Chapter 10 - Leverage

ELIJAH'S POINT OF VIEW:

Fiona was just beginning to stir, so I went into the kitchen to make her my special hangover cure. I considered not allowing her any relief from the pounding headache she would inevitably awake with, but I couldn't find it within myself to be that unkind to her. I'd already made up my mind to punish her, and to my surprise she'd taken the news of that quite well. Her mood control was improving already, and I couldn't help but be proud of her. Furthermore, the surfeit of drinks she had were not entirely of her own accord. Klaus had been the one ordering round after round at the bar and encouraging such miscreant behavior. I couldn't punish Fiona for following her own father's example and acting as he did, could I? It wasn't her fault he wasn't a providential role model.

The amount of alcohol she'd consumed last night would not sit well with her system despite being a supernatural tribrid. She may have been able to function with most of her mental faculties, as intoxicated as she was, but physically her body would feel the full effects of last night's drinking episode. An ordinary human would've most likely died of alcohol consumption overdose if they'd had as much as Fiona did. She would certainly be needing my hangover cure. I'd made the elixir for Klaus in the past on more than one occasion and it had worked like a charm. The recipe was simple: Human blood mixed with chocolate almond milk, a dash of peppermint, and blended with fresh strawberries, served slightly colder than room temperature.

I poured a large glass of my special tonic and brought it into the bedroom where Fiona was beginning to wake. I stood at the foot of the bed, my expression a bit smug, and waited for Fiona to fully come to. I was enjoying this more than I probably should. Partly because it was comical that this was her first time experiencing the after effects of alcohol, and also partly because I was satisfied it was a natural consequence of her corybantic actions. A hangover was an adequate punishment for a wild night of rebellion in itself.

"Argh," she groaned, gripping the sides of her head in pain.

"Uh huh," I acknowledged, "there's the response I was waiting for."

"I think I'm going to be sick," Fiona croaked. "And my mouth is so dry I feel like I've been crawling through the desert."

"Well, Baby Girl, this is what's known as a 'hangover'."

"Oh my… I'm going to throw up!" she cried and raced off to the bathroom in a panic.

I calmly followed after her, the hangover cure in hand. In the few seconds it took to reach her, she had already positioned herself in front of the toilet. I got to her just in time to hold her hair out of the way as she vomited into the bowl. She retched so intensely her face turned red and a sheen of sweat broke out across her face. She spewed like a volcano for several minutes, barely getting a chance to breathe in between. After a bout of dry heaving, she pushed herself away from the toilet and leaned back into my arms, exhausted.

"My stomach aches," she whined. "I might actually die from this."

"Drink this, Little One," I said, wielding the glass filled with a suspicious liquid.

"What's that?" she asked, eyeing the glass warily.

"I like to call it the shouldn't-have-drunk-that-much-tequila-last-night cocktail."

"Elijah…"

"Oh? You get to jest and I don't?" I was having too much fun with this. "All right, it's my hangover cure concoction. It works quite well for your father after one of his drinking adventures, let's hope it does the same for you."

Fiona took the glass from me and smelled it to discover the ingredients. She looked surprised to not have sensed anything repulsive. She looked at me trepidatiously, hesitant to taste it.

"Drink up," I urged. "It will settle your stomach."

She took a swig and realized the tonic didn't taste foul at all. She downed the rest of the glass and looked to me for a refill. I obliged her and she sipped at the second glass much more slowly, savoring it. I could tell by her face that she was feeling better already. I offered my hand and helped her up off the floor. She clutched her glass into her chest as if it were a lifeline.

"Did I… say anything last night that I should apologize for? I don't remember much," she admitted sheepishly as we entered the bedroom.

"Let's see." I squinted. "You did in fact call me an uptight sourpuss."

She blushed. "Sorry."

"No you're not," I ridiculed. "I'm confident you've had that thought when you were completely abstemious."

"This is true, but I usually like that about you, just not when it's directed at me."

"I see my hangover cure is working for you," I acknowledged with a nod. "Tell me, do you remember our conversation from last night? Do you need any clarification on the terms of your punishment?"

"I remember, I was sobering up by then. That part's crystal clear," she said with a hint of disgruntlement in her voice.

"Splendid," I said jovially.

"Hey, what do you make of Klaus'… tolerance of me last night? We spent hours in close proximity and no blood was shed."

As unhappy as I was about all the activities Fiona partook in yesterday, I was pleased to discover that she and Klaus had spent time together and it hadn't become a bloodbath. It was far from the relationship I hoped they'd one day have, but at the very least they'd interacted. As far as my brother's perspective on their night together, I had absolutely no idea.

