A/N Thank you all for reviewing!
"E...licence plate."
Rebekah gave an almost triumphant smile."Finally!"
"It only took you fifteen bloody minutes, but you finally got there."Klaus replied in a bored manner without looking up from his sketchbook."Very good, little sister."
Rebekah's smile fell, and she glowered at her brother, crossing her arms with a huff. The entire drive to Mystic Falls had been utterly draining for the female Original. She had spent decades stuck in one place, she didn't fancy feeling trapped again, but Rebekah was also very impatient. She got bored easily. That was when Maria had suggested travel games, something she had done with Ray many times on their long journeys whenever they travelled before a full moon.
And, while the games were stupid to Rebekah, the Mikaelson was very competitive.
"It took fifteen minutes for another car to pass by, and I haven't seen a sign for ages."Rebekah hissed at her brother, feeling the need to defend herself before her face fell slightly."Ugh, i'm so bored."
Her brother merely shrugged, focus on his sketchbook and the pencil in hand.
"Yes, well, amuse yourself quietly."
"These silly games are getting boring with just two."Rebekah pouted, giving her brother a pleading look, imploring."Nik, play with us!"
Klaus glanced up from his sketchbook, giving her a look that could only be described as bewilderment. He seemed utterly perplexed that Rebekah honestly expected him to play such a childish game.
"Sister-"
"Nik, please!"
Klaus opened his mouth to refuse again but Rebekah's pout deepened, and he sighed."If it shuts you up, I suppose I must. What are we on? F?"
Klaus turned to the window to begin searching, but Rebekah piped up."Not yet, Nik. There's a system. Maria's next."
"Sister, this was your id-"
The female Original narrowed her eyes."Do not toy with the system."
Klaus rolled his eyes, leaning back in his seat with a bored expression until he glanced next to Rebekah. His bored expression quickly turned to one of amusement before he looked to Rebekah again, shaking his head.
"Yes, well, I think she's about to miss her go. It looks like you put her to sleep."
"Huh?"
Klaus' answer was a nod to the young woman next to her. He looked to be having a difficult time to stop his laughter as his sister turned, her eyes widening when she noticed that Maria was fast asleep. Rebekah gave a gasp, looking utterly betrayed for some reason. The hybrid quirked an eyebrow, attempting to compose himself as his sister scowled.
"Oi, this was your bloody game!"Rebekah glared at the woman whose head was resting on her shoulder before she nudged her."Get up!"
Maria gave an unhappy sound, turning to bury her face in Rebekah's shoulder, fingers curled in the Original's shirt.
Rebekah rolled her eyes once again and turned to look at her brother who wore an almost pensive look as he studied the young wolf.
"How did you ever sleep beside someone so clingy in their sleep?"
The hybrid gave a laugh, nodding as he continued to stare at Maria musingly."She is, isn't she?"
He then cleared his throat, giving a mischievous smirk when he looked to Rebekah."But, to be fair, 'Bekah, we didn't do much sleeping."
Rebekah's face scrunched up in disgust, and she gave her brother a glare."You're revolting."
As Klaus continued to smirk at himself, Rebekah's focus returned to Maria. She shook the wolf who just held on tighter to her until Rebekah finally grew impatient and raised her voice.
"Wake up!"
Maria froze for a moment, turning her head to the side."Huh?"
Maria's eyes fluttered open, and she yawned as she stirred, stretching. Rebekah rolled her eyes as the wolf continued to rest against the Original, glaring down at her. The Original shook her shoulder again, looking pleased with herself when Maria held up a hand in an attempt to stop her.
"I'm up!"
But when Maria's eyes opened, she looked up at Rebekah with a furrowed brow before she let out a scream. The Original jumped a little, startled before she sighed and lightly slapped the wolf, bringing an end to the screaming.
Klaus raised both eyebrows as the women stared at one another, his sister annoyed and Maria was looking confused.
"What the bloody hell are you screaming for?"
Maria panted for air as she narrowed her eyes, staring at Rebekah with a confused look. The wolf was silent for a few moments as she gathered herself before she simply shrugged.
"Well, at least my experimentation was with someone prettier than me."Maria mumbled, shutting and opening her eyes again."It must've been enjoyable if I can't remember it."
