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LIZ
There's a silver lining in this, for this Liz is sure. She left the girls chatting it up in Caroline's room like they were thirteen again, and it had delighted the sheriff. It was also comforting to see Caroline include Rebekah, much to Bonnie and Elena's chagrin. There's something about the original sister that pulls at Liz's heart. In fact, her presence around the house while her daughter was away had felt a lot like having Caroline near.
Liz briefly interrupted their chatter, advising them she had to somehow remain accountable at the station, especially since they don't want to raise suspicion. She had checked in with Klaus, and everything was status quo around the border. He agreed that she should make an appearance at work, and Rebekah was appointed watch over the house. It was an awkward conversation with Klaus for the sole reason that he had quipped about someone finally calling his phone instead of the incessant texting, but they shared the opinion that it was possibly the best way to sneak in an update if they didn't want to be heard. Who the hell would have ever imagined this?
In recent days, Liz's main symptoms have been random bouts of various afflictions. Sometimes, it's difficulty with balance, nausea, headaches, and other times, fits of numbness in a leg or an arm. Caroline had confronted her about the pills, which regrettably Liz was careless with during Caroline's absence, and had shrugged them off, blaming it on another occupational hazard—high blood pressure.
The sheriff maneuvers around her desk, verifying documents and generally tidying up. She's disrupted by a soft tap at the door.
"Come in," she calls, trying to blink the shadows out of her eyes. It's tough reading lately.
"Good evening, Sheriff Forbes. Please let me know if I'm intruding."
Liz's head shoots up. It's an elegant, calm voice commanding her attention.
"Elijah Mikaelson," she utters.
Elijah smiles. "I thought I would have to reintroduce myself," he says, closing the door behind him. "May I have a word, my good Sheriff?"
"Sure, please sit," she says, pointing to a chair across her desk. "I heard you could be returning, but I'm still surprised to see you. You've been gone for a few months now, correct?"
"Indeed. How is this good town getting on?" he asks, draping a leg over his knee. "I hope my siblings are behaving and considered productive members of the community by now."
She settles in her chair with slow, cautious movements. Her lips purse in thought as she considers the question, containing a potentially disparaging grin. "They have their moments," she says, curbing a smile.
Her remark sparks a boisterous chuckle out of Elijah. "I for one appreciate your penchant for understatements, Sheriff Forbes."
She acknowledges his approval with a fleeting nod. "What can I do for you, Mr. Mikaelson?"
"Elijah, please."
"As you wish, but I remain Sheriff."
Elijah slaps a hand on his knee, seemingly amused. "Well, I wouldn't have it any other way," he says. "Now, I hear there are grave matters concerning your daughter. Allow me to express how much I commiserate with you. This must be a tremendously upsetting time," he says, reaching out towards a frame on Liz's desk.
"May I?" he asks.
"Sure," she says.
Elijah studies the photograph. "I remember her at my family's ball. She's truly a lovely young woman, Sheriff Forbes. I imagine it's hard in this day and age for someone as young as Caroline to carry herself throughout a highly sophisticated event, but she was entirely graceful. Kudos!" he says. Elijah's head dips slightly, saluting Liz.
"My daughter is in her element in that kind of thing. I'm afraid I have little if nothing to do with that."
"I actually became familiar with Elena Gilbert and the Salvatores while I was in town. I only crossed paths with Caroline and regret to say I don't know her well at all. However, my siblings have been acquainted, and it's why I'm here."
Liz's body perks up, assembling focus. Her eyes strain.
"Rebekah tells me Niklaus is occupied with helping your family. I'm pleasantly surprised to hear it but remain suspicious."
"I suppose I can understand why you'd be doubtful of his assistance. I certainly was," she states. "I mean no disrespect, Elijah, but your family, Klaus in particular, are usually the initiators of all bad things around here, and now your brother's an ally."
"So, it's true?"
"Yes, and Rebekah as well."
"When I left town, I promised Elena and the Salvatores that I would no longer be a challenge. It was important for my sister to build a short likeness to a human life here and I believe she deserves that. Niklaus and I on the other hand, had a falling out," he explains. "We're still coping with that, but at a smart distance. Yet, when my baby sister called, and I heard this was really about someone else, my curiosity got the better of me, and I returned. Therefore, Sheriff Forbes, I'm here to ask you one precise question."