"I don't know what to make of that, honestly," I told her. "But I do believe it to be a good thing, certainly a step in the correct direction regarding your relationship. However, I do not condone the binge drinking."

"It was kind of a bonding experience, in a way," she said, a devilish smirk appearing on her face, the very same smirk that Niklaus often wore. "We have something in common after all."

They have more in common than they know. "I'm pleased you had a good time together," I finally said, knowing that was the answer she was after.

"Does that mean I'm not grounded?" she asked hopefully.

My lips curled into a small smile. "No, Sweetheart, you are definitely still grounded."

"Damn," she cursed.

"Language," I corrected.

Fiona rolled her eyes dramatically. I sighed, this girl was giving Niklaus a run for his money when it came to fiery tempers and insubordination. I was tasked with managing not only the villainously vengeful, ruthless, and petulant Niklaus Mikaelson, but also a recalcitrant mini-Klaus topped with rebellious teenage girl moodiness. It was no undertaking for the faint of heart, and I was fairly certain the both of them would be the death of me. And I wouldn't change it for the world; I loved them to pieces.

"I think I'm ready to go back to bed now," Fiona said.

"That sounds like a fine idea," I said, tucking her into bed. "If I'm not here when you wake up, go ahead and call me but remember that you cannot leave."

Fiona was sound asleep again, and her hangover would prevent her from having the ability or desire to get into trouble at least for a few hours, so I decided now was as good a time as any to check in with Niklaus. He, too, stayed at the Palace Royale, just down the hall from Fiona and mine's room. I rapped on the door with my knuckles and waited expectantly for him to answer.

Niklaus opened the door with a disappointed expression. "I thought you were room service."

I walked past him into the room. "I trust you've recovered from last night?"

"Sotally tober."

"Now there's a response I'd expect from your daughter." I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "The two of you are more alike than you know."

"If there's an objective to your visit Elijah, best get on with it," he said annoyedly.

"There is, actually. Have you uncovered anything about the witch you believe to be conspiring against you?" I asked.

"I wanted to revel in the city for one night so I haven't yet begun to question the witches, however I am thinking there is a greater constituent in which to place my interest. Our dear old friend, Marcellus," he said.

"Marcellus?" I inquired. "You haven't spoken of him in a century. You said Mikael had ended him…"

"It appears Marcel made it out of that quagmire alive. He was the host of the Masquerade Gala. He runs this city now," Niklaus informed me.

"I don't see how Marcel would be a more pressing concern than to verify the witch's conspiration against you as merely a rumor," I said.

"I'm not convinced the two aren't related," Klaus explained thoughtfully.

"You think Marcel is the one conspiring against you?" I questioned, doubting his thesis. "He's your former protege."

"This city was once our home. He now has control of it and obviously feels very secure as de facto leader. He has the French Quarter witches wrapped around his finger, he said so himself. I'm convinced he has the means to manipulate the witches into teaming up against me," my brother said, his face taut.

"What's the indication that he's the one plotting against you? What has he said?"

"Marcel has been nothing short of hospitable," Niklaus said.

"He has not threatened you then," I said. "Niklaus, is it possible this is just your paranoia setting in? What reason would Marcel have to become your enemy?"

"Are you aware our sister is back in town?" he asked.

I blinked. "Rebekah's here?"

"I've taken drastic measures to keep the duo apart in the past, that would serve as reason enough," he said flatly. "Not to mention that we didn't even bother to come back and attempt to retrieve his ashes after Father burnt this city to the ground. Or that we left him for dead in that theatre in the first place."

"If you must, follow your inkling on Marcel. I will look into the witches. For heaven's sake, don't do anything until you are certain Marcel is the culprit. Let's not be hasty," I suggested, putting a hand out to accentuate my caution.

"You know, I'd thought I'd made it clear I didn't want you to follow me here before I left Mystic Falls," Niklaus said annoyedly.

"I know, Brother, but we promised always and forever, and it's apparent whatever impending threats are not only of your concern. My original plan was to stay for a few days just to see what I could find out, but with both Fiona and Rebekah here, there's no reason for us to go back to Virginia, not when we are all faced with a threat that Fiona fears could be our final demise," I said.

"I still think that may just be a fabrication meant to instill paranoia," Niklaus said sardonically.

"Niklaus your paranoia stands regardless," I dismissed, adjusting the cuff of my suit's left sleeve.

