Sage had grilled him for two hours and then abruptly ceased talking, sitting absolutely still on one of the many comfortable sofas in the enormous boarding house living room. Damon walked around, filling his glass, drank, absently pushed a pillow around, and occasionally glanced at her. Only the really old ones could maintain this type of stillness. She was obviously lost in thought, her eyes unfocused.

"Did Rebekah like you?" Damon jumped slightly when she fired the question at him. He looked at her, eyebrows up and a dumbfounded expression on his face.

Sage impatiently said, "I asked you a question. Did Rebekah like you?"

Damon shrugged, bourbon bottle in one hand, glass in the other. "Actually no! She wanted the sex, but she doesn't particularly like me."

Sage went still again. Damon looked at her for a moment. "Whatever!" He sat in a nearby armchair with the bottle and glass.

Time went by and finally Sage relaxed and looked over at the vampire. "Aren't you going to offer me a refill, sweetheart?"

Damon looked at her over the rim of his glass. "Are you back with us now?"

She laughed gaily. "Yes, darling. I was deep in thought, but it's all worked out. I have a plan." She stretched running her hands through her thick red hair. "Oh yes, I have a plan."

Damon shook his head. "Should I be worried? When you have a plan you let nothing stand in your way. Tell me I'm not in your way."

He got up somehow managing to hold on to his glass, pour another glass, and bring it over to Sage along with the bottle. She patted the sofa cushion next to her and relieved him of one of the glasses. She toasted him with it and said, "You are not in the way. You are part of the goal." He smiled and sipped, but sprayed bourbon when she added, "We will have to sacrifice your brother, however."

He stared at her, hoping to see humor in her face, but saw only a serious expression. His face hardened, and he said fervently with a touch of menace, "You are not killing my brother!"

"Don't be an idiot," she said scornfully. "Your brother is our key to greatness. He's our foothold into the Original family."

"What?" Damon couldn't believe what he heard.

"Your brother is a good bargaining chip, Damon. Rebekah loves him, I'm sure of it. Klaus does also, I know it."

Damon again spit out part of his drink. "Klaus? Want Stefan? No way. Klaus likes women. He wants Blondie, ah, Caroline."

"Have I taught you nothing, Damon?" Sage was exasperated with him. "Sexual mores are a matter of society. Just because same sex is frowned upon today doesn't mean it always was. At court marriages were for political and economic reasons. Same sex relationships were safe and condoned. No unwanted pregnancies, no contaminating the blood lines."

"Klaus? Stefan?" Damon was still surprised. "I thought he just liked Stefan cause he was a crazy douche bag ripper, and he got a kick out of him being a nut."

"No, he would have pursued Stefan if he didn't have to escape Mikael. He definitely considered him a brother. I'm sure of it."

"Hey, If you're so hot on being with the Original, so called Royal court, where have you been all these years?" Damon baited her.

A sly smile accompanied her answer. "Living with royalty has always been both a bonus and a deathtrap. People or vampires with absolute power can turn on you easily, and they never forget a wrong done to them. A good courtier knows when to not take sides, and sometimes not choosing a side is as bad as choosing the wrong one. If you're not going to choose then it's best to disappear so no one can accuse you of not taking their side."

Damon had to laugh at her answer. "You are a clever one."

She put her drink down. "We have no time to lose. Let's put my plan into action. Are you up for it?"

"Now? You want to go there now?" Damon was surprised by what seemed like an impulsive move on her part.

"I say we move before Klaus does. Once your heart is out of your body it's too late to negotiate." She teased him. "Besides, we should get there at four o'clock, and that's the perfect time for afternoon calls."

Damon put his glass down, laughing. "And we must observe the niceties. Let me get a jacket, and we're out of here."

She stood waiting until he came down the stairs. "I want a tour of the house when we get back."

He smiled. "You can redecorate if you want."

She laughed, and they walked, arms linked, out to his powder blue convertible.

