As promised, here is chapter 8, I am currently working on chapter 9 so don't worry, its coming soon. Please review, it gives me incentive to write!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Vampire Diaries or its characters.

Chapter 8

Kol POV

I watched Lauren's hazel eyes grow heavy as I lovingly ran my hand threw her scruff. They finally closed and her breathing became slow and deep. I loved seeing her like this. I fully appreciated her wolf side, knowing that it was a part of her, made her whole. I stayed awake for another few minutes, stewing over today's events. Mikael and possibly Esther were going to be a pain in the ass. I think that without Lauren and her friends we would be at each other's throats, arguing about what to do and someone would eventually get daggered because of Nik's rage, due to the fact that Mikael was the one person who could truly destroy him, inside and out.

I felt pity for my brother, I'm sure Rebekah and Elijah did as well. Mikael was the furthest thing from a father to Niklaus; he treated him like he was dirt even when he thought that he was his son, humiliating him, abusing him. I secretly admired my brother because when we were human even though he feared father, he protected us; he took beatings for me and Rebekah when we were little when he could. Mikael only got worse though when we were turned and found out that Nik was a hybrid because of our mother's affair. We do not completely blame Niklaus for ruining our family. Yes, he daggered us and boxed us up for hundreds of years, but Mikael was the true monster. By making us vampires, he destroyed our family, forever changing us. We all thought that with him and mother dead that we could be a family again…unfortunately they may never let us find happiness.

xxx

Caroline followed Klaus to her room for the night in the long hallway upstairs. He stopped at a door and gestured for her to go in. She opened the door and stepped in, gazing around the room in awe. It was beautiful; creamy white walls adorned with lovely paintings, a king sized bed that looked like a cloud, warm mahogany furniture was placed tastefully around the room and a large window with a bench leaked moonlight into the room. A door across from the bed connected the room to a bathroom with a waterfall shower, bathtub with candles around the edges and a sink with a vanity. She came back out and looked at him, leaning in the doorframe, analyzing her expression.

She smiled at him, "It's perfect, thank you." He smiled back, "Good, I'm glad that you like it." He disappeared and returned with a pair of black sweatpants and a light grey t-shirt.

"Seeing as I doubt that Rebekah would allow you to touch even a scrap of her clothing, all I can give you is some of my own, I hope it's enough."

She nodded, taking it from him and laying it on the bed, "It's more than enough, thanks." He nodded and his gaze drifted to the floor before pushing off of the doorframe to leave. She reached out and grabbed his arm to stop him and turn him around, "Klaus, wait." She sighed and ran both her hands down his arms from his shoulders to hold his hands in her own, "You know everything will be okay. You will make it out okay, we'll find a way to survive this; we always do. You'll take him down, and we're going to help, I'll help you, we'll do it, together."

He granted her a gentle smile and relaxed a little, "Thank you, Caroline." She smiled back and hugged him to her tightly, her face buried in his neck. He rested his head against hers and breathed deeply, inhaling her sweet scent of honeysuckle and jasmine, most likely her shampoo. After a minute or so she pulled back a little and rested her hands on either sides of his face, running her thumbs over his cheekbones and staring deep into his ocean blue eyes, straight into his soul. And she liked what she saw, his true self, not the ruthless exterior that he was on the outside, protecting what was inside.

She leaned forward slowly, her lips brushing his. He stayed absolutely still, letting her make the decision; to do what she wanted. She paused, letting his warm breathe wash over her lips before closing the gap, their lips molding together perfectly. He grabbed her hips gently, pulling her close to his body, craving the contact. Caroline ran one hand through his blonde curls as she gently bit his lip. Klaus clung to her, taking her breathe as if he was suffocating. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip, asking entrance. She quickly responded, opening her mouth to let him in. Their tongues battled for dominance; inclining their heads to get a better angle, delving deeper, exploring every inch of each other's mouths.

Caroline finally pulled back, resting her forehead against his, looking into his shining eyes, both grinning at each other. She gives him a final, sweet kiss on his lips before pulling away. He turns to leave but she holds on to his hand and tugs on it. He looks at her questioningly.

She pleads with him, "Will you stay with me?" He pauses before nodding. She pulls him to the bed and makes him sit before grabbing the clothes and heading for the bathroom. She came back out in the baggy clothes carrying her jeans, top, jacket, and ankle boots. She dumped them at the foot of the bed before climbing in and pulling him down with her. He kicked off his shoes and climbed under the covers with her, pulling her into his side and wrapping an arm around her as she threw an arm over his stomach and snuggled close. She sighed contently as she drifted off, Klaus smiling into her hair.

xxx

Elena stood in the doorway of her room for the night, thanking Elijah for letting her stay.