"I'm all ears."
"Does Niklaus' involvement stem from a genuine concern or has he stepped in for something in return?"
"I'm not going to lie," she says, readying herself to get up on her feet. Dizziness forces her to reconsider. "There was a time when your brother was testing sire bonds and my daughter was collateral damage. He ultimately saved her for my support. If you recall, Stefan had you and your family in the very coffins Klaus had stuffed you in himself, threatening to dump you in the ocean. He went around town decapitating hybrids, and Klaus needed me and the mayor on his side for added pressure. So, it wouldn't be unreasonable to believe that we're missing something. But, to my trained eye, he's genuinely concerned about Caroline."
Liz feels like she has been subconsciously keeping count. She doesn't want Klaus' history festering right now, when she has to accept him as a comrade until the threat against Caroline is extinguished.
"I'm not sure what's going on between your brother and my daughter, Elijah," Liz admits. Her mouth feels dry, an effect from the pills, and her brows furrow from the pressure in her head. She tries soldiering through. "Caroline has a boyfriend, and Klaus has been terrible to everyone she knows, including Caroline, but they have an inexplicable influence on each other that I wasn't aware of until this weekend."
She notices an odd look from Elijah, followed by a glance at the water jug on her desk.
He rises. "May I?"
"Sure," she says. He pours a glass, proffering it to Liz.
"Thanks."
Elijah returns to his seat.
"And for yourself?" she asks.
"I'm good," he replies. "I confess, Sheriff, I'm intrigued to see what you're saying with my own eyes."
"Obviously her friends would oppose, and I'm not keen, but right now, their friendship is keeping her safer than I can. So, I definitely won't butt in."
"Then you and Caroline have my support!"
Liz smiles warily.
"I promised myself that I would not get drawn in by Klaus' business solely because he's my brother. I want to exist on merit and civility. It must be a noble fight, or I won't get caught up in it anymore. Your daughter, and it seems the likes of all super naturals who are trying to carve out new versions of themselves in Mystic Falls, find themselves in a bind. Rebekah explained as much. The border can use more patrol and I'll gladly meet them on the front line after this meeting."
"I appreciate that. I think we can use all the help we can get."
She's about to push her chair back when suddenly she frets finding equilibrium again. She can't always anticipate when she'll exactly feel weak and dizzy but knows better in this moment. Yet, Liz finds this closing conversation deserves a hand shake, and wants to properly thank Elijah.
"Please, stay seated, Sheriff. Don't bother yourself with me. May I be so forward to discuss another matter."
"Of course."
"I'm not clear how much you know or understand when it comes to us and how we function…"
"We meaning super naturals."
"Vampires in particular, Sheriff. I won't speak for others but of our kind I know exceptionally well. See, with time we detect sadness, fear, goodness, and evil radiating from one's life force."
"Meaning blood."
"Yes, forgive me. I'm merely trying to…"
"Beat around the bush?" she says, making a light-hearted grin. "Elijah, I know none of what keeps my daughter and the rest of you alive is pretty, so no need for the scenic route. Say what you have to say. You can be frank."
"Very well," he says, and Elijah looks ready to resume, bringing his fingertips together in a steeple. "For someone as old as I am, and my sister, and I would imagine Niklaus, when something interrupts one's blood stream, disturbing the signals of their life force, we can pick up a significant difference. With a trained nose and palette…"
Liz cringes.
"You did say to avoid the scenic route," he teases.
She clears her throat. "Go on."
Elijah spreads his arms as though seeking inspiration.
"An experienced vampire can detect these interruptions."
Liz feels unexpectedly guarded; wary where this is going.
"I will be blunt now," he warns.
With a curt nod, Liz gives him clearance.
"Where is your tumor, Sheriff?"
Liz's entire body contracts in shock. She looks unyieldingly at Elijah's warm, serious face, and she's sick with dread. She folds her arms under her breasts, adding pressure to her stomach.
"Cancer?" he asks.
Her voice feels like it's coagulating on its way up.
"Brain," she says.
Author's Note: This is bitter-sweet. I'm happy to introduce Elijah into the story, but Liz is breaking my heart.