"Are you sure you can handle the witches on your own?" Niklaus asked, ignoring my comment. "They aren't the most compliant folk."

"I will do what is necessary, Brother. I give you my word." I looked him in the eye until he gave a trusting nod.

The witches weren't hard to find in broad daylight. I knew they went into hiding to avoid Marcel's nightwalkers once the sun went down, but during the day they were either at their respective workplaces or the Lafayette Cemetery, which was within walking distance of the Quarter. The cemetery was the best chance of catching the witches responsible for conspiring against my brother; they'd want to keep a low profile, especially now that we, the Originals, had returned to town.

Before I'd taken five steps in the direction of the graveyard, I caught sight of a witch showing a group of tourists around the Quarter. I discreetly stalked her, noting that she was a very animated woman. She spoke about the city as if she were telling a suspenseful story. She led her group into a voodoo shop to browse before meeting my gaze and stepping back out on the sidewalk.

"Are you gonna continue following me, Elijah, or do you want to talk?" she asked, seemingly unthreatened by my presence.

"You know who I am," I stated.

"Original Vampire, always wears a suit… You and your family are famous amongst the witches, especially with your notorious brother back in town," she said.

"Niklaus is here because he learned a witch was conspiring against him. The witch in question is by the name of Jane-Anne Deveraux. You tell me where she is as well as provide the opportunity to speak with her, and I'll allow you to keep your life," I bargained.

Her mood darkened. "Well if you're looking for Jane-Anne, you're a little late."

It took a moment for me to realize what she meant. "Are you telling me she's dead?"

"Come with me; her sister Sophie's gonna wanna talk to you."

I walked with Sabine a few blocks to an abandoned, dead-end alley. She led me straight to Jane-Anne's corpse, which was sprawled out right on the street corner surrounded by numerous crestfallen witches. I was taken by the fact that I was staring at the body of the woman whom had informed Fiona she had a family strong enough to protect her. Jane-Anne was the reason my niece had found her way to me in Mystic Falls. I owed this woman everything.

Perched next Jane-Anne's head was a sullen young woman I presumed was the sister, Sophie. She had a slight resemblance to Fiona, but she was a distant descendant of Rowena, so only the bones of the DNA sequence had been passed down over the course of six hundred years. Fiona had indeed inherited mainly Niklaus' traits.

"That's Jane-Anne?" I inquired in disbelief. "Murdered in public for anyone to find."

"Only people who come around here are the witches," Sabine told me. "The witches have come to take her body back to the cemetery where we perform our rituals. Her spirit can't rest until her body has been properly consecrated."

I closed my eyes and exhaled. "Please tell me my brother had nothing to do with this," I said solemnly.

"No. Jane-Anne died because she got caught doing magic. Things have changed since your family left town. The vampire who runs the city forbade the witches of practicing magic," Sabine said.

Before I could respond, the whistling, whooping, and hollering of Marcel's minions alerted the group of witches, who began to glance around in fear.

"Elijah, please stay hidden. If Marcel finds out that a witch lured the Originals into town, my people will be slaughtered," Sabine rattled urgently. "Follow us to the cemetery once the vampires leave."

I watched from a secluded balcony as Marcel's army swarmed in, following none other than the leader himself. I was disgusted by their taunting of the witches in a sad time of grieving and vulnerability. I'd paid no attention to Marcel at last night's gala; I'd been completely focused on Fiona. I did not recognize Marcellus at all. I'd been listening to the entire confrontation, but my interest piqued when he asked Sophie why Niklaus had wanted to find Jane-Anne.

"I don't know," she responded. "Witches don't get involved in vampire business."

"I see," Marcel said. "That would be pretty stupid, that's for sure. Tell you what. Go back to the restaurant, cook up some of that famous gumbo, and keep the tourists happy." He turned to his men. "Take the body."

"No! Stop!" Sophie resisted. The witches were hesitant to fight back, and rightfully so.

"I'm gonna hold onto your sister's body in case, maybe, you remember why Klaus is here," Marcel said.

"Marcel, please!" Sophie begged. "Her body won't be at peace!"

"Not my problem," Marcel sang as he walked away, flanked by his savages.

Niklaus had wandered into a warzone, and Fiona, Rebekah, and I right along with him. Niklaus was indeed in danger; whatever was going on between Marcel and the witches was enough for them to lure an Original into town. I wanted to know why. I took a roundabout way to the cemetery and met Sabine and Sophie, who looked further devastated than before. She had my sympathy - her dear sister's body was gone - but I needed to know why she'd sought out my brother.