"Anytime, Elena. I am grateful for the help that you and your friends are giving me and my family. We had hoped that now that Mikael and Esther were gone that we could live without fear of them, but sadly fate has proven us wrong."

Elena frowned sadly, "Elijah, this is just another bump in the road. Granted, it's more like a mountain, but regardless, it can still be dealt with. Don't give up hope."

Elijah smiled lightly, "Thank you, Elena, you have my gratitude." He paused before asking quietly, "How are you doing, Elena, with the transition?"

She shrugged, "I'm doing alright, I guess. Damon and Stefan are arguing over how to teach me to feed properly. Stefan wants me to go on the bunny diet but Damon thinks I should learn control by drinking from the vein. I refuse to do it Damon's way because I don't want to hurt anybody and I don't trust that he would stop me before I killed someone, but animal blood is just so…gross. It isn't satisfying at all. So Caroline's been trying to get me to moderate with blood bags."

Elijah nodded knowingly, "I see. I agree that animal blood isn't satisfying and is hard to learn control with. Damon's method is more realistic, but for someone with your personality I wouldn't suggest it right away. Your friend has the right idea with blood bags; it tastes the same as fresh human blood, if a little stale, and is done without hurting anyone. Elena, please know that if you ever need my help with controlling your bloodlust or any sort of problem you are more than welcome to come to me."

She smiled at him, "Thank you, Elijah, I just might take you up on that."

"I'd be happy to help. Here are some clothes to change into. Forgive me but I could only give you mine because Rebekah wouldn't let me near her closet." He handed her a pair of blue plaid pajama bottoms and a black t-shirt. She took it from him and put it on a chair in the corner. Elijah took her hand and leaned down, bringing it to his mouth. He brushed his lips across her knuckles, "Good night, Elena." She blushed slightly and nodded.

"Good night, Elijah."

xxx

Lauren POV

I woke up once again to the sun peeking through the curtains of Kol's bedroom windows. I noticed the lack of warmth next to me and sat up looking around. Kol wasn't in the room, so I focused my senses and listened around the house. I could hear his voice below me teasing Caroline and Elena about something in the kitchen. I could hear something sizzling and sniffed the air, it smelled delicious. I got up and stretched, jumping off the bed and heading down the stairs toward the kitchen. I shifted back to human form in my clothes from yesterday as I entered the room and went to sit next to Caroline on a barstool at the island counter.

"Good morning, Red," Kol greeted me and came around the counter to give me a peck on the cheek and set a plate in front of me before sitting down next to me with his own. Caroline grinned at the name Kol called me and I rolled my eyes at her; calm your girly hormones, don't get overexcited.

I smiled and replied, "'Morning, everyone. So what's this?"

Caroline replied eagerly, "Kol made breakfast, it's just as good as the dinner he made last night, maybe better."

I looked at my plate and my mouth watered. It was filled with a bagel grilled with cream cheese, mixed cut up fresh fruit, and an omelet.

I turned to Kol, "What's in the omelet?"

He shrugged, "Pepperoni. I diced it up and Elena told me you like cheese in your eggs too."

I looked surprised, "Huh, I never thought of putting pepperoni in an omelet, I guess I'll give it a try."

Caroline scoffed, "Give it a try? Just you wait, you'll be inhaling it in seconds."

"Like you did?" Elena remarked; Elijah and Klaus chuckled into their coffee from their places leaning against the opposite counter. I rolled my eyes and placed a piece of it on my bagel and took a bite. The flavor hit my tongue and I closed my eyes. I swallowed after savoring it and looked up to see Caroline smirking at me expectantly.

I once again rolled my eyes at her before turning to Kol and kissing him on the cheek, "Best breakfast ever." He continued to chew his food and nodded at me in acknowledgement.

"Would you like some coffee, Lauren?" Elijah offered politely.

I shook my head, "No thanks, I never really liked it. Do you have any juice?"

"Apple or Orange?" he responded looking in the fridge.

"Apple, please." He poured me a glass and I thanked him. Over the next few minutes I enjoyed my breakfast along with Kol as the vampires had their coffee and blood. Rebekah walked in ignoring everyone as she went to retrieve a blood bag from the fridge. My phone rang as she put a mug of it in the microwave. I pulled it from my pocket and checked the caller; it was Bonnie.

"Hey, Bonnie." I greeted her.

"Hey, Lauren. I just got to your house to pick up you and your brother to meet up at the Mikaelsons; where are you?"

I paused and looked at Caroline and Elena, my eyebrow raised. They shrugged and gestured for me to continue, giving me the okay to tell her. She wasn't going to like the fact that we stayed the night at the mansion but we weren't going to lie to her.

"We're at the mansion; we stayed late and ended up sleeping over," I replied cautiously.

There was silence on Bonnie's end, "Oh, um, okay. Then I guess we'll see you guys there in about ten minutes. Bye."

