I do not own Arrow or The Originals
As she opened her eyes and gasped, Laurel could not understand what was happening. She didn't know what happened to her. The last thing she remembered was trying to save Rebekah from a vampire that attacked her, but was attacked instead. After that, Laurel wasn't sure what happened after.
Laurel slowly got up from the floor and she noticed Rebekah, who was covered in blood and staring at her.
"Rebekah, what happened?" Laurel asked.
Rebekah said nothing as she continued to look at Laurel.
Before Laurel could ask again, she noticed the blood on her clothes as well. "Why am I covered in blood? Rebekah, what happened?"
"We need to go back to the lair," Rebekah said. "I have call everyone and tell them to meet there. I'll explain when everyone's present."
Rebekah then stood up and took Laurel's hand. "Come on. We need to get you cleaned up first."
Rebekah and Laurel were waiting in silence at the lair. While waiting for the others to arrive, Laurel kept asking Rebekah what happened back at her apartment, but Rebekah did not answer any of her questions. Eventually, Oliver, Diggle, Felicity, and Roy had arrived in the lair.
"We all got here as fast as we could," Diggle said.
"What was with the weird message?" Roy asked.
"Yeah," Felicity said. "'Head to the lair immediately! We need to talk!' Sounds really cryptic."
"Rebekah, Laurel, what's gong on?" Oliver asked.
"I don't know," Laurel said. "Rebekah wouldn't say anything until you were all here."
"And now you are," Rebekah said. "I need you all to sit down."
They all did as she said, wondering what this was all about.
"Earlier, when I was at Laurel's place, one of the vampires that escaped attacked me," Rebekah said.
Oliver and the rest were surprised by this and kept listening.
"Laurel saw me being attacked and tried to help me," Rebekah continued, though her voice was now shaky. "Instead the vampire, ripped her throat.
Everyone's eyes widened in shock, but none more than Laurel's, whose expression was one of horror.
"But she's fine," Diggle said. "You healed her with your blood right?"
Rebekah shook her head. "It was too late. I couldn't give her my blood in time." Rebekah faced Laurel, her eyes full of tears. "I'm sorry, Laurel, but you died."
"No, that impossible," Oliver said. "She's standing right here with us. She can't be dead."
"There's something you need to know," Rebekah said. "Vampire blood can heal injuries, but if you die with vampire blood in still in your system, you come back in transition."
"Transition into what?" Laurel asked, dreading to know the answer."
"Into a vampire," Rebekah answered.
Everyone was silent at what Rebekah said.
Laurel collapsed to the floor. "No, this can't be happening. I can't become a vampire!"
Rebekah approached Laurel. "Laurel you need to come down. You're not a vampire yet. You're still in transition."
"There has to be a way to fix this," Roy said. "I mean, isn't there a way to reverse what happened?"
"No there isn't," Rebekah said to them. "Once someone is in transition, there are only two things that can be done. You feed on human blood to complete the transition or you don't feed and die."
"No!" Laurel screamed. She then got up from the floor and tried to leave the lair. Oliver quickly grabbed Laurel by her arm.
"Laurel, I don't think you should leave right now," Oliver said.
"I died Oliver," Laurel shouted at him angrily. "You don't know what I'm feeling!"
Laurel then shoved Oliver with all her might, and the push knocked him across the room.
Laurel, as well as everyone else, was shocked by the unnatural strength that Laurel displayed. Distressed, Laurel ran out the door as fast as she could.
Diggle and Roy hurried to Oliver and helped him back up.
"Okay, what the hell was that?" Felicity asked. "Since when could Laurel throw people across the room."
"It's because she's in transition," Rebekah explained. "Even though she's not a vampire, she at least stronger than a regular human."
"We need to find her," Oliver said.
"Oliver's right," Rebekah agreed. "At this state, Laurel is still confused and erratic. She could get herself or others hurt."