"Sophie… I'm Elijah. Have you heard of me?" I asked.

She looked at me with a healthy amount of fear. "Yes."

"Then tell me what business you have with my brother," I demanded. "Start talking. Now."

"You're a sensitive guy," Sophie said sarcastically.

"It's apparent Jane-Anne was loved by your people, but just as you would have done anything to protect your sibling, I must do the same for mine," I said.

"It was Marcel Gerard who killed her, which brings me to the reason we've enticed your powerful brother back to New Orleans," Sophie said, pausing.

"By all means, don't beat about the bush," I prompted impatiently.

"This city belongs to the witches, we are the ones who are supposed to control this town. We need your brother to help us regain possession of the Quarter," Sophie explained.

"It should come as no surprise to you that my infamously monstrous brother is not of the humanitarian type. You'd be nothing more than a pathetic charity case to him."

Sophie smirked and looked up at me with red, swollen, grief-stricken eyes, an odd combination of confidence and devastation. "We'll see about that."

I tilted my head to the side. "Is that a threat?"

"I need to get back to work, and it's time for you to leave," Sophie said.

I stared her down. I needed to go back to the hotel and check on Fiona anyway, but it was obvious that this brewing quarrel was going to get worse before it got better.

"This isn't over."

"Certainly isn't," Sophie agreed.

FIONA'S POINT OF VIEW:

It was early afternoon when I woke up again. The headache and sickness were nonexistent, but I still felt pretty tired. I walked stiffly over to the balcony doors and pulled open the drapes, allowing the sunlight to fill the room. I unlocked the french doors and opened those up too to let the fresh air in. Elijah had said I was confined to the four walls of the hotel room, and I wondered if that meant sitting out on the balcony was off limits. Deciding I could validly argue it as a gray-area later if I had to, I stepped out of the room and rested my elbows on the railing, lowering my chin into the support of my hands. The gentle breeze blew tendrils of my hair around my face, and I let out a long sigh as I watched the street below. I wanted to be down there with all the people, part of the action, not stuck here like a princess in a tower.

I hated being grounded, but I wasn't about to disobey Elijah again. I'd gone too far, and I knew I deserved this. That didn't mean I had to like it. I would cooperate though and hopefully my good behavior would shorten my sentence. Elijah was a reasonable man; I knew he would only keep me detained as long as he saw necessary. Also because he loves me, it was hard for him to see me unhappy.

A knock sounded at the door, interrupting my brooding. Elijah had a key to the room, it obviously wasn't him who was knocking. I slowly tiptoed over to the door and peered through the peephole.

"Rebekah," I greeted in surprise as I opened the door. "Hi! What are you doing here? I thought you were staying in Mystic Falls."

She shrugged. "I didn't want to be left out of the action. You and Elijah are both here, so what's the point of me being in that podunk town alone?"

"We really aren't going home…" I realized.

"So Elijah tells me you're in the doghouse for rebellious behavior and partying too hard last night," Rebekah said as she strode into the room.

"Yeah, he's being super strict with me all of the sudden," I said.

"I can't say that I blame him," Rebekah said. "You have been a hellraiser lately."

"Are those for me?" I asked, noticing the numerous shopping bags she carried.

"Yes. I thought I'd buy you some clothes of your own so you don't have to kill any more vampires," Rebekah said. "I went a little overboard, but I figured you'd appreciate some variety, put together a few outfits while you're grounded. I hope everything I got fits your style."

I began pawing through the bags and smiled at her. "Thank you, Rebekah. You didn't have to do this."

"Us girls have got to have each other's backs, right?" She smiled.

I smiled back. "Can you hangout with me while Elijah attends to his business?"

"I'm afraid I have business of my own as well. I'd invite you to tag along if you weren't banned from the outside world," she said. "I mean, you could come anyway; you're not exactly a stranger about defying Elijah."

"It's tempting, I haven't even been grounded a day and I'm already suffering from boredom, but I don't want to disobey Elijah again. I'd only be making circumstances worse for myself," I said glumly.

"Keep up that attitude and Elijah will lift the embargo by the end of the week," she encouraged optimistically.

"Let's hope," I said as I gave her a hug.