I sighed as I hung up, Rebekah walked over to the dining room table a few feet away.

"Well, she's on her way over with Pete." I glanced over at Caroline and Elena and really looked at them.

"What are you guys wearing?" I asked curiously, the corner of my mouth turning up.

Elena sipped her coffee before answering, "Klaus and Elijah lent us some clothes for the night. Why are you still in yesterday's outfit?"

I looked down at myself; I did feel a little grungy from wearing it for so long.

"I didn't bother shifting back when I went to sleep. After only turning on full moons for so long, it's nice to be able to do it freely," I replied honestly, Klaus nodded his head in understanding. I took out my phone and opened a new message, "I'll text Bonnie to ask her to bring us some changes of clothes and maybe some overnight bags just in case…?" I looked up at the guys questioningly.

Elijah spoke for him and his brothers, "You girls are welcome to stay here for the night or longer while we are working together on this dilemma." Rebekah snorted from her seat at the table but said nothing. I glanced at her before thanking Elijah warmly and sending the text. Bonnie responded immediately and said she would be over there as soon as she was done.

I walked around the counter to help Kol clean up the kitchen and put the dishes in the dishwasher when the doorbell rang. We all looked confused, Bonnie wouldn't be here for a little while, so who could it be?

Elijah went to answer the door and we all listened intently as he opened the door. We all jumped when we heard him gasp and collapse to the floor. Klaus and Kol flashed out of the room, Rebekah, Elena, Caroline, and I following closely. We entered the front foyer to see the front door wide open and Elijah on the ground, grey and veiny with a wooden stake through his heart. I looked up as I heard something whistling through the air. I gasped as I saw a stake flying toward me. Before I could react, Kol rushed in front of me and grabbed it out of the air before it hit its target. He hissed and dropped it as it burned his hand.

He scowled, "Vervain."

We all looked around as people flooded in not only through the threshold but broke in through windows as well. The fighting started immediately as arrows flew from crossbows and people threw themselves at us.

"Where the hell did all these people come from!? Why are they attacking us!?" Elena shrieked as she ducked away from a human swinging at her head and kicked out at him, barefoot.

Kol threw anyone who came near me across the room, giving me enough time to turn.

"I have no freaking clue, let's just take them out first!" Klaus yelled back.

I charged at a guy that was running at Kol from behind with a stake. I tackled him to the ground and prepared to sink my teeth into him but paused as I caught his scent.

He's human. Some of them are human while the others are vampires.

Rebekah rushed at a guy with a crossbow aiming for Klaus as he broke the neck of a vampire. She grabbed the weapon and threw it away before breaking his arm. He screamed loudly, making Rebekah jump in surprise. She leaned over and sniffed his neck.

"Nik, Kol! Some of them are human!" she shouted over the ruckus. Caroline replied immediately, "Don't kill the humans! They're probably compelled, their innocent. Just knock them out!" Grudgingly, the Mikaelsons complied; disarming them before knocking them out with just enough force.

The vampires were a little tougher. I fought side by side with Kol, in tandem. I would knock down the vampires and held them while Kol snapped their necks. I just plowed through the humans and threw them into walls with enough force to knock them out. There were so many of them and they were still coming, it was chaos.

"Somebody get Elijah on his feet!" Klaus ordered.

Caroline covered Klaus' back and Elena protected Rebekah as she pulled the stake from Elijah's chest. They both guarded his body, waiting for him to wake up.

Caroline screamed as a vervain grenade blew up in her face and a vampire came up and grabbed her by the neck, lifting her into the air and stabbing into her stomach with a stake. Klaus quickly snapped the neck of the vampire he was sparring with and appeared behind the vampire, thrusting his hand into his back and ripping his heart out. Kol and I quickly maneuvered over to protect them while Klaus pulled the stake from Caroline's body and helped her up. They quickly rejoined the fight, Klaus staying by Caroline's side.

Elijah finally sucked in air as he came to and sat up as the color returned to his skin.

"Oh, thank god," Elena remarked as she twisted a vampire's arm behind its back, kicked its knees in and broke its neck, shoving the body away.

"Come on, get up Elijah, we could use your help here," Rebekah called behind her as she tossed a human into a wall. He quickly recovered and joined in the fight to hold off the onslaught.

As we began to gain the upper hand, Elijah now with us, we managed to drive them to the entrances. Another vervain grenade was thrown, this time at Kol. He screamed as it caught him right in the face and he fell to the ground. I snarled and rushed to him as a vampire jumped on top of him and drove a stake into his chest, just missing his heart. I grabbed the guy's collar in my teeth and swung my head around, tossing him into a human in the doorway. I grabbed the stake in my jaws as Kol sat up and yanked it out, letting it clatter to the floor. He got up again, his face healed although his shirt a little shredded from the shrapnel. I turned away and shoved a nearby vampire down the front steps and tried to follow her out into the yard but I was stopped at the doorway. I barked at Kol to get his attention; he looked over and watched as I attempted to walk through the doorway and failed.