"Alright," Oliver said. "Roy and I will hit the streets and try to look for her. Felicity, I want you to try to trace Laurel through her phone and look through the cameras in the city."
Roy and Felicity nodded.
"What about me and Diggle?" Rebekah asked.
"Diggle is bringing you to A.R.G.U.S.," Oliver said. "I need you to speak with Elijah."
"What! Why?" Rebekah did not understand why Oliver wanted her to speak with her brother.
"I need you to ask him if there is any possible way to stop Laurel from dying without having to become a vampire."
"Oliver, I told you, there is no other way for Laurel to live unless she completes the transition," Rebekah said.
"Your family has lived over centuries and you're telling me none of you have ever heard of a way to reverse reverse a transitioning," Oliver said.
"Oliver." Rebekah wanted to object to Oliver's absurd request.
"Rebekah, please," Oliver pleaded. "I need you to try and find a way out of this. Laurel can't become a vampire. She won't be able to live like that. So please, I need you to try and find a way."
Rebekah could hear the pleading tone in Oliver's voice, that he was grasping on the possibility for a third option. She sighed. "I'll see what I can ask him."
"Thank you," Oliver said. He and Roy soon headed out, while Felicity went to the computers.
Rebekah then turned to Diggle. "So, where do I see my brother?"
After getting the information from Lyla, Diggle told Rebekah that Elijah was being kept in a secure A.R.G.U.S. prison in Starling City. When they arrived at the location, they both waited as the A.R.G.U.S. agents in prison were allowing them access.
"Once we get in, I need to speak to my brother alone," Rebekah told Diggle.
"You don't need to tell me. I don't want to get in the middle of you two siblings," Diggle said.
The agents soon allowed them to enter. Diggle waited outside, signaling Rebekah good luck.
Rebekah nodded as she entered. Once she entered the room, she saw her imprisoned brother.
Rebekah had to hand it to A.R.G.U.S., they don't hold back in their prisons. Elijah was encased in a metal containment device, with only his head visible. She could see tubes in the container pumping in a fluid, most probably vervain. She also could see Elijah's face was pale and grey, meaning that they haven't been feeding him.
After seeing his imprisonment, Rebekah decided to get his attention. "Elijah! Wake up!"
Elijah slowly opened his eyes. "Must you shout Rebekah? My hearing is perfectly fine."
"I see you're getting the grand treatment," Rebekah said, referring to his restraints.
"What do you want Rebekah?" Elijah asked. "You clearly did not come here for a chat about my accommodations."
"Fine, straight to the point then," Rebekah said. "I need to know if there's a way to stop someone from completing transition without dying."
Elijah gave a weak laugh. "What kind of ludicrous question is that? You know as well as I do that there is no way to restore someone back once they are in transition."
"But you must have heard of a way to reverse the process," Rebekah insisted.
Elijah was silent. "Why are you asking me these ridiculous questions?"
Rebekah sighed. She knew he would have to tell him. "One of my friends died with vampire blood in her system."
"I'm sorry for loss," Elijah said.
"Save your sympathy," Rebekah said angrily. "She died because one of the vampire you brought into this city attacked and killed her."
"We were only here because of you," Elijah said. "You insisted to continue staying in this city and these are the consequences of your decision."
If he wasn't already imprisoned, Rebekah would have struck him right in his face. "I want you to tell me if there's a way to save my friend!"
"You are looking for something that does not exist," Elijah said. "Even if there were such a way, you do not have the time to find one. Your friend only has 24-hours to complete the transition or she will die."
Rebekah was silent at Elijah's words. She soon turned around and decided to leave, seeing that there was nothing to get from this. She hoped that Oliver has had better luck at his end.
After getting no information from Felicity of Laurel's location, Oliver decided to check the places that she would go. Oliver arrived at Police Station and looked for Quentin.
When he saw Quentin, Oliver got his attention. "Captain Lance!"
"Hey," Quentin said as he saw Oliver. "What are you doing here?"
