted. She would need her help to get Elijah back to them.
Rebekah touched Anna Marie's arm. "You should talk to Klaus." She told her. Rebekah hesitated before speeding off towards the house.
Anna Marie sank to the ground of the cemetery kicking off her heels. "I always hated these bloody things. I understand the appeal, but they're so hard to walk in." She said lightly as she tucked her feet underneath her. Sophie sat across from her. "You cannot risk your life like that."
"I get it, I'm useful."
"You're human." Anna Marie interrupted. "We've lost one life tonight, let's not lose anymore. I don't care what Klaus says. Elijah will want you alive. If you keep up your end of the deal, this will be mutually beneficial. I know you believe that vampires are horrible, but I do understand what you're going through."
Sophie scoffed at her. "How could you possibly understand?"
"Because I saw my parents' slaughtered bodies in my own home." She cut back. Sophie looked shocked. "I understand what losing your family means, but it is a thousand times harder when your emotions are heightened. It does not mean, they would want you to die. You have to live, for them."
Anna Marie squeezed her hand as she rose to her feet. Sophie looked up at her. "Anna Marie, how...how did you deal with that, losing your parents?"
Anna Marie looked back at her. "It wasn't just my parents. It was my family and I didn't. I took the easy way out, the only time I have ever done it. I shut it off."