A/N – Thanks for the comments! This is almost over! I hope you've enjoyed it!

Chapter 21 – Welcome Back

Mostly everyone in the castle slept at least until lunch hour or later. Nikolas continued to watch over Emily. They still had a while to go before she would stir.

Elizabeth finally woke up and Helena prepared a bath for her and fussed over her. When she was finished she walked back into the room and Francis was standing there. She ran into his arms and he held her for several minutes.

"Do you want to go to him?"

She nodded.

He walked her down the hall and they went into Jason's room. Anna was in there and looked up at them.

"Any change?" Liz asked.

Anna shook her head.

Liz climbed into the bed next to Jason and Anna threw her arms around Francis, so glad that he was back and safe.

He looked a little surprised but she just smirked. "I told you that I wouldn't change my mind."

He leaned forward until their foreheads touched. "Thank you."

Elizabeth ran her hand over Jason's face. "You have to come back to me my love. I can't have this baby on my own."

Anna gasped. "Elizabeth are you pregnant?"

She smiled. "I'm not totally sure; I mean I haven't taken a test but I just feel different." She said having a hard time explaining it.

Anna smiled. "We can use a spell to tell later."

Liz nodded. It would still be really early but then again she wasn't sure if the growth would be accelerated or not. There was no book on hybrid pregnancies.

"I need you to fight Jason. You have everything to live for." She said softly.

She laid her head on his chest and it was like she was sucked into a vision. They were in Lila's gardens again and Jason looked perfectly well.

"Hello my love." Elizabeth said smiling.

Jason grabbed her and spun her around. "I love you Elizabeth."

"I love you more." She said smiling.

"I would never leave you." He said kissing her softly. "Believe in me."

Elizabeth jerked into a sitting position.

"Elizabeth?" Francis said moving closer to the bed.

"Oh my God. I think it worked. He told me to believe in him and that he would never leave me."

Anna smiled. "That's great news. We just have to be patient now and wait for him to completely change."

"I hate that word." Liz said frowning.

Francis smiled. "Oh Lizzie, some things never change. You were never one for being patient."

She rolled her eyes. "I could use a hot chocolate."

Francis chuckled. "I'll be right back."

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Mac walked back and forth next to the church. He just couldn't figure out how the wall had come down. They had done their best to shore up what remained but it was still baffling. There was no evidence that a bomb had occurred either. The field behind the church was trodden and dug up like a war had taken place but no one in the area had reported anything. He wasn't sure what the hell was going on or how he was going to explain this to Father Coates when he returned.

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Lila strode into the castle. "Francis?"

He rushed towards her. "Lila, you're back already?"

She nodded and gave him a hug. "I wasn't far. Where are Emily and Jason?"

Francis grimaced and pulled her into the living room. "You should sit down."

"Francis, stop putting it off and tell me what happened please."

Francis sat down next to her and explained what had happened to Emily.

"Oh my." Lila said. Helena had called and told her a little bit but it was shocking to hear the details. "Are you sure she'll be okay?"

"I know it's not ideal Lila but yes she will be okay. Nikolas just honored her wishes."

Lila nodded. "And Jason?"

"That's a little more complicated." He said standing up. He paced back and forth as he told her the story.

Lila was stunned. "Elizabeth?"

"She's hanging in there. She's with him now. Do you want to see them?"

She nodded. "Yes. I want to see Emily too."

Francis led her upstairs and Liz was shocked to see her.

"Lila?"

"Hi my dear. I had to come and check up on you. How is my grandson?"

She sigh. "We're not totally sure. But I think it worked."

Lila brushed her hand over Jason's face and then kissed him on the cheek. "Jason is a fighter. He'll make it. Just have faith."

Liz smiled slightly. "I will. Lila, there is something that you should know."

"Helena called me and explained so I wouldn't be shocked." She said with a smirk. If Elizabeth was indeed pregnant, then she would be over the moon.

"Lila, I'm going to ask Jason to marry me when he wakes up."

Lila grinned. "You're going to ask him?"

"Yes. I know it's unorthodox but I don't care. I want him to be my husband." She said blushing. "And since I might be pregnant…"

Lila clapped her hands together. "Oh I do hope so. You could get married in my gardens. It would be the perfect place. Father Coates would probably agree to the ceremony."

Liz smiled. "Then it's settled."

Francis chuckled. "Um, aren't you forgetting that you haven't asked Jason yet?"

Anna grinned. "Please, like he would say no."

Lila chuckled. "And how is my other favorite couple?"

Francis smiled and took Anna's hand. "We're fine."

"Good. All is well then. I'm going to go see Emily."