"I was just wondering if Laurel came by here," Oliver said.
"Why are you looking for her?" Quentin asked.
"No reason, just wanting to check on her," Oliver said, not wanting Quentin to be suspicious.
"Well, she hasn't come by today," Quentin said.
"Thank you," Oliver said. "If you see her, can you call me first."
"Sure," Quentin said, a tone of suspicion in his voice.
As Oliver left the station, frustrated. He had no idea where else to look for Laurel. He then received a phone call.
Oliver checked his phone and saw it was Thea calling. Oliver was hesitant to answer the call. He and Thea still haven't talked since he found out that she was in contact with Malcolm. Nevertheless, Oliver answered the phone.
"Thea," Oliver said. "What is it?"
"Hey, I know that we haven't had the best track record in honestly recently, but I think you should come over to the loft right now," Thea said.
"Thea, I don't have time to talk right now," Oliver said. "I'm looking for Laurel."
"That's why I called," Thea said. "Laurel showed up here suddenly. She doesn't look god."
"Thea, don't let her leave. I'm on my way." Oliver ended his call and hurried back to the loft. He needed to get back there before Laurel did something stupid.
As Oliver hung up, Thea turned her attention back to Laurel.
Thea was surprised when Laurel showed up on her doorstep. When she did, Thea was shocked to see the state Laurel was in. She looked weak and tired. Thea immediately let her in and had her rest.
"Are you feeling any better?" Thea asked.
"Not really," Laurel said, her voice still weak.
"What happened to you exactly?" Thea asked.
"Just having a really bad cold I guess," Laurel said.
"I'll get you a glass of water," Thea said.
As Thea got the glass, Laurel began rubbing the temples of head, feeling another headache. Ever since she ran out of the lair, Laurel felt that she was slowly getting worse. Everything around her caused her pain. When she was in the sunlight, she felt uncomfortable and her eyes hurt when she was in the sun. The worse part was a growing hunger in her that wouldn't go away.
Laurel put those thoughts on hold as Thea came back with a glass of water.
"Here," Thea said, handing her the glass.
"Thanks." Laurel got the glass, but a another headache came to her and she dropped the glass.
"I'm sorry," Laurel said.
"It's alright," Thea said. She began picking up the broken shards. While doing so, she accidentally cut herself.
Laurel tried to help Thea with her cut, but as she did, she got some of the blood on her fingertips. Once that happened, Laurel began feeling the hunger in her intensify. She had the sudden urge to taste the blood on her fingers.
Before she could do anything else, there was a knock on the door, snapping Laurel out of her trance. Thea headed to the door and opened it, with Oliver quickly stepping in.
"Oliver," Laurel said.
"Thea," Oliver said. "Could you give us a few minutes to talk?"
Thea could see the tension between Oliver and Laurel. "I think I should go out for a while." She then went out of the loft.
"What do you want, Oliver," Laurel said.
"I want you to come back to the lair so we can figure this out," Oliver said.
"Figure what out!" Laurel shouted. "I died and I'm stuck with the choice of dying permanently or becoming a bloodsucking vampire."
"We can find another way," Oliver said. "Rebekah is looking for a way to reverse what happened. There has to be something."
"Actually, there isn't."
Oliver and Laurel turned to see Rebekah outside the door.
"What?" Oliver said.
"I went to see my brother like you said and he said the same thing I told you," Rebekah said.
"No," Oliver said. "That can't be it. There has to be a way."
"Oliver I've tried looking for a way," Rebekah said. "I was even desperate to call a witch acquaintance I knew, but apparently she's lost her magic, so we have no help there."
"Then we find something else," Oliver said.
"Oliver that's enough!" Laurel shouted. She had finally spoken up after hearing Oliver and Rebekah argued. "There's no other way."
"Laurel," Oliver began, but Rebekah put her hand on Oliver's shoulder and shook her head, signaling him not to speak.