Rebekah left and I was alone once again. I loathed being trapped in here, loathed being unable to run around the city with my family and know about the "business" they kept referring to. I wanted to help with whatever mission they were on. The words Elijah had spoke about not trusting me anymore echoed in my mind, and I wondered if that was why I wasn't let in on what we were really doing in this city. Did he not trust me with that information? I teared up at the thought of having permanently lost Elijah's trust. Surely he would trust me again… right?

In effort to fight the sadness and worry that was bubbling up inside me, I started to try on the clothes Rebekah had purchased for me. I tried on outfit after outfit, posing in the mirror for each one, examining it from every angle. The distraction worked for a little while, but my brain was really good at thinking about everything all at once. Fortunately, before the emotions were in full swing, I heard a keycard slide into the lock mechanism, and Elijah let himself into the hotel room.

"Fiona?" he asked concernedly, taking in my harrowed expression.

"I need a hug!" I cried, throwing my arms around his torso.

"Okay," he said, his brow furrowing as he wrapped his arms around me, one hand on my back and the other grasping the back of my head. "Okay."

My bottom lip was quivering and I was on the verge of tears. I took several deep breaths which helped me to calm down a bit. Elijah held me tightly, just like I needed him to. He didn't ask questions or push me to get it together; he just held me. The few minutes in his arms allowed me to refocus and get my emotions under control. I closed my eyes and concentrated on slowing my breathing.

"Do you wish to discuss what is troubling you?" Elijah asked gently.

"No," I said. "I just needed to have a moment."

"All right, Sweetheart. You know I'm here for you, whatever and whenever you need," Elijah reminded.

"Thank you," I said before pulling away.

"Goodness, Fiona, if it weren't for my immortality I'd worry about breaking my neck trying to walk into this room," Elijah said, shuffling through the ankle-deep sea of clothing on the floor.

"I'm so bored, Elijah, and Rebekah just bought me a ton of clothes, I've been trying them all on," I explained.

"I'm not sure what's more disturbing… the mess itself or the fact that I'm standing on a five thousand dollar blouse."

"Says the guy wearing a thirteen thousand dollar suit," I pointed out, rolling my eyes.

"Well, I still have an errand left, but I came to check on you, and I want to applaud you for being compliant with your punishment. You are demonstrating maturity which puts us on the right path," Elijah said. "Now be sure to have this cleaned up by the time I get back."

"Ordo generis, ordo generis, ordo generis," I chanted continually, waving my hand in a smooth circle, causing the clothes to whirl into the air like a cyclone before shooting off in various directions and landing - perfectly folded - in the dresser drawers.

"That's a neat trick, but remember you are forbidden from practicing magic…"

"Or what, you'll give me a spanking?" I sassed. I squeezed my eyes shut, realizing that was a remark I should've kept to myself. Shoot, I really have to work on that.

"Just when I thought we were getting somewhere with improving the attitude," Elijah muttered.

"Sorry," I squeaked. "That was impertinent. I know the rules."

Elijah pursed his lips. "Don't test me on this, Fiona."

"Yes, Sir."

Not two minutes after he left, there was a knock at the door again. Elijah must've forgotten to lecture me on something else. Without bothering to look through the peephole, I pulled open the door with attitude, ready to hit my uncle with a smart aleck quip, but it wasn't Elijah behind the door, it was a group of people I didn't recognize.

"I think you guys might have the wrong room," I said awkwardly.

"Are you Fiona Mikaelson?" one of the women asked. She strangely resembled my mother, same eyes, same facial structure, same hair. Weird.

"Yes," I affirmed. "But who are you?"

My question was replied to with sudden, perfervid witchy chanting. The group of witches poured into the room, closing in on me as they chanted. I had no idea what spells they were doing, and I didn't want to find out. I pushed my hands out in front of me and tried to release a fierce surge of magic to fight back, a surge strong enough to blow them into next week, but barely any magic radiated from my fingertips. I was weak, extremely weak. I bared my fangs and attempted to lunge at them, but they'd enacted a boundary spell so it was like running headfirst into a wall. They moved in and grabbed me, and I learned they'd weakened me physically as well. I fought against them to no avail, and eventually blacked out due to exertion.

I came to in a dark, unfamiliar place. It smelled of herbs and incense that only a witch would use. I was in a dusty, dirty tomb that appeared to be unblocked at the front, but I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that I was trapped by a boundary spell. I could sense it. The crypt was dimly lit by candlelight and there was no foreseeable way out. I was alone at the moment so I figured now was a good opportunity to try to break the boundary spell. I placed my hands against the barrier, intending to overpower it, but I could hardly feel my magic at all. These witches had to have some insane power on their side to be able to subdue me… Either that or my power was being jeopardized at the source…

This was New Orleans, home to the burial ground of generations upon generations of thousands of witches. My magic was partly ancestral, so maybe the ancestors were able to control my magic because I was in their territory. My ancestors were buried here, my own mother's magic manifested here, which meant somehow these witches had gotten their hands on her body and consecrated her. In order for them to have know she'd died, they would've had to know her. Who were the New Orleans witches? Was my mother one of them? Was I? What did they want with me?