I returned to Kol's side as he grabbed a stake from a human and threw her before sending the wood into the thigh of an approaching vampire.

"We're trapped in the house. It must be a Barrier spell," he yelled to the others.

"Very good, vampire."

I let out a high pitched whine and stumbled a little; my head feeling like someone had doused it in gasoline and threw a match on it. Caroline and Elena screamed and dropped to their knees clutching their heads. The Originals flinched and groaned but kept going, although a bit slower; the aneurism not affecting them as much due to their age. I growled and rushed at a dark skinned woman standing just outside the door with one hand out, knocking humans and vampires out of my way.

Witch.

"Ah, he told me what to do if I saw you," she remarked when she saw me and lifted her other hand towards me, muttering under her breath. My breath left my body as it felt like my insides were being ripped apart. Spots appeared in front of my eyes as I dropped to the floor and writhed in pain, nearly blacking out.

xxx

Kol POV

They had finally stopped coming when that witch appeared. Nik, Bekah, Elijah and I struggled to finish them off while protecting the baby vampires under the force of the aneurism when I heard Lauren yelp in pain. I looked over and saw her stumble from the aneurism before rushing at the witch. I heard what the witch said and panicked when I saw Lauren drop to the floor and claw at the ground, letting out high pitched whines. I became furious and ripped the heart from the vampire in front of me. My eyes turned blood red, veins appearing and fangs descending as I grabbed an arrow out of the air. The human that shot it dropped to the floor after he took a hit to the head. I took the arrow and threw it at the witch angrily. She shrieked as the arrow pierced her shoulder and she stumbled back, the spells stopping as she lost her concentration.

"Alright, that should be enough." the witch said to herself and held her hand to her shoulder, the arrow still in it. She quickly turned around and ran off the steps and into the passenger side of a sleek black car before speeding away. We quickly took care of the rest of the attackers.

We looked around to make sure they were all gone and no more were coming. Bodies littered the floor; some dead, some alive. I looked over to the white wolf that had suffered from the witch's torture. Lauren laid still on the floor, the only thing moving was her chest as she took in air. I rushed over and knelt down, checking her over. She was conscious; she had some blood in her fur in a few places but was already healing. She blinked sluggishly and didn't try to move; probably stunned from whatever spell the witch had used.

Klaus and Elijah pulled Caroline and Elena up on their feet.

"What was that about!?" Caroline gasped.

xxx

I watched worriedly as Lauren finally changed forms and laid on her back, gasping for air.

"Are you alright?" I asked and reached out to touch her arm. She shook her head and moaned before passing out. I panicked and shook her a little, "Lauren…Lauren!?" Caroline and Elena rushed over and knelt on her other side. Elijah, Klaus, and Rebekah stood around us, looking slightly worried.

"What's wrong with her!?" Caroline shrieked at me.

I shook my head, "When the witch gave us all aneurisms Lauren charged at her but the witch did some spell and she just dropped and was screaming in pain. When she changed back she just passed out."

Elijah bent down and felt her pulse and listened to her breathing.

"She seems alright for now, she's probably just exhausted from fighting and the combination of both spells most likely pushed her over the edge; her body is making her rest to recover," he explained logically. I sighed and picked her up into my arms; one under her knees and another under her back with her head resting against my shoulder. Just then Bonnie and Peter walked up the front steps and stopped dead when they saw the scene before them.

"What the hell happened here!?" Bonnie shrieked.

xxx

Bonnie moved to take a step inside.

"No! Don't come in!" Elena yelled at her, throwing her hands out to warn her off.

Bonnie stared at her confused, "What? Why not?"

Elijah spoke up, "There seems to be a sort of Barrier spell on the house keeping us in and we don't know the nature of it yet. It would be unwise to enter not knowing whether or not you could leave."

Bonnie thought for a moment before sighing and dropping the duffel bags on the front steps, Peter standing behind her. His eyes moved to Lauren's still form in my arms.

"What happened to her!? Is she okay?" he asked anxiously. I shook my head, "I don't really know. We think she is just exhausted from the fight but she took a hit from a witch's spell and we don't know what it was. She passed out after changing back."

Bonnie interrupted, "Whoa, hold on, what fight? And what's with all the bodies? Did you kill people!? And why are Caroline and Elena dressed like that?"

Klaus sighed heavily, "Witch, we've got a lot to discuss."

Unfortunately, I won't be posting very often for a while because summer is ending and I am starting college in a few days and I really need to focus on that and getting adjusted. However, I will still write when I find the time and inspiration, just not as frequently. Love ya'll, please review! :)