Liz smiled as she watched her leave.

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Nikolas got up when Lila entered the room. "Hello." He said softly.

Lila could tell that Nikolas was uncomfortable. She went over to Emily and gave her a kiss and whispered into her ear and then went over to him. "It's okay Nikolas. You honored her wishes. I don't hold it against you."

"It was so hard." He said emotionally.

She grabbed his hand. "You both will make it through this. I know you care about my granddaughter. I can see it in your eyes. Promise me that you will take great care of her."

Nikolas nodded. "I promise."

Lila smiled and spent a little more time with Emily before going back downstairs.

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By the next morning, Emily started to stir a little. Everyone was excited and knew that soon she would awaken. Epiphany was ready with the synthetic blood, knowing she would be thirsty.

Jason was still not moving but his skin color had changed and Elizabeth could tell that he was well on his way. They just had no idea what he would be; that was the big mystery.

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That evening, Emily bolted into a sitting position and Nikolas rushed to her side. "Emily."

She looked at him confused. "What happened?"

"You were dying and asked me to turn you."

Emily gasped. "What are you saying? Am I like you now?"

Nikolas nodded. "I hope you can forgive me."

She was stunned but quickly found her voice again. "There's nothing to forgive." She said touching her face. "I feel so different."

Epiphany walked inside and handed her a huge bottle. "Drink."

"What is it?"

"Synthetic blood." Nikolas explained. "If you drink that, you will not feel the need to feed on humans or animals."

Emily nodded. "I am quite thirsty."

"This will help." Epiphany said handing it to her.

Emily smelled it and then started to gulp it down. It was quenching her thirst and tasted so good. She licked her lips and handed it back to Piph who smiled.

"That really hit the spot." Emily said smiling.

"I'll come back in an hour with more. You'll be extra thirsty early on."

Emily watched her walk out. "What about Jason?"

"He's still unconscious but hopefully we'll hear from him soon."

She nodded and laid back against the pillows hoping that Jason would be okay.

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About one in the morning, Liz felt Jason's body jolt and she quickly yelled for her father in her head. Stefan was there in no time followed by Bobbie.

"Elizabeth what's wrong?"

"His body just moved."

Bobbie leaned over Jason. "He's stirring. It won't be long now."

Liz smiled and then studied them for a moment. "You two seem awful chummy."

Bobbie grinned. "Would you be okay with that?"

"Definitely."

Stefan smiled. "Good."

Jason's body jumped again.

Helena and Epiphany rushed into the room. "Is he okay?"

Liz smiled. "His body is moving." She said excitedly.

"It will probably still be awhile but by morning, I think he will be awake."

"Will he be thirsty?" Liz asked.

"If he's half human then no." Helena said. "But if he's full, then we'll have to have some synthetic blood available."

Liz nodded.

They watched him for a while and then slowly everyone left and Liz settled back against him and fell asleep.

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About 6:00 A.M., Jason's eyes snapped open and he looked around the room. His eye sight was so clear and he heard Francis before he saw him.

"Jason." Francis said smiling.

He looked over at him and smiled.

"Thank God."

Elizabeth jerked awake and was stunned to look into his beautiful blue eyes. "Jason." She yelled as she dove onto him and peppered him with kisses.

Jason's chuckle filled the room. "Damn baby are you happy to see me?"

Francis laughed.

"You have no idea."

He looked up at her with his eyes filled with love. "I told you that I wouldn't leave you."

"How do you feel?"

"Good—a little weird though. Tell me what happened."

Elizabeth told him everything and Jason didn't say anything at first but then looked at Francis. "Can you go get Jerry please?"

He nodded and left.

"Are you thirsty?"

"I could use some water." Jason said.

"That's not what I meant.

He tilted his head. "Oh. No, I'm not that kind of thirsty."

She smiled.

Jerry rushed into the room and Jason smiled. "Thank you so much for what you did."

Jerry sighed. "Thank God you're alive. I wasn't sure that it would work."

Jason sat up all the way. "Well, I'm back."

"And your half-human?"

Liz nodded. "I think so. He doesn't have the thirst. Emily did."

"Wait….what?" Jason asked.

"Oh, um, Emily is a vampire now. Mikkos bit her after the deadline and she begged Nikolas to turn her so he did."

Jason was stunned. "That's a lot to process. Is she okay?"

"Yes, she woke up before you."

Helena walked into the room. "Jason, you're back."

Jason smiled. "I am."

"Half?" She asked.

Liz smiled. "Yes. We can test that theory out. It's daylight."

Jason slipped his legs over the side of the bed and stood. His movements were more fluid and he walked over to the balcony and threw open the curtains and walked outside. The sun was bright and it felt good on his skin.