Damon drove while Sage gave last minute instructions. "Remember, I've lived my whole life around nobility, intrigue, and power struggles, and I know what I'm doing. Whatever you do, show no fear. Once we pull into the driveway everything we say will be overheard. You're going to have to trust me, Damon. If you don't you'll die, and you might bring me down with you."

Damon looked away from the road to assure her. "I made up my mind, Sage. I bought into this."

She stared at him long after he turned his attention back to his driving. Feeling her eyes on him he said, "What?"

"I've never risked as much for someone as I'm risking for you, and then I think about you and the crazy things you've done, and I wonder if I'm not the crazy one." She worried her lower lip.

Her admission made him smile. "I won't disappoint."

He smoothly pulled into the long driveway leading up to the Mikaelson mansion and parked the car. They looked at each other and Sage took his hand, mouthing, "We can do this."

He just nodded, determined.

They got out and walked up to the door. Sage rang the bell.

The door was opened by a boyishly grinning Klaus. "Sage, my lovely!" He didn't acknowledge Damon's presence.

She smiled, dipping her head and holding her hand out to him. "My Lord Klaus." Klaus promptly raised it to his lips, gently kissing it, while keeping his eyes on hers.

Damon felt momentarily transported to another age. He could easily see Sage curtseying to a crowned Klaus.

Kol was suddenly behind his brother. "Sage!" His voice betrayed his pleasure.

"Lord Kol!" She again gave that little nod and extended her hand for a kiss. She looked quickly around them. "Are the Lord Elijah and Lady Rebekah here?"

"No, he's off brooding somewhere, and she's out on one of her never ending shopping sprees. By the way, we don't do the Lord stuff nowadays," Klaus protested, but it was clear she had done herself no harm by addressing him that way. He secretly missed the days when he was considered nobility.

Kol peered around her at a somewhat disgruntled Damon, standing nearby. His unhappiness with being ignored was written all over his face.

Kol, ever the mischief maker, said, "Really Sage, the company you keep these days. I have to question your taste."

Damon lips twisted, but he kept silent, remembering his instructions.

Klaus glanced from Damon to Sage. She merely smiled, and he, clearly grasping the situation, laughed. He did not comment other than to say, "Where are my manners? My pleasure at seeing you has made me forget myself. Please come in!" He motioned him past her and just missed closing the door on Damon.

Kol led them into one of the many sitting rooms the mansion possessed.

Sage looked around admiringly. "If the hallway and this room are any indication you've done a marvelous job decorating, but I expected nothing less." She did not immediately sit, but walked around staring at the rug. Klaus stood, arms folded, watching her closely. She turned her head to look at him, a smile on her face. "This Savonnerie rug looks remarkably familiar."

"Does it really?" Klaus was all innocence. "I'm glad you like the room, my dear. I've decided to settle in Mystic Falls for the next eighty or so years, so I wanted a proper home for my family. May I offer you some refreshments?"

"Tea would be lovely."

"Ah yes, I do enjoy afternoon tea."

"Provided something stronger is also available, so do I," added Kol.

A butler entered and Klaus gave orders. They sat idly discussing the weather and vampires they knew. Damon sat quietly with a sense of unreality. He and Sage could very easily die here, and everyone was aware of it, but it sounded like a, well, like a tea party.

Several servants came in, arranging a heavy silver urn, with accompanying creamers, lemons, and sugar. Various silver trays with tiny savories, scones, freshly baked from the smell, clotted cream, and assorted cakes were arranged. Damon blinked at the spread.

"My dear, would you do the honors?" Klaus requested.

"Of course." Sage poured the tea and prepared it as if it was an everyday occurrence, passing a cup to each man before pouring herself one.

Kol glancing over at a clearly uncomfortable Damon, smirked and asked, "Whiskey?"

"Please!" Damon's response was heartfelt. Kol turned to one of the servants and passed on the order. Kol and Damon were soon supplied with a beverage more to their liking than tea.