"Where is she?" I heard my uncle demand in the distance.

"I'm here!" I screamed, banging my hand against the wall of the crypt.

In a moment Elijah appeared in front of me. He hit the magical barrier with a force that sent him flying back into the opposite wall. Apparently the even brute force of an Original Vampire wasn't strong enough to break through the spell.

"Elijah, I can't get out. I'm trapped by a spell! You have to convince her to undo it!" I said in a panicked voice. "I can't fight the magic of the ancestors, not when Sophie has their blessing to hinder my power."

Sophie stood behind him, smugly aware she was about to get to make her pitch, whatever it was she was after. Elijah turned to her, infuriated. "I suggest you start talking. What did your sister want with my brother?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Sophie began. "We have a vampire problem, and we need help. The witches aren't strong enough to fight Marcel's army alone. We've tried, but haven't had much luck. That is, until Jane-Anne returned from a trip to Romania, the place our immortal witch ancestor, Rowena, told her to go and find her daughter, the girl we've managed to capture. She has a special connection to your brother. Turns out Fiona is Klaus' daughter. I'll be honest; we've taken her as leverage."

"Elijah…" I cried to him again from my cage.

My uncle looked to me, then back to Sophie. "Give us a moment."

She granted his wish, and Elijah rushed back over to me. I put my hand out against the barrier, and Elijah placed his against the other side. Our hands were only a centimeter away from each other, but it wasn't as comforting as when we were actually touching. Tears ran down my face.

"It's okay, Sweetheart, I'm right here," Elijah said soothingly.

"Why have they taken me as leverage? Klaus doesn't give a crap about me," I sobbed. "I'm sure if they asked he'd happily kill Marcel for them, you know, glorious murder and all."

"I'm afraid it's a bit more complicated than that; Marcel and Niklaus have a history of friendship," my uncle informed me.

"Doesn't Klaus find screwing his friends over fun? Seems like the kind of thing he'd do, if nothing other than as a means of entertainment," I said. I was babbling now, trying to distract myself from my current situation.

"How have they been holding you here against your will?" Elijah asked gently.

"They cornered me in the hotel room and grabbed me. I think the ancestors wanted them to take me because when I went to fight back, my magic barely worked. They brought me here and cast all these spells, weakening me even more. I've tried everything, Elijah, but the ancestors just don't want me freed," I explained.

"I will find a way to get you out of here. You have my word," Elijah promised.

"All right, your moment's up," Sophie said, entering the room.

"What precisely is it that you want and what does it have to do with Fiona?" Elijah asked.

"We want to run Marcel and his vampires out of town. We are fed up with his rule and want our freedom back, our freedom to practice witchcraft. Klaus is the key. Everything Marcel knows about being a vampire he learned from Klaus. Marcel trusts him and looks up to him; he won't see the betrayal coming," Sophie said.

"As I'm sure you're aware, my brother does not like to be told what to do," Elijah said.

"That's why I brought you here. Marcel drove the werewolves out decades ago, got control of the witches, and by default gained the respect and loyalty of the vampires. Do you really think he would tolerate a powerful, unstoppable tribrid teenager in his precious city? It would be unfortunate for a rumor to spread about her intention to overthrow him. I wonder what Marcel would make of that. Convince Klaus to help us, and no one has to know about the newest member of the Original family," Sophie said, glancing at me.

"That sounds remarkably like blackmail," Elijah said. "At the expense of a child, no less."

"I'm desperate," Sophie said.

"Well then," he grimaced. "I have my work cut out for me, don't I?"

"What's it gonna be Elijah?"

"I need to have a word with my brother," he said.

"Fine, but his daughter stays here until then," Sophie said.

"Elijah!" I cried out. "Please, don't leave me. That dastardly witch has weakened my magic, I can't defend myself."

"It's okay, Sweetness, I'll be right back."

I sobbed as Elijah disappeared from my view. I was alone. Again.