"You know your options Laurel," Rebekah said. "Whatever you want to do next, it's up to you."
Laurel was silent. The decision was now up to her. And she had no idea what to choose.
"How much time do I have before I need to make a decision?" Laurel asked.
"Those under transition have within twenty-four hours to consume blood to complete the process. If you choose not to, then you will die," Rebekah explained.
Laurel nodded, understanding the explanation. "I need some time alone. To think about this."
She then headed out the door. As she did, she looked to Oliver. "I'll call you when I make a decision." She then left the loft, leaving Oliver and Rebekah disappointed at their failure.
Oliver and Rebekah returned to the lair, where Roy, Diggle, and Felicity were waiting for them. They both informed them about what happened and Laurel wanting time to think.
"That's a very difficult decision to make," Diggle said.
"More like messed up," Roy said. "It's like a lose-lose situation here."
"I don't think I would know what to decide," Felicity said.
"It doesn't matter," Oliver said. "What matters is whatever Laurel's decision is regarding this, we have to accept it, regardless of what it is."
Everyone agreed to what Oliver said, but they were still worried for Laurel.
After she left, Laurel went to think on her own like she planned. The only problem was that she felt that she was getting worse. She needed to go someplace away from the sun and think clearly. As Laurel was thinking of where she should go, she accidentally bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry," Laurel said. When she saw who bumped, Laurel recognized him as the new CEO of Queen Industries, Andrew Bennett.
"No need for apologies," Andrew said. "No harm was done."
"I know you," Laurel said. "You're Andrew Bennett."
"I'm surprised to see that my reputation precedes me," Andrew said, grinning.
"Actually, we have a mutual acquaintance," Laurel said. "Oliver Queen."
"You know Mr. Queen?" Andrew said. "I should say that it's a small world."
"I guess it is," Laurel said. She then got another headache and almost collapsed. Andrew quickly caught her.
"Are you alright?" Andrew asked.
"Not really," Laurel admitted. "The sun's just making me feel dizzy."
"We should get you out of it then," Andrew said. "I think I can bring you someplace first.
Laurel tried to protest, but she suddenly had another headache and passed out.
When Laurel opened her eyes, she didn't know where she was. It looked like she was in an apartment, but not one she recognized.
"Oh, good you're awake," Andrew said.
"Where am I?" Laurel asked.
"My place actually," Andrew said. "It was the quickest place I could think of to bring you."
"For a CEO, I'd expect a place more sophisticated," Laurel said. The apartment looked like any regular apartment. It's size was even similar to her apartment.
"I may be running a multi-million dollar business, but I do prefer a simple living space," Andrew explained. "Here." He gave her a cup of tea. "It should help with your headaches.
Laurel really doubted that, but she took it anyway and drank it. "So, why help me? You don't even know my name."
"Okay then, what's your name?" Andrew asked, smiling.
Even with the pain from the headaches, Laurel still smiled back. "Laurel Lance, Assistant District Attorney."
"I've heard that name before," Andrew said. "You've made quite a name for yourself with prosecuting the criminals that The Arrow brings in."
"I guess you could say my reputation precedes me," Laurel said jokingly.
"I suppose it does," Andrew said. "Would you mind me asking what's the matter with you? You seem ill."
"Just having a very bad day. Besides, my health is the farthest thing from my thoughts right now," Laurel admitted. "I have this huge decision to make and I don't know what to do."
"If I may," Andrew said. "What decision would you have to make?"
"It's not something that I can just talk with anyone," Laurel said.
"Then don't give me details," Andrew said. "But if want to talk about it, just give me a general idea of your dilemma."
Laurel thought for a moment, and decided to talk. However, she had to be careful what to say. She didn't want to reveal that she was struggling with the idea of becoming a vampire. "I've been put in a situation that leaves me with a very difficult decision. If I make this decision, I'll change into a completely different person. If I don't, then I won't be able to see my family or my friends ever again." She didn't go in to specific details about her condition, but the general result of what would happen to her was more or less clear.