When everyone had been served Klaus remarked, "How interesting that you show up with Damon?" Clearly the time to get to the heart of the discussion had come.

"We came to pay our respects," Sage replied.

Klaus good naturedly said, "Now Sage, I've had it on my to-do-list for awhile to pull the Salvatore's heart out through his . . , well, let's say his mouth." Kol spit out a mouthful of liquor at that remark. Klaus grinned, pleased that he had amused his brother. "Please don't tell me I'm going to have to refrain because of you."

"We need to talk My Lord . . ah Klaus." She deliberately slipped addressing him. It was her way of reinforcing the fact that she respected him. "Provided it meets with your approval I would like to take Damon as consort and move in with him." She quickly added, "It would put me greatly in your debt. I have shown him the error of his ways, and I assure you I can keep him and his brother in line.

Klaus smiled showing his dimples. "But he has annoyed me so much. Why should I spare him for you?"

Kol added, "He is beyond irritating."

"You know I am loyal to the family," Sage began.

She was quickly interrupted by a stern Klaus. "But we haven't seen you in many a year, Sage. You did not help me. "

She betrayed no nervousness at his accusation. She remained completely unruffled. "I did not interfere, true. I am not of the family and had no place and no say in what happened between you. But, I never conspired against any of you. I could have gone to Mikael and told him what I knew of your whereabouts, like others did to guarantee their lives would be spared. Instead, I stayed on the run rather than reveal your location. I have never betrayed you." She turned her gaze to Kol. "Or you."

Kol nodded agreement.

Klaus considered for a moment and then softened, picking up her hand and kissing it. "You were always one of our favorites. So you're here now. Why?"

"I want it to be like it used to be. I want to be part of the court." She held up her hand to stop Klaus's protests. "Yes, I know there are no royals and no court, but I want the closeness, the excitement of how it used to be. I don't believe they can't be recreated." Sage for the first time showed passion and leaned forward slightly in her vehemence. "I dislike being a vagabond. I dislike mingling with peasants."

Kol and Klaus both laughed out loud.

"Don't you remember what it was like? How exciting it was to put that lecher Rodrigo Borgia on the papal throne? Klaus, you were smitten with the lovely Lucrezia."

Klaus smiled reminiscently.

"And the time of the Medici. The art, oh the art! That homely young man, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, with the talented hands. Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci with his imagination and curiosity,and the other incredible talents. " She smiled slyly. "Whenever I hear about missing or stolen art, especially any of your favorites, I always wonder, Klaus."

Klaus managed to look both innocent and mischievous at the same time. "Sage, really! You hurt me with your unjustified implications."

Sage laughed and continued, "And the Sun King. Kol, remember how the King's brother Philippe adored you? He followed you around like a love sick puppy."

Kol smirked. "Actually I preferred his wife, the lovely Henrietta. But it was you who intrigued our Louis."

She sat back, looking smug. "Yes, he was enamored." Suddenly her hand went to her mouth as a realization hit her. "Oh My God! The rug! It's from his bedchamber."

Klaus burst out laughing. "It took you long enough to remember. Didn't you pay attention to the furnishings when you were in Louis' bed?"

The other two joined in, laughing with him.

Damon quietly listened to the conversation swirling around him and the stories being exchanged between the three of them, their words painting visions in his mind. All these names they mentioned; Henry the Eight, Robespierre, Rasputin, were names he had studied in school or read about in books. Something stirred inside him. They were there; they had influenced the most influential people in history. He had agreed to this reconciliation because he wanted to be with Sage, but suddenly he was overcome with an overwhelming desire to be a part of it, to be at the center of everything that was exciting. He longed to be one of this elite group, to finally belong.

He came back to the present to hear Sage say, "I could go on and on, but we were there. We were part of the most exciting times, among the most exciting people, and you directed the course of history."

Klaus and Kol exchanged a long look. Kol finally shrugged and nodded.

Klaus nonchalantly took a sip of his drink and regarded her. "So, you want to be around the family again. What do you offer in return if I grant you Damon's life?"