KLAUS' POINT OF VIEW:

I'd spent the day tracking Marcel, watching from a distance as he played king of the city. It was quite the smooth operation he had running here. I stood on my hotel room's balcony and watched as the sunlight was replaced by moonlight. The energetic nightlife emerged once more, and I made a game of identifying Marcel's nightwalkers from the rest of the crowd.

"Evening Elijah," I greeted, annoyed as I heard him approach.

"Niklaus," he acknowledged. His tone told me he wanted something. "Come with me."

"I'm not going anywhere," I insisted. "Not until I find out who's conspiring against me."

"I believe I've found that out for you," he said.

Now I was listening. "Do tell."

"There's no time, my brother, we need to get to the cemetery immediately. I'll explain what I can on the way, but you'll know the whole story as soon as you see it," Elijah said. It was true, I had a knack for figuring out just what the situation was when I walked into it.

Elijah had given me the basic rundown, which was all he had time for because we arrived at the cemetery in a matter of minutes. He barged right it, making his way straight to the woman he'd told me was Sophie Deveraux, sister of the witch responsible for drawing my attention. Then there was also the minor detail of Fiona, who was held hostage in the corner of the crypt. The bottom line was my noble brother wanted his precious little ward back, and he needed my help in doing so.

"What is this?" I asked of the witch.

"Help us remove Marcel from his throne and Fiona will be all yours," Sophie summarized.

"I don't have to take what is already mine," I said callously.

"My sister gave her life to locate Fiona and perform the spell to confirm she was actually your daughter. Because of Jane-Anne's sacrifice, your daughter's life is now controlled by us. We can keep her safe, or we can kill her," the Deveraux witch threatened. "If you don't help us take down Marcel, so help me, Fiona won't live to see Christmas."

I looked over at the pathetic child as she clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle a fearful cry. "What?" she squeaked.

"Enough of this!" Elijah interjected angrily. "If you want Marcel dead, he's dead, I'll do it myself."

"No!" Sophie said. "We can't yet. We have a clear plan that we need to follow and there are rules."

I became furious. I slowly turned to face her, my hands clenched into fists. "How dare you command me," I spit. "Threaten me! This is pathetic!"

"Niklaus!" Elijah shouted to stop me before I could get going.

My voice lowered. "Kill her. What do I care?"

Sophie looked to my brother. "I guess that's my answer." She then looked to Fiona, intending to fulfill her threat.

"No one touches the girl," Elijah ordered, putting a hand in front of Sophie. "I will fix this." He turned to me. "Niklaus, let's go."

Elijah led me out into the street. I shoved past him and began to walk briskly away, blindsided and offended by that damn witch's attempt to blackmail me. I was prepared to go into the busy part of town and murder anyone who so much as looked in my direction. My blood was boiling.

"Niklaus." Elijah flashed in front of me, stopping me.

"Fiona is a pest," I grumbled angrily. "Wretched vermin."

"No brother, she is a gift. She's your chance, she's our chance."

"To what?"

"To start over, take back everything we lost, everything that was taken from us. Niklaus, our own parents came to despise us. Our family was ruined, we were ruined. Since then all you, all we have ever wanted was a family," Elijah said.

"I will not be manipulated," I said through my teeth.

"So they're manipulating you, so what? With them, your child lives," he said.

I got in his face and smiled as a spoke. "I'm gonna kill every last one of them. Fiona included."

"And then what? You return to Mystic Falls and resume your miserable life as the hated one, as the evil hybrid? Is it so important to you that people quake with fear at the sound of your name? That your own daughter fears you as you did our father?"

"People quake with fear because I have the power to make them afraid," I said. "What could the weak little guttersnipe offer me? Will she guarantee me power?"

"Family is power, Niklaus," Elijah said, the same words he'd spoken when Fiona had first arrived. "Love, loyalty - that's power. This is what we swore to one another a thousand years ago, before life tore away what little humanity you had left, before ego, before anger, before paranoia, created in this person before me someone I can barely even recognize as my own brother."

I didn't have a response to that, so I kept silent.

"This is us," he continued more softly. "The Original Family. We remain together, always and forever. I will help you, I will stand by you, I will be your brother. We will build a home here together… Save that girl, save your child."

Elijah exuded pure joy at the thought of one big happy family, always and forever. It was nauseating. I intentionally softened my face to give him false hope, firmly clapped my brother on the shoulder, and looked him straight in the eye.

"No," I declared flatly. I stomped off without looking back or thinking twice.