Elizabeth walked up behind him. "Then I guess you are half and half. Let me see your teeth."

He smiled and she smirked. "Can you bear your fangs?"

He looked at her funny. "How?"

"Well, there are numerous ways. Think of someone who pisses you off."

Jason thought of Lucky and Liz saw his eyes change colors and he hissed and his fangs appeared. "Holy shit." Jason muttered as he ran inside and darted into the bathroom so he could see.

Elizabeth followed him. "Be right back." She said to everyone on the way.

Jason looked at himself in shock. He looked different; quite well rested. His muscles seemed even more defined. The fangs were a little disconcerting.

"You'll get used to it."

He looked over at her and he could feel them retract. "If you say so."

She smiled.

"My gunshot scars are gone." He said as he stared into the mirror.

"I already thought your chest was perfect before but now it's just sinful."

Jason looked over at her intensely. "Get rid of everybody now." He growled. His need to have her was overwhelming his senses. Elizabeth shuttered. "Give me a second." She said trying to catch her breath.

She went into the room. "Jason is a little overwhelmed. Could you give us some time alone? I'll bring him downstairs soon."

Helena hugged her and then ushered the rest of them out.

Elizabeth flicked her hand to soundproof the room and deny anyone entrance and the next thing she knew she was flat on her back on the bed.

"Someone's a little frisky." She said saucily.

His eyes darkened. "God I've missed your mouth." He said before kissing her hard. Elizabeth moaned her approval as he pressed his body onto hers. He tortuously kissed his way down her body as Liz bucked her hips and begged him to take her. Jason's self-control was always one of his greatest human traits. That coupled with his vampire side made him more stone cold than he had ever been. He was in no hurry as he pleasured her with his tongue as it swirled around her nipple before he raked his teeth over her bud. Elizabeth was coming undone. "Jason….please." She begged.

He continued his oral assault as he made his way down to the promised land, already knowing that she would be wet for him.

Liz was practically speaking in tongues by the time he started to suck and flick her clit with his mouth and tongue. Her thighs gripped his head tightly. Jason was on a mission to possess her over and over again. His tongue penetrated her and she gripped the sheets as she moved her hips in time to his machinations. Jason moaned and the vibration made her scream with pleasure and her body clenched and then an intense orgasm slammed through her body as she whimpered and moaned his name.

When her legs finally slackened, Jason looked up at her and smiled. "I'm just beginning baby."

She let out a shaky breath. "Good to know."

He smirked and flipped her over causing her to yelp and then his body pressed against her and she cursed under her breath. She swore he was purposely trying to tease her to death. She could feel his hardness rub against her cheeks and she almost came again. Jason began giving her wet kisses all over back. He couldn't get enough of how her skin tasted. Her sensuous smell filled his nostrils and he moaned. She buried her head into the pillow when he lightly bit her right cheek as he spanked the other one.

Whatever had gotten into him was lighting a fire within her that was almost overwhelming. He lifted her hips and gripped both cheeks as his tongue slid into her wetness again.

"Ja—Jason…oh God. Please… I need you inside of me." She said almost in tears.

"You taste so damn good baby."

Elizabeth growled. "Jason Morgan if you don't fuck me right now….." She said her mind temporarily going blank when he began to hum.

Her legs were shaking. Gathering up every ounce of self control and strength she dropped down flat, and flipped back over, her legs propelling him onto his back and then she was straddling him as he smiled up at her. "All you had to do is ask."

Liz glared at him and grabbed his cock, making him moan. "You will pay for that later." She said before impaling herself on his hardness as her entire body quivered.

Jason watched her start to move up and down as she tightened her kegel muscles squeezing him tightly.

"Fuck." He muttered as she slammed down harder. She had never used so much force with him before and he realized she had been holding back for fear of hurting him. He grabbed her hips and the force of his thrusts made her breasts jiggle in front of him as she threw her back in ecstasy. "Touch yourself baby." He demanded.

She moaned and her hand slipped onto her clit and she rubbed feverishly. He groaned at the sight and unable to take it anymore, he rolled them over and then relentlessly pumped inside of her. A half hour later, he showed no sign of tiring and Elizabeth had already had two more orgasms. She never wanted them to end; each more exquisite than the last. He turned her over again and pulled her onto her knees and Jason began fucking her like a madman. And as she felt herself explode around him yet again, Jason grunted and then groaned loudly as he emptied himself into her endlessly.

They collapsed onto the bed and Liz started to giggle.

"What's so funny?"

"I like your new superpowers."

Jason grinned. "You ain't seen nothing yet.