"Would you mind if I could give my opinion?" Andrew asked.
Laurel nodded, considering that she hadn't made a decision yet, someone else's opinion would be nice.
"You said this decision would change you into a different person," Andrew said. "What would be wrong about being different?"
"It's more complicated than that," Laurel said. "If I do change into this different me, I might lose everything that make me the way I am and become someone that I may not like. If that happens, I'm afraid of losing or hurting the people I care about. I feel that I won't be strong enough to stop that from happening."
"I know this may not mean much from someone you literally just bumped into, but I believe you're stronger than you think," Andrew said.
"How could you know that?" Laurel asked.
"Well, because you still live in this city," Andrew replied. "I've heard what's happened to Starling in the past two years. It a surprise that anyone is still living here. But you still live here and you still do your job to keep this city safe. You are strong in your own way Laurel. So whatever that decision is that you have to make, I am sure that you can get through it."
Laurel gave a smile, feeling better after hearing Andrew's words. She then saw the clock on the wall and saw that it was already night. "How long was I asleep?"
"About several hours," Andrew said.
"I need to go," Laurel said as she got up and headed for the door. Before she did, she turned around quickly. "Thank you Mr. Bennett. For helping me, for listening, and for your advice."
Andrew gave a small grin. "Your welcome Laurel. And please, call me Andrew."
Laurel smiled back. "Thank you, Andrew." She then left. She needed to make a call.
Laurel was sitting down and waiting back at her apartment when Oliver and Rebekah arrived.
"You told us to come here," Oliver said to Laurel. "Does this mean you've made up your mind."
"Almost," Laurel said. "I just need to talk to Rebekah first."
Oliver nodded and stepped out of the apartment, leaving Laurel and Rebekah.
"What do you want to talk about?" Rebekah asked as she sat down with her.
"I want to ask you a question," Laurel said. "And I want you to tell me the absolute truth. Can you promise that you will?"
"I promise," Rebekah replied.
"Then my question is this: Do you think I should be a vampire?" Laurel asked.
Rebekah did not say anything for a moment, thinking of her answer. She finally gave a response. "Honestly, I don't think anyone should be given this curse. I've lived for centuries as a vampire and most of the time, it brought me nothing but suffering and despair. If I was given a choice back then, I would have chosen not to become a vampire."
Laurel listened to Rebekah's words, feeling sadness for what Rebekah went through.
"However," Rebekah continued. "If becoming a vampire is the only way I won't lose my friend, then I say do it. Complete the transition."
"But you said..." Laurel began.
"It's true that I suffered with being a vampire," Rebekah said. "But I had my siblings with me over the centuries. If you do choose to become a vampire, I can help you with your abilities. You won't be alone Laurel. I can promise you that."
Laurel's eyes filled with tears as Rebekah finished speaking. "Can you call Oliver back in?" Laurel asked.
Once Oliver was back inside the room, Laurel stood up to face them.
"I've made my decision," Laurel said. "I'm going to complete the transition."
Oliver and Rebekah did not say anything as Laurel gave her answer.
"I'm not ready to die yet and if there is a chance for me to live, I want to take it," Laurel said.
Oliver nodded. "Okay then."
Rebekah looked to Oliver. "You know what to do."
Oliver pulled out a Swiss Army knife and cut the palm of his hand. He then walked towards Laurel, who took his palm.
"Any last words or lectures about how dangerous this is to try and talk me out of this?" Laurel asked, a little humor in her voice.
Oliver gave a somber smile. "I know you Laurel. Once you've made up your mind, you're not going to change it. Whatever happens, you have all of our support."
Laurel gave a small smile back. She then took a deep breath and consumed the blood from Oliver's palm.
Once she did, Oliver and Rebekah saw Laurel's eyes turn red with black veins around them. She also had protruding fangs from her mouth
"Welcome to your new life," Rebekah said.