"Damon has agreed to refrain from interfering with Elena." She once again held up a quick hand asking for patience. "We know you could stop that easily enough by killing him. We will also keep his brother away from her and get him under control."

Klaus remarked a little too casually. "Why would I care if Stefan is under control?"

"I believe the Lady Rebekah would care. She was my dearest friend, until she, ah, shall we say disappeared." Klaus dimpled again at the diplomatic way she said it.

Kol just snorted and looked sourly at Klaus. "Most of the family has had a tendency to disappear at one time or the other."

Sage continued serenely, "You have to admit the Salvatores make things interesting. By themselves they are powerless, they can not constitute a real threat to you. The only thing you can die of now is boredom, and I would be willing to do my part to keep you from that fate." She didn't make any overtly sexual gestures, but somehow she made the atmosphere electrical. Damon was all admiration at her skill.

The Original brothers were not immune to her charm either.

Klaus finally said, "Anything for you, Sage. I'm sure you'll be able to find something else for me to do to pass the time besides rip Damon apart and see if I can put the pieces back together again."

They exchanged knowing smiles, while Kol smirked, and Damon looked like he ate something bad.

The meeting clearly at an end. They exchanged more idle talk before Klaus escorted them to the door. His final words were, "Rebekah will want to renew your acquaintance, and I'm sure anything you can do with Stefan will be appreciated by us. . her."

Sage smiled knowingly. "He will see the error of his ways."

Klaus walked back to the small sitting room where Kol was lolling in a chair, sipping more whiskey.

"I adore Sage, but Damon? He's brash, crazy, a trouble maker."

Klaus continued for him. "Yes, I see what you mean. Always stirring up trouble. Causing commotions. Hmmm! Now who does he remind me of?" Klaus pretended to think, wagging a finger in the air.

Kol laughed. "You couldn't be accusing me of any of those traits, could you?"

Klaus smiled at him. "You are two peas in a pod, Kol. If he can be kept in line, he'll be a good playmate for you. As much as anyone can be trusted, I trust Sage. She has always stood by us since she was turned."

Kol nodded. "I agree, and I look forward to renewing my acquaintance with her and her bed."

Klaus smiled and looked down. "Don't you think you better make it your bed? Damon isn't that old after all and probably has some old fashioned ideas."

Kol shrugged. "He'll learn fast if he's going to survive around our family. How will Elijah, if he comes back, deal with him?"

Klaus pursed his lips. "Big brother and I didn't get to sit down and have any heart to hearts, but I get the impression he approves of them. I think they remind him of us." Klaus rolled it over in his mind. "Elijah will be pleased to see him alive."

Klaus poured himself a glass of whiskey and walked over to top off Kol's glass. "Our sister still pines after the younger Salvatore."

Kol grinned up at him. "Do you?"

Klaus smiled charmingly. "Perhaps."

Kol laughed. "I could use some excitement. Not the going to die type, mind you. I had a thousand years of that. The causing trouble kind."

Klaus lifted his glass. "To trouble!"

Damon and Sage were silent until they were at least a mile away. Damon scowled. "That was pleasant!"

Sage laughed merrily. "We did it, Damon. Now, we just have to deal with Stefan."

Damon glanced at her before putting his attention back to the road. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," she said confidently. "Klaus would have torn your heart out in front of me if he wasn't going to let you live. He likes me enough that he wouldn't have toyed with me and let me have hope."

Damon raised his eyebrows. "How sweet of him! So glad he likes you."

Sage said, "Be thankful he does like me. Klaus in a rage is a terrifying thing to watch. I've seen him . . . Never mind. It was a rougher age, and he may have mellowed somewhat."

Damon gulped. The fact that Sage shied away from recounting something Klaus did scared him more than anything he had yet seen.

Damon said, "Let me talk to Stefan on my own. You make him nervous."

Sage smiled. "I think more of him because of that."