Rebekah gave a puzzled look, not catching what the wolf meant."What?"
Klaus' eyes went wide, and he dropped his pencil as he gaped at the wolf, completely baffled. His sister, finally realizing what Maria was thinking, mirrored her brother, her eyes going wide.
"Bloody hell."
The hybrid, noticing Rebekah's expression couldn't contain his laughter. He burst out laughing, earning a glare from Rebekah who's cheeks flushed sheepishly before she muttered a curse, nudging Maria away from her. The hybrid cleared his throat, trying to swallow the laughter but, instead, his shoulders started to shake as another wave of laughter took over him.
"Shut up, Nik!"
"You've certainly moved on from the Salvatore boy, haven't you?"Klaus commented as he pulled out his phone."Talking about him, he hasn't had a snapped neck in almost an hour. If I remember correctly, it is Richard's turn."
Rebekah glared at her brother, kicking his shin which earned her a half growl and a half laugh as the hybrid sent the text. Maria blinked several times, looking to Klaus who was still laughing before turning back to Rebekah.
"Oh, it's just you."
"Just me?"Rebekah arched an eyebrow, scowling at the younger female."You do know who I am, yes?"
Maria shrugged, sitting up straight before she stretched."A female version of Klaus?"
Rolling her eyes, Rebekah gave a cheeky smirk before leaning closer to Maria, stage whispering."Yes, well, no wonder you're falling for me."
It was Maria's turn to roll her eyes when the hybrid gave a laugh, quirking an eyebrow when Maria turned to glare at him. The Original hybrid forced his grin to fade, and he held up his hands, attempting to feign innocence.
Maria let out an unseemly snort as brushed the hair from her face."Not funny."
"Yes, well, it wouldn't have been the first time someone switched Originals, isn't that right, little sister?"
Maria scrunched up her face as Rebekah's cheeks flushed, making Klaus grin again."Huh?"
"1306. My little brother was 'dating' this lovely young woman named Lily. She was his then latest infatuation, so you can imagine his excitement when Lily one day suggested that herself and Kol should have a ménage à trois."
The wolf's brow furrowed, tongue-tied."A menawhat?"
Klaus' lips curved up once more and he gave Maria a genuine smile before he started to laugh. Maria seemed almost affronted as the hybrid chuckled and she looked to Rebekah, at a loss for words. The blonde Original sighed in exasperation before leaning forward, whispering the definition into Maria's ear.
"What do y-Oh!"Maria's eyes widened as Klaus quirked a playful eyebrow at her, looking almost coquettish, making her glower at him."Shut up."
Attempting to feign an honest look and he held his hands up, shaking his head."I didn't say anything, love."
"Tell that to your face."Maria replied, crossing her arms over her chest before she gestured."Carry on."
"Well it was a change of several lifetimes for Kol. What bloke would pass it up?"When both women rolled their eyes, the hybrid gave a smirk as he reached down and picked the pencil he'd dropped."He was thrilled until he later found his lover chatting up Rebekah. It turns out; she wasn't just a groupie for one Original. Of course, Kol isn't the most moral of people, but he did draw the line at his siblings."
"She didn't remain much longer, but Kol did enjoy her so after a few raucous, sleepless nights for everyone we all bid goodbye to Lily."
"Funny, I would've broken up with him then went for a dinner and a show with your sister."Maria said after a long moment of silence, rolling her eyes when the hybrid sent her a curious look."She isn't my type, but she seems less insane than the men of your family and better company."
"Sisters before misters."Maria then looked to Rebekah before Klaus, a smile growing."Not to mention the better fashion and she's been in a coffin for ninety years."
Klaus' mouth opened, and he huffed out a laugh, shaking his head while Rebekah let out a giggle. The female Original smiled at her brother as he feigned offense, clearly grasping at the hope he still held the more Maria smiled in his company. Of course, the smiles weren't directed at him, but the insults weren't as damaging.
But Rebekah knew her brother's hope meant close to nothing. Maria's allegiance to him wasn't because she loved him or because she believed in his cause. Her allegiance was that of a desperate woman wanting to save her blood, but Rebekah knew her brother. Her brother took the allegiance to mean that she still saw something in him that she had loved once before and that she could love again.
