Johanna walked in the cool night air, shaking her head and muttering under her breath. She had found her brother, alive - somewhat - and he was caught up in a supernatural war she knew he was ill-equipped for.
She sighed. "I know you're there. Be less creepy and just walk with me," she said.
"You have extremely well-developed senses," Elijah said, appearing before her in a blink.
"Thanks," she muttered. Actually, her senses had nothing to with it this time - she merely assumed that one of them would follow her.
"You're also taking this remarkably well," he said.
"Gotta play the hand you're dealt, right?" she said brightly.
"Hm," he said, falling into stride with her as they walked.
"You want to know my story," she predicted.
"If you would like to share it," he said politely.
"Not much to it," she said. "I joined the Army when I was eighteen - just out of high school. Small town, had to get out. No money for college without going into massive debt. I didn't want that, so, I joined."
"During Basic, I did exceptionally well. They placed me with an elite combat unit. Our missions were selective and secretive. I did three tours in Afghanistan and a few more in some hot spots around the world. We were a tight group. Lost a few over the years. But we stayed on mission, helped one another when it got too rough," she paused, gathering her thoughts.
"One night, we were escorting a convey. Full moon," she said, looking to him and saw that he understood.
"One of the trucks hit an IED, and - that was it. Panic, rushing to position. Then they attacked. Monsters - wolves. My sergeant and I were trapped under one of the humvees. He bit into his wrist and forced me to drink. He ripped a hole though the side, told me to stay there, to cover him, that he would lead them away. That they smelled him, they wanted him. He sped off."
"I still didn't understand what was happening. Just that Sarge needed cover, so I laid down fire as they went after him. I don't even know if I hit any of them, they were so fast. There were a couple more explosions and I blacked out. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. Still alive, still human," she smiled.
"As soon as I woke up, they were on me - my superiors. Asking questions, going over and over my story. Asking where Sarge was. I didn't tell them anything. No way. They were relentless, but finally, they seemed satisfied that I didn't know anything, didn't see anything."
"I was in the hospital a few days. Some sprains, concussion - with all the damage done to the others, it was a miracle I didn't have anything more serious. And one night Sarge showed up."
"He told me everything. He was a 135 year old vampire. He fed me his blood to help heal me, or if I died, to have me return as a vampire. Told me how the wolves first instinct would be to chase him, so he ran, led them away from us. He told me everything. Vampires, witches, wolves, rumors of doppelgangers and really old vampires. Their weaknesses, their strengths. Ever since, I've been on a steady diet of vervain, and I don't go camping on a full moon."
Elijah chuckled lightly. He found himself favorably impressed with the young woman before him.
"So I guess you're one of the really old ones," she said, looking at him. "What's your story?"
"That is a very long story. Suffice to say that my siblings and I are the first vampires to walk the earth. We're over a thousand years old."
"Now I know there's more to that story," she said lightly.
He nodded, but didn't elaborate. "Now it's just me, my brother and sister. My brother you met earlier, and my sister has decided she has had enough of our foolishness and is off, living her life," he smiled thinly, selling the necessary lie.
They walked compatibly in silence for a few blocks. They reached the door to her hotel in the Quarter. She turned to face him.
"So, Johanna," Elijah began.
"Call me Jo," she said.
"I think not," he said.
She laughed. "Proper, huh? So I guess I can't call you 'Eli?'"
"Certainly not."
She laughed again. "Never? No one ever -"
"Never," he stated emphatically.
"How about 'E.J.?" she teased.
The look he gave her can only be described as horrified, and she laughed again.
"Sorry - what were you going to say?"
"My brother is going to want to turn you," Elijah said simply. "Especially when learns of your skills and history."
"So don't tell him," she said dryly.
He chuckled. "Keeping secrets from my brother - never works."
"I don't want to be a vampire," she said.
"I understand that. Just know that he can be very persuasive."
"Not gonna happen," she said firmly, staring him the eyes.
"If you're planning on staying in New Orleans, you should be prepared. This a war zone, unlike one you've ever seen. My brother and I intend to win, as we always have. No matter the cost."
"You always win?" she asked.
"We're the Original Family. We're stronger, faster, smarter. We were - sloppy, we got sidetracked with petty grievances instead of facing our foes head on, together. And because of that, we lost -," he broke off, not wanting to get into the loss of Hope.
"We're focused now. Niklaus will want you on our side."
She looked at him. "I'm sorry about your niece," she said softly. "I get the need for revenge, I do. My brother - whom I love despite his unfortunate decision making skills - is a vampire. I'll do whatever I can to help him. If your interests align, then I'm on your side. But I won't become a vampire."