FIONA'S POINT OF VIEW:

As I anxiously waited for my knight in shining Armani to return, I listened to the witches' conversation. At first it was just Sophie nearby, but now I could hear she had been joined by many others, including an elder named Agnes.

"Marcel and his vampires are out of control, something had to be done," Sophie explained to her superior.

"And the solution is to bring in more vampires?" Agnes questioned.

"These aren't just any vampires, Agnes. They're the Originals," someone on Sophie's team who'd helped capture me supported.

"What makes you think you can control the hybrid?" Agnes interrogated further.

"She can't. I'm not entirely certain that I can either." I breathed - Elijah. "But now that your coven has drawn his ire, I have a question: What prevents my brother from murdering you instead of cooperating?"

Sophie brought Elijah over by me. She grabbed a needle, brandished it to him and the onlooking witches, and stabbed her palm.

"Ow!" I shrieked, clutching my own palm. I stared at it for a second before flipping it over to show Elijah. "What the hell?"

"The spell my sister performed before she died didn't just confirm Fiona's lineage. It linked me to her, so anything that happens to me, happens to Klaus' daughter," Sophie enlightened.

"Fan-freaking-tastic," I muttered.

"Klaus may not care about his own child, but it's very clear what she means to you," Sophie said to Elijah. "If I have to hurt Fiona, or worse, to ensure I have your attention, I will."

He advanced on her. "You would dare threaten an Original?"

"I have nothing to lose," Sophie said. If that was true, that made her more dangerous than any of us.

"Fiona may be the daughter of Niklaus Mikaelson, but she is also the daughter of Rowena Deveraux, which means she's your blood too," Elijah reminded her.

"I've got all the family I need right here," Sophie said, gesturing to the surrounding witches. "If killing her - and myself - is what it takes to save them from Marcel's suppressing rule, I won't think twice."

"If you want my help in taking control from Marcel I'll give it to you, you don't have to blackmail me," Elijah said.

"Again, it's Klaus we need. Fiona may not serve as leverage over Klaus, but she's obviously motivation enough for you to try a little harder to convince Klaus to align with us. You have until midnight to change Klaus' mind," Sophie decided.

Elijah strolled over to me and knelt down to my level, getting as close as he could with the boundary in the way. He motioned for me to move closer, and began to speak in a voice so quiet and low that the witches couldn't hear.

"I need you to be brave, Sweetheart. You are a Mikaelson, daughter of the strongest in the world. No matter what happens, no matter how weak you feel, know you are strong enough to overcome it and fight like hell. Turn the witches to stone, make them disappear into thin air, do whatever you have to in order to get away. You owe them nothing. I will do absolutely everything to come back here with a solution before midnight, but if I don't make it in time, you stall as long as you possibly can, as long as it takes for you to find your strength."

"What's the point?" I whispered, crying. "Niklaus hates me and wants me dead. I'd rather be killed by Sophie than by him."

"You listen to me, Fiona Nikol Mikaelson. What Niklaus thinks of you is irrelevant. He is not your identity, you know that you are a force to be reckoned with. You know that you have the potential to be stronger than him. The point is fight so you can have the chance to live the life you want, to be who you want, to reclaim your name. To be Klaus' better, to thrive by your own devices. There is love and joy to be found in this world, I speak from experience because mine is right here before me. Don't give in, you hear me? You find the will to live and you fight, got it?"

My tears were a river now, and I looked at Elijah to see that his eyes were wet too. One single tear dripped from his eye. I'd never seen Elijah cry before, and witnessing it now made me sob even harder. I nodded through my tears and made deliberate eye contact. My voice came out as a choked, gasping whisper.

"I promise, always and forever."

A/N: Hello readers! I am so sorry it's been a while since I've updated. I won't bore you with excuses. Let's just jump right into talking about the chapter! What did y'all think? I personally loved writing that ending moment with Fiona and Elijah. I know a lot has happened in this chapter, so let me know your thoughts on what happened in the beginning too, starting with Elijah curing Fiona of her first hangover, their conversations. I would love to hear your thoughts about every scene, but obviously that would be a bit much so whatever time you are willing to dedicate to writing a review would be much appreciated! I want to thank those who reviewed previously and thank everyone for reading. Please forgive any editing errors, hit those favorite and follow buttons, share this story with a friend, and leave a review as you feel moved. This story is only 10 chapters long so far and is already getting some crazy love from y'all. Don't forget to check out my fan fiction Twitter account: ActressCeCe13 where I post pictures and tweet corresponding songs and other things for this story. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart and I hope to hear from you and see you next chapter! :)