Even if she didn't, if Klaus Mikaelson was anything it was obsessive, and he didn't know when to stop.
"I like her, Nik. She might be my new best friend."
The hybrid nodded at his sister, sensing that while her words were playful, there were some meaning to them.
It was the start of a certain friendship.
But he couldn't resist the teasing smile he gave Maria, and he wagged his finger at Rebekah.
"Very good, sister, but let's keep it that way. I'm not one for sharing."The hybrid playfully warned, shaking his head with a tut."Wouldn't want to make family breakfasts awkward now, would we?"
Maria blinked, her smile at Rebekah fading and she slowly turned to Klaus, her expression turning cold.
While she had come somewhat all right with Rebekah's company, she wasn't Klaus' anything. His sister hadn't killed her mother, so Maria had no bad blood with Rebekah despite her being related to Klaus. She still saw her mother's bloody corpse whenever she looked at him. Her somewhat friendship with his sister didn't change anything.
Maria's allegiance to him was for her brother; she wasn't Klaus' family.
The hybrid's smile slowly faded as Maria shook her head, quickly dimming the pleased mood he'd been in.
"Not your family."
The words weren't directed to Rebekah, they were directed to Klaus. They were a reminder that what he had taken from her, from her brother, would never be forgotten.
The hybrid's expression suddenly turned dark, and his fingers curled into a fist. He squeezed so tight that the pencil in his hand snapped and he cocked his head, letting his eyes flicker over Maria's face for a moment.
Rebekah watched them with an irked shake of her head."Bloody hell."
A growl came from the hybrid, it causing Maria's wolf to react and both their eyes flashed amber.
"What was that, love?"
Maria straightened, no fear to be sensed from her as she stared back at Klaus."I'm not your-"
Klaus suddenly shot up, the quick movement cutting her off and he let out a grim laugh. His expression turned dangerous, his lip curled up and his blue orbs turned almost black.
"Nik!"
"Funny that, isn't it? I seem to think quite different."
Maria met Klaus' gaze defiantly."I hate you."
"Nik, stop it!"
The hybrid was almost a blur as he moved swiftly, hand grabbing Maria's face in his, fingers digging into her cheeks. His grin returned as he observed her, focusing on her eyes before he shook his head.
"Hate and love, my Maria, are more alike than you think. Such passion behind them, the flame still burns."Klaus mumbled, gaze settling on her lips for a moment before he met her gaze, nose brushing hers as he leant closer."In the end, the scales remain in my favour."
Maria shoved the Original away from her with an enraged shout, ready to lunge for him but Rebekah held her still. Rebekah shook her head again, shoving Klaus back into his own seat and doing the same to Maria. Both growled angrily, the female wolf looking almost murderous as Klaus' complacent smirk remained.
"All right, let's hasten away from this very uncomfortable subject, shall we? Actually, you have no choice because I'm bored of this. The quicker we get to the bloody town, the quicker this is over, and I get to see my brothers again."
Rebekah looked back and forth at them rolling her eyes at the pair before she focused on Maria.
"The quicker you get to see your brother. All you have to do is keep to the plan."
"That okay with everyone?"Rebekah asked, raising an eyebrow when Klaus glared at her before he just rolled his eyes, returning to his sketchbook."All right. What is your plan, Nik?"
Klaus looked up, expression impassive, smile no longer.
"Plan?"
Maria's eye almost twitched but, remembering Rebekah's words, she just nodded.
"Mmm-hmm. Plan. You can't just expect to waltz into the town and demand-"Maria cut herself off as Klaus blankly stared at her, nodding to herself as she muttered."Of course, you can because you're you."
"If by that you mean a smug, egocentric megalomaniac then yes, darling, you are right."Rebekah smiled at Maria, a hint of kindness in her eyes that was quickly replaced with a cheeky look as she attempted to lighten the mood."Niklaus doesn't skirt around topics that involve him getting what he wants."
Maria gave a ghost of a smile and, apparently, that didn't sit well with Klaus because he tossed aside his sketchbook, it falling onto the seat beside him. He sat up straight, hands meeting in front of him and a manic look in his eyes.
"If Rebekah's suspicion is correct-"
"Which it is."Rebekah cut in with a nod, crossing her legs and casually glancing at her nails before she smiled at Maria."I'm rarely wrong."
"I hate to admit it, but she's right. She is also known to be quite rude."Klaus sent a sideways glare to his sister before he carried on."We'll have to test it out. I'll fetch the local wolf, spill a few drops of Elena's blood and with a quick snap of a neck we'll have our answer."
"If it works then ta-da, i'll have the solution and i'll able to sire my hybrids."Klaus twirled the pencil around his fingers, expression darkening as he added."If not..."
Rebekah and Klaus met eyes, the brother silently nodding.
Rebekah sent a sickly sweet smile to Maria, tone almost gleeful."If not we'll have to rip this town apart, including a few of the doppelganger's friends to find the solution."
Maria's eyes widened a little at the casual tone in Rebekah's tone, but she quickly hid it. She'd gotten used to the threat of murder being tossed around in such a blasé manner. She guessed being around for thousand years as well as being an Original did that to someone.
Maria only fought when she needed to, and she had taken more than a handful of lives during a full moon but, while never losing sleep over it, she had always felt guilt.
But when it came to survival and the heart it was everyone for themselves.
And, with her brother's life in Klaus' hand, Maria would put her humane feelings aside and focus on her wolf instincts. Her brother wasn't a wolf, but they shared blood. Therefore, he was her pack.
Fight for your family, fight for yourself and, while it was sorrowful, collateral damage happened.
"Maria?"
Maria gave a nod when they sent her a questioning look, silently telling them that she was ready to fight.
"Either way, we spill blood."
"Wake up!"
Stefan groaned as a harsh kick to his foot made his eyes snap open. The male vampire rubbed his neck, raising his head, frowning before he realised he was in the back of a truck. Coffins surrounded him, and he turned to see Klaus staring at him with a blank look.
"Look who decided to join the class."Klaus gave a fake smile before sitting down on top of a coffin, patting it fondly, smiling."Hope you don't mind being used a stool, little brother."
"Just give me a chance to explain myself, okay?"
When Klaus gave a sarcastic huff, Stefan shot up into a sitting position, holding out his hand defensively."Please. Just hear me out."
"No need."Klaus shook his head, seemingly at a loss."I'm not mad; I'm just curious and a little thankful."
Stefan frowned."T-Thankful? For what?"
"Thanks to you and your silly little plan, Maria now realizes that she can trust me."The Original's lips curved up once more."She knows me, and she knows that i'm a man of my word. That's why she picked my side and trusts her brother's head will remain on his shoulders."
"What?"Stefan frowned, wondering how long he'd been knocked out for trust to come into the equation."Trust?"
"Stefan, my old friend, i know my girl. Almost as well as she knows me. If she truly thought of me as a monster then she'd still be forging that idiotic plan with you."Klaus simply smiled with an amused laugh, leaning back against the side of the truck, a pensive expression on his face."We've got a long way to go but crazy or not, that kind of love never dies."
"And this...this foolish atrocity you were conjuring up comes down to love."The Original's smile faded, a bitter look on his face as he stared at his old friend."You conspiring against me, looking for a weakness and trying to make Maria a partner in it. Tell me, mate, was it for me trying to kill your girl or showing you who you truly are?"
Klaus quirked an eyebrow, voice dark and breathy."Rippah..."
When Stefan's eyes left him, Klaus nodded, giving a bitter laugh."I'll take that as a yes to the former. A girl for a girl, eh?"
Klaus shot forward, making Stefan jump slightly as the Original gave an almost proud smile.
"Rebekah seems to think our little problem with the hybrids is due to the fact your girl is alive."Klaus patted his knees, getting to his feet and ambling toward the other end of the back of the truck."The thing is, she's got flawless instincts, borderline supernatural."
Klaus reached down for the handle and opened up the back of the truck, smiling to himself as sunlight cracked through.
"So I thought I would check it out."
Stefan held his arm in front of his eyes as sunlight glared at him. He made his way forward, eyes growing wider as realization dawned on him.
"What? No..."
Klaus gestured to the quaint little town with an almost bitter smile before he turned back to the younger male.
"Welcome back to Mystic Falls, Stefan."
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